Tips for Painting Doors

This week I have been tackling my to do list.  This involved painting four doors.  I am 5'4" and although that is not too short I have a hard time getting the tops of the doors. A pair of inexpensive saw horses solved this problem.  I took the doors off the hinges and removed all hardware.  I found that removing the hardware is quicker than cleaning paint off of them.  I used a HANDy cup and a 2 inch angled brush and followed the door diagram below. The only hiccup in this project was the new gallon of trim paint is slightly off from the original color.  I know that you are supposed to purchase multiple gallons and mix them.  Lesson learned.  The banister is next and I am not looking forward to that. 

SOURCES

Get Hooked

I stumbled across this fun blog, Hooked on Houses.  Easy to get addicted! I did not know that about House Hunters!!!  One of my favorite TV houses is the one featured on Good Luck Charlie. Yes, I watch and I think it is funny. LOVE the mom!

Their family room is so much fun. The rug, the insect prints and pillows, and the green staircase are my favorites!

SOURCE

What is your favorite TV house?

Beauty and the Beast

One of our favorite movies over here is Beauty and the Beast.  The whole family went to see the 3D version and Madeline and Addie dressed up as Belle.  She blended in well at Wendy's.  Wyatt fell asleep during the movie... boys.

Project: Shabby Dress KO

I love to sew and usually I sew for my daughter or her dolls, but I decided to branch out and sew something for me! I am challenging myself to sew a dress for Easter.  I will admit that I am a little nervous, but you gotta start some where. Back in the day I did make a skirt with darts, set-in waistband, and a zipper.  I love, love, this Shabby Apple dress:

Source: shabbyapple.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

I think that look can be achieved. I picked up these patterns for .99 cents yesterday at JoAnn's.  I did learn something VERY valuable. Your retail size is not your pattern size so measure yourself before pattern shopping or embarrass your bff my measuring yourself in the middle of the fabric store as I did!  I also like this pattern review site.  Real people with photos of their finished garments.

Now I just need some fabric... I am going to do a trial run with something inexpensive.  Wish me luck!

Kettle Light

See that spot light above the sink?  Not my favorite.  After a lot of searching and pinning I narrowed my choice down to this light.  

I really love the new light! It has actually been installed since Thanksgiving. Now we just need to tackle those cabinets...

Crescent Rolls 3 Ways

Over the last week we have tried three different recipes via Pinterest using crescent rolls.  I usually pick the rolls up at Sam's for a good price.  All three were good, and it is hard to pick a favorite. I guess it just depends what you are in the mood for! The breakfast ones have cream cheese and blueberries, mmmm. I love that combo! We use ham and provolone for the lunch version and my oldest could not stop eating them.  The peanut butter and chocolate ones were also yummy. Chocolate and peanut butter is another pairing that this Reese's lover could not resist.  

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A Pair of Antlers

I have been drooling over these prints by Pixie Pixels for a little while and decided that they were just what I needed. I ordered mine in Robin's Egg. I purchased new white mats for only $3.99 a piece. I love the new look and fun vibe the prints give the room.

Source: etsy.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

How cute are those?!  Hubby is still a little skeptical, but they are exactly what I was looking for!  The prints came is sturdy rolled tube and were printed on heavier paper. 

I am very pleased and I will purchase from this shop again!

Three Great Finds for $21

A week ago I stopped at Meijer for some grocery's and came home with three new items for my home.  Before Christmas I had spotted the Katie Brown hounds tooth place mats, but passed. I scored four for only .49 cents apiece!!!  I actually did a happy dance in the middle of the store.  I think the kids were embarrassed...

When I shop I usually hit every aisle just in case there might be a great deal and I came across this wire thing in the floral section marked down to $4.99.  I have no idea what it is, but I like it. It could also be spray painted...

Last, but not least I picked up this Katie Brown (I love all the Katie Brown stuff) log basket for $14.00  It is big and heavy!  I have a gas fireplace so there will be no logs, but I am envisioning a wood top to use as a little table or maybe an ottoman for the cream chair... Oh, the possibilities!

Lego and AG Doll Storage

Two organizational projects that I completed before Christmas was Legos and 18" Doll Accessories.  We have both coming out our ears.  I really loved this Lego storage, but the $100 price tag was not in my budget. I wanted to utilize some book shelves that we already had and decided to use shoe storage boxes for only $16.  I had purchased over 1600 Legos bricks for Christmas and knew we needed a better storage system.

The last tote holds all instructions and our brick separator.
If you do not have that... run to the Lego Store and get one!

Current project boxes

I did not feel that labels were necessary as you can see the different colors and two out of my three kids do not read.

My next project was tackling all of Madeline's doll accessories. Her dolls have totally taken over half of her closet.  I purchased a hanging shoe bag for $8, cut to size and screwed it into the closet. I did hit one stud (on accident of course).  Everything is organized and she does a great job of cleaning up her doll stuff now that there is a place for everything.

The hanging clothes rack is a tension rod. Who says doll storage has to be expensive?!

2012

Happy New Year!

2011 was a good year for us and I will spare you the walk down memory lane by reviewing my year.  As far as looking forward to 2012 I have a few goals that I will continue to work on:

Personal Goals

1. Lose that blasted weight

2. Tone up the bod

3. Read my Bible every day

4. Try not to sweat the small stuff

My Home Goals can be found here. Most of them are leftovers from 2011, but nonetheless need to be completed and I added some more. I also wrote out a wish list. All home renovations will be paid in cash (no financing) and that will determine what will get done first.  


Happy goal setting!