Friday, July 31, 2009

An Easy Burlap Project



I just love the simplicity (and price) of burlap. It just adds such texture and is often an unexpected element in a room. I got this new quilt and shams recently and wanted to change out my bolster pillow cover. The burlap sack or grain sack covers are so expensive, so I came up with something comparable to that look. It is a very simple look which I like for the bedroom. I noticed in this picture that I need to do a little trimming on the right side to make them even, but you get the picture. I just sewed a piece of burlap together, turned it right side out, did the stencil, and slid the bolster inside. Then I tied the ribbon around each side to close it. It was quick and easy and cost me nothing! I already had some extra burlap. For $1.75 a yard (with a coupon), you can afford to do a little experimenting!
I would love to hear about your burlap projects!

I won a CUTE new bag!

I went to The Inspired Room and entered a giveaway for this elisalou bag and I won! It came in the mail today and I love it! Check out all her adorable fabrics and bags at http://www.elisalou.com/
The quality is superb and she has such unique fabrics! Thank you Elisa for my free bag!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

A Yummy Summertime Treat

Here is what you need (I did not have enough cool whip or heath bars, but it was still good!)

Brownie Trifle

1 box Brownie Mix

3 (3.9 ounce) packages chocolate instant pudding mix

1 (12 ounce) container cool whip

6 Heath Bars or 1 bag of Heath Bar pieces


*Prepare and bake brownies according to package directions. Cool and crumble into small pieces

*Prepare pudding according to directions using 4 cups of milk total instead of 6 cups and ommiting the chilling procedure.
*Place 1/3 of the crumbled brownies in a 3 qt. trifle bowl; top with 1/3 each of pudding, cool whip, and candy bars.
*Repeat layers twice using remaining ingredients, ending with the Heath Bars.
*Cover and chill trifle at least 8 hours.
This is so yummy and was a big hit at the last cookout we went to. Enjoy!

Friday, July 24, 2009

An awesome gift and my little man

Elise over at Nest Sweet Nest came over the other night and brought me this belated birthday gift that she made. I LOVE it! It is a chicken wire cloche and my new favorite thing! She also helped me sew some curtains for my sunroom. I will post pics of them soon. What a sweetie she is. Thanks Elise!
This is my sweet baby boy at 9 1/2 mos. The kids wanted to do his hair in a mohawk. He loves his new do! Such a little man already!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Trash to Treasure

I found this chair in someone's trash yesterday while I was jogging. It had such potential that I had to have it! I carried it back home while pushing the stroller. It was a challenge but the trash man was coming and there was no time to come back for it. It is very sturdy and the weathered wood was just dying to be painted!
I had some red spray paint already. It is Rust Oleum "Colonial Red". It is so hard to find a good red spray paint and I love this one! I got it at Hobby Lobby. I gave the chair a good coat of paint and put chicken wire in the seat to hold a plant or pot of flowers (you can get the chicken wire at Home Depot). Then I stenciled "bloom" on the back. It was so easy and cost me $0! I used what I already had in the garage.

I love my new little FREE treasure and it makes the flowers look twice as pretty! You never know what you might find in the trash!


Thursday, July 9, 2009

A Quick Backsplash makeover

BEFORE
I want to do a brick backsplash, but time and money do not allow for that right now. I painted it the same color as my kitchen (Behr "LION")but it still needed something....so, I added some plates that I love! They are from Southern Living at Home called Terrace appetizer plates.

AFTER
It adds some color and texture until I can get the backsplash I really want. I might even hang the plates again after we do the brick. We will see...

I used these disc plate hangers so that the hanger would not show. You can get these at Hobby Lobby; a little pricey though, about $2 each, but easy to use.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Happy 4th of July!







This is our annual 4th of July bike parade. Brayden loved his first parade! Every neighborhood should have one of these!We are so blessed to live in this country! Thank you to all the men and women who have fought and died for our freedom. May we never take our freedom for granted.