TIN CEILING TILES

I have always loved Victorian era tin ceiling tiles.  Love them! 

Google Images

Isn't this photo amazing?  Look at that gorgeous bar and the pressed tin ceiling.  It's amazing!  Love it!

This is from Google Images.  I love the ceiling in this kitchen.   Isn't it cool?

This is also from Google Images.  I love the copper tone tin ceiling in this bar. 

But, tin ceiling tiles can be used in lots of ways.  You can get the "faux" tin ceiling tiles at Home Depot.  They come in several colors.  I have been eyeing them for two years.  I personally love the idea of using them on the backsplash in the kitchen. 

Google Images

Better Homes and Garden - this one is my favorite!!

Again from BHG.  Isn't that cool looking?  Wanna closer look?

Neat, huh?  I love the silver with the black cabinets. 

So, this is an old picture of my kitchen from the one time it was clean for more than ten minutes.  What do you think the silverish tin ceiling tiles would look like on my backsplash?  Opinions?  I can't decide.  Seriously, I cannot decide, which is why I've been thinking about it for TWO YEARS!  HELP! 

 

My Kitchen Canisters

Some of you may remember when I painted my kitchen red back in February.  I love my red kitchen and I've loved getting rid of all of my early 90's red, white and blue decor, but I still had my white and blue canisters. 

I've had those canisters since 1994.  I have been past due for an update.  Only problem is, the ones I wanted were soooo expensive.  We're talking like $80 - $180, which I just cannot fathom spending on canisters, even if I did have lots of extra $.  So, I decided to make do with what I could find for CHEAP.  Really cheap, in other words FREE! 

Ignore the crap on my counter - crackers and ziplocs of Teddy Grahams and Pop Tarts, etc.  We are such healthy eaters around here.  HA!

I had these lovely acrylic beauties in my pantry.  They used to hold various snack packs (cookies, cereal bars, etc.  again, we eat so healthy).  I taped them off and got out my beloved chalkboard paint. 

Now, isn't that better?  Yeah, I think so.  And FREE definitely works for me!

I'm linking this project to  Finding Fabulous and

 

  

 

Monogrammed Plate

Is it considered "monogrammed" if it's painted instead of using thread?  I don't know, but I didn't know what else to call it. 

I found a white melamine plate at Wal-Mart on clearance for $1.50 and contact paper at DollarTree for $1.  I printed off an "M" and placed my contact paper on top of it. Then I used my Xacto knife to cut the "M" out of the contact paper, stuck it on my plate and then painted it with black spray paint.  This would have been easier if I had a Cricut, but sadly, I don't. 

Anyway, it didn't turn out perfect - or anything close to perfect, but it doesn't look so bad up on top of my cabinets.  You can't see all the imprefections way up there. 

**I feel the need to point out that I took this picture on top of a step stool for a closer look.  You can't actually see the block of wood over the trim of my cabinets...unless you're 7' tall!**

Not perfect, but good enough. 

I'm linking up to Frugalscious Friday at Finding Fabulous, Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge and Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative, Weekend Wrap Up Party at Chocolate Sundaes and

 

  

MOD PODGE UTENSIL HOLDER

Since I have painted my kitchen red and am slowly replacing everything that used to be red, white and blue, I needed something to keep my utensils in - ya know all the BIG stuff that won't fit in your normal size drawers.  My kitchen is WAAAAY to small for all of my crap.  Okay, so if I'd get rid of the junk in the junk drawer and maybe get rid of the taco sauce, parmesan, ketchup packets etc. from all the take out, maybe I would have room for the big stuff, but let's get real...it's not gonna happen anytime soon. 

The black utensil holder container thingee that I want at Target is $14, which isn't bad, but I really want the paper towel holder too, which is $17 and I just can't let go of that money because I keep thinking it'll go on sale eventually.  So, in the meantime, I've been using a large glass container that used to house snacks.  The problem is, it's just a big ole container and it's kind of plain.  I've been thinking about using chalkboard paint on it, but decided to give this a try instead. 

First, I found a label at The Graphics Fairy and added the word utensils.  Then I printed it off on plain copy paper. 

Then, I took my trusty ole Burnt Amber craft paint, watered it down and antiqued the plain white paper a bit.  I dried it with a hair dryer and cut it in an oval shape.

Then, I just used my trusty Modge Podge to adhere it to my glass container. 

I'm thinking that I should've made it a little smaller.  Maybe I'll redo it.  I don't know yet.  I'll live with it for awhile. 

I'm linking up with Xazmin at This Is The Year for Modge Podge Mania.

WINDOW TREATMENTS ARE FOR HIDING DIRTY WINDOWS, RIGHT?

A few weeks ago, I purchased some drapery weight fabric from Hobby Lobby.  I wanted to make a roman shade, but soon realized how much work, not to mention tools, were involved.  I just wasn't sure what to do.  I love the look of a roman shade, but I've never made window treatments before.  I usually stick to clothes when it comes to sewing.  I knew I could make panels, etc, but the hardware involved in making a roman shade was going to cost a small fortune plus shipping (I couldn't find anything locally) and quite frankly I knew I would get bored, frustrated and distracted WAY too easily.  I swear I have adult ADD.  That's why I don't quilt.  I stick to clothes because I love that I can finish a whole project in a hours or days, not weeks or months. 

Anyway, I was at my wits end, riddled with indecision, when I came across this tutorial at Thrifty Decor Chick.  I liked the look and that it could be raised or lowered, so I got to work.  This is how it turned out.

(Please excuse my NASTY windows.  Hubby power washed the porch not long ago and got the window all yucky and I have been too lazy busy to clean it.  That's what window treatments are for, right?  To hide the grimey windows?)

YEA!  You have to understand that until yesterday, I've NEVER had a window treatment in the kitchen.  NEVER!  I could never find anything that I like that wasn't terribly expensive and I just couldn't see spending a lot of money to cover a window when I needed/wanted so many other things (like food, clothing, medicine, insurance, etc.).  YEA!!!  I can hardly contain my excitement.  I feel like a grown up. 

this fabric is regularly $15.00 a yard at Hobby Lobby and I bought it for 30% off.  I used a tension rod I bought at Wal-mart for less than $3.00.  Everything else, I already had.  Grand total for this window treatment:  about $14.00 plus tax.  WOW!!!  YEA!!!!

I'm linking up withFrugalicious Friday, and Fingerprints on the Fridge and Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap-Up and Someday Crafts.

Red Paint Prep and Problems

It has been a crazy couple of days.  The kids went back to school yesterday (Praise God!) so I finally got out of the house for a little while.  You know things must be bad when the highlight of your day is going to Wal-Mart to get groceries.  I'm DYING to go to Hobby Lobby, but I just didn't have time.  Next week I am soo there! 

E finally wore her outfit I made forever ago that hasn't been on her body yet. 

It's a little spring like, but I just adore this fabric. 

Today I am taking down all the "stuff" in my dining area so hopefully, it will get painted tomorrow.  I'm supposed to tape off the trim so Hubby can paint the ceiling first.  It's a taupe color (Desert Sand, I think) and he's painting it white.  Then, hopefully he can paint my dining room red.  There's only one problem, well two, actually. 

1.  The very nice weatherman (Hi Mike!) is calling for more winter weather tonight.  UGH!  I love my kids, but I DO NOT want them to be home tomorrow.  We can't paint with four kids running around the house, not even to mention that I have a date tomorrow night with my Hubby for early Valentine's Day and I will NOT be happy if I have to miss it. 

2.  I CANNOT find a decent red.  CANNOT!  Everything looks pink.  I know the people at Lowe's are sick of me.  I keep buying the little sample cans just so I can come home and put a big ole splotch on my wall and it ends up PINK!  Three coats and it's still pink!  UGH!  Why can't I find the right shade?   Becca over at Adventures in Decorating used RL Stadium Red and it turned out beautiful.  Maybe I'll run to Home Depot and try that.  Anybody have any other suggestions? 

Isn't that color gorgeous? 

Okay, I'm off to start taping.  Have I mentioned that I HATE to paint? 

KITCHEN CABINET DECORATING DILEMMA PARTY

Amanda's having a party!!  WOO HOO!  I love a good McLinky party!  It's Decorating Dilemma Day and boy do I have some of those.  I think today I'll be going with my kitchen issue, well, one of them anyway. 

We're getting ready to paint the kitchen red and I'm losing the red, white and blue Americana stuff that I love, but is just a little outdated. 

My problem is that totally non-functional space above my cabinets.  UGH!  I ended up just putting a bunch of stuff up there that wouldn't fit in my cabinets.  It's AWFUL!  There is only about 12" of space.  What am I supposed to put up there?  I LOATHE greenery!  I just am drawing a complete BLANK!  Help! 

Please forgive the wild grapevine that looks as if it is attacking my beloved bowls.  I had a friend with some on top of her cabinets and it looked wonderful.  I worked with it, got frustrated and gave up, but never took it down.  AWFUL! 

So, any suggestions on what I could put up there?  OR should I just leave it blank and dusty up there?  Stupid pre-fab, builder's grade, spec house, crappy cabinets! UGH!  HELP!! Please!  I'm desperate! 

NEW VALENTINE'S KITCHEN TOWEL

Well, I was starting to feel really terrible about my lack of Valentine's decor.  Everyone has such cute stuff and I had....nothing.  Ya see, my house is only 1500 sq. ft and when you are a family of six, that's not much space.  So, I don't have a lot of storage space to put things I can only use for a month or so out of the year.  That being said, I thought hearts can be used year round and red is one of my favorite colors... so, I made this:

Nothing to cutesy and I got to use my beloved Michael Miller Dandy Damask and polka dots too?  What could be better?  It's not much, but it's better than nothing. 

Look at that cute little polka dot heart.  It's heat set, but I didn't satin stitch or zig zag so it'll fray just slightly over time.  I love that!

Okay.  That's it.  I'm linking up with Frugalicious Friday , Tater Tots and Jello, Make Your Monday at Twice Remembered , Making the World Cuter and DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land..  I can't wait to see what everyone else has been up to!

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?

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!!

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.

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!

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.