Kitchen Counter tops REVEAL!

FINALLY, the time has come that I can share with you my counter top install!  Without further mumbo jumbo, here's a pic:

Other than my desk area, which I showed you in my sneak peek here, we only have two sides that meet at a 90 degree angle.  But don't let that fool you, there were many tricky parts here!  For instance the side shown in the picture below obviously had to have the exact cut out where the stove goes.  We took our counter tops off and to a local business for them to cut exactly.  Apparently the did not measure twice and cut once.  This side was wrong the first time they cut it for us (as was the desk area!).  Since it was their mistake they were more than courteous to get the new one cut quickly (like an hour later) and very easy to work with.  Problem was we had tried to install over a weekend and they were not reopen until Monday.  Hubs works and has school so we couldn't reinstall until the following weekend.  :( 

 Even with all of that drama, check out these beauties on a close up!  (Like my recipe holder?  You can read about it here.)

Here is another angle, just because I am really pleased with them :)

 And now for the other side.  It was cut perfect the first time!  Yay!  Problem with this side?  We *wanted* to put in a new sink.  And that meant DIY install.  So I purchased a granite sink in black with much deeper bowls.  My hubby and step dad followed directions exactly on how to 'push out' or 'tap out' the area at the top of the sink to place the vent for the dishwasher.  To no avail.  It cracked, not on just one sink, but two!  So with all that work we decided to just go ahead and install that side with the sink we had.  We were pretty skeptical that it would stand out like a sore thumb, but as you can see below, it wasn't very bad after all!

The local business convinced me to take this end piece home and see if I wanted to install it.  I reluctantly did just that.  Now that it's on, I like it!

 And once we worked through all those obstacles, the corners presented ONE more!  One side was higher than the other.  So the corner was not level.  My brilliant hubby came up with an idea of using some thin pieces of metal to ever so gently raise the side that was lower to meet up with the higher side.  Make sense?  Below you can see that it worked out fantastic!

And one last shot because I am in LURVE!  And after all that hard work, I think it was worth it!

So what do you think?

TGIF!

TGIF is all I can say this week!  Whew!  It's the weekend!  =) 

The lady who owns "A Blank Canvas" posted pics on facebook.  I thought it'd be neat to follow up and show you all what EVERYONE's paiting looked like.  You can see the wide variety in paint choices here.   

I was one of two who chose to paint pink.  Several picked the blue optin.  Then some went out on their own...grey with red, red with brown, purple with green (one of my favs), and one even painted her stems white outlined in black instead of black or black with white dots.  Yay for creativity!!!

I hope everyone has a FABULOUS weekend!  I am hoping to get some pics of our kitchen for you all, do some cleaning, and get started on some of my paining projects I talked about here.  :o) What are your plans?

Rough Start {and a Painting}

This has been a rough week on me! Cupcake got sick Sunday night and hubby and I both were up most of the night with her. Then on Monday I was off work and taking her to the doctor. Nothing serious, just sinus and double ear infection, but if you have kiddos you know even the every day crud can bump a routine out of whack.  And work has been crazy busy!  Which means less time at home :( 
I had every intention of posting about our counter tops this week, however, due to our bump I do not have decent pics of it. I tried to snap some shots on Sunday when we got the mess all cleaned up but they turned out dark and hard to edit. I promise this weekend I am going to try really hard to get some good lighting time and get some shots to share with you. I am loving them!
So, today I share with you what I did over the weekend besides counter tops. (And really hubby did most of the work on the counter tops, I just supervised. LOL!) Have you ever been to one of the Painting parties that are all the rage lately? Well, in our area, they have been going strong for about a year or more.  There are various businesses offering this but the one I attended was called "A Blank Canvas".  Until this weekend I had other priorities and had to pass on all the invites to them. I love crafting and all that goes with it so I have really wanted to go to one. A co-worker invited me to one over the weekend and I MADE time to go. (This meant I missed donating to our big consignment sale this year, but I did it anyway.) Here is my work of art:

The hosts chose the painting you create and the Artist then takes you step by step on creation.  I picked the colors.  She said we could choose our own color of the vase and had a pink example, a turquoise example, and a red example.  Since this was my first time I did not go out of the box and choose green or anything.  I thought it'd be better to be able to look at one already finished.  I figured if it turned out ok then it could go in a playroom eventually or maybe even my girls would like it.  Let me tell you I had SO MUCH FUN doing this!  Now, this is sort of an abstract painting and it's not really my style.  But it was a blast!  I loved learning about painting on canvas and about mixing colors and about how to create something like this.  I also enjoyed the company of about 18 other women and enjoyed seeing the various versions.  It was utterly relaxing for me and very fulfilling.  =)  I am not at all sorry that I missed the consignment donation to do this for myself.   

Crazy Weather!

We've had some CRAZY weather here in Alabama this month.  Just a week ago I was moaning about having to take ANOTHER vacation day for snow and ice.  {I prefer to take a vacation with my toes in the sand staring at the Gulf of Mexico}  Then by the weekend, it was WARM! 

The girls and I made the best of the snow day.  The morning was a little rough so we decided to get outside and play before the snow all melted away.  And even though this year we have had snow several times already...we really do rarely get snow here. 

Then, over the weekend we began to get the normal warmer weather.  So we got out and played...AGAIN.  =)

I learned that snow days can be made fun and my girls *LOVE* each other and have fun together!  Not bad for one week.  And best of all, I spent time enjoying my most favorite part of my life...my girlies.

On a side note we tried to get our counter tops installed over the weekend.  In short, the counter tops were cut wrong for the SECOND time.  I may elaborate more on that in another post.  But for now, we are still without one side.  Gasp!  Soon, very soon, I plan to have them picture perfect! =)

Kitchen {Sneak Peek!}

We are still working to get new counter tops installed in the kitchen.  Here is a sneak peek:

We recently installed the desk area and plan to install the rest very very soon!  So stay tuned for the total transformation :o)

Happy Hump Day!

Today I'm going to talk about my Weight Loss journey.  It has been quite a while since I talked about it.  You may remember that I started to go to the gym and get serious about exercise in this post.  I was very dedicated to the walking/running goals that I set for myself.  I took most of the month of December off due to just being so darn busy.  Can I tell you something?  I am NOT as YOUNG as I used to be!  And just simply working out like I used to did NOT work for me.  :(  I was quite disappointed as I really do *love* food.  Frankly I felt so discouraged.  I tried to do Weight Watchers again, but FAILED.  (Side note: After my first pregnancy I had a good amount of success doing Weight Watchers.  And I've known countless people who have had wonderful success with it.)  I prayed a lot about it.  I prayed that I would find a weight loss program that worked for me and my busy life.  I had lots of thoughts of what was wrong with me now?  Surely, I do not have a thyroid issue, but why can't I lose weight?  So, I saw a doctor.  He put me on a program doing good old fashion CALORIE COUNTING to start with.  I drink A LOT of water and I am continuing my exercise routine.  Honestly, the hardest part is getting to the gym.  I still have to just MAKE time for it.  I do enjoy it, but my time constraints are my worst enemy.  So, how's it going you ask? 

Three weeks in and I'm down 11 pounds. 

Not much, but it's a start.  And everyone has to start somewhere, right?!  I'm happy today because my jeans, the ones that have been snug on me...I can get my hands in the pockets WITH EASE!  Sure, I'll be even happier when I'm down a size (or 2!), but for now I'm having a happy hump day! 
Did you make any weight loss goals?  How are they coming?  What strategy has worked for you?

Lost Weekend & Fabric Choices

Well, it's Sunday and I find myself feeling as though I've lost my weekend.  Cupcake has been sick.  We had big plans to get our house in show mode so we could interview realtors next weekend.  But, the best made plans...  Well, anyway.  We did get quite a bit of cleaning accomplished.  And although I was unable to work on any furniture I did browse for fabric for seat covers for the kitchen table.  That said, remember these chairs?

I found these fabrics that I am thinking of buying to recover the chair upholstry with:
Print 1:

 Print 2:

 Print 3:

 I worry that Print 1 is to busy for the chairs.  I am worried that Print 2 is such a modern print that I would tire of it easily.  And I am worried that Print 3 is to dressy.  But, I think Print 1 is what I am leaning toward. What are your thoughts?  Which one would you choose and why? 

As you can see, I overanalyze EVERYTHING.  LOL.  Help!  Ha, ha!

I plan to paint the chairs the creamy color of our kitchen cabinets...summer white.  And that shell looking carving at the top.  I plan to fill it in with wood filler.   

Fix it Friday #85

I'm participating in Fix-it Friday #85 a I heart faces! 

Before:

 After:

 I used Picasa first to crop in, adjust fill light and color temperature.  Then I used picnik advanced tools to brighten eyes and dodged around the outer part of the eyes.  I also did light airbrushing on the face to lighten the food stains ;-) 

I love babies!  What a cutie patootie! 

How would you adjust the photo?  What editing software is your favorite?

Typography Project

This weeks challenge for The CSI Project is Typography!  I have loved all the subway art and free printables I've seen all over blogland so I decided to try to whip something up.  My inspiration was The Little Missy Princess.  She was dubbed that immediately by her Mimi.  It just fits her little personality so well.  And since her birthday is coming up I decided to try my hand at creating a printable all about her!  I included various words that immediately came to mind when I thought of her.  Ofcourse they all couldn't fit!  So I chose a few and got to work. 

The printable has her actual birthdate but I am sure you understand why I didn't include it to share on my blog.  =)  I am weird like that I guess. 

I created this using Microsoft Office Powerpoint.  I downloaded free fonts that I thought were fitting for the word I was using if I didn't have a font I liked.  I used Word Art and changed the colors and fonts.  I randomly place the words other than her nickname and her birthdate.  I purposefully placed the nickname in the middle and the birthdate at the end. 

So what do you think? 

I thought this project was SUPER fun to make so I made one for Cupcake!  I plan to print them off and put them in their rooms.  And the best part?  It took me less than an hour.  Even including writing my blog post!  Now my mind is racing with all the cute holiday typography prints I could make!  Have you made any typography crafts or projects? 

***Linking up with ***

 

Stylish Blogger Award

Recently Jen from Frame Fanatic passed on the Stylish blogger Award to me! 

 

 

How sweet! 
 Thank you so much Jen :o)

 

The award comes with the following responsibility.  

1.  thank the person who gave it to you
2.   write 7 things about yourself
3. Pass it on!

So the writing about myself is the hardest part.  But here goes! 

My about me list:

• I have fallen in love with blogging and the entire world of wonderful friends I've made by doing so!
• I have recently taken interest in giving new life to old furniture.   
• I love shoes!  You can never have enough of them.   
• I sing.  I love to sing.  I was on voice scholarship for part of college. 
• I am not so great at twitter but I try really hard in the time I have to do so :o)
• I am part nerd.  You have to be to be in my profession, lol!
• I am a natural blonde.  I just get occasional help keeping it that way ;-)

Now to pass the award on!  I am passing the award to blogs I find completely stylish!  Run over and check them out if you don't already follow them =)

Andrea at My Chihuahua Bites! 

Jenn at The Getts Times

Robin at Keep Home Simple

Stacy at She's {Kinda} Crafty

Wordless Wednesday {God Bless the USA}

People's Choice Photo Challenge

I'm linking today to I heart faces for the People's Choice Photo Challenge! The challenge is for the best face picture in January.  I am linking up my fav picture of Cupcake!  

This was a huge snow for Alabama and I snapped a picture of Cupcake while we were all out enjoying it! 

 Head over and check out all the other linkies.  And by all means, if you have a photo to enter get over there...the challenge ends today!  ** Voting starts tomorrow.  And it's peoples choice.  So if you have a second I'd love it if you went over and voted for this entry =)  Pretty please, with sugar on top! **  

Personalized Plate

Guess what I was up to over the weekend?  I made something using my good old silhouette!  Remember the crafts I made for Christmas gifts to give to my work friends?  Well, one of them asked me about making something specific that she had seen before.  (I think I even may have shown them to her at one time to gage interest when I was making the Christmas gifts.)  She wanted a gift for her bff.  Something like the plate I made her for Christmas but with names.  And instead of the polka dots around the plate she had seen one with some flourish styles around the edges.  She told me the colors she wanted so I got to work.  Here's what I came up with: 

I hope she likes it!  Better yet, I hope the birthday girl likes it.  What do you think?  Have you made anything with vinyl lately?
Linking up here:

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!

Change is here!

If you are reading this post you have most likely noticed the changes.  =)  I have retitled my blog to better reflect what I feel it represents.  We are not only "The Hanlon Family", we are now "Living in Grace, Abundantly".  I originally created the blog as a way to stay in touch with family who lived out of state and additionally to update my husband while he was deployed.  However, over the last year I feel like I've evolved to include posts on my own interests including photography, crafting, recipes, and DIY.  I considered creating a seperate blog, but since I work full time outside the home I really do not think I would have enough posts to warrant that big of a change.  I may still tweak the appearance more but for now this is it.  I am very excited about the change! 

What can you expect now?  The blog will not change that much.  I will still include family posts and updates, photography edits (still very much an interest of mine), crafts here and there, and in addition I plan to do some furniture make overs.  All of this in my life inspired the new title...living in grace abundantly!  I am so blessed in my life and I am very thankful to God for every last bit of it.  Life is not always a ray of sunshine, but it is what you make it!

So, with the new year a new blend of things and a fresh look!  I hope you all stay tuned!  Tomorrow I will introduce you to the line up of furniture that I have plans for!  :o)
Have a very blessed day!

Fix it Friday

Today I'm participating in Fix-it Friday with I heart Faces!  Go check out all the other fantastic edits to today's photo!

Fix it Friday

Here is the original photo: 

Isn't this little model just adorable!?! 

Here is the photo with my edits:

• Adjusted fill lighting and highlighting using Picasa
• Applied Velvia using Picnic.
• Dodged shadows using Picnic.  I am not that great at this but this cutie patooties face needed something done with the shadows so I tried ;o)
• Brightened/Lightened eyes using Picnic.
• Cropped out the light to the right using Picnic.  Considered cropping in on this sweetie's face but those tosies are just 2 cute!

What do you think?  What type of edits would you have made to improve this photograph?