Monday, February 28, 2011

FREE chair transformation

I'm feeling a little bit obsessive posting twice in a day, but when I finish a big project I just can't resist sharing! And technically we're past midnight so really this is a fresh new start of my day... (hopefully someone buys that)

Remember this little sweetie pie I found for FREE off of KSL this last weekend?






Here she is now:






It's a good thing I really love my French Wingback chair, because this baby looks pretty dang good in our new Master Bedroom.  Hopefully she will look just as darling in a buyer's home soon.


Enough from me for one day... thank you for reading!

~PW

I'm linking my chair transformation up to these fabulous blogger's parties. Check them out!





Keeping It Simple

The DIY Show Off

Boogieboard Cottage


Photobucket



Domestically Speaking


Tute yourself tuesday red and white

Tute yourself tuesday red and white






Transformation Thursday
Furniture Feature Fridays



Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special


UndertheTableandDreaming

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Nautical Baby Shower

This weekend has been jam packed- just how I like it. Thursday and Friday were spent preparing for the baby shower I threw Friday evening for one of my besties. She had mentioned a while back that she found a cute little sail boat at a second hand store for the nursery, so it sparked the idea of a nautical theme for her shower. I didn't want anything too cheesy (like many store-sold baby shower decorations are) and wanted to use things that she would be able to actually use for her new little munchkin. Here's what we ended up with:


I sewed this cute little banner using using a fun pom pom trim with coordinating nautical themed prints, which she can use somewhere in baby's room (if her heart desires).


I hung several white onesies and this darling nautical jumper that I thrifted and posted about here a few months back by an old rope with clothespins that I sprayed with some red and blue paint I had lying around.


I had intended on making some anchors to display but was tickled pink to find these at a local boutique by my house for $4 for the big one and $1 for the little guy.  Worth every penny.  For some height, I displayed them on a wicker IKEA basket that I borrowed from my mom.

I picked some of these awesome grass-looking weeds that grow rampant out by the highways near my house, and (many painful slivers later) arranged them in eclectic vases and pitchers that I have thrifted over time.  For some fun, I added a polka dot ribbon to a few of the "arrangements".


I displayed some shells that normally reside in our bathroom to continue with our theme.


I made a fabulous Raspberry Cranberry slush (recipe below) to serve in random sized mason jars that I already owned, borrowed a few from mom, and thrifted a few more for $0.25 each.



Dessert was simple.  I baked funfetti cupcakes (with a block of cream cheese added to the box recipe- try this and you'll never go back) and frosted with my traditional buttercream frosting.  I made little flags out of toothpicks and scrapbook paper, and displayed the cupcakes on a fabric covered cake platter set on stacked children's books.

The salad was a simple one I threw together with romaine lettuce, grilled chicken breasts, diced apples, grapefruit segments, feta cheese, candied pecans, red onion, craisins, and Good Seasons Italian dressing (prepared per packet directions but with Red Wine Vinegar and added 1/4 cup sugar).  It was delicious.  We also enjoyed some yummy cheesy breadsticks that another friend brought.


I wrapped the little baby boy's gift in a homemade nautical themed bag.  I used a simple brown bag, cut out an anchor from scrapbook paper, a fish from leftover fabric, and a strand of ribbon, and glued all items to the front.  I finished it off with some frayed fabric and a strand of ribbon.


I also made a gift bag for another friend who was at the party who I still hadn't seen since the birth of her new baby girl (bad friend, I know) and used some fabric rosettes I had made earlier, and a few strands of ribbon and frayed fabric.

What's a shower without games?  My darling friend brought this creative little game "Celebrity babies" where she cut out pics of celebrities and covered their faces with random baby pics.  We had to guess who the celeb was.  Looks like I better read up on People this month because I got 2/11 right... yikes.


The shower was a success and I can't wait to meet the little guy cooking in that oven.  See you soon baby C!


Though I did spend a good amount of time cooking, baking, and preparing for this shower, I was able to do it on a very thrifty budget.  A little creativity goes along way folks!  Next time you're planning on walking into Party America, Zurchers, or Michaels to buy your baby shower decor, think again. 


The rest of my weekend (thus far) was spent upholstering the fabulous chair I told you about a few days back.  I'm hoping to have the reveal for you tomorrow.  I am in LOVE.  Since we got some fresh new snow here yesterday, after kicking and screaming about it, we decided to make the best of it and made a snowman. 



My little Trav was in heaven in his new snow gear (hand me down from his cousin and still 2 sizes too big) eating all of the snow. 





Did I mention how much I love being a momma?



"Favorites" Cran-Raspberry Slush

Ingredients:

2 cups water
2 cups sugar
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen raspberries, thawed
1 cup crushed pineapple
1 pint cranberry juice
2 lemons, juiced
3 oranges, juiced

Directions:

Bring sugar and water to a boil.  Add other ingredients.  Put in tupperware bowl and cover with a lid.  Freeze overnight.  When ready to serve, break up frozen slush and serve with 7-up.

Yum! 


Linking up to:
UndertheTableandDreaming

Tute yourself tuesday red and white


Transformation Thursday



Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special

Thursday, February 24, 2011

A chair for some cheer

Well my sweet friends and readers, I didn't win the voting portion of the Ivory Homes interior design contest that I entered my Master Bedroom into last week.  I was ahead all week with my numbers (thanks to you and my fabulous Facebook friends) so I didn't really fret at all the last day of voting.  I had a regular day running around with my little Trav until we got home for dinner, checked the votes and FREAKED out to see that two of the contestants numbers literally jumped up 100+ votes.  My jaw dropped to the floor.  These gals were die hards and must have had some serious recruiting going on.  I have to hand it to them, they definitely gave me a run for my money.  I did my best (with the help of any friends who were online since my phone conveniently wouldn't send any text messages right at that point and after an hour on the phone with tech support I gave up), but when voting ended at midnight my votes were way fewer than 2 other contestants. 

I'm not going to lie, I was really bummed.  I worked so hard for this silly contest and truly just wanted to win.  50% of the contest is still based on the judges decisions but being the control freak perfectionist that I am, I wanted to at least secure the part of the contest that I knew I could control.  I suppose I should have been more proactive about telling all of my friends on Facebook to vote.  Oh well.  Enough of my pity party!

Here's where my day turned so bright.  My sweet momma, who is the only person to whom I was humble enough to admit to how down I was feeling, drove all the way out to my house (we live 35 min away) to deliver the chair I found on KSL (a site in Utah similar to craigslist) over the weekend and that she picked up for me.  Isn't she amazing?  I really don't know what I would do without her.  Mom, if you happen to read my blog I love you!  Here is the chair that I found in the FREE section of KSL this weekend.  Yes you read correctly, FREE.  F.R.E.E.

 Many of you may be laughing and wondering what I'm smoking, but my fellow DIY-ers are probably gasping.  This chair is a gem!  It is in excellent condition and has such fantastic character.

Check out those legs.  Rarrr!
 I LOVE the exposed caning and curvy arms.

I have to admit that the back looks a little bit peculiar to me, but have no fear- a new plan for this baby is in place. 

As soon as my mom delivered this beauty to my door, I grabbed my screwdriver and pliers and let out all my frustration by yanking out about a gazillion staples. 

*** If you ever decide to reupholster a chair, please be kind to those who will follow after you on the same piece years later.  You really don't have to staple every millimeter... I promise!***

The upholstery and foam are gone, she has been sanded, primed, given a little "face-lift" and is ready for more tomorrow.  I can't wait to show you what's in store for this gal. 

Do chairs cheer you up?  Fortunately I also had this handsome little devil around to keep me smiling today.

I'm so grateful for your support and sweet comments.  Those brighten my days more than you know.

~PW