Map Coasters

I saw these super cute DIY coasters by Almost Never Clever and knew that was what I needed to replace my ugly coasters. This is a great tutorial with pictures and supply list!

I found an 8 pack of coasters for .80 at Michaels and used a free rest stop map of my favorite state, Indiana to use.  I did try another set with come textured card stock and that was a fail. I think that it was too thick. The light weight map produced less bubbles. I think that these turned out so cute! Not perfect, but functional and interesting. We are using them in our family room and the master bedroom.  

Transom Window Update

We have a transom window above our front door that has plagued me since we moved in a little over a year ago.  I did a little search on Etsy and found this vinyl that would be perfect! Allison of Single Story made mine 7 inches tall and mirrored it so I could apply it to the inside window. This window makeover only cost me $14.00.  I am so pleased with the quality and results. Pop on over to her shop and check out her custom door vinyls!

BEFORE

AFTER

Next on the list is painting the doors and shutters! I can not wait to give them a face lift. I am also thinking of giving the Rub N Buff a try on the brass hardware. Will it work and look good? What do you think?

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall {Rub N Buff}

My master bedroom is getting a little TLC, after all it is the most important room of the house! I found this fabulous mirror at Hobby Lobby for $18.00 and I snatched it up with my three unruly kids in tow. The frame is plastic and a little ugly. I mulled over spray paint vs Rub N Buff while on vaca and decided to give this RNB a try. I have never used it before and was de-lighted with the results. A little really does go a long way and at $3.99 a tube that is a great deal! I had wanted Pewter, but ended up with Silver Leaf because that was all Hobby Lobby had. In 15 minutes my mirror went from drab to fab! I feel corny today!

BEFORE

AFTER

 

Well, I could not stop there! I gave the knobs on my Ikea dresser and bedside tables a little update too! I love the glam silver! I will show you the rest of the updates to this room when I dust my dresser ;)

BEFORE

AFTER

Vacation

We are back from a week long vacation that totaled a little over a thousand miles with no video systems I  may add (due to malfunctions). The kids are great travelers and that helped. Our vacation started in Huntsville, Alabama where we visited the Space and Rocket Center. We were able to visit for free because we have a museum membership here that has privileges at other science museums. I forgot my camera! That is a first and we were forced to use our camera phones. I will look back on this and laugh...

Wyatt and Madeline roasting marshmallows on the surface of the "moon". Wyatt's idea- he is a nut!

Luke checking out a life size space thing (I have no idea what it is called).

We drove from Alabama to Tennessee to the Great Smoky Mountains. If you have been to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area and have not visited the national park, you are missing out on some of the most beautiful land that God created. I was in awe. My city kids did a 2.6 round trip hike on the moderate Laurel Falls trail. The waterfall was beautiful. Matt and the big kids climbed down and played in the water. It was too steep and dangerous for Luke so we explored on our own at the top.

The kids were obsessed with walking sticks. We had to stop often and trade them in for newer models.

This was just two days of our vacation.  I will post more of our adventures throughout the week!

Giveaway {Indianapolis Indians Tickets}

We are hosting a GIVEAWAY! If you love baseball and live in the Indianapolis area this giveaway is for you! As you may already know I live in Indianapolis and drive by Victory Field many times throughout the year, but have yet taken the family. I am so excited for this opportunity that I can share with my fellow Hoosiers! 

Cris from GOODEness Gracious let me know that the Indiana Family of Farmers (IFOF) is sponsoring an upcoming Indians Game at Victory Field in Indianapolis on July 19th and they have decided to turn it into a festive night for some lucky Hoosier families--filled with family, food and fun!

Winners will receive up to 8 tickets to the event for their family and friends to join IFOF at the July 19th Indians Game at 7 PM. Winners will also get a wristband to join IFOF in the picnic area for a special picnic at the park that will include a choice of hot dog, hamburger or pulled chicken BBQ-- Yum! Baked beans, pasta salad, fruit salad, cookies and drinks will also be served!  

How can you win these tickets?  All you need to do is:

1.  Follow IFOF on Facebook

2. Follow IFOF on Twitter

3. Follow room*6

Let me know in the comments that you are following and you will be entered to win these free tickets to the Indianapolis Indians July 19th! The giveaway will close July 1, 2011.

Dad's Day 2011

I was a little stumped this year for Father's day. This is what we did last year.  My sister Amanda sent me this photo idea and I thought that it was so cute! I did not take advantage of the free collage, but opted for 4x6 prints to put in last year's frame and a collage picture to put inside his card.  I guess I am starting a tradition of new photos for Father's day. 

Here is the frame in the garage.

Outdoor photo shoot with the kids. They had fun!

                       

I used Photoshop to make this final product.

Bye, Bye, Brass aka Exterior Light Makeover

I am so excited that we have new exterior lights.  Last month I was web shopping for some fixtures and here were my original choices.  We decided to check Menards and found these lights for $29.99 a pair with a ten dollar rebate making them $19.99 before tax!  I love the black finish and seeded glass.

We did not find a great deal on a porch light so I decided that I would try my hand at painting the existing one.  

Here is the before:

I did a light sanding before using spray metal primer.

 

I used nails poked through the styrofoam to hold the little parts. 

Notice the paint dissolved some of the styrofoam- weird.

Several light coats of satin black paint. Remember to put a paper towel in the socket.

Voila- "new" light fixture! And the best part of this project was that I installed the porch fixture all by myself! I was so scared that I did not turn off the right breaker that I turned them all off *blush*, but I did  it! 

 I already had the paint and primer on hand, but we had to purchase some different screws making the total cost of this project was $22.45. For that price I am happy to scratch this project off my list!

Fun with Daddy

Matt is a lot of fun and a great father and husband. We are truly blessed that he is ours. Last week he and kids got involved in a water gun fight fully clothed. No one knows who the "victor" was, but they all had  fun. I had some laundry to do after that,  but well worth the memories that we will have.  Where was I? Trying to stay dry behind the camera!

Everybody Loves the Fork and Spoon

I could not take it any longer. I bought the fork and spoon, but at least I got them 50% off at Hobby Lobby. Additional supplies for this project include: primer, silver spray paint, and sawtooth hangers for a total cost of $23.75 after tax.

The fork and spoon were dark brown and I really wanted to copy Thrifty Decor Chick's awesome set so that meant a little elbow grease to achieve this look.

Source: thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

I love my new addition in the kitchen! Hubby pointed out that they really brought out the brass hardware... baby steps. A kitchen reno is in our future.