Reason for Lack Of Posts Lately

I'm sure you've noticed my lack of posting lately, and here's why:


Winchester is a golden retriever and we are getting him on August 5th.

Although we don't have him yet, I've been a little preoccupied getting ready for him. Puppy proofing the house, setting up a special place for him, researching (lots and lots of research), and purchasing all the special stuff puppies need. I'm hoping to dubb Wednesday as "Winchester Wednesday" where I can post pictures and updates as he grows.

Remember your blessings!

Amber

Bathroom Redo

Introducing the boys' bathroom... before. Boooooring! It's also the bathroom guests use.
And the bathroom now! Colorful and more personality.
Don't look too close though. I have yet to get trim for the top of the walls.

I'm going to replace the shelf above the toilet when I find the right one. Still looking for that. I want one or two thick white shelves.

I have a secret about my bathroom redo. The wainscotting is not real. It's paintable wallpaper! Quick, easy, and looks great!

This project didn't take me long, and I'm pretty happy with the results. I still have a few things left to do, but I wanted to post my progess so far.

emember your blessings!
Amber

Quick Vase Project

I wanted to share with you my Goodwill vase transformation. I bought this vase at Goodwill for $9.99. Really, was nice as it was, but it didn't quite fit my house.

I apologize that I didn't take a true before picture. Bad bad blog owner!
Out comes my Heirloom White spray paint and... ta-da! It fits much better now and the leaf design shows up so much better now. It's the main reason I bought this in the first place.

Photoshop vs. Real Life

Remember my post on Thursday where I shared how I try different things on for "size" in my home using Adobe Photoshop?

Well, my rug was delivered on Friday. Here's how the rug and chair slip-cover fit in real life. Don't you just love it? I do!

Remember your blessings!
Amber

Saturday Yard Sale Purchases

Here's some of what I got today at yard sales and one estate sale. Right now it is all just dusty junk, but I have plans for it. See the metal tray in the back? That was just $1.00. I got four of them. I'm thinking chalkboards.

Remember you blessings!
Amber

Trying It on for Size (My Photoshop Fitting Room)

I can't begin to tell you how much I love Photoshop! I've saved a lot of money and time trying out a certain look in a room before deciding to go with it or forget about it.

For example, when I was trying to decide what kind of curtains I wanted to put up on my porch I found some examples online that I "tried on" and tried different colors.

I tried these first. Nice, but not quite what I was looking for.

Maybe in a different color... or maybe not. Yikes!

Ooo.. some nice sheer-type billowy curtains. Maybe these will work. Bingo! That's what I'm going for.

I found the look I wanted, then went ahead and did it. I posted the end result on my blog with this picture.Another example is the lattice on my front porch. I used photoshop to try out different options and posted the poll. Remember that? Here's my lattice as it is now.

Here's one of the looks I tried on for size.

Currently, I'm playing with my guest bedroom. It needs some work.

Wonder what it would look like with white plank-type walls, a different window treatment, a sitting bench with baskets, and the bedframe I picked up at that yardsale for $25.

I want to paint the bedframe but haven't decided what color yet. So, I found similar styles of the frame and borrowed it for my rendering.

Eventually, I'd also love to put in wood flooring which will help so much in this room.

I ordered a slip cover and rug for my livingroom based on this Photoshop rendering I did. The slip cover was delivered yesterday and it looks awesome. I got notice that the rug shipped, but it's not here yet. Hopefully soon.

Remember your blessings!

Amber

Thrifty Message Board

I found this chalkboard at Salvation Army last week for a whopping $1.00! I'm sure Valerie would not approve of what I am about to do to it. Sorry Valerie.

First thing's first. The teddy bear is gone! I have bigger and better plans for this space. The toughest part of this whole project was removing all the staples. They're tough little buggers. Valerie did a great job constructing this piece of art.

I taped off the chalkboard and got out my heirloom white spray paint. I need to post some projects where I don't use white spray paint don't I?

I wanted the top space to be functional as well as the chalkboard so I cut out a piece of sheet metal to use as a magnet board. To keep the metal in place I used tacky glue and adhered it to the piece of original backing that I had to remove before. I cut it a little smaller than the piece of backing so I would have space to staple it back on.

The sheet metal is a little too shiny so I found a scrap piece of fabric from my ottoman project and wrapped it around the metal then stapled it all down.

I stapled a piece of wire onto the back for hanging and added cup hooks to the underside of the tray to hold keys.

After I hung it up it felt like it was missing something so I tore off a linen strip from a piece of material I use as my paint drop cloth.

This little project was quick, cheap, and easy. I love when quick, cheap, and easy = function!

I have another idea that I will be sharing later if it works out, but not until after I get back from our weekend camping trip. Stay tuned!

Have a great 4th of July weekend, and remember your blessings!

Amber