my Anything and Everything

Trim on Lamps

2010-06-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

As my re-do was coming to a close, I realized that my lamps weren't going to cut it.

I needed to change things up a bit but our budget didn't want to spend a bunch of money on lamps. Once my nightstands were painted and my headboards were hung and things started to come together, I realized that I liked the height of the lamps I had and that the color wasn't all wrong either. I just needed to figure out how to like them better.

I went an purchased 14$ white shades from Target as a replacement for the ones that I didn't like so much. For awhile I liked them the way they were and then started to feel like I needed to tie them in a little better.

(sorry for the stupid picture those gold pillows that need to be replaced are no that glossy in real life)

I went and purchased some camel colored grograin ribbon and used fabri-tac to add some trim to my shades. I really like the result and I am not sure why the shades are crooked in this picture but I am too ~~lazy~~ busy to take another.

My experience with upholstery

2010-06-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

How do you go from a Craigslist special ($50 for a pair) to...

something you really love?

First you stalk Craigslist like a hawk and if you live in a big city temporarily- you buy them there like I did (Craigslist in my current city is not so great).
Then you decide where it is going. These were too short for my dining table- and my living room is too crowded in the office they wouldn't be a pair and so the decision was made to put them in my bedroom.
I picked my fabric a year ago- but it took me that long to settle on it. I needed 4 yards and got the fabric here for a steal. Everything on this site is always 20% off the price shown and shipping is only 5$- so my fabric was about just under 9$ a yard.
The rest of the chairs were in great shape- they didn't need knew padding anywhere.
After my fabric arrived I went to the paint store and picked up a sample color of Behrs new primer plus paint (a convenient combination) in "Coastal Beige" it was a great match for my arms and legs. I was worried because I have a lot of white in the room but I didn't want white. I also didn't want straight cream to compete with white. This color turned out perfect in my opinion- not white, not cream... coastal beige.
I sanded the arms and legs to remove the sheen. Since I wasn't re staining them I didn't need to sand everything off completely- time saver... plus I hATE sanding. I painted away and used 3 light coats for total coverage... then used a spray high gloss polyacrilic.

The chairs were studied and photographed

and then stripped

I learned SO much about how to upholster just by pulling them apart. I just paid really close attention to where everything was and how it was attached.

I used the fabric that I pulled off as a pattern for cutting my fabric. I then started the ONLY sewing portion of the project... the welting.

it was simple, and cheap because I used just reused what was already on the chair.

Then I started stapling away (don't have pictures of this process). You really just pull and staple and fold the corners nicely. At some point on a chair you get to the part where you have to cover all your stapling with one of the panels. For me this was the back panel. I used plygrip

and it is very easy to work with. This picture, of someone elses project that is VERY similar to mine, shows how it is used.

You staple it in place along your welting, fold your fabric into the crease and hammer it down.

Then... you take pictures of your chairs from all angles like they are your children.

One thing is for certain, if I can do this... anyone can.

Exteriors

2009-08-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

So, we are building a house. It is going to be built fast (by Nov 20). We are SO excited.

Because of the quickness of it all, we have to pick our 'colors' by Wednesday... which is essentially everything that matters aesthetically about the house. I am feeling VERY panicked because I am very non-committal when it comes to things like this. Remember this?

Here are some pictures of some things we like/ don't like from our 'exteriors' search last night. Keep in mind that most of our house will be siding but on the front, we have to have at least 15% stone, brick or stucco or Masonite. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE some input, and fast.

Here we go.

This is our house... but flipped so the garage is on the left. Also not pictured is something (we thought we wanted but are now reconsidering) is an eyebrow over the garage that meets the roof line above the front door. I think it would make the house look less flat on the front but Ty isn't convinced. He thinks since it won't wrap around and meet another roof, he is afraid that it will look like it was just sort of stuck on the front of the house with NO purpose.

Here is a computer generated version.

Th following are my two favorite house exteriors that I saw on our hunt last night. Ty isn't convinced.

I love the feel of the creamy white with stark white trim and the rock with a red tint.

See the pillar next to the door (as shown above in an exterior I really don't like) we can't afford to do one like that. So we are thinking of doing it more like this

These are fiber glass and we thought that maybe we would have one on each side and make an arch sort of like...

this idea around the area where the roof comes out over our front door (but our pillars won't have rock on the bottom).

I like this

garage door, but it is probably an upgrade.

Another idea we discussed was to use ALL our rock to highlight one section like seen here

around that window (we probably wouldn't have enough to do the sides of the garage too if we do this)

I really prefer things trimmed like this

in white as opposed to this

where the trim is dark brown. I think the white will be in style longer and has a crisper look.

We have also thought of using our rock

this way with a stucco trim.

Also this idea

on our peak where the roof is sort of has that separate triangle of color at the very top... might add some interest. I didn't like is last night when we drove around but re-looking now, it might be OK (I wish I was building this house. It is right by the temple and is awesome!).

Another idea has been to use brick instead of stone but it is more expensive so we would have less to work with... and then a beige-ey siding... Red brick

I think shutters on the window above the garage (as seen below) would add some interest and make the window look bigger. I even like the arch above this window but I really don't like that little keystone thing in the middle of the arch. The roof under the window would be similar to the 'eyebrow' mentioned earlier, but would down over the garage.

As you can see, WE are no where near ready for our Wednesday meeting. I'm feeling like 30 days wouldn't have even been enough to decide. We have 5 days to choose this (AND everything on the inside) AHH!.

Input needed. ASAP.

Recent project

2009-08-10T20:17:00.000-07:00

I inherited a stack of 4 chairs with metal frames from my Grandma when we moved in. They are meant for extra seating.

Check out the before and afters- it is amazing what a little can be done to make a big difference!

Currently Living...

2009-07-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

I have had some family and friends asking about where we are living, so I thought I would post some pictures for those who may or may not visit us here or just for those of you who care. Plus some of my family has only ever been here when it was my G'ma's house so this may be of some interest to them.

Front of house

Back Patio

Back Yard

Standing at the front door looking straight in.

Standing at the front door looking right.
(the first door on the left is the laundry room, the next door on the left is the girls room (see next picture), the room with the door open in our office (see pictures to follow) and then next to that (not pictured) is a bathroom.

girls room

looking to office

part of office

living room

kitchen (notice ENORMOUS blank wall??... ya I got nothin'.)

The door straight ahead in this picture is the master bedroom and bathroom (not pictured).
It is big and we love it.
The home is a duplex and our neighbor is a wonderful elderly lady who is 100 years old. No literally she is 100. Her kids (who are 80ish) keep trying to get her to go to a nursing home, but she refuses. She has even been known to hide in her house when she sees that they are there because she is afraid they will take her away. She is a lovely person and she misses my Grandma a lot.

So there you have it, now (family) you don't need to visit us at all!

DIY Ottoman

2009-04-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

$25 on craigslist... with a side table included, that will probably get painted sometime in the future

I finished this today!! I was WAY nervous about the fabric, because the green doesn't match my couch exactly. But, it is weird how it is actually the cream in the fabric that stands out. It really lightens up the room... which I love!! Everything we had already was monochromatic solid.

(don't mind the double lamps in the corner, we have lighting/space issues)

Thank You LGN!!

Perfect Timing from one of my favorite sites

2009-03-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

BeforeAfter

here!!

Awesomeness

2009-03-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

I LOVE the look of an old chapel bench in an entry or hallway. Have you seen this?? (see below)I don't like this one... but the idea is great. Find a second hand twin sized headboard. Use the headboard as the back of the bench, and cut the footboard in half to use as the sides. SUCH a fun idea... if you can find the right set. I would prefer an old chapel bench of course, but I might be able to settle for something like this if it were done just right.

I love the idea of papering the inside of a closet. It is just a small space that can add a pop of character to the room. Plus, if there is a print I love but I am not bold enough to paper an entire wall, I could always do a closet.

Love the built in shelving around the bed here.

This is SO cute. These drawers were papered.

Huge fan of the wall here. I plan to use Wayne's Scotting and beadboard throughout some future space.
Paper your magazine boxes! My mom just told me that in her decluttering she saved a ton of these for me. Wouldn't they look amazing all papered and functional in an office?

Sweet Chair... hope mine turn out this awesome.

Exciting Project in the Works

2009-03-07T14:03:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, I happened upon these beauties on CL. They were $50 for 2 and in EXCELLENT SHAPE!!

No, I don't like the fabric either, which is why I am going to embark on my first Upholstery Project! Big Scary News. I am so excited to finally try my hand and see if this is something I can actually do.
I wish I could do something bold and risky with the fabric like a bright color that stands out. But since we are moving in 2 months into a new place, I don't know where these babies are going to be. I feel like it would be best to stick with a fabric with black as the base color and do the legs and arms a creamish. I can always add bright throw pillows to these and they will go well in any room.
Having these around in their ugly paisly-ness has already been nice. I am sitting in one now writing this post. They are light but sturdy and will be awesome in a formal living space or casual, a den, or a dining table.
Here are the the fabrics I have my eye on so far, in no particular order.

1.
I saw it in person at JoANN. It is a little different. The Cream isn't khaki as it appears above, and there is a hint of gray around lining the cream lines.

2. I really like this print and think it could look great in the right context. I don't know if this is the right context though... and I think I would do the legs black instead of cream if I went in this direction.
3. I think this is my favorite option. I love the print. It could look way fancy and comes in an indoor outdoor print... apparently great for kids.

if you are reading... which do you like best?

More Home Research

2009-02-22T20:08:00.001-08:00

As I have mentioned before, I am planning to make my own upholstered headboard. My husband is VERY handy... and I know he will help me make something spectacular. Here are some things I have seen that I like. These are very similar... The room blow is fabulous but too dark-risky for me.

I don't love the headboard in this, but you can't really see it since it is all covered up. I do LOVE the white bedding with the splash of colors in a quilt and pillows. Pink... no, Tyler would never... I love the mirror behind the bed. One of the sites I love featured a ton of pictures of the IKEA LACK floating shelves. I am a bit minimalistic in my likes and I feel like these shelves could have SO many applications. We have one of the long ones above our TV in a deep brown. But I really like the white ones especially in a painted room.

I actually have the hanging mail basket that is featured in this picture just to the left of the monitor. It is funny though because it sells in the kitchen section of IKEA and thought Ty and I were brilliant for putting it in our 'office' instead. Did I mention that I LOVE having a place for mail that isn't in on my kitchen counters?

These are also the floating shelves from IKEA. They have been painted which I should have considered as an awesome option but haven't. They look great. I love the color pallet here, but not the busy-ness.

Don't have money for a china hutch? (ya... last on the list) Floating shelves in the kitchen? I like it. Low enough for kids to reach (not so much).
Here, I am absolutely speechless. This is the kind of organization ina craft room that gives me butterflies. Will I EVER have a space like this?? Not likely... Good thing I am still dreaming.

I love the living room below. I don't love the color on the walls. I think it would give me migrains... but the ottoman is EXACTLY what I want. The rug, I love and the set up with the fireplace and mirrors and color combos etc are fabulous.
More searching to come.

Fabrics for my Home

2009-02-10T11:08:00.001-08:00

Little Green Notebook and I are currently in the process of designing (little green notebook) and upholstering (I) a home-created ottoman. Ty and I have wanted one for a VERY long time, but don't want to try and match our couch exactly. I have decided our living space needs some variety and print. The idea is to get a second hand coffee table, paint it black, buy foam and upholster the top. Wrapping the fabric around the base. Cheap... fun and hopefully great looking.

So far, I haven't found the table, but I have the fabric...!!

I LOVE IT! The base color is sometimes olivey... sometimes sagey and sometimes mustardy... all look good with our furniture. My goal is to do this for around $50. We will see.

I will post more on this later... when I have more to report.
............................................
In looking at fabric, I found some others that I LOVE, so I got samples and categorized them. I put them away for another time, another project. But, I don't want to forget I have them or what I was thinking, so I thought I would document them here as well.

I don't know the name of this, but I LOVE it. I was thinking throw pillows for the couch. Black with cream to compliment the ottoman. I don't know if the Damask would be too matchy matchy since it will also be in the ottoman, but one thing is for sure... I LOVE DAMASK!
This print, I LOVE.

Black
Chocolate
Blue. (they also have it in rust orange)
I have visions of this one in throw pillows on my pure white bedding on my soon to be purchased King sized bed in my future- amazing master bedroom. Brown/chocolatey (already have) or White (want to have) curtains and other blue, brown and white accents including white lamps or wall sconce-ish things above bedside tables. I have a picture in my home that would be awesome with this color scheme to tie things together. This could also work for upholstering a reading chair or chaise... or something for the bedroom.

Cute, Kid Friendly, Seasonal and Educational

2009-02-10T11:05:00.001-08:00

It isn't neat and orderly... which usually makes be squirm, but for some reason I love this idea. It could be changed for ANY holiday. It is cheap, easy to edit and replace. In a gorgeous frame as a fixture of your home? I love it

More beautiful ideas I must remember

2009-02-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

Papering the INSIDE of a lampshade... genius.

AWESOME craft table made from IKEA parts. They used kitchen cabinets, bolted them together and then made a top out of MDF... covered it in fabric (a shower curtain) and put glass on top. I'm in awe.

Another cool craft table idea made from Ikea Parts, I love the lighting in the middle.

I love this growth chart idea for a playroom or bedroom. It would be SO easy to make.

Signature Test

2009-02-04T21:04:00.001-08:00

Inspirations for my future HOME

2009-02-04T14:31:00.001-08:00

1. Neutrals with Greens and Light Blue... round ottoman...AWESOME!

Blue and pink together??? Never thought of that. I like it.

Kitchen to DIE for. Is that window behind the cabinets? I have also seen a punch of color behind glassed cabinets... so gorgeous. I love the cream with the steel. NOt a huge fan of the backsplash. I think I color would look good here?? maybe...

Fabric/Wallpaper on a strip of the wall with same pattern repeated in frames. Unexpected and Awesome.

Apothecary Jars with Terrariums... or other colorful collections

Oversized arm chair on wheels in great fabric at office desk

Very cool library... may be too much, but in the right space, might be perfect.

1. Oversized Map somewhere to make a statement and be educational
2. Neutrals with Greens or another color that will pop

Upholstered Headboard... white bedding, wall lighting, calm. Maybe not the red...

Some things I've created recently

2009-02-04T14:18:00.000-08:00

For Christmas, I made an ABC church book for my girls. It is leveled so that a 2 year old... a 6 year old... or a 10 year old could read it and enjoy. (hopefully) Here is the cover, title page and some sample pages.

A header for my friends Charity Blog
My Valentines Day Desktop picture
Christmas Card options for my Mom

Christmas Party Invites
Baby Shower Invites

My babies

2008-06-16T22:19:00.001-07:00

invites, headers and other fun creations

2008-04-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

Taken From "BETA BEAUTIFUL BLOG"

2008-03-24T12:43:00.000-07:00

Adding a second sidebar to your Blog

http://beautifulbeta.blogspot.com/2006/10/adding-second-sidebar-to-your-blog-part.html

Cute decor ideas

2008-03-23T04:48:00.001-07:00

ideas from an adorable site called "she's got it all"

These jars could be used and filled for any Holiday... decor, plus treats... what is better?

A shadowbox made for someones Dad listing 50 Quirky things his kids love about him. A little too scrappy for me, but an overall cute idea.

I think these are real pumpkins... spiced up for decor. Cute... if done right.

A recipe to try sometime

2008-03-23T04:38:00.001-07:00

Tuxedo Brownies
from Annie Enderle

1 pkg. Brownie Mix (I prefer Ghirardelli or Hershey’s)
1 cup semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease mini-muffin pan and set aside. Prepare brownies as directed. Add the cup of chocolate chips. Spoon into the muffin pan (about ¾ full). Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until done. Pull from oven and place pan on cooling rack. Use wooden dowel to press the centers of each brownie down to create the filling cup. Let cool for 10 minutes before you remove them from the pan. Remove with a sharp knife (cutting along the edges of each brownie until it pops out). If they are not “popping” wait a few more minutes.

Filling:
1 pkg. of Cream Cheese (8 oz.) softened
3-4 cups of Powdered Sugar
1 tsp. Salt
1 small tub of Cool Whip (or use a whipped topping), thawed
3 Tbsp. White chocolate or Almond Bark, melted

Mix cream cheese, 3 cups of the powdered sugar, and salt together until well blended. The softer you can make your cream cheese the better. You don’t want any lumps. Add the whipped topping. Then add the melted white chocolate or almond bark, quickly! Mix well. I beat this until it is very creamy. Add more powdered sugar if it gets too runny.

Pipe filling through a pastry bag with a decorator tip into the cooled brownies. Top with strawberries, crushed candy canes, small bits of chocolate… whatever you want! ENJOY or share!!

some things I have been working on

2008-03-16T16:37:00.001-07:00

Adding a custom header to blogger

2008-03-15T12:39:00.001-07:00

I have had people asking me what I did and how I did it.
see mine @ tyandk8.blogspot.com

Here is the best answer I can give.

First... you need to design a blog header. I did mine in Photoshop with Free Digital Scrapbooking elements. My banner was 8X3. and saved at File Size: 215 kb - 660 x 248 pix

In order to upload your header to your blog, you have to sign up for an online picture storage place that can assign your creation an html code. I used photobucket. It is free, self explanatory and easy to use.

(some info below taken from "dressing up your blog" reference on side bar)

This is where I learned how to add my own header:

"http://shiveredsky.blogspot.com/2006/09/how-to-make-
custom-header-in-blogger.html"

They have screenshots and everything. But here's an added step--BEFORE you go to customize your layout or template in blogger, you need to tweak your HTML a tiny bit:

If you look at your layout as it is on the 'add page elements' navigation page, and click on 'edit' for your header, you notice that there is not an option to 'remove page element' in order to add your own custom header you have to change the HTML so that the header they have as default can be removed leaving space for yours to be added. In order to do this...

Go to 'Edit HTML' and look for this line of text: (between <> brackets)

(MINE WAS NEAR THE END), yours could be somewhere else, but I have a basic Minima Template)

b:widget id="'Header1'" locked="'true'" title="'Your" type="'Header'"

and then change 'true' for 'false'.

b:widget id="'Header1'" locked="'false'" title="'Your" type="'Header'"

Save the template and go to 'Page Elements', now the button 'Remove Page Element' in Header should appear.

Then follow the instructions at

http://shiveredsky.blogspot.com/2006/09/how-to-make-custom-header-in-blogger.html

I couldn't get the HTML element to slide into the right place (in a header spot.) It seemed that after I 'removed page element' then putting anything there wasn't an option. So, I went back into the HTML and made another change to add a spot to put my 'HTML' page addition.

b:section class="'header'" id="'header'" maxwidgets="'1'" showaddelement="'no'"

and change to

b:section class="'header'" id="'header'" maxwidgets="'1'" showaddelement="'yes'

('no' to 'yes' at the end.)

I had to go into the HTML and find the margin #'s and change some of the numbers by trial and error in order to get it exactly spaced. I had no clue what I was doing, but it worked somehow in the end. Careful to just 'view' and not 'save' if you are not sure about what you are doing. Also, there was a permanent border around the section where my old header used to be. I just went into layout and 'fonts and colors' and changed my post header border to the same color as my background so that it would be hidden. maybe there is a way to delete it... completely, but I am not sure how.m not sure how.