WHOOP WHOOP

A BOUGHT WITH WHOOPING COUGH

Sorry that I have not been on for a while.  I have been busy trying to get through work and the holidays and am still getting over a bought of pertussis, which in mid October landed me in the hospital.   The doctors told me that it would take months to recover but I did NOT believe them.  Well let me tell you.... they were correct.   I am now on week 11 with this cough and although it is not nearly as bad as it had been it is still there.  Unfortunately, because of the cough I broke a rib and am now trying to recover from that as well (it's hard when you still have the cough).  Anyway, I'm getting by but it has been a little difficult to function the way I normally do.  Hopefully by the beginning of 2013 this will all be gone.   

Had I known last year when I got my physical I would have gotten the TDaP shot (Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis booster).  You should get this every ten years.  I was not aware and my doctor did not advise me of this.   However, when I actually came down with Pertussis I was advised that it is "really going around".  Sooooo please if you have not yet done so, go get your booster.   I would hate anyone to go through what I did.   Here are some videos if you want to see exactly how awful this cough is:   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31tnXPlhA7w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68b8JA5M9a4


I hope you are all well and if I am not back on soon, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.  

Enjoy.

Lisa 

I HAVE BEEN FEATURED

Okay I have to admit, I never thought I'd be featured on someone else's blog.  I am not a big blogger and I certainly do not hold my blog to the level of some others.   I really hadn't thought of being featured but I am so EXCITED.  I would like to thank Kaysi at Keeping It Simple  for featuring me.  It was totally unexpected and made my day.  Thanks again Kaysi.  

HERE is the where you can find the post that was featured 

Lisa

OPINIONS NEEDED PLEASE

Not loving this.......

I saw this little cabinet at Goodwill a while back and thought it was adorable (dirty and gross but adorable) so I bought it for $6.00.  I took it home and gave it a good cleaning and then another good cleaning and then, well another wipe down (it was really yucky).   Thinking this was going to look adorable in my craft room I painted and glazed it and then hung it up.  Then I added a couple of items that I already had in the room.  THEN I decided that I don't really like it.  I don't mind the placement of it (mostly for the convenience) but  don't like the color and definitely overdid the glazing.  I have decided to repaint it but I am undecided on what color would look good if I leave it where it is currently hanging.  I'm thinking either red or black.  I'll antique it more too.  My next decision is chalk paint or regular paint and glaze???   I'm thinking chalk paint. 

Here is how it was when I purchased it. 

EWWWWWW - GROSS

You can see the rest of my craft room HERE

So what do you think?  Red??  Black??  Another color??  Any advice would be appreciated. 

Thank you much. 

Lisa

These are my favorite parties to link up to:  

Newbie Party - http://debbie-debbiedoos.com

Masterpiece Monday - http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Monday Link Up Party - http://makingtheworldcuter.com
Make it Pretty Monday - http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Motivate Me Monday - http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com
Before & After Party - http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com
Table Top Tuesday - http://www.astrollthrulife.net
Time to Shine (Party) - http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday - http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Tuesday's Treasures - http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com
Wow Us Wednesdays - http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net
Welcome Home Wednesday - http://www.vintageonadime.blogspot.com
Open House Party - http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
Whimsy Wednesdays - http://thenymelrosefamily.com
Thursday favorite Things - http://katherinescorner.com
Feathered Nest Friday - http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
Thrifty Things Friday - http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com
It's Inspiration Friday - http://www.atthepicketfence.com

DOLLAR STORE TRAY

Even though I put away the stuff from my "summer" mantle I wanted to share with you the tray that I painted from The Dollar Tree.  They have several different aluminum trays that you can choose from.  The trays have pretty detail that takes glaze really nicely.  I used regular wall paint for the tray and then glazed it using Burnt Umber craft paint mixed with a faux glaze.  I then used my Cricut die cutting machine to cut out the word bistro.  I chose bistro because of the picture that is on the mantle.   The total cost of this project was only one dollar since I had everything else I needed.   

Not a bad little project for a dollar

My summer mantle.  I miss it already and it's only been down a month. 

You can see what I did to the little birdie HERE

 What fun cheap projects are you working on?

Lisa

RECYCLED SWEATER

My mom gave me a sweater. It was SUPER comfy. I mean one of those sweaters that makes you feel all warm and cozy when you wear it. I liked everything about it BUT the bottom. The front was cut shorter than the back. That really bugged me. I didn't think it was very attractive looking on or off. I did like the sweater itself so I thought I would make a pillow cover out of it. I used buttons to close the end and allow it to be easily removed for washing. When I cut the body out to use as a pillow I was left with the top and sleeves. Having seen some really cute leg warmers lately I decided to make some out of the sleeves. I can't believe how warm and comfortable they are with my boots.

Hope you are having a fun crafting kind of day. Lisa

These are my favorite blogs to link up to:

Newbie Party - http://debbie-debbiedoos.com
Masterpiece Monday - http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Monday Link Up Party - http://makingtheworldcuter.com
Make it Pretty Monday - http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Motivate Me Monday - http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com
Before & After Party - http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com
Table Top Tuesday - http://www.astrollthrulife.net
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday - http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Tuesday's Treasures - http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com
Wow Us Wednesdays - http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net
Welcome Home Wednesday - http://www.vintageonadime.blogspot.com
Open House Party - http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
Whimsy Wednesdays - http://thenymelrosefamily.com
Thursday favorite Things - http://katherinescorner.com
Thursdays Are Your Days - http://www.52mantels.com
Feathered Nest Friday - http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
Thrifty Things Friday - http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com
It's Inspiration Friday - http://www.atthepicketfence.com

Dining Room Transformation

The interior of my last home was beige.  ALL BEIGE.  That was a big improvement from our first home before which remained builders white the entire three and a half years we lived there.  I simply was AFRAID of color.   I could not commit to paint colors so I simply just didn't paint.   Weeeeeell for some reason when we purchased this home I decided that color was GOOD so paint away we did.  Some rooms we are on our third color in ten years.  I now LOVE painting.    

Not only had I freed myself from my paint color fear, but I took an extra step and had my mom hang wallpaper in my dining room.    Everyone was in total shock because it not only had color but pattern as well.  This was huge for me.    However, after 7 years that pattern that I so loved grew old and I knew it was time for a change.  The only problem was having to take down the wallpaper.  It seemed like it would be a tedious job so I kept it up for 2 (yes TWO) more years until one day I pulled a corner and the ENTIRE piece came off.  Apparently I had purchased really good paper that was very easy to remove, which I did in 15 minutes.   

My hun and I love to travel.  Our favorite places are those that are tropical.  While we were on a trip to Aruba and staying in one of the resorts, I fell in love with the decor.  That decor was the look I decided to base my dining room off of.  I'm still searching for the perfect furniture but until I find exactly what I want, it'll remain as is.   What do you think? 

 The beginning 

(I forgot to get a before picture - 

there was more decor before this)

I actually miss this corner of the room 

The last little bit of wallpaper

Back to builders white 

(fortunately no wallpaper residue was left behind)

After a trip to Pier 1 and a couple other stores for decor

Something needs to be under this table but I'm not sure what yet.

I found this lovely tree at GW for $19.00 and I LOVE it!!

The pictures next to the mirror have been moved to the basement and replaced by sconces.  

I still need a rug but the room is 20 feet long and my table is long as well so I'm having a hard time finding one.  

So what do you think of an outdoor rug under the table.  Something with a sisal kind of look?

Lisa

My favorite blogs to link up to: 

Newbie Party - http://debbie-debbiedoos.com
Masterpiece Monday - http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Monday Link Up Party - http://makingtheworldcuter.com
Make it Pretty Monday - http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Motivate Me Monday - http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com
Before & After Party - http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com
Table Top Tuesday - http://www.astrollthrulife.net
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday - http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Tuesday's Treasures - http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com
Wow Us Wednesdays - http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net
Welcome Home Wednesday - http://www.vintageonadime.blogspot.com
Open House Party - http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
Whimsy Wednesdays - http://thenymelrosefamily.com
Thursday favorite Things - http://katherinescorner.com
Feathered Nest Friday - http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
Thrifty Things Friday - http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com
It's Inspiration Friday - http://www.atthepicketfence.com

REFINISHED BUILT INS

When my husband finished our basement several years ago, he had a Divine idea to frame out a wall unit around our huge( at the time) top of the line HD projection TV.   We hadn't considered at the time what on earth we would do if they went out of style and came out with flat screens.  Well that exact thing happened and after a few years we had to purchase a new one.   We temporarily (at least a year and a half) placed the flat screen in a spot it fit until we could come up with a new design plan.   We liked the existing cabinetry and it was well used so we decided to keep it but we replaced the tops with granite, had lighting added and had a built in installed where the big ugly old TV hole was.  I am very pleased with the outcome.   What do you think?  

YUCK YUCK and YUCK!!  What were we thinking??

A much improved beginning

Almost but not quite right

Now much better

Not exactly the "man cave" but we both love it

Hope you are having a wonderful day. 

This week I will be linking up to these wonderful blogs: 


Newbie Party - http://debbie-debbiedoos.com
Masterpiece Monday - http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Monday Link Up Party - http://makingtheworldcuter.com
Make it Pretty Monday - http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Motivate Me Monday - http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com
Before & After Party - http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com
Table Top Tuesday - http://www.astrollthrulife.net
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday - http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Tuesday's Treasures - http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com
Wow Us Wednesdays - http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net
Welcome Home Wednesday - http://www.vintageonadime.blogspot.com
Open House Party - http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
Whimsy Wednesdays - http://thenymelrosefamily.com
Thursday favorite Things - http://katherinescorner.com
Feathered Nest Friday - http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
Thrifty Things Friday - http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com
It's Inspiration Friday - http://www.atthepicketfence.com

Lisa

Rummage Sale Finds

Every year my friend and I attend a Hospital Auxiliary Rummage Sale.  It is a huge sale held in Virginia.    My friend clears out the back of her SUV and off we go.    This year traffic was horrible and in a panic we were missing out on something, we finally arrived about a half hour after the doors opened.    This sale is one of our favorites to go to.  They have EVERYTHING you can imagine from clothes, shoes, purses to housewares, furniture, antiques and just plain other junk, which we LOVE.   The other year my friend was fortunate enough to find a wagon to purchase, which made carrying our wares a little easier but last year we had to carry around the bags we brought.  This year we FORGOT, yes forgot bags.  How does one do this?   Luckily some of the "cashiers" had plastic bags that we were able to use.    We did pretty good this year only purchasing a few small items.  We couldn't believe that we were actually getting out of there without filling the back of the SUV when low and behold, I found a tree.  Yes, that is right, an artificial tree.   I didn't need a tree.  I didn't want a tree.  I certainly was NOT looking to buy a tree but when I asked the price and the sales lady suggested $20.00 I had to seriously think about it.   She must have thought I wasn't interested and immediately brought the price down to 15.00 bucks.  I didn't say a thing but looked at her like she could not be serious.  I was in shock.  These trees are expensive.  She must have mistaken my look as though I wasn't interested and at that point said she would take $10.00.  WHAT??? TEN dollars????  Okay, guess I was going home with a tree.    

A cute little candle for a dollar.

 Every girl needs a fun wine glass and this one was perfect

especially for fifty cents.  

Two candle holders - fifty cents each.  

They are sooo pretty lit up at night. 

I paid ten dollars at a kitchen store for the red spatula and 

just got the yellow one for fifty cents at the rummage sale.  

I should have waited!!

I loved this picture and with a little paint on the frame love it more. 

It goes perfect in my basement bathroom.  

Loved the granite whatever the heck it is.  

I just added a cloche and pumpkin but I still need to figure out what to do with it later.  I loved the fat little rooster too.

I put the fat little rooster inside my kitchen cabinet.

I smile whenever I see him peeking out at me. 

The TREE - so happy I got it

Of course there were several other things I didn't get pictures of but these are some of my favorites. 

What good finds have you found recently?

Lisa

UPDATED LIVING ROOM

We have a formal living room in our home.  I don't really care for it because it is rarely used.  I do like the fact that it is right off of the foyer and is what you see when you first come in the house.   The white furniture I have in this room was the first furniture my husband and I purchased together when we were married 18 years ago.  I still like it and it has served it's purpose (to look nice and not be used, LOL).   I was tired of just seeing this room and never using it (despite the amazingly comfy couch) so I decided to bring up some books from the basement and purchase a bookshelf to keep them on and now I use it as a reading room.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  It is like having an addition to our home without any of the work.    

The boring living room before

Some things from around the house to fill the shelves.  

I used the basket for the "ugly" books.

The new shelf

Not such a fun experience putting this thing together. 

All prettied up

The after shot - I love that the shelves are opened on the side. 

Well that is all for now.  I'm off to sit back and read.  

Lisa