Final Kitchen Island Plans

Quick and easy Halloween

Hello all and happy Halloween! We’re expecting heavy storms tonight so Halloween has been moved to tomorrow night throughout much of Indiana. Have you ever heard of such a thing – Halloween moved? I’m glad they’ll still get to trick or treat but it better rain like heck tonight. ;) I don’t know what it was this year but I haven’t pulled out as much of the Halloween stuff. I had some fun crafts in mind but just plain ran out of time to do them. Next year I’m going to plan better and start earlier. (Says the girl who says that every. year.) We’ve had the outside decked out for weeks and a few things inside, but last night the Bub was feeling better so I pulled the bins in and I let him put stuff wherever he wanted. He had a BLAST and could care less that it will only be up for a couple more days. I thought I would share some of my projects from the past so you too can plan ahead of time for next year if you’d like to try them out. If you have time and all. ;) I use a LOT of paper for Halloween decor. The BOO letters are just cheapy wood from the craft store covered with Halloween paper: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ga7H8pN22J8/UnJjjLX4tUI/AAAAAAAAiT8/qA53Gex93lU/s1600-h/IMG_785435.jpg"><img alt="paper halloween bat cut outs" border="0" height="495" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sX_KNntCBio/UnJjjwWOh6I/AAAAAAAAiUA/fd6CQdKr8RA/IMG_78543_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="paper halloween bat cut outs" width="330" /></a> I used my vinyl cutting machine to cut out a ton of black bats (out of black paper) and I reuse them every year: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0GUdxkmb6qc/UnJjkrKNjKI/AAAAAAAAiUM/WR01JMEBGFc/s1600-h/IMG_3375174.jpg"><img alt="paper halloween bat cut outs" border="0" height="525" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pqeeGFahnNk/UnJjlHzEllI/AAAAAAAAiUU/B64qULONFMc/IMG_337517_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="paper halloween bat cut outs" width="350" /></a> I also cut out <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/10/so-cheap-its-scary.html">spiders and webs</a> and I put those on the inside of the lamp shades: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6PP5yZOmMpk/UnJjl7P2eyI/AAAAAAAAiUc/GFJGdnuvyW4/s1600-h/IMG_114514.jpg"><img alt="paper halloween cut outs" border="0" height="525" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4HacQTp8pXo/UnJjmSoqWhI/AAAAAAAAiUk/Pda9jsAbxLg/IMG_11451_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="paper halloween cut outs" width="350" /></a> You can only see them when you turn on the light. So cute! And yes…I put the mice on the stairs again this year, even after the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-mouse-story.html">mouse debacle</a>: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-82h9SUjjAc0/UnJjnK4oJSI/AAAAAAAAiUs/V7-6r9fDZfY/s1600-h/IMG_7149%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Halloween mice on stairs" border="0" height="629" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vQVju8sFQKg/UnJjoIMzt5I/AAAAAAAAiU0/HGWPX5AJcPg/IMG_7149_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Halloween mice on stairs" width="419" /></a> It’s part of my healing process. ;) The bonus to all the paper is that it’s super easy to store year to year! Last year I tried a new idea and it turned out well at first: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iKQS3ct18Ak/UnJjoxaeTwI/AAAAAAAAiU8/JP_R9sjiG8k/s1600-h/mummydoor3.jpg"><img alt="mummy door with tissue streamers" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rQwSdmpZ6PE/UnJjp6_NFtI/AAAAAAAAiVE/KYhHFu-Opzo/mummydoor_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="mummy door with tissue streamers" width="360" /></a> You’ll have to see the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/10/mummy-door.html">how-to</a> to see how it turned out. It was SO cute though. A few years back I made <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/10/stinkin-cute-halloween.html">mummy votives</a>: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fJu6TLJ6vl8/UnJjtlrqigI/AAAAAAAAiVM/0cSgypJsnS8/s1600-h/0812.jpg"><img alt="mummy votives" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b1eXD9CZGWo/UnJjumLrepI/AAAAAAAAiVU/rjgGsx4Fgq4/081_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="mummy votives" width="450" /></a> Again, a super easy and cheap project! I used the computer and printer (and some spray paint for the frames) to make some Halloween art a few years back: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8LknP9vqQ-M/UnJjvBJlpbI/AAAAAAAAiVc/BvVwdOSAcgo/s1600-h/IMG_082432.jpg"><img alt="Halloween art" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4QWXgKTCSrM/UnJjwMDRCbI/AAAAAAAAiVk/VAAxRAWbzxw/IMG_08243_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Halloween art" width="320" /></a> And I free-handed a ghost shape on <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/10/spooky-in-house.html">contact paper</a> and put it on a mirror: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6uPCJxDS0nY/UnJjw586OII/AAAAAAAAiVs/JmZYnqJnPVY/s1600-h/IMG_0848_thumb12.jpg"><img alt="Halloween ghost with contact paper" border="0" height="629" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7k_m0_VL8rQ/UnJjx1wL89I/AAAAAAAAiVw/75CUR1Tov_A/IMG_0848_thumb1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Halloween ghost with contact paper" width="419" /></a> I still use him every year! :) And here’s how the Bub decorated this year – I found Stan the Skeleton in my office: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LbcJ2DZugo4/UnJjyp4NGFI/AAAAAAAAiV8/vP2l998uZck/s1600-h/IMG_7138%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sparkly black skeleton" border="0" height="629" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6qmJ1GlHfIE/UnJjzXuyIJI/AAAAAAAAiWE/VbwU3pilE7w/IMG_7138_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Sparkly black skeleton" width="419" /></a> Stan scared me to death when I walked in here this morning, not even kidding. He decorated the TV dresser quite well, I must say: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iZ1NGxdwDHM/UnJj0GH0u3I/AAAAAAAAiWM/Idm17YULGu8/s1600-h/IMG_7141%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a3S5KDYD2bM/UnJj2FJ3eRI/AAAAAAAAiWU/KKQJOzlXy4Y/IMG_7141_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> I especially loved the little touches like a skeleton head perched on top of the spider: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--BZVBGReaBY/UnJj2z_kJoI/AAAAAAAAiWc/tMz5Zhx-2PE/s1600-h/IMG_7142%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="629" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6ooAHxsyR6A/UnJj5gtZyiI/AAAAAAAAiWk/ObPjxxt3rIc/IMG_7142_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="419" /></a> We have a lot of stuff hanging on door knobs: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yEvVHPkw7m0/UnJj6w7JNOI/AAAAAAAAiWs/oEs0yKR50uQ/s1600-h/IMG_7146%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="629" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iCIM25a9Yds/UnJj74PEz5I/AAAAAAAAiW0/-VGjIMtYEjU/IMG_7146_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="419" /></a> He made sure to position this guy with his hand up: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wq6TRimnUU8/UnJj8Q-exDI/AAAAAAAAiW8/thpFTbsQzG4/s1600-h/IMG_7144%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="629" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p972GvZi_eE/UnJj9Azz5ZI/AAAAAAAAiXE/4lJDR063VsA/IMG_7144_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="419" /></a> Still not sure why but he’s wavin’ it around like he just don’t care. He ran out of door knobs so moved on to other areas to hang stuff: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E1UG5jfmuNU/UnJj_w_qQII/AAAAAAAAiXM/8Qrvp4e06uA/s1600-h/IMG_7145%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="629" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sU_2-DG6eU4/UnJkAV7p8_I/AAAAAAAAiXU/IG_aLHCjl_U/IMG_7145_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="419" /></a> And the mantel is positively spooky: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dL6D9MPMciE/UnJkBpEQ4kI/AAAAAAAAiXc/2axTJfvPKH8/s1600-h/IMG_7147%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TcxxX5mLuok/UnJkCf-1vMI/AAAAAAAAiXk/0vfLmJnORvU/IMG_7147_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="450" /></a> He did good, right? Sometimes I lose sight of the fact that he could care less how it all looks – it doesn’t need to be in a perfect vignette to make him happy. He had SO much fun running around decorating last night. I think we’ll do this every year. :) Hope you have a wonderful, SAFE Halloween! We’ll be carving our pumpkins tonight since we won’t be trick or treating till tomorrow. Happy Halloween!

Quick and easy Halloween

Hello all and happy Halloween! We’re expecting heavy storms tonight so Halloween has been moved to tomorrow night throughout much of Indiana...

7:07 AM

Indie Vintage Marketplace

Hey all! I’ve got a sick boy at home today so I’m keeping it short and sweet today! :) If you’re local and are looking for some FUN shopping and unique finds, a fantastic event is happening this weekend and I can promise you’ll find both there! The Indie Vintage Marketplace is having their first indoor event of the season this weekend and if you’re local (central Indiana) you won’t want to miss it! I blogged about my first trip <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/01/thrifting-heaven.html">here</a> and another trip <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/03/vintage-marketplace.html">here</a> – it was a blast both times and I have no doubt this weekend will be a great one too. Here’s a few of the items that I loved and some that I purchased earlier this year: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2gKHdkt-hRY/UnEyqNKLQwI/AAAAAAAAiSw/XcrHBW4Fnh0/s1600-h/vintagemarketplace%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="vintage marketplace" border="0" height="450" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WyGSZ0EvgbQ/UnEyrDVfumI/AAAAAAAAiS4/4dxAL5DE804/vintagemarketplace_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="vintage marketplace" width="450" /></a> I don’t think I ever shared our big metal star: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-26i-FEaH8Gk/UnEytMGGh5I/AAAAAAAAiTA/aQATa-qmops/s1600-h/IMG_7136%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="metal light up star" border="0" height="629" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2JiiVlvlKI8/UnEy-EDpjAI/AAAAAAAAiTI/WvtjspU43B8/IMG_7136_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="metal light up star" width="419" /></a> I set it up in the basement and it is SO cool! :) One of my favorite finds ever.  This weekend it runs on Friday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. and then Saturday from 8 to noon. The folks at Vintage Marketplace are offering a few of my readers free tickets to the event! I have eight free tickets to give away so if you’re local (this will be held at the Fountains in Carmel, IN) comment here with your email and I’ll randomly pick winners tomorrow. **Edited to add: They’ve offered even more tickets so we have 20 to give away, WHOOT! I’ll pick winners and email you by 5 p.m. EST on the 31st. And if you’ll be there look for me Friday! I’ll only be able to stay for a bit but I can’t wait to check it out. I may have to go back again on Saturday. ;)

Indie Vintage Marketplace

Hey all! I’ve got a sick boy at home today so I’m keeping it short and sweet today! :) If you’re local and are looking for some FUN shoppi...

9:25 AM

Spray painting door knobs

Hey hey all! Well thank you for the kind words yesterday! :) We are very excited. I’m back with a DIY project I’ve been wanting to tackle for a long time. I mentioned a while back that my house had been finally been debrassified, but I was wrong. I had forgotten about a couple knobs in the house. Drats. But these were exterior door knobs that we use a key with – so replacing them meant two things: lots of $$ and since they are keyed don’t you have to make new keys when you install them? I always thought you did but maybe not. But still, lots of moola to replace two of them. I didn’t feel like spending lots of moola so I figured I’d try out a DIY to change them up. I’ve always wondered how spray painted knobs hold up and it’s the age old question – some say they do great, some say they do horribly. We’re about to find out. Well…in a few weeks/months anyway. I did a couple doors with varying uses/elements so it will be interesting to see how they turn out. But first, the how to. You take the offensive shiny thing off: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMReiL2WLhX2bKJPACvcYQXb2ym9Q9FJYL2h7y4RcEoRIv8dP-W_GDZLcxO3U6H3n5LpOeCdWX7LxdEFD5hVvq_CqulPGlRB2cEJtscMV7prqEade3vV5EKAfiuowUhA2-Chb3iYS9lY/s1600-h/IMG_7091%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray painting brass knobs" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k2NAcMlpDa0qRv9icEmcBJB0l2zsFJrdraaI_2xLVXJ3_bfTjmSTrJxtVsmqknrmht2KVKyBxJ0r45rwBkdMKRnrt4tIU4q8q7jMozLjrTWLJ6olZ6fYm8p1QO8CO2Dnm3zEWwF_5sw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="spray painting brass knobs" width="400" /></a> Ignore the horrible, dirty mud room door. And missing trim. And blinding brass. Don’t be afraid to take the knob off – even I avoided this for years and it’s not a big deal. It's two pieces and the screws, that’s it. Just remember how they go back together and always remember the access to the screws side goes inside the room! First up, and I think this is most important part – clean them. I just used my basic cleaning stuff but anything that will get any grime or grease off is what you want: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dOSBky2iqwElbd9CGzCJiPTZnMpvE2175JLEtWOksQ9Z8SHtxJUMSTlknhCaH7P1POq_C3hafriE56eejaKVhCu7oZj5hOQo3nKburqAlcTdan5ijI57Ge6pFyycfThSaIAsPandYgk/s1600-h/IMG_7092%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray painting brass knobs" border="0" height="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_73ZmyggaeEB4FYt0ptwmZHv-S5sylp1ZBfUhcEwqUydlZNv8nkKZ-G5vAwaTih_O9hQMhSp0lkTxjBJHtYndnVg-wzrKH4RCiG4tKdXqswdA3ioGFkRi_Z18o6TGr7URMORcKkKWRHQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="spray painting brass knobs" width="419" /></a> Thing is, if you don’t clean them well the primer and paint won’t hold well – you’ll get crackles (the dreaded crackle, shakes fist in air!!!!) or it will easily wear off those dirty areas. I took them out in the garage and needed something that would allow them to stand up, so I stuck the one with the long part into a shop towel cardboard box and just laid the other one on top: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC0Zfn37Wi4GepxJbPb0Mw94Uu81hPKw5L6flnGcJgKHFj8Az_Vybg5LtHvUZ1nmkMQ8qyQecA6FkpEK2i4Le2J2m87z5k5TMSG7MYIkUzP1Pl4YSDV0kr_rD83xrmZxEChuZKqGK5a0/s1600-h/photo%2525201%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray painting brass knobs" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ47wd_Xn62YR6n03bJd9CKo9Ep6j-54kpIVmm9b-Us8KR2hPSSRHcbfN4NBTB6U6Ak9IFBtkxuKX998JWTA0mFKYHJDg5F4T9geGBQkcHDIWRkDCYAexoG_-LTUUpGZBgMHerLzYLDrs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="spray painting brass knobs" width="450" /></a> I later stuck the screws in there too – they stand up straight so you can spray all sides at once. So…the primer part. Well. I have some really good (and expensive stuff) called BIN primer in a spray. But it’s a pain in the butt. I told you more about it <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/80s-nightstand-redo.html">here</a>. I’ve tried everything to make it spray smoother but it just doesn’t work. This time my gloves and the can ended up covered in the primer: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfV2_lu5bspesvbwpvpkDrNaJdwA1iEQlOUt3wyE9XB6Ix_k-ozmsSQTS1kz8Dbc586kblsWZ3V-U8prjP1dC0_1A9x8IjCzyHWHjqPnKvjm0se2Ecadt4nHEk6DkVr2aUsQv-9Y6hg7s/s1600-h/photo%2525202%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray primer" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gxCxO7He0TfFg433rVr4yIV8NiL9xTFjZ_nHfdw8aagMYcDuQLT99fXofOPvKwtcLWlsj5bJcGw8bJfDrnzwRQrFpi_wYDwQ3S1Pcr4kTsGlG5rqAT6xAuATKl9jF6bzvevqBf4HVOg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="spray primer" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4gxOmh9Z9tuLjXpi61WERXvdyG1e9Nq5HKdKfcCbfGqUxeKa9jFbyCb-IGO5xCwcqDPPCEL2sv16ulrvDcsMwI_AxSg6TMcdcr_NfIWaO_riKTEztpogW1vD4MP9t1nBdn9yYiR2PLE/s1600-h/photo%2525204%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray primer" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFFwErSx4ELNwlgbMG0CjpaX-hMtZesJ1YdbnjNbYYe5Z7tAz4l-b7r5vnW6oONDchEWnPB8lIMYruexm9a-DbQK2niQOkBxbp6PX4sztsMVbZ2rHT0a9eSXJihKW1klbHcKq_JnlrTw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="spray primer" width="290" /></a> SO frustrating. The paint sprayed all clumpy and gross too, so I actually had to sand down the knobs a bit to help that. I’m throwing the primer out, which is annoying cause it’s not cheap. Anyway…I ended up just using a basic black primer instead: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoVdLMe9CwEHtNzVivvlSe7pXSa1_duPDxcTh8FF0Zsbaui2z0xIowyHonh7IhHzA-XcdPhpPmf05BM7w0UjYVfyk5XR7CrS7ZFztQLy2KbelVLPLq_1LGsH5lIQU-dEv-NHlf6j4B7E/s1600-h/photo%2525203%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray painting brass knobs" border="0" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkers_y-qtpsCrjXCupbSGdAjHYBWYhC24HxV-GIrAmhnmdF8adOzlNvlN9L49xgNsgjA5IxiFqgTGAtT6DVmqXCjdXft_iN3OZrDkFbRO5KIIxAuw30khyslNHbdnu-o_P1ENtaNjWU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="spray painting brass knobs" width="450" /></a> The BIN stuff is stronger, better primer, but I was tired of cussing so there you go. Don’t they already look so much better though? SO. much. better. I finished up with my BFF…good old ORB (that’s oil rubbed bronze for those not tight with it): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sGbylvPVjsCzn0qy1txk3L_mLlgOmQlk91dN4lo1dxIE0Pt8Zk5Gr4Jfdh8eD8Dyx6-01YjczZMQxTY-IM4ZadeZhVRWGxFMtVDkGesI3YRGIyWGBraGaMZfC59XOLdtQjdmcDzRr1M/s1600-h/photo%2525205%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="oil rubbed bronze spray paint" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2fjZLaGjAlrsKyVP_u7oPtKKCIE6Vx5TR-qpreEHlFm-8rMtXBrEk873BECqgJ-WKUwL95Xvcb_lBPv1rc1125GF6Lu1yU_Bx94Btsz9ANvqVr4iQ8XKwjub_S7BsroGhWsgs_NB2SE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="oil rubbed bronze spray paint" width="450" /></a> Hello my friend. Good to see you again. When spray painting remember short, light coats – not long, heavy ones. There’s really not much to it if you remember that. I took the knob off the back door too and you can see the wear on the keyed side from being outside: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uQXJs26rFxnxCRD3Noq3pYvaZaYXWfVGhpIrpfFryirAhdkpWZcIoXm44iEGiQh2PxeZm4cKckinOJ8_BTwxdeZGjW0peHl45KJXn70vEAFIUQ-fzTda46z-LurgHbIl7qNUBPjY0t8/s1600-h/IMG_7100%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray painting brass knobs" border="0" height="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvBaAUGuk5rOn6bFaQkbghNsqonItt_fNRSH1Bz9QU8Gd-V0Yf7vJLlZq2Kq0J8WxlBs7kZYwdormBba2heI50wCnmBRMOVC2owFsXz-HWKsOcFdoBdkHEmMFECitEYLeFcXb3Dogons/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="spray painting brass knobs" width="419" /></a> So it will be interesting to see how these hold up – the mud room door is one we use a key on all the time, so that will get lots of wear and tear. The back door we don’t use a key on much, but the outside part gets hit with the elements. And we use both doors numerous times a day. On the back door I took the knob off and did that first: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrWXHu9i_i1ZmaDxFA-QxhFGESC6mdvuI_S3OvSGQM7mY8mN58Ttftj6VftvT8BVtEC1VfFHTTiPM9EO1kijEKosqqD_n4fIj8UQkfiv8w6-4uB9SUeOsVHiSpuKGhAMpD_aoxSFS0ZE/s1600-h/IMG_7103%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray painting door knobs" border="0" height="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlhvimh2ie6cSEa8zFBQX8UqsQ5wSz1D1177h8IANIwejSpOLS_HA_kO8NP7Xbmk-URqmcP0UWCQoXOqULlYTi2Y-h1MIfBY4Sm6pSN5LWXfxE5XgAUq6Fk86H3TRyRRjigBRI2LIVPQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="spray painting door knobs" width="370" /></a> I didn’t want to take both off just in case something went wrong. You know I <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/06/when-diy-goes-oh-so-wrong.html">don’t have much luck</a> with that door. The deadbolt part was a little more tricky – we’ve been told we need to replace our whole back door (water issues) and every time I get inside there I see why. The insides of that one were rusted so it was hard to get the lock part off the outside part of the door. I just ended up spray painting the inside part. I also took the strike plate off and sprayed that, but I know it will get scratched up – it already is. Most of it should stay the ORB color though, so we’ll see how that holds up: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YqBWppyQnIsX5SDj30CBzD25ACNLxm2EFWwS1wUrgXYGoI1uZd30Qjl3YoI4FcofFiwD3N4E92HSxNOpxvOaX0OPpKne3Ho2Gq3pLofitEzt4An5Y3gf9F28X4kOV_Ls4nxLOJ5Vgeo/s1600-h/IMG_7114%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray painting door knobs" border="0" height="507" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgC6MMS7YPZ0SUHaGAja6TX0KCP9oOgIMjSOcbNOOLqrDv_oTcHWXImB_9jlNptYCDj8QzNNgQj06nDMV2Q5gfX-CjefDj5WHc8S1R-lwh1j6zOIvy7wwogLAiTyTZqaturmXbMxbuk0o/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="spray painting door knobs" width="361" /></a> I decided to makeover that mud room door so I can’t show you the after on that one just yet. ;) But here’s how it looks on the back door: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiXQezrP4YYn_xKhE7KbbVF1Mwet2cTlGpSu1MQxZxJ_WXod3tHXH1WsiZYtm6l5_QegbqTBdokRpdMX1wkMHMJ8TJ-Ufh-WkCHxFeeuH18LaT1ghIUdBqOnIHvhtIuCdPAI-7CBG8R4/s1600-h/IMG_7109%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray painting door knobs" border="0" height="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uttPDGMj3qpfKCgKFFITU8fDAwCb81CrKb_w4qfsbT6ogmbZ-NjoeSR5Dd3-QqiXDSbihktvNLzLl0wJNRmlfF8VAz6pWrgNIRwSwmeruWYaq3QPQDTPiMAOAqle128U6fUOhztfADo/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="spray painting door knobs" width="397" /></a> So here’s the thing about painting doors – this is why you really want to take the knob off before you paint. I didn’t and now the knob isn’t exactly where it used to be and you can tell. :) I can’t wait to show you how it looks on the mud room door! LOVE how the room is coming together! There’s a long way to go but I think it’s going to be fun. I’ll update you in a month or two and let you know how these are holding up! I’m really interested to see. Our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/11/making-old-new-again-spray-paint-love.html">coach lights that I spray painted</a> still look fantastic: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsk5Y7gzZGD-yl1Z2DkgQumBuBp_8RadczPg6o90ZPWyHRjdAbIuFEh714so83Bain4jVPfb4iA_6RfJwkXZrLpONeBkeU9W3tmbapZiCHyApjmafCABUOzOzHi38iYHSuWcOMTUyJCs/s1600-h/IMG_1500_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray painting outdoor lights" border="0" height="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKLd0GPeI-wfiJ5G0nfzUS_6D9iCZjKg8fjBn2D6UL0UNbzGYYuAB_dynxyyANviIJd9-nquSpUNloORMOLcGZSXeGHLEqKuhXxJ13Czr2p5a2n_ja5z23Q2YJt-pvyWxfwSh5GCp8NY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="spray painting outdoor lights" width="393" /></a> They are exposed to the elements for sure, but no one handles them. Have you ever tried spray painting door knobs? How did it turn out for you? I’d love to hear! I love a good experiment. :)   Update: To see how these turned out <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/01/spray-painted-door-knobs-result.html" target="_blank">go here</a>.

Spray painting door knobs

Hey hey all! Well thank you for the kind words yesterday! :) We are very excited. I’m back with a DIY project I’ve been wanting to tackle ...

7:31 AM

Welcoming a baby boy

Hello all and welcome to a new week! I’m recovering after a busy but lovely weekend. You know all that <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-my-house-lost-weight.html">decluttering I’ve been doing</a> over the past <strike>six</strike> few months? Well I wanted to get it done before the holidays just so I’d have some peace of mind, but I also wanted to have it done for a very important event at our house. On Saturday we celebrated the impending arrival of my new grandson! I mentioned our news a couple months back but haven’t talked about it much, just because I feel like this isn’t my story to tell, you know? I try to be conscious of what I share on the blog, at least when it’s not about me. But when he comes I’m sure I’ll talk about him all the time. ;) My stepdaughter is 23 and yes I’ll be the youngest grandma EVER at 38. (I know I’m not the youngest ever but let’s pretend. It feels like it.) This weekend a few of her closest friends, her grandma, her mom and I threw her a beautiful shower at our house. She wanted a nautical theme (it matches his nursery that we’re working on – it is being done very similar to <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/big%20boy%20room">my boy’s room</a>) so we went with that of course. Here’s the thing – I consider myself to be a creative person, but I’m NOT one to go all out for birthday parties or showers or whatever. I don’t get all crafty and crazy. I think there’s something to be said for simple touches. The only decorations were balloons and some tissue poofs and…food. Lots of food. :) We had 50+ people in my house so I knew I’d need to be smart about space. I didn’t set up any extra tables – we used my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-little-somethin.html">sofa table</a> for the plates and cups and all: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lOHoZEN4LBFpET4MKyHfT-BkvunKFXWdN29twAeH8dpB6apADkrxXkPtgpzihyowJ_GXaIYAjfBWTWOgimSrRRzvirZ-Nn94OQZaC9O0xN_0euq8b5ccrrJtDJXsXMkmgAxsmWYfuig/s1600-h/IMG_7049%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nautical baby shower" border="0" height="715" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rg0-hIAkpGJp4D2LCx8mdD4r8uiBXaLnOKrGPzG0uUSLs-ngsNnBUbsVq4fgvynlCCo3A74l7bE80O_6flV7FFe7gYrumHMiudyKQNntATMBMm7ofKg6eKFzot_eq-Tj-7row740Ysw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="nautical baby shower" width="450" /></a> I didn’t go too themey with all of it – I got whale napkins and pulled the colors (navy and aqua) out of those. So it wasn’t super traditional nautical, more baby boy nautical. ;) The colors were so cute together: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCrAfjB47i9BWU9DSKrsrC4ouhPzD_yvTNGOIl1ijxwPgOsyjiu4wFfoFFIviHbuHVLrCRi1aXkrTs_UNdaFkimG1fNtVCQ-boX-gg_NuN1a8GLVc3X_lQMpCR2kjs4jUlVNHCdiVm6k/s1600-h/IMG_7051%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nautical baby shower" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MXrhBKgdwVrSYD3xpP6hSGkNoha-RBFlLn14BCgSn4L5mbcjbjsttIMYyKejjlS-XZTTe2h-vhAJpOZ69XIZ9fyVoelw1l0FU8UGqfIv2g8fIJCqQRHPvRXK2ILbZtxYQhsC911GaHY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="nautical baby shower" width="450" /></a> I used candy as decor (using Goodwill glass containers) too: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4OpnH8_oySbH7EMy-fp6K60t2lVFLNEIWz_fpr5-Ctxcta1yAdpLPVdszQASYgYrxd1e57YYFFp63aeFiN1LViX2_hpQufuML8dgf1Hs1FYOvNIFX_pVQaVlvtmxXccFIVjbsRMHlCE/s1600-h/IMG_7052%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="baby boy shower" border="0" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWoDOPv9u6IPUTjcz2fPhTxd9ScfG088Vz3pB-BaMmLKsfDyua1-U5tc3G2UU7KyQOMr6CHm2B4mCcmHwvGhPGj4VDk2AJKn9Osq9WUfHWJCpKIJPCvkxJ11MEdcDJUohI7O7V74YD1c/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="baby boy shower" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqsgKWopBRnf0KBUa083KYsetd5HRJtELYL_NyzKCuY8jVvJtW1_Pe8V085h1aXL2KwYvDuQYc2eZMPl233tlFnNxRjdJTzYjiwp4_fFpbSjMlmdkVW3A_0N-ShyphenhyphenZGZMesGRRqOm1s8c/s1600-h/IMG_7053%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="baby boy shower" border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrWKqQDiw5sZL89u88KbYAyFSFpqvLpROkIEE1Pbx2BCkKqAE1g3wWkFPg50C6DoKYarKLhu5cn77ZGEMM7cwmyXvBP_cX_DdYQNB6J5YlmxOAyvqI-pzU924x0OjYy_Hq3t-b6jSOZ4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="baby boy shower" width="280" /></a> One of my stepdaughter’s best friends did most of the planning and made these: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtmLTYDpJaydKN1zuOJVtvg5N0uefN_XQW2U04rFZZAFyh33R5HzDoxGzl1DEH4kUuLqwTqTA8oTYgzoAC5-ckn1ZPwHHBnjLQly7GTjuHmow2hYlUqeen9l9b4GnhGCVjYONSVi03Cc/s1600-h/IMG_7055%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nautical baby shower ideas" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrgcsiiQUsf2EgbMZlMXepLcry1Ev3_UGBAq40iylYMpggMlAvp4Zu9X1B3OYCd1GkG2WyMZk7JTvCqdTpohcXgXKV7GJ5czhBneJTxy11NXzCo7F_TG9vhbygNGi6FRmWDDW5h9a9M8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="nautical baby shower ideas" width="450" /></a> Get it – a lifesaver for the nautical theme? Adorable. THIS is the stuff I don’t do but I’m so glad she did. :) I always have straws as a staple now just because they’re so cute: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTm-PX2BmMwaGa2O-cMoLNGWM1iqKYesm_No5nA0WJf9bRxKxtOab094RzjVirR3ShcXdG5mYDHqYOyHAQkrpxG3Brug26XpnslZvPv0DKI2VpCkwqtZsBsrm6xDhDblTSbuwg2WKNScs/s1600-h/IMG_7056%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="baby boy shower" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIelNKQUIxOnvuPIF9D1QTMSLC0Ex15i70yIzf_-jHKA0Jb_GruaUDDPMPDSd-WVXRQZFD6vyVmYRUCUbDQ4ryKGZ_ranSg0XTFNbJ3ufrxbtjNGe7iulW76zdDso88ZjmFi6ZJu8RQrU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="baby boy shower" width="400" /></a> The little candy cups were from <a href="http://www.pickyourplum.com">Pick Your Plum</a> and were actually from a Fourth of July-themed set. The blue was perfect. I was relieved to find out the girls didn’t plan many games – there were just too many people to do a lot. They did a diaper raffle (bring a package and you’re entered to win) and bingo that attendees played while my stepdaughter opened her (many) gifts: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxpeFbLs4ydWa34vgfPQ7N1MLHB4m5Ud3oNU_ar8Qlc8G9X7RNJXxLBtOo9Llvd8rMVku2jJBZKXICLsRmGWeUc5oYFFoVKD0SS7yk4WzZZlwV39MLH8iSwOHsGS33ygPJO54Q50a1f0/s1600-h/IMG_7057%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="baby shower bingo" border="0" height="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMRri4eZ3lGtbkviTV-x4eV8tJy9NCpdjz2Fo_tkOOKLeMcH2c2YwaCp40ER1ml0BQq3QBKrt1-m5R8XYF-0_g9UCS-APFUMw-g4m0Thi2ul-Sgu4KmENAzLf3jeZpjNa3zAuDcNXNlE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="baby shower bingo" width="419" /></a> It was simple and low key and easy – just the way I like it! The prizes were these adorable art pieces her friend made: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQxhWDJtmSSwWxAcDvOG8bxMipXoCS-2wTmeSsl4viEUWBjufgwOJaJrK8YRFagyDs_rke7G2S-OuwENak79kHxlRvia7obJLnR3PIeIfoJFWIsMgCRiqjUrHDZHUc8B_BRMfLH1Tqw4/s1600-h/IMG_1062%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY baby shower prizes" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkS0SQTZnnKVjIaYqH3U1PgrZNrAHS5V9lrxpNpymuxo2MGhroWbRbiT2uTiWJedZyG2isDQzF92K1RRmbKnGRozd6MSSEEBzIzNTp0rLbHpIQXcv7q7O12l9NuOLjTG9Em4wy-YdrNA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY baby shower prizes" width="550" /></a> I thought they were vinyl at first but she actually painted those on, can you believe it? Her mom and grandma made all the food and it was good and plentiful: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kHsPLqxkAQyaUZrscCcxbK641FmzzF302zZM-balqrRJwjR_oXir5AEdUGWrFQnqD_XPup6xqnhsFpcQtbuJZT-QquxcdQ4CrtrKGZK-XuIMIJLSEgOgptsbmE1rHsQFEXaFCrPTpZw/s1600-h/IMG_7060%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQyznqHhtgtP5Z0gegCc1c2bVcEuq-ajZA37zLV3S6jUVkLGYfc0VyHs7RFs4iCkSY3Uj2x46Jl4f-ZQN-Tq7vr_iLRpFw275KclAvPoLLo17nbNJEbplN6nMH-Jn_YjJf53jGF9mod0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> Like I said, we had more than 50 people to feed! We couldn’t believe that we had some leftover at the end. For drinks I had the staples like soda and tea, and I loved this cute touch in the punch: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTGFdNaHcOnfb9KQKcED9QNEUgqBeRRzLk0XebDrn1qs4eFmVBa4Lyv554I8Zq1zIZNuNpC3CsyxKCBshvP-goMZ5T0zPJ44C2A_g4Sf78DvmyeYGi3bac85GaarZ9r2daPaP-nDCIEg/s1600-h/IMG_7062%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nautical shower ideas" border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFwBesxJABeEsVzx0X9tCq6eX3iO_I-sy_8uQGhxofcscnu9h1h2e9gqlgEF2yncJK_Q8xosscLti30KaIJe3c3RNn4ws9kYHMIqNzQrpjexqcxxR4H_U4eZLYyDQmnsxZAmWebyBaQs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="nautical shower ideas" width="550" /></a> Fishing bobbers – how cute is that? I made <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/06/best-sangria-ever.html">my sangria</a> as well and it was a hit – cause it’s GOOD. Another one of her best friends made and decorated the red velvet cupcakes: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrciJKY3uWbN6IhmvTAU0zQjgG3n528BkuT6C4WnNizHsT7KUv5QHW15cdyHmqkGyvBjy19pZU3S9Nj1OsBe9PAbWw99mlHGz4uBRUvQbwMV-LmXRH0iPeWgjmyxUw5DljsN-hP7F_Upk/s1600-h/IMG_7063%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nautical baby shower" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH04ym2_iMMHG-cv-QrPH9ZNRI4v2SfZrZw0yN2AnfLZiw9Q16z6jv8v6IPy-qtZN_97in23r8x49eZCmmPVJlmzAxJF1Cje0OFyQwQXFE_X-SRvpthOhYf_azlmIa8VHcX4hKD8Cknw8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="nautical baby shower" width="450" /></a> They were SO yummy. I was tickled that they ended up matching the colors exactly. A simple printable glued over toothpicks for each one: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiAErM4wsrneSdlGHQ_L3oo7NMQq6hXU5P7kkLJmg3zs7P80plHmqk7v-ozguqxprGpMpU6YOQzhNA57rwmaZkGi_loWzY5iT3WP84jxAFBK8CXlHocgPtzlf2NJPsjy6xkNIVreHn0c/s1600-h/IMG_7065%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nautical shower cupcakes" border="0" height="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTLYPZC8EZ92ltCr4XeDgzDg_dXxUU-O25zDdwJmT7wlutOItIV-ARe1J7gQkfxMX2tRrZnUQZG5eKNTmZoqNcHdvhyphenhyphen50NzStUMP-6q-Hg-lu116hElX6B2ueWv3CZWpVhTNrZZNB8lc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="nautical shower cupcakes" width="419" /></a> We still have our old round kitchen table in the dining room/library so I went with my standard poofs (see the DIY <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/09/tissue-poms-poofs.html">here</a>) for above the presents: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF4u7ZthhKbk4iD94X4gBqXYYBEAdmQEHxM2-nbP2JvR_WCEIJ8yG84zhzxLE6Mcu_tGaVhnGepJTe2zcwrvjRiCH3xoNI-bQmOnzSL2kaEnzpcG0R4qjNKePehVfzVaBVnVpjvjIx-I/s1600-h/photo%2525202%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="tissue paper poofs" border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXEm96Rb81tf6qHaPnL7xVOmwgTYIqpEyVRqTQf0CUhssIGCFwZ9huC8V1Aai-CH3fLyG2b01JISfp3-wvcE0HyqmeXxAOS5DIA1SRKg3D1I2mMC2l64RY5IIiTMBSyd7BF-g7xPL0tM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="tissue paper poofs" width="400" /></a> They are easy and cheap and make a big impact – love them! She was truly “showered” that day: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvIa91KRDq9jF9Bk6wb8nvTDFlkTidCO72fA6kBvl_uVINqMRnDcqNndHtITjVlYGa84YjTJRddYJGvyoCxuk1814A9y8x7Lh6Du6MNm6AA6vX1izvGMcH5vJUELeFytwNOx0aty8-zg/s1600-h/IMG_7068%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="baby boy shower" border="0" height="658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixb_FJj_YFl3Ty2tx6ytLSbCQnZuadEL-j3I9DF0dQ7PXS5YXsBANnIS_BHc_w3wggiVxr51c6fUMhgx03dyK4BRRzAbTR9jLI5NHUxAM36qKJxfWKOEuiwBT0A_YmJFu1-dQ5pQK4oPI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="baby boy shower" width="450" /></a> It was exhausting but I’d do it all again 100 times over. I am beyond words proud of her. I was reminded of how loved she is – her lifelong friends were all there and so many of her college friends too. She is a good, sweet, loving soul and deserves every bit of this joy. Of course her little brother had to help with the presents (his favorite part): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFpU59hTH2DizW6y6SkE1glBvmZj_8TQzzXiy4XhyphenhyphenFEI_ovP9rnvnwa52HbCJHwolZ56zVLC2Sotd-cyarB3MWUQsPiMYWyURPrSyHdYqJ7Z9kIUOnxWCB2HQ0vVy_2euO7RsT819gcU/s1600-h/IMG_7075%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="love" border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnPBwxfiTU_VEmCLsRGyE4CRUA2NiR8dBcZyNlzC5SFDi8qjz2Y4okkdacvTiNb-BrWXqJdklJfrc9UnLq5KYGYfFzVKiBsvlmmsG-9NWnU7z2Mq-z49A9WpRtqgO3mq-kWyXYs24Es0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="love" width="450" /></a> Yes, she looks like she’s 16. She’s not. ;) I can’t even believe all these girls are growing up and getting married and having babies and they were just in my house around the kitchen island eating pizza and talking about boys. My heart is full. :) We have a grandchild coming in December – it is a wondrous thing. Like always, I didn’t go overboard with decor for the shower, but it was lovely all the same. I think in the age of Pinterest we think everything needs to be decorated to the hilt to entertain and it’s so not needed. Do you enjoy entertaining? It was a little intense having that many people in our house, not gonna lie. Who knew we could fit 50 bodies in here? Most of everyone stayed in our kitchen and family room too – they didn’t really spread out into the house, so that makes it even more of a feat! (Those are not big spaces!) And now my house is clean and decluttered and for the first time in a long time I feel ready for the holidays…bring it! **If you're interested in any of the printable items or the invites that matched this theme you can email Courtney at courtneywalshwebdesign (at) gmail (dot) com.

Welcoming a baby boy

Hello all and welcome to a new week! I’m recovering after a busy but lovely weekend. You know all that decluttering I’ve been doing over th...

7:03 AM

Does anyone actually read my blog?

Your friends and family keep you on your toes and often unwittingly provide great fodder for blog posts!  They also cause a scattered examination of conscience.  Two recent questions about my blogging ( I have a painting blog and a home decorating blog) got me thinking about my purpose and audience, and the time I invest in this activity. This post is about Designing Home blog Audience   I am happy to report that people do indeed read Designing Home blog. Since I began it almost three years ago,  I've had over .25 million page views.  That surprised even me because I originally began to write this blog with a local audience in mind.  I couldn't be further from the mark. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8kP2RVdTuGMsIcMLo8YwblZeBnbtGg9CchuZ5g7lhfvaPHXwjODthZUQPspC0V5yqldCr0tvCB-dpyV1HDsaljdEWmB4vJhzFZitj6aX7RKrXqskUWcLKkkX-zQhvFVhil9hu70u94Fc/s1600/chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8kP2RVdTuGMsIcMLo8YwblZeBnbtGg9CchuZ5g7lhfvaPHXwjODthZUQPspC0V5yqldCr0tvCB-dpyV1HDsaljdEWmB4vJhzFZitj6aX7RKrXqskUWcLKkkX-zQhvFVhil9hu70u94Fc/s320/chart.png" width="320" /></a></div>   My readership is 6 times larger in the United States  than Canada.  Canada, Great Britian, Australia and Germany are almost tied in interest.  Only a small percentage of readers are actually from Newfoundland.  No doubt it is a global village. Topics I am glad that my original prediction about audience was correct. The average homeowner appears to welcome clear information about basic decorating issues.  You now, the kind of questions you have if you live in an  average size home and decorate with a modest budget.  Personally that means a very modest budget layered with a lot of DIY.  While I write about other topics that appeal to smaller audiences, I try to keep my focus "sensible". Here are the top five posts on Designing Home: <table __gwtcellbasedwidgetimpldispatchingblur="true" __gwtcellbasedwidgetimpldispatchingfocus="true" cellspacing="0" class="GHUY-LPG0"><tbody><tr __gwt_row="0" __gwt_subrow="0" class="GHUY-LPPY"><td class="GHUY-LPOY GHUY-LPA- GHUY-LPB-" style="text-align: left;"><div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-376" style="outline-style: none;" tabindex="0"><div class="GHUY-LPKN"> </div><div class="GHUY-LPKN"><a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.com/2011/12/10-tips-for-decorating-small-living.html" target="_blank">10 Tips for decorating a small living room</a> 75522 page views </div>May 2, 2012, 38 comments <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlQe9CIPKPaBIx8w1CHr7Yqw-U7iRpvdKWafJPPRj_6QoQYFDGvEu3cMt1KRctTHmjMT8G6NpSvv0NvK6K4DUOZ1TKxU6ZoDwbSVnxz_T7OZsQTg-KkwRvRZ7vJY5eKKzWYuyq9JN-nUQ/s1600/gray-beige-greoige-living-room-traditional-style.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlQe9CIPKPaBIx8w1CHr7Yqw-U7iRpvdKWafJPPRj_6QoQYFDGvEu3cMt1KRctTHmjMT8G6NpSvv0NvK6K4DUOZ1TKxU6ZoDwbSVnxz_T7OZsQTg-KkwRvRZ7vJY5eKKzWYuyq9JN-nUQ/s400/gray-beige-greoige-living-room-traditional-style.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Houzz</div></div></td><td class="GHUY-LPOY GHUY-LPA- GHUY-LPL-" style="text-align: left;"><div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-377" style="outline-style: none;"> </div></td></tr><tr __gwt_row="1" __gwt_subrow="0" class="GHUY-LPP-"><td class="GHUY-LPOY GHUY-LPA0 GHUY-LPB-" style="text-align: left;"><div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-376" style="outline-style: none;"><div class="GHUY-LPKN"> <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.com/2011/03/10-design-solutions-for-small-bedrooms.html" target="_blank">10 Design Solutions for Small Bedrooms</a> 26956 page views </div>Mar 17, 2011, 10 comments  <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKD6IcYegOI8cm3wROG-S0xrh3QHMPgkbc751kfOQPrTicAtFv9jGTM1mQqn4L9G3W1P8Xn2gv1IXGldLaiuSjnYfBksSsXMOiJWUKB8o-UU2YHRPvCHRlgg8PzgPXmrPDxu8jeroUn8c5/s400/small-teen-bedroom-01.jpg" width="357" /> <div style="text-align: center;"></div></div></td><td class="GHUY-LPOY GHUY-LPA0 GHUY-LPL-" style="text-align: left;"><div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-377" style="outline-style: none;"> </div></td></tr><tr __gwt_row="2" __gwt_subrow="0" class="GHUY-LPPY"><td class="GHUY-LPOY GHUY-LPA- GHUY-LPB-" style="text-align: left;"><div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-376" style="outline-style: none;"><div class="GHUY-LPKN">   <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.com/2011/10/current-trends-in-window-treatments.html" target="_blank">Current trends in window treatments</a> 17163 page views </div>Mar 4, 2012, 16 comments <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/191428/Rosedale-Living-Room-Drape-Vignette-modern-living-room-toronto"><img alt="Rosedale Living Room Drape Vignette modern living room" border="0" height="640" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/191428_0_8-3999-modern-living-room.jpg" width="441" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/lisaferguson/lisa-ferguson" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Lisa Ferguson via Houzz</a></div></div></div></td><td class="GHUY-LPOY GHUY-LPA- GHUY-LPL-" style="text-align: left;"><div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-377" style="outline-style: none;"> </div></td></tr><tr __gwt_row="3" __gwt_subrow="0" class="GHUY-LPP-"><td class="GHUY-LPOY GHUY-LPA0 GHUY-LPB-" style="text-align: left;"><div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-376" style="outline-style: none;"><div class="GHUY-LPKN"> <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.com/2011/06/5-window-dressings-for-patio-doors.html" target="_blank">5 Window Treatments for Patio Doors</a> 9914 page views </div>Jun 14, 2011, 9 comments</div></td><td class="GHUY-LPOY GHUY-LPA0 GHUY-LPL-" style="text-align: left;"><div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-377" style="outline-style: none;"> </div></td></tr><tr __gwt_row="4" __gwt_subrow="0" class="GHUY-LPPY GHUY-LPG-"><td class="GHUY-LPOY GHUY-LPA- GHUY-LPB- GHUY-LPH-" style="text-align: left;"><div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-376" style="outline-style: none;"><div class="GHUY-LPKN"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/66706/living-room-contemporary-living-room-san-francisco"><img alt="living room contemporary living room" border="0" height="300" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/66706_0_3-0456-contemporary-living-room.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/313/Mark-English-Architects-AIA" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Mark English Architects, AIA via Houzz</a></div> <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.com/2011/01/5-reasons-to-have-accent-wall.html" target="_blank">5 Reasons to have an accent wall</a> 8484 page views </div>Jan 30, 2011</div></td><td class="GHUY-LPOY GHUY-LPA- GHUY-LPL- GHUY-LPH-" style="text-align: left;"><div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-377" style="outline-style: none;"> </div></td></tr></tbody></table> <div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/85976/Aquamar-Bathtub-modern-bathroom-miami"><img alt="Aquamar Bathtub modern bathroom" border="0" height="281" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/85976_0_3-0061-modern-bathroom.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">                                                     PSCBATH</div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/6235/PSCBATH" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> It appears that many people have issues with small rooms and are looking for creative ways to use space.  Window treatments, accent walls and hanging light fixtures are topics that everyone thinks about. Purpose  Why  would I use a chunk of my valuable time to write?  The biggest joke of all is I don't actually enjoy writing.  I find it labour intensive and a clumsy way to provide knowledge although I am an avid reader.  I am definitely a face to face communicator who needs the visual signals of my audience to be completely comfortable.  It comes from years of teaching both children and adults. I am also a huge synthesizer. I like to get things down to the bare bones quickly.  A colleague once told me I write like a machine gun.  I am obviously not a highly verbal person - I am a doer. But.... I love to organize and share information. It just makes me happy.  The learner/ synthesizer function wins.   Blogging also provides a forum to research questions or problems that arise as I work with clients.  It has expanded my horizons in so many ways when it comes to interior design. The design community is diverse and blogging keeps me in touch with trends from around the world.  That is a necessity when you live on an island where attitudes can tend toward the provincial and predictable. Blogging  increases your credibility.  When you have a blog /website as I do, you have a showcase for your understanding of design issues and people can anonymously " check you out".  There are lots of lurkers out there from my stats.  2542 people checked out my portfolios , 798 read my design statement and 540 wanted to know more about me. Yes, people are reading my blog.  It serves its purpose. Signing  out from my not so decorative small computer space.... <div style="text-align: center;">   <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiot6dknmkiBaTrgaadUaqc0c2NuWhzeXyd19KDsL5Xt1mny0kpbmxPN1cL8h-fiTtzcZqN2vv4kV-9_mvbLHEwo79Geklm4WZdZQfU3kWdBFHMjquYrgw7q3gCJWuzkox1MkhX0bqTVGrT/s400/DSCN3883.JPG" width="321" /> </div><div style="text-align: left;">  As you can see, I live in a very average space and I am also a little sloppy at times. Why I have a pair of pliers on my desk is a mystery. This desk came  from a contractor friend  who  renovated a  university residence.  The walls are BM CC 460 inukshuk  and the desk is painted BM HC 69 whitall brown. The resident carpenter built the bookcase to fit the equipment.  </div>

Does anyone actually read my blog?

Your friends and family keep you on your toes and often unwittingly provide great fodder for blog posts! They also cause a scattered examin...

8:18 AM