Serving Tray Facelift

I got this tray at a the thrift store last week for $1. I like how big it is and it is also very sturdy. Really, it's okay as-is, but I know it can be more. So out comes my tape, paint, and rope.

First I taped off the wooden edge. I may paint it later, but wanted to see what it would look like with the wood for now.

After searching through my thousands of fonts for hours for just the right A, I settled on this one. I cut it out using my Quikutz Silhouette, then using spray adhesive I stuck it to my tray.

Note: The font name is Wishing Type. It is a free font. You can download it at this site.

I painted over it using a fun green I have then let it dry and removed my stencil.

For the handles I wanted to add a little texture which explains the rope. See how I tied that in?

I attached the end of the rope with one staple on the inside of the handle. It's going to be covered so I didn't need to worry about the staple showing.

I covered the top and sides of the handle with tacky glue and started winding it around the handle.

Like so. When I got to the end I pulled the rope through the last loop, added a generous amount of tacky glue and pulled as tight as I could to get a nice tight hold.

I'm sure there's a better way to do this, but I just figure things out as I go along.

The finished product. What do you think? Should I paint the wood or leave it as-is?

Remember your blessings!
Amber

Old Door Coffee Table

Remember when I posted that I didn't know what I would do with that other old paneled door I got for $5? Well, here is 2/3 of it being used as my new livingroom coffee table! I love it!

I also picked up a few new pillows today at Pier 1. They were having a sale. I love sales! Especially when they're at Pier 1. Now I just ned to figure out how to keep my 3 year old from using my new pillows as sleds on the floor. It may be a lost cause.

Remember your blessings!
Amber

Finding the Right Arrangement

I haven't been feeling the love lately in my livingroom. Actually, I've never really been able to arrange the furniture in a way that I thought felt right. So, since my mom has been visiting for the past week we decided to brainstorm and rearrange the furniture, bringing in pieces from other parts of the house and removing some that didn't quite fit the mood I was trying to create.

Here's the before.
My problems with it are...
1 - Both chairs are too large and they just don't seem to fit.
2 - I feel like the ottoman (a fold out twin-sized bed) is awkward and seems so large and in the way.
3 - Everything is too dark.

I tried to lighten things up with some new throw pillows and cherry blossoms. It helped but the chairs were still a problem, and there's that ottoman again.
Here's the view from the other side of the room.

What we decided to do...

1 - Move the chairs to a different room and bring in the matching loveseat.

2 - Move the sofa in front of the window.

3 - Bring in a free bluish auqua chair I picked up for free on a curbside one day. Casey doesn't like this chair so it will most-likely eventually be replaced.

4 - Adjust the layout of the ottoman so it fit better.

5 - Bring in more splashes of white to lighten up the room.

Now, I would love to replace the rug and bring in something light. I just haven't found the right rug for the right price yet.

Here's the angle from the other side of the room. Definitely better, but I can't wait to see what a lighter rug will do to the space. Also, after seeing these pictures I definitely need to bring in more pillows!

There's a tip for you. When you are trying to decorate a room take pictures on your digital camera. It's easier to spot places that need help.

A closer look at the corners. The large mason jar I picked up at Tri-State and put black-eyed peas to hold some hydrangeas that were on sale at Michael's for 50% off. I love how that worked out! I'm sure you recognize the ottoman and white tray. Hanging the tray on the wall was my mom's idea. Thanks Mom! In case you're wondering, that sign reads "We interrupt this marriage for hunting season."

Here's the other corner with my ugly leather chair. I happen to like it, but since my husband doesn't, then we'll have to do something about it.

So there you have it! It feels so much cozier in this space now. It still has a ways to go, but it's slowly transforming into something more me.

Remember your blessings!
Amber

Yard Sale Finds Get a Facelift

I got to go yard saling again this past weekend and found a few fun things. I picked up this cute little side table for $2 and a candle for $0.50.
I gave the table a light sanding and got out my spray paint. I used Krylon-brand Dove White spray paint for both the table and the candle holder. After the paint was completely dry on the table I sanded the edges just enough to let the dark show through to give it a bit of a used look. They both turned out great! I don't know what I'll put in the holder after the flowers die, but isn't it just lovely?

Happy Monday to you, and as always... remember your blessings!
Amber

Allowing Toddler Independence

Here is my son. This is what he looked like when he came outside Saturday morning. Do you notice anything strange about him?

Maybe it's more obvious now.

We go through this just about every day. Letting a toddler dress himself sure is an adventure!

I gotta get this kid a mirror.

Remember your blessings!

Amber

Getting Some Privacy

I live on a pretty busy street. Lots of activity takes place on the side of my house, and there are buildings I don't want to look at. So, I decided to put up some billowy white curtains at the end of the porch. My porch isn't very big, but I love to sit out there and watch the boys play in the yard. The new curtains give me more privacy and soft shade. The best part is that the fabric only cost me $1.50/yard at the fabric clearance table at Walmart.

I need to confess! I cheated putting them up. I just stapled them to dowls instead of sewing them. You can't tell though, can you?

Oh, and do you see the bench at the end of the deck? I've had it for about six years. I got it on clearance for $25 at the end of summer one year. It used to look like this.

Didn't match to well, did it?

After three cans of paint (it was so dry it just sucked the paint right up), it now matches the rocking chairs. They look like they are a set.

On a side note, which side of the pillows do you like better? I took the picture with the striped side showing in the first picture, and this last picture has the flowers. I'm thinking flowers since there's so many stripes going on, but would love to hear your opinion.

Remember your blessings!
Amber

Saturday Yard Sale Finds

I love yard sales, and this is why:
I got everything you see her for a whopping $33.50! Yes, that is including the bed. The bed was $25 and I have big plans for it. The baby mat will be going to my niece along with a bunch of baby clothes I found. Those are posted down below.


Probably my favorite item was this.

I found it for $3 at the first yard sale I went to at 6:45am.

At that same yard sale I picked up some REALLY cute dresses for my sisters' baby girls. Get this - they were only $0.50 each! Not stained or torn. Not even a little. My nieces are going to look like a million bucks and I only spent $4.50. What a steal!
So, what am I going to do with the stuff I got at the yard sales? Well, you'll have to stay tuned for the bed, but I will share with you what I did with the galvanized bucket. Here it is. A fresh coat of white spray paint, some dirt, and a hibiscus plant. Now this sits on my front porch.
My original idea was to make a hanging planter out of it, but I changed my mind... for now.


Remember your blessings!
Amber

I Need Your Opinions - My Front Porch

Which version is your favorite here? The first one is how it is now. I played around in photoshop and came up with t he following possibilites. So, which one do you like best? I put up a poll on the left side over there <--. And, if you don't mind sharing... why? Oh, and please only vote once. Or do you just plain think I'm nuts for thinking about painting at all? Click on the picture to see it bigger.
P.S. - Please ignore the unsightly hose, edging that I haven't put in yet, and the boys' balls. Welcome to my life!

Quick Serving Tray Accessory

I got this at a yard sale for $1.50 a couple months ago. I knew it had potential.I just got out my white spray paint and gave it a couple light coats. I love spray paint!

I think it still needs a little something extra to dress it up but I don't know what yet. So for now it's just plain ole white and functional. To be continued... (when I finally figure out what I'm going to do. Suggestions anyone?)

Remember your blessings!
Amber

Side Table Turned Ottoman

Today I turned this $5 thrift store side table...

into this lovely tufted ottoman!

Instead of spending $10-$15/yd on foam for the cushion I found this couch cushion for $1 at the thrift store. Yes, at a single couch cushion. You never know what you'll find at the thrift store! I ripped off the two layers of fabric and cut it down to size, then washed it with a water/bleach solution. While it was drying I spray painted the legs of the table. Then I covered the cushion in batting and stapled it to the underside of the table.Then I wrapped my fabric around the batting and stapled it. I then made matching buttons using the same fabric. I got a button kit at the fabric store. It was super easy! I had originally planned to put in nine buttons, but changed my mind and only did five.For the holes I just measured equal distances and drew a grid on the top of the table and drilled holes where the lines crossed, then drilled another hole next to it. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of this process.

Word of advice to anyone thinking about doing this project: spend the extra $4 to buy yourself upholstering needles! I thought I could use one of my "long" needles from my sewing kit. I struggled with that for about an hour before I ended up going back to the stor to buy myself the upholstering needles.

This has been a public service announcement. I will now return you to the regularly scheduled program...

After threading my needle with my string I pushed it up through the first hole and pulled one end of the string all the way through so one end was coming out of the top and one end was hanging out of the bottom. I rethreaded my needle using the end of the string hanging out of the bottom of the hole then poked it up through the other hole.After both strings were through the top of the ottoman I threaded my button to one of the strings. I tied a single knot and then pushed the cushion down and tightened it. Be sure to push the cushion down first. I tried tightening it without doing that and the top of my button popped off. Then I tied another knot and tightened it. I wrapped the strings around the base of the button and tied a knot on the other side and wrapped both strings around the base of the button a couple times and cut off the excess.I did that another four times and then had to pull the fabric tighter on each side and restaple it.

In summary, there are two things I will do differently next time:
1 - glue the cushion to the top of the table with spray adhesive.
2 - attach the buttons before stapling the fabric.

Doesn't it look great with my two $10 yard sale rocking chairs?Remember your blessings!
Amber