Get ready...

Oh oh oh oh sooooo much to do! I need me one FUN logo for this one!

Many of you have been avidly following my reno blog for the past year.

http://ourextremehomemakeoverexperience.blogspot.com/

In April 2008 the home renovations started on my current fixer upper. Basically, every square inch of this house will eventually be enhanced. It was no small undertaking! And we still continue to work on it. However, now that we're nearing completion, it's time for the fun stuff!

Wait till you see what's in store next... this blog is going to be all about creating amazing surprises for each room in your home.

How? By creating and utilizing amazing finds and being brave enough to implement the not so ordinary.

Do you walk into a room in your home and think it looks nice but it's not all that exciting?

You're going to come across some pretty out there or unique ideas that will put you slightly on the edge of your seat. Should you or shouldn't you? I have faith in you. You can do it! But if you're shy, I along with a team of pros are here to help! Contact us at

signmakergirl@hot.mail.com

and perhaps we can help.

You CAN morph that 70's fireplace into something new and exciting. And yes, you can redecorate even though you're on a budget. You can even reshape the interior of your home by means of shopping from within and changing things around to create a fresh perspective. There are many ways to decorate and if you need some guidance, email us for more info.

I'll be building this site, day by day, sharing my views of what cool means in a home. I'll be showing you what I find in my travels and how I use them. I'll group some stuff together, take plenty of pictures and show you how you too can achieve similar results. If you're curious and want to see what's inside my head.. beware!

BUT, be ready to smile and want some of that too!

Stay tuned... you'll never think the same about home decor again.

Kitchen & Family Room Redesign - The Finish Line is in Sight!

Despite all the shows on TV showing complete transformations within a matter of days...if not hours...in reality projects can inch forward at a speed that can even test the patience of a designer! This project is on schedule, originally estimated to take three months it is now entering week eight, though it seems longer and feels as if it should be wrapped up by now.

The second roman shade, in the delightful Thomas Paul print, has been hung. In front of it hangs the new light fixture, a floor sample purchased from Crate&Barrel. It had been marked down twice, so even though it was not the right finish for the space, the design was great therefore I decided to refinish it. Primer and paint transformed the finish to mirror the finish of the island pendants. The interior of the shades were originally gold, which made the fixture appear gold once again with the light turned on. A couple layers of silver metallic paint applied with a fan brush corrected this, and the shades now cast a warm silver glow that works with the other finishes in the room. As a bonus, once this light fixture replaced the original "builder special" fixture that hung in the nook, the island pendants suddenly didn't look so bad. So, for now they will not be replaced, as was the original plan. Someday I'll stumble across a couple of fabulous pendants that will be the perfect replacements, but until then these work just fine.

So what is left to do? I am a huge fan of refinishing and repurposing and the kitchen nook chairs, which after several years of use are looking a bit worn, will be refinished. Currently black, the chairs feel a bit heavy in the space. They will be painted a lighter tone, similar to the cabinetry color. For the family room, a coffee table that was once in my husband's apartment when I first met him is being brought in and refinished. I have also found a new wholesale source for upholstered goods and have just ordered new seating. With the fabric selected for the sofas I can now make a decision on the fabric for the nook drapes. Finally lamps, side tables and a rug will be being brought in from our previous family room, and the last project will be to accessorize the bookcases. The goal is to be complete by the end of March...that date might be pushing it. We are hosting our neighborhood potluck then, however, so it would be nice to be able to have a finished space (and seating!) to welcome people into our home!

Served On A Siver Platter

WARNING:
Super Easy Project Ahead!

Simply print a monogram from your computer,
on regular paper (no need for card stock).Then cut it out being sure to stay inside the black
so the white of the paper doesn't show.
Using a regular ol' glue stick, adhere the monogram
to a silver platter or china serving plate.Of course, this is FOR DISPLAY USE ONLY.
When you're tired of the display,
just remove it by soaking it in water.How's that for a quick and easy project?

Six~

The Princess turns 6 today!

I can't believe my baby girl is six! I am so grateful that I have her to be girly-girls with in the middle of our little testosterone-filled world! With three brothers, though, this young lady can definitely hold her own! How I love her!!! Happy Birthday, Princess!!

A wicked sinus infection has me moving a little slower than usual, so look for some fun details of the Princess' Fancy Nancy birthday party, along with some great decorating ideas next week!

And, just in case you all thought I forgot...the winner of the Crowned Heart necklace is...Amy at Beyond Normalcy! Congratulations Amy!!! Drop me an email and we'll set you up with your lovely new necklace!

Have a great weekend!

I've been going to a deep, dark place...

It's down here...

It's got floors like this -- EWWW!:

There's usually a lot of this going on:

Hide your eyes...

it's scary...

this is the worst part:

AHHHHHH!!!!! I know!!!

God Bless blogging...but it has created a bloggy butt on this Chick. Seriously...I say I've gained ten pounds in the past year...

But really. It's only been since, maybe October, when I really got into the blogging stuff. That's what, FIVE MONTHS?

Sick, I tell you. So this is how I spend 20 30 35 (!!!) minutes most nights now.

It's time to get my butt back.

Baby Toddler monitor?

Check.

Remote?

Check.

Phone?

Check.

Ipod playing NKOTB?

Check.

Next week, I start on this monster again:

I'm sceeeeered!!!

P.S. Your comments on my last post made ME all weepy. So sweet!!

P.P.S. I met one of my bloggy friends today! I can't wait to tell you about it. I also picked up an Easter/springy craft I will show you this weekend.

You Asked, I Delivered

***Edited to Add***
I feel so humbled that Kari and Kjisa
are featuring this post on their
"Psst...Your Creativity is Showing" segment.
Thank you so much Ladies!!!

Several of you wonderful ladies requested a how-to of the grain sack reproduction. You asked, I delivered.
First, decide how big you want your project. Next, use any computer program to make a pattern (I use Print Shop), or draw one by hand using a permanent marker. Then cut the burlap just a bit larger than the finished project. This makes it easier to manage, as well as giving you an idea of where to place your pattern. Place the burlap on top of the pattern, and then lay both onto a light box (one of my favorite tools EVER). If you don't own a light box, then secure the burlap onto the pattern using straight pins and tape the two pieces onto a sunny window.
Using acrylic craft paint, simply paint on top of the pattern. You can also use a store bought stencil, as I did to achieve this design.Be sure to remove your pattern while the paint is still wet so the paper doesn't stick to the dried paint. Once the paint is thoroughly dry, if you want a more aged look, you can lightly sand over the painted surface. It's just that easy to make your own personalized grain sack.
If these directions seem familiar to you, it's because I used a similar technique here and here.

Still Life~

This lovely vignette is courtesy of Mr. Two.

"The dinosaur go here, Mommy!" he said emphatically, pointing at the side table as I tried to convince him to put the orange plastic monster away with the other toys. "The dinosaur go here!"

Ya know, I just might leave it there. The kid has an eye for design.

Have a lovely Thursday~

Unofficial Holiday

Can you see what's wrong with this picture?Yes, the door and trim are not the same pretty white
as the crown molding.

I'm embarrassed to admit that this has been the case for a while now. I don't even remember why I didn't paint it when everything else was painted. and because it's the back of the door, I only see it first thing in the morning when I'm running to do a dozen other things, and late at night when I'm ready for bed.
Please tell me that I am not the only person that leaves a little something to do on a project and then forgets to go back and finish the job.
Occasionally my husband will ask, "When are we going to paint that door?" (He says "we" even though he never does the painting.) I usually respond with, "I'll get to it."

Well, I am officially declaring today
a HOLIDAY.
It will be called "Why Not Wednesday!"

Today is the day I am going to get to
painting that door----FINALLY!You can join me in celebrating today.
What project have you been neglecting?
When are you going to do it?
Why Not Wednesday!

And when I'm done painting,
I'll start working on the tutorial
you asked for.

Skirting the Issue~

This is the tale of how a little old chair got all dressed up!

Last year the Hubby and I found a pair of antique ladderback chairs being thrown out by the local auction house. Their lines were lovely, but their rush-woven seats had seen better days. As in, one was missing entirely, and the other one...well see for yourself. But they were cute, so we hauled them home, and planned on cutting out and upholstering new seats for them.

We have desperately needed a chair for our piano for a while now. Whenever anyone wants to play, they have to drag over a chair from the kitchen. So the other night as I lay in bed, I had a brainstorm. It is for exactly these reasons that I keep my inspiration notebook by the bed. I jotted down the idea, and knew it would be safe until morning.

So yesterday I went to work. First I tied on some chair cushions- left over from the rocking chair that used to be in the boys' nursery- to make it soft and cushy for the tushy.

I have some old cotton duck PB slipcovers which have served me well, but have seen better days. So I grabbed one of them. The old ladderback was much too tall for the cover, but I didn't let that deter me. I cut a slit in the top and rolled and tucked...it looked good, but something was missing. And being the queen of photo transfers, I had a brainstorm. I printed out a vintage sheet music cover and transferred it onto the seat of the slipcover. Now my pretty ladderback has a nice, new, perfectly shabby skirt. Ain't she purdy?

Don't Forget!!! Today is the last day to enter the drawing for the lovely crowned heart necklace.

Have a lovely Wednesday~

In this chair.

Before my son was born, my best friend told me she had something special she was going to give me after he arrived.

It was the book Love You Forever. She wanted to wait till after his birth because she knew it would have even more meaning then. She knew. I would hold his teeny tiny body in this chair, reading it to him, tears running down my face.

It's about a Momma who picks up her baby while he sleeps, and rocks him back and forth,

back and forth

back and forth

And she would sing,

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living,

my baby you'll be.

I don't even know when I started doing it, but it's been a long time. It's a special treat just for me. I don't even know if my husband knows I do it.

I'll pick up my sleeping boy, sit in this chair, and rock him back and forth,

back and forth

back and forth

Last night I realized how hard it is getting to get sleeping two-year-old out of his crib. He still bends his arms behind his head and arches his back and stretches, just like a baby. Do you know that stretch? He still does it. And then we settle into the chair and I rock him back and forth.

I stare at him in the dark, and every single time I do it, I remember sitting in this chair when he was days, weeks, months old, staring at that same face in the dark. I sit and stare and time just stops.

Once in a while, his eyes will barely open, a huge smile will come across his face and he'll say clear as day whatever he's dreaming about -- usually Dadda, choo choos or Ho Ho Ho (Santa). I'll laugh so hard and he'll keep smiling and then he'll fall back to sleep.

I sit and wish I could have him back as a baby, just for one day, one hour, one minute. Just to remember. All the while, I'm in the moment, memorizing his face, the weight of his body, his smell. So I don't forget.

But I know in two years, when I'm sitting and rocking my four-year-old, I will think back to when he was two, and I will have forgotten. Don't you wish you could bottle it up?

So I'll just continue my ritual, grabbing my sleeping boy, sitting in this chair, and rocking back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living,
my baby you'll be.

It's Been Sacked

Antique grain sacks are so popular right now.

I decided to make my own version
using burlap and paint.
I personalized it to my family.
2 parents+5 kids=No.7(Name has been covered to protect the innocent)
Our last name has Swiss origins,
so the word "family" is spelled the Swiss way.I used spray adhesive to stick it
right on top of the old painting.
How's that for a change of scenery?
It looks much better than it did here.

Inspire-Me Tuesday~

I may or may not have mentioned it before, but I have a bit of a love affair with paper. I love stationery of all kinds. I have an obsession with scrapbook paper. I love to create with paper. Paper. Paper. Paper.

The Princess turns 6 on Friday. So we are in the throws of creating a Fancy Nancy birthday party. Normally, being the paper-obsessed person that I am...my favorite part of throwing a party is creating the invitations. SERIOUSLY. One of these days I'll share a few of my creations... But, while browsing in Target, I ran across these darling invitations by Anna Griffin. (The girls can wear them...)


And I did a first a for me. I purchased invitations. But seriously, folks, these little crowns are perfect for Fancy Nancy invites...I admit, I did add a little glitter glue to look like gems, but other than that...perfection.

So, just for fun, I looked up the Anna Griffin website. If you love paper...or fabric...or just eye candy...pop over. And her blog is wonderful too. Here are a couple of photos that inspired me.

I would love to have one of these in my craft room/studio with pretty papers spilling out of every nook and cranny.

Last two photos from Anna Griffin Blog

I saw a piece very similar to this at Brimfield last summer. Oh how I would have loved to bring it home. sigh.

Now go forth, inspire, and be inspired.

AND DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE DRAWING (ON MONDAY'S POST ONLY) FOR THE LOVELY CROWN NECKLACE. DRAWING ENDS WEDNESDAY!

Roman Shade Progress

One down, one to go. I think I now have a better understanding of why it costs so much to have custom roman shades made! It has been a time consuming project, but when I weigh the approximately 60% savings I will see by making them myself it seems (almost) worth it. The only downside of this product is that the shade is a bit difficult to raise and lower, with the folds needing adjustment to lay just right. Luckily these shades will not be closed often, so not a big deal. Next time I will consider using a continuous loop bead clutch system, which will add to the cost a bit, but worth it for windows where the shades will be opened and closed often. Another good source for drapery supplies is www.draperysewingsupplies.com.

The overall look of the kitchen and family room is clean lined with a limited color palette, so having this wonderful pattern on the window treatments really works. The brown and tan colors are beautiful with the flooring, cabinetry and countertops, while the pattern introduces a fun element and helps the space from getting too serious.

Next time...I hope to have the second roman shade completed and will be moving on to drapes for the patio slider as well as lighting above the kitchen nook table.

The Fill In

Remember when I added an extra frame around my foyer mirror? Well, that left an empty spot in my decor where that frame had previously been. There was only one thing to do. Find a fill in. This is what I found.Of course, the frame was a little too gold for my taste, so I brought out the Rub 'n Buff to grunge it up.

After applying R 'n B, I gave it a good rubbing which revealed a little of the original gold. This gave the finish more depth and dimension. I think it now has the appearance of an old piece that's been found in an attic. I like it much better now.
I'm sure you're wondering if
I plan on keeping that nice painting.
No.
I am not.
I have other plans.
But that will be another post.
How's that for a tease?

A Giveaway!

This past week I received this beautiful little necklace in the mail from one of my wonderful readers.

Tangee made this necklace and it's simply darling (of course, we all know how I love a crown..but even the clasp is cute)! Lucky for us, Tangee has an Etsy store where she sells her beautiful handmade pieces. But she has generously offered to give one of these little crowned heart necklaces to one lucky reader of the Shabby Nest. Simply leave a comment on this post by Wednesday, February 25 and you'll be entered to win. I'll announce the winner on Friday of this week.

Don't you think a giveaway is a great way to start the week? I do!!

Make sure you pop over and pay Tangee a visit!

EDITED TO ADD: Kari & Kijsa, two of my favorite diet coke drinking sisters (similar to me and my l'il sis!), featured my blog today on a great little series they've started called "Psst...your creativity is showing". Thanks girls! Pop over to their uber-fabulous blog and check it out!

Have a lovely Monday~