tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80062160641679596512024-03-05T10:26:29.049-05:00CMYKraftyAttempting to live a simple and creative life.CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-9482659186680130762012-01-11T13:28:00.000-05:002012-01-11T13:28:07.448-05:00My House Goals for 2012Wow! Two posts in one week!? This is UNHEARD OF. But, I have good reason. Following the lead of <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/" target="_blank">Centsational Girl</a> (I just recently started following her sweet blog), I wanted to get my house goals for 2012 out there. The husband is not involved in these in any way, so he'd probably add or remove a few, but he's not here right now. So this list is all mine (cue wicked laugh). Maybe this list can hold us accountable to get 'em all done...and if I still feel like blogging by the end of the year we can recap and see how many actually got crossed off. And how about we get all cute and narrow them down to 12? Because let's face it, I could probably have a list of 94,898,349.<br />
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Without further ado:<br />
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1. Redo the fireplace in the family room, and add flanking built-in bookshelves.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyYzzcSFlOph9OfETUAH4Z6Xe7fSAA8ztTkEVdul0fdSQliTEYnCMxhdtwNFL9Jc4JbDt5oYctZV5uYXLjXfLaiYRcD357eFGjx4pgaVxpzLFDN5ZWMb2cdh5tDAjPuBXo_gf2q9tUu7-/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyYzzcSFlOph9OfETUAH4Z6Xe7fSAA8ztTkEVdul0fdSQliTEYnCMxhdtwNFL9Jc4JbDt5oYctZV5uYXLjXfLaiYRcD357eFGjx4pgaVxpzLFDN5ZWMb2cdh5tDAjPuBXo_gf2q9tUu7-/s400/DSC_0084.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-paint on the walls</td></tr>
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2. Paint all the closet doors and get them back in place so I don't have to look at everything in them every time I walk by.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwu4iQosUIxV7BLCzgM0Eb01233qLv0hk7whYuQohcql6WU0506uenHK_9sYKjkUZ8HSBMqfNfme5FR921boWOI9EEA_D7JYMKovRR789uq8ZTHFlY6vtHDeuQtyg6XNQIvyt-k0mt9zsW/s1600/DSC_0963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwu4iQosUIxV7BLCzgM0Eb01233qLv0hk7whYuQohcql6WU0506uenHK_9sYKjkUZ8HSBMqfNfme5FR921boWOI9EEA_D7JYMKovRR789uq8ZTHFlY6vtHDeuQtyg6XNQIvyt-k0mt9zsW/s400/DSC_0963.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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3. Finish the master bedroom wall stencil before stencils go out of style. Oh I never blogged about that? Shocker. Maybe one day.<br />
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4. Carpet the dungeon, a.k.a. the new living room/den. Man, we need to just nail down a name for that room already! It's been painted, we're just figuring out where we want to buy the carpet from. I'd love to use a local mom-and-pop shop, but when they're 20 times more expensive than Lowe's that's a hard pill to swallow. We're already investing many pennies into this pad!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22Gzmv6ij9lHYxrOikGnE7xCmjuTp6i1qTip6MJLZMTfk0pOhjEgqBRc_bU1gDINCs-l1EEmaUej850hmqfSqSeUxVfNeY4-M2LKQKIIMHuLQX7N8fUJzay5aKIrdWSvIojv4LMfksTOe/s1600/DSC_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22Gzmv6ij9lHYxrOikGnE7xCmjuTp6i1qTip6MJLZMTfk0pOhjEgqBRc_bU1gDINCs-l1EEmaUej850hmqfSqSeUxVfNeY4-M2LKQKIIMHuLQX7N8fUJzay5aKIrdWSvIojv4LMfksTOe/s400/DSC_0155.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
5. Renovate the master bathroom. Or for the love of God replace the toilet that never looks clean and uses 14 gallons of water every time it's flushed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabvxkCdlLf0EzihtSdvEbAQdxgJxw7naPlSaARlM6GSz1j6sssOCuDyShESvROP-STruDY4V50NsWedkJfJLHbWKqQTLtAgweVmR_Ly9_pXmQ3fFZodG4nzadJLQVyeSZ2Ob4cXsOeBQ2/s1600/tanager25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabvxkCdlLf0EzihtSdvEbAQdxgJxw7naPlSaARlM6GSz1j6sssOCuDyShESvROP-STruDY4V50NsWedkJfJLHbWKqQTLtAgweVmR_Ly9_pXmQ3fFZodG4nzadJLQVyeSZ2Ob4cXsOeBQ2/s400/tanager25.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't judge my decorating skills—this was before we bought it thankyouverymuch</td></tr>
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6. Renovate the kitchen. There, I said it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_QX8qw7BoPA52RXZR98ijxMwI-Reg1xJiUcYti6Kl7spqp1qATasaHleuiAqlGmptdMwxrp_ZVBZVE-cScvwPsrwKq_CI9lGxpXOB5bfLby5TdvMuoss1dy8S8TuzKMVRmzsA71jrpXU/s1600/DSC_0697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_QX8qw7BoPA52RXZR98ijxMwI-Reg1xJiUcYti6Kl7spqp1qATasaHleuiAqlGmptdMwxrp_ZVBZVE-cScvwPsrwKq_CI9lGxpXOB5bfLby5TdvMuoss1dy8S8TuzKMVRmzsA71jrpXU/s400/DSC_0697.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yikes! This is right after we moved in. Looks 7% better now.</td></tr>
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7. Paint the exterior wood panelling, front door, garage door and trim. And replace the rotting soffits and add some more vents.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrggmXKwO-wlLKd6OvR1roshwWacbmY7V5wV5xlGVXfJRYxlxOgIK_xVkx9K8s15PHiy5gFJoLA3YmLXUa5WO-gbuipZFArap8vGyinns9dHQBYIWa2utYjFb_wCzcYgTD17td_CXFplXB/s1600/DSC_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrggmXKwO-wlLKd6OvR1roshwWacbmY7V5wV5xlGVXfJRYxlxOgIK_xVkx9K8s15PHiy5gFJoLA3YmLXUa5WO-gbuipZFArap8vGyinns9dHQBYIWa2utYjFb_wCzcYgTD17td_CXFplXB/s400/DSC_0320.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
8. Fix up the disaster area that we call an "office". Not even going to show a current picture of the hideousness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhln36cOTWuL2aLam5HhBlOv2E3qwqhGczj8ov5zMeoj5UwKZPSDD0rvV1U2urb3DYkigeR74hUr_K1TbEaQbmZTrIbzitEV1DdAAZxIQWPX5bUVORatdFf25y4-ZOB6XydgC5ZNaV-zO/s1600/DSC_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhln36cOTWuL2aLam5HhBlOv2E3qwqhGczj8ov5zMeoj5UwKZPSDD0rvV1U2urb3DYkigeR74hUr_K1TbEaQbmZTrIbzitEV1DdAAZxIQWPX5bUVORatdFf25y4-ZOB6XydgC5ZNaV-zO/s400/DSC_0689.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After carpet and curtain removal, before wallpaper and blind removal</td></tr>
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9. Get our front yard garden going this spring! Not sure how the neighbors are going to feel about that, but it ain't yo' yard (snaps fingers and bobs head).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJJJZ9gcTbw-Rl8_HQrwCUlyhboNnRUxL2foqbPDyzRrqmJ4HZrtUcCaBAb4fhyT9cVSn-wY-ZQmiozTSycaNvKxxgLFteNR9qkA84_LhjCCN18XS4Y2O1uPAe8lLayG-OcuDYWvwsNf8/s1600/DSC_0706+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJJJZ9gcTbw-Rl8_HQrwCUlyhboNnRUxL2foqbPDyzRrqmJ4HZrtUcCaBAb4fhyT9cVSn-wY-ZQmiozTSycaNvKxxgLFteNR9qkA84_LhjCCN18XS4Y2O1uPAe8lLayG-OcuDYWvwsNf8/s400/DSC_0706+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That giant pine tree is gone...we're feeling a bit exposed</td></tr>
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10. Make the rest of the wallpaper in the house HISTORY!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHKf-St8Qj356zOk2Jye762dInZqM3YGyfxHfKzsM0nYeMoo7dom8xHUGqPRqr_Awf9dNWHj7aRmq7K20lOqs6qW_hlBffqcM-fR2WhpiU6DgGTu96woCGMNFH6Hf8ZCcEBRamFoX5mZA/s1600/tanager19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHKf-St8Qj356zOk2Jye762dInZqM3YGyfxHfKzsM0nYeMoo7dom8xHUGqPRqr_Awf9dNWHj7aRmq7K20lOqs6qW_hlBffqcM-fR2WhpiU6DgGTu96woCGMNFH6Hf8ZCcEBRamFoX5mZA/s400/tanager19.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also before we moved in. Fun fact: that rug was pretty much <br />
fused to the floor. Thanks Mom for scraping it off!</td></tr>
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</div>11. Turn the sun porch into a useable space by painting the walls, cleaning the windows, painting the floor, and getting some furniture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeZnXwZ2-wt0qGvvvyirVngz2gY__K-6VSIudQNL5zzXi0O-0P7Jn4XjpUg3MzCBcyVQGQ9ALai2XzelGHjGdyU2fYgx3CRY94hA2dvhYjIozQxzds6-EYLEy6pybL00WU1-OSn3HSiwY/s1600/DSC_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeZnXwZ2-wt0qGvvvyirVngz2gY__K-6VSIudQNL5zzXi0O-0P7Jn4XjpUg3MzCBcyVQGQ9ALai2XzelGHjGdyU2fYgx3CRY94hA2dvhYjIozQxzds6-EYLEy6pybL00WU1-OSn3HSiwY/s400/DSC_0418.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a great shot of the porch, but you can kinda see it. And the <br />
decal that is long gone.</td></tr>
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12. Add a French door to the backyard in the dining room. And a patio for back there while we're at it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZt_tatwpAFewY86ZPG2TpnqAN_dx4qkKL8xVYhWQgQo9b5VNwHKIZCP0wpMN3l2F5tNKIhlG2uEbvkz2t-AQTT8qdWv9l-DURA_vwm4xWmXAYG4RExUijr-61S9kVqcvKdnM-_jqZVZn/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZt_tatwpAFewY86ZPG2TpnqAN_dx4qkKL8xVYhWQgQo9b5VNwHKIZCP0wpMN3l2F5tNKIhlG2uEbvkz2t-AQTT8qdWv9l-DURA_vwm4xWmXAYG4RExUijr-61S9kVqcvKdnM-_jqZVZn/s400/DSC_0074.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I can think of many more things I want to have completed, but it already looks like it's shaping up to be a (very) busy year :)<br />
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Linking up to <a href="http://www.thenester.com/2012/01/2012-home-goals-party.html" target="_blank">Nesting Place home goals party</a>CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-37127837890614896462012-01-08T21:23:00.000-05:002012-01-08T21:23:45.002-05:00Happy New Year!It's been so long (again!) since my last post. From the looks of this blog, we haven't been working much on the ol' abode...but nothing could be farther from the truth! Between the holidays, travelling, and just life in general, I haven't quite gotten the knack of blogging in the free moments. But I'm hoping that will change this year. New Years resolution alert! I thought I'd share some decor and things I made this holiday season.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This is our mantle and tree loaded with gifts. The boughs on the mantle are real ones from the tree we cut down out front. That I haven't blogged about. I love the fresh pine smell but they drop so many needles! They especially spew a lot of needles when your cat yanks the entire thing onto the floor. Just sayin'. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrwUARaTyVJAho7xhMoRdTFDCcmCiRtv3whY87iPtDO0lVBbSXHCy0qHK59EAhyphenhyphenQDWaBJbbIt9OlyizhwkJykbD4YIkMSEH9dyFax7jeJ6KVq2EuGD0g5igy9718vR1VwG0mPXtI8MMdk/s1600/DSC_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrwUARaTyVJAho7xhMoRdTFDCcmCiRtv3whY87iPtDO0lVBbSXHCy0qHK59EAhyphenhyphenQDWaBJbbIt9OlyizhwkJykbD4YIkMSEH9dyFax7jeJ6KVq2EuGD0g5igy9718vR1VwG0mPXtI8MMdk/s400/DSC_0490.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4S_oKW3KeWXSw6WVhiV7_xOvhY2PTwUHvRpbfHF4aCkPa0NQB9GDF3Qes7Tu_qSNJKHvM5Ku4VgBTyqIOEi4wa_bEK4cbXB5ViIFbi_ppYyx3aayEAh_Mt_mXLQK-ydgkDSEufPz0GG6s/s1600/DSC_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4S_oKW3KeWXSw6WVhiV7_xOvhY2PTwUHvRpbfHF4aCkPa0NQB9GDF3Qes7Tu_qSNJKHvM5Ku4VgBTyqIOEi4wa_bEK4cbXB5ViIFbi_ppYyx3aayEAh_Mt_mXLQK-ydgkDSEufPz0GG6s/s400/DSC_0494.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I actually made these trees last year and hid weights in the bottom to hold up our stockings. This year I just set them on the sofa table in the family room. I think they kind of look like Whoville trees.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXEWCwjouEh3E8Fb6Hytt9Aghd73qsV1b9XWfUhz6P8n3vEVhtgzpORTsMloZfcqKHnssnwR-5ZoLCyOStSPBppDj7KTiiLivEflDFQ96hTrZAst_lI4YA5E5bI7MoJoucK4CjfUnh4uw/s1600/DSC_0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXEWCwjouEh3E8Fb6Hytt9Aghd73qsV1b9XWfUhz6P8n3vEVhtgzpORTsMloZfcqKHnssnwR-5ZoLCyOStSPBppDj7KTiiLivEflDFQ96hTrZAst_lI4YA5E5bI7MoJoucK4CjfUnh4uw/s400/DSC_0449.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I cut out some felt circles of different styles and sewed them together in one continuous stitch, and bing bam boom we have a garland. I think I'd like to make some with smaller circles close together for garland on the tree. Next year, next year.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIGSqViaUUkOfGY9ftNu4RGBwNNVT-HE1WXa6s1X3fHycyBnO7E1Ly6-5nW0A5ZAxnYXJ1JIKaq-9VvaIS7BBMfG2hF-v3q9wavtlG5YzF_ER6QKO60BGW5NoHBqFUHckORanM8iTNuSn/s1600/DSC_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIGSqViaUUkOfGY9ftNu4RGBwNNVT-HE1WXa6s1X3fHycyBnO7E1Ly6-5nW0A5ZAxnYXJ1JIKaq-9VvaIS7BBMfG2hF-v3q9wavtlG5YzF_ER6QKO60BGW5NoHBqFUHckORanM8iTNuSn/s400/DSC_0457.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made this "snow globe" after seeing a few floating around the internet. It's an old relish jar, haha. I could probably spray paint the lid silver, but for this season it worked. I was pretty stoked when I saw something <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=A22929061&navAction=jump&navCount=" target="_blank">super similar</a> at Anthropologie. Mine cost about $1. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTJB6xkCtSxL8Ho2x08O9bYRBOdQR1JPKfYuqUpcBUTqQFnpAkZa_p2Y8IxhpF1REtTgvAinz7lflUxzDGqHyxZcMZVMJJjo0g3yVuCclOokQO2qyyTi_OAlDjNAFUFVeWKDBLAlP9sjO/s1600/DSC_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTJB6xkCtSxL8Ho2x08O9bYRBOdQR1JPKfYuqUpcBUTqQFnpAkZa_p2Y8IxhpF1REtTgvAinz7lflUxzDGqHyxZcMZVMJJjo0g3yVuCclOokQO2qyyTi_OAlDjNAFUFVeWKDBLAlP9sjO/s400/DSC_0462.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I saw an ornament like this on <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/117445502752128299/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> and since I had a bag o' trees I decided to make one myself. It was hard getting the dang tree to stay in place! I ended up using a piece of paper clay and a dollop of glue.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every year I like to make different gift tags. This year I went with felt ornaments slash tags that matched our cute wrapping paper from Target. I cut out simple triangles and decorated them in a similar way to the trees on the paper. I used a double layer of felt so you wouldn't see the embroidery thread through on the other side. It also gave them a little more heft so they could hang on the tree!</div><br />
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</div>I hope you enjoyed seeing a little sneak peek of our Christmas decor! Another resolution: post more than 18 times this year. Happy 2012!CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-15301451268957501982011-11-04T16:54:00.000-04:002011-11-04T16:54:38.559-04:00Back in the swing of thingsIt's been quite a while since my last post! I've been under the weather for a while, so I haven't been keeping up with projects like I normally would. We've done a lot in the last month though, so I will try to get it all posted soon.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplEWIQXymsqg8FFmmJPWLRTncfIT5GZdXYB-4ZAEvOgWdYYAug627bIklNV-POKBOSaqTqEujji941mK8jJbPrgUHAoKcki8h6r3DL2NKK5uNeXSb1r2E0wvfX7ELElvxxX1F8Vorl30n/s1600/dining_room_inspiration_board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplEWIQXymsqg8FFmmJPWLRTncfIT5GZdXYB-4ZAEvOgWdYYAug627bIklNV-POKBOSaqTqEujji941mK8jJbPrgUHAoKcki8h6r3DL2NKK5uNeXSb1r2E0wvfX7ELElvxxX1F8Vorl30n/s400/dining_room_inspiration_board.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from top left: <a href="http://www.zgallerie.com/p-8948-deer-head-small-1575.aspx" target="_blank">deer head</a>, chandelier unknown, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79890241/mirror-bunting-large-half-circle-banner?ref=sr_gallery_20&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=mirror+banner&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade" target="_blank">mirror banner</a>, table unknown, <br />
<a href="http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=d1bef34e-af92-4fc0-adfa-89a2fca69bbc" target="_blank">damask fabric</a>, <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60196829/" target="_blank">rug</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/80680514/shabby-white-painted-drexel-double?ref=cat2_gallery_14" target="_blank">dresser</a>, lamp unknown, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73130844/duralee-yellow-trellis-decorative-pillow?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=yellow+diamond+pillow&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade" target="_blank">pillow</a>, <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/tolix-cafe-chair/?pkey=e|tolix|2|best|0|1|24||2&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-" target="_blank">steel chair</a>, <a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/lenox-table-linens-chirp-collection?ID=451899&CategoryID=17199#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D764%26ruleId%3D69%26slotId%3D3" target="_blank">placemat</a>, <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=116740&RN=779&" target="_blank">dishes</a>, <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11778786&clickid=body_rv_img" target="_blank">napkin</a>, <br />
wood chair unknown, candleholders (old Bed Bath and Beyond)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I know the "guideline" about using warm colors in your dining spaces so food appears more appetizing, blah blah blah...I'm going to respectfully decline to participate in that one. I'm just going to do what I want to do. As usual.<br />
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I want to bridge the decor from the living room to the dining room by using similar colors, but taking them in a little bit different direction since the rooms are connected. The dining room is smaller, so I think the palette can be taken up a few notches on the boldness scale. For starters, I want to use that deep turquoise from the <a href="http://cmykrafty.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-love-lamp.html" target="">new lampshades</a> as the color on the (top half of the) walls. Since there is a chair rail in the room, the bottom half is going to be painted white and will help tone down the intensity. I'm a little nervous about the room feeling like it's under water, so I think the key is making sure the color has enough yellow in it to negate some of the blue.<br />
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A few years ago B and I went to our first auction...and walked away with our dining room table. The auction was lots of fun, and even better we got a great deal on a unique piece. The table is an old lab table from a local college, and when we got it it was complete with carvings (still there) and gum (I scraped it all off...not fun). Its solid oak and absolutely awesome. It took many many hours of sanding and refinishing to get it back to its former glory, but its a piece we are going to have for years and nowhere could we buy the same amount of character.<br />
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Right now we have four oak chairs from my in-laws. They have great lines and work well with our aesthetic, and coincidentally enough they're also vintage university, or so says the little metal tags on the underside. We do occasionally have a need for more seating, so to counterbalance all the wood I want to bring in four metal chairs on the long sides of the tables and use a wood chair on either short end. The metal will tie in with the metal table lamp in the adjoining room. Woot!<br />
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I do have to say the Ikea rug looks way better in person...its not so contrasty and the texture is smaller scale so it doesn't compete with the black and white chevron rug in the living room. Aaand, its marled coloring would help to camouflage crumbs and dirt between vacuumings. I mean, I totally vacuum everyday but just in case.<br />
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Since there is a lot of contrast and bright colors going on in this room, I'd like to make some roman shades in a low contrast grey damask fabric. It helps to bring some sophistication to the room. And when the sun goes down, we've got a could-be-great chandelier already in the room. With a good cleaning, a rewire, a repair and some spray paint, it's going to look good as new—or at least I hope it will. I'm going back and forth between a bold color like a red or yellow or just a matte white. We'll have to see once the walls are painted what we're feeling at the time, and the great thing about spray paint is it can be easily changed.<br />
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The rest of the accessories I'd like to bring into the room are casual and fun, but I'd like to think somewhat sophisticated. The table linens can tie in the red from the accents in the living room, and using yellow pillows on some of the chairs ties into the yellow in the living room curtains, making the two rooms feel more like one big cohesive room. I love the playfulness of the mirror bunting, but I also love the functionality...putting it on the wall across from the window would help to bounce some extra light into the room (remember our deep overhangs?). And to offset all of the industrial, I'd like to use an ornate vintage credenza of some sort. Probably painted a sophisticated white (what B wants), but I might fight for something funkier like yellow. We'll see who wins ;)<br />
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Just like the rest of the house we want the dining room to be eclectic and bright and feel collected over time. We want a good mix of old and new, ornate and modern. We want it to feel fun and welcoming and be a place that people want to sit and talk and eat and have a good time. Right now we have a totally blank slate in there, so I hope to start cracking open some paint cans in the next couple of weeks and get this thing rolling!CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-52500549030904147342011-09-22T11:27:00.000-04:002011-09-22T11:27:31.659-04:00I love lampSuch an obvious post title, but I had to do it. Ten points for you if you can name the movie.<br />
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We needed new lighting for the new family room, so a pair of lights was in order since we don't have any overheads. I wanted something with some color, like in my <a href="http://cmykrafty.blogspot.com/2011/08/living-room-inspiration.html">inspiration board</a>. Since I am a total cheap-o through and through, I just cannot bring myself to pay full price for anything. But shopping at discount stores and in clearance sections means you usually have to visit a few times before you find what you're looking for...if you find it at all. Sometimes I just go with the flow, and even if I had a "vision" for something else in my head, I'll edit it to fit my new really cool find. And really, it usually ends up being even better than what I wanted in the first place. Cue the lamps!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD897noOCQKWMGdzRRlpszE5iyX1_WyHBwGbTPk5CU6V-kwD3JnZPqMfTX7rHnCKoSmEo-ZWEWA_mZRyZixhDmPy1fTc8uiHBgITqtjkmuLpZyLXjHH2CczZWds3E8hAcigUit4HjDf675/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD897noOCQKWMGdzRRlpszE5iyX1_WyHBwGbTPk5CU6V-kwD3JnZPqMfTX7rHnCKoSmEo-ZWEWA_mZRyZixhDmPy1fTc8uiHBgITqtjkmuLpZyLXjHH2CczZWds3E8hAcigUit4HjDf675/s400/DSC_0079.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cute, no? One week while on our way to the close-proximity grocery store, B and I stopped into <a href="http://www.homegoods.com/">HomeGoods</a>, which if you live under a rock is the home-centric version of TJ Maxx. I guess you could call me a Maxxinista, haha. We saw these bad boys (or girls?) in the lighting section, and they immediately caught our eyes. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ddvrP_QjDoLk8_UadOJAHciC9q-SjIhCxUbY5QCU29jgqIR8rzrJpQ3_pcf8WwRNR8WmmoutW0-bwjsf6McZdT1AMvQJF5kXljo8RZyd3FPb8XvEi0muNc60nEOkm2cLQmqgDbABJN2d/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ddvrP_QjDoLk8_UadOJAHciC9q-SjIhCxUbY5QCU29jgqIR8rzrJpQ3_pcf8WwRNR8WmmoutW0-bwjsf6McZdT1AMvQJF5kXljo8RZyd3FPb8XvEi0muNc60nEOkm2cLQmqgDbABJN2d/s400/DSC_0082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They kind of have a faceted jewel-like thing going on, which I lurve. And which happens to be kind of popular right now. I just saw <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/terracotta-table-lamp-w601/?pkey=ctable-lamps">a similar lamp</a> at West Elm for $199. Ouch. The shades are turquoise with silver insides, and the white bases have a clear <strike>lucite</strike> plastic bottom. I wasn't crazy about the clear <strike>lucite</strike> plastic bases (and finials) at first, but they're growing on me. B probably still hates them. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ38FttlRv7QGnonAJZtLHKzvUQySbCaYl9j2f8Vg-d9RLDEfDeZC-Gsiz_7Fd8PiM8cTZaZPsGrQDtx1w_GFki1e3j7KSzwswZ1bZztuiLreTizStXeeb14eeIuAwe0Of_lRrUCSPt5BO/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ38FttlRv7QGnonAJZtLHKzvUQySbCaYl9j2f8Vg-d9RLDEfDeZC-Gsiz_7Fd8PiM8cTZaZPsGrQDtx1w_GFki1e3j7KSzwswZ1bZztuiLreTizStXeeb14eeIuAwe0Of_lRrUCSPt5BO/s400/DSC_0080.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One thing I've found since purchasing our no-overhead-lighting house is that lamps are so. expensive. Or maybe I'm just used to estate sale prices. TJ Maxx usually has some great prices on their merch, but I still felt most pieces in the lighting department were a little pricey. If you can't tell from the photo, those lamps were originally $70 each. Each! I would never have paid that, and even at 50% off I was a little hesitant. In real life they feel just a little small to light the entire room on their own...so we left the lamps to live at HomeGoods for another week while we contemplated. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It sounds silly, but I couldn't get my mind off those lamps! I stopped at a few other stores to compare the wares, and I just kept going back to those lamps. I originally wanted to paint the bases and go with white shades, but for now these are staying just how they are. You can kind of tell in the photo above, but the bottom of the shade was starting to come apart on the inside. I tried to get a little discount, but the girl at the register wasn't having it. She said they don't give a discount when the damage came to them that way. Umm, did you personally unpack the box and see the shade like that? I bet you didn't you liar!! I didn't fight back because I knew it was a battle I wasn't going to win. I was pleasantly surprised when B pointed out how the faceted shapes of the lamp base mimic the chevron pattern of the rug. I mean, I know he's a designer too but he's also a dude. And he was right, which made me love the lamps even more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To remedy the lamps feeling slightly too small, I stacked some books underneath them to give them a little more height on the back of the sofa table. Helps distribute the light a little more and brings some more color into the room. Win win!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two weeks later do you think I've cut the tags off yet? </div>CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-69107975291072409262011-09-16T12:17:00.000-04:002011-11-01T13:16:50.851-04:00Black and white and pretty all over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our new rug is here! I'm a few weeks late on this, but our rug for the living room arrived and I couldn't be more excited about it! I comparison shopped the rug around at multiple different sites, and <a href="http://rugsusa.com/">RugsUSA.com</a> was by far the best price. And with free shipping to boot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj159znlHzbIo5FO-xQhIUjhfYMFg6icn1bwU4giZNWyza7NXN9MQbofnqK7JfZ_fINtVNG72PmmATgD_8fKY6RXNYE8MovM2qcVNndzwav_0_Q2eowqIKXfGVWY7uYXi1hdAymzAv1SaxI/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj159znlHzbIo5FO-xQhIUjhfYMFg6icn1bwU4giZNWyza7NXN9MQbofnqK7JfZ_fINtVNG72PmmATgD_8fKY6RXNYE8MovM2qcVNndzwav_0_Q2eowqIKXfGVWY7uYXi1hdAymzAv1SaxI/s400/DSC_0056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's pretty loud and bold, but I think it really anchors the room. Even though it's high contrast, it still acts as a neutral for the rest of the bright colors I have planned.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Mv3CzBYGCopd7HLm90VKwc6ND_fMZNuo9exsnqVAf-DZAHfaeY_S0oBhla7kIfOyWbX-AaGDXYe4vIF0SToiEMd3xPKU9a_MnVVmL9jvQG27vJb95OnJKz8Eelsb0Scr14Fi2ZzujQuW/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Mv3CzBYGCopd7HLm90VKwc6ND_fMZNuo9exsnqVAf-DZAHfaeY_S0oBhla7kIfOyWbX-AaGDXYe4vIF0SToiEMd3xPKU9a_MnVVmL9jvQG27vJb95OnJKz8Eelsb0Scr14Fi2ZzujQuW/s400/DSC_0057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We debated over the sizes quite a bit, going between the 5x7 and the 8x10. There was a pretty big price difference between the two. To better help us visualize the sizes, we taped off both rugs on the floor (just the corners) to get an idea of how they would fit in the room. Ultimately we ended up with the smaller, and I'm glad we did. The larger one would just be too large for the setup we have going on.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5AEVVmkLGXC9TvZvX7MjhyphenhyphenBNpjqRGmXi1DVWS3_kBAr-DFqCswT-5vY3m659GGyoSwEF_8D_j5UqCqFBMEJbxNWhw5KGvqc1xYr8QkptyuZkCRYct5UwnF5pK08NJ4i0yJ31k6JR-ixt/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5AEVVmkLGXC9TvZvX7MjhyphenhyphenBNpjqRGmXi1DVWS3_kBAr-DFqCswT-5vY3m659GGyoSwEF_8D_j5UqCqFBMEJbxNWhw5KGvqc1xYr8QkptyuZkCRYct5UwnF5pK08NJ4i0yJ31k6JR-ixt/s400/DSC_0058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rug is definitely pretty thin and not the greatest quality, but for the price I knew what we were getting into. And since it was relatively cheap, it won't be the end of the world if something gets spilled on it or we decide we don't like chevrons anymore. I'm planning on getting a rug pad for it to make it feel a little more plush and slow the wear on the backing, but it suits us perfectly for now just as it is! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Note: RugsUSA did not sponsor this post...I just really like my rug!</span></i></div>CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-12598132230376763022011-09-08T12:06:00.000-04:002011-11-01T13:16:50.851-04:00So many swatches, so little time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was just itching to get the living-turned-family room painted, so a couple weeks ago I canvased every paint store in the area to pick up the best specimens of light aqua they carry. Is it just me, or do you feel like you're stealing when you walk out with a fistful of swatches too?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pardon the lighting, but the first two photos are all of the swatches taped up to the walls. We knew some immediately were out, but others it took us a while.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjP2bCdj0j_mDpbA7j1xnZlOx54R_SJ2hRaM-V_P8dQ9IrxjeAZOGbdSzsZIdv1bOfTiAH2v50yopC8NBsXvD2h5GE1eaKL_nUUh2BZPaX24S9gIR2riIB9sydeR0-Dsd0ZGaQsjWUqR6H/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjP2bCdj0j_mDpbA7j1xnZlOx54R_SJ2hRaM-V_P8dQ9IrxjeAZOGbdSzsZIdv1bOfTiAH2v50yopC8NBsXvD2h5GE1eaKL_nUUh2BZPaX24S9gIR2riIB9sydeR0-Dsd0ZGaQsjWUqR6H/s400/DSC_0030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZ77iur0n3nJX8lZPlXdBciegzunum9KiGQWQZwbT3KYWgZQEpIxrNb1lmCrdB2nyE78HDTRmNzCmk61QRO3DZETavY1LieiZlOT_MceuCYBJMRZMa9AJGx-lZJXw36pNfgniuaeHMrNx/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZ77iur0n3nJX8lZPlXdBciegzunum9KiGQWQZwbT3KYWgZQEpIxrNb1lmCrdB2nyE78HDTRmNzCmk61QRO3DZETavY1LieiZlOT_MceuCYBJMRZMa9AJGx-lZJXw36pNfgniuaeHMrNx/s400/DSC_0029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We hemmed and hawed over them for a couple days, and narrowed our choices down to four.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznFR6BFbkfeAQxq-gkFJIHVruAHjBI55FyOiVGvr-TNEkq-sBo2RSzCRcTg_SiIw3ZLJvbqkRuUYjz3OIxWYAaR3ckMQk3aTmjUzgPPC_DkfBb8gC70BIT2v8OWxDRWFYnZsSURm6E7HL/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznFR6BFbkfeAQxq-gkFJIHVruAHjBI55FyOiVGvr-TNEkq-sBo2RSzCRcTg_SiIw3ZLJvbqkRuUYjz3OIxWYAaR3ckMQk3aTmjUzgPPC_DkfBb8gC70BIT2v8OWxDRWFYnZsSURm6E7HL/s400/DSC_0050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszVrtXwoFr3kmU6ywjLshZb0ccoxrkWHTboSqEmlHHXjbDafp57uTRK0UMzRe1WIgl2BAWC9BOvs96WZm_VB3ICiG-nup9WD0KknkPMEGLGRBnXe_pyTAL7mWA5662P2oO5LvFdQekzFl/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszVrtXwoFr3kmU6ywjLshZb0ccoxrkWHTboSqEmlHHXjbDafp57uTRK0UMzRe1WIgl2BAWC9BOvs96WZm_VB3ICiG-nup9WD0KknkPMEGLGRBnXe_pyTAL7mWA5662P2oO5LvFdQekzFl/s400/DSC_0055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eQgs5M3k_BHEVUmuo1XlzcIqCOxa6B918XBZ45YO9shRKoN58QIZv72zfI7sSzltE1DtwuHbft52-228RvO6gghnb5FlaK9uiwJkv8Tapch2akpp0E_MSlyIGT2GNbVJfp50quj4lBN1/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eQgs5M3k_BHEVUmuo1XlzcIqCOxa6B918XBZ45YO9shRKoN58QIZv72zfI7sSzltE1DtwuHbft52-228RvO6gghnb5FlaK9uiwJkv8Tapch2akpp0E_MSlyIGT2GNbVJfp50quj4lBN1/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <title></title> <style type="text/css">
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</style> </div><div class="p1"></div><div class="p1">They all look the same in the above photo, but trust me when I say they were very different. Thank goodness for the little sample cans...those colors can look so different from what they look like on a tiny little swatch! The two colors on the ends were too neon, so it was really between the two in the middle. Which were pretty drastically different. In the end we went with (drumroll...) the second from the left, called Mint Whisper by Valspar. It's light but not too light, and not too green or too blue. And not too neon.</div><div class="p1"><br />
</div><div class="p1">After an entire long weekend (thanks, Labor Day!) we had the primer and two coats of Mint Whisper on the walls. As soon as I tidy up the room enough I'll get full shots with the new color AND the other new additions to the room.</div>CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-51950796032861755782011-08-25T10:44:00.000-04:002011-11-01T13:16:50.852-04:00A warm welcome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before we moved in our front porch was a pretty underutilized space. There was a lonely faux fern in a styrofoam container, and nothing else. Tasteful! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What's made the biggest difference so far has been removing the shutter next to the door. Why anyone would cover a window in an already dark house is beyond me, but I don't understand a lot of the things that we going on in this house before we got here. It opens up the foyer a ton and has a nice retro look to it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRASkSZu8TT4w_BhNFboOoxwr97A-LTSTpMujR-Vm9W_SXrY_nycZk_aWP_5pGXmhgF8LMWS_i30btcUzPIiZAtU6n4GuHs-rgE8B5sZWUpjWMNh1SgZHMovHwcNX61Vl_2I1FnFMFV4dE/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRASkSZu8TT4w_BhNFboOoxwr97A-LTSTpMujR-Vm9W_SXrY_nycZk_aWP_5pGXmhgF8LMWS_i30btcUzPIiZAtU6n4GuHs-rgE8B5sZWUpjWMNh1SgZHMovHwcNX61Vl_2I1FnFMFV4dE/s400/DSC_0369.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4Kd0OfR-B3LfjTkp70WzZgXPnED3Gc0t1OxJ-URgjm06177j-d56DHc_jsZ6jIDjZOI0ZbMpRBebmOHusSvLgQ7U_BXcCO_MKTrmh2BGD1RHhPf3ZjMT1TvfRv1u97FfC8MuOpmcAu5F/s1600/DSC_1122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4Kd0OfR-B3LfjTkp70WzZgXPnED3Gc0t1OxJ-URgjm06177j-d56DHc_jsZ6jIDjZOI0ZbMpRBebmOHusSvLgQ7U_BXcCO_MKTrmh2BGD1RHhPf3ZjMT1TvfRv1u97FfC8MuOpmcAu5F/s400/DSC_1122.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We polished the kick plate on the door (which is going to stay brass for now until the door gets painted), added a new rug, a wreath I made, and a plant stand my dad made out of a branch from our backyard. For now our patio set has a home here until the sun porch is done being our painting room.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyar8i1zLN7Nd3VE24H70oiX1j0pQwfjac4nk-bXHDyPHzPKWfVyf-nrryXrM2Ii3BcG8aSyLAWx8psWIhxnyoZY-JpS4xkdnFqiUf7UrI2feeEzDmq2WOV3a_nL1O52u1zRTXUtEll6Fv/s1600/DSC_1121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyar8i1zLN7Nd3VE24H70oiX1j0pQwfjac4nk-bXHDyPHzPKWfVyf-nrryXrM2Ii3BcG8aSyLAWx8psWIhxnyoZY-JpS4xkdnFqiUf7UrI2feeEzDmq2WOV3a_nL1O52u1zRTXUtEll6Fv/s400/DSC_1121.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've got other plans for the front porch and front of the house including:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- painting the front door bright red</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- refinishing the door hardware from brass to brushed nickel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- painting all the trim</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- painting the brown wood panelling</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- putting together the bench we purchased</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- putting a cushion/pillows on the bench</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- planting the big white pots we bought with herbs and flowers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- installing and planting hanging baskets</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- buying and installing new lighting</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That should be enough to keep us busy for a while!</div>CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-17410744152073357962011-08-17T13:46:00.000-04:002011-11-01T13:16:50.852-04:00Living room inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAG0Ps0mPjYi8dWZtccalh9NConvB_kAHYw-cKzc5AAsc45s18znUEPi22yhyWk2i6nNYSh-kTR_QcLhXoa7M9iI1WpwdIBA0XII1ZbStfPBy9UiuE3ZVWFVkSl8tC3mzUHQGJXEpzPsq/s1600/living_room_inspiration_board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAG0Ps0mPjYi8dWZtccalh9NConvB_kAHYw-cKzc5AAsc45s18znUEPi22yhyWk2i6nNYSh-kTR_QcLhXoa7M9iI1WpwdIBA0XII1ZbStfPBy9UiuE3ZVWFVkSl8tC3mzUHQGJXEpzPsq/s400/living_room_inspiration_board.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
In theory, I like to build a room over time and add pieces as I find them. But I'm also impatient, and that trumps building the room over the course of a year. The living-room-turned-family-room (the room with the marble fireplace) needs all new furniture. The old brown couch and chair are getting moved to the "new" living room...where furniture goes to die. While they've seen better days, they really aren't too bad and I have to give my 23 year old self some credit for picking them out. However, the look we're going for in the family room—and the rest of the house—is bright, colorful, and eclectic. We're battling enormously deep soffits and gargantuan trees, so we need to lighten things up in order to keep the house from feeling dungeon-like.<br />
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I created the inspiration board to help the design process along. Don't judge my Photoshopping skills! Passible for a "regular" person but subpar for a designer. Chalk it up to hurrying through that part of it. It's helpful to remember this board when I'm out looking for pieces so that everything we get really fits in the room. The main anchor pieces are going to be the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S29840638">white sectional couch</a> from Ikea and the <a href="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/milliken-vibe/techno-black/2795568315-310054.html">black and white chevron rug</a> from RugsUSA.<br />
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The pieces in my board aren't exact, but they give the overall direction of the room. We already have the vintage stereo console and we're using it as the TV stand. The record player doesn't work, so we're going to rip it out and retrofit ours into its place. The inside center portion, which now houses bar storage (hello gold paint!), is going to get a makeover in the form of shelves for the electronic equipment and a fun patterned paper. I like an element of surprise.<br />
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Depending on the configuration of the couches, we may end up using a long narrow coffee table and two end tables we purchased for $5 from the previous owner of the house. The are mid century and fabulous. We also need some sort of console for behind one of the couches to hold some bright funky lamps. I'm not holding my breath on the arc lamp, but I would die a happy woman if I found one for a reasonable price. I also just learned the term "swag lamp" a few weeks ago. In a house with no overhead lighting like ours, we're gonna need some of those. I got a good start on finding some vintage ones, but more on that another day.<br />
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The walls are going to get painted a light turquoise color, and the fireplace is going to get an overhaul. We're thinking small square glass tiles to replace the marble, a new mantle, and built-in bookcases flanking both sides. The metallic Moroccan pouf is going to be a <a href="http://www.bhg.com/decorating/do-it-yourself/accents/make-a-pretty-pouf/">DIY project</a>, and the curtains, pillows and artwork are going to add some punches of bright color.<br />
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I'd love to bring in some reupholstered Bergere chairs (like the ones that slipped away from me) to offset the clean lines of the couches, but those might have to wait. I've been trolling Craigslist for some, so they're mine when they pop up! Is it too much to ask for someone to list a pair of excellent condition chairs at an extremely cheap price and sell them to no one but me? Didn't think so.<br />
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Since the dining room is connected to the living room with a pretty wide open doorway, the rooms need to coordinate. I'm thinking a bolder color on the walls (since the bottom half will be white under the chair rail) but still in the same family as the turquoise. I'm working out that inspiration board now to see how it plays out. Aaaand then the dining room is connected to the kitchen so it needs to coordinate with that, and you can see the half bath from the kitchen so that needs to tie in as well. I want them to work together, but also not look like they are one big room. Cripes.CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-562541688975643622011-07-28T17:08:00.001-04:002011-07-28T17:08:24.369-04:00What a difference 28 days makes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next few posts are going to be picture-heavy to get you up to speed on the renovations we've been toiling away on for the last month. While every room is in the midst of a huge overhaul, the rooms with the most noticeable changes are the living room, guest room, and the master bedroom, all of which are pictured with their befores (as in with the old owner's furniture) and afters. They're all still works in progress, but you can see where they are heading. Enjoy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">LIVING ROOM</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM73WRDGn4GdFdMHkSjkkl2J0ohos5KbCEbdxl86gD-Hcoi6eKfoCdmVv4ugE-95VZSfFK-zsNClOUUXo7Xb1YcORabpOpzo77lGXLqL6txNwtXjs3MU27lGih70fHwkKHGXBpKOom61Go/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM73WRDGn4GdFdMHkSjkkl2J0ohos5KbCEbdxl86gD-Hcoi6eKfoCdmVv4ugE-95VZSfFK-zsNClOUUXo7Xb1YcORabpOpzo77lGXLqL6txNwtXjs3MU27lGih70fHwkKHGXBpKOom61Go/s400/DSC_0389.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before (notice the orange carpet)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Those blue chairs will always be The Ones That Got Away for me. I tried to negotiate them into the sale of the house, but for whatever reason they didn't make their way into our possession. Sigh.<br />
<div><br />
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFAIff4MC_7F-TShFhOwtNUhjGQglFa_wbvnJF88BGI_1xMlWDnkN72eWNe9h6ScLrjjXoXHfU28NPrSG6LM_bgHgkPsZk3F2sdNBLyi4gdveoFaPC-8xNAO0EgS2fJ_Prc4OpNkIrboM/s1600/DSC_0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFAIff4MC_7F-TShFhOwtNUhjGQglFa_wbvnJF88BGI_1xMlWDnkN72eWNe9h6ScLrjjXoXHfU28NPrSG6LM_bgHgkPsZk3F2sdNBLyi4gdveoFaPC-8xNAO0EgS2fJ_Prc4OpNkIrboM/s400/DSC_0922.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During carpet removal. Thank goodness the floors turned out to be immaculate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div>I can't show you what it looks like right now because it's ridiculously messy. Think 28 days of opened mail, boxes, and paint swatches ev. er. ry. where. In due time.</div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MASTER BEDROOM</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznGXD2eJrP8apkb8uuWXGGWWRiWJbcUwAw_r6I9rUvZ900IqwyNck2BNf6uSJW0ZrKVSK0F7Yb5SpCqnwZ2zPY794QoS0PEdknEaeO03JJaXsQ2iuS8OsDiDU8ZU-l2PVfOr60ZmXqsb9/s1600/DSC_0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznGXD2eJrP8apkb8uuWXGGWWRiWJbcUwAw_r6I9rUvZ900IqwyNck2BNf6uSJW0ZrKVSK0F7Yb5SpCqnwZ2zPY794QoS0PEdknEaeO03JJaXsQ2iuS8OsDiDU8ZU-l2PVfOr60ZmXqsb9/s400/DSC_0413.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before...yucksville</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsidGj_YwHlVJU394bLfFerFDMoouRtunOcdy7nKbir-3dCjqvfLIxdGQ7CoR4D6hzEh5nFiNLR-5vItnq9VWuSjMZnFmeIZ-cZMm5HSou7ATwemrGry9hwndTuZZ5SaPfJXmyapgj8VS/s1600/DSC_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsidGj_YwHlVJU394bLfFerFDMoouRtunOcdy7nKbir-3dCjqvfLIxdGQ7CoR4D6hzEh5nFiNLR-5vItnq9VWuSjMZnFmeIZ-cZMm5HSou7ATwemrGry9hwndTuZZ5SaPfJXmyapgj8VS/s400/DSC_0680.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome floors hidden under all that pink carpet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlYpq2Pck2u5dyBsuxZLcIGDBw3HJWHz1Sf0Q2OkRSFhWKOmAUanLnO1Bp9NzPNhHz5KhJ-zm1gEECRVytjnwlYn95367bzLfPx1vkNCFqkcBfofuIaXytTCyLke1lze3ayL41WvRlqvQ/s1600/DSC_0684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlYpq2Pck2u5dyBsuxZLcIGDBw3HJWHz1Sf0Q2OkRSFhWKOmAUanLnO1Bp9NzPNhHz5KhJ-zm1gEECRVytjnwlYn95367bzLfPx1vkNCFqkcBfofuIaXytTCyLke1lze3ayL41WvRlqvQ/s400/DSC_0684.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closet doors came off temporarily to paint. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4mry5G2BZNs87FcdtqvrYluW1KZX0HLusCISNLE6zb75axBSWGPwR3MHHntQGP4x_mRvE99yPqnsG5u8tToNIkbWhSzioc3lCVhn64rOBCmLyUibpUq0QDVGt9_OxtA8T8fw86mNbHAN/s1600/DSC_0963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4mry5G2BZNs87FcdtqvrYluW1KZX0HLusCISNLE6zb75axBSWGPwR3MHHntQGP4x_mRvE99yPqnsG5u8tToNIkbWhSzioc3lCVhn64rOBCmLyUibpUq0QDVGt9_OxtA8T8fw86mNbHAN/s400/DSC_0963.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red closets! My favorite :) Still putting the closet back together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoIMDK5ODKZIBCCe-cBpPubHid5gOM5VAy-GZR0Y4gwxDKLbV_44qLgiHSp2HjDIMwS5ld6AmAmmkOymZICqKEc_t6_d4Fo7pW4-tfgRcnyxrXccsVdiv5IUKG7TVJ09PFfVtprai0175/s1600/DSC_0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoIMDK5ODKZIBCCe-cBpPubHid5gOM5VAy-GZR0Y4gwxDKLbV_44qLgiHSp2HjDIMwS5ld6AmAmmkOymZICqKEc_t6_d4Fo7pW4-tfgRcnyxrXccsVdiv5IUKG7TVJ09PFfVtprai0175/s400/DSC_0962.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't mind all the random stuff everywhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In our bedroom we removed the wallpaper and chair rails and painted the walls a soft cool gray (Cosmic Dust by Valspar [I think!] matched to Olympic No VOC).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">GUEST BEDROOM</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQAOPl6ApXFC3yDGGZwZYy9O04KiuC11tebNAtdumFDyl-OXA6j1LwtkmI5etJklZ08g78W8tj8hpez_NYBR3wUKCP9XVy0aZlL7VzBcgm-31a5w0GmTKrJNwdUJmvjAV2fVCC24rChfD/s1600/DSC_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQAOPl6ApXFC3yDGGZwZYy9O04KiuC11tebNAtdumFDyl-OXA6j1LwtkmI5etJklZ08g78W8tj8hpez_NYBR3wUKCP9XVy0aZlL7VzBcgm-31a5w0GmTKrJNwdUJmvjAV2fVCC24rChfD/s400/DSC_0395.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3RxgeRtQOzzfVq5HQSEebdr3N55HGGAL59YEKsjCvkmLiPDwXB5LRU9Fgl5KFKcDKYjNi91UwmSotXg7rr1-VAqz5uX7NawxR736UMFU-pmL38PEwyyWx-g1WBQXeEOUbT5AyLL9hZD-/s400/DSC_0690.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="267" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After carpet removal</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj3OxzptriTNILi_y56Jd9H6rK6a1VFq232_qwbdah-k9M_Qmt_t_AxOINr0zB0Jp84-ktrypBcCqFQmid1zrHadZoXVhy-PaKVfyR4IqirY8Ct48vpr7O8SjjmeTGjbf4kjwBtxoENiV/s1600/DSC_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj3OxzptriTNILi_y56Jd9H6rK6a1VFq232_qwbdah-k9M_Qmt_t_AxOINr0zB0Jp84-ktrypBcCqFQmid1zrHadZoXVhy-PaKVfyR4IqirY8Ct48vpr7O8SjjmeTGjbf4kjwBtxoENiV/s400/DSC_0715.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choosing paint colors. We ended up going with something totally different...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAP_QqygIzFPyXOTeGWyjWsM1vFmCmqZFXGIaAuFu7CYhnzRVqemmO2Y8-JAg2_WTKiLYZoTeII-TUCq6OHaNmXqMmmn42S8qwNAD328Hfm3PEni_5anQN2sNzMdtMqwHV0VieA1KsX1Jz/s1600/DSC_0937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAP_QqygIzFPyXOTeGWyjWsM1vFmCmqZFXGIaAuFu7CYhnzRVqemmO2Y8-JAg2_WTKiLYZoTeII-TUCq6OHaNmXqMmmn42S8qwNAD328Hfm3PEni_5anQN2sNzMdtMqwHV0VieA1KsX1Jz/s400/DSC_0937.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the most accurate photo of the turquoise blue color (called Beach House by Waverly).</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6ZBrJqV1TdaJryR2_njCQmFDkEmGSvLKhyPiaJMeaxMOKX3Drfo7RUBrdsOTC7JFjpRN8fk5WIQwJXpaVZZ3vzfPevaSTdtEkvXE4IZLa2gNBB2WKJ0vNUrolptWOdAiwnAPb4EABWoe/s1600/DSC_0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6ZBrJqV1TdaJryR2_njCQmFDkEmGSvLKhyPiaJMeaxMOKX3Drfo7RUBrdsOTC7JFjpRN8fk5WIQwJXpaVZZ3vzfPevaSTdtEkvXE4IZLa2gNBB2WKJ0vNUrolptWOdAiwnAPb4EABWoe/s400/DSC_0958.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still without closet doors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TV5cJM02BkWpNTfuxzx7XRmGKFgTkngUrGLOdgtEUoHz-cSr23hYeZdnTaxTYHUuU-3paYntCZxVZatVqOsDyA_QImOfsca-yE-zazZhFB0iQbuApkSsCAYcHXIk70kGYhM8-_lhLfuM/s1600/DSC_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TV5cJM02BkWpNTfuxzx7XRmGKFgTkngUrGLOdgtEUoHz-cSr23hYeZdnTaxTYHUuU-3paYntCZxVZatVqOsDyA_QImOfsca-yE-zazZhFB0iQbuApkSsCAYcHXIk70kGYhM8-_lhLfuM/s400/DSC_0961.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Need to hang art/DIY a headboard and find an extension cord for that lamp...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrhl-_R4pvOzweZsNlMI_OMSncrlT0A7gH0IYC7kGwU9CPTL0iNytJn94WEw4-KLKzf6DQq_ShMkHQ-e71FkHrqQ2bCfAWN0RXsNi-SpiTFU4FVg_GJxE1W5PRXUZuBmUX79GtiTYfUkD/s1600/DSC_0957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrhl-_R4pvOzweZsNlMI_OMSncrlT0A7gH0IYC7kGwU9CPTL0iNytJn94WEw4-KLKzf6DQq_ShMkHQ-e71FkHrqQ2bCfAWN0RXsNi-SpiTFU4FVg_GJxE1W5PRXUZuBmUX79GtiTYfUkD/s400/DSC_0957.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuJ8XSJy2l1sO70lMJvQt6NONE1pXkEnXPApV9IkVEbBgul_Wt8BaEXYqsAdpvY5AmR8Ykp5_x1OUWlyUQL6WQQC4kxFxrOf_EEgxXgZpTxViVlgJ6u-zl06LulIqd3ChBvRjrSxAM3ny/s1600/DSC_0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuJ8XSJy2l1sO70lMJvQt6NONE1pXkEnXPApV9IkVEbBgul_Wt8BaEXYqsAdpvY5AmR8Ykp5_x1OUWlyUQL6WQQC4kxFxrOf_EEgxXgZpTxViVlgJ6u-zl06LulIqd3ChBvRjrSxAM3ny/s400/DSC_0960.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This may change eventually, but this is one of my favorite spots in the house right now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> More to come later!<br />
<br />
<br />
</div></div>CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-88358260059941828462011-06-29T12:21:00.000-04:002011-06-29T12:21:26.882-04:00On the move<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGapy1QnOMIuKl_4DpLnFUn1t9l0l62Qf7kVijVx4xO-7JhFBixwbjCQgrPpuRX3O7_JEpJLDY5ooAY3X5d02jJ75Qvt80_lW-J3CQiEnssER9hg3_BNN4IoFWUnCMHBdd9jkd28bsTGxv/s1600/DSC_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGapy1QnOMIuKl_4DpLnFUn1t9l0l62Qf7kVijVx4xO-7JhFBixwbjCQgrPpuRX3O7_JEpJLDY5ooAY3X5d02jJ75Qvt80_lW-J3CQiEnssER9hg3_BNN4IoFWUnCMHBdd9jkd28bsTGxv/s640/DSC_0350.JPG" width="427" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a Great House Search of 2011 update, the seller agreed to a pretty nice price reduction after the inspection! Though we would have taken the deal previously, we were a little concerned about seeing a return on our investment since the house needs so. much. work.</div><br />
This last month has been a roller coaster. And not to be a Debbie Downer, but it's been mostly downhill. But! We're on the move! I made the paper chain to count down the days until we get out of our apartment, a.k.a. The Worst Place to Live Ever. We happily rip one link off every day in anticipation. I took the photo quite some time ago, so we're down to one lonely but ecstatic ring.CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-85145811179627883592011-05-24T14:15:00.000-04:002011-05-24T14:15:43.695-04:00Third Time's a Charm?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvv7G5uTTmhQ2TfDQs0YRL_sw7LUw6l6iA8zItYJh0Zs6dUrgKQuaBv0SJ6xuWTm_YdluuM77xq2RAXsdiaBJJ8S8hepduHJN1JQR5T1WcocGbglk_6GHhvsB-tY6gCYz2jmPHvPvWjjz/s1600/tanager1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvv7G5uTTmhQ2TfDQs0YRL_sw7LUw6l6iA8zItYJh0Zs6dUrgKQuaBv0SJ6xuWTm_YdluuM77xq2RAXsdiaBJJ8S8hepduHJN1JQR5T1WcocGbglk_6GHhvsB-tY6gCYz2jmPHvPvWjjz/s400/tanager1.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Okay, wow. House #2 turned out to be falling down, quite literally. And we just weren't sure it could be salvaged, for any price...so we walked away. It was totally heartbreaking. I wish we didn't have to spend $300 on a professional inspection, but that was $300 well spent considering we could have had tens of thousands of dollars in repairs to even make the house livable. But we moved on to greener pastures...<br />
<br />
House #3! We have an accepted offer, and we had our inspection yesterday. The report wasn't super great, but for the right price we should be able to see a return on our investment. We're following the classic real estate rule of purchasing the worst house in a good neighborhood. And realistically, this neighborhood is more upscale than the previous two houses (which were on the same street).<br />
<br />
Check out some interior shots in all of their old person glory (and it smells like it looks like it smells):<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHX4exCpAsrxv1e5pshAsEIvtHuT4IincWg0Hc6Bs5WFvF4LZNMP8x6oAPJLFqPg6y-NFALoWbcCRKQcC2vAjVtjQbZyUTmMaAJHcH9biMaY-Aq8vqqzmvaJ-aWgEJUYHGG0gqhyphenhyphen4er4h/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHX4exCpAsrxv1e5pshAsEIvtHuT4IincWg0Hc6Bs5WFvF4LZNMP8x6oAPJLFqPg6y-NFALoWbcCRKQcC2vAjVtjQbZyUTmMaAJHcH9biMaY-Aq8vqqzmvaJ-aWgEJUYHGG0gqhyphenhyphen4er4h/s400/DSC_0369.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front door and porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFL3qIRaV99zWMTcyOIwUhmgvxNtlIlkqxO6pK44h8aNhy1yFiK-XcR2AfX6AC2XrWM84DG_7H2peaUv45ntNfnJcqbiW3c7WfgeR7EWfuI3SQ2EjInEuiJ6SnJE-h1wyLRkSJGOvgjJBY/s1600/DSC_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFL3qIRaV99zWMTcyOIwUhmgvxNtlIlkqxO6pK44h8aNhy1yFiK-XcR2AfX6AC2XrWM84DG_7H2peaUv45ntNfnJcqbiW3c7WfgeR7EWfuI3SQ2EjInEuiJ6SnJE-h1wyLRkSJGOvgjJBY/s400/DSC_0380.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyAHwAxIgewmQv8ccqcOvdRcgac46EGNNbfBUCdTXfw2W5xffTbwe3cNXepBZxYiJqtBxAKqF4bXgc6dhRGLqibVbEONeJLcsIkGAwnVVBdjh792slHQpx8kmkJoUDS9oBP9iDOmf-NKI/s1600/DSC_0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyAHwAxIgewmQv8ccqcOvdRcgac46EGNNbfBUCdTXfw2W5xffTbwe3cNXepBZxYiJqtBxAKqF4bXgc6dhRGLqibVbEONeJLcsIkGAwnVVBdjh792slHQpx8kmkJoUDS9oBP9iDOmf-NKI/s400/DSC_0381.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen (and half bath through the doorway)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_R9XiV8tE-jFdaT-o1tv9N81B7YXYPzjYERZ3vE8cxsSg9573QLztBOLTAqFrGhlHUWuof1iiX_dANb4AN44CcHhaOd3Hvg9il-OsMXw5W9UASps9Y1eqIQKGL-OB0U78E1XqjWUk74V/s1600/DSC_0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_R9XiV8tE-jFdaT-o1tv9N81B7YXYPzjYERZ3vE8cxsSg9573QLztBOLTAqFrGhlHUWuof1iiX_dANb4AN44CcHhaOd3Hvg9il-OsMXw5W9UASps9Y1eqIQKGL-OB0U78E1XqjWUk74V/s400/DSC_0387.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM73WRDGn4GdFdMHkSjkkl2J0ohos5KbCEbdxl86gD-Hcoi6eKfoCdmVv4ugE-95VZSfFK-zsNClOUUXo7Xb1YcORabpOpzo77lGXLqL6txNwtXjs3MU27lGih70fHwkKHGXBpKOom61Go/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM73WRDGn4GdFdMHkSjkkl2J0ohos5KbCEbdxl86gD-Hcoi6eKfoCdmVv4ugE-95VZSfFK-zsNClOUUXo7Xb1YcORabpOpzo77lGXLqL6txNwtXjs3MU27lGih70fHwkKHGXBpKOom61Go/s400/DSC_0389.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living room</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGcQZCLZRlvIYiXF5fBTPpaU5tVA2TjiuA7afZICJ__WQ-kngy3NZjylcI8OTrYGjUXvIE3TaGB8Xhj7pLNta_lrdTEAtK_X8YFWIEgZlGWFxaUVk8XU3yn_V2HhKV35xLz8yEP0aQ7xz/s1600/DSC_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGcQZCLZRlvIYiXF5fBTPpaU5tVA2TjiuA7afZICJ__WQ-kngy3NZjylcI8OTrYGjUXvIE3TaGB8Xhj7pLNta_lrdTEAtK_X8YFWIEgZlGWFxaUVk8XU3yn_V2HhKV35xLz8yEP0aQ7xz/s400/DSC_0429.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-9LBF5PC_Hvjn14lfu9xtFgaWNBYVLO3hLA9x0e5ORUmG-zCHmiRQUEXt6wPNbqqaVTVmYAxdKQyjvenGtj67-_Px3VoEAih9O2wQ0AclCqfWzDuA94_s-ta1jkhxlugZO_UARBFhH8a/s1600/DSC_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-9LBF5PC_Hvjn14lfu9xtFgaWNBYVLO3hLA9x0e5ORUmG-zCHmiRQUEXt6wPNbqqaVTVmYAxdKQyjvenGtj67-_Px3VoEAih9O2wQ0AclCqfWzDuA94_s-ta1jkhxlugZO_UARBFhH8a/s400/DSC_0435.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun porch with ghostly apparitions</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVd2CdbqVuvAvF4OXjg6_d86ndxBffjf0P094GfsntWWUL43bDfFyPVb6u1ZLyoU0tpS2wLqPBESKNVgQYk4MpvXnbGuR24AjmeVwC_ht8jMMInH7cO97oHYTBcTEh6g2b1C2YDiYAkCPC/s1600/DSC_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVd2CdbqVuvAvF4OXjg6_d86ndxBffjf0P094GfsntWWUL43bDfFyPVb6u1ZLyoU0tpS2wLqPBESKNVgQYk4MpvXnbGuR24AjmeVwC_ht8jMMInH7cO97oHYTBcTEh6g2b1C2YDiYAkCPC/s400/DSC_0400.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full bath #1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzrBtHsAOM1A69f_8iyLiOVt9toWwCFbMEpB2LIDDHuAVy4MCFwg1QHIQ3PmSslSo06rqsbpewRsUJFLvd3G1nU1IKBAxKsw7l6EE4XoM_f4NCt28YSzjKn0YsBu8Yls-VlOXCKqkYvrA/s1600/DSC_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzrBtHsAOM1A69f_8iyLiOVt9toWwCFbMEpB2LIDDHuAVy4MCFwg1QHIQ3PmSslSo06rqsbpewRsUJFLvd3G1nU1IKBAxKsw7l6EE4XoM_f4NCt28YSzjKn0YsBu8Yls-VlOXCKqkYvrA/s400/DSC_0396.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedroom #1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWL5925u-AxwTcH1albOu8beGF6Ka-7KfNftlqARUaEbLv56uAdEKrvUnId5aToMINFfbg6rOXA25mTBPKO-PPIFweeeWivdHHIFaeXUDEbA8uwyhcdFcr9cmYFUgRHGiFuJZfYS1O_eVs/s1600/DSC_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWL5925u-AxwTcH1albOu8beGF6Ka-7KfNftlqARUaEbLv56uAdEKrvUnId5aToMINFfbg6rOXA25mTBPKO-PPIFweeeWivdHHIFaeXUDEbA8uwyhcdFcr9cmYFUgRHGiFuJZfYS1O_eVs/s400/DSC_0409.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedroom #2</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznGXD2eJrP8apkb8uuWXGGWWRiWJbcUwAw_r6I9rUvZ900IqwyNck2BNf6uSJW0ZrKVSK0F7Yb5SpCqnwZ2zPY794QoS0PEdknEaeO03JJaXsQ2iuS8OsDiDU8ZU-l2PVfOr60ZmXqsb9/s1600/DSC_0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznGXD2eJrP8apkb8uuWXGGWWRiWJbcUwAw_r6I9rUvZ900IqwyNck2BNf6uSJW0ZrKVSK0F7Yb5SpCqnwZ2zPY794QoS0PEdknEaeO03JJaXsQ2iuS8OsDiDU8ZU-l2PVfOr60ZmXqsb9/s400/DSC_0413.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Bedroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZiJL6vjm25cWSql5rlw1waNRTuCNkXsg3H4DhPnK0QgKkEPdbJWDEY7jCR5yI2KTm-QIR08Q4J1lYxaPdFxTr4IgjI0iX8UWOeybmFtuPtz9O68xDhA91-0T9XcFVEvggPAtVGINAsQ4/s1600/DSC_0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZiJL6vjm25cWSql5rlw1waNRTuCNkXsg3H4DhPnK0QgKkEPdbJWDEY7jCR5yI2KTm-QIR08Q4J1lYxaPdFxTr4IgjI0iX8UWOeybmFtuPtz9O68xDhA91-0T9XcFVEvggPAtVGINAsQ4/s400/DSC_0417.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Bathroom</td></tr>
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We've got a looong to-do list and certainly have our work cut out for us, but at least it will be our very own!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-73411724380999766812011-05-02T12:41:00.001-04:002011-05-02T12:45:53.342-04:00House Hunting ContinuesI figured it was about time to update on the <a href="http://cmykrafty.blogspot.com/2011/02/house-hunters-international.html">Great House Search of 2011</a>. We ended up choosing...(look at each other and giggle)...House #2!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But don't get too excited for us, because we got outbid on it at the eleventh hour. It was disappointing, and dare I say a little heartbreaking (cue the violins). We took it in stride and moved on to...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9MvlFuy5hnjY_BVktzK5JXy7c_gJG2dQH9cadd1rH8XvXDimQb3b8G6zHqQIwGCYxcl9FTnPvFW0GQfa2pAyNi9lAcBrYrilnYdizoC9kpr1qL8WhA5dBO9v7dZOH9eu5CpICAshri1p/s1600/DSCN2145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9MvlFuy5hnjY_BVktzK5JXy7c_gJG2dQH9cadd1rH8XvXDimQb3b8G6zHqQIwGCYxcl9FTnPvFW0GQfa2pAyNi9lAcBrYrilnYdizoC9kpr1qL8WhA5dBO9v7dZOH9eu5CpICAshri1p/s400/DSCN2145.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
House #1! This house has been a bit of a unique situation for everyone involved. It's what you would call a "distressed property", which means the homeowners have a financial situation that required the bank to step in. So many properties are falling under that category these days, but since it's a relatively new crisis for the real estate market, every bank handles them differently. Sooo, that means this has been quite the learning experience for everyone involved. You would think that because this house has been on the market and vacant for a year and a half, when a qualified buyer comes along the bank couldn't get rid of it fast enough, right? Wrong! Or kind of wrong at least. They'd love to unload that house from their books, but they've got a stack of 387,998 on their desk in exactly the same situation. Ick for us!<br />
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However, we've had a bit of a unique situation. An agent for the bank (not WITH the bank) in some capacity purchased up all of their distressed listings and works to sell them on the bank's behalf. They knew what the bank wanted to get for the house, and they negotiated through their Realtor with us on a price. This probably made the whole process go a lot faster had they not had the third party agent.<br />
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At this point we thought we were all well and good. But life can never be that easy, right? The homeowner—who we weren't even aware was still involved at this point—couldn't hold out any longer to file for bankruptcy. Which then pulled the house off the market until a judgement could be made on her assets. Which could take 60-90 days. Which made us want to rip our hair out slash gouge our eyes out. But fast forward to a mere 30 days after hearing this news, and the bankruptcy was settled! Had to be some sort of record I think. The bank, whom we think is now in full control of the property, accepted our offer!<br />
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We have a quick 5 days to complete our inspections and get this show on the road. B's parents are coming up this week to give us an architect's expert eye, and we might just have a contractor tagging along as well. This house is in less-than-pristine condition, and has its share of problems...from what we can tell. We're no experts, so we'll just have to wait and see. We've got to decide how much is too much to invest in repairs and hope the magic number is below that. I really want this house! I've been mentally redecorating for months now, and I'd like the ideas to get out of my dreams and into my <s>car</s> house. I can really picture us living in this house, so I just want it to happen already!<br />
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So there you have it, folks. Keep your inspection fingers crossed for us this Thursday!CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-63442969229103314492011-04-06T14:03:00.000-04:002011-04-06T14:03:46.665-04:00Estate sales are my new BFFA couple weeks ago I headed out bright and early (for me) to an estate sale 45 minutes from our house. Turns out the only things I can be on time for involve the promise of cheap junk—maybe I should have had my old boss dangle vintage costume jewelry in front of me. There was quite a crowd of geriatrics getting rowdy at the front door when I got there, so I joined the herd. They only let so many people in at a time, so I provided the entertainment for those of us stuck out in the cold. For. 30. minutes. Ick! I don't think the nursing home escapees quite knew what to make of me, especially when I started making barfing sounds when I found some nail clippers in a drawer of a dresser. Won't be buying those, thankyouverymuch.<br />
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I finally got in the door and wished my new peeps still outside good luck. I'm pretty sure they filmed an episode of <a href="http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/hoarding-buried-alive/">Hoarding: Buried Alive</a> right before I got there. Since I had a dream the night before about not getting any of the stuff I wanted, I beelined it for this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3aZ9Q14ab9pO3DS9iykRsVzgxuEYH9nzW9IjYldjaCcsmeTuwTC-KrXjPMCG8lXrBW0GuIzgz9K9gmMqGfhMf8u4RgNNocRqdtXNfVc7TVB6wKs69ZejxCJVFmLntsPsl3B7wwhgizSi/s1600/estate_sale.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3aZ9Q14ab9pO3DS9iykRsVzgxuEYH9nzW9IjYldjaCcsmeTuwTC-KrXjPMCG8lXrBW0GuIzgz9K9gmMqGfhMf8u4RgNNocRqdtXNfVc7TVB6wKs69ZejxCJVFmLntsPsl3B7wwhgizSi/s400/estate_sale.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
...an antique store cabinet. Don't love the drawer pulls, but I've been fantasizing about new ones. Maybe <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=870102&catId=HOME-HARDWARE&pushId=HOME-HARDWARE&popId=HOME&navAction=top&navCount=36&color=pin&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=HOME-HARDWARE-KNOBS">these</a> or <a href="http://www.rejuvenation.com/fixshow1477/templates/selection.phtml?n=v&fin_selected=OB&img=Z008514&iqg=85f8f3ab6b4c76b7dc1ac7d8676a3ee28d69975b">these</a> or <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=073183&catId=HOME-HARDWARE&navCount=36&navAction=top&isProduct=true&pushId=HOME-HARDWARE&popId=HOME-HARDWARE&fromCategoryPage=true&color=074&subCategoryId=HOME-HARDWARE-KNOBS">these</a>. Or all mixed and matched! It cost a pretty penny, so I put in a bid and waited to see if I got a phone call. Immediately I started to have some remorse about the price I offered, so when the seller called I said no thanks. But with a heavy heart...I guess the cabinet and I were not meant to be. But I must find another one—the quest is on!<br />
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After the 28 drawer debacle, I focused my attention elsewhere. There were beautiful antique books, funky vintage sheets (which I can barely bring myself to touch, let alone purchase and use for a project), fun costume jewelry, and old sewing patterns. What really caught my eye though were the vintage Christmas ornaments. I've been a casual browser for a while, and decided it was time to take the plunge. I left with this stash to start my collection:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Along with a random cast iron star that I thought would look cool hanging with a picture grouping on a wall. All for $20! Hopefully I didn't get ripped off too badly. The ornaments need cleaned up something awful, but once I weed out the broken ones and polish them up they should be shiny brite again (get it?). Now I just need to find myself a vintage silver tinsel tree to hang them on.CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-27232515307056791612011-03-02T10:32:00.000-05:002011-03-02T10:32:25.966-05:00My First Quilt: Part 2After prepping my fabrics, I started cutting out the squares to make the hourglass blocks for the quilt center. I had to cut just as many white squares as colored, which started to get teee-deee-usss (that's tedious). If you know me, you know that I'm Impatient with a capital I.<br />
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Then I got to measuring, marking, sewing, cutting, ironing, more sewing, and squaring. Whew! A helpful tip I learned in my quilting class was to chain stitch the pieces. That means to start with a little "jumper" piece of scrap fabric and continuously sew all the blocks so they are connected by a little length of thread. There is no need to backstitch on quilt tops, and it saves time and thread by not starting and stopping with every piece. Brilliant!<br />
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Next up: sewing all the blocks together and devising a border.CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-29462751950356848552011-02-14T10:44:00.000-05:002011-02-14T10:44:24.664-05:00Happy Valentine's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevwifhWl7pJs-6SToR64F4WnrxB_s5eds9br4_0OoYLpArLAjqVSPlU-FNDu_zphknjQahY2SiChcmYr3cyLS3SGVuSuFAt1Ag3ETC_dnSyfioRvQNfBMzZEo-ogV7tahUxiDz5dYb9Ik/s1600/heartschmallow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevwifhWl7pJs-6SToR64F4WnrxB_s5eds9br4_0OoYLpArLAjqVSPlU-FNDu_zphknjQahY2SiChcmYr3cyLS3SGVuSuFAt1Ag3ETC_dnSyfioRvQNfBMzZEo-ogV7tahUxiDz5dYb9Ik/s400/heartschmallow2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Hope you get to spend today with the one you love. I'm so glad I get to.<br />
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Love you, B.<br />
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P.S. Do you like my homemade heartshmallow? Recipe <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/06/springy-fluffy-marshmallows/">here</a>.CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-14654212579599951452011-02-02T10:21:00.001-05:002011-05-02T12:46:38.049-04:00House Hunters InternationalOkay, well only international if you don't live in the U.S. of A., but it just sounds chicer that way. We <i>could</i> be international to you, if you lived in Europe. Or Australia. Or Asia. Anyhow...<br />
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Over the weekend we went to revisit our top 3 house choices to decide which one to make an offer on. Channeling Suzanne Whang, will it be...<br />
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House #1, the leaky faux-finish-heavy mid-century ranch?<br />
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House #2, the stuck-in-the-sixties rambling mid-century ranch?<br />
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Or will it be House #3, the fuzzy basemented mid-century ranch? Admittedly, I forgot to get a photo of the outside, because no, it did not get sunny and make all the snow melt within the 45 minutes we were in the house. Oh well.<br />
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Stay tuned to find out which one we picked!CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-43873211506177116812011-01-30T10:07:00.000-05:002011-01-30T10:07:28.137-05:00Matchbook Magazine Mention<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8lxja7vYfNx-FMcGnVsok_67n4TmUV5vRrVLIhGKp1QntuE73QI1V05GPfG71SCzY4MRypNl4Uw4-Dz8jwU5SMP7zWwYP-Glu4laVL7fS0io1PE3uYSWHi0flPUIvwjHvVBhjs5WHPqg/s1600/matchbook_mag_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8lxja7vYfNx-FMcGnVsok_67n4TmUV5vRrVLIhGKp1QntuE73QI1V05GPfG71SCzY4MRypNl4Uw4-Dz8jwU5SMP7zWwYP-Glu4laVL7fS0io1PE3uYSWHi0flPUIvwjHvVBhjs5WHPqg/s400/matchbook_mag_cover.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cover of Matchbook Magazine's first issue</i></td></tr>
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Say <i>that</i> title 3 times fast! How tickled was I when I happened to click on a link to <a href="http://www.matchbookmag.com/">Matchbook Magazine</a> via wedding blog <a href="http://www.snippetandink.com/">Snippet & Ink</a> (a blog I still read daily, even though I got hitched many months ago)! My jaw dropped...not so used to seeing my work in print, and nor did I expect it at that moment. They got my company name slightly wrong, but hey, I'll take what I can get.<br />
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My custom <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/54167416/sale-custom-bookplates-retro-cat-eye">Retro Cat Eye Bookplates</a> from my fifty2forty8 studios <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fifty2forty8studios?ref=top_trail">Etsy shop</a> graced the pages of their premiere issue. And they're in good company I must say. If I won the lottery I'd buy most everything they featured on those pages. Sigh.<br />
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I've seen quite a few online glossies springing up around the web these days, and I hope it isn't a passing fad. I gobble each one up and clip ideas and recipes I want to put to use later. I'm looking forward to the next issue of Matchbook and the other mags I can't get enough of!CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-64984329084553756852011-01-25T09:48:00.000-05:002011-01-25T09:48:56.591-05:00My Valentine's Day Wreath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2xuHwceG6tRdBi-Gyf5jqNvqNFrN2bVsXoPewQ4n42RJf1vV6dRUIjGldirakwrAM7NXFs0EgbnH0lwSS2Dkq5O1kjVfBV3HqFrgzL1N4DUJpWcE3D0Cs6oDnOqBR0U8_TZhPz2jLG8L/s1600/DSCN2141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2xuHwceG6tRdBi-Gyf5jqNvqNFrN2bVsXoPewQ4n42RJf1vV6dRUIjGldirakwrAM7NXFs0EgbnH0lwSS2Dkq5O1kjVfBV3HqFrgzL1N4DUJpWcE3D0Cs6oDnOqBR0U8_TZhPz2jLG8L/s640/DSCN2141.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I wanted to create a Valentine's Day wreath to brighten up our dark, faux wood front door—moving out of this lame apartment cannot happen soon enough! In the same vein as our everyday wreath (more on that later), I created a yarn wrapped wreath to mark the day.<br />
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I found a cute "love" cutout at <a href="http://www.target.com/">Target</a>, and used that as the basis for my inspiration. I started with a 10 inch straw wreath form and wrapped it in white yarn (got a while? It takes forrreverrrr). I made some hot pink flowers out of felt, and glued on some red brads and glittery pink buttons. To up the cute factor, I sewed a mini felt flag bunting...and of course my sewing machine didn't like that so I had to do it by hand! To hang the little guy I tied a thick satin aqua ribbon to give it a little edge—nothing can be 100% sweet, right!?<br />
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Shout out to B for listening to what probably felt like hours of "do you like this here?" and "what if I moved this over a little bit?". Thanks, buddy. I owe you one :)<br />
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I feel some more Valentine's decorations coming on!CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-73149418002702869212011-01-20T10:56:00.002-05:002011-03-02T10:21:08.367-05:00Resolute in Resolving<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlbBhQWw-0FAvhLDTruGoGrbhNuxOOdJFdRRFGMHDtCPtscoy5xW7ZJwMgw6opVxmpVYdCXdtGTQ_squdPBcYwnuPyyEyv3QZS8q5J-6Fb8_YF9x7BqMnhEUOODSXaa9fOCDpDD9PL-iz/s1600/handful_of_strawberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlbBhQWw-0FAvhLDTruGoGrbhNuxOOdJFdRRFGMHDtCPtscoy5xW7ZJwMgw6opVxmpVYdCXdtGTQ_squdPBcYwnuPyyEyv3QZS8q5J-6Fb8_YF9x7BqMnhEUOODSXaa9fOCDpDD9PL-iz/s400/handful_of_strawberries.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A reminder of spring</i></td></tr>
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Is it too late for New Years resolutions? I hope not...I think I have until the end of January at least. I've never been big on resolutions. As in, I make them, but forget what they were by January 2nd. Then maybe come March I'll remember again for a week or so, but they generally fall by the wayside for the remainder of the year. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If I write them here in black (grey) and white, will I be more prone to follow them? Only time will tell I suppose. Let's set our expectations low here and make only two resolutions: I will enter my work in <s>one</s> two craft shows this year. I don't mean the heavy-on-the-eucalyptus-and-doilies kind, but the hispter crafter type that seem to be popping up everywhere. And wear more red lipstick. Not at the same time. But maybe it will help me sell my goods? Ha!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There. Done. December 31st, 2011 we will see if I resolved my resolutions!</div>CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-71614133192432568092011-01-05T11:40:00.000-05:002011-01-05T11:40:43.234-05:00How to use the leftover pieces of your ugly turtleneck sweaterHappy 2011!<br />
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A little backstory: something I've been thinking about a lot lately is needing vs. wanting. In downsizing our living quarters and the impending Great Move of 2011 to our first house (!), it makes me stop and think twice before I buy anything new that isn't a necessity. Such as the plastic dog nose costume accessory I had in my hand yesterday (weird you say? but, but, I had the EXACT same one when I was a kid!). I put it back, thank you.<br />
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So that leads me to repurpose things we already have around into new items. Hello, upcycling! So when you're left with the arms and neck of your sweater that you turned into a pillow—you mean you haven't done that yet?—it's great to have every little bit reused. And it helps keep trash out of a landfill!<br />
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So (drumroll), I turned the sleeves into a draft-dodger for our breezy sliding door. The photo below is what I was left with from the pillow, so I started by snipping off the neck...<br />
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The I stitched up the sleeve openings and the neck opening with matching embroidery floss.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I needed something to weight the thing down so it would do its job dodging drafts (or running into them head first?), so I picked up two packs of dried beans at Target.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I distributed the beans across the length of the arms, and filled the rest of the space with stuffing.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I stitched up the bottom opening, and put my little-bit-wonky-looking-but-still-functional dodger to work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPhdNeUg20bAx96BfwgNohjTiz9ldb38eQNUnjeixEMnPFwWcHS-VmacEpAA4r0dl00YmOQ_SIJrZ5wgTUqUKp-3h3kNC_I4TmpeGcCpUzS-DzYFWJvRtnXT31uHDn02MsUhDXd5K7GMZ/s1600/DSCN2113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPhdNeUg20bAx96BfwgNohjTiz9ldb38eQNUnjeixEMnPFwWcHS-VmacEpAA4r0dl00YmOQ_SIJrZ5wgTUqUKp-3h3kNC_I4TmpeGcCpUzS-DzYFWJvRtnXT31uHDn02MsUhDXd5K7GMZ/s400/DSCN2113.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Please excuse our balcony mess.<br />
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For the leftover neck—I don't have photos—but I am planning on cutting it in half horizontally (to keep it formed in a tube shape), and making a reusable coffee cup sleeve, although the diameter will have to be adjusted. With the other half, I'm going to make sweet little votive cup sleeves in the same way as the coffee sleeve, but adjusted to the size of the votives. Perfect for wintery décor, no?CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-86670797674343290422010-12-15T11:06:00.001-05:002011-01-29T22:54:23.261-05:00How to make a cozy sweater pillowHere at our house it's been cold. I mean COLD cold. Wear as many layers to bed as you do outdoors cold. And I'm not convinced it's ever going to stop snowing. Maybe in June? Since we're preparing to buy our first house, I've been in perma-nesting mode and want to create handmade things that don't cost a lot of money (as in, zero money).<br />
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If you've got an old sweater that you don't want to part with but also don't want to wear any more, this project is for you. My mom gifted me with an old cream-colored cable knit turtleneck sweater a couple years ago, and I think I wore it never. It looked like a crop top on me. So attractive! But I didn't want to just give it away, so I decided to give it a new life as a pillow.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTPoyqx1HswnqZkshTIxqcUtIcz86_C6Cle2IhoL6iVhJVydeR6pXzl5728RQIQOBIC-gGdck67TtNY0Z1BW9iQqj6e74F4K6K9I80AljjZxemE3JVdlXZtpXigbwRxYAPwxRFHymzIgP/s1600/DSCN1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTPoyqx1HswnqZkshTIxqcUtIcz86_C6Cle2IhoL6iVhJVydeR6pXzl5728RQIQOBIC-gGdck67TtNY0Z1BW9iQqj6e74F4K6K9I80AljjZxemE3JVdlXZtpXigbwRxYAPwxRFHymzIgP/s400/DSCN1428.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I knew getting started that since this wasn't a wool sweater I was going to have fraying issues, but I wasn't to be swayed. I got out my <a href="http://www.gingher.com/">good, sharp scissors</a> and crafted a plan. The size of the sweater dictated the size of the pillow, and I wanted to cut as little as possible (remember the fraying issues?). </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsmOVqPc8QKF24B8IHe13EHodjNaxnqBSuPdGE3YDK6axbFaYKvpKe7ys1YGT1VqPevh4CcgUjccXylcqUtw1fUpnHaruBA-bJClDQ0CT2OxAn4Vs5RxEDizvnbgBN1ar-2ECmguGQbOz/s1600/DSCN1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsmOVqPc8QKF24B8IHe13EHodjNaxnqBSuPdGE3YDK6axbFaYKvpKe7ys1YGT1VqPevh4CcgUjccXylcqUtw1fUpnHaruBA-bJClDQ0CT2OxAn4Vs5RxEDizvnbgBN1ar-2ECmguGQbOz/s400/DSCN1429.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I cut the sweater across the torso just where the armpits met the body, and was left with a wide "tube". I turned the tube inside out so I could stitch together the cut edge, being careful not to fray it any more than necessary. I used embroidery thread to hold it all together better.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since the yarn is kind of chunky in the sweater, I was afraid the stuffing would start to poke through eventually, a la our $5 Walmart pillows. I sewed a pillow insert out of some scrap white cotton fabric I had laying around to alleviate any pokage.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAB8MIDpR1iziYck0O4SJA54F7WKcHoAJLt02LP_Xt1uci3_8K4f4mO49aBVVr6wUKyqqWj7W13Q0UXt4KYN09N9NZ5OabD9mAVsIxZwMdf0wwf4-NBRCykgIS_1JPGhxv-36OS91hmhV/s1600/DSCN1433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAB8MIDpR1iziYck0O4SJA54F7WKcHoAJLt02LP_Xt1uci3_8K4f4mO49aBVVr6wUKyqqWj7W13Q0UXt4KYN09N9NZ5OabD9mAVsIxZwMdf0wwf4-NBRCykgIS_1JPGhxv-36OS91hmhV/s400/DSCN1433.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I stitched the finished edge together on the outside, since it's so chunky that you can't see the stitches. And if you can, just don't look at it!</div><br />
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</div>The finished product! Looks pretty great on our couch.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Even cats love it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>You might be asking yourself, what do I do with the stupid-looking sleeves and neck that I have left over? Stay tuned, and prepare to be amazed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-11783613059751334602010-11-30T16:16:00.000-05:002010-11-30T16:16:26.188-05:00My First Quilt: Part 1i had a bit of a difficult time deciding what would grace my blog as the first post (after the initial maiden voyage of course), since it took me 11 months just to get <i>something</i> up here...<br />
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i caught the quilting bug about a year ago, and decided that with my country/industrial/antique aesthetic, quilts would fit in perfectly. i also felt like it was a dying art, and needed young super cool Martha-wannabes like me to keep it alive. i also have a chronic need to nest. i also want to stay warm. soooo, i took a beginning quilting class at a fabric shop, and started half-assing my way through a quilt! i have pretty basic sewing skills, so there is going to be a major learning curve here.<br />
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since i am an artiste after all, frumpy dumpy grandma quilts just weren't going to cut it for me, so armed with little more than an internet picture, basic sewing skills, and sheer determination, i started my very own blanket. the hubs and i decided the first quilt (of many) i make should match our guest bedroom: blue, grass green, brown, white, and orange.<br />
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i trekked to a couple fabric stores to find just the right mix of small and large, dark and light patterns. and here are my chosen fabrics (drumroll).<br />
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they're even better when a cute kitty helps out.<br />
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i'm creating the quilt topper in an hourglass pattern. google it, yo. or, just imagine an hourglass shape and picture it made out of fabric. BAM.<br />
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stay tuned. part deux (that's two for all you non-french speakers) coming soon. as in, in the next 3 months if we're lucky.CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006216064167959651.post-16420423344991985452010-11-22T13:38:00.000-05:002010-11-22T13:38:27.076-05:00Like I always say, better late than neverthere! i did it. i started a blog. now what to do, what to do...<br />
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okay i never actually say "better late than never," but i do find myself saying "hey i could make that!" a lot. but i rarely ever do. i seek the simple and creative life. i hope to record my crafting, gardening, cooking, house hunting, and decorating project here—I'm your modern day homesteader! sometimes i think blogs are a little bit vain...and maybe my motives for this one are too. but all i know is, there's no easy way to start this. so i made lists to kick-start these posts and get all the hi-i'm-on-a-first-date awkwardness out of the way.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">just fyi:</span><br />
- i have a lot of creative energy, and i need to let it all out somewhere (hence, blog).<br />
- i misuse and/or have never heard of many common colloquialisms.<br />
- there are 948,798,479,138,746 things i want to do in my lifetime. blogging being one of them.<br />
- it took me 2 years to start this because i couldn't decide on a name.<br />
- and then once i decided on a name it took me 11 months to actually write the first post.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">i like:</span><br />
- making things with my hands.<br />
- my husband.<br />
- our cat.<br />
- laughing.<br />
- coffee but i don't drink it.<br />
- decorating and all things design.<br />
- attention.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">my hopes for this blog are that:</span><br />
- it won't suck.<br />
- people will read it.<br />
- someone will learn something (here's to hoping that it's me!).<br />
- i will achieve internet fame.<br />
- i will better my sewing skills and actually start <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">doing</span> the "hey i could make that"s.<br />
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i hope you think my life is as perfect as i do. and i hope you think my sarcasm is funny.<br />
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the moral of the story is who knows where this will take me. stay tuned and thanks for reading...we're going to be great friends, i just know it!CMYKraftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00905723863155657193noreply@blogger.com0