New Series: Fave Furniture Fridays!

Welp, it's about time for a series around here.. and what else but my favorite things?

Yippee! Furniture!

I'll be posting every friday with my latest and greatest finds. Tutorials, DIY, paint, all kinds of fun stuff!

Link up your fave furniture transformations, tutorials and great finds, too!

I'll post the most popular the next week.

This first piece was found at kitchy living, and it's a doozie! (is that a word?) 

I love that it's a traditional piece that is painted an unexpected color. You would EXPECT this vanity/desk to be dark brown wood, right?

 

This chandelier... blows my mind. Absolutely Gorgeous. Found it at JamesPlumb.

This is an incredible transformation. Who would think to cut out the top section of a dresser and use it as a bench?? Chic Staging and Design would. That's who.

Can I post my own furniture makeover?

Yep. I'm doing it.

I turned a console TV into a fort. Check out the post here!

I've used this tutorial many, many times. How to paint letters perfectly on wood. Genius!

 Find it here at Thatsmyletter

How to paint laminate. That's right. IT CAN BE DONE!!! I found this tutorial by CentsationalGirl, and it's awesome. She even recommends sanding down the drips after priming and before your two coats of paint.phew! A lot of work, but so worth it!

Okay, so party rules?? You've gotta have 'em.

(thanks to NightOwlCrafting for the rules, because I had no idea.)

*Link-up your post (not your main URL) to this party, then include a link back to this page  

*No Etsy pages or business websites please.

 *Include a short description of your project and the name

of your blog in your link up.

   * Visit at least 2 other blog links and show them some love!

  *Grab the party-link button on the side bar so others can join the PARTY!

(looking for the link button? look no further.  It'll be up next week!)
I can't wait to see what you SugarTots find! ;)

Baby Jar Topiary & felt flower tutorial

I recently cleaned out my scary basement . . . again, and found a LOT of baby jars that I just couldn't toss because I was hoping they would come in handy someday. Well, I have used them for Halloween, Christmas and Valentine's treats, bead holders, bobby bin holders, elastic holders, etc. and now finally found a different use for them. . .

Mini topiaries! So unnecessary but fun nonetheless.

If you want to join in on my craziness, here is what you will need:

baby jars (however many you want to make, I made 5 (even though 6 are shown:))

Candy or other decor to fill the baby jars

sucker sticks

felt or other material to make flowers

a drill

spray paint for the lids (I used green, not shown in picture)

hot glue gun

scissors

 I started off making white flowers and it was too dull for me, I needed something bright and happy for spring.

First, drill a small hole in the middle of the baby jar lids big enough for the sticks to fit in and than spray paint them. While they are drying, get going on your felt flowers.

Cut out about 14 2" circles for each flower and one small one. Fold your circle in half, then fold half of that forward (I dabbed a little hot glue on the corner to hold it in place) and the other half backward (again using a little dab of hot glue). So you have a little S shape. I made 6 of those and then glued them in a circle on the small felt piece. After those are in place, I took one of the petals and trimmed off the tip just a little bit and glued it in the middle to make a puffy flower. 

 Now, just turn it over and do the same thing on the other side. I found that I didn't need 6 petals to go all the way around, 5 worked great and then I put one in the middle again. Put a dab of glue on your stick and put it in your flower. The jelly beans didn't hold the stick up as well as I had hoped, so I put some glue on the bottom of the lid and the stick. 

 And now you have your own little baby jar topiary! Now go make some more. . . and I dare you not to eat any of the yummy jelly beans in the process:)

                                         

linking up to these parties:

craftomaniac,  not just a housewife,  tip junkie, sugar bee, blue cricket design, night owl crafting, somewhat simple, house of hepworths, tater tots and jello, at the picket fence, whipperberry, i heart naptime, itsy bitsy paper

Marvin J. Ashton Quote {free printable }

With a sweet newborn in the home, there is not a whole lot of projects going on. Which is fine with me (and my hubby)but I can sit at the computer, hold my baby and design. . . the best of both worlds. So, look for many a printables coming your way. 

My sweet friend trusts me to make handouts for her Young Women and church bulletin board every week/month and this was one of them. I just LOVED this quote and had to share it with my readers. You know those people who come into your life and make you want to be a better person, who loves you unconditionally and just makes you feel good. Well, I hope to be one of those people and this quote is a gentle reminder to be just that. 

It is a 5x7, just click download and print.

Enjoy!

Also want to thank Designer Blogs for the fabulous makeover!

                             

linking up to these parties: craftomaniac, not just a housewife, tip junkie, sugar bee, blue cricket design, night owl crafting, somewhat simple, house of hepworths, tater tots and jello, at the picket fence, whipperberry, i heart naptime, itsy bitsy paper

DIY Quick Fixes for Spring {Guest Post by Inspired By Grace}

I am excited to have a Grace from Inspired By Grace here to share some quick tips on getting our homes ready for spring. Yaaaaay for Spring!

The cold weather of winter drives you inside, so when spring comes you are ready to shed the jackets and enjoy the great outdoors again.  Windows are opened, and you are prepared to welcome the beauty of spring.  The colors are brighter and the grass is greener.  The dog days of summer are still a few months away, and you are looking forward to luxuriating in the mild weather heralded by spring.  Here are some DIY projects you can do around the house to get ready for the warm weather and make your home more enjoyable.

Paint

Painting is an affordable way to freshen the home and make everything look better.  Spring is a great time to do it because you can open the windows for fresh air while working the brush.   Whether you are in love with a deep color or something light and airy, there is no better time than spring to make your walls look like new again with a fresh coat of paint.

Walkways

Once summer arrives and the weather dries out, you may find that your ground is hard as a rock.  In spring, however, the ground is usually soft.  This makes it a great time to add walkways to your property.  If you have an extensive garden, consider adding a walkway to encourage people to meander through the flowers.  Put one along the driveway so you can step on clean stone instead of slippery grass when exiting the car.  Add a graceful curved walkway going to your front door for the curb appeal and intrigue.

Hard Trim

This is also a great time to do a hard trim on the bushes.  They are still dormant, so cutting them back won’t harm the plants.  The lack of leaves on some plants will also make it easier to see where you are cutting so you achieve a pleasing shape.  Be sure to trim the backs of bushes that travel along the house.  Keeping a few inches between any plants and house will help limit insect invaders and ensure that branches don’t scratch the siding. 

Fresh Window Treatments and Linens

Spring is the time to leave the deep colors of winter behind and embrace something lighter and brighter.  Switch out window treatments and hang beautiful, lightweight curtains that will let the sun shine in and remind you that warmer weather has arrived.  Store away heavy flannel blankets and replace them with lightweight throws.  Switch the bed linens from warm flannels to cool and comfortable cotton.  You will love the change of pace, and the fresh décor will put you in the mood for spring.

Sprucing up the house for spring doesn’t have to be tedious.  You can take steps to make your home more inviting and ring the new season in with style.  A fresh coat of paint will do wonders for your spring-cleaning efforts, and new linens will set the mood.  Consider adding walkways outside and take the time to shape up your landscaping, it doesn’t have to look like a Hampton home to be appealing.  You will love how your home looks now and throughout the season.

Grace is a new blogger about all things decor and design.  Come check her out  at http://inspiredbygracen.blogspot.com/

Dinner brought to you by {Pinterest}

I have Pinterest to thank for motivating me to cook and try new recipes. I am a visual person and am easily sold when I see delicious looking food. I am starting a new series here on my tried and true recipes found via Pinterest, called

First up on the menu:

Mexican Stuffed Shells from The Way to His Heart. 

I might be eating these as I type, so good:)

Chicken & Dumpling Casserole from Plain Chicken

Dumplings and one pot dinners (i.e. casseroles): two of my favorite things to make and eat. Combine them and you get this goodness.

Pepperoni Rolls by What About Pie

In Cleveland, we lived a block away from the best calzones and just about walked there every Thursday night to get their 2 for 1 deal. Well, we have been away for almost 2 years now and eating these Pepperoni rolls reminded me of those oh so good calzones. I added some olives, spinach and canadian bacon to mine because that is what I loved in Cleveland.

And for some good snacks, side dishes and desserts:

Keep Your Diet Real rounded up 20 Quick & Healthy snacks and since I just had a baby. . . I need all the quick and "healthy" snacks I can get. I am obsessed with apples topped with peanut butter and granola and bananas and chocolate pudding. 

Cheesy Stuffed Sourdough Loaf by NancyCreative

AMAZING, enough said. 

Grasshopper Mint Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies form Six Sister's Stuff.

Always in need of some green dessert around this time and chocolate and mint is just the thing. Too bad my husband isn't a fan of mint flavored things. . . a whole batch to myself:)

Come by again to see what we are cooking around here!