My New Pillows

So I finally got around to finishing my new front room pillows for the leather chairs.

I really like how they turned out.  I used both the front side of the fabric and the reverse for a little interest. What I loved about this pattern was all the gathers at the top and bottom...although that did take awhile to do....:)  I 'm not sure if I'm going to put on the flowers (see the link below to see what it would look like with them).....I might have to make a couple and see.

(just added them......yep I like.)


Here is the site with the pattern that I used.
Just Another Hang Up

Pot Head

That's right I'm a confessed pot head......that's gardening pots.  I have been looking for some pots to put in my Mother's Day gift (picture coming when deck is done) and the only thing I could find that fit the budget were some plain terracotta pots for $2.50.

 Now when I was buying these boring pots I saw some very fun coloured ones right next to them for $10.00.  That's right same pot just painted so......well now that I always have KILZ on hand and leftover Krylon from some of my projects........I got painting........ and well the possibilities are endless!!

These babies are going to be full of herbs for my deck (2 weeks...yeah).   We've already used the rosemary on a roast and the cilantro in a Cafe Rio sauce.  YUM

Do you know how much I love to garage sale?  Probably not......my husband does......ooops, but really where else can you find such cool stuff for such good prices. 
I picked up these (very heavy) gold bookends for only $1.00.  They had their original price tag on the bottom and let's just say I saved myself a lot.......oh yeah.

Here they are before paint.

during....

and after

They are going to go on top of the craft armoire.   I just need to find a cool vase and something else that grabs my attention to go with them.....maybe another garage sale trip is needed!!!!!

The Best Banana Muffin

So I just thought I would share with you the BEST EVER banana muffin recipe.  This recipe is sooooo good and flavourful.  In fact I promise you that you will not find a better recipe.  This muffin is A-1, top rated, fantastic!!!  OK let's return from the land of hyperbole.....really this is my go to muffin recipe, my family loves it.

Banana Muffins

1/2 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

3 mashed banana's (the riper the better)

MIX THE ABOVE INGREDIENTS WELL IN MIXER

(turn off the mixer and add)

2 cups flour

1tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

(turn on mixer)

MIX UNTIL DRY INGREDIENT ARE JUST WET

You could add 1 3/4 c raisins or chocolate chips, but I like this recipe unadulterated.

Place in muffin liners

Bake in 350 degree oven for

muffins-22 minutes

loaf- 1 hour

mini muffins-13 minutes

If you think you have a good banana muffin recipe please tell me........ I'm always willing to admit defeat.

There Is Order In All Things (crafty)

I just finished moving all the kids crafts into the armoire and I was amazed at how much stuff we had to put in it.  The kids love it though and have been crafting BIG time.  I think that has something to do with being able to see where things are...instead of piled in a storage container.   Love it.

All the organizing items were purchased at the $1 store and my favorite finds were the pink and blue containers...in the 2nd picture...they are little snack containers that have a nice tight lid, but half of it lifts up so the kids can get into the beads, pom poms, foamies, etc that they hold (they were 2 for a $1.00).

Last But Not Least

The last piece is done.  This is where it will go and it will hold all of the kids craft items.

Here is a close up, but if you click you can see even closer.

Now I just need to dress it up.   Back to the store......and since I saved so much on the bedroom and front room transformations I'll feel totally justified to buy whatever jumps out and catches my eye. Heeheehee (said with evil laugh). 

I know this makes me a very bad B/A (before and after) blogger, but in my rush to get this piece done I forgot to take a before picture....OOPS!!

This was taken with primer on, but no drawers or doors.

I know not the same ..........I'm so ashamed.

Before and After

Here it is.......... my new dresser!!!

This is what she looked like before.

And here she is now.

I love her.

Eye Candy

Just finished the headboard, after repainting it white and glazing it I think it turned out perfect.  Here is the before and after.

Here's a little detail.

So I love the way it looks, but my 8 year old came by while I was glazing and said " So you bought something old, painted it to look new and are now making it look old again?"  "yep" I said  "weird mom" and she walked away.  I still love this look...it's like eye candy.

Change of plans

OK, I didn't really want it to rain today, but maybe it's a good thing.  As I pulled the headboard and four of the drawers that were painted ivory inside I noticed that the colour is really quite yellow.  I took one of the drawers upstairs into our bedroom and didn't like it at all.  So I think I'm going to change colours, (I only used one can of ivory....that still makes me a little sick,  sad,  frustrated, wasteful, but I'm glad it's only one can).  Here's a picture I took yesterday afternoon of the ivory on a drawer.

Out in the sun it looked fine, but inside and up in the room..... too yellow.  So I guess I get to go back to the store and pick out more colours.  :)

Silverlicous

Yep, I went silver and boy do I ever love them.   I love how the glaze really made them look old and tarnished and just made all that detail stand out.  The first picture is the before shot and the second is without glaze and the rest are with.

I wanted to take pictures of the glazing process, but boy once you start you can't stop.  Not to mention my hands were disgusting.  If you do some glazing have LOTS of rags ready!!! 

 So.... I think I need a cool knob....what about one of these from Anthropologie.  If I do this....the knobs will cost more than the side tables...sounds reasonable, eh?

I might have to go and see if I can find a knockoff of some sort somewhere.

Tomorrow headboard.
Unless of course it's raining!!!!  Or if it's below 10C.
Come on Spring/Summer.....I'm ready!