Where have you lived?

I had been working on Christmas gifts and this is one of the projects that I did for my 23 year old daughter, Lisa.

Highlights of 2013

This year, instead of listing 10 or so things that I think were the best posts of my 2013, 

I am going to list in categories instead!                   Here we go...

Category - Chairs

2 chairs come to mind. My most popular post on a chair that I painted the upholstery and sewed a cover for the seat and a pillow.

Christmas Greenery Dress Form Tutorial

Want to make this?

Cute Skate Ornament and More!

As every Christmas draws near, I hand make an ornament for each of my kids and grandkids. Of course Hubby and myself too.

This year, I was reminded of a fun day we had at a local skate and game place.

That brought me to come up with making a felt shoe. The wheels are sewing machine bobbins and each is decorated with felt holly and greenery. I always tag them with the date and name.

I hope that they like them.

You can see more ornaments HERE and HERE.

A Bit More Of A MacKenzie Childs Christmas

Based on my last post about getting rid of some of my overloaded Christmas decor, it was a split on people that believe that you can't have too much Christmas decor and others like me that want to simplify the huge process of storing so much stuff for 11 months out of the year and then killing themselves with putting it all out in record time to enjoy for...a month!

Christmas In The Livingroom

This year I realized something...

 I have been OVER-DOING Christmas! 

Round Mirror Love

I have an attraction to old mirrors and this round one is currently one of my favorites!

Remembering back when I was just a young 20 year old and an old oak secretary was given to me and my hubby. It was the kind with the glass door display cabinet on one side and the drawers with slant opening desk and a mirror above. Well that old mirror was all messed up and I didn't appreciate it and had it re-silvered.

Today, I probably would not do such a thing.

But then again, there is paint that I would do!

Here is how this mirror looked when I first got it (sans the mirror)...

Table Settings Eye Candy Ideas

Every year our church as a

 Holiday Extravaganza 

where ladies decorate a table and host it for the evening of food, fellowship and fun.


Here are some, but not all of the tables that were decorated this year...a good way to get some ideas for your holiday table setting.



There are tons to share, so grab a drink and sit back...I'm sure you will find a favorite one!

  

Birthday Girl

My daughter

After years of infertility since the birth of my son, Charlie,
 9 years prior

Songbook Page Christmas Tree

I have a wreath that I made using rolled music book pages...


And thought, "Hey why not make another shape out of the same rolled up pages".


Plus, I wanted to show you early enough so that you could make one for Christmas if you so felt the desire!



I started with a clear plastic cone shape like this, but you can use any cone made out of different material like heavy card stock...

How To Make Faux Chalkboards

Recently I shared with you a few pictures from my Son's wedding.

To not step on any toes, I told my Daughter-In-Law (DIL) that she needed to tell me if she wanted me to make something for the wedding.

One of the things that she asked me to make was a couple of chalkboards.

This was my problem...How would I get these chalkboards from Illinois to Kansas in our car without messing up the writing?

Here is how I solved this issue...Faux Chalkboards!

A Floor Lamp to Drool Over!

I recently did a post on this side table






Now I want to show you just how UGLY







This floor lamp started out...

Edgar's Bed!

This story is pure Kismet.


Here's my story as it happened!


In our new hobby garage, we have an attic storage space above with a drop down ladder.


I was up there selecting furniture to bring down to paint.


As I was stacking things up for Hubby to help carry down, I stacked an old vintage leather suitcase on top of this...

Wedding and Courtly Check Tea Service!

I took some time off from my blog to work on wedding things for my son's wedding. I was asked to make a couple of chalkboards and here is one, Friends of...

 I was also asked to make all the burlap table runners...

My Wonderful Discovery!

I am known for my love of Checks!


Black and White or,


Black and Tan,


Wonderful checks in general!

Do YOU Crave Change?

Do You Crave Change?

 I have been working on my son's wedding that is coming up on Nov. 2. I have not shared anything with you because I don't want to spoil the surprise. It's going to be in a barn in Kansas. So far I have made burlap table runners, chalkboards, canning jar looking banner, and 8 men vests. Today, I will be making tags for the wedding party. These tags will go on their stemmed canning jar glasses. My soon to be daughter-in-law has been working amazingly hard on making everything. She made all the bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages out of wheat, burlap roses and twine. She designed and made beautiful invitations...and I just can't wait to head out for this special time. Of course I will share all when I return.

Tall and Short!

This is the story of two fern stands. One of the stands is tall and has great bones...

Walnut Bench To Go Please!

This year I have transformed more pieces of furniture than any other year! I hope you all are not getting bored with more furniture transformations than decorating.

Black Beauty

What to do with veneer missing from furniture?

My options are: 

1. I could ignore and just paint right over the missing veneer hoping to camouflage the area.

2. I could fill in the the space of the missing veneer with wood filler then paint the whole piece.

Charming Painted Upholstered Chair

I have jumped on


                                the band wagon of



painted upholstered chairs


                      that are out there on other blogs.



Doesn't that just sound crazy?

But I had to give it a try and I'll admit,
                it came out lovely!