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Friday, December 14, 2012

Bright, Colorful, Playroom Christmas Tree and Neutral Dining Room


Playroom
The upstairs of my house stays very traditional in its Christmas colors. But, the playroom goes wild!  Why not!  I was actually too lazy to put this tree up last year but it was the first one up (of the 5) this year.  I had every single thing on this tree already so not having to spend any money made it much more fun.

The only new thing added to the tree is the little bunting.  I made it from scraps of leftover stockings. I used the same method as I did for Harper's Birthday Bunting for cutting the triangles and just sewed them onto a pink ribbon.  Easy and adorable!

The tree skirt is just a 2 year peice of chevron fabric that will soon be turned into pillows for the playroom.  I'm already over some of the fabric in here.  I've got problems people, problems!
 


Dining Room
 
The dining room tree is very similar to last year. Dried hydrangeas (click here for a how to on drying your own), vintage lace, crystals from a old chandelier and a ruffled tree skirt made from inexpensive muslin. It fits perfectly in this corner and I love it in the new dining room!

 
All is all I didn't buy a single new Christmas item this year other than loads of fresh garland and wreaths. 
 
 My Kindergartner had his last day of school yesterday so we are off to find a Gingerbread cookie recipe (that doesn't make 5 dozen cookies!!!) and have Mommy/Gray Day (to put it into his words).  Excited to hang with my boy and even more excited that he is so pumped to hang with me!
 
Kandi
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Saturday, December 8, 2012

Christmas Mantle

The mantle this year is only slightly different than last year.  More pared down I would say.   I went with real greenery and added a string of lights.  I bought 75 feet of garland (SERIOUSLY!!  I measured because I didn't believe them!) for only $55.  I thought that was a good deal and I really do like it a whole lot better. 

I actually truly hate these stockings. I've had them for years and after I finished up making stockings for the Woven Home Store I just haven't had the time (or made the time) to make some for myself.


I moved around all my string trees and pulled some antlers in along with some glittery apples, pears, and reindeer.  

So... this mantle is bound to change in the near future and I'll probably not do an update post on it... but I am planning a stocking tutorial soon so you can see how I made these babies!  I tried to spend zero dollars on new Christmas decor this year.  But, my imaginary mantle has neutral stockings, big lanterns full of candles and vintage mercury glass ornaments, and maybe some of those super awesome driftwood trees I've seen around this year... there is always next year :-)

I am glad I spent some extra time wrapping this year.  Am I the only one who hates to wrap?!?  I can shop all day but then I'm done.  I bought plain red and brown wrapping paper from Ikea, used some leftover Target paper from last year and added ribbon I already had on hand.  Made a world of difference and it's a step in the right direction!


Kandi

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Friday, December 7, 2012

How To Take Glowing Christmas Tree Pictures

Can I just say I'm still lost with my new DSLR Camera.  Even though it's not new anymore!  It's almost exactly a year old and we are still barely on speaking terms!  With that out of the way... I conquered something on my Pinterest to do list involving my camera last night. 


I had pinned this image from Unskinny Boppy last year (who hasn't pinned this?!?).  When going through my Christmas boards this year I decided I had to give this a try!  And, her tutorial really makes it a no brainer. 


The jist is you turn all your lights off except the tree and including your flash, turn your ISO up as high as it will go (I did 6400), turn your shutter speed down, and use a tripod or something to steady it on.  I'm going to make you click over to Beth's blog for the real in depth details (cause it's the right thing to do!).  There she will tell you specifics and you should check out some of her other great posts while your there! 

But, before you go.... here are some outtakes for your enjoyment...

{Note to self... Christmas trees are much  more cooperative than kids... }
 
Kandi


Classy Clutter
good one

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Dining Room Revamp Reveal!

 
 

It's done!  Finally!  We officially win two awards for this project:  1.  Fastest Start and 2. Slowest Finish. 
 
Let's look at a big before shot and break down the changes. 

 
Problems and Solutions....
 
1. Need window treatments.
These were custom white linen hand me down curtains (thank you Mother-In-Law!!) but were a little too short.  A band of Raymond Waites for Mill Creek in Felton Coral was the perfect solution for a punch of color and to add length. Super easy sewing project!  (Let me know if you would like a tutorial on this!)
 
2. Chairs were insignificant.
So, I actually really loved (and kind of miss) my simple farmhouse chairs.  But the new chairs are much more suited for this big room.  The chairs at the heads of the table were $25 each from Habitat and were recovered in drop cloth and piped in chocolate brown linen.  The other chair seats were recovered also.  Four in a Waverly over scaled floral (can't remember the exact print!)  and the other two in Raymond Waites for Mill Creek in Felton Coral.  Both of these are indoor/outdoor fabrics and stain resistant.  Essential for the kids!
 
3. Wall color too yellow.
It's not a giant difference.  But, this whole house was painted in a flat yellow tinged cream and we are slowing but surely getting rid of it.  It was a custom mixed color but I have the formula and you can email me if you want it.
4. Furniture on back wall WAY too small.
 
You can tell in the before picture above.  Tiny console table with an enormous picture over it and ity bity lamps. It was just all sorts of wrong.  But now I LOVE it.  I am most proud that all the big stuff here came from the Goodwill and was revamped!  You can see the buffet story here and more on the pictures later this week but they are stamped original botanical prints for $35 each at Goodwill! The mirror I had and painted it white from red.  And the lamp, which mimic the light fixture, were a Tuesday Morning find. Even the little pillows are from a little piece of hand done crewel (by the sweetest old woman) I picked up at a yard sale and turned into pillows. Obviously she had amazing taste.  She said she did this piece 20 or 30 years ago!
 
5. Layout needs tweaked for better flow.
By switching the china cabinet and wine bar it made it much easier to walk through to the kitchen.  Small change, big impact.
 
6.  Needed a happier, brighter color scheme.

 When you walk into the house you first see the new entry bench and then look into this room straight ahead and to the right. You can see this room from almost everywhere on the main level so it needed brightened up. 
 
The cost break down is pretty unreal.
I spent about $40 on fabric (discount remnants), $40 on the Goodwill dresser turned buffet, $70 on the art, $200 on the sea grass rug (Overstock), $50 on paint, and $90 on the two lamps.  Put it all together with a little elbow grease, a few hand me downs (chairs and curtains) and you get a whole room revamp for only about $500!  Not too shabby I would say.  Especially when you space it out over a year :-)
 
 It may have taken a year to get it where I wanted up but I love the results.  The pops of pink and green make me smile without being overly girly and I couldn't be happier to mark this one off the list!
 
Kandi

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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Monogram Pumpkin Place Card Tutorial


This monogram pumpkin served as a place card and then as a small gift for the guests of our table at the Elegance of Fall Event.  They were super easy and extremely affordable at only $2 a pop. AND... I live in the South, so as you might imagine, they were a huge hit!!

I couldn't find any all white pumpkins that I liked so I bought the bronze version at Michael's and just applied a coat of ivory spray paint.  I had the stem taped off but decided I hated it bronze so I took a Silver Sharpie Paint Pen and went over the stem. 

Once this is done you are ready to get started on your monogram.  I just made a simple monogram for everyone in Word. It took me a minute to get the size right for my pumpkin but once it is done you just have to plug each persons in and print. 

Directions:
1.  Print each monogram and cut it down to a manageable size rectangle.

2. Using a pencil trace and color in each monogram ON THE BACK OF THE PAPER.  You should be able to see right through your paper without anything special but if not tape it to a window and the light coming through will help.
Partially filled in ON THE BACK of your image using a pencil

3. Tape it to your pumpkin and using a blunt edge (I used my Sharpie with the lid on for this) go over your entire monogram applying gentle pressure.  When you remove the paper your should have an image of the monogram.
Tape or just hold it on for this step.  Just DO NOT let it slip!
 
The transfered monogram
 
4.  Using a Sharpie or paint pen (I used a Silver Sharpie Paint Pen) trace and fill in your lines.  (This is the point at which you will be glad you used a simple monogram!)
All done!

5.  It dries fast.  I suppose you could put a clear coat of sealer on top but mine have held up just fine.

Done. Now you have your duel purpose craft of the day! Place card and a take home gift for your guests all in one with plenty of time left to browse Pinterest!

Kandi

Linked up here: Domestically Speaking, 52 Mantles, Between Naps on the Porch, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, DIY by Design, Not Just a Housewife, Shabby Creek Cottage, Tatertots and Jello, A Stroll Through Life, French Country Cottage, No Minimalist Here, The36th Avenue, Bacon Time, It's Overflowing, At the Picket Fence,Shine on Fridays, DIY Show Off, House of Hepworth, Homemaker on a Dime, Stuff and Nonsense, 52 Mantels, I Heart Nap Time, The Frugal Girls,Six Sisters Stuff , Fine Craft Guild

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Elegance of Fall Fundraiser: A Collection of Fall Tablescapes

I was honored to attend a fundraiser to celebrate the life of an amazing woman who our community tragically lost just a little less than two years ago.  It was a wonderful evening full of laughter and tears, but also beautiful and inspiring winter tablescapes.  My girls night out group sponsored a table.  Each table had to be 100% clothed from linens to flatware along with a center piece to be auctioned off. 


We went with an creamy white and silver themed table.  This table included white pumpkins, white roses, mercury glass, Lenox china, and some amazing silver!  The center piece to be auctioned was a white pumpkin filled with silk flowers in shades of cream that could be used year after year for fall table settings. 
 
 
I used each persons monogram on faux pumpkins I sprayed white to act as place cards and also a little gift for everyone.  I'll do a tutorial on these tomorrow.
 
One of my favorite designers, Renee McCurry (who we got to know at the Finders Keepers Sale), was also there and put together a stunning hunt themed table.  From the buffalo check and paisley table clothes, to vintage trophies and pheasants ... her table had it all and was incredibly gorgeous! 
 
Here are a few more shots of other tables.  Inspiration can be gathered from each one if you look closely!
 
All in all it was one of those nights where you leave feeling blessed to know such amazing women and honored to be a part of celebrating and remembering a woman whom we could all take a lesson from.  Volunteering and being a part of your community, especially this time of year, is so important.  The organizations that need you are endless!  Here is one of many website that help you find a place http://www.volunteermatch.org/.
 
Kandi 
 



Monday, November 12, 2012

Goodwill dresser turned dining room buffet


I'm not sure where the room makeover started?  Maybe with the new art I picked up at Goodwill, maybe with the new dining room chairs, or was it the curtains?  I just can't remember!  My mom did pick up this pretty amazeballs Drexel dresser at Goodwill for.... wait for it........  $40!  I kid you not.

BEFORE

It was in amazing shape on the inside but the the top had some major water damage and the front drawers had peeling veneer.  I'm not sure what might have happened to it but it was bad!  I didn't take on the painting of this one.  My sweet step father did and he is so much more of a perfectionist than I ever dreamed of being so this dresser turned buffet is absolutely perfect. 


 
It took lots of sanding and filling and more sanding on the top to get it smooth and perfect.  A few coats of paint later and wallah!


We reused the original hardware since it was not only gorgeous but also the gold ties into my light fixture beautifully.


It is now officially full of dishes, linens, candles, etc.  Thanks Pops!!

The full room reveal will be....uhhh...soon (commitment issues...)!

Kandi

 Find me at: Between Naps on the Porch, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, DIY by Design, Not Just a Housewife, Shabby Creek Cottage, Tatertots and Jello, A Stroll Through Life, French Country Cottage, No Minimalist Here, The36th Avenue, Bacon Time, It's Overflowing, At the Picket Fence,Shine on Fridays, DIY Show Off, House of Hepworth, Homemaker on a Dime, Stuff and Nonsense, 52 Mantels, I Heart Nap Time, The Frugal Girls,Six Sisters Stuff , Fine Craft Guild