Not Quite Stars but Still Super Awesome Runners Up

Do you all remember Crafting With the Stars??? 

I entered the contest and sadly, did not make the cut.  After a few tears, ok not really but I was disappointed, I decided to get back on that horse and craft with the "not quite stars but still super awesome second runners up" instead.   I am participating in *** Crafting From the Sidelines ***.

A bunch of the peeps who didn't quite make the cut decided to get together and craft along side the stars.  Each week over at Sew Dang Cute they will post the theme of the week.  Then we loosers will link up together and run a contest of our own.  The prize is just the good old fashioned glory of winning.  And being able to say "BOO YA, In your face" while fist pumping.  That would be immature though so I probably won't do that if I win... out loud at least. 


The first weeks theme is Knock Offs.  You do a project that is a knock off of something you have seen... in Target, on a blog, in a high end store, etc.  The rules are simple... anyone can enter by linking up your knock off project over at Northeast of Eden, our host for this week (and the master mind behind the contest).  Even if you didn't enter to win Crafting with the Stars and you just want to play, come on over, link up your project, and get your fist ready to pump!  You have until Oct. 3rd to link up your projects and then the polls will be open for voting for 24 hours.  You all can vote by either commenting on my blog or hoping over to the host and commenting there.  (but not until October 3rd of course!... Don't worry I will remind you:)

Sew Dang Cute  is also running a contest for us runners up and you can win actual prizes!  So, don't forget to link your projects up over there as well... in case you wanted to win something other then glory.  I just want to mention that the Crafting from the Sidelines contest in no way supposed to take away from their amazing Crafting with the Stars contest.  It is simply a way for us runners up to play along.

I am super excited about this weeks theme.  I have already completed my project and it is, dare I say, fantastic...TOOT TOOT (that is me tooting my own horn not farting).  I will reveal this fantastic project on Monday the 3rd and let the voting frenzy begin! 


You can link up your projects here as well and add the link to your blog if you would like!  Good luck and happy crafting!!  BOO YA!

Business in the Front, Party in the Back

I have been a painting machine lately.

In an attempt to make my bedroom slightly more pleasant... since it will most likely be the very last room we actually get to... I decided to give my bedside table a little face lift.  I should also mention that not only will this be my bedside table but due to our TINY bathroom this will also be where I do my makeup and hair (which lets be honest, only happens a few times a week anyway).

I have been hauling around this old sewing table for some time now.  My initial intent was to actually use it as a sewing table... but how much fun would that be??  So I took out the old sewing machine that was still on the inside and began to dream up fun ways to use this table. 

(side note: notice the grass is getting greener, I have been trying to bring it back from the brink of death!)

I want my bedroom to be lighter in color since it is on the smaller side and I don't want to make it feel even smaller with dark furniture.  So I chose to paint it ivory.  I am loving the off whites lately!

I washed her down, sanded her up (or would that be down... she feels violated either way), taped off her hardware and got to spraying. 

After this, I sanded a few spots to give her a little "age."

Then I used Mandi's glazing technique over at Vintage Revivals to give her a little more character.  ( I know I reference Mandi a lot.  But seriously, I would give my left arm to have half the girl's talent!).

See how the glaze brings out the lines! 

I love how she turned out!!  I plan on hanging a mirror so I can sit and get ready there. 
Oh, and I totally forgot to mention the best part!  I painted the inside purple.  Kinda like the mullet of side tables.  Business on the outside and party on the inside. 

(I had to retouch that left front leg... so don't worry I didn't leave it all unglazed like that)

I plan on finding/making a basket that is the size of the hole where the sewing machine used to be.  I will keep my makeup, blowdryer, brush, etc in it so that it is hidden when the table is closed.  I think it brings new meaning to the phrase "repurposed!"

Have any of you "repurposed" anything lately??   I love getting new ideas!

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Its me Its me A-Z!

Ok, I stole this from Kristen at By the Book Paper.  But in my defense she stole it from Janet at the Lazy Owl Boutique, who stole it from someone else.  I thought it would be a fun little exercise since I don't know a lot of the new readers.  I used Kristen's version where she changed B and U.  I agree with her, nobody wants to hear about my bed or my underwear.  Oh wait, you do??  Well, my bed is shabby chic with grey and white floral print ( a b-day present from my mom that I LOVE) and I am wearing super man undies... just kidding... or am I??

A. Age: 27

B. Best Friend: My man and baby girl of course.  My mom and Heather too:)  and Rachelle... Ok I love you all!
C. Chore that you hate: cleaning bathrooms... but as of late, unclogging the kitchen drain.  Will someone PLEASE come fix that for me!!

D. Dogs: Skylar.  My very fluffy pup.  She is Luci's best friend and hands down the best dog in the world.  Just ask Heather! (yesterday I found Luci standing completely on Skylar laughing hysterically.  Skylar was just laying there like the sweet girl she is)

E. Essential start to your day: hitting the snooze button at least 3 times.  LOL ok, and coffee. 

F. Favorite Color: Yellow.  Just makes me smile.

G. Gold or Silver: Gold, kinda fits in the yellow category.

H. Height: 5'4'' (on a good day)

I. Instruments you play: I attempt to play the guitar... mostly unsuccessfully.  Does a drill count?  or a nail gun?

J. Job Title: Insurance agent, mom, drain unclogger.

K. Kids: Luci Rae of course!  and Skylar too:) My hubs sort of fits in this category as well.

L. Live: Colorado

M. Mother’s Name: Jan, Janice, Grandma, Granny Janny, Mamalou... that one is hard to explain.

N. Nicknames: Mom, Babeski, T.J., Taflyn, Laraca, Vomit Commit (yep, that's right, I said it.)

O. Overnight hospital stays:  3 nights when I had Luci.  That's it.  Can't bring this momma down!

P. Pet peeve: yelling at perfect strangers because you want something done.  Did I mention I work in the insurance world.  This should be self explanatory.  Be nice to your agent... they really are trying to help you!  And when you yell at me your file magically ends up at the bottom of the pile, just sayin:)

Q. Quote from a movie: "Don't put the fire out with your boots Ted."  Says the old lady.  "Don't tell me what to do Devil woman."  Says Ted.  Billy Madison, I heart you forever.

R. Right or left handed: Right

S. Siblings: My sister Shena, and 2 sister-in-laws Erin and Sara who rock!  And 3 brother-in-laws David, Will, and Adam... They also rock.  Plus they are super lucky to have such amazing women in their lives.  Wow, that was a long answer to a simple question. 

T. Time you wake up: before or after I hit the snooze button??  When I work I get up at 6:30.  When I am off I get up when Luci says so.  Usually around 8.  She's nice like that:)

U. Ultimate vacation: Nicaragua.  It was AMAZING.  LOVE the beech.

V. Vegetable you hate:  ummmmm  I love them all.  Fried and smothered with cheese of course.

W. What makes you run late: My mom.  Just kidding mom, but seriously, my mom.

X. X-Rays you’ve had: I broke my foot when I was visiting London with my BFF Heather.  ouch.  The doctor was McDreamy though and with an accent!  Made my owie all better:)

Y. Yummy food that you make: Does microwave dinners count??  Ok, I do make a mean enchilada, not to brag or anything.  My guac is pretty fantastic too.

Z. Zoo Animal: My husband... Just kidding babeski.  You know I love the monkeys:)

 

Feel free to steal this too!  Let me know so I can come read yours too:) 

 

 

More from Stella June's Photo Debut!

I promised you more photos of Stella June's photo session back in August, and when I make a promise I deliver.  The original photos I posted were my favorites but here are a few more that I LOVE.  Enjoy:)

(Stella's daddy is an air force pilot and this is her reflection in his helmet.  A tribute to you air force folks out there.)

(yes we did put her in a watermelon, yes we did)

(My sister is going to take a picture of her every month in this same basket to follow her growth over the first year.)



DIY Cake stand and a little TMI about Luci Rae!

My baby is growing up... This makes me so happy and so sad all at the same time.  In just 3 short weeks little miss Luci Rae will be turning 1.  How is this possible?????  In order to keep from crying and begging her to stay little I am putting my energy into, what else... crafting.  I know you are all SHOCKED. 

I was telling my BFF the other day that I should have named this blog "while you were sleeping" because that is when I get all of this done, while Luci Rae is napping.  Getting ANYTHING done while she is awake would take a person with 6 arms and 3 sets of eyes.  My kid is nuts... in a good way of course:)  She is very "energetic" as my pediatrician so kindly puts it.  She is crawling, almost walking, and eats everything in sight.  I swear I could have just swept and mopped and vacuumed for hours and she will still find the one tiny speck that I missed and eat it.  (I found a piece of grass in her diaper the other day... processed that is... don't judge, the kid is faster then you could imagine!) 

Any WHO, In preparation for Luci's birthday I wanted to have a cake stand.  Why you ask?? I have no idea, just wanted one.  I decided that I would make one, cause that is what I do.  Well, I went to the local thrift store and started looking.  I had seen a few blogs out there in blog land where they used candle sticks for the base.  I thought what the heck.  This is what I found:

I have absolutely no idea what that pillar thing is supposed to be for... maybe a candle, but there is no hole for the candle to go in.  Either way I thought it would be perfect.  Then I found this circle.  It had little notches on the back to hang it on a wall... if anyone can tell me why you would hang a wooden circle on the wall that would be great.  This makes no sense, but it was the perfect size for the tray:)  I just used my husbands handy dandy screw gun... he wasn't home and I think he was slightly afraid.  I just screwed the circle into the pillar and sprayed it with this fun aqua.  And viola... my new/old cake stand!

I found the little dome at a thrift store as well... I know you are all shocked again!

I think Luci's cake will look great in it... now I just need to figure out how to bake a cake:) 

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War... ROUND 2!

Meet Spanky, the no armed wonder.

He did not start off with no arms but due to a tragic fall off the refrigerator he has lost both of his arms.

Spanky came to us via my mom.  In her ever supportive roll in my Etsy shop (many of the items were found by her... she is a FANTASTIC treasure hunter/thrifter, must be in the genes) she brought me this little gem.  She said he was "nautical" and that someone would LOVE him. 

I had my doubts. 

 He sat on my window sill for a while, then on my fridge while I was deciding if he was awesome enough to make a debut in my shop.  Well, that's when it happened.  My mom was not aware that he was sitting so politely, feet dangling off the edge, perched atop our lovely refrigerator.  She slammed the door (after a snack perusing) and bam.  It was lights out for Spanky. 

I don't know why, but I just can't seem to get rid of him now.  Something about him says, I am ugly but please don't throw me away.  So back to the window sill he went... and there he stays looking at me with his no arms and sad eyes.  I think I will keep him... sorry hubby:( 

Anyway, I found one of his arms a few days later in my flower pot.  It was sitting next to the fridge at the time of the accident and the arm must have flown into it as it was ripped from poor Spanky's shoulder.  If I had found the other arm I may have tried to perform surgery and reattach but alas there was no other arm.  I figured if Spanky couldn't have both arms he would have no arms at all.  Kyle keeps asking me if we can throw him away and I keep avoiding the subject.  The answer is no.  No we cannot throw him away. 

Well, now what does one do with this random arm?  Throw it in the trash?  NO WAY, not with Spanky watching me!  That would just be cruel.  So in true Remley fashion I got creepy.  As a joke I slipped the creepy little arm into Kyle's back pocket one day while we were working on the house, and this began round 2 of the war.  You can see round 1 HERE.  Next, Kyle put the arm in the medicine cabinet next to my toothbrush, I followed with packing it in Kyle's suitcase on his business trip to California.  Then there was nothing for a week or so.  I thought the game was finished... I was wrong.  As I crawled into bed last night and pulled back the covers I jumped.  There it was sitting on my pillow all creepy like. 

Well played my dear, well played. 

I packed it in Kyle's lunch this morning and that is where we are today.  I think I might mail it to a friend anonymously as a Halloween joke...

IT COULD BE YOU!

A Clothes Hoarder's Plight

I have WAY too many clothes.  I have always told myself "if I don't wear it in a year then I will get rid of it."  Then a year goes by and I forget what I have and have not worn and then I just end up keeping it all... and adding to it.  In our new house we have a walk in closet.  This should suffice, but of course it does not.  My clothes have taken over and I have even had to put some stuff in Luci's closet. 

Lets face it, the girl is only going to get older and eventually she will kick me out of her closet.

So, I was watching the Nate Burkus Show... since we got rid of cable and I no longer have HGTV Nate is my only contact with the design world these days... other then blogs of course:)  I heart Nate.  I LOVE his style and his re purposed furniture is AMAZING!  Someday I hope to be as awesome as him... hey a girl can dream can't she. 

Anyway, at the end of each show he usually gives a few suggestions for space saving, or organization or what not.  On this particular day he found the solution to the above problem.  Let me show you...

(this is just a small section of my OVERFLOWING closet)

This is what he suggested.  Turn all of your hangers around backwards.  (this took me all of 5 minutes to accomplish)  When you wear something and then put it back, put it back with the hanger facing the right way.   Then at the end of 6 months or a year or whatever time you allot you can actually SEE what items you have not worn.   GENIUS!!! 

I have not figured out what to do about my shoes, or folded clothes yet but this will at least be a great start to thinning out. 

The only fear I have is that I will end up wearing something just so that I can turn that darn hanger around and keep it.  Thus defeating the purpose of the experiment and possibly commiting some serious fashion faux pas in the name of saving an item.  I will try my best to avoid this. 

If you see me walking around in a tutu and a ripped sweater, don't judge. 

Super Fantastic Feature!!

I just wanted to let you all know that I am being featured over at my new found bloggy friend Kristen's blog By the Book Paper. 

She is awesome and I have loved chatting with her!  Plus she is featuring my shop/blog so I especially like her today:)  Any way, go check it out. 

There might even be a giveaway... wink wink.

FREE STUFF YEAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Pallet Art

I love creating new things but sometimes you just don't have the time or cash flow to do everything you want.  I wander through the isles of Home Depot drooling over all of the cool things I can't afford.  But what fun would it be if you could just buy whatever you wanted?  Where would the creativity come into play, and what kind of pride would you have when you were finished??  So I am proud to display my 100% FREE art piece that took less then 1 hour... or in my world, half of one of Luci's naps:)

On a side note, I have a problem.  I have absolutely NO memory.  It could be due to lack of sleep, endless hours of painting my house, chasing after my soon to be 1 year old... or it could just be me.  None the less, I cannot for the life of me remember where I got this idea from.  I know I saw some versions on pinterest but I am pretty sure I actually saw it on the blog Lee La La.  I want to give credit where credit is due and well do to this pesky memory issue, I just can't.  Anyway, if you know who's amazing original idea it is I stole borrowed please please please let me know. 

On to the project.  I found a few free pallets on Craigslist.  They are always on there and all you have to do is go pick them up!  I found myself an add that was right down the street from my work.  I headed over there in my nice slacks and cute heels and dug through the piles and piles of crap to find a few gems. I had big plans of headboards, display cases, etc.  Well, my husband tried to throw them out in the big move that just happened but I wasn't ready to let them go.  I told myself that if I didn't use them in a year I would say goodbye to them.  So in my urgency to use them I/someone else who I just can't remember came up with this gem.

All it took was one FREE pallet,

and a little white paint which I already had.

I penciled the words on first and then started brushing.  I did not sand or even wash the pallet for that matter.  The best part is when my paintbrush "got away" from me and colored outside the lines I could just use a little sand paper like an eraser.  It was fantastic for a messy painter like myself.  Well, here she is, the finished product.  What do you think??

I am linking too:

http://www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

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The Tiniest Little Model

While I was in Texas witnessing my sister's great Labor of Love we decided to do a quick photo session of the brand spankin new Stella June.  I have TONS of pictures to go through and edit but here are a few that I have managed to edit amidst the insanity that is my life lately.  It wasn't hard when I had such a perfect little model:)

I love this little girl SO MUCH.  I can't wait to see her in just one month!!

I promise to post more pictures as I edit them.  (this might take me some time but I will get them done...eventually:)

Crafting with the Stars

Ok peeps.  I just entered a contest over at Sew Dang Cute Crafts.  I entered my bird mobile for this first round.  It's a far shot but I figured what the H E double hockey sticks:)  Mandi over at Vintage Revivals is one of the stars and she rocks! I heart her awesomeness! I love all of the other stars too, but Mandi was one of my first bloggy idols:)

  Check it out if you have time.  Also click on my bird mobile... you never know, more views may influence the winners:)

Crafting with the Stars

THANKS!!!

Monogrammed Side Table

In the chaos of our house I decided to take an hour and work on something that I could ACTUALLY FINISH that day.  With wood floors, tiling, painting, etc. I get discouraged.  I am an instant gratification sort of lady.  Probably because I am a product of a microwave society but that is an entirely different discussion.  I love seeing our house come together but it just goes so slow!!  This is why I love spray paint.  In one hour I can take something ugly and make it pretty.  While our wood floors are taking weeks, our bathroom still remains "almost" finished, and I won't even get started on the paint.  Lets just say we have repainted one wall in our kitchen 3 times and we STILL aren't happy!  So, here she is.  Luci Rae's new monogrammed side table.

My mom found this ugly side table at a thrift store years ago.  We have hauled it from house to house with no idea what to do with it.  I just couldn't throw it away though.  I knew it had potential, just not sure how much lol.  Don't judge my dead lawn... just another thing on the LONG to do list at our house.  I promise next summer it will be green, but today that is what it is.

So I took it out, dusted it off... it had collected A LOT of dust... sanded it down and got to painting.

I chose this heirloom white which I LOVE.  It is so much softer then a bright white.

After I painted it, I really liked it but it just seemed so plain.  I wanted to add a subtle touch, so I got out my bright white paint and free hand painted this cursive L on the top.

I love how the two whites look together and that the L isn't very obvious.

Notice the unfinished wood floors:)  Anyway, here she is in all her glory.  Well, I proudly marched her upstairs to put in Luci's room.  Then I realized it was WAY to big for the room.  LOL.  So now we have a beautiful side table for our basement.  Oh well, I tried.  What's the old saying... "Measure twice, cut once."  I guess that applies to furniture placement as well.  Lesson learned.  Still love the table though:)



My Morning Tea Quote of the Day:

"Re-examine all you have been told...

Dismiss what insults your Soul"

- Walt Whitman