Do It!

Today, I am sharing with you an idea that came to me when I needed a better way to keep my family organized.  Several people have duplicated it and adjusted it in size and material to fit their needs. This is how I did it:

I purchased 35 clipboards and spray painted them with black chalkboard paint.

I then lined up the boards in 5 rows of 7, and then with vinyl (I have a machine, but you could use a stencil, or print out on the computer) I cut the days of the week and placed them atop the highest row. I used a small piece of wood painted chalkboard black for the months, and outlined a border around it with ribbon. I stuck small squares of 3m dual locking tape (I like it better than velcro, because it all sticks to each other any way) to each board in the bottom right hand corner, and then printed out numbers, cut and laminated them and attached the dual tape to the backs. I finished it off by tying a cute bow on the clips.

I change out the numbers with each month. When we receive invitations, reminders, etc, we just put them on the board and it keeps us on track.

Now, I have a very large wall that accommodated all those boards. If you do not, you could use the miniature clipboards, or you could just do a week calendar. I have one friend that used roofing tiles to create her calendar. Use what works for you! Do it! You'll be glad you did!

Fall is here!

My habit this time of year?! Apples, pumpkins, cinnamon, cloves and wheat! 

 I am a little embarrassed that I never got my Halloween pictures posted, so here you go:

Why, yes, I DO change my house for every season! I have so many ideas floating around in my head, I must get them out and onto the canvas of the spaces in my house! I will share some more pictures with you over the next few weeks and give you some ideas of how to bring a little of the season into your own home (without changing the whole place!)
 In November, I love to celebrate the harvest and the bounteous blessings we receive from the earth. One way to bring that bounty indoors, is to stand some wheat stems in a pitcher or vase, or even just tie some jute around a bunch of wheat and stand on a table. In the above photo, I have dressed my breakfast table with a simple old wood crate filled with my apples, the wheat and a pie pumpkin. It sits there as a tribute to the changing colors and gifts from nature. And yes, the apples are actually for eating! I may be addicted, but I am not cracked!

 Happy Fall, Y'all!

 P.S. go HERE for my very first giveaway!

Guess what I've been up to?!!!

SEWING!!!!! I had to re-make slipcovers. My first attempt, while they turned out cute, were not sturdy. I love the look of orsnaburg, so I used that and, well, not a good idea. So, this time I bought a 9' x 12' canvas drop cloth, and cut and sewed away! Here is the finished project!

And here it is in the room:

I also made this cutie patootie shirt (that I started about a year ago). With my new ruffler foot, it was a snap!

So, friends...that is what I have been up to the last few days! (Along with homeschooling, a couple of sickies, and finishing up my "new" dining room!) I am getting really close to posting the addict's attic items...so stay tuned!

ANNOUNCING!!!!!

...the Addict's Attic!

An exciting venture for you and for me! I find from time to time, that as my tastes change {and along with that my furniture, paint colors, linens, accessories, etc...you get the idea}, I have a few things in my house that no longer have a place. I have thought about opening a booth at a local antiques store, or donating to a local thrift shop, but I had the inspiration that I could do something way more cool! So, what I have decided to do is to keep an inventory of these things, and post it to a separate page here on my blog, and to offer these items to YOU!

The shelf I have just finished is going to the house of a new friend that I have had the pleasure of giving some ideas to for her house! She has been working hard and I will post pictures of that endeavor on here very soon!

This is how this "deal" will go down: I will post pictures of the items on the page, and you will claim the item that you want. Then, the item will be loaned to you for a period of one year. When that year is up, you may choose to return the item to the attic, negotiate another term of loan, or buy the item outright.

Now, if you have something that you would care to "loan' to your fellow addicts, we will work together to put your item up for loan also!

I think this will be a great way to support each other's habits and to grab some cute things for your house!

I will get the page up and running within the next couple of days...so check back!

...and now, it's tomorrow!

heh heh heh...thanks to my internet crashing, then my mouse not working, It has taken me a lot longer than I planned to post this. Sorry! But, here are the rest of the instructions for "weathering" a piece of furniture.

You'll need a sander, and some medium weight sandpaper...{I used 100 grit}

Then, start sanding the edges of your piece:

Then, sand off paint in places where it would receive wear naturally:

Lastly, look it over and see if the wear looks even. If not, sand a little more. Voila! Behold your finished piece!

You can also antique the piece, (with antiquing medium...another post)if you want a little more age added to it, and of course, you can finish with a spray finish or wax {especially if it will be outside}.

YES!!! I still have a BIG announcement... but, I want to make a separate post for that. So, enjoy this little tutorial, and I will post again tomorrow. Promise.

lazy days of summer...

I am not a big water fan. Well, ocean water, I should say. But, I love the images the beach stirs within me. I love sitting in the sand, with the breeze whipping my hair around,not a care in the world. I love iconic beach umbrellas and beach houses and oars and striped awnings. And I love the sun-drenched hues of white and bleached-out blue. Okay,mostly, I love the colors. Those are my current favorites, and I thought I would share a couple of my latest projects with you...

One way to add instant character to a spot is to take something very plain like this:

Buy a can of this:

Press the little button, and voila! You end up with this:

Once it is all dry, I will add more character by antiquing it. I will show y'all my techniques for that tomorrow! And then, I know the perfect place for this shelf...and it isn't in my home! Which reminds me that I have an exciting announcement...stay tuned for that in the next couple of days. You will be HAPPY, I know!

In the meantime, here are some other pieces that I have recently given a face lift to! Enjoy!

Users, unite!

I was recently asked to give a seminar on practical ways to decorate. It was then that I coined the phrase "use what you use" decorating! It is just that...using the items you use in your everyday life to beautify your spaces. To the right are some examples of how I do that in my home.

I had the great opportunity last week to help a couple of sweet ladies with their cute homes, and can't wait to show you the pictures!

I'd love to help you, too! Go here to get started...and check back for more ideas!