Thift Store Coffee Table

Do you remember my thrift store coffee table?  Well, I purchased it back in October for $12.99.  It was the perfect size for my living room.  There were a few scratches and a couple of water stains on top.  I figured it wouldn't be that hard to fix, so I bought her home with me!

 After a little sanding, staining and a few coats of polyurethane She's ready for her debut!

I "shopped my house" and found stuff from other rooms to accessorize.

Another view, just because! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Who me?!

Thank you Rhiannon @ From the Heart for awarding me the Stylish Blogger Award. Who me?! Stylish?! I appreciate it very much and enjoy visiting your blog! I welcome the opportunity to pass this award onto other stylish blogs.

In order to accept this award here are the rules:

Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this.
Share 7 things about yourself
Pay it forward to 15 bloggers whom you feel are deserving
Contact those bloggers and tell them about their award.

7 things about me:
1. I was born on an Army base in Germany. 
2. I have a great sense of humor.
3. I have 2 dogs. Princess and Bella. Both were adopted from an animal shelter.
4. I'm from New Jersey now living in Georgia. Although I love GA, I'm happy I was raised in Jerzee!
5. I wish I had hair like Oprah!
6. I can't dance to save my life, but that doesn't stop me from trying!!!
7. I've been married for 14 years. I have 2 amazing kids, almost 5 years apart. My kids get along really well and for some reason that shocks me!

Pay it Forward to 15 GREAT Bloggers:
1. Sarah @ Modern Country Style
2. Alissa@ 33 Shades of Green
3. Allison @ Fab Rehab Creations
4. Nike @ Choose to Thrive
5. Moogie @ Moogie & Pap
6. Tanya @ Sew Many Dreams
7. Erin @ Where Beauty Meets Function
8. Michele @ The Homesteading Apartment
9. Holly @ Hallelujahs by Holly
10. Tamarah @ Home and Pantry
11. Meg @ A Barefoot Day
12. Gnee @ Singing with Birds
13. Lakeitha @ Home to Three Duncan Boys
14. Carli @ Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
15. Farah @ Craft A World

Congratulations!

Lamp Revamp

 A few weeks ago, I purchased this lamp base for under $2, while thrifting.  I loved the shape and I couldn't believe I was getting such a good deal.  As is the gold finish isn't too bad.  But I decided this would be a fine time to try a can of ORB, that I've been hearing sooo much about on blogland. : ) Now I know why, this stuff is great!

 I purchased a drum shade at Target for less than $10.  Happy Dance!!!!  Don't cha just love Target!!!!  It was perfect for recovering.  Thanks again to Alissa for an easy tutorial.  I purchased some burlap from Hobby lobby @ 2.99 a yard.  I used bias tape to cover the edges.

Here it is all finished! I love the way it turned out.  What do you think?

An evening view!                 

A close up of the shade!

A Few of My Favorite Things

The lovely Melissa @ 320 Sycamore is hosting a fabulous Favorite Things Link Party.  I enjoy following Melissa's blog for many reasons.  She's an at home mom like me.  She posts wonderful tutorials.  She takes the time to search the internet for wonderful deals we could all use.  She also chose my entry in the Top Ten for Pillow Challenge over @ The CSI Project! Thanks again Melissa!!!!!!

Here's my list in no particular order!

Although I'm not a big coffee drinker.  I love coffee flavored treats and Breyers Coffee Ice Cream is one of my favorites.

Ikea Bolmen Shower Squeegee is great for cleaning windows and mirrors!

I love Whitney Smith Pottery!  You can browse her items for sale here, or make your way over to her Etsy shop.

I love all things yellow!  It's by far my favorite color.  I have touches of yellow all throughout my home.  I immediately brighten up when I walk into a room.  It's such a happy color! 

Parks and Recreation and Modern Family are two of my favorite shows.  My husband and I laugh out loud at these shows.  He says I remind him a lot of Cameron from Modern Family- whatever! 

Last Christmas, is my favorite holiday song.  I recently downloaded this song to my Itouch and I listen to it over and over again!

 I'm not big on wine, but I love the flavor of Plum wine! It has a much sweeter taste than most wines.  I will definitely pick up a bottle to have with Christmas dinner.

Last Chance Thrift Store, in Decatur is where I shop to find all my thrift store goodies.  Mondays are the best, everything in the store is half off!

As a child, whenever I started feeling sick my mom would start off by giving me a glass of plain 'ole ginger ale or tea.  Well, that was 20+ years ago and the folks over at Canada Dry have combined (green)tea and ginger ale into one fabulous drink, that I love!

I am linking this post to:

(Semi Homemade)Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

Semi Homemade Peanut Swirl Butter Brownies

Ingredients:
one box of your favorite brownie mix (and necessary ingredients)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


Preheat oven to 325 degrees. make brownies according to directions on box. in a separate bowl, stir together topping ingredients and set aside. pour brownie batter into a greased 8 in square baking pan. drop spoonfuls of topping onto  brownie batter. use a butter knife to gently swirl topping into batter. bake about 40 mins. Cool and enjoy!!! : )

Pear Art

 I've been working on a bunch of different projects this week, that I hope to have completed by turkey day.  One of which was this Pear Art for my kitchen.  I wanted an inexpensive way to add art to an empty wall.

 I used a pear stencil found here. I also used leftover fabric scraps and leaf that I was using as a vase filler.  Once I cut my stencil out, I used it as a guide to trace over my fabric. I added a second leaf to the pear by cutting a small piece off the vase filler.  Using my sewing machine, I stitched the pear to a square piece of fabric.

I found a frame not being used in the garage, that I thought went well with my fabric.  I'm slowly getting the hang of my sewing machine and little projects like this make great practice.

Spongebob gets a Makeover

OK so by now you now you know I like digging in other people's trash.  : )
It's nothing I'm ashamed of, I view it as an adventure!  Monday, as I was dropping my son off at school I spotted Spongebob peeping through a trash bin.  Knowing what I would do with him I quickly swooped him up.  My son thought Spongebob would work his way into his room as is, but I had better plans. 

After a few coats of primer and spray paint, I stenciled and distressed it a bit.  Not too shabby!!! Now he just needs a home!

Butterfly Wall Art

I love Sarah's blog, Cozy Cottage Cute.  She is super creative and has so many great ideas to share.  While browsing through her blog I was inspired by this post.  I decided to create my own for my daughter's room.  I purchased Martha Stewart's butterfly punch for about ten bucks on Ebay.  I used leftover scrapbook paper and recycled an old frame.  I was unable to locate the foam dots so I just glued them in place.  If you overlook   some of the crooked butterflies because of course I eyeballed it and didn't use a grid. I think it turned out pretty darn cute!

This is an updated version I made for my daughter's friend!  Thanks again Sarah for sharing your grid!

Pumpkin Waffles with Carmel Syrup

  I decided this morning I would wake up extra early and make a hot breakfast for my family.  After hitting the snooze button a couple of times, I finally got myself out of bed and went to work!  I'm not a big fan of pumpkin pie, but I love pumpkin waffles, pumpkin pie french toast, pumpkin spice flavored coffee...ahh you get the picture!!!  I searched the internet and found a recipe easy enough to share.

 Pumpkin Waffles

2 1/3	cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 1/2	cups milk
1/2	cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/4	cup vegetable oil
2	tablespoons packed brown sugar
1	teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2	eggs

1. Heat waffle iron; grease with cooking spray, vegetable oil or shortening. In large bowl beat all waffle ingredients with a wire whisk or hand beater until blended. Pour batter onto center of hot waffle iron. Close lid of waffle iron.
2. Bake about 5 minutes or until steaming stops and waffle is golden brown. Carefully remove waffle.
   
   I opted to use Hershey's Carmel Syrup rather than traditional maple syrup to drizzle over our waffles.  My son really enjoyed the difference!
   
   (Adapted from the Betty Crocker recipe)
   
   

Be Thankful

  This year we are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our home.  I decided to decorate a bit for the occasion.  While at Target last week I purchased a pack of clearance scrap-booking stickers.  I thought they'd be perfect to use for making a fall banner.

         I used whatever else I had on hand to complete this project.

                                           card stock,  a brown paper bag

                                           jute twine,  craft scissors

                                           ribbon, stickers and clear tape

                                                    

            I used the same concept for making this banner as I did here.

 I made small holes along the top by using a screwdriver to string the twine through.

  Although I am very excited to make dinner this year for my family.  Some of which are flying in from out of state.  I keep having nightmares of me overcooking everything and we end up eating takeout!!!!!!! : )

How are you spending the holidays this year?  I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

What I did with Puffy Paint!

Sometimes I get bored and when that happens you can usually catch me wandering about the house looking for stuff to "spruce" up.  So today I decided I'd make use of what I have and do something with a few bud vases and some puffy paint.  I used clear tape to create a line as a guide.

 I used branches and sticks from the yard to fill the vases.

I love puffy paint.  The possibilities are endless!

I am linking to: tatertotsandjello

Felt Flower Pillow

  With my limited sewing skills, I have recently been turned onto making pillows.  To date my biggest challenge has been closing the seam.  I've tried hand-stitching the seam shut, but decided I didn't like the final look.  For me fabric glue works best!

I love the texture of felt pillows, so I decided I would try and make my own.  Off to Hobby Lobby I went to purchase some felt. I bought 8 pieces, but only used 2 for this project.  I used natural muslin for the actual pillow.

 I cut a bunch of semicircles and arranged them in a pattern to my liking.  Then attached them to the pillow with fabric glue. 

 I used leftover fabric and a button to add a couple of leaves and embellish the middle.  I love the way it turned out.  This was a very simple and inexpensive project to make.  I've been thinking of making similar pillows to give away as gifts.

Track back:
Between You & Me
Love The Hays

Fabric Choices

 I will attempt to make pillows for my daughter's room this weekend, after finding a great deal on fabric at Hobby Lobby. 

I've never added any type of trim so I'm a little nervous about that one!!!   But I'm sure I can find a tutorial somewhere in blog land!!!!