Distressed Buffet

I have been looking for the perfect buffet and could not seem to find one that was unique. So I found an old one at a vintage store and refinished it.

1. First you have to prime it with primer or else the color you chose will just sink in and may not stick to super glossy furniture

2. Paint the color you would like to show through once you sand off a little bit of the main color (in my case, it was red)

3. Paint the final color you would like your piece.

4. Sand off the edges to reveal the under color and some of the original stain if desired. I also took a piece or rock from my yard and threw it and banged it all over this piece. My toddler was in awe! She enjoyed helping me "distress" the furniture.

The red did not show through as much as I wanted it to. I did buy some craft paint in red that I was gonna brush on, but I was happy with the way it looked so I didn't want to experiment anymore! Wear a mask when painting and some shoes you do not care about.

Make Your Own Cake Stand

I have a weird fascination with cake stands/serving trays. I always think I need a new one for every occasion, but they are so expensive sometimes. So the thought struck me to make my own out of a plate and a bowl. We have all seen those adorable plastic dishes at Target. All you need is a plate, bowl, and some E600 glue. The whole project costs less than $3 and you can buy dishes that match your theme for whatever occasion you are doing. Make sure you let the glue set for 36 hours and make sure the plate is centered.

My Glasses Broke

Tim and I bonked heads so hard the other night in the dark that my glasses broke right off my face! I was wondering how I could cover up the crack wear I glued it and this is what I came up with.

Flirty Flip Flops

I have been making flip flops like crazy for my little girl. Too bad she won't wear them! Little stinker....Anyway, I have made a couple different versions. E6000 glue is the best and will hold up against the most active kid. I am about to make a grown-up pair soon for myself...

The best salsa/guacamole you will ever have!!!!

This is NOT my recipe. Oh I wish I could take credit for it! It is my Aunt Maggie's creation. I can't keep my hubby away from it once it is done.

The salsa is consists of:

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 can El Pato sauce (the yellow one unless you want really spicy-then green can)

1 bunch green onions

1 bunch cilantro

1/2 clove Garlic

Lime or lemon juice

chop and mix it together!

For the guacamole:

Take 1-2 cups of the salsa you just made and mix with a can a green enchilada sauce and 4-6 avocados and corresponding packets of "Great Guacamole mix,"(example 2 avocados=1 packet of mix). Add the juice of one orange. Mix.

MOM blocks

Okay so I just got done with my Mother's Day gifts. I know I'm horrible! But at least I still made something for the Tim and my mom! It is photos "Mod Podged" on wood blocks and then I painted the edges to make it look more distressed. I used my Cricut for the letters. They sell these puppies for $50 a set on Etsy! Too easy to make yourself.

New Shabby Chic Store!

I had a glorious day off from work and my beautiful children and stumbled upon this awesome store! It is soooooooo cute! It is located just west of Sossaman on Main Street in Mesa. If I had my way I would go more this direction as far as decor in my house, but Tim won't have it :)

New Clips!

I have been making clippies like crazy and posting them in my etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/lorraine1219

Giraffe Heaven

I'm in love with my giraffe printed entry bench! I found the bench on craigslist and had it re-upholstered in a cute fabric. The old fabric was a hideous yellow grandma print! It also made a cute photo prop for my daughter's recent photo shoot.

Gwyn's Room

I finally got my daughter's room complettely decorated and the theme is pink, brown, and lime green with prints such as damask, polka dots, and paisleys. I have had so much fun doing it!

The valance is fabric staple gunned to a piece of wood and then mounted with "L" brackets. The curtains are hung behind the valance. The bedding I designed and sewed myself with the ideas from a website called http://www.whistlestopbedding.com/ It took me forever, but I love the way it turned out. I had a little help making the main sham from my friend Courtney. The lamp is just hot glue and ribbon and a cute trim I found. The feature wall consists of hand made letters and vinyl paisley stickers which I got from i.e. design co. They have the best prices! The memo board my sister-in-law taught me how to make and is just soft wood covered with batting, fabric, ribbon, and nailed down with furniture tacs. I added a blinged out scroll and feather boa for extra cuteness. The frame is a damask stencil I bought. The wall hangings are 8x10 frames covered with batting and fabric. The butterflies are from the 70's and were hanging in my mom's house until she gave them to me. I had to spray paint them and added swarovski crystals.