Mom Reality

Posted on September 10, 2011 by admin

This Saturday has been a lazy, nothing gets done kind of day. A real pleasure actually. In fact, as I was twitter stalking some of my favorite blogs, Bloggy Moms posted a post from Bossy Mom about what her home really looks like when company is not expected. (She actually got the idea from Everything and Nothing from Essex)

Sounded like fun.

I copied their posts.

Here is my Saturday home.

The kitchen/dining room has been converted into a fort for BOYS only.

Our Saturday morning island. Let’s see…I have a homeschooling catalog open, Star Wars puzzle, the infamous black lantern, hats, candles, coffee. Wow, a lot of crap.

Here you can see my crochet work and the trusty laptop on my twitter account of course….

I did not venture into other parts of the home because we primarily stay out here in our common area.

There ya have it. The reality of a Saturday morning at home when no guests are expected

Green Thumb Thursday Link Up!

Posted on September 8, 2011 by admin

Green Thumb Thursday is here and I can’t wait to see what everyone has been creating. Here is my contribution to the day:

Easy to make Fall Wreath

When I first started to make my own things instead of buying them one of the first items I wanted to learn to create a wreath. A wreath that I could change with the seasons. I was a newbie in the craft/decorating department so I would scoure blogs for help tips. Here is my step by step of making an affordable seasonal wreath.

First find a wreath that is easy to change. I chose this one, a twig wreath. (I don’t know the real name)

It was on the door with some Summer flowers but I failed horribly with the summer selection so it was pretty bare.

I wasn’t too proud of that one so I was anxious to start fresh. I hit Hobby Lobby and found an assortment of Fall leaves and they were all on sale! 50% off! I love Hobby Lobby something fierce.

Set with the accessories and a blank wreath, I went to work.

All done! I bought the wreath last year on sale for about 8 dollars and all my accessories were 9 dollars! Crafty on a budget!

Now it is your turn! Link up and share your projects….Everything that is homemade or organic! I love blog hopping! The only thing I ask is for you to grab the Green Thumb Thursday and advertise!

DIY Black Lantern

Posted on September 4, 2011 by admin

I love lanterns. I have been eyeing the lanterns in Pottery Barn for years and whenever I see one on sale it takes a long time to walk away.

Imagine my joy when I discovered a lantern at my local Michaels that was on clearance for 3.99 !! 80% off!!! The only reason it hadn’t sold is because someone hot glued really ugly flowers on the top. I grabbed it immediately and by the time I reached the registered all six of the flowers had been removed.

Before

Brown Lantern that needs a makeover

It’s not ugly. I really debated about changing it. But I decided to do it anyways

I took all the glass out but the piece in the door wouldn’t budge. I taped it off with painters tape.

Use painters tape to protect what you don't want painted.

Now it is ready to go!

These first two photos were taken in the evening and with my phone. Hence the horrible quality and poor lighting.

Black hammered Rust-oleum

I applied about 3 coats of the Black hammered Rust-oleum. You can find this at Wal-mart for a little over 5 dollars.

Lantern drying after a few coats of Rust-oleum

I love it so far! I was so glad I decided to paint it.

As it was drying I needed to clean all the glass pieces that I pulled out. They were held inside the lantern with small white adhesive strips and they were a pain to remove. I used adhesive remover to get rid of the remnants of the strips.
Adhesive Remover helps remove the sticky stuff

After everything was dry I used a clear sealant to make the glass pieces stay in place. Looking back, hot glue would of worked just as well.

Here is the final product!
Homemade Black Lantern

I love it!!

The entire thing cost me about 10 dollars! I think it really goes great with the fall decor that I have pulled out!

Moving on and in

Posted on December 15, 2010 by admin

I posted on November 29 that we were officially moving and finding a rental. Well, we found a wonderful place and we have already moved! I do want to say thank you to everyone that read my blog entry about foreclosing and were not only supportive but shared your own stories. I read and truly appreciated each one….

Now I would like to take you on a small tour of the new home.

Let us begin with a shot from the front door.

The view of the kitchen from the living room. (it is all one big room area)

The library/computer/den room —- I am sitting at that desk right now!

My favorite corner in the house so far

Here is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE part of this house….

There you have it. I didn’t take any photos of the bedrooms because they are still a work and progress and well they are bedrooms. So, if you are ever in town drop me a line and we will grill up some steaks and enjoy the fire.

Becoming Homegrown

Category Archives: Home

Mom Reality

Green Thumb Thursday Link Up!

DIY Black Lantern

Moving on and in