tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38259441207795924772024-03-18T15:31:33.383-07:00This Thrifty HouseSharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-79484637692588129272012-01-10T07:04:00.001-08:002012-01-10T07:04:06.727-08:00My $25 Piano<p align="center"><font size="4">I’m taking a little brake from curtain week today to tell you about an AMAZING DEAL I got a few months ago!  (This one is for you Tracy!!)</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Until recently I have never owned a real piano.  For the last 12 years I have had this beautiful little electric piano (and just pretend you don’t see my new piano in the background).</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6osJSXsqtk0/TwxTXPWGfiI/AAAAAAAACjI/H95E7U2DzuU/s1600-h/IMG_2283%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2283" border="0" alt="IMG_2283" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_jqJWIm5TuQ/TwxTXtOxXlI/AAAAAAAACjQ/1Tv2e2FSAHA/IMG_2283_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="417" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Now this little electric piano has been SO WONDERFUL over the past 12 years.  It was more than just a keyboard—it really was like a mini piano—but it was light weight and easy to move around when we were moving from place to place and had lots of cool features.  I LOVED this thing.  I even made this little cover for it so it wouldn’t get dusty.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OOPyMkNux9s/TwxTX__fL6I/AAAAAAAACjY/diDV6FDjm0o/s1600-h/IMG_2282%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2282" border="0" alt="IMG_2282" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NldUHjrTctk/TwxTYbkUu8I/AAAAAAAACjg/kmtMASREgQA/IMG_2282_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="538" height="417" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">But as my family is getting older and we aren’t planning on moving houses again, And our piano teacher was telling us that we really needed something with weighted keys—we decided it was time to look for a real piano.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">After weeks of searching on craigslist I found this piano listed for </font><font size="5"><strong>$150!!!</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jxQ74618DGw/TwxTYapHqpI/AAAAAAAACjo/427BexDrWSc/s1600-h/GetAttachment%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GetAttachment" border="0" alt="GetAttachment" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ScziUU4MRmw/TwxTY3QscGI/AAAAAAAACjw/5Sp5TmYD024/GetAttachment_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="255" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">After looking on line forever—I knew this was a good deal.  So we marched on over and bought it.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">After it sat in our home for a few weeks we had it tuned and the tuner guy couldn’t believe how much I bought it for!  He told me it would have been a great deal if I had got it for double the price.  But at that price, it was a steal!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And then to make me even happier—I put my little electric piano on craigslist and sold it for </font><font size="5"><strong>$125!!!</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So—that means that in the end I spent <font size="5"><strong>$25</strong></font> on this little beauty!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QOZofCY5kq0/TwxTZAkzgNI/AAAAAAAACj4/kboDyu3YYp8/s1600-h/IMG_2602%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2602" border="0" alt="IMG_2602" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qlh2DN2TnMg/TwxTZauBjOI/AAAAAAAACkA/XNY5dJ9fxa4/IMG_2602_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="429" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And now with my own piano, I feel all grown up.</font></p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-5494690942480149292012-01-06T07:36:00.000-08:002012-01-06T07:36:00.669-08:00Sketchy Shower Curtains turned Living Room Curtains.<p align="center"><font size="4">Continuing on my theme of “Curtain Week”—today I will tell you about my curtain selection for this room (picture courtesy of the previous owners before we moved in):</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sD7RyHYQPcw/TwTicxko0NI/AAAAAAAACgk/TfMFywnJfkI/s1600-h/ImageStoreCAADUE5M%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ImageStoreCAADUE5M" border="0" alt="ImageStoreCAADUE5M" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g0WOwuy0Co8/TwTidCYc1XI/AAAAAAAACgs/BhHNnjHfJNs/ImageStoreCAADUE5M_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="532" height="408" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Right before we moved into our house I took a wonderful trip to Arizona with my sister, mother and some very dear friends.  It was the best girls weekend EVER.  We had so much fun.  And we did a lot of shopping.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Well, one of the stores that shopped at was Kirklands Home Store.  I have never shopped there before but I fell in love with practically everything in the store.  And I fell in love with this fun shower curtain.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WYURpuvuf3s/TwTidftr9gI/AAAAAAAACg0/EswTn7GjAyE/s1600-h/Kirklands%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Kirklands" border="0" alt="Kirklands" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gWYOOXdY208/TwTidlVcqUI/AAAAAAAACg8/VcDXD7HTY60/Kirklands_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="427" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I was looking for some fun curtains to hang in the living room/kids hang out room.  I saw these shower curtains for only $16.99 and new that I could make them into really cute curtains.  And that I could get 2 panels out of each one!  So I bought 3 panels for my 3 windows for a total of $50.97.  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">The plan was brilliant—I would just cut each shower curtain in half and hem the raw edge and get some fun hooks and hang them up in my living room.  Easy Peasy.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Well, when I got home and opened up the packaging I knew I had a lot more work to do.  <strong>I have <font color="#140201">NEVER</font> seen such poor quality of sewing in a ready made product.</strong>  I could hardly believe it—and HAD to take several pictures to document <strong>HOW BAD IT REALLY WAS</strong>.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So here are the photos for your viewing pleasure (look really closely at all the details—seam allowances, button holes, hems, etc.):</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RenJFb1GNLc/TwTid6JtYVI/AAAAAAAAChE/_atLFDAd2XA/s1600-h/IMG_1517%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1517" border="0" alt="IMG_1517" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-otYkNfdR_Sc/TwTieCO0eQI/AAAAAAAAChM/pIxZtDdlESk/IMG_1517_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="664" height="515" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5ypqqRYY9Dw/TwTiehQY_nI/AAAAAAAAChU/B83wkVV3MWU/s1600-h/IMG_1515%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1515" border="0" alt="IMG_1515" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lIutATBDPCQ/TwTiewkTsiI/AAAAAAAAChc/R-dlZZCqL1I/IMG_1515_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="664" height="514" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j7wG6lGslAE/TwTifPDkE7I/AAAAAAAAChk/54F-XB0ESH4/s1600-h/IMG_1513%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1513" border="0" alt="IMG_1513" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u4WYbUtCTHk/TwTiffP9FBI/AAAAAAAAChs/ZzLxDmlF0j8/IMG_1513_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="665" height="520" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N42m2ielcLk/TwTif1dwIhI/AAAAAAAACh0/nq5-t7fdUTw/s1600-h/IMG_1510%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1510" border="0" alt="IMG_1510" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-th3NhJ6Qmqg/TwTigCu4G_I/AAAAAAAACh8/wvynnvuqFw4/IMG_1510_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="664" height="514" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qqfLV6JVGwk/TwTigTDhPSI/AAAAAAAACiE/7K929zRQq0c/s1600-h/IMG_1516%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1516" border="0" alt="IMG_1516" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DNv5vTICM8c/TwTigvKmuII/AAAAAAAACiM/XWsB07reYJA/IMG_1516_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="664" height="518" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#140201" size="4"><strong>CRAZY right?  </strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And the crazy thing was that <strong>all three panels</strong> were all that way!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So I was now back in Washington and couldn’t return them.  And I still loved the fabric.  So I just started picking out all the seams and cutting off all the seams with button holes—till I was left with just the material.  And started from square one.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So I ended up just hemming them all the way around and forgetting the button holes.  Instead I hung them with little clips.  And I think they turned out MARVELOUSLY!  And here is what the room looks like now:</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3IugvmghIqE/TwTig4Y3iTI/AAAAAAAACiU/3bPec6Ngz2c/s1600-h/IMG_2601%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2601" border="0" alt="IMG_2601" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9h6n7oIfgOM/TwTihAYnU0I/AAAAAAAACic/tIyWjFxZ3HU/IMG_2601_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="643" height="497" /></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">The only bummer about using a shower curtain is that they are shorter than other curtains (especially when you have to cut off an inch and a half of a lousy button hole job off the top!)  I would have loved for them to be floor length.  But I still love how they turned out!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PUfyTMCJoFE/TwTihpi5cqI/AAAAAAAACik/Prbpo7YOcRA/s1600-h/IMG_2602%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2602" border="0" alt="IMG_2602" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E75RNaQSm2U/TwTihmvu-FI/AAAAAAAACis/d6ticKIGHZQ/IMG_2602_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="491" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And the fun print makes a big impact—as it is usually one of the first things people see as they come in our house.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Bao5ac9UePkUTPbLZmHJ1KifQKrvfO-cw6kbX1_2thlkq4ufC_D_KuJyfiHItcEq0p9C-hXlAhGJoE-c7zFn42mGehznmM17BGP_EI-nMZ4L3gkP25ZfA74yNZiSj9JIalGJzYLvV4U/s1600-h/IMG_2603%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2603" border="0" alt="IMG_2603" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uFqjp5_P9wI/TwTiiQZD7DI/AAAAAAAACi8/k91vbogOMvw/IMG_2603_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="403" height="546" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I get asked all the time if I made these curtains.  And—because of all the ripping out of seams and cutting and trimming and pain in the neck work I had to do—I say HECK YA!  I did!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font></p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-39577285938868268702012-01-04T14:33:00.001-08:002012-01-04T14:33:12.402-08:00Master Bedroom Curtains—Adding Grommets<p align="center"><font size="4">As always, I have so many projects I want to post about.  I thought this week I would focus my posts on some of the window treatments that I bought, made, and did major reconstructive surgery on.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">We’ll start today in our Master Bedroom.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Our master bedroom has two enormous windows that let in a TON of sunlight (that is when the sun actually shines here in the northwest!).</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This picture is right after we bought the house and were just starting renovations and painting.  This room needed a bunch of dry wall repair (after we took off all the shelving and other things that had been left attached to the walls), new window blinds, a new light fixture and a whole lot of paint.  I will give you all the before and after details in another post—today we are just going to talk about the curtains.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RuvxrGv3gXo/TwTTlsxDzUI/AAAAAAAACeU/-Z7qPNH5tU8/s1600-h/IMG_1382%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1382" border="0" alt="IMG_1382" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7XuU5SyU184/TwTTl_nidJI/AAAAAAAACec/gm41FuwhkVA/IMG_1382_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="348" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">First of all—I just want to tell you that I bought <strong>12 different sets</strong> of curtains that were eventually returned because they were either the wrong color (they didn’t match with our bedding), or they were not room darkening enough (we were waking up when the sun came up at 4 or 5 in the morning!) before we finally settled on these:</font></p> <h3 align="center">Eclipse Samara Blackout Energy-Efficient Curtain from Walmart</h3> <p align="center"><img border="0" alt="Eclipse Samara Blackout Energy-Efficient Curtain" src="http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/88/53/08/11/0088530811549_300X300.jpg" width="354" height="354" /></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">My hubby and I are really happy with the quality and the price of these curtains ($9.77/panel!!!)  However, I was not in love with the rod pocket look—as I wanted to open and close them on a daily basis, and rod pockets can be awkward to open an close often.  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So I tried using curtain clips to hang them from the rod.  I obviously hadn’t ironed them yet when these pictures were taken.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-00Tia8AS0Aw/TwTTmVUhmuI/AAAAAAAACek/VRWMXKHcqAs/s1600-h/IMG_1741%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1741" border="0" alt="IMG_1741" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XMKB2DNgdDQ/TwTTmf6t6kI/AAAAAAAACes/25a1NntqiGw/IMG_1741_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="414" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Apc6VdBQ000/TwTTmlsTirI/AAAAAAAACe0/3K81GD-VyRQ/s1600-h/IMG_1742%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1742" border="0" alt="IMG_1742" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GtZsNkP3MoU/TwTTm9c4mtI/AAAAAAAACe8/sRHqbGgi_jo/IMG_1742_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="551" height="434" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I just wasn’t in love with this option either.  I had really wanted a curtain with grommets.  So I decided to see about adding my own grommets.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I found these DIY grommets at Joanns:</font></p> <p align="center"><img title="Dritz Curtain Grommets 1 9/16" Inner Diameter 8/Pkg Pewter 443-68" alt="Dritz Curtain Grommets 1 9/16" Inner Diameter 8/Pkg Pewter 443-68" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/public/_yGn1g8SVyCrdkknXFLhZO40ECv82TqzHpfi07E152jnrSKCr4c7KP4wf6l_5zvehDxyewa3W-ViSVy210cYh1hGMvEbkr-STmdp_Ov_1vYlzi7Idu8PTHXkvMcj0qTuH9py947_nk8NVnclxqk-4GVirM6ZO4BCJ_bl-48n6b5pqS2_SJZrOg" width="271" height="271" /></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">But they were $12.99 for 1 pack for the size that I needed.  And I needed 3 packs!  That would make double the price of these curtains!!!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I was bummed and had resigned myself to the fact that I would just have to live with them as is—until I saw that in Walmart’s Fabric section—they had these black plasitcy looking grommets for $5.99!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4ZPh1qO7wJs/TwTTnbmZbiI/AAAAAAAACfE/R4UKBuRAhEA/s1600-h/IMG_1737%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1737" border="0" alt="IMG_1737" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX98vwLvKtoLoMmumOlBeYXYqnv_TfHlaGPSqFlMHKrCfXQiBFsmRlaCi-G1SGKNGiOq_GTZcfNr2waetAB9nBKsTCwe0HIq5bk96G2FYt0ZoJz7Duf-n9VxhNJceSwb8tHuH-q-gXg6k/?imgmax=800" width="462" height="354" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I didn’t want the cheap black plastic looking grommets—but I knew that I could fix them with my favorite spray paint that is made for plastic!</font></p> <p align="center"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWaHnPcSz7xC9vStTvPhZvJN3WucX-SWvAi_0_m2ZgDTUVeOI2ZWtA1XPrqsIElQiPMR5lzaFYWZD-ieHZy95CUIaYm1tBGOwHmKaZ-TiN8PHkQJa0zrbYivXenbjkw4loeBdcp8e4Pk/s400/IMG_3334.JPG" /></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I have used this exact spray paint for more projects than I can count.  </font><a href="http://thisthriftyhouse.blogspot.com/2010/04/bye-bye-brass-2.html"><font size="4">Here</font></a><font size="4"> and </font><a href="http://thisthriftyhouse.blogspot.com/2010/05/spray-paint-saves-day-again-and-i-am.html"><font size="4">here</font></a><font size="4"> are just a couple of examples.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So the grommets come apart into two pieces—the front and the back.  Here all the fronts and backs got a makeover.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dnu1YkFUMUw/TwTTnyCdMTI/AAAAAAAACfU/8Wag3MUWc_s/s1600-h/IMG_1738%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1738" border="0" alt="IMG_1738" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CdSNq_DmFxo/TwTTnwOMQPI/AAAAAAAACfc/oC0I6QHegCc/IMG_1738_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="464" height="356" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Next I used the template that comes with the grommets, and carefully measured and traced out where I wanted the grommets to go.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Then I simply just cut around my tracing lines.  Then I put the back grommet on the back of my fabric, and the front grommet on the front.  And then I pressed the pieces together and they snapped into place.  All my cut edges are neatly and securely encased inside of the grommets.  </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rCqptT2cz4Q/TwTToRuXg4I/AAAAAAAACfk/5EmlWyg0TMc/s1600-h/IMG_1739%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1739" border="0" alt="IMG_1739" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArfYLzLEqc1i4KZnyaF6C6lPIg5oimcg3ROe17qyb8sdfG_kBSi9Z5yLwXa5pAbdgRaBShXhM9Xgcm3sJNjWh46sRPyqc6q8iJRVQCQSts2ZzERbrpAfoLlHSvVfFvOs5pyeOzu3vLzk/?imgmax=800" width="468" height="359" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Then I just repeat those steps 24 more times until all of my panels were done!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Then I gave them all a good pressing and hung them up.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K4gxFJvlXbo/TwTTo0YnTkI/AAAAAAAACf0/0j8IGWKs6Kw/s1600-h/IMG_1752%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1752" border="0" alt="IMG_1752" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nwsp8mFADbY/TwTTpC7tp_I/AAAAAAAACf8/HWXh10X4h4Y/IMG_1752_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="467" height="358" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Now they open and close easily and they look amazing.  And this spray paint is tough as nails.  Its not going anywhere.  We have been opening and closing them every day for months and I have yet to see any signs of wear.  </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zxsjLbCLb7o/TwTTpU8fVUI/AAAAAAAACgE/CjF8PsM7Xos/s1600-h/IMG_1750%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1750" border="0" alt="IMG_1750" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-byeOvTMDAXQ/TwTTpgL48sI/AAAAAAAACgM/62oeUoWS1oo/IMG_1750_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="470" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">AND thanks to the miracles and wonders of SPRAY PAINT--this little transformation only cost me and additional $18 for the grommets instead of $40!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxPlvc4mBbCzDVFhA6isSLYHhGpYCUGmWdTKkoV00ORmRxBDin8V2oguVoic_jqIThR_udZHzkcMhnPyccnBlXhfkt0sZEIwiTdkYxyB7O2Xmyyhu9CXsykqgZaW1TjOxqaz-gmGbrJQ/s1600-h/IMG_1751%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1751" border="0" alt="IMG_1751" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hia-ALb9t0U/TwTTpyomaVI/AAAAAAAACgc/wEiZi_EAR4g/IMG_1751_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="494" height="379" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And that makes me happy.</font></p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-63959215730284338692011-11-22T21:04:00.001-08:002011-12-02T17:18:17.577-08:00CHEAP DIY Photo Canvases<p align="center"><font size="4">I know it has been <font size="5">FOREVER</font> since I last posted on my blog.  I’m sorry—I have been to buys living my life to blog about it.  But I am <font size="6"><strong>SO EXCITED</strong></font> about the most recent project that I just finished that I had to run up to my computer and write a post about it.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">To start off—let me just explain that my family just got our family pictures taken for the first time.  Now—when I say the first time—I really mean that this is the first time that we haven’t gone to SEARS portrait studio with our coupon and been forced to sit in a tiny little room with our whole family and try and smile and act like we were having a grand old time—while really we were all hating it and the pictures showed how much we were hating it.  We were then forced to choose one pose according to our coupon—and we had to choose from 2 or 3 pictures—all of which we really disliked to begin with—so that we could get our blessed pictures!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So—as I was saying—this is the first time that our family had our pictures taken by a professional—out in the real world with the gorgeous fall landscape as our beautiful background.  We were so at ease—we actually had a great time at the photo shoot—and it shows!!  Our pictures turned out <strong>amazing!!!</strong>  And we had <strong>SO MANY</strong> to choose from!!  It was truly a wonderful experience!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So now that our pictures were taken and turned out beautifully—I had a <strong>GIANT BARE NAKED</strong> wall in our home (our stair wall) that I wanted to turn into our gallery wall.  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I really love the look of a ton of pictures on a wall—but knew that framing all of those pictures could be VERY costly.  So I didn’t really know what I was going to do.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">BUT THEN my awesome sister Michelle, sent me a link to <a href="http://crib-tales.blogspot.com/2010/03/thrifty-canvases.html">THIS</a> tutorial of how to make your own photo canvases!!!  It is PURE GENIUS I tell you!!  And the answer to my picture wall dilemma.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So I RAN to the hardware store and got one 8 foot sheet of 1” Styrofoam insulation and then ran to the fabric store and got 2 yards of black fabric.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And this is what I did:</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">First I got out some paper and cut out a random assortment of sizes and shapes—and I started taping them up on my wall until I was happy with the layout.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t_cuCEBR020/Tsx-q82dnoI/AAAAAAAACXg/iCWhPjnJmK8/s1600-h/IMG_2338%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2338" border="0" alt="IMG_2338" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Nt_jPHli7kk/Tsx-rBf45CI/AAAAAAAACXo/7a2v11gNWtY/IMG_2338_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="296" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Then I went to my computer and chose which pictures would go where and cropped them to size and ordered them on Costco.com.  (The sizes ranged from a 16x20 to 5x7s)</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Next I traced out the shapes of all of my pictures on the Styrofoam and labeled them (I really did this with a ruler and didn’t actually trace my pictures—so as not to bend them)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zmYbws3CJKA/Tsx-rulYbQI/AAAAAAAACXw/muKFLiAgliA/s1600-h/IMG_2339%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2339" border="0" alt="IMG_2339" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c6pH5drLH8I/Tsx-r38nziI/AAAAAAAACX4/sPbX3rF1zI8/IMG_2339_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="381" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Next I <strong>TRIED </strong>to cut them out myself using a razor blade (which is the way the gal said she cut some of hers with)—but that ended in DISASTERLY rough and gnarly edges that looked HORRIBLE.  So I stopped after one attempt and then had my sweet hubby cut the rest of them with his table saw.  He did an <strong>AMAZING</strong> job at getting them <u>PERFECTLY</u> straight!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dF2cDXQtf5o/Tsx-sCP1DBI/AAAAAAAACYA/wDE6P6Zuszo/s1600-h/IMG_2345%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2345" border="0" alt="IMG_2345" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NJ7sNlVqnAg/Tsx-sYpTvoI/AAAAAAAACYI/Dslvxx-mE7g/IMG_2345_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="310" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Next I cut a piece of fabric slightly larger than each square.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8MaY8ejmPr8/Tsx-smtHfHI/AAAAAAAACYQ/NX05eqb_bmk/s1600-h/IMG_2342%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2342" border="0" alt="IMG_2342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeqPCaqLl_7jOkOBIbhKbJj6km0xhyMbefHYXpPp8sVU4zkZnYDZh__oyH1nPT9PoulsbUs6EZcU2euNVFP8M6g0vToAmTYadHsLujCh_DBR6irgBjdHMd8ZV-MXtiMhlDnQcYCdf24E/?imgmax=800" width="400" height="307" /></a></p> <p align="center">And then I wrapped them up like a present and stapled all the ends down with a regular stapler.  There is no need to be fancy or to wrap the whole back of it—because no one is going to see the back side.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rSrBD01ojhQ/Tsx-uH8YXVI/AAAAAAAACYg/hWgJR_ISMT0/s1600-h/IMG_2343%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2343" border="0" alt="IMG_2343" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4bQIFQ5O9wU/Tsx-uItpzCI/AAAAAAAACYo/EXfA3zZLvtM/IMG_2343_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="306" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I would recommend getting a little more fabric than you think you will need.  I didn’t and I came CRAZILY close to not having enough to finish this project.  Anyhoo—I made sure to use a lot of staples to make it secure—and I was SUPER ANAL and CAREFUL to fold the corners just right as to have them crease perfectly and not look POOCHY.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4nlCfw-_iCc/Tsx-ur_eQfI/AAAAAAAACYw/rNUAXG0AFEg/s1600-h/IMG_2348%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2348" border="0" alt="IMG_2348" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--ZGQ5uVieQM/Tsx-uo2IpHI/AAAAAAAACY4/gouVWzASX_s/IMG_2348_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="307" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I found that PRESSING the corners down with steam really helped them to lie flat and almost disappear.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AmcNf8PJYqo/Tsx-uyLW--I/AAAAAAAACZA/Dzgr1_NCXCM/s1600-h/IMG_2347%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2347" border="0" alt="IMG_2347" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WHpRqPLND14/Tsx-vJQNg4I/AAAAAAAACZI/PseOs3zlunw/IMG_2347_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="363" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Next I finished off the back with Duct Tape to secure the whole thing.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8TUzdUNDDV4/Tsx-vV9GlKI/AAAAAAAACZQ/aRiitv4TAxY/s1600-h/IMG_2401%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2401" border="0" alt="IMG_2401" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tQ1WMMBjsEE/Tsx-vzQDqoI/AAAAAAAACZY/ber2FWtegD0/IMG_2401_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="307" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Then I took all the canvases out the my garage and sprayed the fabric fronts of the canvases with this spray glue that I already had on hand.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gRfO9jGeOyo/Tsx-wIak8oI/AAAAAAAACZg/abQFctLEOtc/s1600-h/p6009_909_general%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="p6009_909_general" border="0" alt="p6009_909_general" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7kZjqdX5nhCks805EqSgKK63CghF45Bta0o9KeIXuyd4e3swtH0QV5kJqwOg_wqIkLRzPYHUYD40dCu4YLLn-LV-jIOhKAlFwSCXiPzGWvPQ33trzAdA1UyFcx21LHuJ-xR4RQ64-XU/?imgmax=800" width="200" height="200" /></a>  </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Then I carefully placed the pictures on each one and gently rubbed them with a soft towel until they had adhered.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Next for the hanging.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">The gal in her tutorial hung her canvases with velcro—and I almost did too—until I pulled off the backing to the velcro and felt how sticky that stuff is.  I figured if I ever wanted to change things up—I didn’t want to have to patch holes in my wall from tearing off chunks of my wall where that crazy sticky velcro was.   And so we found these little picture hooky things in our stash that were perfect.  I placed a little hot glue on the back to make sure that they stayed on securely.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BGpVjLYy7kY/Tsx-w6uT0VI/AAAAAAAACZw/J8CPmbc4brY/s1600-h/IMG_2403%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2403" border="0" alt="IMG_2403" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HHnVpIIcXgo/Tsx-xKoYJSI/AAAAAAAACZ4/okQSHrrt16U/IMG_2403_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="290" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Next I laid out all my pictures again on the floor…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qA1-bTzKPJU/Ttl4MFGKbHI/AAAAAAAACd8/EjG7DQdo98g/s1600-h/IMG_2349%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2349" border="0" alt="IMG_2349" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YWkMaCbzq-c/Tsx-xnhsy6I/AAAAAAAACeA/3Xh_7K4dAqw/IMG_2349_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="314" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And then tried to get them in as close to the same spots on the wall as I could.  I have to say that it is pretty hard to hang stuff when you are standing on stairs.  I was able to hang all but 2 of them.  Then I brought in the big guns to hang the ones I couldn’t reach.  We make a good team that way.   (He’s standing on a stool here and still having a hard time reaching.  It really was difficult!  Apparently we need to get one of those ladders that does stairs!)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EcdQPw1n4mg/Tsx-yLYQXoI/AAAAAAAACdc/2WC6RVyzj80/s1600-h/IMG_2404%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2404" border="0" alt="IMG_2404" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YkqqLugPseU/Tsx-yDhvLdI/AAAAAAAACdg/HCIMYajBOhg/IMG_2404_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="305" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Then we stood back and admired our handy work.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mPAzQ2mm3cs/Tsx-yQi8k6I/AAAAAAAACdk/Go_2l7Zjtz0/s1600-h/IMG_2407%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2407" border="0" alt="IMG_2407" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gWSOjbwU820/Tsx-ylFRaiI/AAAAAAAACdo/cKTCWqJmaNY/IMG_2407_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="335" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HGFIYLlKFig/Tsx-y5X5usI/AAAAAAAACds/oTKsJ5_QO-c/s1600-h/IMG_2424%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2424" border="0" alt="IMG_2424" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eCW6_y-qNo4/Tsx-y-a_qyI/AAAAAAAACdw/rnOqC7-7i14/IMG_2424_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="409" height="477" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cShCrsZIj6E/Tsx-zL3drcI/AAAAAAAACeE/kqrX18m6IKc/s1600-h/IMG_2427%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2427" border="0" alt="IMG_2427" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7vb283rBqeE/Tsx-zQsTqHI/AAAAAAAACeI/97ipLL9w2UA/IMG_2427_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="340" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I am SO IN LOVE with how this project turned out.  I have already had a ton of comments and ooohs and aaaahs on this project.  And everyone is SHOCKED when I tell them that I made these guys and at how much I spent.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-md6JJnJrEws/Tsx-zkmESJI/AAAAAAAACeM/neQ0ru8hxfw/s1600-h/IMG_2410%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2410" border="0" alt="IMG_2410" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Aw8K8n26zfU/Tsx-z972yZI/AAAAAAAACeQ/TmKuiCb2SDc/IMG_2410_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="335" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And how much did I spend?</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">The foam insulation from Lowes: $8.98</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">2 Yards of Black Fabric from Joann’s: $5.50 with coupon.</font></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5">Grand Total: $14.48</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And I probably spent around $40 for the pictures to be printed at Costco.  I had a ton of other pictures printed and Christmas cards done all at the same time—so I’m not super sure and I am too lazy at this particular moment to figure it out.  All I know is that it seemed like a good deal for all that I got.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And just today I went to Walmart and bought a frame for another picture we had enlarged—and I bought a CHEAP PLASTIC FRAME and it was over <strong>$15!!</strong>  Just for this one LOW QUALITY frame!!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlWx3hyxA8DuJ2DfA0HsRm5aHNzdqz25zMtdVObvtPTRzpW2R7-fbGe6weZpbssW7kwN1SQqR69NIO4WkiafXkZPc_0GtcLjr_BCuM2IZ_JlCMazSKHFalgi7kDZwmBkyMmyiRnBpdUE/s1600-h/IMG_2412%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2412" border="0" alt="IMG_2412" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0WC51DS3rWU/Tsx-0L8PmcI/AAAAAAAACbo/s38viqgccLE/IMG_2412_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="317" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So this just goes to show how great and thrifty this project really is.  AND in a couple years time—when we get our pictures taken again—I can just peel off the pictures and glue on new ones—or refabric them for a few bucks!  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I will definitely be using this idea again.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font></p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-16418916372282547982011-10-14T10:08:00.001-07:002011-10-14T10:12:19.127-07:00Canvas + Paint Chips = Awesome Art<p align="center"><font size="4">I came across <a href="http://lifecraftsandwhatever.blogspot.com/2011/01/paint-chip-wall-art.html">THIS</a> awesome idea for using paint chips to create custom art MONTHS and MONTHS ago:</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lifecraftsandwhatever.blogspot.com/2011/01/paint-chip-wall-art.html">This is my inspiration piece from Life Crafts and Whatever</a></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s7gkJSZtmRg/TphtcJIdHdI/AAAAAAAACVM/BRD65gFXZUw/s1600-h/IMG_3884%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3884" border="0" alt="IMG_3884" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R7P8WWo5orU/TphtccXrLAI/AAAAAAAACVU/RCTiqtge3fQ/IMG_3884_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="248" height="336" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">—and I have been wanting to give it a try ever since.  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">one.  because it looks like custom, awesome art that you would pay big money for.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">and two. because you get all the chips for free and so it hardly costs you anything!!!  I’m cheap like that.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So I started by collecting a ton of paint chips every time I went to the paint isle in Walmart and Home Depot and then cut them down into uniform squares (and the way I determined the size of squares was just taking the width of the paint chips and just cutting the other edge so that it was a square—it saved me on the amount of cuts I had to do.  However—not all the paint chips I collected were the exact same width—so then I did have to cut some down on both sides).  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Here I am with my adorable sister starting to cut and lay them all out.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QirdYTKjwwQ/TphsaeaB8FI/AAAAAAAACS8/cTnIaJXZRfQ/s1600-h/IMG_2100%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2100" border="0" alt="IMG_2100" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e_JI8DiqY08/Tphsat4FPzI/AAAAAAAACTA/b2Ftm34FOCg/IMG_2100_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="388" /></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And just let me tell you—if you are going to do a large one like I did--you need A LOT of paint chips.  I think that mine had almost 200 squares that measured over 2 and a half inches each.  So I opted to gather all my squares in a few trips rather than stuffing my purse full of 200 paint chips at one shot!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I decided to glue my paint chips onto a canvas instead of a wooden board.  Just because I wanted it to be light weight and easy to hang—and it has such a nice finished edge.  I wanted a really big one—and they just happened to be on sale at Michaels for 40% off and I had a coupon for an additional 20% off.  SO I paid something like $14 for a $40 2 x 4 foot canvas!!!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So I started off by addressing the edge of the canvas first.  I wanted them brown—so I used brown craft paint (don’t be fooled by the little can of stain in this picture—I was going to use stain—but it wasn’t getting a rich enough color—so I decided to use paint instead.) and I painted the edges of my canvas.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aeO9qWtv0nk/TphsbCT1lmI/AAAAAAAACTM/vYmJz-hAZk4/s1600-h/IMG_2191%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2191" border="0" alt="IMG_2191" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lRF7y6Cjsow/TphsbaVmLGI/AAAAAAAACTU/TLvkqT9LfQA/IMG_2191_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="509" height="390" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Here it is all painted on the edges.  Next I found the center of the canvas and drew some pencil lines making myself a grid so I would have something to keep me gluing all my squares on straight.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NSHcUaftCFU/Tphsb_Ax3rI/AAAAAAAACTc/WGYUssRpDPE/s1600-h/IMG_2218%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2218" border="0" alt="IMG_2218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYDEYRdc6bftF35rWXdKRDjmBwG4sYM8L7o4z_Soh0smzP5eR6bdUJZXZkBXGXtra1LjTlWOyojBpWptlxqWhBkfjKBgmWTXon4LxdR8sw2DyxjJ32nnJoMzo9t2TzZaHA0YZNzpbUE0/?imgmax=800" width="351" height="476" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Then I did a practice run and laid out all of my squares before actually gluing.  I wanted to make sure that I liked the configuration of colors before I started gluing!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zPwep0frZPM/TphsciJuiXI/AAAAAAAACTs/VnCwnCXGxkM/s1600-h/IMG_2217%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2217" border="0" alt="IMG_2217" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KBk77L41B_U/TphscycLyBI/AAAAAAAACT0/JbL1NU45E4w/IMG_2217_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="469" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Then I stacked them all into piles according to their row.  Then I laid all the piles in order—and starting in the center I started mod podging them all on to the canvas. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Now—this was the hardest part.  So I don’t have any pictures of this process because I was so in the thick of all the glue and such that I couldn’t take a picture.  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">But—what happened here was that as I was gluing the paint chips onto the canvas—they wanted to curl up and not lay flat.  So I would have to press them down as best I could and then lay a flat board over them while I moved onto the next section.  And finally after finishing gluing all of the pieces down—I turned the whole thing over and let it lay face down on the table with a few boards on the back of it to hold it down so that all the paint chips would be pressed flat!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This worked out all right in the end—but during this whole process I thought it was</font> <font size="4">going to end up a</font> <strong><font size="6">DISASTER!</font></strong> <font size="4"> I was just thinking that I had wasted all my time and money on this wild project!!</font></p> <p align="center">(As I am writing this post—I just went back and read the post from my inspiration piece—and she used SPRAY ADHESIVE instead of mod podge!!!  I wish I would have read more carefully and done that!  It would have saved myself a lot of grief!!)</p> <p align="center"><font size="4">But finally that part was over and I could move on to the next part.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So next I put two coats of mod podge over the paint chips to seal it.</font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ0o5wSjLHHYe7jxh00PUjVncOEUKPfzpiaV2YKrKjhCQRyU-VVXfFLbAQNcNJ7Ex_m2zP6BTmMhxqyJNLAEzjx_6m5vC-9xLFMVLzN-4jvgDTfG2Nit4bLT4ZlqXfjy0WKPIU1YkwzA/s1600-h/IMG_2220%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2220" border="0" alt="IMG_2220" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C9u3f6Sr3h4/TphsdojmyoI/AAAAAAAACUE/RgY2tTBbrpQ/IMG_2220_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="341" height="467" /></a></p> <p align="center">Then I took some dark stain and put a good layer of stain over the whole thing and let it sit for a few minutes—then wiped it off.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ddeb6uDE99M/TphseXVAE2I/AAAAAAAACUM/wsNboi35Os4/s1600-h/IMG_2223%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2223" border="0" alt="IMG_2223" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ebmG3QXBFGo/TphseoyJR5I/AAAAAAAACUU/dgXTb1NqwGo/IMG_2223_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="341" height="462" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I actually ended up wanting it a bit darker—so I did that step twice.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And I have to admit that I am in <strong><font size="5">LOVE</font></strong> with the finished product.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SuA-h8Tqkv4/Tphse6TC18I/AAAAAAAACUc/QR7WstrExJs/s1600-h/IMG_2233%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2233" border="0" alt="IMG_2233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvr4O2PqoOaC6qlR2bPq_wy_WVW750Xx20Oeo4RX8TdasLzubCGK-ABDDYs7WreNp3LhgwWarxbTiudBkcJ6KYsxF0ZZETpOC3LLhMmeIXyBHZpuwqy3z7sFg46TafPTUj9YJTuf9D9I/?imgmax=800" width="329" height="512" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I <strong><font size="5">LOVE</font></strong> how big it is on the wall.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xBThIl1UcR0/TphsfpWAwGI/AAAAAAAACUs/0PXNu-G64Ec/s1600-h/IMG_2230%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2230" border="0" alt="IMG_2230" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5MvQsMW3c1Q/TphsgF2_I4I/AAAAAAAACU0/PER7qNhvKRY/IMG_2230_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="489" height="375" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And I <strong><font size="5">LOVE</font></strong> the pop of color that it gives the entry way.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lZ0EBU1ZOLI/TphsgsfCAzI/AAAAAAAACU8/phFCE5ofaUM/s1600-h/IMG_2234%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2234" border="0" alt="IMG_2234" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bUJUUPFMiqE/Tphsg8-3mzI/AAAAAAAACVE/W31vfUMiLC4/IMG_2234_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="496" height="380" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">But most of all—I <strong><font size="5">LOVE</font></strong> that <strong><font size="5">I</font></strong> made it, and that it only cost me <strong><font size="5">$14</font></strong>!</font></p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-55426837258100524632011-09-16T06:35:00.000-07:002011-09-16T06:35:00.825-07:00Candyland Cake<p align="center">As I mentioned yesterday, we have 2 summer birthdays.  Well, the second one is my daughter Nicole’s B-day.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-97Ei1Uu1zDw/TnJhiMkzS4I/AAAAAAAACR8/nWUQR_Lc3jk/s1600-h/IMG_1550%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1550" border="0" alt="IMG_1550" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U6LcenwRndk/TnJhihchTbI/AAAAAAAACSA/zTGhwqnwn2A/IMG_1550_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" height="424" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">She turned 9 this year.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">She also happens to be in love with anything made of SUGAR.  She LOVES candy, licorice, suckers, marshmallows, and anything and everything that is sweet!  But her absolute favorite thing is GUM.  I really think she is a relative of Violet Beauregarde from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  She LOVES gum and can’t get enough of it.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So this year I thought it would only be fitting to make her birthday cake full of her favorite things—LOTS OF CANDY.  So I decided to make a CANDYLAND CAKE. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">My friend dropped by and took a picture of me in my kitchen of chaos!  (Apparently I am a messy baker!)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QuSEFj-LonY/TnJhjMpRIII/AAAAAAAACSE/TIjL8s0eROA/s1600-h/IMG_2043%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2043" border="0" alt="IMG_2043" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pGyiRo4tkJE/TnJhjQbhniI/AAAAAAAACSI/cXsahHyZlkA/IMG_2043_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="519" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">But all my messy kitchen was worth it as this is what I came up with:</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CRpCUG59KSU/TnJhkBoCo-I/AAAAAAAACSM/6L4PgvRhtvs/s1600-h/IMG_2048%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2048" border="0" alt="IMG_2048" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wA0p0jPhJik/TnJhkmIZq8I/AAAAAAAACSQ/_u2-fdpyo5U/IMG_2048_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="457" height="350" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-75jl3cZfnUQ/TnJhlQg7fOI/AAAAAAAACSU/zrAWQCqcZPY/s1600-h/IMG_2045%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2045" border="0" alt="IMG_2045" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t4nRhDsKf5Y/TnJhlgrCaAI/AAAAAAAACSY/KD_wLae3Qi8/IMG_2045_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="453" height="355" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--UoK_9PnalU/TnJhmOXrVII/AAAAAAAACSc/SNQto5RY8Oo/s1600-h/IMG_2046%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2046" border="0" alt="IMG_2046" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DcaobHzsHRs/TnJhmkeBwQI/AAAAAAAACSg/DxgVdD9sc8A/IMG_2046_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="345" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ahoNNv-8Ocw/TnJhnRNIKXI/AAAAAAAACSk/Cez83aZAUMM/s1600-h/IMG_2049%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2049" border="0" alt="IMG_2049" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneqWPzamBSrEA_LsmXsNPS9OGtuHOSO46_WEzYo_bqtWxQKGnISvAf9J2pCWjHegwC1JBOgJK1BGydxk6p9dFrUFzd7fEC7oX6M8uymiWtEJ8li6LPWP9a9cCI2UMV6tLca1OAOJ0K-Q/?imgmax=800" width="455" height="349" /></a></p> <p align="center">I think it turned out great--and she LOVED it!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8fKymmSCrig/TnJhoK-xSAI/AAAAAAAACSs/Zp8piDd3H1g/s1600-h/IMG_2052%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2052" border="0" alt="IMG_2052" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HJB2g8O6FVs/TnJhog0ATMI/AAAAAAAACSw/cimR0N9RJc0/IMG_2052_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="354" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ITkmPjNzk0g/TnJhowbaB3I/AAAAAAAACS0/zSyt5UcJ4Vk/s1600-h/IMG_2050%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2050" border="0" alt="IMG_2050" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FYehAS1P1eg/TnJhpezhjKI/AAAAAAAACS4/3IGleR0Wocw/IMG_2050_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="474" height="367" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">It was a very SWEET birthday for a very SWEET little girl!</font></p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-17148492069627940672011-09-15T12:54:00.000-07:002011-09-15T13:10:25.739-07:00Assemble the Minions!<p align="center"><font size="4">I have a so many posts to do to catch up with all the projects and things we have been doing over the summer.  It has been a very busy few months!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">First off—We had a couple birthdays over the summer!  We have 2 birthdays within 2 weeks of each other.  Our first summer birthday is for this little guy:</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzBXv3XDhaY8lDfKN_alocXtLjw2_S46USbFiJdQ2FMgoBArYWqmLk6Q-vPCpw6vbnDrQsmV-OFT9xgmTSLTQ2y0einynQOx3uDSChGZhVKBZwnaF_GEmtIZTBzwuQ4NwhzQQJ7PUrL0/s1600-h/IMG_1007%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1007" border="0" alt="IMG_1007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xNVfFize7JE/TnJbouMSuaI/AAAAAAAACRY/TLh_hCzueKc/IMG_1007_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="411" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">He turned 5 this year.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">His birthday was at a super busy time for our family.  So this year I needed to go SIMPLE.  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">We decided to have take him and a few friends to our local Jump Around Fun Zone.  So I needed a cake that could transported easily and eaten without a whole lot of hassle.  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I had seen <a href="http://www.pluckymomo.com/2011/03/despicable-me-party-food-treats.html">THIS</a> idea a while back and new it would be perfect for my little man’s special day.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So I made these little guys using twinkies, black gel frosting, smarties for the eyes, and brown sprinkles for the hair.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IYDRm7WZLX0/TnJbpDFGskI/AAAAAAAACRc/eHCUPuo3CQM/s1600-h/IMG_1967%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1967" border="0" alt="IMG_1967" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYsplyx1f5bnowX-07DTI2RUrRF12mQGNw09iMGH8dIZj7_5okIfoOgCjZ5FoZu58IT3swm2G0AoVgnixFXsXO-dsOXjauhNXFQymsLWh99cAGlXBs2kM-sFJN9lnOMdTtj5O9P0tobY/?imgmax=800" width="468" height="306" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D9aKRVU0DOE/TnJbqNLyy0I/AAAAAAAACRk/GZBQDn9K0xo/s1600-h/IMG_1966%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1966" border="0" alt="IMG_1966" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4uKjvafebeY/TnJbqrAO6uI/AAAAAAAACRo/Cu8_Y0wnJwk/IMG_1966_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="329" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And these little guys transported great in a little 9x13.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfz473LTNhYy5450UiuP7mqAu9h2dVu9KA3p78fafQBpCCyr2A5ir1d3-zPqpiTqsPNI3hE71cxKhagsPX6e308uTY3Us4SQPwpXA0eJUVoqb85n8nM1SuWw-WuYBTmHZLwAUfABq_yg/s1600-h/IMG_1969%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1969" border="0" alt="IMG_1969" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZbChw2_Femo029ug2fRzVkCA0CF7XM7B9zYvuF0HvGxdEunJpvbytXdnsBk02YLT5fOx7pRL7EMA6DJaxUUjkreTfc5-j6iETRXGbbBwOjX3uF8Q5Kfd5rh09sc48auPWPDuO3jbH04/?imgmax=800" width="420" height="322" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And they made this birthday boy very happy!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g6GWVXGuXaw/TnJbrwmzMPI/AAAAAAAACR0/ey58Fh45zro/s1600-h/IMG_1974%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1974" border="0" alt="IMG_1974" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fTku-AzGmmg/TnJbsRQ8WNI/AAAAAAAACR4/VEnhOB725Q0/IMG_1974_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="384" /></a></p> <p align="center">(And next time Mom will remember to turn the cake around before taking a picture!)</p> <p align="center"><font size="5"><strong>HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LANDON!</strong></font></p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-76871145255017266862011-08-10T21:06:00.000-07:002011-08-10T21:07:43.091-07:00Granite Counters and Travertine Backsplash<p align="center"><font size="4">I am so excited to show you my kitchen!!  It is not near finished yet—but the granite counters and the backsplash are finally done!  </font><font color="#140201" size="5">And I LOVE THEM!!!!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So once again—where we ended off at my last post:</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vjlmOLmei0I/TkNTXXpL1JI/AAAAAAAACPc/emTBZVaYLkY/s1600-h/IMG_1821%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1821" border="0" alt="IMG_1821" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-szi83KwaMtk/TkNTX-MlDJI/AAAAAAAACPg/_HjAOlgcleY/IMG_1821_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="329" /></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Here we are about half way through the mini slabs being installed.  (And yes—I know we still haven’t patched the wall so I can paint it from where we took down the old cabinets!!  That will happen this weekend—and I can’t wait to stop looking at that horrible piece of wall!)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Zd3CxtHXhYE/TkNTYUis5nI/AAAAAAAACPk/3UUsd6HFFbg/s1600-h/IMG_1836%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1836" border="0" alt="IMG_1836" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kJ7PY87yyx4/TkNTYt31qYI/AAAAAAAACPo/TcOeAiqJwXE/IMG_1836_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="330" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Anyhoo--the tops are done here—but the edging and grouting are still needing to be done.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GP4aWxfEyZc/TkNTZDtlUGI/AAAAAAAACPs/ZW7F_5xlsIk/s1600-h/IMG_1837%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1837" border="0" alt="IMG_1837" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qNpxYWFmOA0/TkNTZk3o8FI/AAAAAAAACPw/pD0OgrQK5XI/IMG_1837_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="327" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And then Viola—the countertops are in—and my good man Steve is working on the backsplash.  </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uohTPtGbqOY/TkNTZ6srJhI/AAAAAAAACP0/RtExAVe2qC4/s1600-h/IMG_1852%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1852" border="0" alt="IMG_1852" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ICj_FF_BPxM/TkNTaJy7ViI/AAAAAAAACP4/DSKI22B1gJk/IMG_1852_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="335" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">We fell in love with the look of tumbled travertine—we liked that it was fairly neutral and timeless (as much as we LOVE all the glass tile and everything that is out there now—we just didn’t want to be replacing the backsplash a few years down the road if glass tiles go out of style).  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So we chose to do a mixture of subway tiles on the top and bottom and an accent strip of 4” squares in a diamond pattern.  We really loved the pattern we came up with--we just had a hard time choosing what to do with the backsplash on the breakfast bar wall.  We debated <strong>FOREVER</strong> whether we should do the full backsplash all the way around or cut it short on that wall.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U35lXppuhLs/TkNTanaWfmI/AAAAAAAACP8/r7Xp0OAsvv8/s1600-h/IMG_1853%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1853" border="0" alt="IMG_1853" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7QNTrJNiWBs/TkNTa6DNqHI/AAAAAAAACQA/yrQbxTzxiao/IMG_1853_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="280" height="380" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">In the end we decided it would be WAY too much tile on that wall and would detract from the beautiful granite—so we decided to just do 2 rows of subways with a little pencil tile on top to finish it off.  then as you turn the corner of that wall—the full backsplash starts under the cabinet. </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RFy_zfhQaa0/TkNTbdqoZhI/AAAAAAAACQE/RG2wIR_3MiM/s1600-h/IMG_1895%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1895" border="0" alt="IMG_1895" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7NXYTm3Q6-8/TkNTbmX79hI/AAAAAAAACQI/Ibh8KE08PxY/IMG_1895_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="345" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">In the end I am SO GLAD we decided to do it that way.  I love that the main focus of the breakfast bar area is this beautiful granite—and the backsplash is just a nice neutral backdrop and not fighting for center stage.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUmxkzNZytwYC63y-WEIfOolRTbso-E9vb8bCIJiBhv-AcILoIbqk9q2D0ZW8DTkr4qqyz5ZWUEfQCfmMVv65nj_M2_lgzxt19CtZVt0OMyYhcM43d7mBh_uZ7dzW2GjX1kyuS_o6jao/s1600-h/IMG_1890%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1890" border="0" alt="IMG_1890" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mu00kkhLQoA/TkNTcX284_I/AAAAAAAACQQ/uMS6HKuIW6Q/IMG_1890_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" height="340" /></a></p> <p align="center">And on this wall you can see the pretty pattern and texture of the travertine.  Of course it will stand out a lot more and be MUCH MORE BEAUTIFUL after we finish painting up the cabinets white!  But even now—it is still beautiful.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t0HU7BVHJOE/TkNTcoM0AnI/AAAAAAAACQU/N_8Lt4vYumQ/s1600-h/IMG_1892%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1892" border="0" alt="IMG_1892" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-agol82FQPW0/TkNTc4XbluI/AAAAAAAACQY/lClgkGyfhB0/IMG_1892_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="341" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And here it is with all my lovely kitchen essentials out on the counters.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LjaxwqM9vew/TkNTdiY-PBI/AAAAAAAACQc/swg4HSVA8xk/s1600-h/IMG_1905%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1905" border="0" alt="IMG_1905" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-35cyRf82WbI/TkNTd37qHNI/AAAAAAAACQg/31gIKjfoHA0/IMG_1905_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="343" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I debated about whether I should tuck away our toaster and my kitchen tools and such—but the fact is that this is a working kitchen folks.  Having my kitchen FUNCTIONAL is very important to me—and if that means that you will see my pampered chef tool turntable on top of my counters—so be it!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZOm8AEbp2zs/TkNTeS5UYGI/AAAAAAAACQk/TMc3A0HjFk8/s1600-h/IMG_1908%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1908" border="0" alt="IMG_1908" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-leXEemg_6DU/TkNTerSY6GI/AAAAAAAACQo/51Tlt0VkiSc/IMG_1908_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" height="342" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This is a horrible picture—but I am having a major crush on my new stainless sink and faucet.  I REALLY don’t miss my white porcelain one that would scratch every time you put a dish into it.  And stain every time you washed some spaghetti sauce down the drain.  Stainless really means what it says—IT DOESN’T STAIN!!!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rTP7yLS2P5A/TkNTfKxQZDI/AAAAAAAACQs/Nn9e112Wm-A/s1600-h/IMG_1907%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1907" border="0" alt="IMG_1907" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IvMlT_XcU1M/TkNTfkfhWYI/AAAAAAAACQw/QBtxJc4VNtc/IMG_1907_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="341" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And my new faucet and soap dispenser ROCKS THE HOUSE!!!  I didn’t know how I would like the huge faucet with the LONG and curvy giraffe neck—but I must confess that I really, really love it! </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And just another picture from a different angle of my beautiful granite!!  Doesn’t it look like a big old slab?  The seams really aren’t that noticeable!  </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRSP8c0kW8II39n33FgTxRwF_5BkSgUgO77Roir7G7r2rEDAlsDbLoualTnOcZ63lYygi-Pmc6L6edS5Y2usgYUBANlGaLXtYZo_Gzhl7LJqWsFqqVfiebAESZPNxUyMyoi5RZiSVtjQ/s1600-h/IMG_1909%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1909" border="0" alt="IMG_1909" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUBWk95yReN1gaAptoQU_uc-_kvL73lTLBL30vrUzfTgpEGk9raK1JjB0uMr7CoM5SHvZc1_CaIR1c4e-wNYtkIBoz51NoVbM-2L_lUY5eWRtl7rNRQwRxd4MYRsiXLkUSjs1uOMr-yw/?imgmax=800" width="443" height="340" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I am SO HAPPY with how this kitchen is shaping up!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Now all we need is a lot of this:</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c1jrGS9Kzsw/TkNTgryICeI/AAAAAAAACQ8/9M7R7ZsZJWw/s1600-h/126842150172mv10%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="126842150172mv10" border="0" alt="126842150172mv10" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NF6ZPXYwwkM/TkNTg4afp4I/AAAAAAAACRA/m7lqwIGOgT8/126842150172mv10_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="211" height="322" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">A bunch of these:</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nYMvs-Je3LM/TkNThNAdwGI/AAAAAAAACRE/g1i8pTcIgCI/s1600-h/Drawer%252520Knobs%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Drawer Knobs" border="0" alt="Drawer Knobs" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4BDFfOSbsK0/TkNThbHWG1I/AAAAAAAACRI/oPHE8uVsVOI/Drawer%252520Knobs_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="233" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And these:</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R6le60G6jw0/TkNThg0KS3I/AAAAAAAACRM/ELAcddrWOTs/s1600-h/drawer%252520pulls%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="drawer pulls" border="0" alt="drawer pulls" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MNcwVOuj6Iw/TkNTiI9eQwI/AAAAAAAACRQ/AMFhqjWh6RI/drawer%252520pulls_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And a few of these:</font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="Design House 517094 Bristol Mini Pendant Light, Satin Nickel " src="http://hi.atgimg.com/img/p400/2539/517094.jpg" width="400" height="400" /></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And then our kitchen will be complete.</font></p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-30735986011575880942011-08-04T14:12:00.000-07:002011-08-04T14:12:00.629-07:00Kitchen Counter Time Capsule<p align="center"><font size="4">I thought I would show you a little FHE project we did while our countertops were in transition.  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">At this point we had taken off our old counters and our contractor had put on this plywood base that our granite would sit on.  </font><font size="4">We decided to put a little something special from our family into the project.  Kind of like a time capsule—one that will probably never be opened or seen again—but one that we know lies underneath our counters.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So here we are at work:</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64d1s8gE3zvgtL0C8IL-tstQR5SLXx36WNwoqM3BgylrGyHcMs8_0eXSXF_H67ZS9lvP6ESKIUd84KAbnFvDsMA8HJlpY3sauOs4S8DR_1CEkhlxSVSZp6T2yQcygAMRhVfLD7k19CqM/s1600-h/IMG_18256.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1825" border="0" alt="IMG_1825" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hIDuA6OULvg/TjoJrKrOJ6I/AAAAAAAACPA/EfaJgcunClQ/IMG_1825_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="328" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And this is what we came up with:</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">(And sorry--pencil on plywood doesn’t show up very well for pictures apparently)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iT3l9zCC-Ak/TjoJr0PpREI/AAAAAAAACPE/-eqWxVVUkBM/s1600-h/IMG_1827_crop5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1827_crop" border="0" alt="IMG_1827_crop" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WP7w66RDmgc/TjoJsR2E42I/AAAAAAAACPI/kNZEG1l2G18/IMG_1827_crop_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="452" height="342" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y9O-BE_LQqQ/TjoJsxzEBOI/AAAAAAAACPM/_pQaYSvJ2lI/s1600-h/IMG_1835_crop5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1835_crop" border="0" alt="IMG_1835_crop" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zquN_tE4Jos/TjoJte-CsVI/AAAAAAAACPQ/RjEycyddchw/IMG_1835_crop_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="350" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Every member of the family was included in this project—even the furry one.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zvI5cvfkKBs/TjoJtr4Uc8I/AAAAAAAACPU/TQPqh8dsck8/s1600-h/IMG_18297.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1829" border="0" alt="IMG_1829" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PE6y3LNRScFx1cz81u7zATPM6gl26jIU0mviYu2Zd3X-lZtDr9eAq1FE3Nb5KPi9LNcX7jbA3ZZx9ohfhusojj2WDnY6KjzwOYJbKBC2kRr3rWfuKTez5k-8iZE1Y12s_5h3gfsz15I/?imgmax=800" width="255" height="350" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">It was just a little project that didn’t take us very long—and was not done with great artistic abilities (as we have none in our family), but we all loved doing it and what it stands for.  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And I’m just sure that our countertops will stand a little taller and stronger now.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"> </font></p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-77145225716666678662011-08-03T19:47:00.000-07:002011-08-03T19:54:29.868-07:00Never Thought I’d Get Granite!!<p align="center"><font size="4"><strong><font size="5">I can’t even believe that I am writing this post right now!</font></strong>  I am so excited to show you what we have been up to for the last couple of weeks!  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">But first, let me start at the beginning (and sorry to say—this may be a long story—as I have a hard time condensing all the details).</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">When we moved into this house we were</font><font size="4">n’t in love with the countertops in the kitchen.  Here is a picture from the previous owners (because I didn’t take any before pictures).</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yMf2ccytHSs/TjoISm9_tmI/AAAAAAAACNY/QbkBsILlpfI/s1600-h/ImageStoreCAM3TVJA5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ImageStoreCAM3TVJA" border="0" alt="ImageStoreCAM3TVJA" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XlTPJ1BFSFg/TjoIS3kGpeI/AAAAAAAACNc/MAm7p7MoyiA/ImageStoreCAM3TVJA_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="324" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">They aren’t awful—just nothing special.  They look like just plain laminate countertops—but in fact they had the texture of Linoleum.  They were dimply and very textured and so they were hard to keep clean and not great for things that you need a flat surface for.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So—when we moved in we had priced out new countertops and specifically granite.  ONLY to find out that it was WAY more expensive than we thought and was going to be and so consequently was out of our budget for at least a few years.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Then I remembered a kitchen makeover I have been <strong><font size="5">CRUSHING</font></strong> on a since <u>forever</u>.  The gal at <a href="http://starterhometodreamhome.blogspot.com/">Starter Home to Dream Home</a> did <a href="http://starterhometodreamhome.blogspot.com/2010/05/kitchen-final-reveal-picture-perfect.html">this amazing kitchen makeover</a> by painting her existing cabinets, getting new hardware, adding some fun chunky molding to her island and topping it all off with some awesome granite countertops.  AND the best part is that they did it all themselves—even the granite.  They used “mini slabs” (which we will talk about later) instead of slab granite and did all the work themselves and saved a ton of money.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Well when I looked at this—I was SO excited—I wanted to do it too.  However, my hubby took one look at it and said NO WAY was he going to make his first tiling project a granite countertop.  And I don’t blame him—it looked like it could be kind of tricky.  So I sadly tucked away my hopes and dreams for a new countertop.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">That is until we met Steve.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">On the 4th of July we met this awesome guy who is a tile and granite layer and was interested in <strong><u>trading services</u></strong> with my hubby!!!!  And the funny thing is that he does the EXACT same method of using MINI SLABS to make his countertops and gets his product from the EXACT same place (<a href="http://oregontileandmarble.com/mini_slabs.html">Oregon Stone and Marble</a>) as my kitchen crush!!!  (How crazy is that?!)  And since most of the expense of Granite countertops is the installation—so by trading out the labor we could actually afford to make this happen!!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So all of a sudden—out of the blue--we were choosing granite for our new countertops!!!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So here is the low down on using mini slabs.  These babies come in 18x26” pieces and run around $15/square foot (which makes them a really affordable alternative to slab granite that runs a bajillion a square foot).  Most countertops are 25” deep.  So each piece can have 1”cut off the back of it and attached to the front underneath to create a finished front edge like this:</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RPX-F4-UBGI/TjoITHWNZdI/AAAAAAAACNg/Eb762ciZc84/s1600-h/Mini-Slab5.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mini Slab" border="0" alt="Mini Slab" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWj18LHNYENVyVB7tIzWeBBwJdbcP0CkCK6ZBM3X_OHe4YTZz_5Vupzg6ptjPcHVISkZq4ibdh3DnMarlvpi9I-xamYjcG5PFB_eyPPtjW3lyxpq9LgNTlf8bGooKUw0TvMdXfAnvB5qQ/?imgmax=800" width="327" height="153" /></a></a></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wrh2B0OmmV0/TjoITtX2AEI/AAAAAAAACNo/fi-ZJ8AN_a0/s1600-h/profiles4.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="profiles" border="0" alt="profiles" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iOx94gKo9H8/TjoITxyU0NI/AAAAAAAACNs/rPL8WkOFALM/profiles_thumb2.gif?imgmax=800" width="165" height="239" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">We had several options to choose from (not as wide a variety as when you choose a slab—but not a bad selection either).  Click <a href="http://oregontileandmarble.com/mini_slabs.html">HERE</a> to see all our choices—but just know that the real samples are often very different from the pictures you see on the screen!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">We narrowed it down to these 2 finalists:</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Giallo Santa Cecilia (the one from my kitchen crush)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VL9M9Ks0Cyk/TjoIULhgNqI/AAAAAAAACNw/nGP2rT2nKOA/s1600-h/Santa%252520Cecilia%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Santa Cecilia" border="0" alt="Santa Cecilia" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CdZKkG0DiXc/TjoIUeB3paI/AAAAAAAACN0/KYRq8DuFM3E/Santa%252520Cecilia_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="136" height="143" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">and Giallo Vincenza</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0vXyULWdZpg/TjoIUf_PKVI/AAAAAAAACN4/AHLbrgpsAI8/s1600-h/Granite%25255B2%25255D.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Granite" border="0" alt="Granite" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QPRL-oWjsAg/TjoIUhLtYpI/AAAAAAAACN8/sEAmoJxueqQ/Granite_thumb%25255B1%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="133" height="143" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So after much deliberation—we chose the <strong>Giallo Vincenza</strong>—because we loved the contrast of the darker countertops to our soon to be painted white cabinetry and felt it worked better with our current decorating pallet.  And this granite has TONS of fun visual texture and sparkly pieces in it.  It is truly beautiful.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So since we were going to be doing the countertops—we couldn’t put our old porcelain sink back in--</font><font size="4">of course we needed a new under mount sink.  I found this 16 gauge stainless steel sink on ebay for $119 including shipping:</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XP-IexG2q88/TjoIU7Bog-I/AAAAAAAACOA/pogxgqkYVMo/s1600-h/New-Sink2.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="New Sink" border="0" alt="New Sink" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rn9OYHlatobX60D5fIwTvnPhif0bGzmEGQUoHXLTuujueVXflSS11s3fCWlfRQILT057yNM7gfXfv_L5rl3EeoriHEKGZ5debsqZqVNIuPrv0d5gnFFEg3LNdpb7GB5_7DmBUHOghYc/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Which is a <strong>GOOD</strong> deal for a sink people.  Those suckers are expensive!!  (and it is especially a good deal because I just sold the old porcelain one on craigslist for $50!  So its really like I got this one for <strong>$69</strong>!)</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And then we needed a new faucet (we honestly did—because ours has been on its death bed long for a long time).  I found this one on ebay also for $119 (this same faucet was $200 at Home Depot and Lowes) and also included free shipping):</font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jBOO5y5uR3U/TjoIVT0GnwI/AAAAAAAACOI/ujdgXnqdKys/s1600-h/Faucet3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Faucet" border="0" alt="Faucet" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MzxV2q7sROg/TjoIVtOU6WI/AAAAAAAACOM/8i5gcLy-a5M/Faucet_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="280" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And funny to note—After I had purchased it—I went back to my crush kitchen and found that she had the <strong>EXACT SAME FAUCET!!</strong>  I swear that I didn’t know she had this one.  I just found one I liked at a good price!  Again—how funny!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And finally—We are installing our new to us Down Draft Oven.</font>  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IWFxeeuIwYE/TjoIV8O4hTI/AAAAAAAACOQ/W08Xr_otFpM/s1600-h/jenn-air-stove4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="jenn air stove" border="0" alt="jenn air stove" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7y4It8-229g/TjoIWKNA7mI/AAAAAAAACOU/JuCo7_ZvM3Q/jenn-air-stove_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="279" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">We bought this oven on craigslist for $600 before we even moved into our house.  We knew we would eventually take down the over head cabinets above the range and that would take the fan with it—so we would need an oven that vents down and out.  And these ovens cost between $1600-$2000 new.  So when we found this for $600—we jumped on it and bought it.  It has been sitting in our garage all this time waiting for us to rework the venting and electrical to get it in.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So we have been busy with demolition, and reconstruction for over a week.  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">No stove and no sink:</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jKu-ur5-73g/TjoIWnhgTSI/AAAAAAAACOY/9Y6ZJIaCOag/s1600-h/IMG_182115.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1821[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1821[1]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n0mWzTe6pU8/TjoIW8Wj11I/AAAAAAAACOc/fRQkoxk3s8g/IMG_18211_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="343" /></a></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RVFu4bIJ8ow/TjoIXesZwrI/AAAAAAAACOg/prp4JNmDu28/s1600-h/IMG_182315.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1823[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1823[1]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ku0dPvwmKv8/TjoIXjwzI5I/AAAAAAAACOk/A-cA0_mD6DU/IMG_18231_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="343" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Oh yah—and did I mention that we decided to do the counters in the little downstairs bathroom while we were at it?  So we had demo and chaos in there too.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w8Dkl0ORjAw/TjoIYGoN-1I/AAAAAAAACOo/KQde26C9xcU/s1600-h/IMG_182216.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1822[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1822[1]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OkXkKloSeHk/TjoIYReKJbI/AAAAAAAACOw/ecNdTpk-L2g/IMG_18221_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="411" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And I have missed my sink and my stove/oven like crazy!!!   We have been washing all our dishes in our laundry room sink—thank goodness for that or we would have had to haul them all up the stairs to the bathtub!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">It has been an inconvenience to have everything torn up.  But I feel SO blessed that we will have such a beautiful kitchen!  And I think it has been good for our kids to learn to work together to wash dishes the old fashioned way.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2kaEPrx24Fk/TjoIY5e3-NI/AAAAAAAACO0/UXiqriaCMFc/s1600-h/IMG_185017.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1850[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1850[1]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SINW8T4wOOA/TjoIZJwwCWI/AAAAAAAACO4/OrTYbEFfbKA/IMG_18501_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="328" height="451" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And it is now almost over!  I should be able to show you the finished product very soon!</font></p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-90089267664765606902011-07-28T07:06:00.000-07:002011-07-28T07:56:05.801-07:00Kids Bathroom Makeover—Installing Board and Batten<p align="center">A couple of weeks ago I gave you <a href="http://thisthriftyhouse.blogspot.com/2011/06/kids-bathroom-sneak-peek.html">this</a> sneak peek at our kids bathroom makeover.  And I think a few people were wondering at my interesting choice of color for the walls as it looks a little like pea soup.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PLWK1P_97qA/TjDuZiRLGYI/AAAAAAAACLw/E74DxJKFack/s1600-h/IMG_1650%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1650" border="0" alt="IMG_1650" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nxUfTpRcneA/TjDuaNGI0sI/AAAAAAAACL0/1xWp_mrpnIY/IMG_1650_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="296" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">But there was a reason I chose this particular shade of green.  And that reason would be this <strong><font size="5">FABULOUS</font></strong> shower curtain I found at the CSN store:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9fTaKktec3c/TjDuaREvayI/AAAAAAAACL4/P3_NUxNqN30/s1600-h/IMG_1684%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1684" border="0" alt="IMG_1684" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dUkQJWqkTe0/TjDuawS344I/AAAAAAAACL8/4VSeXi6H6fg/IMG_1684_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="297" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Don’t you love it?</font>  <font size="4">I looked for a shower curtain high and low and everywhere in between!  I was beginning to think that the perfect shower curtain just didn’t exist.  And then I found this baby.  (And just as a side note—it was $21.99 but it came with a small flaw in the fabric and so I called them and they knocked $10 off the price—<strong><font size="5">so I only paid $11.99 for my PERFECT shower curtain!!</font></strong>—and you can’t even see the flaw—can you?)</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Then we decided to add some fun and interest to the walls of the bathroom.  I had found <a href="http://granvillehouse.blogspot.com/2010/09/simple-inexpensive-board-and-batten.html">these instructions</a> from one of my favorite blogs (<a href="http://granvillehouse.blogspot.com/">320 Sycamore</a>) for an inexpensive way to do board and batten and knew this would be perfect for this room.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So we purchased a bundle of inexpensive Lath pieces from Home Depot.  My hubby sanded them down and we installed them about 10” apart.  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ABtQ9lUIXX4/TjDubFPnZkI/AAAAAAAACMA/wiGNUEQ2NTE/s1600-h/IMG_1707%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1707" border="0" alt="IMG_1707" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vuxFaL6t6ww/TjDubjr_o-I/AAAAAAAACME/PYKEtsgpmSk/IMG_1707_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="358" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Even I wielded my little pink hammer for this project.  And oh how we wished we had a nail gun.  But even still, installing the pieces was quick and easy.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M6bEi0O8MOA/TjDucCjM3rI/AAAAAAAACMI/r51g3B8kmnA/s1600-h/IMG_1709%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1709" border="0" alt="IMG_1709" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o5CLL_THPpo/TjDucss2S1I/AAAAAAAACMM/46aqkF91Ctg/IMG_1709_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="359" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Next we added a 1 x 4 piece of primed MDF for the top.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipety77KT-TYEcI99xpCYRz9M21g3RWy0d4HJ3BFMTqvpJtHuyfxHkjbdGqid0E1V3666df3b8bf5MrR_TBe9DZbDqYu82RlSQmrbCFHFeBAGYjCQWpWa6cEY0pwzcsxteTdvLrAt-9k/s1600-h/IMG_1710%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1710" border="0" alt="IMG_1710" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZCe4GhzvygM/TjDudv7e23I/AAAAAAAACMU/VuR0WSIpBrU/IMG_1710_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="369" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Then my hubby filled all the holes and sanded them all down.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Next it was up to me to caulk all the edges and paint it up.  This was the time consuming part.  But I think it turned out awesome! </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T3nf60xHyTA/TjDuePHHs4I/AAAAAAAACMY/yOTWdmYvMWA/s1600-h/IMG_1815%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1815" border="0" alt="IMG_1815" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLZIn4ecfMVUBPjvLUJD8FXdy1zPQ2pMv2TcL1sYd_FBMWvPYuuxcxr9im0IOUx5TiRb3tVuvOTBUiH6nNCUys7KFc4Yn9yQxWfr6BE1s4_IwHLU2CzxYWgARcTAQdhr-KQ0X-tS812s/?imgmax=800" width="312" height="432" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Neq5uLUHp8I/TjDue7mh81I/AAAAAAAACMg/Lc9gE52Yz3g/s1600-h/IMG_1816%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1816" border="0" alt="IMG_1816" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MHxSufhO6Pk/TjDufaLkZ6I/AAAAAAAACMk/paoZUqCjap4/IMG_1816_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="435" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6DvD8XNgMyM/TjDufgKjEJI/AAAAAAAACMo/6J8Vdt1mgis/s1600-h/IMG_1813%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1813" border="0" alt="IMG_1813" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hYrVOXVXhLI/TjDugAWLl6I/AAAAAAAACMs/i7y4YgCac3s/IMG_1813_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="450" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Next we added some handy little towel hooks and put up my FAVORITE bathroom art: pictures of MY BABIES.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-COns4-tVv5M/TjDugZuQV4I/AAAAAAAACMw/T3icNLoHCII/s1600-h/IMG_1841%25255B1%25255D%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1841[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1841[1]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7wZUEz6K16s/TjDug5R5YQI/AAAAAAAACM0/nZIpObKkhcM/IMG_1841%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="419" height="321" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HPM0IgFs4M4/TjDuhfIh5WI/AAAAAAAACM4/5OxDWy3YcxI/s1600-h/IMG_1842%25255B1%25255D%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1842[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1842[1]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xc7AzMdgqNo/TjDuhllAiFI/AAAAAAAACM8/xl7deB24y6s/IMG_1842%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="316" height="428" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eLDAMq2rS8I/TjDuiB9xanI/AAAAAAAACNA/lXf3ErCJ_BI/s1600-h/IMG_1843%25255B1%25255D%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1843[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1843[1]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SaId-WPgyMg/TjDuiZ18pRI/AAAAAAAACNE/Fhdrbk5Fcz0/IMG_1843%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="434" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Its not 100% finished yet.  We still need to paint the trim around the door (and I would like to paint the vanity cupboards eventually as well) and we are going to be framing up the mirror as well.  Oh yah, and I also think I might want to paint those picture frames.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">But for now—I think we can call this bathroom improved.</font></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Before:</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrlbLVdcb_7-vWhAXNAv5zUpQO5qMn8g_Yya-7g3Su2yOR4CN3oVHvvwDyjJEEgIQRiVhIa_ELOTySBLclDdZcoqfuVPVp7NqhCZEq6g6pBw63HCIx9OgcsjYthwxanBObpUboBNV7Io/s1600-h/IMG_1375%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1375" border="0" alt="IMG_1375" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f-sxhbCAD5g/TjDujOQD1bI/AAAAAAAACNM/P9dco-LjWcQ/IMG_1375_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="322" height="436" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">After: <br /></font></strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0SVfqLM2xa8/TjDujv8o34I/AAAAAAAACNQ/VhLaPSKMY7s/s1600-h/IMG_1844%25255B1%25255D%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1844[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1844[1]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bIGLb4yjpHU/TjDuj3Qb-aI/AAAAAAAACNU/BYqwIN5GScc/IMG_1844%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="328" height="449" /></a></p> <p align="center">And now we can check another room off our list!</p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-40432654597756967692011-07-20T11:14:00.001-07:002011-07-20T11:14:35.694-07:00More Spray Painted Goodness<p align="center"><font size="4">I have SO many projects lined up to show everybody—But finding the time to POST them all with 4 kids home for summer vacation has been challenging.  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Anyhoo.  Here is a little project I completed a while ago on the exterior of our house.  See these BEAUTIFUL</font><font size="4"> exterior lights and house numbers before I got my hands on them: (Ok—in this picture I had already started getting my hands on the house numbers and then remembered I needed to snap a before picture—so the “2” has already been disassembled and ready for its makeover.  But you get the picture):</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TQjqnvcfPCM/TicaxdsoJrI/AAAAAAAACKg/tbjJToBLTRI/s1600-h/IMG_1451_crop%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1451_crop" border="0" alt="IMG_1451_crop" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WHPXOtZtCEg/TicaxuqlYnI/AAAAAAAACKk/edMUyyfpQH8/IMG_1451_crop_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="201" height="531" /></a>    </p> <p align="center"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKqVLKZmsw8ZlkXUcasnpWi9SsMmEx0m3e0VGhIShx0PpRPk_AcbqbHew0p84w-d37GONRoGavlNH9KFf0s1YRZsocoltac1B_AgNDIoR5fewC8wskDOTtWNkC_ZO9BnM6BLO-waAyxU/s1600-h/IMG_1449_crop%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1449_crop" border="0" alt="IMG_1449_crop" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUGH-AcazbFb1rKxrIZ-w0m4exGLYck5kcC6WBxTxYATepJB6B9D34azw1d7pDUNY6u8WhuaF_mQqTv__CC3ejZQKMvpNhc8P-3L2CJ3vm0WK5VdlMhS_kh_Sc5IctJahsZBZt8-F7L0/?imgmax=800" width="344" height="264" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">My favorite part of this makeover was changing out these lights:</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PUPuH3Xe8tk/TicazB3neuI/AAAAAAAACKw/b2gSJ8Jn9Rc/s1600-h/IMG_1450_crop%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1450_crop" border="0" alt="IMG_1450_crop" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BRf7YQCUyolreOQ8hTp9ixh5oh5LDotJaiHkHFw_yLmjY82o5oQaUJCEhFRpaix6cEJyK64TI1Dt1lqRvaivfPbgkHWfELy1x4SvBlILkI2Haoq15FIaQJ04ZAse5PjCbU3YwJri9lM/?imgmax=800" width="253" height="357" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">WHAT color are these lights anyways?  PINK?  Salmon?  </font><font size="6"><strong>UGLY?</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NvS6ycs_nuM/Tica0EJqZKI/AAAAAAAACK4/yd0mixRrB9U/s1600-h/IMG_1611_crop%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1611_crop" border="0" alt="IMG_1611_crop" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wuKJK0UugsY/Tica0lCicKI/AAAAAAAACK8/6NOcbwKkyXw/IMG_1611_crop_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="367" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And here are those ugly brass house numbers chillaxing on a pizza box ready for their spa treatment:</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6WXrShQqS2zKQSiO12mT4600xpt6vEwiB18Hxq0kp3AFKCVbRxozXaSnzqAilbhx7d_LBkpPuHXRLxLYFJoB1mu7HNlKmLpDVYJYqrT4rqE63nl87pQHGdJ0kXaD-OUDvP78tXy-umA/s1600-h/IMG_1452%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1452" border="0" alt="IMG_1452" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5TTRFRx86OE/Tica19IzMBI/AAAAAAAACLE/6k0LNC4yMro/IMG_1452_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="337" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And the pampering begins.  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">(I chose to treat them to a coat of Rustoleum Black in Gloss).</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lPZx93YshjI/Tica2ceXxiI/AAAAAAAACLI/t_pAqbY8amM/s1600-h/IMG_1614_crop%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1614_crop" border="0" alt="IMG_1614_crop" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I0one6SauII/Tica2vzTx6I/AAAAAAAACLM/OnKyl4xS5GA/IMG_1614_crop_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="366" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And the results just speak for themselves.  Don’t they look like they FEEL better?  </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFLz3k0IMTBliHbPUxjon4CqvnGthX2FloPpYZ2Am_jP62bdevtzlT76qwWCr51lorrNUvAQKSc-T2InX-bax-TFYyoa0aNO-3jDktwO3a4sNeAko4Uk5BAN6pWsNPKrTgRBpl8bprd0/s1600-h/IMG_1661%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1661" border="0" alt="IMG_1661" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMb8asnGCEu9974ty99WOUeDoiqT80R-voR5baLk4taCIQkN19MXD8BDXIuKnSmKatAWBq2uGucquFwMUb8vWwObDJGhmKe-16-jDmljFvGJSe-ByvKi-Al3E0HVTjHu_kBe0fJuV8mQ/?imgmax=800" width="490" height="380" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-599CRMsltzo/Tica4NGffZI/AAAAAAAACLY/-gPNjPBdc4w/s1600-h/IMG_1664%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1664" border="0" alt="IMG_1664" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjvz_bbo6-7Nqut1WOihREG2VBlAdzaq1ikQXwbJRDFbszrL6RESeKxdnFaaZtJtmdaZGwJLRcY6eq20r5EkmZW5hGCrGGibXSlGZEG2DPORKtrod0bLCJqIjCzBg9lr9cyIT9QR50Cs/?imgmax=800" width="377" height="517" /></a>  </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">And one final before and after:</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7nsysQWVDx4/Tica5HeKVYI/AAAAAAAACLg/htLOgvJKjig/s1600-h/IMG_1451_crop%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1451_crop" border="0" alt="IMG_1451_crop" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5b4jtBLqY_Y/Tica5Xg8H4I/AAAAAAAACLk/NMoX-IZyy6c/IMG_1451_crop_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="458" /></a>   <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Cjw90fEPsl0/Tica6JzXitI/AAAAAAAACLo/1nKnicACosI/s1600-h/IMG_1662%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1662" border="0" alt="IMG_1662" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S6BbFwbzXNQ/Tica6VdQ6JI/AAAAAAAACLs/H93SJLdSxQE/IMG_1662_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="336" height="460" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I know I didn’t show you a picture of the whole house so you can step back and really bask in all of the spray painted glory of it all.  But we have been working a lot on the landscaping and soon will have the exterior of the house painted.  So I want to save those changes for the final before/after.   </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">But for now—you and  I can sleep easier knowing that I don’t have pink lights anymore.</font></p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-67783570871464796402011-07-13T06:23:00.000-07:002011-07-13T06:23:01.602-07:00Yummy on a Stick<p align="center">The other day I saw <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/2011/06/fourth-of-july-smores-on-a-stick.html">this</a> amazing idea for <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/2011/06/fourth-of-july-smores-on-a-stick.html">Smores on a Stick</a> while I stopped in at <a href="http://www.theidearoom.">the Idea Room</a>.  I knew immediately that we needed to try it RIGHT NOW.   And I am SO glad we did.  They were AMAZING!  (And I don’t even really like regular smores that much).</p> <p align="center">So here is our version of which we will call Yummy on a Stick.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL5jkuCfQGhRWEJ4fhlWTBpKMrP0RpNFXRbsmO9xS6XervFsRWuCkJCkn8cca8wYqxNwhcAZiv3TgqCCAKwSxt0sN1YbKq04LwbEut-O_EAUXqAYJcxUYOD1_qk89QaS2G1sGWuANWks/s1600-h/IMG_1725%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1725" border="0" alt="IMG_1725" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8_7oXVLYGU4/TheD9Ou0TbI/AAAAAAAACJk/3FaV8X1ADYk/IMG_1725_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="441" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F-CyIpK91Fk/TheD9obJ--I/AAAAAAAACJo/Guxjpwm4j_w/s1600-h/IMG_1726%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1726" border="0" alt="IMG_1726" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z34Ba14sZDY/TheD-A6u9RI/AAAAAAAACJs/x8sVkrx_fwY/IMG_1726_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="274" /></a></p> <p align="center">Microwave for 30-60 seconds.  Insert popsicle stick and top cracker.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QFySPTheaL4/TheD-zKaLoI/AAAAAAAACJw/mHXdP-bpjeA/s1600-h/IMG_1727%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1727" border="0" alt="IMG_1727" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_8ogHO4K9ew/TheD_fmiVNI/AAAAAAAACJ0/B78sol7HaNU/IMG_1727_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="319" /></a></p> <p align="center">Freeze for 30 mins.  Then dip in melted chocolate (we used Chocolate Almond Bark).  Then we added sprinkles and Skor Bits.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eACGb60lQkE/TheD_xnmMCI/AAAAAAAACJ4/Z5AasD2lJEA/s1600-h/IMG_1728%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1728" border="0" alt="IMG_1728" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O65t4upZblo/TheEAiUTwrI/AAAAAAAACJ8/e8MKAHUgUNw/IMG_1728_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="319" /></a></p> <p align="center">Then we ate them.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3sgZz8jdgbA/TheEBJbZMDI/AAAAAAAACKA/lYeFuq-4Aqc/s1600-h/IMG_1732%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1732" border="0" alt="IMG_1732" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZPbfFrG9m-I/TheEB9GRLRI/AAAAAAAACKE/6HtlRKY5ihg/IMG_1732_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="438" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-33ujXQg3ZG4/TheECzqR2YI/AAAAAAAACKI/f_pm8HknPUc/s1600-h/IMG_1730%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1730" border="0" alt="IMG_1730" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8VpmUNMTTl8/TheEDXCTWbI/AAAAAAAACKM/su35JdJ33zc/IMG_1730_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="441" /></a></p> <p align="center">Thank you idea room.  </p> <p align="center">We will definitely be making these again very soon.</p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-88602162220678715382011-07-12T06:58:00.000-07:002011-07-12T06:58:00.330-07:00The Making of a Manly Desk<p align="center">As I promised yesterday, here is the redo of our Treasure Chest Desk and chair.</p> <p align="center">It started off looking very old and very girly.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxZG9dwyuqvHk4v3Vp72305VzWxRq3eguGhdRlJEWa4qq2JJQQwBGnf8Inu4MB-ETZSDLIswiUVkToEzLmf_Rnmem9a6h7L57yihv5a92CjFFHfLNMOT3a9zkApy-fRQ-o87HpEHxji8/s1600-h/Nicoles%252520Craigslist%252520Desk%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Nicoles Craigslist Desk" border="0" alt="Nicoles Craigslist Desk" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RQDUsAVBNrQ/Thd9yEGFg_I/AAAAAAAACJU/2nMgl6Lhq4Q/Nicoles%252520Craigslist%252520Desk_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="414" height="322" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jU20pI3KU64/Thd9y7o6bpI/AAAAAAAACJY/0bPiGClUK24/s1600-h/IMG_1634_crop%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1634_crop" border="0" alt="IMG_1634_crop" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hko_w35bvb4/Thd9zJAtWFI/AAAAAAAACJc/VoAa7bF9DFA/IMG_1634_crop_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" height="400" /></a></p> <p align="center">But this desk was for my 11 year old son.  So we needed to modernize it and give it some testosterone.</p> <p align="center">So before you start any wood working project—you should always prep your surface for painting.  Usually that means SANDING.  <strong><font size="4">I HATE SANDING</font></strong>.  Like with a passion.  But I wanted a good paint job .  So I tried the cheaters route and used this:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jAeBVAI88L0/Thd9z3ZES0I/AAAAAAAACHo/86F-z_nIJtM/s1600-h/IMG_1673_thumb%25255B5%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1673_thumb[5]" border="0" alt="IMG_1673_thumb[5]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yFNWS4R1NE0/Thd90O_5TKI/AAAAAAAACHs/ufsT5iS-4R0/IMG_1673_thumb%25255B5%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="362" /></a></p> <p align="center">I put a little on a cloth and wiped it all over the surfaces of the chair and the desk.  To be honest—I have no idea if it worked well or not.  The paint job turned out great so I guess it didn’t hurt it.  I really should have tested one drawer front with it and one without to have a side by side comparison.  But I didn’t.  So for now we will all just pretend that it worked great and I didn’t waste $6 on this stuff.</p> <p align="center">Next came the paint.  First we put on our very attractive spray painting masks which my husband makes me wear because of the massive amounts of spay painting I do.  He doesn’t want me losing any more brain cells than I already have.  He shouldn’t worry, I don’t have much to lose!</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7PKaRYw7Gt-tiBQLSkuhpt3LDVaexcyvmWXcljLnVGMlh7mIB9FGdrQSxLQb78isqMGjnxAfBwtUo2EksScy0x-KyM6VSkj9aCkPsPYQd-gqHnVbpxcL_puwmoHrYgyxS-nqPRa7ukc/s1600-h/IMG_1637_crop%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1637_crop" border="0" alt="IMG_1637_crop" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m65LqLh8_Xk/Thd93yGXw-I/AAAAAAAACH0/C9bjWtAnTTs/IMG_1637_crop_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="304" /></a></p> <p align="center">I found the perfect color of spray paint for this boys desk.  It is a dark grey and it happened to come in the Rust-oleum ultra 2x the coverage in gloss.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zUQ3DGT3ypg/Thd94Qlsr4I/AAAAAAAACH4/9WwGjuWo8Oo/s1600-h/IMG_1674_thumb%25255B3%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1674_thumb[3]" border="0" alt="IMG_1674_thumb[3]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YVrjVH6g8No/Thd94rAqzfI/AAAAAAAACH8/f6x5FPRSik0/IMG_1674_thumb%25255B3%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="363" /></a></p> <p align="center">The gloss part was not my favorite.  But sometimes you have to sacrifice your finish of choice to get your color of choice.  And I do LOVE the color.</p> <p align="center">And can I also say that I LOVE the double the coverage paint.  This is the first time I had used it and I am in LOVE!!!  It really means what it says about double the coverage.  What normally would have taken a billion coats and 12 cans of spray paint (ok…I exaggerate.  But it would have taken a lot) took 2 light coats and only 3 cans of paint for both the chair and the desk—and I still had some left over!)</p> <p align="center">So here is the chair:</p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>Before:</strong></font>                                             <strong><font size="4">Middle:</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6dxO2UUuLyY/Thd95OsMA9I/AAAAAAAACIA/rULPth7FPN8/s1600-h/IMG_1635_crop%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1635_crop" border="0" alt="IMG_1635_crop" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RHh-fJTQXwQ/Thd95ihmBVI/AAAAAAAACIE/kunpW8I_hSo/IMG_1635_crop_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="344" /></a>  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmFKKwfQXr6EmFMQ38ENCH1fMKRTxt-bpsFHXHpnoTqp5veNQwCcsVJq_6QW5GSCwilXEBCVr8JldRrjmoqbj9BbAZ4hufs97k7UpnwWxRnQcCA0sBsttKfYWUuKrplnZfs2EeWh0wyA/s1600-h/IMG_1655_thumb%25255B3%25255D%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1655_thumb[3]" border="0" alt="IMG_1655_thumb[3]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OsyrzEfuTFs/Thd9734MX8I/AAAAAAAACIM/KjSI26Vw6ZI/IMG_1655_thumb%25255B3%25255D_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="345" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>After:</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6mlIlZrHnC8/Thd98HYjemI/AAAAAAAACIQ/xUymii_WQ2k/s1600-h/IMG_1724_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1724_thumb[2]" border="0" alt="IMG_1724_thumb[2]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hzwW_hSRtZ4/Thd98dCaiTI/AAAAAAAACIU/LmbzGlweCU4/IMG_1724_thumb%25255B2%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="361" /></a></p> <p align="center">And then came the drawers: (Sorry about the shadowy pictures in my garage)</p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>Before:</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wz92bHt4ETs/Thd989qiWDI/AAAAAAAACIY/dqgj194afG4/s1600-h/IMG_1672_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1672_thumb[3]" border="0" alt="IMG_1672_thumb[3]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyTcMjD-lRlIJokrma7dau4czjEOPiQidAdL1AJxa45aXYUbKPdYojCFvv-ZNDVFwCMZWTCL3U6MWtWEo0U_Ld8vyr3cGvh_KAn7yPlA9KfGmgIicNSfC3WA-s1FIFxqG4-gKiHrW7_Q/?imgmax=800" width="280" height="383" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Middle:</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4hQbqPVuWJ_rTiiuoa_K0c2FWuenAHfvzb7r4vO0S4XBwh3kPqsFqt01tcanh925Cib9W41jErAzZF5sdXaA1vrEgsl0Fu6ZKm-JScPhHUxMHMUl3J5H68k4U8pVlcXQ_Q1GCB1qBfg/s1600-h/IMG_1677_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1677_thumb[4]" border="0" alt="IMG_1677_thumb[4]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Gb1tnu5mqR8/Thd9-e9qE7I/AAAAAAAACIk/uuHXDig4br4/IMG_1677_thumb%25255B4%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="379" /></a></p> <p align="center">Spraying the hardware with some ORB:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-btUb0hiNmqQ/Thd9-5oR7lI/AAAAAAAACIo/5qMwwtGoMnQ/s1600-h/IMG_1678_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1678_thumb[7]" border="0" alt="IMG_1678_thumb[7]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gVVVl3mNTOA/Thd9_iK03CI/AAAAAAAACIs/m8g7YalbBS8/IMG_1678_thumb%25255B7%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="293" height="304" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">And After:</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2XhDzn2FTJU/Thd-AGienvI/AAAAAAAACIw/16LugpgHBQw/s1600-h/IMG_1764_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1764_thumb[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1764_thumb[1]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aUbSSPdVJeo/Thd-AWSTh9I/AAAAAAAACI0/fD5EfdJrNjs/IMG_1764_thumb%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" height="343" /></a></p> <p align="center">Then I took some scrap book paper and made some drawer liners for him in fun colorful prints:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-buGZnb6q8aI/Thd-A6boKAI/AAAAAAAACI4/j3sY9Ha-BkY/s1600-h/IMG_1779_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1779_thumb[6]" border="0" alt="IMG_1779_thumb[6]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mrI8FixTgnA/Thd-BUFE7LI/AAAAAAAACI8/Hl97LUwHmIA/IMG_1779_thumb%25255B6%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="238" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZAUanjugQsQ/Thd-B7WwgxI/AAAAAAAACJA/2tyMYJuzfmU/s1600-h/IMG_1780_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1780_thumb[2]" border="0" alt="IMG_1780_thumb[2]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7NCyGgxdhm8/Thd-CWUZ8hI/AAAAAAAACJE/scZLMnfQXPk/IMG_1780_thumb%25255B2%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="371" /></a></p> <p align="center">And ta-da.  A very masculine looking desk for a very deserving 11year old.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rj84tn_RGqk/Thd-C8tTu6I/AAAAAAAACJI/IErszfMhpiY/s1600-h/IMG_1766_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1766_thumb[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1766_thumb[1]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QwyGNpUUrnw/Thd-DXuXixI/AAAAAAAACJM/VviimECrfbQ/IMG_1766_thumb%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="457" height="351" /></a></p> <p align="center">Next time I will give you a tour of his new room and a breakdown of how much it all cost.  </p> <p align="center">That should be fun!</p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-26428299153461810622011-07-11T06:38:00.000-07:002011-07-11T06:38:01.028-07:00The Treasure Chest Desk<p> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I do most of my furniture shopping—well practically <u>ALL</u> of my furniture shopping on craigslist.  And I have made out with some pretty awesome deals in the past.  But this one wins over all—not because the piece itself is the best but because it has the best story behind it. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I was looking for a desk for my son’s room in our new house and found this cute desk on craigslist and they were asking only </font><strong><font size="6">$5!!  </font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeV4iHeBzH88ykywb9yimiIvw0k7GkZGja6IgL-_JTOHUlwjoQusts3qDpJMMP-PjVwRGKPYZnPXIOU8xxzFxHIxxI0jl2y8v5Qfj9vBzax8dSJJpk_OPpSrqqC98gQuuosXYsAtV0rQ/s1600-h/Nicoles%252520Craigslist%252520Desk.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Nicoles Craigslist Desk" border="0" alt="Nicoles Craigslist Desk" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iVN9SGeksrw/Thd2t1rpmHI/AAAAAAAACKU/aHJzbkxCbUw/Nicoles%252520Craigslist%252520Desk_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="365" height="280" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">A $5 desk <strong><font size="5">IS</font></strong> an amazing deal.  But the deal got even better when I arrived to pick up the desk and the lady selling it asked me if I would like to take the <u>matching chair</u> for no extra charge!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ixCIcQeQcaw/Thd2uMd-o0I/AAAAAAAACKY/o2ZmQHF6I84/s1600-h/IMG_1635_crop%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1635_crop" border="0" alt="IMG_1635_crop" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YQtkp8gw4yI/Thd2unHoyPI/AAAAAAAACKc/i-8JKnc3Nqw/IMG_1635_crop_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="376" /></a> <font size="4">I couldn’t believe it.  A solid wood desk AND chair for <strong><u><font size="5">$5</font></u></strong>.  (It was old—but built like a tank and in good condition!)</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">The gal selling the desk was selling off items from the estate of someone who had died and had cleaned out most of the drawers but had forgotten the top one.  When we noticed it was still full of stuff she told us she was just going to throw the stuff in the dumpster and asked us if we wouldn’t mind taking care of it.  For a $5 desk and chair?--NO PROBLEM!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Then—<u>just when we thought the deal couldn’t be any better</u>—we went to clean out this drawer and found <strong>MANY</strong> treasures.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong><font size="5">We found:</font></strong> </font></p> <ul> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">A couple collectors coins (some valued for around $60 each)</font></div> </li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">Several pocket knives--some that were antiques like this one:<a href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5336138990&customid=111&toolid=0&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FAntique-German-Pocket-Knife-Shape-Ladies-Shoe-%2F220765116848%3Fpt%3DCollectible_Knives"><img src="http://www.antiquesnavigator.com/ebay/images/2011/220765116848.jpg" width="300" /></a></font></div> </li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">A very old $2 Bill</font></div> </li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">An old quill pen</font></div> </li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">A gold emboss seal kit (you know the kind of thing they used to seal letters with in the olden days)</font></div> </li> </ul> <p align="center"><font size="4">And lots of other neat office/desk stuff.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">It was just like a treasure box.  At first I felt bad that we had paid so little for the desk and felt like we should take back all the neat stuff—but as my husband reminded me that the lady was just doing her job by getting rid of the stuff and was going to throw it all in the dumpster without even looking at it.  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So after that I don’t feel very bad about it anymore.  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I just feel AWESOME about it.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Tomorrow I will show you what I did with the desk to turn it from Old and Girly—to Hip and Manly.</font></p> Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-40116630771584911672011-06-30T06:25:00.000-07:002011-06-30T06:25:00.058-07:00Pirate Chest Birthday Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did you know that we have a pirate in our family? Well, we do. Our 3 year old thinks he IS a pirate. He wears a pirate hat EVERY DAY! He cries when he has to take it to go to places where pirate hats are unacceptable like bed or church. We read pirate books and sing pirate songs and watch pirate movies. He even speaks in pirate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And of course we have all kinds of pirate things to wear:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcaq03WCZyWo0IV3bZwEwX8i3r8T2-IW5Fcd56YBFE2CImoM-rgGv2KWHcUx74bQ3Y8frrdk_l0mvnRbendlwuSYF-0S-IUxHOtI1pwu0LQrSNb5qCq8zBTdCsM3LyiEV9WiFtvveCJY/s1600/IMG_1544_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcaq03WCZyWo0IV3bZwEwX8i3r8T2-IW5Fcd56YBFE2CImoM-rgGv2KWHcUx74bQ3Y8frrdk_l0mvnRbendlwuSYF-0S-IUxHOtI1pwu0LQrSNb5qCq8zBTdCsM3LyiEV9WiFtvveCJY/s400/IMG_1544_crop.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So when this little pirate turned 3, the choice of a birthday cake was easy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As always I turned to Family Fun for my cake ideas and found <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/how-to-videos/familyfun-treasure-chest-cake-813992-v/">THIS</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I turned around and made this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUxCgf2ecQennPrVZV3U4Kl9tLWlKkkNbq961vUF_JlsZO-uR9xGTv5FizWZu-554yD2rih73Y_Qn82REtr_uUUvb0CeprczV4i9yb9RavQjwPstuXq3aQI8QSc6pykY9UEoYZXEJ41w/s1600/IMG_1530_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUxCgf2ecQennPrVZV3U4Kl9tLWlKkkNbq961vUF_JlsZO-uR9xGTv5FizWZu-554yD2rih73Y_Qn82REtr_uUUvb0CeprczV4i9yb9RavQjwPstuXq3aQI8QSc6pykY9UEoYZXEJ41w/s400/IMG_1530_crop.jpg" width="355" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think it turned out really cute. BUT I'll have you know that chocolate gold coins are impossible to find around here! And when I did finally find them in the bulk section at the 4th store I went to--they were THE MOST EXPENSIVE CANDY THEY SOLD!!! $9.99/lb!!! Its a good thing I found some gold rolo candy to make up the bulk of the gold and then interspersed a few gold coins here and there--cause they were not cheap or thrifty people! But I love my pirate--and so I bought them anyways.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__XHwDknd0l5nhfCKUgFrNx_Isxumn6Ea5iu8KOm8QfVoyBY28KH23jnp9AvJ8kKZesdGJP_NIm3AN8lmIHTbhaD7-KiZBI-bqE3Ou0ykvYpKs02bkMpPLX3SqJyg7I7ffBK-gK0BT1A/s1600/IMG_1533_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__XHwDknd0l5nhfCKUgFrNx_Isxumn6Ea5iu8KOm8QfVoyBY28KH23jnp9AvJ8kKZesdGJP_NIm3AN8lmIHTbhaD7-KiZBI-bqE3Ou0ykvYpKs02bkMpPLX3SqJyg7I7ffBK-gK0BT1A/s400/IMG_1533_crop.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 changed up from the instructions for the strapping on the chest--they have you using fruit by the foot which I didn't like the looks of--so I melted a few kraft carmels and rolled them out and cut them to look like leather straps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-_8IxSlrzhTqoz0fu3aCZpA3Yru64_vCaIiSPd8NFaCqq6vElaKbMI-pnUJFlKygy_QkKWpkdAOdOg2t4JgvkexHGZF-vc9YFV9zIu6YyIMworDsQ2FKqjVtbJz-G7SeziEOrB1FPkY/s1600/IMG_1531_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-_8IxSlrzhTqoz0fu3aCZpA3Yru64_vCaIiSPd8NFaCqq6vElaKbMI-pnUJFlKygy_QkKWpkdAOdOg2t4JgvkexHGZF-vc9YFV9zIu6YyIMworDsQ2FKqjVtbJz-G7SeziEOrB1FPkY/s400/IMG_1531_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I used colored sixlets for the studs. If I were to do this again, I think I would use whoppers or something brown so it would look more authentic and less colorful.</div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgK4pYRaGeOypnzr75QMClAPQzzVPdeT1be2dbfp4M8p31zyS80VLfD-rGNzd6iesKK0eJZ0xouBKB6qVuWD34OAsXAkJ5kCo8x5zDCm_33IKx68OFre3aPIMuUj1cNNO3M9yVttN0ts/s1600/IMG_1525_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgK4pYRaGeOypnzr75QMClAPQzzVPdeT1be2dbfp4M8p31zyS80VLfD-rGNzd6iesKK0eJZ0xouBKB6qVuWD34OAsXAkJ5kCo8x5zDCm_33IKx68OFre3aPIMuUj1cNNO3M9yVttN0ts/s400/IMG_1525_crop.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;">But our little pirate LOVED his cake and that is all that matters.</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/AVvXsEgvK9Igim9xrNXAaGg2H1-i7ZPn-f7WBlY88D4Kml-XVPEx1ZHCIxW-VjDyk5ZGGb2JmH1-pB3I2YbxK6inqRflNtI7iyRc9O4TeNNU34ruQ-epI70njnT6Zvh6MH2k3d66CfYUYX64AZ8/s1600/IMG_1546_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK9Igim9xrNXAaGg2H1-i7ZPn-f7WBlY88D4Kml-XVPEx1ZHCIxW-VjDyk5ZGGb2JmH1-pB3I2YbxK6inqRflNtI7iyRc9O4TeNNU34ruQ-epI70njnT6Zvh6MH2k3d66CfYUYX64AZ8/s400/IMG_1546_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFKZzZRcsd2eFgNkwPrNyAiEQtW3v6vQSEalNMxkSYVW9qudsV9_tnG61ckCX5jSIzT4O2pyXUjj82N5Y949IDK2LDsXCW5g8Jg3NS9Y_Ma8Wxs_GS715ZLkDx5wkx41L0IbYePiBRWs/s1600/IMG_1547_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFKZzZRcsd2eFgNkwPrNyAiEQtW3v6vQSEalNMxkSYVW9qudsV9_tnG61ckCX5jSIzT4O2pyXUjj82N5Y949IDK2LDsXCW5g8Jg3NS9Y_Ma8Wxs_GS715ZLkDx5wkx41L0IbYePiBRWs/s400/IMG_1547_crop.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;"><em>And I just have to take a moment and tease my hubby (because sometimes he sneakily reads my blog) that once again he has cut off my head in every single picture he took of the birthday party. Its a good thing I know he loves me or a girl might get a complex of so many years of being headless in all the pictures he takes. And that is why, my friends, that I am the picture taker in our family. :o)</em></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Happy Birthday to my little pirate!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img align="center" src="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/tsdyches/ThriftyName-1.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-42033904987096900902011-06-29T06:51:00.000-07:002011-06-29T06:51:00.470-07:00Kids Bathroom Sneak Peek<div style="text-align: center;">We have been up to a fun project in our kids bathroom. I can't wait till it is all finished and I can show you the finished product. But for now I am going to give you a little sneak peek!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So lets remember where we started. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the bathroom before we bought the house:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ArfE0OWy6XJDdE7U6dZhbTtrnBBnuo6-HQP4tgCILTMX7BUcyL3Kxzoqcv1rl1ckf1NCarVt20tJquzstnwJz_2Se13BoEjR0JRXb0B4alwxFc00d2CymPijYXKv6fSeyH6GY7NskBc/s1600/ImageStoreCAC955EA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ArfE0OWy6XJDdE7U6dZhbTtrnBBnuo6-HQP4tgCILTMX7BUcyL3Kxzoqcv1rl1ckf1NCarVt20tJquzstnwJz_2Se13BoEjR0JRXb0B4alwxFc00d2CymPijYXKv6fSeyH6GY7NskBc/s640/ImageStoreCAC955EA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I loved the size of the bathroom when we bought it--but I <strong>HATED</strong> the shower doors. My husband, however, liked them. So they stayed for about a month. And I hated every second of them. I hated cleaning the bathroom with them in, I hated bathing the kids with them in. I just plain <strong>HATED THEM!!!</strong> But my hubby thought they were great. Right up until I asked <strong>HIM</strong> to bath the boys one Sunday morning before church. Apparently he learned that bathing two boys with annoying shower doors was not all it was cracked up to be! And I am happy to report that those shower doors were dismantled and taken down the very next day! YIPPEE!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So here we are with the shower doors removed and the painting started. (And darn my camera isn't showing the colors very true. Just know it is a green shade of AWESOME!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKnkBJ50uGEEq6-sLRjwHkiJVaBhQSPrGbkm328vwOF1pfIG6B8LB9ApK8s3Y3YjSRJ8sijTnkKIj1HEkA6jpYKCXGRAUpTMvGZtdwG8wPEIl1NN2oPFBpbRvE2DQ9rUKgWO5NeV_YJ0/s1600/IMG_1650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKnkBJ50uGEEq6-sLRjwHkiJVaBhQSPrGbkm328vwOF1pfIG6B8LB9ApK8s3Y3YjSRJ8sijTnkKIj1HEkA6jpYKCXGRAUpTMvGZtdwG8wPEIl1NN2oPFBpbRvE2DQ9rUKgWO5NeV_YJ0/s640/IMG_1650.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjej1g4XKzwGIiBC5w4-fgZ1zXJS_a9hcHTsmbj3g8maGpw4IlZRxjswV_IV2trSjJFyPb9IPAZfOCwgB0KjYiHx8Ujrjobgl89Ek85-aPlOU9Ql8GB9Hky-CvC5k6NFOioH8Kv2F7BTOg/s1600/IMG_1652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjej1g4XKzwGIiBC5w4-fgZ1zXJS_a9hcHTsmbj3g8maGpw4IlZRxjswV_IV2trSjJFyPb9IPAZfOCwgB0KjYiHx8Ujrjobgl89Ek85-aPlOU9Ql8GB9Hky-CvC5k6NFOioH8Kv2F7BTOg/s400/IMG_1652.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHH2H2166UEUoF1x66MHqtpBoViMkdE1kVzATrLIIEkvgGSkjA_LDBYWW3avywptnE8bbnra5c1g8AAUR8nJxa8ocTCcsKQT6Hwq1_1pDc4TS2v8MsKya0j8S7TceHwNSIR2k1sMCkkQA/s1600/IMG_1654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHH2H2166UEUoF1x66MHqtpBoViMkdE1kVzATrLIIEkvgGSkjA_LDBYWW3avywptnE8bbnra5c1g8AAUR8nJxa8ocTCcsKQT6Hwq1_1pDc4TS2v8MsKya0j8S7TceHwNSIR2k1sMCkkQA/s400/IMG_1654.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;">But we have MUCH more to show you. Hopefully in the next couple of days! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fingers crossed!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<img align="center" src="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/tsdyches/ThriftyName-1.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-77441109286135776172011-06-28T14:58:00.000-07:002011-06-28T14:58:22.496-07:00And the Obnoxious Kitchen Cabinets come DOWN!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So our kitchen was built with these amazing set of cabinets right in the middle of our breakfast bar area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Awesome right? Wrong! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(oh--this picture was taken right before we started tearing up the floors so the oven had already started to be pulled out.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76a5ytd1Cbo-w01ySJDBMFwI4azWDaS9h_5Fj6zlvIDKHfKey90-pd1Miw_L84tG-EtCvKCaOGeFZqQ4sRB56_4YC0YAV1E8-KQ61xaGm216LpiVfvsoH_LDL3z2Vn5ROabtMK0l1hOQ/s1600/IMG_1340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76a5ytd1Cbo-w01ySJDBMFwI4azWDaS9h_5Fj6zlvIDKHfKey90-pd1Miw_L84tG-EtCvKCaOGeFZqQ4sRB56_4YC0YAV1E8-KQ61xaGm216LpiVfvsoH_LDL3z2Vn5ROabtMK0l1hOQ/s400/IMG_1340.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know this was a really popular thing to do back in the day--but really?! While they were installing these babies--didn't someone think <em><strong>"WOW these are really going to block the view of the whole rest of the room, and get in the way of people trying to talk to each other as they sit at the bar, and people will probably bonk their heads on the corners of these GIGANTIC cabinets all the time! Maybe the room would be better without them?"</strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, whether someone thought that or not--our kitchen was still sporting these fab cabs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view was especially bad from the other side. It was just a big ol' wall of wood:</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOgCZ8lbaFmiKii6UWa4SSUrzYGfX_Iz5YiV6BlorVvO8ORqSHHc77L4zqQRv32EdP_z3GNHqhh6zJaQzKDYBiC8Rf8WVzOmXNqZp7rpKBG6tKlt6tWC6C53K_lOUbg-coHuO3iveptE/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOgCZ8lbaFmiKii6UWa4SSUrzYGfX_Iz5YiV6BlorVvO8ORqSHHc77L4zqQRv32EdP_z3GNHqhh6zJaQzKDYBiC8Rf8WVzOmXNqZp7rpKBG6tKlt6tWC6C53K_lOUbg-coHuO3iveptE/s400/IMG_1596.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 had always planned to take them down but we had planned on building our enormous pantry first and then we would take these suckers out. Well, we haven't even started on our pantry project--but I just couldn't handle looking at the cabinets for ONE MORE DAY.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One morning, without any notice to my husband, I called some friends over to help us rip them out! We normally would have tackled a job like this by ourselves, but these puppies were heavy! So in came our wonderful friends to help.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKz7HtwAmYDxkSZErW_4QjBHoYdZ9RjjgfLXlQ1sWvJ_TTZ5-WGSSMsMBCvAqZ3H1q3qJXdQXz4NjOKEPavaxN8R2fnWCr0bpMy2xqdPkPiVQqCviKzCgI5Sv5sUrctuL5OFcfwBsA3KQ/s1600/IMG_1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKz7HtwAmYDxkSZErW_4QjBHoYdZ9RjjgfLXlQ1sWvJ_TTZ5-WGSSMsMBCvAqZ3H1q3qJXdQXz4NjOKEPavaxN8R2fnWCr0bpMy2xqdPkPiVQqCviKzCgI5Sv5sUrctuL5OFcfwBsA3KQ/s400/IMG_1599.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here they are supporting everything while my hubby unscrewed the cabinets--and I... um, well someone had to take pictures to document the momentous occasion!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkBaySvCOh2ZmmY_Y6MDxMxZd9KDiZbOroI1KIYXTwQuq8GRy1T02paoWCP8iYWXPXMz64L7yxnURC1fxPW-ChCNlpC5TR9S4iEl0PaltAqjbb6umWqHL35V55JC6ZblB191Tr1Dbq5M/s1600/IMG_1600_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkBaySvCOh2ZmmY_Y6MDxMxZd9KDiZbOroI1KIYXTwQuq8GRy1T02paoWCP8iYWXPXMz64L7yxnURC1fxPW-ChCNlpC5TR9S4iEl0PaltAqjbb6umWqHL35V55JC6ZblB191Tr1Dbq5M/s400/IMG_1600_crop.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;">And Viola! They were out and the place looked a thousand times better and BIGGER!!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5T53y62dZ6FZR6_Hbxz7SWiYEvevL_EBnmW3y3GtWPUI_XwDz-Kohu2iAvHGfX1S6ST5u6-34RTfdXdtPNHH0E293axbGSmmClf5XFKIaT1EncMH-37FL24rWO2MkC1Yiuex9sej1bk/s1600/IMG_1601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5T53y62dZ6FZR6_Hbxz7SWiYEvevL_EBnmW3y3GtWPUI_XwDz-Kohu2iAvHGfX1S6ST5u6-34RTfdXdtPNHH0E293axbGSmmClf5XFKIaT1EncMH-37FL24rWO2MkC1Yiuex9sej1bk/s640/IMG_1601.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The ceiling and wall needs some repair and patching (and since we are installing a Jennaire down draft oven--we won't need an over head hood anymore). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdib8eNWrGpiv3HjwwBMWVANGWORdMJXVqStWmUveUHqtrqUC5Q08FfI0EAwP8JUVZ3KMPZodzE8YGYggGdvfR3YYt99yZ2qJ2urpRnTsV92z_RjDtrJpJ23Ur1lDyaOA6S8q4VjNC1U/s1600/IMG_1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdib8eNWrGpiv3HjwwBMWVANGWORdMJXVqStWmUveUHqtrqUC5Q08FfI0EAwP8JUVZ3KMPZodzE8YGYggGdvfR3YYt99yZ2qJ2urpRnTsV92z_RjDtrJpJ23Ur1lDyaOA6S8q4VjNC1U/s400/IMG_1602.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;">And currently we are shopping for some small pendant lights to hang over the bar for some extra lighting and flare.</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But for now--the view is MUCH better. </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/AVvXsEg3ojeDSh32HrbRodSt8jGBOi2PAz-icqQbMohY5DkTAeKRUCRRpPLxMRSodrTIWEDhEem9jQ1yuMOwmCElVX819JYv-afxDoKoaArv44YgdmCwYZZjX-3OdMlb5UFLS6HfihEmR3kj2Pc/s1600/IMG_1669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ojeDSh32HrbRodSt8jGBOi2PAz-icqQbMohY5DkTAeKRUCRRpPLxMRSodrTIWEDhEem9jQ1yuMOwmCElVX819JYv-afxDoKoaArv44YgdmCwYZZjX-3OdMlb5UFLS6HfihEmR3kj2Pc/s640/IMG_1669.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And the good news is that I was able to find places for all the things in the cabinet even without my new pantry (which by the way will be installed in the corner on the right where the kitchen desk used to be and where the garbage currently is now.) So when I finally do get my pantry I will have SPACE GALORE!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It makes me giddy just thinking about it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img align="center" src="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/tsdyches/ThriftyName-1.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-1975565751731473462011-06-27T07:00:00.000-07:002011-06-27T10:26:52.028-07:00I Love You Ross!<div style="text-align: center;">No--my husbands name is not Ross. And its OK--cause at this moment even he is in love with Ross! Why do you ask? Because the other day when I was shopping at ROSS for one of the only times in my life (but will certainly not be the last) I found this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbhdRfGIdE67AtmENKzBKKjhZAUUM4BCSScn7RLGVPnIaFl4jAhc-WlFYxHlNOdyoR9PeQDa2tgcRAT_TrGGf6p3i4LyClYfkA3QtL8Vnt8JkL_PmZvbRFMimRHrc8p1G9rM7xWA6opg/s1600/IMG_1630_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbhdRfGIdE67AtmENKzBKKjhZAUUM4BCSScn7RLGVPnIaFl4jAhc-WlFYxHlNOdyoR9PeQDa2tgcRAT_TrGGf6p3i4LyClYfkA3QtL8Vnt8JkL_PmZvbRFMimRHrc8p1G9rM7xWA6opg/s400/IMG_1630_crop.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;">Now let me back up--I had wanted a LARGE clock to hang in our family room--but <strong><span style="font-size: large;">DARN THOSE THINGS ARE EXPENSIVE!!</span></strong> Even the ones at walmart were about <strong><span style="font-size: large;">$80</span></strong>! Too rich for my blood. So I had found a medium sized one at Fred Meyer for $30 and I had a $10 off coupon thing--so I could rationalize spending <strong><span style="font-size: large;">$20</span></strong> on a new clock. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So this is what I had for a couple weeks.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVePoXFJ8p85v15nfYK1gnMEVclXbe0OxHTkls4vWJmo_eHaNCh6hb9VOyo2fE8ow0ImrJQyhqB9s5IRp6VvsT6OSUVm0uHIPFeJZUMdI48Th2WTDaEdRg4NMkgnwQWrUA8l19OlYU3A/s1600/IMG_1646_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVePoXFJ8p85v15nfYK1gnMEVclXbe0OxHTkls4vWJmo_eHaNCh6hb9VOyo2fE8ow0ImrJQyhqB9s5IRp6VvsT6OSUVm0uHIPFeJZUMdI48Th2WTDaEdRg4NMkgnwQWrUA8l19OlYU3A/s400/IMG_1646_crop.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;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9If5FzWaryz9oLNasf6A-EkpoiHbE_ABmkfP_EhVDag3uqTCnFKRySNHGDXTgI1fApZNdKNVKGdhHb4V1lrxTPwLsLyiDPO556TCov6td2kfJJQ41aUocX2jVDgK9a0uhqfM7S1oMpqI/s1600/IMG_1649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9If5FzWaryz9oLNasf6A-EkpoiHbE_ABmkfP_EhVDag3uqTCnFKRySNHGDXTgI1fApZNdKNVKGdhHb4V1lrxTPwLsLyiDPO556TCov6td2kfJJQ41aUocX2jVDgK9a0uhqfM7S1oMpqI/s640/IMG_1649.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was cute--but to be honest--I was still disappointed as it wasn't the big clock I had envisioned on that wall. But I had resigned myself to the fact that I would never be willing to shell out the cash for a bigger one. I was just going to have to learn to live with this one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So when I happened to find this one at Ross--I about fainted at the price!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvsPdEBo4RMK0qnM3b3XDkrUuOcejkIqBK-TJYRa4-_8O5YJ1r89-HA_7IweeyB5dXz77_j8E7Fas0yP1XWHpymrlJAo1F0rcl2766cA9VJXgbKB6d8syUhvnnO3hWEP6awSPMQ_uUkE/s1600/IMG_1631_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvsPdEBo4RMK0qnM3b3XDkrUuOcejkIqBK-TJYRa4-_8O5YJ1r89-HA_7IweeyB5dXz77_j8E7Fas0yP1XWHpymrlJAo1F0rcl2766cA9VJXgbKB6d8syUhvnnO3hWEP6awSPMQ_uUkE/s400/IMG_1631_crop.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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>YES--THAT SAYS $4.99 PEOPLE!!! </strong></span><span style="font-size: small;">(And as I walked thru Ross carrying my massive clock everyone stopped and asked me where I got it and how much it was. And then they all died--just like I did--when I told them how much it was! Even the Ross checker did a double take when the price rang up and then told me that I just got a really good deal! Like I didn't already know!!!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyways--about the clock. Even though it was beautiful as it was--it wasn't exactly the colors I wanted--but I knew that I had a can of ORB at home that would do the trick!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The awesome part too was that when I got it home and took it out of the box, I found that the clock part is made to come out easily from the metal surround--much like a piece of glass comes out of a picture frame. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I didn't even have to tape off anything! I just popped out the clock and gave it a little coat of paint!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BEFORE ORB: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj_oS8NnwH_RS4cxO-I2rZQxEWMudjJd2rfYqUveBozVH3yZjyWHfOkmqdKbA3-YqAHetqXI7DD5yO7tZRKoBd70jsHxhDZuGV4dZBQH2dC2c4IkMNJcPl1SzdkkHrbxSf_7hOjRnHVs/s1600/IMG_1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj_oS8NnwH_RS4cxO-I2rZQxEWMudjJd2rfYqUveBozVH3yZjyWHfOkmqdKbA3-YqAHetqXI7DD5yO7tZRKoBd70jsHxhDZuGV4dZBQH2dC2c4IkMNJcPl1SzdkkHrbxSf_7hOjRnHVs/s400/IMG_1633.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><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2SXfGyY8G5mJiHqjOuf591dwYciu8w8vh34AoDSHvURWI0ZhE_Eqa6T0al3o6r5HNxrbvwY8qdtcPrWTSHzcvsL6ZjP78wHDpn3d0n2YE7EoKRh9z4Fw9HPBNUgQP80B1dQIejR8Rxo/s1600/IMG_1647_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2SXfGyY8G5mJiHqjOuf591dwYciu8w8vh34AoDSHvURWI0ZhE_Eqa6T0al3o6r5HNxrbvwY8qdtcPrWTSHzcvsL6ZjP78wHDpn3d0n2YE7EoKRh9z4Fw9HPBNUgQP80B1dQIejR8Rxo/s400/IMG_1647_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And sitting pretty on my wall: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcA0gqELS4tr7H62Zpm7OcbpHgFuBoB8ocik8tqr3eMJ3vYZWLAvGYXwQQNsxzk6gb0WqwUwbGPynK0Jy2EJvHheTfUlua2lJixuE2u72hXl3cJQWQLhy8eb5tdemRO5K8QzNLm2-_Twc/s1600/IMG_1642_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcA0gqELS4tr7H62Zpm7OcbpHgFuBoB8ocik8tqr3eMJ3vYZWLAvGYXwQQNsxzk6gb0WqwUwbGPynK0Jy2EJvHheTfUlua2lJixuE2u72hXl3cJQWQLhy8eb5tdemRO5K8QzNLm2-_Twc/s640/IMG_1642_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Before:</strong></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/AVvXsEh9If5FzWaryz9oLNasf6A-EkpoiHbE_ABmkfP_EhVDag3uqTCnFKRySNHGDXTgI1fApZNdKNVKGdhHb4V1lrxTPwLsLyiDPO556TCov6td2kfJJQ41aUocX2jVDgK9a0uhqfM7S1oMpqI/s1600/IMG_1649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9If5FzWaryz9oLNasf6A-EkpoiHbE_ABmkfP_EhVDag3uqTCnFKRySNHGDXTgI1fApZNdKNVKGdhHb4V1lrxTPwLsLyiDPO556TCov6td2kfJJQ41aUocX2jVDgK9a0uhqfM7S1oMpqI/s640/IMG_1649.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mid Before:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFTXoiGt27suwmol-lTNoq_UzT-Vo7UNs9N8jU18Vln5jFMIjcdWYM4yok0imLvs5SHZJXOpPqV8X4zanM99a3ltiI-mTnggu8CZeQRMMlaFTpU5ezURg-56Y7-VugZXxUBOpAjpDy14/s1600/IMG_1629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFTXoiGt27suwmol-lTNoq_UzT-Vo7UNs9N8jU18Vln5jFMIjcdWYM4yok0imLvs5SHZJXOpPqV8X4zanM99a3ltiI-mTnggu8CZeQRMMlaFTpU5ezURg-56Y7-VugZXxUBOpAjpDy14/s640/IMG_1629.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>After:</strong></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/AVvXsEh_gIaQTRY_HKVeKVDMyC1sTRsBKhFw8Em4xt7CNejjQyxUVqq2346eadAcB36gA6ZeLYgPiu6xoFIepJaDMRXPLbWSOFkWotyGCOi3SWjIuXXmyG4CHxxtglNPBsmEW0IzjMYbSRsyDjM/s1600/IMG_1639_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gIaQTRY_HKVeKVDMyC1sTRsBKhFw8Em4xt7CNejjQyxUVqq2346eadAcB36gA6ZeLYgPiu6xoFIepJaDMRXPLbWSOFkWotyGCOi3SWjIuXXmyG4CHxxtglNPBsmEW0IzjMYbSRsyDjM/s640/IMG_1639_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Now<strong> THAT</strong> is what I had imagined the wall to look like! <strong><span style="font-size: large;"> And I accomplished it for only $4.99!</span></strong> And I get to return the other clock and get back my $30!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it really does a great job balancing out the room.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8WGA2OZ_9Yr2Zay5I_L4JoRcwME2JbDNt_bf0eothMrHNglKg6ZY2I3dCi0BGP1kD7SPIU1fB1x3Q-FZh602y1Eo0R6Tq1CuuQtv7l8vfYvVkEyBd4WHMO48mGIw0Z7yPIJo0OdP4qo/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8WGA2OZ_9Yr2Zay5I_L4JoRcwME2JbDNt_bf0eothMrHNglKg6ZY2I3dCi0BGP1kD7SPIU1fB1x3Q-FZh602y1Eo0R6Tq1CuuQtv7l8vfYvVkEyBd4WHMO48mGIw0Z7yPIJo0OdP4qo/s640/IMG_1671.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you Ross! I promise I will be back very soon--and if you could arrange to have the perfect curtains for my bedroom there next time for super cheap--that would be great!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<img align="center" src="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/tsdyches/ThriftyName-1.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-72726439009461921252011-06-24T10:32:00.000-07:002011-06-24T10:35:43.817-07:00Spray Paint Helps the Family Room Along<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OK, if you have read my blog before or know me at all, you know that I LOVE SPRAY PAINT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And of course with a new house I have found a plethora of things that are crying out for a spray paint makeover. Today I will show you a couple of the MANY I have already undertaken.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When we moved in the family room had this lovely white and gold ceiling fan:</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/AVvXsEjA8Tt_OJ3nz0bzKqOJRWZQQqjot7B35BsA8vyzEluMuiNK67iPAi0Uo-i4AU5Bjv8s7DQ3Jh4LH9A_wX9tFG4Di5CA1qiPmpOSy0odnrmDn_g_nZmz_Ao9alLnMK_4h-JLjgIc0wgL9kI/s1600/ImageStoreCA7AAJLG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8Tt_OJ3nz0bzKqOJRWZQQqjot7B35BsA8vyzEluMuiNK67iPAi0Uo-i4AU5Bjv8s7DQ3Jh4LH9A_wX9tFG4Di5CA1qiPmpOSy0odnrmDn_g_nZmz_Ao9alLnMK_4h-JLjgIc0wgL9kI/s400/ImageStoreCA7AAJLG.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAxK06XhwxRGWlDDmf7NO_hVynHLH1pM6N8s6lpdYT61nljkqRwAWp44k9N3b0cXqmzSVdsn7J3QohWs1n9KSB9sEDB7A7bCDas0XSeL1bBaQGeR_iwEiGPyY2AkVXDJg92cymhrKjow/s1600/IMG_1481_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAxK06XhwxRGWlDDmf7NO_hVynHLH1pM6N8s6lpdYT61nljkqRwAWp44k9N3b0cXqmzSVdsn7J3QohWs1n9KSB9sEDB7A7bCDas0XSeL1bBaQGeR_iwEiGPyY2AkVXDJg92cymhrKjow/s400/IMG_1481_crop.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;">Well--no--I didn't spray paint <strong>THAT</strong> ceiling fan. Instead I found another fan at our local Re-Store for super cheap. It was PERFECT except it had light wood fan blades (which I somehow forgot to get a picture of! Darn it when that happens!) They were almost the color of my table--UNTIL they got a shot of brown spray paint.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrxdvy_WpXCQkQDJGh948Qv4ur8tKu-lVSuGUdezZ59_C5keOaQpIuIgWDshPP6xeop3WkaCfiI-npp4m8dkTagZqQR8T4D_R9Mnmwc2em_0XQ-M7pFQoxcYUCdmP3dpqdvix108LaSY/s1600/IMG_1480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrxdvy_WpXCQkQDJGh948Qv4ur8tKu-lVSuGUdezZ59_C5keOaQpIuIgWDshPP6xeop3WkaCfiI-npp4m8dkTagZqQR8T4D_R9Mnmwc2em_0XQ-M7pFQoxcYUCdmP3dpqdvix108LaSY/s400/IMG_1480.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Much better!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3EKD3UHkFJyoFTuwvTzA5CUfodku2P6-Z0sc5-bcAeb5GO94DwwXUdxsCOIdqXAQKc7P6yYp23Xn1AA3mRpdFBeybnd95tjo3KIrhStTZMdCC_QtVZnEZektHf3vaDp7bnfdVvBV5DI/s1600/IMG_1482_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3EKD3UHkFJyoFTuwvTzA5CUfodku2P6-Z0sc5-bcAeb5GO94DwwXUdxsCOIdqXAQKc7P6yYp23Xn1AA3mRpdFBeybnd95tjo3KIrhStTZMdCC_QtVZnEZektHf3vaDp7bnfdVvBV5DI/s400/IMG_1482_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2HnhQ3Dk3NGy-acJLOSmBh83gA3SHaQ2WwsxqJVIDv3D3NO0Qnz0fGjuYtvZKlnG0XXCHAgGi1khrj31lAo7mBxim1lJeMzJeilnvYwTHcqxgUKjoSwLUyv1XKIMHjnseZkdCx7vH-Y/s1600/IMG_1483_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2HnhQ3Dk3NGy-acJLOSmBh83gA3SHaQ2WwsxqJVIDv3D3NO0Qnz0fGjuYtvZKlnG0XXCHAgGi1khrj31lAo7mBxim1lJeMzJeilnvYwTHcqxgUKjoSwLUyv1XKIMHjnseZkdCx7vH-Y/s400/IMG_1483_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The other thing in this room that was SCREAMING at me from the moment I saw it was this GOLD/BRASS TRIM on the FIREPLACE! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7_P5bQBB8LDitHVS5Qt-0UbrXsVFji8aWJ4ttmrYUofrm5utP7Cur6Tz_ideZDzeFRBx-y-CJlVLPcCV9RewpCmTETuxGCQWvWV71cN5cnwtCtuWaKR6-CWj_bRULxZ3zqpPe-JtM3s/s1600/IMG_1344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7_P5bQBB8LDitHVS5Qt-0UbrXsVFji8aWJ4ttmrYUofrm5utP7Cur6Tz_ideZDzeFRBx-y-CJlVLPcCV9RewpCmTETuxGCQWvWV71cN5cnwtCtuWaKR6-CWj_bRULxZ3zqpPe-JtM3s/s400/IMG_1344.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 couldn't wait to spray those babies up! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So that's just what I did. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Those pieces come out super easy (especially when you have your hubby take them out for you).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM1RN-c49ylE52ZD4ikuwE0hSSL72fsBKon7P2UtGcyKqAAWEZMa7k4NcZ9tOC4WYIIaA6JVGlZkNe_9Jc3N98sCZr-TTAiD5a5bQEla8hRQFJ1TVmKGcKrJRJTcXeGn90Q1_27Loc34/s1600/IMG_1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM1RN-c49ylE52ZD4ikuwE0hSSL72fsBKon7P2UtGcyKqAAWEZMa7k4NcZ9tOC4WYIIaA6JVGlZkNe_9Jc3N98sCZr-TTAiD5a5bQEla8hRQFJ1TVmKGcKrJRJTcXeGn90Q1_27Loc34/s400/IMG_1469.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And after a couple coats of this awesome stuff:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-qFtPZlCrnpXGk_fBd0L1goRNQUrab_O4XRGKqGEmvYxe_Jy2U90BkcUFavMQF30wxRk0lG9nllaeoVKNj9gvM0czIJ2Lk9_vl_LuG9Uc-F9ZC2nMqGSA8E4AYK-jn9syB7eM3t5qMY/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-qFtPZlCrnpXGk_fBd0L1goRNQUrab_O4XRGKqGEmvYxe_Jy2U90BkcUFavMQF30wxRk0lG9nllaeoVKNj9gvM0czIJ2Lk9_vl_LuG9Uc-F9ZC2nMqGSA8E4AYK-jn9syB7eM3t5qMY/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bye bye brass!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDiYmXoGfLEpwlWZH5OYonZI6Uuu89_fz7RlDPTDbaaIU56o2sJUe0j41y06brdt9cio9RSYMtA92syNttZi2XWNX0NG67sjVccRsNdjOs4mZ0X9EQ61xyk1EhVUF5uhtstfRJPeEq0k/s1600/IMG_1470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDiYmXoGfLEpwlWZH5OYonZI6Uuu89_fz7RlDPTDbaaIU56o2sJUe0j41y06brdt9cio9RSYMtA92syNttZi2XWNX0NG67sjVccRsNdjOs4mZ0X9EQ61xyk1EhVUF5uhtstfRJPeEq0k/s400/IMG_1470.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ahhh. Much better. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Except we obviously still have some work to do on this bad boy! But still--what an improvement!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SOEMSlrgJgNyAjZAgZ7Py17XNzkzC2h8AYOn955T_RAnVweM2rPV626YWZS8oKu0aI7nFFBNHlS3nPUbtf99ypMtze-T7E68HbikOBq95KSn-AgI5E4sAIzAxChoH6OiRinQ3xVobaw/s1600/IMG_1679_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SOEMSlrgJgNyAjZAgZ7Py17XNzkzC2h8AYOn955T_RAnVweM2rPV626YWZS8oKu0aI7nFFBNHlS3nPUbtf99ypMtze-T7E68HbikOBq95KSn-AgI5E4sAIzAxChoH6OiRinQ3xVobaw/s400/IMG_1679_crop.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think those two little transformations really make a big impact on the room. And I guess it also helped that we have changed just about everything else in the room as well!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>BEFORE </strong>(with Previous Owners Furnishings)<strong>:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8Tt_OJ3nz0bzKqOJRWZQQqjot7B35BsA8vyzEluMuiNK67iPAi0Uo-i4AU5Bjv8s7DQ3Jh4LH9A_wX9tFG4Di5CA1qiPmpOSy0odnrmDn_g_nZmz_Ao9alLnMK_4h-JLjgIc0wgL9kI/s1600/ImageStoreCA7AAJLG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8Tt_OJ3nz0bzKqOJRWZQQqjot7B35BsA8vyzEluMuiNK67iPAi0Uo-i4AU5Bjv8s7DQ3Jh4LH9A_wX9tFG4Di5CA1qiPmpOSy0odnrmDn_g_nZmz_Ao9alLnMK_4h-JLjgIc0wgL9kI/s640/ImageStoreCA7AAJLG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>AFTER:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisq-4puVGE-PoUuIGwesV3lWoK2CQ6K2KT2Q4NiMrAVuBRyzPS0FL1iVeOjZjdBvcAZ5cOqIraPFj_vBf-Vj2DWt84EvWGUz18eUvxBBF6D0MUg9Nvcb0vo8gpfigWiBKm-GzcqnT4wrI/s1600/IMG_1665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisq-4puVGE-PoUuIGwesV3lWoK2CQ6K2KT2Q4NiMrAVuBRyzPS0FL1iVeOjZjdBvcAZ5cOqIraPFj_vBf-Vj2DWt84EvWGUz18eUvxBBF6D0MUg9Nvcb0vo8gpfigWiBKm-GzcqnT4wrI/s640/IMG_1665.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And of course this is not a <strong>TRUE</strong> after picture yet--as the fireplace is still in a state of demolition and none of the base board trim had been painted white and put back on, and the mantel and windowsills still need a coat of white paint...but at this moment this is where the room stands and I am pretty darn happy with it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/tsdyches/ThriftyName-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="center" border="0" height="69" src="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/tsdyches/ThriftyName-1.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="200" /></a></div>Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-6117849670272743942011-06-23T07:37:00.000-07:002011-06-24T10:35:43.818-07:00I'm Back AND with Hardwood Floors!<div style="text-align: center;">I can't believe how time has flown by!! I am sorry it has been <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>SO LONG</strong></span> since I last posted. The whole process of buying and closing on our new house was<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> EXTREMELY LONG and PAINFUL</span></strong>--with many unexpected twists and turns. But we did <u>finally</u> close on and move into our new home and have been spending EVERY WAKING MOMENT since--fixing it up and making it ours!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember what it looked like? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mFCha8lUUbFrOPDHQ8ZG2QpWaXsEz-Gs8Z9UZBxJ0jgB5OqbUtrUVH1xEsjifueIyF1wJZdRAPZzl9EHS8MWwKh2qt3TIS6KFyLiA3NbKEySDsxAvQK__6VJ8z0G0WL2cLsOlMMzx6c/s1600/ImageStoreCARJWH5M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mFCha8lUUbFrOPDHQ8ZG2QpWaXsEz-Gs8Z9UZBxJ0jgB5OqbUtrUVH1xEsjifueIyF1wJZdRAPZzl9EHS8MWwKh2qt3TIS6KFyLiA3NbKEySDsxAvQK__6VJ8z0G0WL2cLsOlMMzx6c/s400/ImageStoreCARJWH5M.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It has been such an adventure! We have already tackled so many projects in this house and yet still have SO MANY more to tackle. Many of the projects we knew we wanted to do when we bought the house--and then there have been some that were unexpected--like having to replace carpets that we thought were in great condition--but actually were SATURATED in EVERY SINGLE CORNER WITH CAT PEE!!! And having to replace LOTS of sets of window blinds because they weren't functional. And having to paint EVERY SQUARE INCH of the ENTIRE HOUSE because the previous home owners had a love affair with sponge painting and the rooms that weren't sponge painted were painted super poorly with what looked like 1/2 a coat of coverage (AND they were the sloppiest and messiest painters EVER!!! There were drips and dribbles of paint all over all the trim work and everything!!) Oh well. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I have TONS of projects to show you! Some are finished and some are in the in-between stages. So in no particular order--I am just going to start posting about all the random things we have done and are doing in our new house. YIPPEE!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So today we will start in the kitchen, dining and family room. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This is what we started with:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZao6etrOt2J34mGcLii2iNNk_S5kguNGQBKInk1tySDHPFd74VbXTbpJA_3mC9aHUZQYv5xMiOcYre7ydGzgLQ0Djie0ZRSzbR9FZ5pCRkYUFHgd1ytakrAXN1QsLgW9v-rgGD6fc_Q/s1600/IMG_1340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZao6etrOt2J34mGcLii2iNNk_S5kguNGQBKInk1tySDHPFd74VbXTbpJA_3mC9aHUZQYv5xMiOcYre7ydGzgLQ0Djie0ZRSzbR9FZ5pCRkYUFHgd1ytakrAXN1QsLgW9v-rgGD6fc_Q/s400/IMG_1340.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi595cF3jUh_puGUkLDNnLVd7pbd84kMW-8LigvlDTtJ7b_urZc6CEjdgwkRH1POK1KWPpZe-m17CbSYl5wj7qqDduhnTxJTR7oQVWsd2Vbb7XJtv7AQKYKRS5bVBjiBc_5br1yZEBTj8w/s1600/IMG_1341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi595cF3jUh_puGUkLDNnLVd7pbd84kMW-8LigvlDTtJ7b_urZc6CEjdgwkRH1POK1KWPpZe-m17CbSYl5wj7qqDduhnTxJTR7oQVWsd2Vbb7XJtv7AQKYKRS5bVBjiBc_5br1yZEBTj8w/s400/IMG_1341.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlcUukgKpxwUS977RM89iuz768j30O0r4L8oun5y3u-XML_QZK_K41ynpN_ObZUrk_nfRGVw-Fh_R4lgm3CjLMncDt854UcCk1omMUvLc6AnxfP41PLlbGssDj6j0zsADn2HXbQQVtvU/s1600/IMG_1346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlcUukgKpxwUS977RM89iuz768j30O0r4L8oun5y3u-XML_QZK_K41ynpN_ObZUrk_nfRGVw-Fh_R4lgm3CjLMncDt854UcCk1omMUvLc6AnxfP41PLlbGssDj6j0zsADn2HXbQQVtvU/s400/IMG_1346.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;">Then came the DEMO. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Out with the Lino.</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/AVvXsEgeYgCk3E2iIHVGnhX6r3ILhAXfyDEym3Jdxr3CzQhlNmrnDv86PFKIUuVHuQg5T9u5wiJnGT0aVefmhKPc7iiD60LbbnybeDPJ3JjoGDDfrU0wdiya4nCwBneJnQD3xVPc0WAxNjttkNc/s1600/IMG_1398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYgCk3E2iIHVGnhX6r3ILhAXfyDEym3Jdxr3CzQhlNmrnDv86PFKIUuVHuQg5T9u5wiJnGT0aVefmhKPc7iiD60LbbnybeDPJ3JjoGDDfrU0wdiya4nCwBneJnQD3xVPc0WAxNjttkNc/s400/IMG_1398.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Out with the carpet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-Wr6ANzo7jlw3RmmDN88UFoyDUUSsp9VjaDwPe7tKrnWjPa7wdmLRCFmG-F_oD1UevosT3RCm3JPEpj3Gd0m3TxICDx4gtT3Vvg6IXaYLic30IbJc89rcgFh2v9i8jM86795f9idNJ4/s1600/IMG_1399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-Wr6ANzo7jlw3RmmDN88UFoyDUUSsp9VjaDwPe7tKrnWjPa7wdmLRCFmG-F_oD1UevosT3RCm3JPEpj3Gd0m3TxICDx4gtT3Vvg6IXaYLic30IbJc89rcgFh2v9i8jM86795f9idNJ4/s400/IMG_1399.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaekuxdmIEtHYLtXwoQvV0G5ONxAJUbTImuRowTcMd59Q8kF1XH_zVBRqBMaUqX6aMX7YbF8ihPSEUrW_U1-Kp54oaXKZD_nTckK50oc3v6YThU67mhpaosQuAJzybCiflyttQo1xKtRo/s1600/IMG_1400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaekuxdmIEtHYLtXwoQvV0G5ONxAJUbTImuRowTcMd59Q8kF1XH_zVBRqBMaUqX6aMX7YbF8ihPSEUrW_U1-Kp54oaXKZD_nTckK50oc3v6YThU67mhpaosQuAJzybCiflyttQo1xKtRo/s400/IMG_1400.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And can I just ask--has anyone else out there ever ripped out lino before? Are ALL THOSE BILLIONS OF LITTLE STAPLES REALLY NECESSARY?!! It took me HOURS to pound all those suckers down!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the front room full of our new HARDWOOD FLOORS!!! And minus the carpet that we thought would be staying. But SURPRISE--the previous owners used these two rooms as their cat rooms. Enough said. Out with this carpet too.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_zWd3T4IfmN6Ri-qzyQAxMcK8ncbovNsiabneU78CEtFWN-ShcxJngp0I7Jw4fqpf6YKWKgD5ROE8tlfszHP4VYkr10QcOwbcc0HSzt0ELmOKwT3jrRK_6S8CNcFPQxn69Qki-WgN_4/s1600/IMG_1394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_zWd3T4IfmN6Ri-qzyQAxMcK8ncbovNsiabneU78CEtFWN-ShcxJngp0I7Jw4fqpf6YKWKgD5ROE8tlfszHP4VYkr10QcOwbcc0HSzt0ELmOKwT3jrRK_6S8CNcFPQxn69Qki-WgN_4/s400/IMG_1394.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;">Aren't these hardwoods beautiful even when its just sitting there in a pile?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCccdhBrM7wgGvPwmlCeyorL8L7r0bm7Z9n4SJ3vNHF8pXWPUkCKAqWO5r6SAnxgcOWYEHg59_WTwjkSK6FIKFLszFjqlOsWMyUNQ9xADYMXVpRVj87hrue3z1eDCHy8nX-RilFi_WzY/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCccdhBrM7wgGvPwmlCeyorL8L7r0bm7Z9n4SJ3vNHF8pXWPUkCKAqWO5r6SAnxgcOWYEHg59_WTwjkSK6FIKFLszFjqlOsWMyUNQ9xADYMXVpRVj87hrue3z1eDCHy8nX-RilFi_WzY/s400/IMG_1393.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then our great friend and neighbor laid the flooring for us--and he managed to escape without me taking a picture of this momentous occasion! Darn it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But don't they look great?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYw6jltFvIYXY59s_Zw8BnuFcKzMbdUGxCqKpDDnR0ePbke4wafuzByPI1z6lyDr9qkBg6BWAIP4LAjFm9dl7S34UMnnnWbOquJ880oq8vZ28wJTGgCPaLnPbUjsTC4p1_2snv4F4igY/s1600/IMG_1418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYw6jltFvIYXY59s_Zw8BnuFcKzMbdUGxCqKpDDnR0ePbke4wafuzByPI1z6lyDr9qkBg6BWAIP4LAjFm9dl7S34UMnnnWbOquJ880oq8vZ28wJTGgCPaLnPbUjsTC4p1_2snv4F4igY/s400/IMG_1418.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;">Next we started experimenting with the stain color--behind the fridge so we could cover it up if necessary.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsD70my3R6HwPqth_TzGUu-OJ95r8bNxTVQJ1amKOFXFJ6wqnAKhsc-hwK8TsyWiCpYeV17g3F2etTrLPgQph6TiPO7HU10z46d3cokNKztk4FpMtfepcEBeY3PYxwGlGyuNUbEpDexU/s1600/IMG_1419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsD70my3R6HwPqth_TzGUu-OJ95r8bNxTVQJ1amKOFXFJ6wqnAKhsc-hwK8TsyWiCpYeV17g3F2etTrLPgQph6TiPO7HU10z46d3cokNKztk4FpMtfepcEBeY3PYxwGlGyuNUbEpDexU/s400/IMG_1419.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And we got the color we were looking for. A warm brownish red tone. Not too dark but not too light.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5whAs-IeseUjOR4yw3bVtNpUs4IwT0Al49IzwCqG01Sc_0ilzG0hPsaolEwLH55gFSbehWbobcZl2Mx4ysWW36CLhvOdITFqCHdFSd97YWPWPLJz9pTMbYckaai-KtYNmYYehOa70COg/s1600/IMG_1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5whAs-IeseUjOR4yw3bVtNpUs4IwT0Al49IzwCqG01Sc_0ilzG0hPsaolEwLH55gFSbehWbobcZl2Mx4ysWW36CLhvOdITFqCHdFSd97YWPWPLJz9pTMbYckaai-KtYNmYYehOa70COg/s400/IMG_1422.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;">Then we started painting before he finished off the floor because once he started finishing them we couldn't be on them for several days and then it was move in time. So here we are painting until the wee hours of night.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zgWlrQjpHdPHLQP7MyBJ70pT7ktFvyc6_QaNtYlDuqjG6JKDLyVWzr1oj4aIcecwBchHRZEHFdVSUgH-aWC6I59RyQiqwQV2ggkUZ8Zovfs36_4W6jxYfkFwP72UYiAkdA8NGSB1pt8/s1600/IMG_1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zgWlrQjpHdPHLQP7MyBJ70pT7ktFvyc6_QaNtYlDuqjG6JKDLyVWzr1oj4aIcecwBchHRZEHFdVSUgH-aWC6I59RyQiqwQV2ggkUZ8Zovfs36_4W6jxYfkFwP72UYiAkdA8NGSB1pt8/s400/IMG_1424.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This next picture is just to document the AWESOME paint roller that our painter let us borrow. We hired out the job of painting our two story entry way and the painter ended up being the nicest guy in the world and let us borrow his MAMMOTH roller and tray. THIS BABY WAS THE BEST!!! It is twice the size of a regular roller and cut our painting time in half--which was wonderful since we were painting most of our house with the same color--we were able to use it for the whole house! Love that thing.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgqphLCFE-5MdZuVRnNFVJy3Mo5xhwQzahLXjB-m1kayDwO46dDdPlnsT0w1kZR3NgKAVrxGtD_psvfvueM3lSwVYGaQ1eWysu6DQ_KqyQMCDHFZ0Wjablt7ZKEW2pBMbvMb_o12VybY/s1600/IMG_1425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgqphLCFE-5MdZuVRnNFVJy3Mo5xhwQzahLXjB-m1kayDwO46dDdPlnsT0w1kZR3NgKAVrxGtD_psvfvueM3lSwVYGaQ1eWysu6DQ_KqyQMCDHFZ0Wjablt7ZKEW2pBMbvMb_o12VybY/s400/IMG_1425.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;">And then the floors were finished and we moved in. And I didn't take a picture of them in all of their naked glory. But here they are with all our stuff moved in... and toys on the floor <span style="font-size: x-small;">(apparently).</span></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/AVvXsEgL3vWFnn7lD8Wjs1PnD5nd1EVrINANtG7YGDviTly0KEc-WVY23MqFKb3AwyJh5-SjLg-dXgWW_-dVLKEt4vPvFi_YvQv26uAA7CQgC4uesMKJf7gcudRl_im7nGvtstLrpS4nkCUVnYg/s1600/IMG_1598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3vWFnn7lD8Wjs1PnD5nd1EVrINANtG7YGDviTly0KEc-WVY23MqFKb3AwyJh5-SjLg-dXgWW_-dVLKEt4vPvFi_YvQv26uAA7CQgC4uesMKJf7gcudRl_im7nGvtstLrpS4nkCUVnYg/s400/IMG_1598.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;">And can I just say how much I LOVE HARDWOOD FLOORS!! They were worth all of the hassle! I think they will even look better when we finish off the kitchen and all the trim in WHITE. But one thing at a time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will be back with more very soon! Thanks for sticking around!</div><img align="center" src="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/tsdyches/ThriftyName-1.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" />Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-56126831847335810002011-03-03T15:13:00.000-08:002011-03-03T15:13:41.827-08:00Master Bedroom Makeover<div align="center">A while ago I showed you the new bedding we got for Christmas--but I have yet to show you our master bedroom makeover. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So lets remember where we started:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">This is what our room looked like for many years before we added our $1 Headboard: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieprT8umSYKqUVZ_i1yg4hrtvU4tiWUK0viU88436heV1YoS38vFdshNJvCvCyYLR0SuHhXmsxd9I4oHLNl3bEgb_TZwyA1uYaG1CNIYD-p9Jn-oS8-Kd2OXmW0c9L1YxBkj9i2_Gcpi8/s1600/IMG_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieprT8umSYKqUVZ_i1yg4hrtvU4tiWUK0viU88436heV1YoS38vFdshNJvCvCyYLR0SuHhXmsxd9I4oHLNl3bEgb_TZwyA1uYaG1CNIYD-p9Jn-oS8-Kd2OXmW0c9L1YxBkj9i2_Gcpi8/s400/IMG_0518.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;">Then came the headboard and mirror:</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_2JxdD8_8REydvA9jDI0UXCDCjAKH6fpa7WW5gYMtCR3SzDmg6Es5dvm7MZ-bRr-93svwb89o8_fFzkKzOrUKN7KzmrAA3kE1uk7HWi1M_NzEZhqo77p6ZJi0mFj6jlVcbmRsx4YUGbI/s1600/0601000946_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2JxdD8_8REydvA9jDI0UXCDCjAKH6fpa7WW5gYMtCR3SzDmg6Es5dvm7MZ-bRr-93svwb89o8_fFzkKzOrUKN7KzmrAA3kE1uk7HWi1M_NzEZhqo77p6ZJi0mFj6jlVcbmRsx4YUGbI/s400/0601000946_crop.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything in the room was all coordinated around the blue and green color scheme.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our lamps--(I already showed you their transformation <a href="http://thisthriftyhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/spray-painted-lamp-shades.html">HERE</a>):</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-88TtKCRhRLcp6UgOA-cC8K4y5qFvkoUNiIqYDK3ZEllYTRPQdjuRPpQXifZA7rwnxphFUdBvTdSeyvzhgaX5Lu9bLCg8uGWo4PRUj2EfYkiHeBfOWycQV2lUKckrEoAsR6JA6Shpq4/s1600/IMG_3065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-88TtKCRhRLcp6UgOA-cC8K4y5qFvkoUNiIqYDK3ZEllYTRPQdjuRPpQXifZA7rwnxphFUdBvTdSeyvzhgaX5Lu9bLCg8uGWo4PRUj2EfYkiHeBfOWycQV2lUKckrEoAsR6JA6Shpq4/s400/IMG_3065.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My whole sewing area including the chair:</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/AVvXsEiSZLBy1P2ch23JQq0DDR2LbMfqW7k_phM6TeaOGtJ6OTYcntYtAwWfLs5w8RESSkSeB3m02twrFJ6uGUhTZ-URfLGFkZlaBKhbWpYZ6vHx7kiinxZBFhNz-F49Pg_8DQ0yVEd70dFwaTQ/s1600/IMG_2976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZLBy1P2ch23JQq0DDR2LbMfqW7k_phM6TeaOGtJ6OTYcntYtAwWfLs5w8RESSkSeB3m02twrFJ6uGUhTZ-URfLGFkZlaBKhbWpYZ6vHx7kiinxZBFhNz-F49Pg_8DQ0yVEd70dFwaTQ/s320/IMG_2976.JPG" width="240" /></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/AVvXsEh1FxTqg7nvtXemsfQAglFEGzuwKsUpWgPniHbXdy7gf_HQWoZrJN-0wXk0WfUTFJnrR5E5mJBG2_69DTk4ANcyPxn0supFrs4iw_ATqJz2E95DEN30Bc0W77AW4GlZXVAvONEQSlob58E/s1600/Jute+Balls+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FxTqg7nvtXemsfQAglFEGzuwKsUpWgPniHbXdy7gf_HQWoZrJN-0wXk0WfUTFJnrR5E5mJBG2_69DTk4ANcyPxn0supFrs4iw_ATqJz2E95DEN30Bc0W77AW4GlZXVAvONEQSlob58E/s400/Jute+Balls+2.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pictures on the Wall:</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/AVvXsEjIjzx8_3w_7lzlfJg068zfYK9QZSQjwvVE_75baGtOwss51yOQH2w3E9u0o9boIE4z_l5BQOoRpgfO01Lu85xetOBWD90SIWwJ8IxaTbFOrbG4jLT2sNhFKusyYDpxlmcusHwf1aVhGZg/s1600/IMG_3044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjzx8_3w_7lzlfJg068zfYK9QZSQjwvVE_75baGtOwss51yOQH2w3E9u0o9boIE4z_l5BQOoRpgfO01Lu85xetOBWD90SIWwJ8IxaTbFOrbG4jLT2sNhFKusyYDpxlmcusHwf1aVhGZg/s320/IMG_3044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lets just say that the purchase of new bedding ENTIRELY upset the balance and order of my WHOLE ENTIRE ROOM!!! I needed to redo everything!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I started with my little sewing chair. I had left over fabric from my <a href="http://thisthriftyhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/kitchen-curtains-take-3.html">Kitchen curtains</a>. And it matched PERFECTLY!! </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/AVvXsEj6Ds8RKZnr44eA32_8p2Wyr8He66sCjGenIlp2otk76TuAPAuEjlAgnvarV_JInuDx2qFhAf6DgohYqz1U46QKxplR2qpxMNcIgChMGeTK7p3JV9VU2HaZD9ZapWuxsR5B4X-4GZ9bS9Y/s1600/IMG_1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ds8RKZnr44eA32_8p2Wyr8He66sCjGenIlp2otk76TuAPAuEjlAgnvarV_JInuDx2qFhAf6DgohYqz1U46QKxplR2qpxMNcIgChMGeTK7p3JV9VU2HaZD9ZapWuxsR5B4X-4GZ9bS9Y/s400/IMG_1171.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;">So I just stapled over the other fabric (even though I actually started to undo all the staples to take it apart and my hubby walked in and asked me why I didn't just put it on top! I swear that guy is a GENIUS!! Duh! Saved me a lot of work!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think it looks very elegant.</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/AVvXsEhFq1a7w9_4Z2SxuieLTERipda1ismCyGayhhhVYZBi80CFuBykVGu75LVMnppIKOlwiiNp5wub7AKEtEGce935ZqqecnYfSbjiJqlkGUYDNxEgBlbRU3oNJChxN90JC6UTiVqMZq_NpWA/s1600/IMG_1172_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFq1a7w9_4Z2SxuieLTERipda1ismCyGayhhhVYZBi80CFuBykVGu75LVMnppIKOlwiiNp5wub7AKEtEGce935ZqqecnYfSbjiJqlkGUYDNxEgBlbRU3oNJChxN90JC6UTiVqMZq_NpWA/s400/IMG_1172_crop.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Close up so you can see the fabric:</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/AVvXsEiI3OOu0Dda9s0DPQ1Uar9SHeKEAgaMoI2z7fhBuNGwcntgvvDAYymyuVuhcmMxh9Z0ptb6wnOHd00x8cSdDVDSDUG5nqn1MYtoihc2-Sco9m_v4fr9Nf3wGtOdDUOXF5H5MJQJ2Er8SBo/s1600/IMG_1173_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3OOu0Dda9s0DPQ1Uar9SHeKEAgaMoI2z7fhBuNGwcntgvvDAYymyuVuhcmMxh9Z0ptb6wnOHd00x8cSdDVDSDUG5nqn1MYtoihc2-Sco9m_v4fr9Nf3wGtOdDUOXF5H5MJQJ2Er8SBo/s400/IMG_1173_crop.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then above my dresser (Which is on the list to get a new coat of paint) I had collected a fantastic little assortment of Chucke Cheese photos. They are small and Cheesy (get it?) but I love them. However, they didn't look very elegant on my walls as they were:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_QCJYkQsqv9L4KFc1HAxSl9XxSxw7zs8H62s5M-2YPJBw7InqXdku8moCMqdOkyhohUQADzyQ5n_cjvoJkcGoe4g3OBUtcBOsWothqw9TUt2tXStKBs9HMAzINdV0ZETiQW4-rAKFi8/s1600/IMG_1091_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_QCJYkQsqv9L4KFc1HAxSl9XxSxw7zs8H62s5M-2YPJBw7InqXdku8moCMqdOkyhohUQADzyQ5n_cjvoJkcGoe4g3OBUtcBOsWothqw9TUt2tXStKBs9HMAzINdV0ZETiQW4-rAKFi8/s400/IMG_1091_crop.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I found some dollar store picture frames (2 for $1) that were the same size.</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/AVvXsEhTXbHbYri0YnH2UXL5ZBcAeAw2r5RFrLOjuqAPvv8n20u5J4srfloqpzxjbskA-72_9WR1x3QWeIkV1Qd2qPooB8fb9qy6Ww2C7nAg-Sq6okRKQEw4nMoVt5zxoktZvNq3W_aimtMtm1Y/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXbHbYri0YnH2UXL5ZBcAeAw2r5RFrLOjuqAPvv8n20u5J4srfloqpzxjbskA-72_9WR1x3QWeIkV1Qd2qPooB8fb9qy6Ww2C7nAg-Sq6okRKQEw4nMoVt5zxoktZvNq3W_aimtMtm1Y/s400/IMG_1093.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 spray painted those babies up--as well as my lamp shades.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2R8wkY6DdU04G182kKY72PQQIcHUjSls_at_DrYKj1PjAUJomA1GW0-sc6MWzbGgvq815H_NiTiXYRdZbqhNJjLF4HWm-4ksZSZjkM5lYT5rK4IMBHkG1onB5rcbzUz1n2F-JyH2oY3g/s1600/IMG_1094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2R8wkY6DdU04G182kKY72PQQIcHUjSls_at_DrYKj1PjAUJomA1GW0-sc6MWzbGgvq815H_NiTiXYRdZbqhNJjLF4HWm-4ksZSZjkM5lYT5rK4IMBHkG1onB5rcbzUz1n2F-JyH2oY3g/s400/IMG_1094.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;">Then I scanned in the originals into my computer (So I could have a digital copy) and then reprinted them and framed them up. I really love how they turned out!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIA96VZHMCYoqJbltTJSsFjS8n1gBl59IHZ346UGIX8HHPGJpfr2bY_vOg5rrDYkADf4L-5PTmaZGteRTPlBb4nHgCbZS1KGQGKdpk2N6U6DlknPxbELNjJ2EHNnHN2NIqcOUtvOycD_w/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIA96VZHMCYoqJbltTJSsFjS8n1gBl59IHZ346UGIX8HHPGJpfr2bY_vOg5rrDYkADf4L-5PTmaZGteRTPlBb4nHgCbZS1KGQGKdpk2N6U6DlknPxbELNjJ2EHNnHN2NIqcOUtvOycD_w/s400/IMG_1179.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;">Next the curtains were now all wrong--as was the curtain rod and curtain hangy thingies.</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/AVvXsEjXB3axmfxjW94cb7qTZKYSsFsuP20GuNQeuBM2TSPOr_lcYGglNMpLbsRHC00veHGZ8d0tFs_Wdo2RnIg8GDGrffhiWtp_3CyJLxXDWkLeRjq4OAvkrShUpdlMnb8KrltRxSp0wsi0OLA/s1600/IMG_1135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB3axmfxjW94cb7qTZKYSsFsuP20GuNQeuBM2TSPOr_lcYGglNMpLbsRHC00veHGZ8d0tFs_Wdo2RnIg8GDGrffhiWtp_3CyJLxXDWkLeRjq4OAvkrShUpdlMnb8KrltRxSp0wsi0OLA/s400/IMG_1135.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;">So they got a makeover with spray paint too:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbEq2912AjFb-7sznk2uwzCuZrL3YLtSNLcaiu3YiWARkHkF52kpj_MyVT0axhjoxk_hEkP8L7n56S7YMhyWaTrGBIRW7mnG3r1jp23V9Lg7E0XLpjqgqmmeOJWGke8z5J3PisM69Rp4/s1600/IMG_1142_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbEq2912AjFb-7sznk2uwzCuZrL3YLtSNLcaiu3YiWARkHkF52kpj_MyVT0axhjoxk_hEkP8L7n56S7YMhyWaTrGBIRW7mnG3r1jp23V9Lg7E0XLpjqgqmmeOJWGke8z5J3PisM69Rp4/s400/IMG_1142_crop.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 think that the Oil Rubbed Bronze finish looks so much better and matches the sconces I have on either side of my mirror. AND I totally scored and found these old curtain panels in my closet. They were from another room and I hadn't seen them in years and just stumbled upon them! So serendipitous!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli3b7H2Asn9dVyJuk76o6z6OTc_jkr98yQH0elrHRQ7rK881JAhgwt3zYCQXlbBA8UHT-7L8RO7gAKVzlCIkLXL_2Vif-xE3I9oh9NeLqUce5CY-5Yfpw6aYwRzEtPqYIeUvk70Onghk/s1600/IMG_1231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli3b7H2Asn9dVyJuk76o6z6OTc_jkr98yQH0elrHRQ7rK881JAhgwt3zYCQXlbBA8UHT-7L8RO7gAKVzlCIkLXL_2Vif-xE3I9oh9NeLqUce5CY-5Yfpw6aYwRzEtPqYIeUvk70Onghk/s400/IMG_1231.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;">So that is my new master bedroom.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And isn't it nice that I got it all done--just in time to move? Oh well--I'm sure our renters will appreciate the fresh coat of paint on the walls!</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/tsdyches/ThriftyName-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="center" border="0" src="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/tsdyches/ThriftyName-1.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-82747961476018873302011-02-28T06:53:00.000-08:002011-02-28T06:53:00.107-08:00OUR NEW HOUSE!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I have mentioned before--for the past 8 years our family of 6 has been living in this little (1200 square foot) home:</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/AVvXsEhbHyBiK3iqRVtLJGp-BJ96oiPhH3tn2q-0X_mkMoJddqqc2ROcOjLkCeV0TaMiNNaK2mDkyh7PuOPdl0SNsZjWfAC3JSwuHVlrXw0NVJHpcg4-0VDrHRzNQ9RmxLaW85BIlXVVjQzSMMU/s1600/IMG_0709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHyBiK3iqRVtLJGp-BJ96oiPhH3tn2q-0X_mkMoJddqqc2ROcOjLkCeV0TaMiNNaK2mDkyh7PuOPdl0SNsZjWfAC3JSwuHVlrXw0NVJHpcg4-0VDrHRzNQ9RmxLaW85BIlXVVjQzSMMU/s640/IMG_0709.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> We have loved our little house--but it is finally time for us to move on to some <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>MORE SPACE</strong>!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, a few weeks ago we made an offer on<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> this</span></strong>:</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/AVvXsEg6Npj3e2A43u6YoR2J2x4mjBW7ZlAXFS5s_YM-A0EA7m2eUQTfM26SDDS3BPVFEBdrE6WHG34k4oS6rpC73I6cFAoNzggrUedPfHQlYVsAzjY-E_j2poBQq31Yhi-EF3lmCLWwmt4pBiM/s1600/Lakeridge+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Npj3e2A43u6YoR2J2x4mjBW7ZlAXFS5s_YM-A0EA7m2eUQTfM26SDDS3BPVFEBdrE6WHG34k4oS6rpC73I6cFAoNzggrUedPfHQlYVsAzjY-E_j2poBQq31Yhi-EF3lmCLWwmt4pBiM/s640/Lakeridge+Front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This house has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths in 2300 square feet. It is in an AWESOME neighborhood (our house is probably the oldest and smallest in the whole place--all the rest are BIG, BEAUTIFUL homes--Who doesn't love that!?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And our house <strong><u>is</u></strong> beautiful too. It just needs a little elbow grease to make it really shine! We have <strong><span style="font-size: large;">BIG PLANS</span></strong> for this house. It may take us several years to afford and accomplish all of them--but when we are done--this place will be spectacular! I just know it!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">So with no further ado let me introduce you to our soon to be NEW HOME and tell you a little bit about our plans.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>(Now remember--we have not taken possession of the house yet--so all these pictures are of the existing homeowners furnishings and decor.)</em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For the outside we will be painting all the red trim and the exposed cedar shingles a nice neutral brownish/tan color to give the exterior an updated look. And we will be ripping out a lot of the overgrown landscaping.</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/AVvXsEhFK17HH4Q3kIjYpyxp_UaDFr9GG44UoSVcWleSKYgBRnGPzCB4vvat21LgnxbkxBYBvN-NQusOfdZzUHmZbzks8GO6Iwv9eAsFdkDSInrvOnTt2h8pEdlIVAyR-t3y3U16GF5AoVuafRk/s1600/lakeridge+front+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFK17HH4Q3kIjYpyxp_UaDFr9GG44UoSVcWleSKYgBRnGPzCB4vvat21LgnxbkxBYBvN-NQusOfdZzUHmZbzks8GO6Iwv9eAsFdkDSInrvOnTt2h8pEdlIVAyR-t3y3U16GF5AoVuafRk/s640/lakeridge+front+close.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The back yard is pretty much perfect already.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYymz2mvnZ538DNrMnUGsFZWHxngoOORX05P5oQU5SkjvyZCDuSrUN6gr1X3K4ZCLz8GZOl_kUsRH2IPyQxchCah8M-jla-5z6kyYBacboxBp59ymyUzpiqwqOK24PQMG_DidKcy_yPM/s1600/Lakeridge+Backyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYymz2mvnZ538DNrMnUGsFZWHxngoOORX05P5oQU5SkjvyZCDuSrUN6gr1X3K4ZCLz8GZOl_kUsRH2IPyQxchCah8M-jla-5z6kyYBacboxBp59ymyUzpiqwqOK24PQMG_DidKcy_yPM/s640/Lakeridge+Backyard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is our front entry way. BIG plans in here. White trim throughout. Refinish hardwoods. Paint. Custom coat rack. etc. etc.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZegh6xxHozOrZLBgYh8qmpwc4ZU7O3DT2hc0pAxUK9DrBwziKUK6qBKs9A9cllFgzVOjQqP8InGPIP9XV3K9YGJoKy1Nwk9Z36m2zAsd5m9RZ-yKv5PgH9TG0RodOgFTfxxSmTSRFft4/s1600/Lakeridge+Entry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZegh6xxHozOrZLBgYh8qmpwc4ZU7O3DT2hc0pAxUK9DrBwziKUK6qBKs9A9cllFgzVOjQqP8InGPIP9XV3K9YGJoKy1Nwk9Z36m2zAsd5m9RZ-yKv5PgH9TG0RodOgFTfxxSmTSRFft4/s640/Lakeridge+Entry.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The kitchen is in store for the biggest overhaul. We plan to rip out the cabinets over the breakfast bar area. Build a custom hood over the stove. Install Hardwoods. Paint cabinets. Install hardware on cabinets. Paint up another <a href="http://thisthriftyhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-kitchen-backsplash-looks-like-tile.html">awesome back splash</a>. New counter tops down the road. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCQqP3U8xZED2JipsyHuo4VH3p0VvXboQNpe6q3hwyINZYZYS2Udbae3Jt4qrFkwAp_8bGlOhmxb2Ojdw9fnDNTyGjofl1Cnx_CF3kV0vhge-CLFCpsQFjK81gK_Vk4IoTJO70WKShVI/s1600/lakeridge+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCQqP3U8xZED2JipsyHuo4VH3p0VvXboQNpe6q3hwyINZYZYS2Udbae3Jt4qrFkwAp_8bGlOhmxb2Ojdw9fnDNTyGjofl1Cnx_CF3kV0vhge-CLFCpsQFjK81gK_Vk4IoTJO70WKShVI/s640/lakeridge+Kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Then we will take out the desk in kitchen and replace it with a large pantry. And install a door to close off adjoining room (Which will be my sewing/exercise room--who needs a formal dining room? Not me--I <strong>NEED</strong> a sewing room!).<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xfgWkUDNiLgOKgiuNUwZmT8FXSdgSJAikNRo7CbRN-A6rTScTokpgAGA-B3LX6CdcB-rUp2QAdHNE5x-QeSTs_k44776d0-LlrrBLt3M6ViGPsyslchpH7JKBGFYDFhqvF061sYX8gw/s1600/Lakeridge+breakfast+bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xfgWkUDNiLgOKgiuNUwZmT8FXSdgSJAikNRo7CbRN-A6rTScTokpgAGA-B3LX6CdcB-rUp2QAdHNE5x-QeSTs_k44776d0-LlrrBLt3M6ViGPsyslchpH7JKBGFYDFhqvF061sYX8gw/s640/Lakeridge+breakfast+bar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Again--new hardwoods. New window treatments. New shades and paint on the light fixture.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMxzk6QNlpLgMhynnPGL6peMHz0-uQw_eqBwgN5lM9Nnzc2O7QMF72txLqmuc19AXjBTaom_RhYb8Q0HgrRmUTxnENOmwPhXMz_nVl3bKpNnpTSI9pWw7YtbrlvU_UHdjXn_GaaILqaI/s1600/lakeridge+eat+in+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMxzk6QNlpLgMhynnPGL6peMHz0-uQw_eqBwgN5lM9Nnzc2O7QMF72txLqmuc19AXjBTaom_RhYb8Q0HgrRmUTxnENOmwPhXMz_nVl3bKpNnpTSI9pWw7YtbrlvU_UHdjXn_GaaILqaI/s640/lakeridge+eat+in+kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
In the family room right off the kitchen, we will continue the hardwood floors. Replace fan. Paint trim and fireplace white. Trim out the fireplace with new tile. Paint walls. Spray paint the brass trim on the fireplace.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7qpEAcEa_4loooWX2H-BokqWOSlMUMlCGF1Xbqbf-wBeKBI2PLc9NbxYc7ZJGv-jKBpgk5sDimdB8t-lKxYJf5fmzL7YLVxuQ-300SOrK0m8WqlJ4rBukFDi0YmYUfpDoMtr2OeC8w8/s1600/lakeridge+Family+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7qpEAcEa_4loooWX2H-BokqWOSlMUMlCGF1Xbqbf-wBeKBI2PLc9NbxYc7ZJGv-jKBpgk5sDimdB8t-lKxYJf5fmzL7YLVxuQ-300SOrK0m8WqlJ4rBukFDi0YmYUfpDoMtr2OeC8w8/s640/lakeridge+Family+Room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
And like I said--this "formal Dining room" will turn into the perfect spot for my sewing room on one side and my elliptical machine on the other---YAY no more exercising in a cold garage!! So of course we will paint and change out the lighting in here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspoXPd2fomyW2QCCaABHjsJOHDDbJg-qYg1qjfF3Dq33uEeVbylDluds15ubriYnpGGFY9MZnZn9PeAQjE364MDc1bQDNQJUpGWsqBlwijfsy0fHmKuZcyUOtrJFn1JfQzLtV-CaTwUg/s1600/lakeridge+dining+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspoXPd2fomyW2QCCaABHjsJOHDDbJg-qYg1qjfF3Dq33uEeVbylDluds15ubriYnpGGFY9MZnZn9PeAQjE364MDc1bQDNQJUpGWsqBlwijfsy0fHmKuZcyUOtrJFn1JfQzLtV-CaTwUg/s640/lakeridge+dining+room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And I certainly don't need a "formal living room!" Sorry to all of you who love FORMAL spaces. I think they are WASTED SPACES. So our "FORMAL LIVING ROOM" will turn into our <strong><span style="font-size: large;">KIDS HANG OUT ROOM. </span></strong> It will not be a play room--but rather a room with a comfy couch and a TV and video games and a big coffee table for games and puzzles. A place where my kids can hang out with their friends.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This room will get a set of french doors in the front and new paint and hopefully some awesome craigslist furniture.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkWzhSogYOURs3Dwx_ANas5Ogzo6wY6W_awsfhCgpvS0FWDLRWCbiI8AnlgAEgv4pRxzn6kx_cJ3w6k47sWlDwzDvvjMDqNfV97pExZcY5vfxHDS0A_Tkq0oiuVEeHdcRSPV0lpQycD4/s1600/lakeridge+living+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkWzhSogYOURs3Dwx_ANas5Ogzo6wY6W_awsfhCgpvS0FWDLRWCbiI8AnlgAEgv4pRxzn6kx_cJ3w6k47sWlDwzDvvjMDqNfV97pExZcY5vfxHDS0A_Tkq0oiuVEeHdcRSPV0lpQycD4/s640/lakeridge+living+room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
The banister railing leading upstairs will get sanded and stained a dark color to match the new hardwoods--the spokes of the banister will remain white (SPOKES--is that what they are called?). And we'll have to invest in a LONG ladder to paint the two story entryway.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBC6dyRnlfDI3KNEPmxWyIUOx4t5PwsZVuWbZcoJR1DLMjeZtjCLskL9H49Sy2moGAswWD92K6idI_2M_bCAU5iYgCELkxHjlsypaPWTUfWmPRV1tm0jcHSJP1yZUgHzR-2aKW8TNAz4/s1600/lakeridge+stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBC6dyRnlfDI3KNEPmxWyIUOx4t5PwsZVuWbZcoJR1DLMjeZtjCLskL9H49Sy2moGAswWD92K6idI_2M_bCAU5iYgCELkxHjlsypaPWTUfWmPRV1tm0jcHSJP1yZUgHzR-2aKW8TNAz4/s640/lakeridge+stairs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Both bathrooms upstairs will get new tile and paint. And we'll figure out something creative to help the light fixtures along. Frame up the mirror. And maybe someday new counters. And we'll see--maybe paint the cabinets too.</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/AVvXsEiGvB6zv53o7YNdubdCTFZpycUqAXQodFLTUvBe3-8RYnKLCEJkmbbtry4HZZf8X29WhrdS6rFnff8PcgkPRzHQtOXGJPwtaecItnCuV7Kj1R9OOrf40BLPBtExlDaAAMSq7LA2pQOj5Q4/s1600/lakeridge+Master+Bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvB6zv53o7YNdubdCTFZpycUqAXQodFLTUvBe3-8RYnKLCEJkmbbtry4HZZf8X29WhrdS6rFnff8PcgkPRzHQtOXGJPwtaecItnCuV7Kj1R9OOrf40BLPBtExlDaAAMSq7LA2pQOj5Q4/s640/lakeridge+Master+Bath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And of course all the bedrooms will eventually get a new coat of paint and new decor to match each child's hopes and dreams for their new rooms.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And our new laundry room (Yippee--I will have a <strong>LAUNDRY ROOM!!!</strong> No more doing laundry in our freezing cold garage!!!) will also get a new tile floor and some paint and hardware on the cabinets. Sorry I don't have a picture yet of that room. But trust me--it is awesome!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So that just about sums it up for now. We are set to close on <strong>March 23rd</strong> and take possession on the 27th. <strong><span style="font-size: large;">And then the fun REALLY begins!</span></strong> <br />
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Wish us luck!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img align="center" src="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/tsdyches/ThriftyName-1.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-2070341556192159582011-02-27T08:51:00.000-08:002011-02-27T20:41:38.480-08:00Kitchen Curtains--Take 3<div style="text-align: center;">WOW!!! It has been a whirlwind month for me! I had a couple of weeks where I was down and out recovering from surgery. We also found, fell in love with, and made an offer on a <strong><span style="font-size: large;">NEW HOUSE</span></strong> (more to come on that later). Our van died on us and had to be towed to the mechanic for one last revival (it has 200,000 miles on it) so it can last us another month till we close on our house and then--hopefully we can get a new one. We have also had family visiting us from out of town--which has been wonderful--and busy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So--I am <strong>finally</strong> sitting down to re-cap on a bunch of projects that have been done FOREVER--I just hadn't gotten the time to get them posted!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">So here is project recap #1--Kitchen Curtains--Take 3.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you will remember, I made new curtains not long ago--and I loved them--until I painted our kitchen back splash! Then they looked WAY out of place:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA2wFnyjTrZDfjBgFGXLb0_mMAs3BZEsjgWmHagj-ti59-W44hYihbABTYIevuYCVH0zh1cCzu3tTLn2eCLOP65Rov6Ohkar5VyTKAobu1aJN6_t0FCABZRj_Vpq0HLaIScFozquKtwM/s640/IMG_0662.JPG" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wanted to sew up some curtains to match--but after searching HIGH and LOW--I COULDN'T FIND any fabric that matched!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I did find some curtain panels at Target for only $9.99 each. And they were long enough that I could get four curtains out of 3 panels and still have enough fabric left over for another project (I will show you later).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a close up of the fabric:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VTnl90nAPcyvM2RUGBTK63zv6oq3eW4ESMSC0hAEnoqniU_ol7J2DX5ohBw_1fjV4SBuhfBKX4P6X9ac7qjaIpMhyndOMsWKUtVNx8n4sXoKp8DyUTPgVgBq-ncwJqs4cIWMpCBSkhA/s1600/IMG_1076_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VTnl90nAPcyvM2RUGBTK63zv6oq3eW4ESMSC0hAEnoqniU_ol7J2DX5ohBw_1fjV4SBuhfBKX4P6X9ac7qjaIpMhyndOMsWKUtVNx8n4sXoKp8DyUTPgVgBq-ncwJqs4cIWMpCBSkhA/s400/IMG_1076_crop.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I love it!!</strong> It has a nice stripe to it and the fabric has a little sheen to it. Very rich looking! And the color matches the back splash <strong>PERFECTLY!!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I cut the panels up and did some button holes at the top for the rod to go through--cause I like that look better than just a rod pocket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkbYDHPb7GwrORtU5GbhsL9JEEe6R2Kqqgzca22nofGLfY3Z8zcy9zK9dS-Rn5cmrp3oDYLZT8-3r9MfMQtybUuppGrpl4h3uM6oB0jOEpI8nR25DP75ndHKL20fdgYBOHfGe45zBPq0/s400/IMG_1074_crop.jpg" width="297" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And for just $30--I had some new curtains for my kitchen!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClpGGu5WmUGGyDOSkg_PnG4oasl8wG6P9xZwNeW0OBFQt3BzAirkGWab0N7UpptzEJrMjjOOdf2jq3o8xk0XPivDEb7AsLOfmBJYjMI2k4R18xo6LRkyEFnnACW-4iczG-ZuDRTXpLvo/s1600/IMG_1072_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClpGGu5WmUGGyDOSkg_PnG4oasl8wG6P9xZwNeW0OBFQt3BzAirkGWab0N7UpptzEJrMjjOOdf2jq3o8xk0XPivDEb7AsLOfmBJYjMI2k4R18xo6LRkyEFnnACW-4iczG-ZuDRTXpLvo/s640/IMG_1072_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And the best part of the whole thing? My good friend Tracy wanted the old curtains for her house! So she bought them from me!! SO I didn't have to waste such cute curtains!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And I think they look WAY better in her house then they did in mine anyways!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXMywQjasHyEk8IrXsiDRdyie1WoNkbPiE1O_OOT6nCTBw_qnkapbXAtEXfwm0qXf5nFL3m1tCr6Y6Vc33w-S-tKtIDiov-Mv7zbpzdfVeCbp3zZo2dSwqMv15eGyj3sneZ9rdfj1YU4/s1600/IMG_1144_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXMywQjasHyEk8IrXsiDRdyie1WoNkbPiE1O_OOT6nCTBw_qnkapbXAtEXfwm0qXf5nFL3m1tCr6Y6Vc33w-S-tKtIDiov-Mv7zbpzdfVeCbp3zZo2dSwqMv15eGyj3sneZ9rdfj1YU4/s640/IMG_1144_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And now, my kitchen truly is complete...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTsiuqlaAGiH14hNSEHolFbKvHhkPvRMtiY7ftV3M_AOKpam5sx7x_1bNGscANzNr8-A2A6T5GpdjR4_3YCJVWbapIqltYJjRQX_CL1QSJ8doNyK2lc5AvHqwsbCDFBS_bcIKmr35xa0/s1600/IMG_1070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTsiuqlaAGiH14hNSEHolFbKvHhkPvRMtiY7ftV3M_AOKpam5sx7x_1bNGscANzNr8-A2A6T5GpdjR4_3YCJVWbapIqltYJjRQX_CL1QSJ8doNyK2lc5AvHqwsbCDFBS_bcIKmr35xa0/s640/IMG_1070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just in time for us to move into our new house!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't that just how it goes sometimes!?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<img align="center" src="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/tsdyches/ThriftyName-1.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3825944120779592477.post-77011852805978147162011-02-09T08:15:00.000-08:002011-02-09T08:15:38.250-08:00Painted End Table<div style="text-align: center;">It has taken me much longer than I thought to get this project done and up on my computer--but I am happy to say that I am finished!! My second laminate painting project is complete!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the little end table as it has sat for almost a year. My dear mother bought if for me at a thrift store for my birthday LAST YEAR. She wanted to buy me an expensive nicely finished end table that cost a million dollars. But I wanted this beauty that cost just $9. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAePpCb5WkhPpTxVS86wJ8CD9QMvxk5NnRYPyXr-l8MBbA7ww3FSGQq1qwpMfmP5IS0TDU8eyhlhoeaCFTBTp6dRHnL2kH-kSix28NoO0C_oGzZgE58Mom-hXjki2sSia-yeqChyphenhyphenrTb8/s1600/IMG_1185_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAePpCb5WkhPpTxVS86wJ8CD9QMvxk5NnRYPyXr-l8MBbA7ww3FSGQq1qwpMfmP5IS0TDU8eyhlhoeaCFTBTp6dRHnL2kH-kSix28NoO0C_oGzZgE58Mom-hXjki2sSia-yeqChyphenhyphenrTb8/s400/IMG_1185_crop.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 knew I could make it beautiful. But for <u>a year</u> it has looked <strong><span style="font-size: large;">mismatched and out of place</span></strong>.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_ycwLGKEGemOCQBAY910_ljLCNehfxPYPoegk4rpqNB0wuONha2sinqwXaO6iZMs3UWWVC55R_ihCjpPZv81qsMNHOkl8dhFU36WnjPBA8ZjpoNlSmqhMYNUxcZ2FDsBu2xMArWaLmY/s1600/IMG_1186_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_ycwLGKEGemOCQBAY910_ljLCNehfxPYPoegk4rpqNB0wuONha2sinqwXaO6iZMs3UWWVC55R_ihCjpPZv81qsMNHOkl8dhFU36WnjPBA8ZjpoNlSmqhMYNUxcZ2FDsBu2xMArWaLmY/s400/IMG_1186_crop.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;">And it was really not very functional either as it spent most of the year as a big open space underneath. My hubby just made the little shelf for it right before I took these pictures.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDtWRbL_6dr9Wm-NVNz4QLxOxcM5dLTDRRYvE3N5T5VH2mWm7P177h0hXpNmEfp3sK3D-ZnnOSv1vuv-tKJHWTqnzeXCkTFxWUGP4X-RGhdPI0GTfePH7ds2ivzdSHwZlcGU7YAWjxnU/s1600/IMG_1187_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDtWRbL_6dr9Wm-NVNz4QLxOxcM5dLTDRRYvE3N5T5VH2mWm7P177h0hXpNmEfp3sK3D-ZnnOSv1vuv-tKJHWTqnzeXCkTFxWUGP4X-RGhdPI0GTfePH7ds2ivzdSHwZlcGU7YAWjxnU/s400/IMG_1187_crop.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So first I took it all apart.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TPZVGlbmLwbD26vQjxJHZt2-2pdBk7OiekDtsU4uZSPLJiG0vmpJM5rkolGSc4Il7xBSO4qGFNFw9hFl9y-jZNzZGa5AoIpuASX9FVKe2konxw6OIOdkj_QumW3C3XqrUFpK5Kmnn2A/s1600/IMG_1188_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TPZVGlbmLwbD26vQjxJHZt2-2pdBk7OiekDtsU4uZSPLJiG0vmpJM5rkolGSc4Il7xBSO4qGFNFw9hFl9y-jZNzZGa5AoIpuASX9FVKe2konxw6OIOdkj_QumW3C3XqrUFpK5Kmnn2A/s400/IMG_1188_crop.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;">Then I primed and painted it just like I did HERE--and apparently I didn't take any pictures of me doing any of those things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once it was painted I let it cure for a <strong><span style="font-size: large;">LONG TIME</span></strong>. Since I used latex paint--it stays tacky for a couple weeks even after it has dried. I wanted to make sure that it didn't get scratched so I left it in our closet for a couple of weeks to let it cure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meanwhile I wanted to make sure that the basket that I use on the top shelf wouldn't continually scratch it as well. I got this basket at the same time I got the table--at the thrift store for <strong><span style="font-size: large;">$1.29!!!!</span></strong> And it fits on the shelf so perfectly!!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jYSx2f82eb16EZcGg8xrQZ0B0qk2bPYPkc6TCfGIeIwXM0Xlha3SLKUnOkIQ_Ewsw2ihBd0r4yRgnlUVdsM3bYx4iReNic29d78-D5MBsqy1IxQX6gq-6uzc5oAGurYfMmGzFOvt48U/s1600/IMG_1208_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jYSx2f82eb16EZcGg8xrQZ0B0qk2bPYPkc6TCfGIeIwXM0Xlha3SLKUnOkIQ_Ewsw2ihBd0r4yRgnlUVdsM3bYx4iReNic29d78-D5MBsqy1IxQX6gq-6uzc5oAGurYfMmGzFOvt48U/s400/IMG_1208_crop.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;">But the bottom could definately scratch up my newly painted surface:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7H-CFkyLHRcuOOPKJWSvho2lID19DkwqcM6OoScJjcEAB_ZcbHPWvYyDIpYdAmwcSCMFavl6DT9HwFbwp9ha3kmO-u-OxOzTlP6qGR3jWizxIE0cCXTaPP6nz4Kk23t0dFR4IW5D0FM/s1600/IMG_1206_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7H-CFkyLHRcuOOPKJWSvho2lID19DkwqcM6OoScJjcEAB_ZcbHPWvYyDIpYdAmwcSCMFavl6DT9HwFbwp9ha3kmO-u-OxOzTlP6qGR3jWizxIE0cCXTaPP6nz4Kk23t0dFR4IW5D0FM/s400/IMG_1206_crop.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;">So I took some felt that I had on hand and hot glued it to the bottom of the basket. (I didn't have one big sheet so I just pieces several pieces together--no one can tell).</div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU4ibYhiWceIbYbBWNXY_9Xe1GjfC1fCQgHytSFx7vTphr2CgsbyCBoZ3rYcCHpLhEnZJIWt6w-TGyXf_LyAn7b9vBgYYXAZSkli5H1rPJtqRE00AfzsqcQoAG5Ul3xaUK4aU7DT3PaI/s1600/IMG_1207_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU4ibYhiWceIbYbBWNXY_9Xe1GjfC1fCQgHytSFx7vTphr2CgsbyCBoZ3rYcCHpLhEnZJIWt6w-TGyXf_LyAn7b9vBgYYXAZSkli5H1rPJtqRE00AfzsqcQoAG5Ul3xaUK4aU7DT3PaI/s400/IMG_1207_crop.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;">Then I put the whole thing back together and back in its place.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpeD0invJEnigv3Zkh_I5hiiRGPRUuLSa_bDO33eL53SdsG6AS614fPzYr54qQv0r72VZTxcGsYiM9qV4JPlETniWwFHxtaV0UGq_M8h-5f1dBKbeIWzEdZWQ3llXRHhJjXGl3YZtVnw/s1600/IMG_1212_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpeD0invJEnigv3Zkh_I5hiiRGPRUuLSa_bDO33eL53SdsG6AS614fPzYr54qQv0r72VZTxcGsYiM9qV4JPlETniWwFHxtaV0UGq_M8h-5f1dBKbeIWzEdZWQ3llXRHhJjXGl3YZtVnw/s400/IMG_1212_crop.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I LOVE IT!!!</strong></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVK6nXpbqadLbwNW7cYlaXAZxarzdR6ZfGf0lq995JfzOVMf-wfl-h6IulZQsA04Zcr9tUy-5tA1zTDQ41AW02p2XUtlhWy1roBoP2sJFCCOdENOHsk3e6prNGr7CZAwZ8U0yfamgDRlM/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVK6nXpbqadLbwNW7cYlaXAZxarzdR6ZfGf0lq995JfzOVMf-wfl-h6IulZQsA04Zcr9tUy-5tA1zTDQ41AW02p2XUtlhWy1roBoP2sJFCCOdENOHsk3e6prNGr7CZAwZ8U0yfamgDRlM/s400/IMG_1214.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And with the new paint and shelf it is not only cute it is also functional!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCUifl4uzFT-_D-VDustDSgmpgXHmciymb4YantJHeFOlamKnoizQiydxaP3gtkOgewCeXpy9KcBdU_DHfvmf9edtYZwRwUnPPN83hopi5Ps-JDQLe9w0AcKaG05TaCBgmbOXg7HKKYU/s1600/IMG_1213_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCUifl4uzFT-_D-VDustDSgmpgXHmciymb4YantJHeFOlamKnoizQiydxaP3gtkOgewCeXpy9KcBdU_DHfvmf9edtYZwRwUnPPN83hopi5Ps-JDQLe9w0AcKaG05TaCBgmbOXg7HKKYU/s400/IMG_1213_crop.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I think it fits in the space SO MUCH BETTER!!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4fj_e2wt-PoV1fs2Ri5afabsdJDEwIGXZN6W0WOGbewFcXFfW1xV8YL7G14X8dl10Br7Rn50cCmw2eaGUY4smf95uVGhu7OGz3g1DPXSWq44SIIBAYwx5AZ56jZZz1W9kvesPwNFQUM/s1600/IMG_1216_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4fj_e2wt-PoV1fs2Ri5afabsdJDEwIGXZN6W0WOGbewFcXFfW1xV8YL7G14X8dl10Br7Rn50cCmw2eaGUY4smf95uVGhu7OGz3g1DPXSWq44SIIBAYwx5AZ56jZZz1W9kvesPwNFQUM/s400/IMG_1216_crop.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;">You be the judge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>BEFORE:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAePpCb5WkhPpTxVS86wJ8CD9QMvxk5NnRYPyXr-l8MBbA7ww3FSGQq1qwpMfmP5IS0TDU8eyhlhoeaCFTBTp6dRHnL2kH-kSix28NoO0C_oGzZgE58Mom-hXjki2sSia-yeqChyphenhyphenrTb8/s1600/IMG_1185_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAePpCb5WkhPpTxVS86wJ8CD9QMvxk5NnRYPyXr-l8MBbA7ww3FSGQq1qwpMfmP5IS0TDU8eyhlhoeaCFTBTp6dRHnL2kH-kSix28NoO0C_oGzZgE58Mom-hXjki2sSia-yeqChyphenhyphenrTb8/s400/IMG_1185_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>AFTER: </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TDDkDjo6WZ1e5lS2rcBWpb5wy_s_OPjY5D9Qqcf8qhHh5lJTTa5X-6vVDi-tRj4FGeiQPp_FUjW-o7695XuSNZxZDx_9lQ0EhlYZSgxo5OvHCvHOtYNlQ8WyNKYGl6U67XR2lKA6QUY/s1600/IMG_1209_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TDDkDjo6WZ1e5lS2rcBWpb5wy_s_OPjY5D9Qqcf8qhHh5lJTTa5X-6vVDi-tRj4FGeiQPp_FUjW-o7695XuSNZxZDx_9lQ0EhlYZSgxo5OvHCvHOtYNlQ8WyNKYGl6U67XR2lKA6QUY/s400/IMG_1209_crop.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;">Sorry it took me a year to do the makeover Mom! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It really is just what I wanted!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/tsdyches/ThriftyName-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="center" border="0" src="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/tsdyches/ThriftyName-1.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Sharon@thisthriftyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463510894735371211noreply@blogger.com3