Wednesday, January 26, 2011

A Little Love Note…….

My horoscope for today was;

Creativity and romance are a good combination, Gemini, and today both are in top form. Why not get out the good stationery and craft a love note that will set that special someone's heart aflutter?

And that’s just what I did!

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Have a wonderful day.

Gail

Linking this post to

Life as Lori

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Lampshade Makeover 3x’s!

About a year ago, I purchased this lamp at an auction.  I love the base of the lamp but for some reason, I haven’t been able to figure out  what  to do with the shade.

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This was the first make-over of the shade.  I added  trim to the top and bottom of the shade and attached a tassel to the base.  I wasn’t very happy with it, but just left it and thought I would try again later. 

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The second time around,  I added a bead trim around the top of the shade.  Well needless to say, I still wasn’t very happy with it. 

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And now for the third make-over……I added a burlap rosette and trim! 

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I Googled  “fabric rosette” and the search  resulted with  tons of hits on how to make a fabric and/or paper rosette.   It was so easy to do. 

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Finally, I can say that I am happy with how the shade turned out. 

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Thanks for stopping by and may your day be filled with all the happiness it can hold. 

Gail

Linking this post to 

A Stroll Thru Life

Coastal Charms

Ladybug Blessings

Today’s Creative Blog

Savvy Southern Style

All Things Heart and Home

Blue Cricket Design

Monday, January 24, 2011

Settling In

My sister Jenny  is settling into her new home a week after moving in.  This past weekend,  I helped her with some interior decorating.    Let me share with you what I’ve done so far. 

Below is a before picture of the entertainment center in her living room.015

And this is an after picture.    My sister loves to golf.  She has quite a collection of all things golf.  So you will see it scattered here and there throughout as I incorporated it within the design scheme.       

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I hung new window treatments in the living room.   I LOVE this shade of blue.  I purchased the window treatments at Lowes and so far they have been the biggest expense. 

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Another before of  the living room.

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And the after.

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Moving into the dining room, pictured below is a before.

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And now the after.   

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New window treatments were hung in the dining room as well.  I purchased  them at our beloved Wal-Mart!  They were being discontinued so I got them at an awesome price.   

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There’s still more work to be done, but as I go along I will share it with all of you.

Thanks for stopping by and may your day be filled with all the happiness it can hold. 

Gail

Linking this post to

The Shabby Chic

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Our Furry Family Members

Debbie @ Debbiedoo’s is hosting a Share Your Pet Party and  I’m joining in with Our Furry Family Members.   

Eleven years ago, my daughter Lauren, talked me into getting a Jack Russell puppy.  I had never really wanted to have a pet, especially in  the house.  But when Lauren brought Duncan home, little did I know he was there to stay not only in my house but also in my heart.  He was a frisky puppy and was that way up until a couple of years ago. 

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When Duncan was about three years old, we adopted two cats,  Lilly and Thunder. 

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It was a good thing that the cats had already been living outside because when they met Duncan, it was like oil and water.  The first few years together, Duncan would chase the cats around the yard.  Finally, either age caught up with Duncan or he had just gotten tired of chasing the cats.  I can’t say that they are best friends, but they act more like distant neighbors.    During the last couple of winters, Lilly and Thunder have spent their nights in our garage to get out from the cold. 

I have to say that all our little furry friends love to be around people and they love to cuddle. 

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This past fall, Duncan was diagnosed with Diabetes.    After many trips to the Vet and experimenting with his insulin shots, he seems to be doing better now.   Since September he has lost 13 pounds and has adjusted to eating diet dog food.  

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Our carrying for our pets has changed over the years, but our love for them has only deepened.

Thanks Debbie for hosting. 

Gail

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Moving In

After ten months with my parents home sitting vacant, my sister decided she wanted to make their home of 43 years her home. 

This past November, my sister asked my brother and I how we felt about her buying our parents’ home.  Needless to say, we were both excited that she wanted to do this.  She has since sold her condo and is now in the process of moving in. 

Below are some random pictures of  the dining room and living room.   My sister’s furniture has been placed in the house, but she has asked me to help her with all the finishing touches. 

Working with a color pallet of soft blue and sage green, the plan is to have the kitchen, dining room and living room  flow from one room to the next. 

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Working with the existing furniture, plans for the kitchen, dining room and living room are to purchase new window treatments, wall art and accessories. 

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A small glimpse of the kitchen. 

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The living room. 

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The colors in the sofa. 

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It makes all of us happy that our parents’ home is still a part of our family.  I’ll be sure to take you on this decorating journey as I transform my parents’ home to my sisters’.

Thanks for stopping by.

Gail

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Thrifting Not So Thrifty

Correct me if I’m wrong but I was under the impression that a thrift store was place  where you could shop  for affordable items. 

This past year, I noticed an increase in thrift store  prices in our area.  Just the other day, I was in a thrift store and  I couldn’t believe how much prices had increased within the last few months.    Some of the items you could  buy new for what they wanted for used!  

It breaks my heart because there are people that shop at thrift stores because they can’t afford to buy new and now they can’t even afford the prices in thrift stores. 

With all that being said, I love a good bargain and I was fortunate to find a couple of items at the thrift store prices I used to see.  

A  silver tray for $1 and  a cheese dome for $3.

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Have thrift store prices increased in your area?  

Thanks for stopping by.

Gail

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

A Wintery Mantel Shelf

In the family room, I’ve added a little winter to my mantel shelf .  

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The cedar garland and tree were purchased after Christmas at Michaels at 75% off.    I love how the cedar garland and tree have a sparkle…almost like little ice chips. 

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I made the S N O W letters using my Cricut.    I used silver glitter and hot glued each letter to a snowflake. 

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Well I’m done winterizing my home and before we know it spring will be here.  Thanks for visiting and I hope you enjoyed.

Gail

I’m linking this post to: 

Wednesday:  Savvy Southern Style

Monday, January 10, 2011

Home Project Wish List for 2011

I prepared a 2011 home project wish list  that I’d like  to share with you.  

Project #1:  Family Room, Kitchen and Dining Room

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  • remove wood burning stove and replace it with a gas fireplace (with hubby’s approval of course…he loves his woodstove!)
  • add picture frame wainscoting to the downstairs which would include, family room, kitchen and dining room
  • french doors for the dining room and office

Project #2:  Downstairs Powder Room

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  • install new tile flooring
  • board and batten wall treatment
  • replace vanity with pedestal sink
  • new mirror
  • new light fixture

Project #3:  Staircase Wall and Upstairs Hallway

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  • picture frame wainscoting or board and batten  (I haven’t decided which one yet)

Project #4:  Upstairs Bathroom:029

  • install a new tile floor
  • new vanity

Project #5:  Master Bedroom and Bathroom 032 035

I am currently working on a design plan for the master bedroom and bathroom.   So far plans include the  following changes:

  • remove wallpaper and border
  • install a new tile floor in bathroom
  • replace the vanity in the bathroom

The design plan I’m working on entails:

  • wall paint color for bedroom and bath
  • new headboard
  • bedding
  • window treatments
  • ceiling light fixture

That’s enough to keep me busy this year!  Now, lets see how much I get accomplished .  I’ll be sure to post as I go along. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Gail

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Warm Winter Welcome

I have been having so much fun the last few months decorating my new space in the kitchen.    I love the change of all seasons and this space provides me the opportunity to be creative with different vignettes to reflect each season.  

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With winter definitely upon us, my vignettes reflect just that.  On the top shelf, I have a “Warm Winter Welcome” sign, draped with a pair of mittens , snowmen topiaries and snowflakes all of which I made. 

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I made the snowmen topiaries with a styrofoam ball and some Epsom salt.   I attached black buttons for the eyes and mouth and made him a burlap stocking cap with trim.  His nose is made with a wooden dowel rod that I cut, sharpened and painted orange. 

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A close-up of my little winter friend.   

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I attached him to my rooster candlestick by using floral clay and added winter greens. 

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The “Warm Winter Welcome” sign, the mittens and the snowflakes were made by using coordinating scrapbook paper.  I used my Cricut to cut the mittens and snowflakes.  I added a white furry trim to the mittens and draped it across the frame.    

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The top of the cabinet displays winter as well. 

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I made the snowman plate from a thrift store find.    Sometime back in the summer, I purchase four charger plates for like $2.  I painted the inside of the charger plate  white, painted brown trim around the outside and added white polka dots.  I used my Cricut to make his eyes, nose and mouth and Modge Podged it on.  And to finish him off, I added a burlap bow. 

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I think he turned out right cute!

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Do you change up your decor to reflect the change of seasons? 

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Thanks for the visit and I hope you enjoyed. 

Gail

I’m linking this post to:

Monday:  Keeping It Simple, Craft-O-Maniac, Cottage Instincts, Up in the Attic, Dittle Dattle, Boogie Board Cottage

Tuesday:  Coastal Charms, A Stroll Thru Life

Wednesday:  All Things Heart and Home