A Journey Through Edwards Lane

Trying out some homemade solutions for around Edwards Lane...

2011-10-09T16:10:00.000-05:00

I am ~~midly~~ addicted to Pinterest...As I'm sure most of you are. I finally put a couple of my ~~eight hundred and some~~ pins to use!!!

The powder is dishwasher deteregent & the spray bottle is shower cleaner.

Both can be found here...

Dishwasher Detergent

DIY Daily Shower Cleaner

With in the next week I will be out of laundry detergent & will also be mixing up this...

Homemade Laundry Soap

I don't know about you, but I am sick of dishing out money on overpriced cleaners & detergents!!! Anything to save a buck!

A few snippets to share...

2011-10-03T17:09:00.001-05:00

The dresser finally made it to the bedroom!!! I still have some odds n ends projects to get finished up in the room, but it is SO close to finally being photo worthy! Lol

I also made a few ~~more~~ changes in the foyer...

Painted the chair...Hung a faux doorknob/lock...Got rid of the ~~way too big for the space~~ baskets...Hung a grapevine wreath...

A close up of the photo wall...

I just <3 this table!!! Total Craigslist score! That is an old...Like 1980's Longaberger umbrella basket I found at a garage sale for...$3.00!!!

Excuse the ~~junk~~ collection in the bowl...It is right by the door, so as you know it collects lots of junk!!!

I'm finally getting back into the swing of things...

2011-09-25T22:34:00.001-05:00

After all of the back to school crazies have settled I am eager to get some projects ~~old & new~~ finished!!!

Over the past 7 weeks or so since I last posted ~~gasp~~ I found an old chippy door for the foyer & my mom found me a ladderback style chair at a sale for 25 cents!!!

This isn't the best photo & I need to give that chair some serious color...Just not sure what color yet, but it shows that I am at least making some progress...

(Excuse the touch up spots on the wall...I have a photo to get hung there)

Notice that Ah-Mazing table!?!?! Well, that was my Craigslist find & the best part...It looked exactly like this!!! I think this is one of the first finds I haven't had to do a thing to! Well, this & the chippy door too! =)

After a few more changes...

Lastly, but not least. I have a before & after to share...

Not too bad for a $25.00 garage sale dresser...Huh?!?

Next posting in less than 7 weeks...I pinkie swear!

Why does the end of summer get SO crazy busy?!?

2011-08-05T22:09:00.000-05:00

It has just been a whirl wind around here lately...I have barely gotten any projects ~~worked on~~ much less done! Oy Vey...Am I ready for the kids to get back in school & the pace to slow down just a scooch! Lol

I have been struggling ~~to say the least~~ with the ~~huge~~ foyer forever! I have been thinking about getting an old chippy door to put here...

In that empty corner down there. Excuse the ~~no hanging~~ photos.

Another project...Another day!

Well...My mom found this door at a local garage sale for...$25.00!!! SCORE! Now the only chore is to get it painted & distressed.

Does the 'smoky charcoal' dresser look familiar?

Remember her looking like this?

I managed to get her painted, but have yet to distress her up. If I were selling this piece I'm not sure I would distress it. With the clean line & modern look it has I feel distressing it is sort of 'oxy moron' if you will. Those two styles just don't mix. However, since it is for me I suppose I can do whatever I please with it. =)

One more...

Do you remember my ~~make shift mini~~ furniture store I had going on in the foyer, not so long ago?

I'm slowly making progress in there...

Imagine my old chippy door in that corner with a cute little cane seat chair, quilt draped over the back & a wreath hanging from the door. I can't wait...

Need to hang mirror & bench is up for sale...Just not loving it there.

That is all for now...I still need to get some photos of that pink desk we are getting ready to move rooms around with the kids, so hoping to have some photos of their rooms coming too!

A stiff neck & Sore fingetips...But thousands of Lego's are sorted & organized!!!

2011-08-01T16:42:00.002-05:00

I probably won't be able to move by this evening, but on a more positive note I have successfully disassembled, sorted & organized all of my son's Lego sets. He only has four main sets, but they are the really big ones!

Like this set...Which has 1,294 pieces...

Or this one...Which has 1,061 pieces...

How about this one...953 pieces...

Getting smaller...609 pieces...

408 pieces...

A measly 278 pieces...

Even this little guy has 117 Pieces...

There were a couple more little sets & this one is still on the shelf assembled...Good thing, cause that is another 360 pieces I would have had to sort...

According to my calculations that is 4,720+ little pieces of plastic that I organized...He may never touch them again!!! Lol

In his defense, most sets were assembled, but he robs pieces from one set to "custom build" something else. I just couldn't take the mass chaos of it all any longer! =)

So for now, this is what we have...

Sure doesn't look like nearly FIVE THOUSAND pieces to me...Believe my neck, rump & finger tips though...It is!!!

Hoping to have some furniture photos soon...The french provincial desk is finally painted the sweetest shade of pink & it is even in my daughter's room!

It's done...It's done!!! Dining room makeover...

2011-07-26T00:27:00.001-05:00

Whew...I feel like this project has taken a lifetime! I know it has only been a couple of months, but for Mrs. Impatient herself...That is a lifetime!

Let's start with some before photos...

Notice the bald baby in the corner Lol...This was two years ago when the little really was little.

A photo at Christmas time...Pretty lame eh?!?

I realized going through my photos that I don't have any decent ones of the dining room space before...Not that it was very 'photo worthy' any who! Lol

And for the after...
Overload warning, but now it is very 'photo worthy' so I have been snapping away! Lol

I am still thinking I want a rug, but not certain. Since this space is basically right next to the living room & I have a rug there with a busy print I think I'll need to go solid. I'm thinking of going with something natural like a jute rug. They are pretty pricey though & I haven't come across many of them on Craigslist. Ha!

All in all I am pretty pleased with the way it has turned out, however I do plan on stripping the table top & staining it. I always wanted it that way, but yet again Mrs. Imaptient stepped in the way & it was quicker & easier to just paint it at the time. Now I get to do more work...~~Yay!~~

A quick price breakdown...

Table & four (tall) chairs $60.00...Craigslist
Set of four (short) chairs $40.00...Craigslist
New foam for four chairs $30.00...JoAnns
Fabric for all eight chairs $21.00...JoAnns clearance
Buffet $50.00...I paid $30.00, My mom paid $20.00...Garage Sale
White dishes $10.50...Thrift Store
Green pitcher $9.99...TJ Maxx
Globe $9.99...TJ Maxx
Vase in corner with filler $3.00...garage sale
Eucalyptus leaves $2.97...JoAnns clearance
Metal bird $3.00 for a set of four (one is used here)...Thrift Store
Bean Pot FREE...for hosting a party
Plate rack $5.00-$7.00...This was a Target clearance from 5+ years ago
Mirror FREE...From my dad
Drapes $15.00/pair...Craigslist
Curtain rod set of wooden brackets & a wooden closet rod spray pianted with Krylon Oli Rubbed Bronze
Set of ring clips also sprayed with Krylon Oil Rubbed Bronze $8.00...Home Depot

Glidden "Shaded Ice" color match for Sherwin Williams ProClassic paint $19.00 or $20.00 a quart. I bought one quart & finished it, then bought another at 40% off & didn't even use half.

The "Smoky Charcoal" on the buffet front is a gallon my mom bought & I used some.

I think that has it covered...
$286.85 Approx spent

I sold the ~~ugly~~ black/wood shiny table for $200.00 on Craigslist, so less than $100.00 spent & look what a difference it made...

Oh ya...I am also thinking the mirror needs a fresh coat of paint...Any suggestions on a color?!?

Finally...The dining room is within hours of being complete!!!

2011-07-25T13:22:00.000-05:00

A quick sneak peek...

I finally have the chairs painted & am distressing them now! Here shortly I will ~~finally~~ have six dining chairs again!!! I can hardly wait!

Completed & a few before/after photos to come very soon!!!

Washing my Linden Street covers...Wish me luck!

2011-07-24T19:01:00.000-05:00

So grandma brings home one of the punks today after having a sleepover. She also brings chocolate...Let me remind you were are in the middle of a heatwave & we all know what heat does to chocolate...Not to mention 100+ degree heat! Add to the fact that I have been in the basement painting so the upstairs is in shambles while four ~~unruly~~ children run amuck! The oldest of the punks is wrestling around with the youngest of the punks on the sofa & as the cushions move around we discover a Kit Kat wrapper that is smooshed between the back cushion & the seat cushion!!! Remember my heatwave comment? Well, as you know when chocolate melts it sticks to the wrapper & this particular Kit Kat really stuck to the wrapper...Ya, so imagine the rest. Ugh...I have been wanting to wash the covers, but have been too scared to do so. They say dry clean only, but who has the time ~~and money~~ for that ~~with four punks!~~

After my initial ~~rant & rave~~ shock I decided to take my chances & throw them in the wash!

Wish ~~my punks~~ me luck!!!

A Chifforobe...A Armoire...A Wardrobe...What is it?

2011-07-24T18:03:00.000-05:00

I had taken a ~~short~~ break from ~~stalking~~ Craigslist last week. I really have about all of the furniture my home can hold right now & I still have a few projects lingering so I figure there is no need to look & be faced with temptation ~~when I find that perfect & cheap piece.~~ I did have a spare moment yesterday & went to browse the furniture section...On the first page I found this beauty...

It has a fabric curtain for the side that I'm assuming a mirror once was. Structurally it is in awesome condition...It even is cedar lined! Cosmetically the paint was peeling off in several places. I could tell there was only one coat, so I decided to go ahead & strip it. It still isn't finished as I wore out last night with it & I have been painting all day long.

Another new project I can't wait to get finished!!!

The dining chairs are painted & waiting to get distressed & the french provincial desk & hutch has been sanded, primed & one coat of paint applied...Just waiting for it to dry to get a second coat on!

I am on the homestretch now...

There is more to my life than thrift stores, Craigslist & Upcycling furniture...I Promise!

2011-07-23T13:04:00.000-05:00

So last weekend I just happened to pull up abercrombie kids website & there were amazing sales! Plus, I had a 20% off code to boot!

I don't only buy furniture at discount prices, but with four kiddos on a single income I have to buy their clothes at cheap prices too! =)

$2.76 each

Blue polo $2.76

Striped polo $5.56

Multi plaid button up $5.56

Check button up $3.96

$3.96 each

Grey shirt $5.56

White & blue $3.96 each

$3.96 each

$5.56 each

One pair was $5.56

The other four were $11.56

My total with shipping & tax...$152.00!!!

The average is $6.33 an item!!!

Retail on the jeans alone was $207.50...This is one of my best purchases of the year! =)

I couldn't resist stopping by TJ Maxx yesterday...

Don't you just love it when an item you've been eyeing goes on clearance? I do!

I have been wanting this cow at TJ Maxx, but at $16.00 I had to pass. Usually at our TJ Maxx things don't last from week to week. This little lady has been there for a few weeks, so obviously no one else loved her as much as I do. Lol

Imagine my excitement when I found "Shelby" on the clearance isle for $12.00! The potpourri mix in the cute little cage was $12.99 & for some reason just caught my eye & I couldn't leave without it. It has seashells in it & it smells SO yummy! The wire cage I just love!

I'm off to the basement to paint my dining chairs...Hoping to have some furniture to share very soon! =)

Sherwin Williams is having a SALE!!!

2011-07-23T00:02:00.000-05:00

At least you know I'll keep painting & sharing!!! Lol

I purchased more "Shadded Ice" for the dining chairs & my daughter helped pick out a pink for her french provincial desk...Yes, I said french provincial desk!!! Can you believe it?!? I almost can't! Not only has it been patiently waiting for it's makeover since...Oh, ~~April!~~ It has been sitting in my foyer since ~~May!~~ Ridiculous!!!

Also got a gallon for the front porch...It's in need of a fresh coat!

Photos to come ~~hopefully~~ by Sunday evening!!! Just of the furniture...I can't take the front porch to the basement ~~where we have set up shop~~ or I could share photos of it by Sunday also. Lol! It's gonna have to wait until the heatwave tames down a bit.

Some before & Afters...Desk

2011-07-18T22:01:00.000-05:00

This was my moms project...She did most all of the work on it.

Remember this old ~~ugly~~ thing???

Look at her now...

The trim work continued onto the back, so by painting it you can set it out from the wall

I think it turned out amazing...

Another project...DONE! My buffet is finally finished...

2011-07-17T16:51:00.000-05:00

Here are some before & afters...

The 'smoky charcoal' is way out of the box for me, but I'm kinda liking it. =)

A snowball effect...During a heat wave right in the middle of July!!!

2011-07-15T00:12:00.001-05:00

If you are a decorator ~~or strive to be one like myself~~ you know all too well about the snowball effect! It is a nasty little thing I tell ya. Take for instance this scenario...

We have lived here for two years now...Not once have I had anything on our lovely front porch ~~except a ugly welcome mat~~ . I have longed for an 'outdoor' space forever. Patio furniture is just SO expensive & it has never been a priority for me. I say every year I am going to buy a patio set when they go on sale at the end of season & it just never happens.

So today my mom, the punks & I were out browsing some local shops & I found a rug at one that had a couple of stains ~~some spilled wine from a local art crawl~~ I asked if it was for sale & the owner said, "If you'll get it out of here...$5 bucks!!! SOLD! So my cheap little $5.00 rug started ~~yet another~~ snowball effect.

Next my wheels started turning for some furniture. I have no budget to go buy some, even if it is starting to see markdowns. Even my trusty Craigslist is pricey...Hmmm. I was not going to be content with just a rug...There had to be more.

Then it hit me...I had these chairs hanging around that I have done nothing with. They were a Craigslist purchase that ended up being quite a bit rougher than I expected, so they have just been sitting around waiting for me to muster up the energy to deal with them.

After configuring them around I've decided to ~~have the hubs help me~~ screw three together to make a bench. I painted them Krylon ? ~~I'll update after I check the color~~ yellow & the other one I painted Krylon Cherry Red.

I have these two old queen ann endtables I purchased years ago for $5.00/pair. I am painting them Glidden ? ~~I'll update too~~ grey.

Of course you already knew I was going to post a sneak peek, because I might spontaneously com bust if I couldn't share...

The yellow chairs need more paint & I can't wait to get to JoAnn's to pick out some fabric!!!

I am dying to get started on my oldest daughter's room ~~& so is she~~...We have been butting heads quite a bit on how it is going to be done. I am wanting a shabby/vintage/farmhouse equestrian look. She wants horses, plain & simple...So it seems. She also loves funky bright colors & prints. She would have horse bedding, & horse curtains & horse prints & so forth & so on. For me less, is more. So we are working hard to compromise on this room re-do. Lord help us both...It's gona be a journey.

We did find this canvas today & we both fell in love! I want one for the main level!

$23.00

Notice the quilt & pillow...That is my part of the room! Lol I found the quilt at a flea market for $10.00 & the pillow was 50 cents!

Here is the $5.00 dresser I got off of Craigslist yesterday...

And a sneek peak at my mom's $5.00 desk...

The back of the desk is really cool...Although it wasn't finished originally it has the decorative trim that goes along the back. When painted it looks finished enought that it won't have to be used up next to a wall. Although, I typically don't like the waterfall style this one os growing on me.

I may be taking my mom's $5.00 desk while she takes my $5.00 dresser! Lol

Still no "after" photos to share...

2011-07-13T22:10:00.001-05:00

Unfortunately between the heat & being busy I still haven't had a chance to get any more projects completed. I did find a couple of really cool things today while out shopping the thrift stores with my momma, but our trip was cut short when I received a phone call from the hubs telling me that the little had her hand shut in the car door while they were all up at the farm & he was on his way to urgent care with her. Thank God her hand was not broke, but it looked like a little marshmallow hand with bruises & scratches all over. Poor little girl. The weather was a bit cooler today & I was planning on doing some painting this evening, but I have spent the evening pampering & catering to the little ~~which I don;t mind one bit lol!~~ So, the projects will have to wait until another day...

I did pick up a dresser off of Craigslist for $5.00 today! I don't have a photo to share yet, but it is one probably from the 60's-70's...a little modern with clean lines, no hardware & with 8 drawers (4 & 4). My mom has been looking everywhere for a console/sofa table & everytime I find one & call it is already sold. After unloading the dresser I bought ~~which I have no idea where is is going to go as I really don't have anywhere for it~~ we realized it is basically the exact same measurements of a console/sofa table! So for 5 bucks...I think she has a table & I have one less project!!! Lol

I also found a dress for our family photos coming up in September with Lacey Crough. We are SO excited to have her take photos for us!

This is the inspiration dress I ordered for our oldest daughter...I am hoping for a shabby/vintage laid back feel. Although my dress is hot pink, but very mod/retro. Hopefully I can pull it all of. I still have outfits to get for four other people...Two being boys. Yuck! Oh, & I am on the hunt for her some pink cowgirl boots to go with it! I just love having girls...SO fun!!!

I'm hoping to have some more interesting things to share by the weekend!

Have a great week!!! =)

We are having a horrible heatwave here in the Midwest...

2011-07-11T10:14:00.000-05:00

So indoor photos from me today! =)

I made a few changes in the living room...Finally decorated the mantle! I know SO many people long for a mantle to decorate, but I have always struggled with this one ~~except at Christmas time~~ I sort of ~~despise~~ dislike fake greenery, but I received a piece with a lantern I bought from Celebrating Home & it's been laying around & I finally thought...I'll just try it on the mantle. It needs color & texture so why not? I can't say that I love it, but it does look way better than it has in two years! Lol

I am just loving my itty bitty TV too! I can see more of this gorgeous dresser! My plan is to have the hubs put hinges on the top two drawers so the fronts will flip down & I can put the components in there ~~and get them out from under the cabinet!~~

I am loving these yellow spider mums that the little picked out for her birthday party over two weeks ago! They are finally dying off, but I can't believe they lived for two weeks!

Here is a sneak peak of my buffet, although even being Mrs. Impatient I am not too excited to share theses...Without the drawers & doors you lose the whole effect. The drawers/doors need some wood putty on the chipping veneer & need to be painted...I was hoping to get that done ~~yesterday,~~ but with this heatwave we are having it's going to have to take a little longer than planned.

That's all I have to share today...Try to stay cool! I know we are just hanging out in the ac today! It'll be a good day to catch up on some laundry & ~~maybe~~ work on cleaning the kids' rooms...I have some big plans for the girls' rooms that I really need to get started on. Unfortunately one of them requires moving a bunk bed around...Not sure I can tackle that alone! Lol

After wanting one for two years...I finally got a buffet!!!

2011-07-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

And get this...It didn't come from Craigslist ~~gasp!~~ My mom found it at a garage sale here in town...$50.00 later...~~My mom chipped in $20.00, so it cost me $30.00~~ & it was all mine!!!

It is sanded, primed, painted & still being distressed...I ran out of my ~~tough as nails~~ sandpaper tonight & decided to call it a night. I'll be back at it in the morning & I'll have some completed photos to share!!!

My mom also bought this pitiful desk at sale yesterday for $5.00 I have never seen such ~~ugly~~ shiny paint in my life! This stuff was like automotive paint or something...Seriously I think it's the stuff they use on car parts! Lol

After a day & a half of sanding & stripping it finally turned into this...

Finished photos coming tomorrow...

I also decided to put tung oil on my TV cabinet & I love the way it turned out...I was afraid to put anything on it since I loved the wood SO much, but I love it even more now! =)

I also added rope knots for the pulls.

Oh...My daddy bought us a 32" flat screen for the living room today also!!! No more monstrous TV on my pretty new/old cabinet!

For the last of my ~~ongoing~~ projects...

I have been pretty iffy with my current drapes in the living/dining. Although they are better than the chocolate brown ones, I'm just not loving them. So, I decided to buy a piece of burlap to try. I'm still a little eh...I'm just not sure what I am envisioning...

Any input? =)

A Craigslist coffe table & the living room is almost complete!

2011-07-07T23:39:00.000-05:00

My hubby had an apppointment today with the eye doctor closer to the city ~~than where we live~~ & although I check Craigslist ~~hourly~~ daily I really check it good when heading south. I found this newly listed coffee table just a few miles from his appointment!!! Oh ya...$10.00!

Excuse the sanded mark...I always forget to take a before picture until I have made my mark on an item! Proof yet again of my impatience...Lol

I just love this blue pitcher I found at TJ Maxx today for $9.99!

I sanded the top down a scooch, primed & painted with the same color of the dining set & then I glazed the table. I think I have my portions off of paint/glaze because I was not impressed with the way it was wiping off. Maybe it is the humid weather here...Not sure. At least it's done & looks better than before!

A little rearranging...Here & there!

2011-07-06T23:28:00.000-05:00

I am a pretty plain jane girl...I rarely move my furniture groupings around. I had family growing up that would change their furniture as much as they changed their underwear. Lol Maybe it's because every home we have had is just difficult. Who knows. I do know one thing...There is NO good configuration in this house...NONE! We did not have a TV in the living room for the first two years we were here & I know why. The coax is in the corner so you can put your sofa back to the dining ~~as I had it in previous photos~~ or you can have it backside to the kitchen...~~see below~~ This makes for a pretty yucky view from the kitchen, but I like the flow better & it looks nicer when entering the space from the foyer. Prior to the TV I did have it in front of the window which I really don't like, but at least it got it out of the traffic flow to the dining room ~~which BTW is in the awfullest place possible!!!~~ Don't laugh, but at one time I actually put our dining table in the living room & the sofa & chair in the dining room...It was pathetic. Lol

Here are some photos I snapped of everything moved around...Oh & why is it when you rearrange furniture your kids think it is something new? They were like bears on honey while I was tugging & pulling in there. I barely got them out to take some photos. Silly fruitcakes!

Not the best view in the house...

The view is better from here...

This fits here much better...

Hoping I can help my hubby get that beast up to the top...Lol

Coming from foyer...

See how difficult this is...

Other side...

Just for kicks...Here is my ~~furniture store~~ in the foyer! Lol

Gotta get these out of here...

French Provincial desk, hutch & vanity...Being oh so patient with me.

Hello Gorgeous...Minus your hardware!

2011-07-06T18:20:00.000-05:00

It's done...It's done...Well, except hardware. New dilemma...I'm not sure if I want to cover this up with our 200 lb monstrous TV?!? Why is it everything I do has to create a snowball effect? I had the hubs help me get the TV out of the cherry armoire just in case someone from Craigslist comes to look at it & wants to buy it. It is sitting in my foyer & the beastly TV is plopped on the floor in the corner. Crazy cords going everywhere from the componets, and now I second guess what the TV is going to sit on...The people in the house love me I tell ya! =)

So enough whining and on to looking...

Before...Just earlier this afternoon

And after...

Voila!

I can just picture this with some of my white dishes...I could use it as a little buffet/server ~~as the dining table is right across from it~~ Oh, the possibilities are endless...Just not sure I can put a ginormous, hideous 200 lb TV on it. What's a girl to do?!?

Mrs. Impatient here...

2011-07-06T13:01:00.001-05:00

So anyone who knows me knows I am Mrs. M.Pay.Shunt...With a capital I, or M ~~depending on the type of energy you put into the word~~ I so could not do one of those 'big reveals' I just can't hold out that long! So for all of you impatient people out there that feel my pain here is a sneak peek at the dresser I bought ~~off of Craigslist...duh~~ yesterday. I have the top & one side sanded. Let me tell you this is the piece you dream for...After sanding off the old stain there is SO much yumminess to the wood from all of it's years & history...No matter how much I distress pieces I up cycle there is no way I could recreate this! Oh & this piece will not see any paint...I am going to wax it or clear coat it ~~or something~~ I haven't gotten that far, but it is staying wood toned.

Before...

After...

I'm certain there will be many, many more photos to come...Swoon me, I'm in love!

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-05T00:17:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a safe & wondrous 4th!!! I am truly grateful for all of the great men & women who are serving & have served our country & fight for our freedom every day! They are true hero's...God Bless them all!

Happy 4th from the Edwards Punks ~2011~

Although it was a Holiday, I couldn't refrain from doing a little Craigslist shopping. I found this chair & ottoman first thing this morning, called the nice lady & went to get it a few hours later! It still isn't 100% what I envision for the living room, however it is a better fit than the other one I had & do keep in mind that only shopping Craigslist can limit you ~~quite a bit~~ on what you can find. Lol

So before...Nice, but a little contemporary/modern. Not loving it in my new styled space.

And after...Getting closer...One Craigslist buy at a time!

This is a sage/cream gingham. Gingham is not one of my favorite fabrics, but I love the style & shape & the tufting is just TDF. So for now...Until I can find this chair in a white/off white/pale yellow solid fabric the gingham will have to do.

Although I love the faux silk blueish/grayish drapes they are throwing me off now with this green chair. I am trying SO hard to NOT be matchy matchy & use what I love. I am contemplating getting some burlap to make some simple drapes...Any thoughs would be greatly appreciated.

The rug is really close to making it's way onto Craigslist. I am afraid it too is dragging the room down...Sigh!

Oh...I almost forgot...I paid $100.00 for the chair & ottoman!

My tan chair & ottoman is currently listed on Craigslist for $100.00...Hoping to make this a wash deal! =)

I am going to ~~hopefully~~ pick up an old dresser tomorrow, however it is really short. Not sure what the deal is with it. I have seen a few of them in my time & maybe someone can fill me in on the history of them. It looks more like a cedar/hope chest, but with drawers like a dresser. Any who I am planning on using it as a TV stand so I can get rid of the dark/shiny cherry armoire I currently have. It's just not working for me.

So check back for some photos tomorrow & see if you can help me out. As long as it is as advertised I should be bringing it home! Like I've said before...I take on projects faster than I can get them done!

Wish me luck!!!

It's been a slow slow week...For painting around here!

2011-07-03T19:46:00.002-05:00

I have to get back on the painting wagon after tomorrow & all of the festivities that the 4th of July brings! A few ongoing projects are the dining chairs I purchased off of Craigslist (photo to come soon) & the french provincial desk & vanity for the girls' rooms. My goal this week is to get those projects checked off of the list!

Last week we were so busy I didn't pick up a sander or paint brush ~~gasp!~~ I did get my beloved dining set sold ~~with a $125.00 profit!!!~~ I found my $40.00 Klaussner slip covered love seat & the four ~~new/old~~ dining chairs...All thanks to Craigslist!

The best part of the week was spending time camping with the family at our local state park, a day at a local water park & a night at the drive in with the family!!! That's just a few of the things we love about summer break!!!

What is your families favorite summer activities?

We also had a family reunion with my 87 year old grandma, Melba who is suffering from Alzheimer's...This is such a tragic & nasty disease. She is one of the sweetest & Godly devoted women I know! I know that the Lord will take care of her, but it is SO sad to watch someone you love struggle so.

Here is a photo I took of the punks with their great grandma Melba.

Chicken & veggie kabobs are on the grill for dinner...Enjoy your Sunday night!

Have A Safe & Happy 4th!!!

A little bummed with my love seat steal...

2011-06-30T23:06:00.000-05:00

I contacted a local furniture store today about a new slipcover for the love seat. I had a little bit of sticker shock...$449.00!!! I know it is way cheaper than a new love seat & this one is really in near new condition & I only paid $40.00 for it & I am just in love with the style & I could go on & on, but the fact is $449.00 is way out of budget for me. This ones gonna be a brain stormer for me. I have seen some ah-mazing DIY slipcovers like this one from Miss Mustard Seed I just LOVE her style, talent & decorating...However, I can't sew a button so for me to even think about making slipcovers makes me crazy! I don't know...It's going to have to work the way it is for now. =)

Finally...Someone to read my Blog other than...Me, Myeslf & I! Lol

2011-06-30T22:44:00.000-05:00

Tonight we had the oldests get together for his ~~belated~~ birthday at the local state park. The little & the middle are having a sleepover with grams & the other middle came home with me. Imagine my excitement to log on & find that I have 2 followers!!! I thought...Wow! Where did they come from? Then it hit me...I bet Lindsey from Better After posted some photos of one of my furniture projects! Sure enough, she did! I am a little nervous that others ~~besides~~ ~~myself~~ are reading my blog now. Maybe this will keep my motivation rolling to get all of the projects done! I feel like I take them on faster than I can get them out! Lol!

A couple bargain finds...

2011-06-30T09:54:00.001-05:00

Last Saturday My mom & I ~~along with all four punk in tow~~ stopped in an antique mall. I found a few furniture pieces I was dying to get, but my budget way ~~way~~ thin, so I ended up with these ~~cheap~~ gems. Lol

I found this adorable little lamp ~~shade & all~~ for $8.50!!! I'm planing on using it in the master on my old radio cabinet, but if that doesn't work It'll find a home with three little girls in this house.

I've been wanting to add to my white plates with more pieces, but even the cheap ones are too expensive to build a bunch of pieces at once. I couldn't believe it when I found this entire set...All 82 ~~I think~~ pieces for...Ready? $10.50!!! Can you believe it!?! I couldn't! There aren't any markings & I don't think they are top quality, but they work & what a steal!

I also found four other dining chairs because although I love the 'look' of the bench, it just isn't working out for everyday use. Photos to come soon on the 'new' chairs I am going to mix in with the set!

I found a loveseat...I found a loveseat!

2011-06-30T09:27:00.004-05:00

I have been on the look out for a ~~super~~ cheap, clean, stylish & coordinating love seat for the master for months. Oh, & I only shop on Craigslist. Lol I came across this helpless looking one & called the seller to get some more details. She told me how bad the cover was faded out from the sun. She had purchased it from someone just a few months earlier & it just wasn't working out for them. She really didn't know much about it, but said it seemed to be a really good quality. I asked if it was made to have a slipcover (was it white or off white underneath) or was it some old ugly fabric with an even uglier cover on it? Lol She said it was off white & made to have a slipcover. I started to get very hopeful about it. The other part of the story is I sold my beloved dining set (the one I didn't have the money to get reupholstered) to a local E-Bay seller. We delivered it to him (75 miles away) & this love seat was on the way back. Before we headed out I used good ol trusty MapQuest. What they fail to provide you with is road closures & detours. Fortunately my hubby went with me because I am awful with directions & then you throw in detours without proper signs to follow & I could have easily ended up in Egypt ~~or somewhere close to that.~~ So, after a few turn here & there & an extra 40 miles around & about we made it! I took one look & was sold! I couldn't wait to get home, strip that cover & find a manufacture tag on this baby. After removing the cushion covers I found out it is made by Klaussner. I haven't had any luck finding if I can buy a replacement slip cover, but their Jenny Loveseat (which I think is the newer version of this one) retails for $950.00-$1,200.00+!!! It looks a little off all naked, but I can live with it until I figure something out. The hideous faded denim just doesn't work for me. Oh & I almost forgot...The best part...$40.00! Really!!!

Before

After

It's A Party Day!!!

2011-06-24T11:47:00.000-05:00

The little's birthday was yesterday! This evening we are having a small family party & believe it or not, I am actually excited to be doing some cleaning! I have quickly found that all of my decorating & furniture projects do not mix well with keeping a tidy home ~~especially during summer break!~~

This is what I looked at before I crawled in bed last night...plum exhausted from a day at World's of Fun & a night of finishing the bench for the dining table...

Wish me luck as I tackle the mess ~~hidden under the other mess~~ and I still need to get the rest of those chair seats covered by this evening...

A Craigslist Bench to Finish the Dining Set...

2011-06-23T23:24:00.004-05:00

Although the dining set was what I wanted & was a great price, it only had four chairs & for our family of six that just doesn't work. I knew it would be tough to find two more chairs that were the same & although I could go with two totally different chairs I really liked the cane work style. When I came across this bench on Craigslist I instantly squealed. It was perfect...~~Well perfect after I got hold of it!~~ This was my fastest project to date. I got home with the bench at 6:30 & it was dine & in the dining room just after 9:00!

A few before & afters...

There is still SO much to do in here, but things are coming together pretty good!

Another quick sneak peek of the dining table...

2011-06-22T19:33:00.000-05:00

Because I am way too impatient to wait until it is all finished. Lol

Just for fun...Here is the table that brought on all of the change! I was so sick of the black & shiny wood. The shape & height didn't bother me, but that color & finish...ewww!

Off to finish sanding away...Now I just need to find a rug! =)

A little sneak peek &...I am going to be featured on Better After Blog!!!

2011-06-20T19:43:00.001-05:00

I woke up this morning ~~which I am always grateful for btw~~ still not 100%, but not icky enough to be kept down today. This dining table isn't gonna paint itself you know. I have a coat of primer on in the picture. By this time tomorrow it will be painted! Can't wait...

Now the even better news today...I have been waiting for our local ~~Wal-Mart~~ discount store to get in more white seersucker that I wiped them out of forever ago making my ~~custom~~ bedskirt & drapes. This my friend is what we have been living with on the double window in the master...For way too long!

Seriously...Who has this sort of thing on their windows? Obviously someone ~~slowly raises hand in the air~~ who is too frugal to go to JoAnn's & pay $12.00/yard when it is $2.77/yard at Wal-Mart. You can imagine my excitement when after four weeks of calling every other day to see if this had arrived I found it tucked away nicely on the shelf!!! Next project...Getting these down for good! Lol

And now...Drumroll please...The absolute BEST news of the day ~~even better than getting rid of the horrendous window treatment~~ I found out today that I am going to be featured on http://betterafter.blogspot.com/

I am not sure when, but Better After...The Best of your Before & Afters is one of my favorite blogs & I follow it daily, so I'll be sure to let you know!

Ugh...A stomach bug straight from Illinois

2011-06-19T14:23:00.000-05:00

So my husband was traveling last week for work. He got home saying his stomach didn't feel good & he thought maybe he had food poisoning. Anytime ~~which is very rarely~~ he gets sick he blames it on something he ate. You know, cause a man doesn't get sick from viruses. Ha! So in the midst of all of the crazy dining table swapping I have done & all I have to get repainted & finished I get bit by the stomach bug. Blah! I am down for the count & it is not setting well with me. I have way too much to do, to not be able to physically do it. The oldest of the punks isn't feeling the best & the little is the same way. Being sick during summer should be outlawed...It just isn't right.

I hope to have a finished project reveal in the next few days, but at this rate it will probably be longer than I hope. We are planning a birthday party for the little Friday night, our guests may not be too thrilled to be eating cake picnic style if I don't get this project done! Lol

Living room changes

2011-06-19T12:29:00.002-05:00

I purchased this sofa & chair off of Craigslist two years ago when we moved here. It wasn't my favorite color, but it was in really great shape & the price was right...$300.00 for the set.

I decided it was time for a major change...I am loving all of the lighter colors right now...earthtones & browns just aren't doing it anymore. I sold the chair for $50.00 in our garage sale & the sofa for $225.00 on Craigslist.

I have wanted a slipcovered sofa forever, but as you know they are not easy on the budget. I couldn't believe it when I found this Linden Street Sofa on Craigslist for $350.00!!! A single lady had it, no kids, no pets, no smoking & she traveled, so really she was only here in KC about half the time. I asked her what her bottom dollar would be & she said $275.00!

I also found a new chair on Craigslist for $30.00! Before I headed to get it the seller e-mailed & said they remembered they had a matching ottoman in storage & if I wanted it I could have it for $10.00...Score!

I got rid of the brown drapes...

And replaced them with these faux silk drapes from Target...They sell for $19.99/panel, but I found them on Craigslist...All 8 panels for $60.00! I sold my others for $20.00 so really I have $40.00 in the new ones!

It's a sofa...It's a playtable

2011-06-19T11:42:00.002-05:00

I found out yesterday the new sofa isn't only great for lounging, but because of the large cushions the little decided it was great for a playtable too...

Lucy Enjoyed watching her play! =)

Some before & afters

2011-06-18T21:44:00.004-05:00

I found this ~~ugly~~ table at the local thrift store. They were running all furniture 1/2 price & I knew it was the height I needed for the bed after putting 5" risers on it. Honestly, this was one of the ugliest pieces of furniture I have purchased to date. This was before I did anything to it...Made sanding it awful quick & easy though. Lol

After sanding...

After painting...Robin's Egg Blue

And a little distressing

Now in it's new home! $7.50

I found this old radio/record cabinet also at the local thrift store...I immediately saw possibilities & fell in love. The hardware alone was enough to swoon me! My husband on the other hand looked at me as if I was crazy.

One of my all time favorite pieces so far! $19.95

Old Keys from thrift store...

Painted & glazed...

Keys...$3.00 Frame...Free =)

Craigslist Finds

2011-06-18T13:18:00.017-05:00

Here are some of my on going projects that I have found on Craigslist...

Desk & hutch for my daughter's room...This project has been hanging around way too long & keeps getting postponed. As soon as the dining room dilema (later post) is finished I am going to get started on her room...$25.00

Vanity for the other girls' room...Another long lingering project that is gonna get finished ~~soon...~~ $25.00

Set of four rose patterned chairs...Going to use a couple in the master & then the others just here or there as extras. Paint & new seats to come...$25.00 for all four

Dining table & four chairs (pictured below)...This is top on the list to get done since I already sold our dining set...After pics to come ~~hopefully~~ very soon...$60.00 set

My beloved dining set...I found this on Craigslist & it was exactly the style I wanted for the dining room. I had big plans to paint & distress it. After getting the set I realized how difficult it was going to be to re cover the seats, especially for someone with ~~zero~~ no sewing ability. I have mastered stitch withery, but that's as goos as it gets here folks! So back to my dining set. I hauled a chair to a local upholstery shop & they were blown away with the quality ~~and the price~~ of the set. I tried finiding something similar on the internet & on E-Bay, but no such luck. As a last resort I contacted an E-Bay seller (who also happens to be in Missouri) that sells older high end ~~and price~~ furniture on E-Bay. I gave him a tidbit of info on these, sent him a couple of pics & waited for a response. He did tell me that he cringed at the thought of anyone painting this set ~~as many others have also informed me~~. He also told me that these Louis XVI style chairs in very good condition an 8 (out of 1-10) is worth $1,500.00 & the table in the same condition is worth $800.00! Not bad for a $150.00 Craigslist buy! There is another part to the story though...Those horribly hideous chair cushions. The local upholstery shop quoted $62.00 a chair for the four side charis & $87.00 a chair for the two captains chairs. Plus I will need 6 yards of upholstery fabric. I figured $422.00 on the labor for the chairs & if I could snag fabric for less than $178.00 I could get them done for just under or around $600.00.

Blog world...Here I come!

2011-06-18T02:46:00.000-05:00

I have been thinking about starting a blog for quite some time & a friend (who owns the coolest little vintage shop http://www.broadwayandpenn.com/ here in town mentioned it to me & pinky swore ~~well not really, but it sounded good~~ she would follow, so I thought 'What the hey' & here I am!

I am on a mission ~~and ever changing journey~~ to find the best deals & cheapest prices possible while decorating our home.

Local Thrift Store Finds

2011-06-18T01:30:00.000-05:00

$5.50 Going to be painted...Planning on using in my daughter's room

$6.00 Going to be painted...Planning on using in my daughter's room for her desk

$4.90 Going to paint ~~someday~~

How this all started

2011-06-18T00:49:00.000-05:00

I am ~~mildy~~ addicted to Craigslist. I love finding a gem for an amzing price. I honestly can't fathom going into a furniture store & buying regular priced furniture. It all started when I was looking for a bookcase for my son's room. I went to the local discount store & found a ~~cardboard~~ particleboard one for $90.00!! Ridiculous! So I started ~~stalking~~ looking on Craigslist ~~hourly~~ until I found something better & cheaper than the junk at the discount store. Two Broyhill Fontana bookcases along with a full size headboard/footboard & rails. Are you ready...$80.00 for it all! Although the finish wasn't what I wanted, the quality & price was. I decided to glaze them to fit the look I wanted. I used the one on the left in my son's room. I sold the one on the right for $40.00 & the bed for $65.00...on Craigslist of course.