A Day in the Salon {Sort of}

I thought I'd give those of you who are following my blog a preview of what I have planned to work on this year as far as furniture make over goes.  I work full time and have two little ones so I will be a bit distracted but do have plans for several furniture make overs.  I have viewed several blogs that make over furniture and give the furniture names.  I LOVE that idea!  It gives the piece even more life.  So let me introduce the line up for a day in the salon at Living in Grace Abundantly:

First up we have Elizabeth.  She was my first big purchase out of college.  And she was in service up until the last few months.  We have graduated to a larger bed and since then Elizabeth has been in my garage.  She has the matching foot board, dresser, night stand, and chest of drawers...all equally stunning.  At this point she is the only one with the planned make over.  She is going to be placed in my youngest daughter's room.  I am in the process of getting paint matched to my daughters other furniture.  Once I get some free time she's going to have a wonderful transformation.  I just love her curves and beauty.  I still love her just as much as the first time I laid eyes on her in that furniture store years ago!  Elizabeth has defined my taste in furniture for years now. She deserves some pampering!

Second we have Carmella.  She was a Craig's list find.  Our kitchen table was round and glass top!  I know, shock!  With small children this was an easy purchase decision.  And since we were going to give the kitchen a make over anyway, Carmella seemed like a lovely addition. 

Carmella has four chairs.  And admittedly they are in deep need of some serious salon treatment complete with paint, wood filler, and fabric.  They will have a head to toe because Carmella's accessories MUST be as fabulous as she is. 

From Cupcake's room to the kitchen...nothing is safe from my mind in changing out or making over.  So, I sold our end tables on Craig's list.  They were sturdy yet beautifully curved wrought iron with bevel glass tops.  I had to move on because of those darn glass tops.  Then in walks Jeannette.  She was also a Craig's list find.  She is as functional as an end table can get.  I love that she is two tiered for added storage of any items I might find I need next to the couch.  And she has beautifully carved spindles for detail.  I am currently scouring the thrift shops and Craig's list for her companion.  Not anything matchy matchy.  Just something functional that will compliment Jeannette in the way she so deserves. 

And finally  the best deal I think I've ever found.  No, not a road side rescue.  But, I happened to find a new to me thrift store on my way in search of another thrift store one weekend (make sense?).  I saw this little beauty sitting amongst the other treasures and she was only marked $10.  Only $10 for a sewing table?  I've been looking for MONTHS for one.  The lowest price was around $45 for some in need of serious work.  I very discretely 'shopped' the rest of the store and then calmly came back over and told them I wanted to purchase her.  As I drove away I wondered if they knew I'd committed LEGAL highway robbery?  Look at her, she is a treasure...she is Stella.  Sure, she needs a little face lift.  But look at her hardware, isn't it lovely?  She has beauty and yet is still so practical!  A girl after my own heart.  

After I got home I was doing my daily peek at Craig's list.  What did I find?  Stella!  She is listed for $75 and looks identical.  Long lost twins.  Such a difference in prices!  Oh happy day :o) 

I must say I am very excited after our kitchen cabinet project.  Paint is just something that can totally transform a space or furniture.  I am quickly becoming addicted to giving facelifts.  ;- )  Hopefully through this process my husband won't disown me :o)

We are still working on making time for the kitchen countertop update so be on the look out for a post on that 2! 

Have a blessed day!

Kitchen Countertop Options

So we painted the kitchen cabinets. 

Next up...do something with the counter tops!  White on white is not appealing to me.  I saw a great post on how to paint your countertops after the weekend wrap up at Tatertots and Jello!  I mentioned it to hubby and he gave me a no go on it.  He is not interesting in opening a paint can for a while.  LOL!  But it is a fabulous idea if you have time and are that talented!  We are not sure if we are staying or selling our home right now.  So updating with the beautiful granite countertops is not an option.  But, I will take a formica type that LOOKS like granite.  I've been out getting a few samples and have one more place to shop.  BUT, so far here are our options : 

I do want a black based print.  I have had option 1 in a prior home and I liked it.  The cabinets there were light stained wood though and not white.  I worry about option 3 having to much of the brown/peach tone.  So right now, I am leaning toward option 2 . What do you think?  Give it to me, good or bad!  I want to know your thoughts.  :o)  I still have another shop to go by to check out samples.  At this point my hubby and stepdad are planning to do the install.  That said, hubby has started this semester of college and is now in his engineering classes.  So once we decide we will have to find a weekend they are both free =)

Light and Bright!

We are finished painting kitchen cabinets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  YAY!!!!  So I thought I'd show you how much brighter our kitchen looks =)  Before we had the builder grade cherry finish cabinets. 

From the above picture you can not tell how damaged the cabinets are close up.  So here are a few of those shots as well:

This first pic is the absolute worst.  Believe it or not, if I kept it oiled up with some Murphey's Oil you couldn't tell a thing!

And here is another:

And the last one shows some sun damage:

Now for the lighter, brighter version!  I tried to get some shots over the weekend when I could get some natural light.  I had a model jump in this photo shoot.  Don't mind her.  To her momma, she only adds to the beauty;-)

Proof, I DO clean my kitchen!  ;-)

So let's recap: 

BEFORE...Dark, Scratched up, Dreary

AFTER:  Light, Bright, Cheery!

Don't mind the prints on the fridge.  I have 2 little ones who LOVE to make a mess.  LOL!

So compared to the dark cherry wood that ALWAYS needed a good slop of Murpheys Oil.  These are MUCH better!  =)  Next up is replacing countertops and maybe the kitchen sink.  Don't miss the next post on the cabinets.  I need some help picking out coutnertops!  =)

So what do you think so far??

*** I will be linking up with the parties on my side bar!  Check them out. Always good stuff there!***

Flourish: Cabinet Style!

Hubby and I have been discussing adding some flair to the cabinets in various ways.  My first idea was to use the beadboard wallpaper inside the frame of each cabinet.  I was rolling with that idea until it got down to the knitty gritty.  I got skeerd!  I like the look of the bead board cabinets but I was concerned that:

(1) it would get old to me very fast

(2) it would be to country for my taste

(3) it would seriously date the house

(4) we'd limit "buyers" to our home when selling

So I opted out of that one.  I was actually thinking of putting some scrolly woodwork on a blank horizontal board just underneath the kitchen sink.  About that time Hubby suggested we add some wood work to the LARGE blank slate ABOVE the sink.  I had not told him I was thinking of this already so he is claiming fully that this WAS his idea.  And since this is the idea we went with and he's doing a lot of work here, then we'll say it's HIS!  =)  Once we got the area above the sink sanded, primed, and painted I set off to Lowe's to find the little gem we'd add.  I searched and searched until I found this:

I had been looking at some cheaper versions for around $7, but I knew that this was the one I wanted.  And really $25-ish was not a bad price to add some detail to a boring kitchen.  Hubby painted it and after some careful measurements he glued it up!

So here is the before (with the new paint):

And here is the area above the sink after the addition:

And here it is upclose just so you can see how much it really does stand out and make the space a little less boring:

We are pleased with the progress so far!  Next week I hope to post the entire cabinets painted!  Then we will be in for updating the sink and countertops soon!  =)  What do you think?  I've thought of using some stain or glaze just on this piece to make it stand out more.  But I'm not sure if I want to sand and glaze every cabinet.  Would it look weird just to glaze this piece or is it ok as is?  I'm undecided and would love to hear your opinion!  Let me know your thoughts!

 

Kitchen Hardware Make-Over

So hubs and I are in the process of doing this whole paint the kitchen cabinets thing. Which of course turned into, we need new hardware. Amongst the other obvious items that dated our kitchen (sink, counter tops, ahem...it's ALL the age of the house). I knew that I had thought of just replacing hardware at one point UNTIL I found out how much it was going to cost me. Then I ran across so many posts in blog land on ORB! I decided to try it out on the handles and hinges. If it was an Epic Fail then I'd just splurge on the new hardware. If not then I'd just saved myself LOADS of Moolah! Turns out...IT WORKED! =) For the cost of a couple of cans of ORB (around $7 each!) I will have all the hardware/hinges/screws painted in a more updated color.

Once I removed all the hardware I degreased it.  Next I sanded it with an extra fine grit sanding block.  I typically buy the 3M sanding block if it is available. 

Here is the before and after picture of the beautiful brass pulls we had:

Next I placed it on some cardboard outside and sprayed, let dry, repeat, flip, spray, dry, repeat...until I was happy with the result.  So here are the phases of transition that the hardware went through: 

And up next is a small sneak peak at the hardware installed on some freshly painted cabinets.  =) 

It's looking better each day!  I am very happy with how the project is turning out. 

We are making progress each day.  Still have a few painting items left.  After that it's kitchen sink and counter top shopping! =)  I am still undecided on glazing.  I have seen cabinets slightly sanded and glazed and they are so lovely.  However, hubs is starting back to school next week and I am  not sure how much time we will have to devote to the project after that.  You know those two little girls of ours do demand and deserve our attention ;-)  I know I will be happy with just the updates we are planning to finish now.  I might save the glaze for another day or not.  ;-) 
I have misplaced one of my memory cards that has the before pics I snapped ...BUT for an idea of the cabinets (color and condition) before here is a quick picture I snapped before vacation:

Ignore the mess.  We are kinda in the middle of a remodel, LOL!  I plan to find that memory card and use those pictures in the final post of the kitchen make over.  But for now, you get the idea, right? 
 So what do you all think?
On a side note when I leave for work it's dark outside...when I get home from work it's dark outside.  So not the greatest pictures but the best I can do under the circumstances of no natural light. 

It's Hip 2 be Square!

Anyone else a child of the 80's?  =)

I've been up tonight finishing up some gifts for my co-workers for Christmas.  As I mentioned in a previous post I'm taking a good bit of vacation this month due to a new company policy and so are they.  I had to get these ready to take to work next week.  I have very little time during the week so I thought I'd go ahead and get them done.  I am going to give a HUGE shout out to CAM NEWTON!!!!!!!!!  I am a HUGE Auburn fan and tonight, he won the HEISMAN!!!  Woot-Woot!  =)  Why the shout out?  Because I love my co-workers to death but they are Alabama fans, our big rival.  And I'm not one of 'those' fans, so I made them Alabama-ish gifts.  Wondering what they are? 

This one is for my friend who also has a birthday this month.  She is going to get a frame for her birthday. For her Christmas present, I busted out the Silhouette and used some Crimson and Grey vinyl and cut out some circles and a monogram for her name.  That big ole Alabama A...Uh, not a font I can find.  And I understand it is their "own" font.  Thanks Alabama, you really show the love!  So, what's a girl to do?  I went out and bought myself and exacto knife! Yep, I printed an Alabama A off the computer and then I cut it out with scissors.  Then traced it out on the vinyl and used the exacto to cut it out.  I of course had to do some touch ups.  But, I think it turned out okay....being that it is for Alabama.  ;-)  The ornaments I used were square.  I really liked them as well once they were finished.  Tied them up with some red/black/hounds tooth ribbon and they are good to go. 

This one is for my other co-worker, also an avid Alabama fan.  I made her an ornament and changed the placing of the polka dots due to the actual monogram itself.  No plate for her though, she is getting a frame.  =)  Told ya I was making a lot of these gifts!  Ha, ha! 

And here is a close up of one of the ornaments.  They are not as big as the circle ornaments but still just as adorable.  Hey, it's hip to be square!  At least in this case, ha, ha!

And don't mind those ugly counter tops.  I'm crafting so much that I have limited places to snap shots.  But in our kitchen make over they will be a thing of the past soon enough!  BTW, the pic in the previous post that showed cabinets being painted...that was primer, not the actual color we are using.  Once I can figure out what I am going to do about hardware I will get a pic of the desk area.  But I have to find time to a. order new hardware b. go to a local store and buy new hardware, or c. remake what I have (it's brassy so it has to be painted or something if we go back to them).  Alright girls, I've had lots of fun today but I am hitting the hay!  Nighty-night!  I hope you are getting much rest during this busy Christmas season! 

**I will be linking this up to my fav parties on the sidebar.  Check them out!**

Pinkalicious Decor!

My last post said I was working on multiple crafty projects and I have another to share with you!  Today, with the help of my Princess we made a Christmas decoration for her room! 

I have seen this on so many blogs and have no clue whose original idea it was.  It's SUPER easy and my 3 and half year old helped me!  You will need:

• modpodge or glue/water
• E6000 glue
• Styrofoam cone
• candle holder from $ tree
• white spray paint
• ribbon
• glitter

I spray painted a dollar tree candle holder white.  I think I did 2 coats.  I did this without the help of the Princess.  I didn't want her around those fumes.  Next, the Princess and I covered the cone shaped foam in modpodge.  The fun part?  I used a hairbrush with a sharp end to skewer the largest part of the cone while the Princess covered it in PINK glitter!  After it was dry I glued it to the candlestick an tied on a ribbon for a cute accent.   Now one more shot by one of the frames I made yesterday (though the glare of the flash kills the beauty of this frame):

The Princess loves her new Pinkalicious Christmas decoration!  =)  I have another to make for the Lil Cupcake.  I will tackle that one tomorrow most likely.

  Still working on a few other things.  I plan to show them to you as soon as I can!  It's getting so close to Christmas I have to work faster!  Ha, ha!  Anyone have any time to spare?  I'll take it!!     

*** I will be linking this up to some of my favorite parties on the sidebar this week.  Check them out! ***

Christmas Gift for Teachers

I've been SUPER busy lately!  There have been five different crafts I've been working on getting done.  I first made ornaments for all our teachers at daycare.  I said before, at some time all those teachers are doing something for my kids.  But, their individual teachers are with them the most.  So I wanted to do a little something extra for them.  I saw this post over at Shanty2Chic and thought they were SUPER cute.  I thought I'd give them a try.  Princess has two teachers and Cupcake has one so currently I have three finished frames.  I have several more to make for Christmas gifts and I like them so well that I want one!  Ha, ha!  If you want a tutorial on how to, please visit Shanty2Chic, those girls are awesome! 

Here are the different positions/colors/embellishments:

For this one I used Heirloom White and the Fleur de Lis embellishment and it's positioned horizontally. 

For this one I used just what Shanty2Chic did!  Scrolly embellishment, canyon black paint, and vertical alignment for the frame.

 My sweet hubby cut my 2x8x8 for me and drilled the holes to put in the finial for the topper. I did all the assembly, painting, and distressing. You probably notice I did embellish a couple of them with something different than the swirly they used. I thought the Fleur de Lis was cute as could be and was dying to try it on something. =)  And a few more shots with these cute frames holding pictures. 

(Yes, that's our family Christmas card.  I might put it in some frames I'm giving as gifts to family =))

I have to admit, I fell in love with the black vertical frame from the original post by the Shanty sisters.  But after making them I think I am going to have to have TWO.  One in Heirloom white that will be vertical and sit on my hearth and a second black horizontal for the entry way table. =)  I may have to wait until after Christmas to make mine.  Why you ask?  Because we have a BIG home improvement project going on!  We've been busy doing this:

I know you are thinking, why in the world did she start refinishing her kitchen cabinets during Christmas, while she has been a crafting maniac!  Yep, I'm thinking it 2!  BUT, my company is changing it's vacation policy and it's now use all you have this year or lose it.  So I was off work Friday and will be off work again next Friday.  Hubby was off today as well so he helped.  Next week I might have to enlist the help of my brother.  It's a big job to sand, prime, paint, paint, and paint again!  Ha!  We did manage to finish the desk area today.  We decided to take it in phases as we were able.  I think that was a great idea, thanks to my fab hubby!  =)  Anyway, that is a sneak peak on our cabinet project.  You will have to check back to see the follow up!  I won't post on it again until I can show you either progress or finished project! 

So, what all have you been working on this holiday season?  Are you super busy like us?  Were any of you crazy enough to start to refinish cabinets?  We gotta get a move on because we are going on a long road trip soon! 

*** Linking this up to some of my fav parties on the sidebar this week!  Check them out! ***

Edited to add: Linked up to CSI challenge for The color White =)

Front Door Face-lift

I have made promises of posting projects for months now. I am finally following through with a post. I am A.D.D about finishing projects and just seem to LOVE starting new ones BEFORE I finish the last. I am FAMOUS for leaving one oh so close to being done I can taste it, yet not following through. Hmmm....wonder what that says about me? I don't even want to analyze! LOL! So I did finish giving my front door a FACELIFT. Here is a pic of before. And while you are looking and saying to yourself, how can she live with this gross and 'country' blue color and a terribly gross looking brass door knob? Remember, we have a side entry garage and I NEVER go in the front door. LOL!

YUCK! I know!

I saw this guy on our brick in the front of the house and couldn't resist the pic. Don't worry I had the zoom lens on!

I started by removing the beaten brass knobs and lock from the door. I spray painted them brushed knickel. Next I used black paint and a paint brush to paint the front door. I debated on spray painting it, however the thought of taking the door off of the hinge and finding something big enough to keep me from getting spray paint all around the door....MADDENING. So, I just did it the good ole fashion way. ;-) My husband checked on me frequently to be sure I didn't have any drips. At first I found it annoying but then when I missed a drip, I was glad he was doing it! =) I also picked up some mums in one of my favorite fall colors for the empty planter. ;-) Here is the after!

What's that? You like my wreath? Want a tutorial on it? Get in your car and RACE to the nearest Costco. I purchased it for 22 buckaroos and noticed last week they'd been reduced to $14! =) You can't buy the supplies that cheap and my time is worth far more these days!

Happy Fall Yall!!!

Birthday Presents

As promised in an earlier post, I had/have a few crafty projects going on at once and need to post on them!  My first one will be on my latest birthday presents that I spiffed up a bit using my silhouette.  Now, to tell the truth I took my laptop to Ocean City with me on vacation hoping to 'design' my idea and have it ready to cut when I got home.  Could life get any easier?  Nah!  BUT my laptop, the ToSHITa, Toshiba, which has my silhouette software on it bit the dust.  AGAIN!  URGH!  When we got back from vaca the hubby wiped it clean and said "NO INTERNET FOR YOU" until I have a chance to load the virus software (which is still not loaded).  WAH!!!!!!!!!  So I cried and went ahead on my first gift.  See, I lost ALL my silhouette downloads and all my custom fonts when he cleaned it up.  And I can not get those back without internet access. =(  But I did not let that detour me.  Using the fonts and designs preloaded I chugged along.  In comes the first gift.  A friend of mine daughter had a birthday last week.  I purchased a purple lap desk a while back with the intent of using vinyl to decorate and make it PURTY.  ;-)  Well, what I had in mind for design didn't work out because of the Toshiba, however this is the end result:

I was happy with it afterall.  I can just use my other 'idea' for the next lapdesk gift.  I am planning to give one to my niece, Katie, for Christmas.  =) 

Last week was my bestie's birthday.  That heffer took off and went to the beach!  ;-) I didn't get to spend time with her on her bday.  But I am GLAD she was having fun.  Nothing better than being at the Gulf!  Anyway, I am taking her out for a birthday dinner tonight so I had to get busy and whip out her gift 2!  I realized I could download the font files I wanted and use my little thum drive to load them without the internet.  So I downloaded a few and got to work.  I made her a water bottle just like the ones I posted here.  (Font Curlz)  I also had purchased some cute old navy flip flops earlier in the summer.  I threw them in a cute plastic container and whipped out some vinyl for it as well.  I will add something nice from the liquor/package store for her but here's the idea:

My husband has always lovingly called her "nancy pants" (he gives everyone odd nick-names), so I thought it'd be cute to put it on the container.  =)  This font was another free one I downloaded called "chachie".   I am REALLY loving it!   

I am loving using my silhouette for jazzing up gifts!  I've always loved the idea of getting personalized gifts so I hope that my friends and family are enjoying getting them.  They are sure to keep coming unless they tell me otherwise ;-)

What about all of you?  Have you been up to any crafty adventures lately?  I will be linking to my usual parties listed on the side bar so go check them out for some inspiration!  =)