My Christmas Gift....

The completion of this project is due in a very large part to all of you wonderful bloggers out there that share your projects & tips on a daily basis.  Without pouring over site upon site for the past few months, I would never have had the nerve to attempt this.... so my thanks to all of you!

It took me an entire week to complete, but I couldn't be happier!

The entire project took about 4 drop cloths total... 2- 4x15 ft and 2- 6x9, for a cost of just over $50.00.  I started with the cushions first by laying them out on the drop cloth and literally tracing the shape with a Sharpie.  The first one took me the longest, as it took me a while to figure out how to attach the 4" middle panel to the top and bottom section.  The two bottom cushions took me an entire day!

You can see them in the beginning stages up against the loveseat.  For me the cushions were more difficult to do than actually reupholstering the couch!

But once I figured out all of the logistics, the rest went fairly smooth!

As I said, it's not the most professional job ever seen.... but for a first attempt I'm quite proud of the results.  And so are my kids! (of course, they want to know when they can SIT on the couch.... but I asked them to give me just a few days to stare at it first!)

Not sure about the accent pillows yet.... but I love the fabric!  Found it at WalMart buried behind some of the heavier weight fabric and it hadn't been cut yet.  I bought several yards (for around $6.50 a yard) and envision a couple of accent chairs where the love-seat is now.  If I really feel adventurous after the holidays, I have the over sized chair that belongs to the ottoman I recovered in the storage area downstairs.  That might be the ticket!

So there you have it.... my Christmas gift to Me... from Me!

And a heartfelt thanks to Marian.... who started the drop cloth addiction and who encourages so many with her postings.

I am a firm believer that you really CAN do anything you put your mind to!

Happily linking to...

Feathered Nest Fridays
Home Sweet Home
Inspiration Friday
Show and Tell Fridays
Frugal Fridays
Refresh Your Nest Fridays
Potpourri Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Funky Junk Interiors
Addicted 2 Decorating
Flaunt It Friday
Be Different... Act Normal
Home Stories A2Z
You're Talking too Much
The Gunny Sack
Thrifty Decor Chick
Coastal Charm
Debbiedoos... Newbie Link Party
Miss Mustard Seed
Homemaker on a Dime
Savvy Southern Style
Free Style Friday
Transformation Thursday

A Gift to Me..... From Me....

A few months ago I posted about the start of the Living Room makeover here.  This is where I began...

While being on "lock-down" for Hurricane Irene, I completed this...

After a solid weekend of patching, scraping, and painting we wound up here...

With new walls and fireplace surround detailed here...

and new window treatments here...

And at long last I have finally wound up here....

Check back tomorrow for my "not-so-professional" reno for this much used sofa.  I may never make a living as a professional upholsterer.... but I'm LOVIN' how this has turned out!

It Runs in the Family....

Just had to show a quick pic of Davis' latest art project.

(Yes... we are BIG North Carolina fans!).  It's actually a gift he made for his older brother (coming home for the holidays in 2 days).  It's his first attempt at mosaic and I think it turned out great!

It was originally the night stand in his room... he just unscrewed the top of it, took it to school to tile, then brought it home yesterday to re-assemble and frame the sides (another use for 5 gallon paint sticks).

His big brother is gonna' love it and he can be proud of himself for his efforts.  And I'm proud of him for giving of himself.... not his wallet.  Pretty cool!

Luckily (or is that sadly?) none of my children read my blog... so his secret is safe until Christmas.

the Village that Thomas Kinkade Built...

This was a gift from my parent's several years ago.  It's Thomas Kinkade's Lamplight series Christmas village.

This year I set it up on my Hooser Cabinet... complete with fake snow to hide those cords!

I love the details on each piece... and the way the lights shine so brightly.  I went on-line to see if I could purchase additional pieces, but it looks like it has been discontinued....

But I'll keep my eyes peeled.  Maybe something will show up on Ebay!

In the mean time, I'll enjoy the ones I have.  Thanks Mom & Dad!

Another Use for Vintage Bark Cloth...

In this post, I told you how I had come into possession of numerous yards of vintage bark cloth.  I've made mini stockings, garland, and even given away a goodly portion of it and still have several yards left over.

Enter the ruffled tree skirt that MMS showed us here.   I know you've seen duplicates all over blogland and pinned repeatedly, but here's one more.... my take on the "no sew" tree skirt.

It looks huge in these pictures, but wrapped around the base of the tree it fits perfectly!

This is the tree skirt I've used for the past 10 years ('scuse the wrinkles & all.... our cat doesn't bother the tree, but loves to roam around underneath it!).  Gotta' hide those cords better!

This is my vintage bark cloth version..... a LOT of color going on, but when I finally get to decorate my tree in neutrals one day (read after my kids have grown...'cause Christmas just ain't Christmas without the same decorations year after year!) the skirt will be all the color we'll need!

It would also help if I broke up the monotony a little with different wrapping paper!

So outside of the "gotta-lotta-red goin' on", and the presents that blend in, I'm liking my new skirt very much!

I cut my strips about 4 inches wide and just ran a bead of hot glue down and "smooshed" the material into the glue to make the ruffles.  Many people have said the project is a tedious one, and it is to some degree.  But I had mine done in less than 4 hours (while watching Miracle on 34th Street).

A great movie & four hours well spent!

Linking to..

The Right Paint Does Make a Difference...

After my epic fail at attempting to re-create Mercury Glass (posted here), I gave it one more try.  After hitting every local hardware/paint store in my area, the elusive Krylon Looking Glass spray paint was not to be found.  I finally broke down and ordered it on-line from Amazon.

*Note: if you're shopping for this paint locally, it may be helpful to know that the can itself is relatively small- 6 oz. compared to a normal spray paint that is 12 oz.  So if you're scanning the spray paint shelves, look for a "mini-can".  I didn't realize this until the box arrived!

As we know, on my first attempt I used Rustoleum silver metallic paint.

Hated it!  I tried it on the inside, on the outside.... all around the sides!  No matter what the paint can top looks like, this is not "reflective" (as stated).  It's flat and grey looking...

The flameless candles aren't helpin' either!  Makes them look even worse!

But lo and behold.... with the right paint, I wound up with this!

Can you tell the difference?

I got a little "spray paint" happy & started looking for any and everything to paint!

I've only put 2 coats on the vase... I may go for one more light coat.  But for a vase that almost went out with the trash, I must say I'm likin' it just fine.  And you can actually see a reflection of the votives on the vase... the Rustomleum "reflective spray paint"?  Not so much!

So what are some of your project "do-overs"?  Failure or success?

French Inspired for Every Day...

My apologies.. I surfed so many creative sites last week (through dozens of link parties) that I have totally misplaced where the inspiration came from for this post.  I do remember that the "poster" had an affinity for numbers, and made a set of napkins with numbers on them.  If by some small chance that person is reading this post, please email me so I can give credit where credit is due!


That being said... with a few leftover scraps of drop cloth, I decided to follow my "can't find it now" blog post inspiration to make these napkins.

I used a graphic from the Fairy herself and transferred it using the CitraSolv method.  They came out a little lighter than I wanted, but it does give them an aged look.

They're nice & big, perfect for every day use, and beats a ripped off paper towel or paper napkin.  I'm kinda likin' them just fine!

Linking to...


The Graphics Fairy... Brag Mondays
Coastal Charm.... Nifty Thrift Tuesdays
A2Z.... Tutorials & Tips
Savvy Southern Style... Wow Us Wednesdays

I've gotta' slouch in my couch!

I guess that's better than a slouch ON my couch.....

In a temporary move to put the living room back together, I had to give in and put my old sofa and love seat back where they started from.  I have other options, but with the holidays just around the corner none of them will happen before Christmas.  What I would really like to do is slipcover them.... I can sew a straight stitch.... have even made clothing before.  But slipcovers?  I'm lettin' that one gel for a little while!

The frame and bottom cushions are fine.... but beyond the age, color, and various marks etc left behind by my kids, the thing that bothers me the most about both pieces is the fact that they always look "rumpled".  The top cushions are old and saggy, and they never seem to stay put.  It's like the inside cushion shrunk while the material stayed the same size....

The one on the right is a better version of what they all seem to look like every day (I "plump" on a regular basis...).

The one on the left is the one I filled with quilt batting on the front & back.  I haven't completely smoothed it out yet, but after several days of my boys sprawled out across both ends, the one with the batting has held up surprisingly well (I've only "plumped" up once).


The room is long, but fairly narrow... and a sofa AND a love seat seem to suck up all of the available space .  I'm hoping to sell the love seat and replace it with two smaller chairs.  And of course..... cover the sofa.  We'll have to see about that one!

So if you're looking for an inexpensive fix for a lumpy sofa, try a few layers of batting between the the inside cushion & cover.  One large roll will fill to cushions for about $9 (purchased at Walmart).  Cheaper than a new sofa....

The Finished "Leftover" Project....

Had you figured it out yet?  If you said trivet, you would be correct.

I'm forever looking for something to put hot dishes on at dinner time.  The best/only thing I can come up with is a pot holder or folded kitchen towel.

But after completing the living room fireplace makeover (read here) I kept looking at the tiles I had leftover and wondering what I could do with them.

So starting with this....

I wound up with this....

I used the same SimpleMat tile adhesive I used on the fireplace surround.  Trimmed and adhered the tiles in place; then grouted and wiped clean.  Once it was dry, I glued a narrow ribbon around the outside.  Ideally, I'd like to wrap the sides in some type of "metal tape".... similar to the stuff you use to wrap glass pieces that are soldered together in making stain glass.  It would make it easier to clean up, rather than the fabric ribbon.  But this one is for me and I'll just have to be neat!

The smaller squares shown in the picture above will become coasters.  I have the dark copper colored tiles and the lighter iridescent tiles are left over from the kitchen back splash.  I bought a quarter sheet piece of 1/4 inch wood for about $5.  It's not actually wood.... rather like a press-wood- Tempered Hard Board is the technical name (thanks, man of men!).  It's soft- not rough like plywood, so there was no need to sand or felt the backside.  Besides, the quarter-sheet was already cut and easier for me to lug through the Home Depot- saved some unsuspecting shoppers from a nasty bruise or two.... "you're welcome!"

The "wood" was enough for 8 trivets and 8 sets of 4 coasters.  The tiles are all leftover pieces and strips, and if I need additional grout, a small container is around $8.

So for roughly $13 and my time, I'll have 8 gifts.... 1 trivet and 4 coasters per set.  Not bad for less than $2 a set!  If I had to buy the tile, 2 sheets would cover both the trivet and one set of coasters (with some left over) for around $8.00, so if you're starting from scratch you'd be looking at right around $10.  That's still not bad for what you end up with.  Pretty & practical!

So what do you do with your leftovers?

Home Stories A2Z Tutorials & Tips
Restore Interiors...Restored it Wednesday
Touch of Grace... Twice Owned Tuesday
The Shabby Creek Cottage... Transformation Thursday
Alchemy Fine Living.... From Trash to Treasure
Coastal Charm... Nifty Thrift Tuesday
Hookin' Up With HOH
The Shabby Nest... Frugal Friday
Making Lemondade... Refresh Your Nest
Ladybird Lane... Weekend Show Off Party

Featured This Week...

Silk & Shea Butter Facial Bars

Silky smooth with moisturizing shea butter, these facial bars are one of our more popular items.  Scented with our own Original Blend fragrance, this gift set includes two bars and our custom wood soap dish.

Click on What's New on the side bar link for more information and pricing.