What an Amazing God we serve!

This is such a moving story and something we should all read/listen to especially living here in America. I think we forget how truely blessed we are and yet this boy KNOWS how blessed he truely is. Please read!!


http://www.bradruggles.com/2010/03/08/a-father-to-the-fatherless/

Kitchen chair back rest

OK so I saw these chair backrests in a magazine and just loved them. Decided I had to make some for my uncomfortable kitchen chairs. I simply made a pattern shape out of .50 cent posterboard and used that to cut out my fabric. Once the fabric was cut, I had an image monogrammed on it that sort-of looked like the magazine. Here is the magazine picture:

And here are my kitchen chairs: By the way, super comfortable!!!!

Dining Chair slipcovers

Laurie, this is for you! As I said in my earlier blog, I purchased these chairs from Target online for $70 a chair. I only had 6 matching chairs and needed 2 more and I wanted those 2 to be different. The fabric on the chairs absolutely did not go with anything so I decided to tackle the project of slipcovering them. First, in order to do this, you should be a fairly experienced sewer BUT, get some inexpensive fabric and try it - what do you have to loose?? I did not use a pattern but bought some muslin from Hancocks and made my own pattern just by placing the muslin on the chair and cutting out where the seams would be (allowing about 1 inch for hems and sewing allowance)

Because the back was bent, I had to make a large opening in the back to get the slipcover off and on. I originally though of doing buttons and button holes but figured because the fit was so tight, the button holes would pull. So I chose velcro and it worked like a charm. I just sewed the buttons on the top flap and it looks like it is buttoned when really it is not.


Here is the finished chair. As I stated in my earlier blog, the masking tape in the shape of a box on the chair is where I am going to have it monogrammed (haven't gotten to that yet). I know I need to steam iron the skirt but was too excited to put it on and try it out. Also, the chair legs were originally a cherry stain and I just spray painted, distressed and glazed them to match my other chairs. Let me know what you think!!!

Easter Buckets!

Easter Buckets!

The cutest Easter baskets!!

Check out this super cute idea from latdah.blogspot.com. Even though I already have baskets in the attic, I am sooooooo wanting to do these!!! Love 'em

Here is all you need plus some spray paint, paint pens, etc. You could just go crazy at the craft store and make any cute little critter. Click on the Easter Basket link above for more detailed info.

Craigs List Find

Before - OK so I have been without dining room chairs for 4 years now and after shopping around and realizing that I couldn't get what I wanted without spending 400+ PER chair and knowing that I spent an ungodly amount of money on my table, I decided to look elsewhere. I was browsing CraigsList one afternoon and came across a listing for 6 chairs and a dining table for $400. I called the guy and asked if he would just sell the chairs and for how much. After hearing "$20 per chair". I knew that for $120 even if I ruined the chairs, I could probably sell them at a garage sell for that much or more. So I jumped!!!! This is what they looked like when I bought them. Probably from the 70's. Groovy!!!


Here they are now - a little elbow grease, several cans of cream spray paint, sand paper, glaze, polyurethane and $11 a yard linen fabric and I think they look great!!! If and when (because it really is a matter of "when" with me) I get sick of the painted, distressed look, it won't be a big deal or financial loss to sell them and get something new.

So here is my dining room now - a work in progress. We added the wainscotting,and seriously bought the chandelier on ebay for $169.00!!! I know I need a buffet and lamps and stuff on that long wall but like I said "a work in progress". So far so good I think?? Ignore the taped off square on the end parsons chairs. I bought the chairs online at Target for $70 a piece and just slip covered them. The square is where I am going to have a friend of mine monogram our initials. The drapes will probably go before it is all said and done (but I really love them just don't think they match). I'll get to that soon enough. Trying my best to keep this dining room under control $$$$. Splurged on the table so everything else needs to be on a tight budget. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Let me know what you think!!!!!

Meet our 4th child Emma!

Would you believe me if I told you that I wasn't a "dog person". Unfortunately, there is more than one person living in this house and I am definitely outnumbered!! My 3 children have been BEGGING (no pun intended) for a dog for years now and I have finally caved!!! If it weren't for her "cuteness" (is that a word) I don't know how I could stand the daily chore of cleaning up her poop and pee. My house smells like a combination of poo, pee and bleach!!! I have to vacuum every day now (trying real hard to convince my husband that I NEED a dyson animal vac and that the $599 price tag is worth every penny - so far unsuccessful). BUT, at the end of the day, I have kids who now want to walk the dog, clean up after her, feed her and basically love all over her every day. I am convinced that kids and dogs just go together and who am I to come in between that!!! Sooooo, I've come to the conclusion that the joy and responsibility of caring for a dog outweighs the mess any day!! I haven't joined the "I love dogs" group yet but I'm getting close. I mean how can you not love a face like that!!!!!!!!