Nostalgia.....

I find myself becoming more and more sentimental as the boys are getting older.  One is a Junior at Western Kentucky while the other is a Sophomore at SIUE and lives at home.  It won't be long and they'll be raising families of their own.  Amazing!

I have been throwing around multiple ideas for what to do with my coffee table in the living room, that I hate, and finally made a decision, my sentimentality won out!

I am well underway with the project and am really, really happy with my choice.  I'm thinking I'll be spending more time in the living room now.  Here's a picture of the living room when we moved in (it's changed a little since then but this is the best before picture of the table).

Now, here's what I've done:

Originally I thought I'd lay the pictures out squared off into boxes with each box facing a different direction.  So, four boxes with wherever you're sitting the right side of the table faces you.  As you move around the table the right side would always face you.  Well, after laying it out I decided I didn't like it very much. 

Then, I tried a "pin wheel".  I fell in love with that.  I really love the "movement" it created.  The center picture is a larger picture of my husband with my youngest (one of my favorites) and the pics just radiate outward from there.  I smile every time I walk into this room.  Right now it's only glued down, its nearly time to start putting on the final coats.  Can hardly wait!

 

Now I am completely in love with my coffee table.  I can't help but sit around it and reminiscence about "the good ole' days".  What wonderful memories!

Cookie Bake Is Coming Soon.....

I am running around like crazy trying to get my house decorated and in order for company.  I have a couple last minute projects I'd like to complete and need some supplies to finish up a couple more that I've got hanging around.... patiently waiting for me to get 'er done!  The pictures give you a glimpse into the decorating I'm working on this year.....

Today is shopping day.... time to go through my baking stash, weed out expired stuff, take an inventory and pick up fresh supplies.  As well as figure out the menu.  It needs to be easy and if it needs to cook, must use a crock-pot (I tried the setting on my stove to cook while we're at church and we ended up not eating very quickly when I got home.... forgot about warm up time and the food had been in the fridge.  Didn't work out very well).  Here's what I've decided.......

Sloppy Joe and BBQ Pork.  Everyone should like one of those two I'd think and leftovers I can freeze and use for our dinners later.  I am also going to have chips and dip and possibly a veggie tray.  We'll see.  Those are kind of a pain in the butt.  It'd be easier to make a cheese ball and crackers.  We're going to fill up on cookies anyhow.  I want to try a new recipe I posted as well for dessert (as if cookies aren't going to be our dessert).  Company are always my guinea pigs for new recipes.  Here's some pictures from a couple years ago:

It should be a crazy, crazy day but my decorating will get completed.  A little more cleaning and some food prep, one decoupage project that makes me smile every time I think about it and I'll be ready for Sunday Fun Day and Baking Goodness!  We always have a great time. 

8 Inspiring Mosaic Ideas....

My son and I worked on a project together when he was in grade school, he drew the design and I finished the rest.  We completed a coffee table and matching end table.  I've done a few more projects since then and browsing through Pinterest has really got me inspired.  Check out some of these beautiful, jaw-dropping projects:

 

http://jeffreygardens.blogspot.com/2011/10/bathing-in-garden.html
This guy does really incredible work.  If you've not visited his blog I highly suggest you do.  Lots of inspiring stuff!

http://www.msbinglesvintagechristmas.com/2010/07/broken-mirror-dresser.html
I've been wanting to do this as accents behind sconces in my living room for years now....  even have the supplies in the shed.  What am I waiting for?

http://www.creativespotting.com/2013/03/teacups-mosaic-board/
I'm in love with this idea... What a cute vertical garden!

 

http://imgfave.com/view/3449302?r=pin

 

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/259590365997502085/
I think I've found my inspiration for the staircase once the boys are gone and I can rip out the nasty carpeting...
 

http://www.tileswithstyle.com/salmon%20spauning%20in%20creek.htm

https://www.flickr.com/photos/grindstonemountainmosaics/with/6155418343/
There's an entire album full of gorgeous mosaics here.... I'm in love with this little stepstool!





http://www.pinterest.com/pin/259590365997502081/

 

My own projects are nowhere near the caliber of those shown above but I thoroughly enjoyed the process and am loving the finished results.  Practice makes perfect and I can't wait to get more practice!

 

My son drew out the design and I did the mosaic work.  Still love it!

This was this summers project.  It was a race to the finish to get it completed and sealed before winter set in.

 

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/259590365997376329/
Master Bathroom Floor



Mom's Cast-off Finds a New Home.....

 Mom gave me this bench a couple years ago, it's been in the shed ever since.  Finally I've gotten around to doing something with it.  My initial plan was to paint it but I decided against it.  I really love the finish as it is so I simply cleaned it up and touched up a couple bad spots.

You can see the original "cushion", if you can call it that, in the background.  Really dirty, grungy and no padding whatsoever.  Can you say "ucky"?

 

I had this fabric left-over from another project.  I love the colors so I used it to recover the bench seat, you're gonna laugh but I'm gonna tell you anyhow, I used an extra pillow as the cushioning.  I was antsy to get the project done and didn't have any other cushioning materials on hand, it worked wonderfully!

 

I placed it at the front door.  Now, what to do with this weird display space above.  Don't you hate it when all the "necessities" are placed in odd spots.  How do you hang stuff with all that "ugly" in the way!  Well,  I tend to work with it and incorporate it into the display.

I had this mirror left-over from another project and I loved it, so I kept it, it works here.  I got the embroidered art at a family reunion (we always have an auction to help fund the next reunion, this was one of my purchases) and I love the colors.   I still have two small spots to help fill in the space. One spot I've got planned, the other I'm still looking for, I'm sure I'll come up with something.

Maybe that last spot can be a "switch-er-roo" spot where I can put something related to the season/holiday.  Sounds like a good idea to me.  Stay-tuned and I'll update you on what I decide.

 

Happy Decorating.....

8 Inspiring Headboard Ideas.....

http://www.beeskneesbungalow.com/2011/06/bachmans-2011-summer-ideas-house-pt-iii.html 
Wow... way to think outside the box!

 

Come January 1st I will be doubling my space at the Antique Mall where I have a shop.... I am very excited and working to try and pull it all together.....  One of the things I would like to include in my space is a headboard or two..... something unique and interesting.  I have a couple ideas and am always looking for inspiration........  Check out some of these great finds from Pinterest.


 

 

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/259590365997472969/ 
This is really great... what an impact it makes on the room.  Beautiful!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/259590365997472970/
 Love the thought of added storage... I always have a pile of junk next to the bed...

http://www.domainehome.com/alle-fister-bollare-los-angeles-home/slide12 
 Love how sleek and contemporary this is.... gorgeous.

http://pulchritudefest.blogspot.com/2012/10/diy-rustic-headboard.html 
This is awesome.... lighting and shelf to boot!



http://www.pinterest.com/pin/259590365997472933/
 How artistic and functional is that?  Easy DIY...

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/259590365997472958/ 
Such a great idea... not sure I could live with it but I do LOVE it!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/259590365997472957/
 What a great idea.... love the look

 

My to-do's.....

Last month I wrote an article entitled "What A Mess" .....  this is a partial follow up.  I've gotten my work room cleaned out enough to work in and wait till you see all the projects I've got lined up.  I've got lots to do over the next couple months.

I have a space at a local antique mall called The Pink Elephant and come January..... the space right next to mine is opening up.  Can't wait.... it'll give me lots of space and the ability to really spread out and make a go of it.... I am very excited but also very nervous.  If you're ever in the area.... traveling up I-55 in Illinois from the St. Louis area towards Chicago you should stop in and check it out.... lots to see (my shop is in the basement).

The "window opening" on the right of the picture is my new space while the area right next to it... on the left of the picture... is the space I have now....  l

I'd like to get as many projects completed as possible so I can fill the space and get some new stuff ready to be worked on.... it's going to be quite the adventure!

Here's a glimpse at the many projects I need to be working on: