Vintage Frame Memo Board

I found this old frame on a recent thrifting spree and wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but I just couldn't leave it behind. I painted it white, and had it sitting in my garage until yesterday...when I stumbled into Karli's inspiring blog, Rocky Bella. She made a picture/memo board out of an old frame (see her post here).

So...I dug out my trusty hot glue gun, some twine, and a handful of clothes pegs and got started! I had some little black wooden birds that I'd found in the "as is" section at IKEA a few months ago, so I decided to add them in as well. You know me and birds! ;)







I wasn't sure where to hang my new memo board...I found out that I didn't have as much empty wall space as I thought I did! Then I found the perfect place. At least, I think so. I HATE this door in my kitchen. It's hideous. Now it has a little distraction from its ugliness. The frame fit perfectly over my window. I think it was meant to be there all along. :)


Linked up at Beyond the Picket Fence, Tater Tots and Jello, Funky Junk Shabby Nest, Twice Remembered, That's so Cuegly

Painting Vintage China

I stumbled into a wonderful thing a little while ago.....and I just can't get enough of it! It's the Porcelain Pen/Marker!! The possibilities are endless and I can't stop drawing! Basically, you just draw and then bake it in the oven and it's good to go! Dishwasher safe and everything. I've only just begun...but here are a few of my little "etsy" inspired practice pieces...(all done on vintage china found at my local thrift store). I just wish I'd bought more pen colours while I was at Michaels!





ps...can you tell I'm quite attached to my little white bird that's been showing up in so many photos? :)

Linked up at Beyond the Picket Fence, Tater Tots and Jello, Funky Junk Shabby Nest, Poppies at Play, Twice Remembered, Second Time Around,

Thrift shop treasures

I'm a major thrift shop junkie. I get all giddy and excited every time I drive up to the door of our little local thrift shop. You just never know what you're going to find, right? This week I found a great pine dining hutch that will be getting spruced up and moved into our dining room.

I also found some lovely little random items that I just couldn't leave behind.

This lovely little creamer...so chubby and cute.


I just love the pattern on this little platter. There's no marking on the bottom, so I don't know what it is, but I love it anyways.


I just couldn't leave this little painting behind. It makes me happy looking at it...and for $0.50,...who could resist? And milk glass...I can always use some more milk glass.

Last but not least, this cute little elephant salt-shaker looked so lonely sitting on the shelf next to a pile of plastic plates. I think he will add a touch of whimsy to our table.


Happy weekend!

Dreamy Whites

One of my favourite, most lovely blogs is Dreamy Whites. Maria has only been blogging for just over a month, and has a faithful following already! It's no surprise that her blog has been so popular.....she has a talent for styling her photos in a way that draws you in. Check out her giveaway of an adorable set of Anthropology spice jars!

Music to my ears

First there was one giggler. And a very giggly little giggler he was.


Now there are two, and just yesterday they had a joint giggle session. I don't think I will ever get tired of this sound.

I'm in White slipcover BLISS

I was craving a brighter living room....I think it's because spring is in the air! I ordered some inexpensive slipcovers and I'm thrilled with them! I need to iron them, and alter them to fit my furniture properly, but I just couldn't wait to try them on! I'm still in the process of moving everything around, trying to find what works best....the leather bench/toy box doesn't seem to work so well anymore, but it's full of toys and I have nowhere else to put them. The little white table was a thrift store purchase ($3!) that I painted last week, but it's a little small for a coffee table.

I've had a lot of people email me to ask where I got my slipcovers. These are the Sure Fit Slipcovers I bought.....the obviously don't quite fit my couches as well as they do in this picture! But I love them all the same.

                                                                  



linked up to the Slip Cover Party and Frugalicious Friday

A little LOVE

Happy Valentine's Day!



Toby and I made some Valentine's Day treats. I'm in love with my new cake stand (found it on clearance at Home Sense). I love how you can switch up the ribbon for whatever colour suits the occasion!

Birthday Season

For some reason, Toby has been talking about birthdays. When he turned 1, we had a "sock monkey" party for him. It was only natural to have a monkey party since he went through most of his first year being referred to as the monkey, or monk. I had a lot of fun planning it, but spent way too much time getting ready for it. I kind of really love planning birthday parties.

I asked him what kind of party he would like this year for his 3rd birthday, and he said "I think I probably should have a lion party. "Atchally" a rocket party...or maybe...." So...we haven't quite made any solid plans yet....it's a good thing we have until April!

Invitations:

I made this monkey cutout as a last-minute idea for something to do at the party. This picture was of Toby doing a test-run before I'd had a chance to add the arms!

The birthday boy!

Monkey cupcakes with cream-cheese icing

I made the bunting and crayon rolls out of Erin Michaels sock monkey fabric my Moda.

I found it here online: Fat Quarter

I was such a nerd and made crayon rolls for the favors. It took wayyy too long to do...why do I put myself through stuff like this?? At least Toby still uses his.

We took pictures of all the little guests behind the monkey cutout, so I used those for the Thank you cards.

Art to me

Toby made these for me today while I was preoccupied in the kitchen. He glued and coloured and attached all sorts of clothespins and beads. "I'm SO busy, mama" he said. He was so proud to present me with these treasures...and even prouder when I took some pictures of them. Definitely art to me.

Kitchen makeover

This is our kitchen. It started out with hideous orange-tinted wood cabinets and a leopard-print style countertop. Distastrous. So...we did the first stage of the makeover a couple of years ago when we moved in. New cabinet fronts, appliances, painted the countertop with melamine paint (an awesome product from Benjamin Moore if you're looking for a very cheap quick-fix solution for your counters), new light fixtures and paint (dark brown). I wish I had a "before" picture, but I just can't seem to find one...so here is stage one of the makeover:





Now...about 2 weeks ago, I had an urge for a brighter, lighter, more uplifting kitchen. So....I headed off to Benjamin Moore and picked up a gallon of "Cloud white"...and went at it. It took 3 coats to cover the dark brown, but I love love LOVE my new bright kitchen! Dustin did an amazing job on our new glass tile backsplash. We also had a new counter put on....the paint job lasted well for 2 years, but it was getting a bit rough around the edges, so we decided to do another somewhat cheap fix. Laminate. I've always wanted a chalkboard wall, and so we decided to bite the bullet and give it a try....and we're loving it! It's so much fun to have a wall that I can change up whenever I choose....for whatever mood I'm in....and Toby is having the time of his life drawing masterpieces.