Monogrammed Initial Wall Hanging

We updated our daughters' room from little girl pink to big girl brown/aqua and lime.  My daugher was eleven at the time and not girly in the least.  She picked her own fabric and I made coordinating pillows and bedskirt to match her purchased brown comforter set.  I wanted something cute with her initial to hang over her bed.  Everything I looked at was around $60.  So, I made it myself. 

I love animal prints so I opted for brown giraffe drapery weight fabric.  I bought half a yard for about $6.50.  I had it monogrammed for another $6.00 with a single initial.  Then I stretched it around a canvas that I already had at home and got out my handy staple gun. 

It looks awful from the back, huh? 

I actually intended to attach a ribbon on the back and hang it, but.....I forgot.  I need to get on that.  Oh well!  It's still not bad for $12.50.

I'm linking up to Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous.  Find it here.  Click the link and join the party!

Also entering this project here

CRAIGSLIST ENVY

Do you frequent Craiglist?  Garage/Yard sales?  Estate sales?  Flea Markets?  I have a confession to make.  I am so stinkin' jealous of you people who find cute stuff on the cheap.  UGH!  Look at the deals I've seen on other people's blogs that I have been stalking  visiting. 

GORGEOUS!  LOVE IT!  Traci found this at Goodwill.  Cost with redo?  $70.  WOW!  Find Traci's blog here. 

Darlene at Our Creative Life found this for $200 on Craigslist.  BEAUTIFUL! 

Kim at Endless Possibilities found this on Craigslist for $25.  She hasn't revealed the redo yet, but I'm sure it's GORGEOUS!

I, on the other hand, have been searching Craigslist and every local flea market or antique store (must check Goodwill) for a armoire/free standing pantry type piece for my dining room.  I did find one at the antique store for......$1,800!  Oh my Gracious!  $1,800.  I mean, it was a very cool, primitive piece with peeling paint, etc., but $1,800.  I don't think so! 

I'm checking Craigslist daily and hoping for a miracle! 

Too Much Of a Good Thing Is.....Irritating!

You know that cute little baby giggle ringtone that everyone has heard?  Or the email attachment that has gone around, with the cute baby giggling that is supposed to make your day better?  Oh how I used to love that sound.  I guess I still do, in small doses.

My 5 year old son, who happens to have autism, is home sick with strep.  Poor baby.  He's covered in a rash and just doesn't feel well.  I have to say, he is my favorite sick kid in the whole world.  He doesn't complain (okay, so he doesn't really talk much either, but...).  He is my most affectionate child.  He loves to hug and get kisses.  He loves to cuddle up on the couch when he doesn't feel well.  He'll just sit in my lap on the couch for as long as I will let him.  He's so sweet. 

BUT once he starts feeling better, OH MY GRACIOUS!  I love this kid more than anything on this earth, but he is so DADGUM LOUD!  That sweet little giggle on the ringtone, imagine hearing that for four hours straight.  UGH!  My ears are ringing!  I do consider myself lucky that he has the giggles and squeals of delight rather than the screeching/screaming/tantrum throwing variety of autism.  But, boy am I glad he's feeling better.  Sweet, precious, LOUD, adorable, LOUD, funny boy.  He's the light of my life and the degeneration of my hearing.  Thank you Lord for all my blessings.

THE PROBLEM WITH A RED KITCHEN IS...

I've already decided that I'm going to paint my kitchen red.  I just wish I could decide WHICH red!?  As I have mentioned before, I have been "living with" several big red splotches on my wall for over a year.  I don't like ANY of them!  They all look too...pinkish.  UGH! 

Anyway, check out this picture. 

I LOVE this kitchen!  Gorgeous!  I saw this picture over on a little blog.  You may have heard of it.  It's called The Inspired Room.  I stalk visit Melissa's blog every day.  She always supplies me with my daily dose of inspiration (hence, the name of her blog)  The picture itself is from Country Living.  LOVE IT! 

Red is supposed to be the color of love, passion, etc.  Red is also said to have an energizing effect (I could definitely use some energizing) and is supposed to stimulate the appetite.  HOLD UP!  That is EXACTLY what I need, because as of now, I am only 20 pounds overweight.  I mean, gracious, let's go ahead and paint the inside of the fridge red too.  Maybe I could gain another five or six pounds.  Okay.  Sorry.  Anyway, red is a good color choice, right?  Actually, I think every room in my house has some form of red in it, just not in paint form.  I never realized I was so attached to my red. 

Anybody have a good shade of red to suggest?

Decisions and Budgets - ICK!

Decisions!  Decisions!  UGH!  I have been looking online at fabrics for the living room curtains for MONTHS!  ****What is the difference between curtains and drapes, by the way?  I don't know!!!****  Anyway, I finally ordered fabric samples from Warehouse Fabrics, Inc. as they had the best price I found per yard and they were only $2.50 per sample, including shipping.  Some places wanted $5-$6 plus shipping.  I didn't see that happening.  Anyway, the samples came today. 

What do ya think?  I love that it has both black and brown in it.

I am thinking of making a valance for my one window in the living room. 

Something similar to this using the finials and showing both fabrics.

I gotta go work on the budget for the living room/kitchen projects.  My hubby is standing over me hounding me about prices.  UGH! 

Let me know what ya think!

Obsessed With Decorating Blogs!

Okay, so I have a confession to make.  I am a cyber stalker.  Yep.  It's true!  I have been stalking other people's decorating blogs because my kitchen and living room redo is my new obsession.  I have to get ideas somewhere, right? 

Have you been to Suzy Harris's blog?  She makes the cutest signs!  Of course, I would have to have her make it with MY last name.

You can find her blog here.  Isn't that cute? 

Also, have you visited The Lettered Cottage.  Love her bracket/corbel thingees!!  See below.

Cute huh? 

Check out the cute feet thingees (I'm sure that's what they're called!) on Darlene's cabinets. 

Find Darlene's blog here.   She makes the BEST rugs.  GORGEOUS!!! 

Check this kitchen out. 

Oh my GRACIOUS!!!  Check out her island top.  Isn't it cool?  LOVE IT!  Find her blog.  It's called Funky Junk Interiors. 

There are so many more great blogs to stalk visit.  So much inspiration and so little $$.  Oh well.  It's good to have a dream!  Thanks for the inspirations ladies!!

Valentine's Day Fever!

As usual, I am WAAAAY behind!  I am NOT  a good multi-tasker.  I have to take one event at a time or everything goes haywire!  UGH!  So, right now I am obsessed with picking out fabric, paint, canisters, etc. for my kitchen and trying not to think about the fact that my birthday is next week.  I hadn't even realized that it was almost Valentine's Day.  I have 23 days left, but.....that's not a whole lot of time. 

Amanda at Serenity Now posted some thrifty Valentine's finds.  You can find Amanda's blog here. 

Angie at The Happy Homebody has the CUTEST tree in her kitchen that she decorates for the season.  It is so stinkin' CUTE!  See it here.  I could just move in to Angie's kitchen.  I LOVE IT! 

Well, since I didn't get around to making E anything for Valentine's day this year (she usually gets a new outfit for every holiday), I'll just share her Valentine's Day outfit from last year. 

I LOVE the fabric.  It has little vintage Valentine's printed on it.  It's cute and luckily, it still fits!  YEA!

Hope everyone has a great night!

Dreaming of a New Kitchen

After a meeting with my son's therapist, I did a little shopping online.  I've been looking for some new kitchen canisters and I found LOTS of cute things.  The problem is they're all EXPENSIVE!  Some of the canister sets were as high as $300.  Seriously?  Oh my gracious!  Now I realize I haven't bought kitchen canisters in....well never actually.  Mine were a gift 15 years ago.  Were they always that expensive and I just didn't know it?  Anyway, this is what I found that I like that doesn't cost $300.

I found these on ebay at SparkleandSpurs (obviously).  Find them here.

Aren't they cute?  They're practically a bargain at $80 (technically $79.99).  What do ya think? 

I want to paint the kitchen red.  I CANNOT decide on fabric though.  UGH!  It'll probably be a simple valance.  I've found some cute ideas here at BHG website. 

So much to consider.  I better do some more research. 

Have a great night.

Golden Oreos Must Have Crack In Them

After a week of not feeling well, I was to start my diet/exercise program Monday.  Unfortunately, I bought Golden Oreos on Friday.  It wasn't intentional, but my 3 year old picked them and I usually let her pick a snack, so I let her keep them.  I didn't realize at the time that they were Double Stuff!  Let me just say that I am pretty sure they put crack in those.  I COULD NOT keep my hands out of that little yellow package.  They are like heaven!  They MUST put crack in them because I am ADDICTED!  I finished the package (not by myself, but close) Sunday.  The diet actually started on Monday. 

Monday went pretty well.  For supper we had Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas.  We actually ate these several years ago when we were unofficially on Weight Watchers.  They are really quite good.  Even my 7 year old liked them. 

You can find the recipe here.

I did substitute the green taco sauce with Old El Paso enchilada sauce.  Please excuse the photo.  I meant to take a picture BEFORE we ate.  OOPS!  

I also started the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD today.  It wasn't too hard.  She says you can lose up to 20 pounds in a month.  I wonder if you have to do it 3-4 times a day to do that?  I bet I won't lose much if I don't stay away from the "CRACK" Double Stuff Golden Oreos!  Time will tell.

Have a good night!

Please Help Gina From Feather Your Nest

Gina Drennon is a fellow/blogger in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  After the unexpected loss of her husband, she needs your help.  Gina is closing the doors of her shop and is trying to clear out her inventory.  This is the link to The Inspired Room for more information.  This is the link to Gina's shop:  Feather Your Nest.  She is offering 25% off all orders.

Thanks for your help.

Decorating Dilemmas Party!!!

Amanda at Serenity Now is having a Decorating Dilemmas Party.  I'm excited because boy do I have my share of dilemmas!  The link to the party is here.  Go and see what ya think!  Maybe you can help somebody else with their decorating dilemma.  Maybe you can help with mine.  That would be GREAT!  Here we go!

See that lovely bunch of wires hanging down on that wall?  That is where my big ole TV was.  It was a 60" big old TV that took up the whole wall.  We got a new TV this week and I need something on that wall.  As you can see the couch is floating in the middle of the room looking toward the fireplace and the TV's new home on the mantle.  HELP!  I do need some sort of storage over there, but nothing too obtrusive.  Is that a word?  Nothing that takes up to much depth in the room. 

This is the view from that wall.  I know this room needs LOTS of work!  Don't worry.   The TV is new and I do intend to hide the wires, etc and decorate the mantle.  I'm just not sure what to do about the blank wall in the other picture. 

Thanks for your help.  I'm looking forward to your suggestions.

P.S.  Please excuse my son.  I am sure he was curious as to why I was taking of pictures of something other than him. 

I LOVE ZEBRA!

Okay.  I admit it.  I am addicted to zebra print.  I LOVE it!  I love it in brown and in black.  LOVE IT!  LOVE IT!  LOVE IT!

I found this great zebra floorcloth.   Isn't it GORGEOUS!  It's by Dana Herbert.  You can find it  here.  Considering I don't have much $$ to spend, I'm thinking of trying it myself.   Anyone know where I can find canvas?  I guess I better start my search.

OOPS!  I'm late to pick up "C" from dance class. Gotta go.

Jake in High Def!

We had a great weekend.  Hubby was off and the Cowboys actually won a playoff game!  WOO HOO!  I sure hope next week's game goes as well.  One thing that will make it better for me is the addition to the family.  Yes, we got a new TV.  It's sad that I get so excited about a new TV, but I can't help it.  I LOVE TV and it will be so nice to be able to tell what color jersey my team is wearing. 

We got a hand me down big screen TV (thanks to my in-laws) that has been threatening to go out for MONTHS!  We decided that we would have to replace it when we got some tax money back.  Well, today my hubby called and told me that he saw a GREAT deal on a 42" from Wal-Mart.  I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!

This is what we have had.  I love it, but it takes up an entire wall in an already too small room.  (Please excuse all the junk on the top of the TV.  I'm trying to get organized, really I am!) 

This is the new guy.  I love him so much I think I'll name him.  How about Phillip?  That makes sense.  

Now, I know what you decorating professionals may be thinking.  You are thinking that a TV should be hidden and the fireplace should be the focal point of the room and the mantle should be decorated, etc.  Oh well.  What can I say?  I love my TV and at least it's on the same wall as the fireplace.  I'm sure I'll decorate around the TV, just as soon as I get rid of the instruction manual, etc. sitting beside it in the picture. 

This addition to our family means two very important things.  1)  I get to rearrange my living room.  I need a rug and some tables, etc.  Bad thing is, I'm an instant gratification kind of girl and it may take MONTHS to find something I like that I can redo and/or afford.  But, boy will I have fun!  AND 2) I get to watch The Bachelor in high definition tonight.  WOO HOO!

I Want a New Kitchen!!!

So, it's Saturday and all I can think about is redoing my kitchen. One of my resolutions was to be more organized in 2010. The problem is, once I get stuff clean, I realize how desperately I need to decorate. I've had 3 big red painted patches on my dining/kitchen wall for over a year so I could "live with it". I cannot find a good red! I'm not sure if it's the lighting or the actual color, but everything looks great in the store and pinkish/red on my walls. It's GROSS!

I've been stalking visiting my favorite decorating blogs and I'm really getting inspired.
My mom, my daughter "C" and I went to a local flea market/antique store today looking for a new to me armoire for my kitchen.  Everything I found was.....not quite right.  I want something that has been loved so much it's chipped and looks lived in.  I want the worn look.  Everything I saw was to new looking.  I guess the search will continue later.  I love Donna's armoire over at Funky Junk Interiors.  Find it here.  LOVE IT!

Okay.  Enough about my kitchen.  The search continues.  I'm off to cheer for my Cowboys.  WOO HOO!  Go Cowboys!

What I've Been Up To

Well, we woke up this morning with no snow. SURPRISE! SURPRISE! So, off to school the kids went, pouty lips and all. Maybe I'll actually get something done today. I have to be sure and shine my sink. I wonder what else FlyLady has in store for me today. I'll have to get on that.

This is what I've been sewing up the past month or two.


"L" in his Rock Star jammies (so sorry, "lounge set")

"E" in her Disco Dot pillowcase dress. Don't you just LOVE a cute pillowcase dress. They are so versatile!

"Lounge set" I made for my sister's nephew, Carson.

Haven't had much time to sew with the kids out on Christmas break. Gotta get back in the groove. I've got several things planned that I need to get to work on.

Also, I'm planning to redo my kitchen in the next month or two so I'm looking ALL OVER for ideas. I'm WAY too indecisive. There are WAY too many cute things out there! Good thing I'm on a strict budget, otherwise I'd have to have two kitchens to have a place to put all the stuff I'd buy. HA!


One more thing. One of the most important things. I've featured my kids a lot on his blog, but I've never posted a picture of my Hubby. So, here we are together and yes, I'm wearing my jammies. Yep, he's a keeper!



Have a GREAT day!

SNOW HYSTERIA IN ARKANSAS!!!

Oh My Gracious! The weather forecast is calling for snow. Let the hysteria begin! I have lived in Arkansas for most of my life. Every year that I can remember, there has been "Snow Hysteria". The forecast calls for snow and people FREAK OUT! People call in to work and say they can't make it in - every grocery store is PACKED with people fighting over the last jug of milk like it was the Black Friday sale. People go out and buy new tires, chains, space heaters, etc. It is CRAZY out there people. Thanks goodness that I got to go to the grocery store before the 5:00 work crowd.

The forecast is calling for a dusting to an inch. I bet the town is shut down tomorrow. I just know the people up north would laugh themselves silly over the crazy Arkansans that freak out over an inch of snow, but we just don't know how to deal with it. We don't have any snowplows! It's supposed to get to 8 degrees. 8!! That just doesn't happen around here very often. Thank you Lord for my flannel sheets! I just wish I could talk my hubby into an electric blanket.

I really have mixed feelings about this whole snow thing. It's sooooo fun and exciting and beautiful. I DO love pajama movie days when you can't go outside. FUN! Bad thing is, I didn't buy any extra chocolate. Uh oh! Also, the kids just went back to school today and now they could be out another day or two? Not good! I didn't think I was EVER going to get them out of bed this morning. UGH!

Well, because it's cold, I've got a big pot of chili cooking. BUT, as always, I forgot something. I forgot tomatoes so I have to go back into that CRAZY store full of people again. Oh well! What do other people eat when it's cold out I wonder? I always want chili.

Can't wait to see what happens! It's supposed to start snowing around 10:00 p.m. so I'll be up half the night peeking out the window!

Resolutions

Okay, so I'm a little late on the resolution action. I have several.


RESOLUTION #1


GET IN BETTER SHAPE!!!


Okay. So, let's just be honest about this, shall we? I'm 30 something with four kids. I am not now, nor have I ever been below a size 8 (except for about 10 minutes in high school). I have always had some junk in the trunk. I am shaped like a giant pear. I've learned to live with it, even like it a little. BUT, I do need to lose a few pounds. I used to go to the gym 3 to 4 times a week until the sweet lady (Hi Ms. Sherry) who kept the nursery had to quit. I haven't been back since. That was 6 months ago. I've got to get off my tush and get healthy and hopefully lose a few pounds. Nuff said!



RESOLUTION #2

GET ORGANIZED!!!!!!!!!!


If you've read my profile, you know that I'm not June Cleaver. Somehow, that whole organization gene missed me. My mom, my sister, even my little brother, got it. Not me! I'm completely overwhelmed with stuff. I get way too emotionally attached to things people have given me or things the kids bring home from school, etc. This adds up to WAY too much clutter! I don't mind the cleaning, but I just don't know how to organize stuff and keep it that way.


At my father's suggestion (thanks Dad), I signed up for FlyLady. You get daily emails that suggest cleaning and/or organizational tips every day. Yesterday, I was to shine my sink.





I shined my sink. Two hours later. It looked like this.



Now, was that worth the hour of time it took me to clean it? I'm just saying. This whole cleaning/organization thing is gonna be tough.

The Bachelor

The Bachelor previewed last night on ABC. Oh my goodness. DRAMA! Hubby and I put the kids to bed and sat down to watch (thank you Lord for the invention of the DVR) The Bachelor.

First, let me say that I was not a HUGE fan of Jake last year. I do like the whole nice guy thing - reminds me of my hubby - but he was a little TOO goody, goody to me. He's okay and I'll think he'll grow on me, so I watched anyway. I haven't missed a season yet. Why start now.

Well, the boy has got his work cut out for him! Talk about the crazies coming out of the woodwork. WOW! That Melissa chick was SCARY! WAY too over the top and that girl with the landing strip Cambodian line - GRACIOUS! Self control honey! WOW! I find myself just embarassed for them. I don't know if there was just way too much alcohol consumption or if they just naturally have bad judgement. My hubby would have run for the hills! Cannot believe he kept Melissa.

There were several really likeable girls. Tenley, hubby and I liked right off the bat. Very sweet, obviously doesn't play games (our pet peeve), tells exactly how she feels and is vulnerable in a sweet way. LOVE HER! Ali, (I think?) in the yellow dress. She's ADORABLE! Love her! Several more I like and can't remember their names.

For once, I think Chris may have been telling the trush about "the most dramatic season yet". Those previews were something else! GRACIOUS! DRAMA! Jake even said a bad word "DA_ _!" WOW! I never saw that coming! Can't wait until next week.

TONIGHT:
BIGGEST LOSER!!! Let the obsession begin. I sure hope they inspire me. I desperately need to get off my behind and get to the gym. I only have two months before my membership expires. I need to use it while I can.

For the Love of Risperidone

Okay, so have I mentioned that my five year old has autism? "L" is five years old and was diagnosed when he was 3 1/2 years old. He is sweet and precious and very affectionate and he is the loudest child on the face of the earth. Seriously, happy, sad, mad, he's LOUD!!! He gets over stimulated and he squeals and giggles. He's having fun and he squeals and giggles. He's just LOUD, but VERY few words, until recently.

L has been in therapy (speech, PT, OT and behavioral) since he was 3 1/2. We were making a little progress in the speech department. He has had two awesome therapists (Misty and Gina). We know he can talk more than he lets on. He's always understood everything we say to him, he just has trouble communicating back. We've tried PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) with some good results. He pretty much abandoned it when we started using the sentence strip. He's a stubborn little booger!!! We've had a lot of success with sign language too. He uses mainly "I want" fill in the blank. We were making progress, but VERY slowly.

One of his therapists, Amber, told us about the medication Risperidone helping kids with autism speak. We decided to give it a try. That was 3 months ago. WOW! After reporting no change at the two week mark, we suddenly heard 3 or 4 new words in the 3rd week. Now, he is putting words together. He will now say and sign "I LOVE YOU!" Imagine having a five year old say that to you for the first time. It was an answer to MUCH prayer. I told my hubby how sweet it was to finally know what this sweet little person's voice sounds like. JOY! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!

For two days he's been saying "I want Pizza!" so by golly I made that baby a pizza last night (He's on a gluten-free/casein free diet, so it's not as easy as running to Papa John's). Over Christmas he went up to his Granddad, hugged him and said "I love you". My dad couldn't believe it! This morning our dog was being exceptionally loud. After hearing me fuss at her, L turned to her, shook his finger at her and said "Emme, no no!"

Risperidone ROCKS!!!! Just needed to share.

I AM A TERRIBLE BLOGGER!

Okay, so I know it's been a long time, but really, I don't think I have any readers anyway. I think it's more of a thinking out loud kind of thing for me.

So, it's been really busy since my last post.

Had a FABULOUS time at my high school reunion! FUN TIMES!!!

I spent most of November getting ready for Holidays at Hurricane craft show. It was the first year and we didn't have much traffic. I only sold one dress, but I had a GREAT time and met some really great people. My sister and I had a booth together. She makes really CUTE coasters and plaques. TOO CUTE! She made me a really cute sign with frouFrouBritches on it.



See? Cute, right?


Then there was Thanksgiving. I ate WAY too much and had LOTS of fun with the family. The kids had a great time playing outside in the leaves!




Then there was Christmas, which was GREAT! I love visiting with the family and all the decorations and stuff. Although, I have to admit that I was a bit LAZY this year. I only put up the Christmas tree - no mantle decorations, no outside decorations, not even a wreath on the door. It was just too hectic this year. WAY too much going on.

Here are a few pictures from Christmas though.

I still can't believe she sat in Santa's lap, much less hugged him.



The cousins together, except L, who was asleep in the chair.



L actually opened his own presents this year!



M, J and E admiring E's new BUZZ.



E with cousin K.



Okay. More later and I promise it won't be 2 months!