Footstool and Goodies!

I found this footstool at a garage sale recently and I thought I could make it over.

Here's what it looks like after I was done. I was pretty happy with the way it turned out. Of course, I know where the mistakes are, but at least I know what to do differently next time. Not too bad for my first recover job. I covered it with a part of a sheet I also bought at a garage sale.

I also bought this creamer set at Marshall's this weekend. Aren't they just adorable? I just love the roses popping off.

I also bought other goodies, but I will share those later. I'm trying to redo my mantle right now and it's a work in progress.

What happened to the Outdoor Room??

You might be wondering where is this room she kept talking about doing?? Wel......ummm...let's see....first of all it rained and rained and rained and......oh yeah, rained!!!! Then it was hot, hot, hot!!! So needless to say, it just didn't happen the way I wanted it to. I have every piece for it, just was not able to put it all together.

I put the main parts together just to get an idea of what it will look like. I did get the patio painted...although it's very dirty and rusty in the pics below. Try to imagine this with things on the walls and white curtains draping along the edges.

Here's hoping for next year!

See what I mean about a dirty floor? Try not to concentrate too hard on it...it will burn your retinas.

Now I will add...as disappointed as I was in this year's project. Last night we turned the icicle lights on and laid on the daybed...all three of us....Ok, well little dolly kept jumping on us, but that's another story. Anyways, it was so nice...the weather was cool and the light was so soft and perfect. Hey, I may get some use out of this room this year yet!

On to other things....Last weekend I could not believe how many garage sales were around...man it must have been the big fall clean out for people in my little area. Anyways, I packed up Dolly and away we went. I got a few things (not a whole lot) which I'll show ya later since they are in transformation mode right now.

I also bought a fern for $6 from a lady selling all the plants she had outside this summer. Great idea huh? Well, for some strange reason I decided to pick the biggest one...hey, I gotta get the most value from my $6 right? Hmmmm.

I got the behemoth home and realized it is BIG! I put it in front of my window, but it blocked all the light. So for now it's beside the window and I just hope it will do alright. I named him Sideshow Bob! I'll just have to keep turning him to make sure all of him gets light.

Project of the Week!

I wanted to show this project because, first of all it's fantastic and secondly the before is actually a new lamp, but just not the designers style.

This redesign was done by Kimba from A Soft Place to Land. She started with this lamp she got on clearance from Target.

First comes the primer. Kimba uses painters tape and a plastic bag to protect the areas she doesn't want painted.

Next, a couple of coats of Kilz Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint. This stuff looks amazing, I am definitely going to get some and try it.

Add a new shade from Big Lots and you've got a custom lamp!

Pretty ingenious Kimba...thanks for letting me share. I probably would have looked at the original lamp and walked on by because it wasn't my style. I need to remember that treasure doesn't always need to come from trash.

A Found Poem!

So I was cleaning out some papers and came across a poem that I wrote out. As I was reading it, I thought it was kind of sweet. When I got to the bottom I realized I had written this poem!!

I had no recollection of doing it, so I am sharing it with you now, please be kind as I am not a poet :)

The Rose of Life

It starts as a seed in the womb of the earth
Relying on another in order to grow
To come in to the world bringing joy to all around
To sprout forth as a seedling from the cool soil below

It grows to become a bud, ready to bloom
To spread its petals and show its personality
Each one so different and so unique
But all filled with the same pureness and quality

It looks so innocent and smells so pure
Attracts all the bees and butterflies too
Its color is vibrant, energetic and kind
And sparkles in the sun with a sprinkle of dew

As it grows and matures each and every day
It gets prettier and prettier to all that care
For with age comes wisdom and the ability to know
How to handle problems even though life is not fair

A rose is never perfect and neither are we
For life has its thorns we all must face
They're prickly and at times make us wilt
But friends are like water, it only takes a trace

As the cycle completes and the flower dies
All the loved ones cry and mourn
The beauty is etched in everyone's heart
Have no fear, for who remembers the thorn