In Between Laundry

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Living Room Progress

I was talking to a long-distance friend last night and I was telling her all about our house and the progress we'd been making.

Friend: "So... were you ever planning on putting pictures of it on your blog so I can see it?"

Me: "Well... it's not perfect yet."

And that got me thinking...

Is it ever going to be "perfect"? As soon as I have it just exactly right, the styles will change or we'll need to fix/replace something.

So I'm going to share what we've done so far. The progress. And I have to say that I'm pretty proud of the progress.

Before:

After:

Sure, there are a few changes I want to make, like what to put over the couch (I have a few ideas swirling around in my head) and adding a rug (that won't be too scratchy for baby knees or too expensive for dirty boys, or ugly--I mean, that seriously limits my choices).

Here's the run-down so far:

1. We added built-in bookshelves (other than our kitchen countertops, this is the only thing we paid a professional to do).

2. Painted the walls the same color as the stenciled entryway.

3. Painted the fireplace white. When I say white, I mean white. It's currently just primed. But I really like how crisp it looks.

4. Bought thrift-store end tables and painted them with Krylon midnight blue.

5. Added accessories-- pillows, curtains, and other pretties. My favorites are the silverware that my late grandmother framed herself. I simply changed the trim. She was so creative and adventurous with decorating.

6. We also broke our cheap selves down and bought our first new TV. The old one was the kind that the kids knew not to touch because if it fell on one of them, they would be dead instantly. The picture was a little fuzzy in spots and the whole thing was about three feet deep. Yes, it was time.

Well, what do you think? Homier, isn't it?

Shared with: Miss Mustard Seed, Tatertots and Jello, Be Different Act Normal, Sugar Bee Crafts

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

S'mores Bars

Ooey...

gooey...

marshmallows and milk chocolate in a graham cracker cookie

I have made this recipe twice now and it is moving up the family favorites list pretty quickly.

I found the delicious recipe right here.

Make them over the Labor Day weekend and hide the pan in the back of the pots and pans cabinet so your husband and children think they were all eaten up at the family barbecue.

Or, you know, whatever you want.

Shared with: Blue Cricket Design, Lil' Luna, Chef n Training, Southern Lovely, Somewhat Simple, Tatertots and Jello, Be Different Act Normal, Sugar Bee Crafts

Painted Foam Play Mat

Check out this amazing idea. Aesthetic Outburst transformed an ugly kids' foam puzzle mat into a chevron "rug."

Sarah.Wandering did the same in a lovely floral pattern.

I MUST try this in my kitchen!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Embroidered Geography Love Pillow

Here's a sweet love story...

Boy meets girl (who lives in China and is secretly practicing Christianity under strict communist laws against it).

Boy likes girl (even though he lives and preaches in Texas and they can't see each other face to face).

Boy falls in love with girl (through emails and phone calls).

Boy proposes to girl (and spends many, many months trying to work through the Chinese government to bring her to the United States so they can begin a life together).

Boy marries girl (finally!) and they live happily ever after.

True story! We know "Boy" through our church and were so thrilled to finally meet his lovely bride a few weeks ago. Doesn't that story just make your heart swell?

To honor their unique history, I made them this geography pillow as a wedding gift.

That's China on the left.

And Texas on the right. In real-life, Texas is no where close to being as big as China. Creative license.

It was a really fun little project! Want to make one for yourself or a gift (maybe with states or one state/country with a heart at the location of each city, connected by a dotted line)?

I love the idea of making one for long-distance grandparents, too!

1. Print a map of your location and cut it out.

2. In pencil, trace your design on your pillowcase or fabric (if you're sewing it together later). I used a zippered pillow cover that I had on hand.

3. Using two or three strands of embroidery floss, hand stitch over the penciled design. I used a simple back stitch (click here for a tutorial).

That's it! Isn't it sweet and personal?

Linked to: Today's Creative Blog, Sugar Bee Crafts, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Not Just a Housewife, Tales of a Trophy Wife, Blue Cricket Design, Lil' Luna, Chef n Training, Southern Lovely, Carolyn's Homework, Somewhat Simple, Tatertots and Jello, Be Different Act Normal

Friday, August 26, 2011

a few tidbits (facebook, ad rates)

I wanted to let you know that I restarted the Facebook page and you can become a liker if you like. I've been known to throw out some great finds and recipes your way via the fb. I have a doo-dad on my sidebar or you can click here.

Also, I am offering some very affordable ad rates for September. If you have a product, service, website, or Etsy store, then we just might be a great fit. Click here for details.

Picture Frame "Prayer List" Whiteboard

We've been letting our four-year-old say the dinner time prayers for a while now, and at first, they went something like this,

"Dear God,
Thank you for Mommy, Daddy, Brother, Mimi, PawPaw, Pop, Bee Bee, my aunts, my uncles, my cousins, my friends, my teachers (all listed by name, by the way), the forks, the knives, our dogs, the plates, our food..."

and on and on and on.

But we loved it and let him thank God for everything--which is what we should all be doing more often anyway.

Well, one day the kid wised up and realized that the longer he prays, the longer he has to wait to eat.

So his prayers became more like this,

"Dear God,
Thank you for the food. Please help the sick. In Jesus' name, Amen."

After a few weeks of trying to teach him how to be more specific in prayers, Jeremy came up with a brilliant idea.

"Why don't we get something to write our prayer concerns on? Like a whiteboard, or something, so we all can remember to pray often and specifically for those who have needs."

So, I made my own picture frame whiteboard that I'd been seeing all over the place.

I'm sure you've seen them, too. I just really like how this one is specific for our family's prayer list.

I embroidered a little bunting and hot-glued it across the glass in the frame. I also used some cute lined paper that I had on hand for behind the glass.

You know what?

It helps!

I find myself praying more often for those we needed to pray for anyway.

Like, um, myself...

Shared with: Tatertots and Jello, Be Different Act Normal, Under the Table and Dreaming, I Heart Naptime, Sew Chatty, Today's Creative Blog

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Thursday's Theme: Pom Poms

I am a huge lover of pom poms. Is that weird to say?

In fact, I've been known to whip up a few pommy projects myself, like my Pom Pom Baby Mobile and my Christmas Wreath.

Check out these creative ideas that are now on my crafting wish list.

Pom Pom Pumpkin by Domestifluff

Pom Cake Garland from Shortcake Party Picks on Etsy

Sweet Confection from Living with Punks

Felted Pom Pom Wreath from Pickles

Pom Pom Pumpkin Tree from Tortoise and the Hare

Pom Pom Place Card Holders found via Pinterest

Mondo Pom Trim Pillow from Living with Punks

Don't forget to enter the Halloween Traditions contest I have going on here and the My Memories giveaway going on here!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Giveaway Time with My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Software ($40 Prize)

Problem:

This happens to me every year.

January One rolls around and I have lofty dreams about what a fantastic, organized memory-writer-downer I will be.

This year was no different. Around the first (when 2011 was more "will be" than "has been"), I collected these really beautiful journals and had every intention of filling them up with handwritten memories and sweet little clipped photos. I even blogged about that right here.

I did write some stuff in them, I did. But, honestly, it's not that much. I haven't really even printed pictures this year (bowing my head in shame).

It's all good. I've learned (and accepted) something about myself. I enjoy writing (hence, the blog) but I don't like journaling... at least with a pen and paper (even though I still do write some things down in my boys' books).

And scrapbooking... while I always appreciate the look of a big, handmade book and all of the pretties and love that go into them, it's not for me.

Solution:

Digital Scrapbooking! I realize that I'm a little late to 2003 here, but I truly had never done it before. So hooked! Wow! What a great invention.

The software that I use is from My Memories and I've already created a memory book for the whole summer that I will be sending off to be printed this week. Who's a super-memory-saver-mommy, now? Me!

Do you want to see some of those cute pages? Okie dokie.

The My Memories digital scrapbooking software comes with TONS of embellishments, shapes, "papers" and tools to create whatever you can think up. It's easy (and I only do easy) and fun (and I only do fun, too, by the way)!

I was super excited to see that all of my fonts from my own computer were right there on the program when it started.

Plus, you're not limited to making a book. I can't wait to try out greeting cards, invitations and calendars.

So. Are you ready for a really fun giveaway that you'll love?