Deb
Growing up, my sister used to roll her eyes every time my mom and I would talk about doing something crafty or decorative. I was constantly moving my room around, or making things to put up in my room or the house. She would look at me and roll her eyes. She was too cool to do those things. She didn't have time. I was so boring... that is until she moved into her first apartment and wanted it to look nice on a budget, then my crafty ideas weren't so boring anymore. That was a looooonggg time ago, and we have found a common love of things crafty that will make our homes look fabulous and cost us little. We love to go to thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, and we absolutely love Craigslist.

Well, about a year ago, her and her family moved into a new home... well, new in the sense that it was new to them, but let me tell you, this "home" needed some work. It was way dated, but it was good space and had lots of potential. They, luckily, like to do a lot of the work themselves, and my brother in law is quite handy. So they have been updating the home for the last several months. I have to say it is looking quite fabulous. So I've been bugging her to send me before and after pictures, but you know how it goes sometimes. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. And since now I just so happen to have a fantabulous camera, I went over and took them myself. So for the next few days I will be focusing on her do-overs.

So first we will look at her kitchen. Now I have to say, the before was quite awful. Really bad cabinets, dated, and pinkish paint on the walls. No I'm not kidding. But again, it had really good space.

Here is the before of some of the space...




And here is the after...






Okay, so I have to tell you about the deals that my sister got on this table and chairs. So she had been saying that she needed a new table for her breakfast nook, and because it was such a weird shape we talked about a round table. So we stumble upon a yard sale and BAM! right there in the front yard is an antique round table. Because it was an antique she paid more than she normally would have, but it was really perfect. Then on Craigslist she found someone selling these five chairs for $50 for ALL FIVE CHAIRS. Now granted, they were uglier than sin, but nothing that a little paint and fabric can't fix.





And now her kitchen looks amazing. She framed some of "my" scrapbook paper, put up some other thrift store finds (the chandy was $30 at a thrift store, the rod was way cheap too at the Goodwill) and some inexpensive Ikea curtains, and her kitchen is complete. I think they did an amazing job for not being so crafty. Just kidding sister... you rocked.

So, tomorrow I'll show you some other fun things she's done with her house. Oh, and I can't close without sharing a pic of my little one. So this week she got to sing at the monthly PTA meeting. The theme was Western and the kids were suppose to dress as cowboys and cowgirls. For the record, she posed like this, I swear... no coaching from me. She is all about the drama.




Deb


I am sooooooo excited. I have been wanting a new camera for a long time. I hated the way my photos came out with my regular point and click, and it was completely frustrating not to be able to get photos from far away. Well, now I don't have to worry about that anymore. This camera is AWESOME!! Here are some random pics I took with it. What do you think??







Okay, I know the photos aren't that impressive, BUT you have to consider how incredible crappy my photos were before. Seriously people, they were total crap, so this is a huge improvement. I could never have gotten that picture of my den in one shot... NEVER!! And the other thing is that was taken in the evening with bad light. Plus I am super excited about finally being able to take a picture with the background blurry and the main subject in focus. Look at that yellow Gerber. Isn't it great? Breathe Deb, breathe...

So now I am pouring over Holly's blog and of course The Pioneer Woman blog so that I can learn all I can about my new baby. Their photos are AMAZING!!! I so want to be able to do that. Oh, and best of all, Holly has these photography workshops that they conduct in Arizona, and they've decided to have one in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She's having a drawing for free tuition to her workshop (which is out of my budget at the moment)... but how awesome would it be to be able to go and learn the tricks they know for taking AMAZING photos!!!??? So I am crossing my fingers and my toes, and anything else I can get into that position hoping that I'll win. Cross your fingers with me... ready...go! Okay maybe that will bring me more luck. Lets hope. So go check out their blogs and drool over their pictures with me. You won't be disappointed.

So of course, I couldn't just have a regular, standard camera case right?? So I am going to pimp up my camera case. Just wait till you see this people. I can't wait to get it done to show it to you.

Okay, I'm off to get ready for lunch with my friends. It's been forever since I saw my friends Pippin and Jennifer so we're off to the square for lunch. Maybe I'll take my baby and snap some fun pics of the square. We'll see.

Have a great day guys.
*ciao*
deb
Deb
Sometimes I think that my sis in love and I are on the same brain waves. We tend to have somewhat the same decorating style, and often we are doing similar projects at the same time without even knowing it. I love to paint things that just don't work for me anymore as does she. Her hubby once said that he had to make sure not to stand still for too long or she might just paint him too. He better be careful! Just kidding Javo! We both also love to decoupage, although I have to admit, she is way better at it than I am. Truly, the things she does with that stuff... wow! She makes AMAZING things. Like these boxes that she made me for my birthday a couple of years ago...



They have become quite popular. So much so, that she is now getting lots and lots of orders for them. She can personalize them with your own pictures, sayings, etc. I absolutely love mine.

So anyway, back when I was doing my girls' file cabinet makeover, she emails me and tells me that she just so happened to be doing my niece's desk as well. Of course, I couldn't wait to see it. Did I happen to mention that she is AMAZING??? Well, here is what she did...



See this desk? It was pretty unattractive before this makeover. Cream laminate top. Walnut brown trim around the top and walnut brown legs. It has gone from my sister, to me, to my other sis in love, and finally to Bibi. She decided it would go in my niece's bedroom, but first needed a face lift. I totally agree. So here it is in all it's decoupage glory!! What do you think? Man, I wish I had a before photo! This was not a pretty piece before!!





The magic of paint, paper and Modge Podge is seriously under rated people.

So I am getting ready to start on the laundry room paint project. I've been super busy this week, and couldn't get started. But today is the day. I have dinner (Pork shoulder for pulled pork sandwiches) slow cooking int he crock pot...mmmmmm!!,
The girls have a Wii game to keep them busy, and Alex is outside working on his car. I think this is as good a time as any. Wish me luck.


Have a great Saturday!
*ciao*
deb