some inspiration and the house 09 giveaway winner

First things first, the winner of a new blog header designed by house 09 is Julianne.  Congrats!!  I hope you enjoy your new look. :) 

I was inspired by a few projects around blogland this weekend.  I thought I would share a few of my favorites with you.

Have you seen this pantry makeover from House of Smith's?  I love that she used glass jars with labels and other fun bins {both wire and wood}  I'm such a sucker for organization, containers, and labels.  I am in love with the grey color and the quatrefoil technicque she used in the background. 

I love this framed tea towel diy project from Decor mama. I think I need to hit up Target for some fun printed towels.  I think it would also be fun to frame some thrifted/vinatge tea towels or bed sheets. Maybe you already have some in your stash?

I love seeing lamp makeovers and this one over at Cottage and Vine definitely caught my eye.  Check out the before and after!  If this doesn't convince you that spray paint is a miracle worker I don't know what will. Aren't the "after" lamps AMAZING!!

I also love this chippy paint lamp from Sweet Something Designs. Check out the tutorial to see how she turned a brass lamp into this beautiful lamp with a textured finish.  I really can't get enough lamp makeovers lately.  Probably has something to do with the fact that I am in the middle of my own lamp makeover at the moment. I can't wait to share it with you when I am finished.

I hope you all have a great week!

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Friday Favorites {some fun tutorials!!}

fun with plaster and doilies @ Songbird

grassy eggs @ Fly Through our Window

fancy crepe paper fringe @ The Gaines Gang

paper birds @ No Money Mama

vintage pom-pom pillow @ A Pretty Cool Life

fork plant tag holder @ Make*happy

appliqueing with used dryer sheets @ V and Co.

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book art

Did you make a book page wreath last fall but sill have the hard cover laying around?  Patrice, from Lemon Tree Creations, has come up with a clever way to use your left over book covers.

She turned her hardback book covers into a piece of art!!  Patrice crafted her book art with a piece of birch wood, book covers, and a glue gun.  How fun is that?  I definitely see this project in my future!

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oh so pretty house numbers

{image source unknown}

Isn't this such a sweet way to display your house number?  I picture this outside a quaint little cottage don't you?  This look would be so easy to re-create and has got me thinking of lots of fun ideas.  Besides platters you could also use plates and small trays.  If like me you don't feel confident to free hand your numbers then you could use vinyl lettering or pick up some stickers at your local craft store.  


And if you wanted to go for a more casual feel you could use chalkboard paint in the middle of your platter and then write in your house number or a simple message such as "Welcome".  You could also use this idea to display your name.  For example, you could write "The Smiths" in the middle of the tray or use vinyl letters to create the same look.


You could really take this idea and run with it!

p.s Have you entered The Vintage Pearl Giveaway yet?  Hurry the giveaway ends tomorrow morning!!  Click here to enter.

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DIY roller shade

I received my Southern Living in the mail last week and was intrigued by one of their "Done in a Day" diy projects.  They used an inexpensive roller shade and a monogram decal to achieve a custom look.  You know I heart monograms so I was loving this idea!!  

For a completely different look they used a stencil to make a pattern on a roller shade.  I love the bold statement that the simple stencil makes!!  What an easy way to spruce up a boring roller shade.

For a tutorial on how to make your own stenciled roller shade click here.

The stencils and monogram used for this project came from Sunny's Goodtime Paints.  Check out the how-to section of their site for great tips on using their stencils, monograms, and many more of their products. 

{images from Southern Living}

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i have a new obsession

For some reason lately I have a burning desire to silver leaf something.  If only Halloween were around the corner I could silver leaf my toddler and tell him he was a robot!!

No seriously,  I would love to find four identical frames to silver leaf for our never ending master bedroom makeover.  I keep coming back to this inspiration picture again and again.  I want to try to re-create the "frames around the mirror look" above our dresser.

{image via the lennoxx}

While I work up the nerve to try my hand at silver leaf I will leave you with some inspiring silver/gold leaf projects that I love..........

silver leaf side table {Gathering moss}

silver leaf lamp {Get your martha on}

gold leaf frame {Miss mustard seed}

silver leaf dresser {Little green Notebook}

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pillow talk

it's official.  it's now november. does that mean i can start decorating talking about holiday decor?



i am crushin on this quilted reindeer pillow. apparently everybody else is too because it is no longer available.  bummer.



i absolutely love , love, love this sleigh bell crewel pillow.  the little bells are a fun addition don't you think? {although i am sure my toddler would try to eat those}

and that red buffalo check pillow in the background. i love it against the sleigh bell pillow. so fun!

{all images courtesy of pottery barn}

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the project girl

over the weekend i was looking around the internet for a cute and simple chore chart for my toddler.  in the process i stumbled upon a wonderful little site called the project girl.  she has several fun downloads that will have you on your way to being organized in no time!

i am thinking of using this weekly chore chart for my son but you could also use it for your around the house chore chart {ie. cleaning}

i am all about meal planning these days so i was so excited to see that jennifer has two different meal planning forms you can download.

check out this fun project planner download.  it's perfect for any DIY-er who always has a list of projects going on.  you could even use it to plan for an up-coming holiday party.

the project girl also has a daily planner, a food journal, and a travel check list all waiting to be downloaded by you.  i'm wondering if she would create a moving "to-do"list for me?  we have an upcoming military move in the next year or so and i am already dreading everything i have to do to prepare for that.

i saved the best for last.  check out this a-mazing chicken wire board that the project girl made.

um, hello! i need this.  click here for the tutorial to make your own.

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