The Quads Update

Do you guys even remember The Quads?  Well this is a little reminder and update all in one.  The Quads are my dining room chairs, that are living in my garage until the weather is nice enough for me to refinish them, and I find the perfect pneumatic 1/2 crown upholstery staple gun.  Say that three times real fast!  lol

I have not found the staple gun, but I'm searching for fabric.  I'm gonna need it eventually any way.  I went to my favorite upholstery foam site on the web and ordered some FREE samples.  They will send you four at a time.  Check 'em out, Diy Upholstery Supply they sell everything to do with DIY upholstery.  The prices are really good too.

So here are the four samples I ordered, what do you think?  I really have no idea what to do with these chairs.  I'm painting them to match the base of my table.  I do know that I don't want any green on them, I have plenty of green going on downstairs as it is. 

Sample #1 Duramax Flax

Sample #2 Duramax Chocolate

Sample #3 Chocolate Velvet

Sample #4 Jamestown Antique Black Cotton

I'm starting to think the dark ones are too dark, my couch is really dark and they are basically in the same room, since my downstairs is an open floor plan.  The Jamestown has to much going on, I'm really thinking solid.  They have a lot of other solids to pick from and some great fabrics.  The Duramax is really easy to clean, says the site, and that is important with two kids.  The velvet is very kid friendly too, compares it to the performance quality of microfiber. 

Here's a refresher of what The Quads look like, minus the fabric.  I've already taken the old fabric off and all the stupid staples have been removed. 

I bought two of these to go with The Quads as arm chairs.  I know they don't match exactly, but I figure once I refinish them they will "match" enough.  Plus the price was a steal!

Now, picture this room with all six chairs reupholstered?  What color do you see them done in?  Any fabric suggestions?  Any one know of one that is easy to keep clean and to clean if needed?

Any help, comments, suggestions are welcome.  I really want to get this project done, I'm tired of sitting on my old broken chairs.  Plus I'm pretty tired of the metal.  I want a warmer feel.

Thanks for stopping by! xx



 

Shower Curtain Make Over

I love Connor and Lauren's bathroom.  It's bright and fresh, and has one of my favorite color combinations in it.  Yellow, gray and white.  I really love these together, and it looks so good in their bathroom  However, it is next to impossible to find a shower curtain to go with this color scheme.  So what's a girl to do?  Well, paint a shower curtain? Stencil it to be exact.

Lauren was my little helper, well really she just posed for this and left to play Ben 10 with her brother.  She did bring me the camera so I could get some pics of the project.  That counts as help, right? 

I used regular acrylic paint from Michael's, think it was $.79 a bottle, and I used one.  The curtain, I bought it at Marshall's for $7 last summer.

Please ignore the wet spot at the top, I made an oopsies, and had to clean it up.  It came out and dried fine, thank goodness.   Glad the kids were upstairs playing at this point, or they would have learned a few new words!  doh!

In place, it dried really fast, and fyi I had to clean paint of the kitchen floor.  No big deal, came right off.  I only stenciled the one stripe, I could have done more, but really wanted something asymmetrical and geometric looking. 

There bathroom is pretty small, making it hard to photograph.  I just wanted to show you the rest of it.  

Their initials are on the wall opposite the shower, next to the sink.  Really easy project, I just bought the letters and ampersand and painted them white.

I made these too, just some canvas, stencils and paint.  Instant Live, Laugh, Love art.

Thanks for stopping by! xx

Where I Party!!!

 

Lauren's Room Update, with a few Close Ups.

Finally, a post that doesn't revolve around my weight, what I'm eating or my workouts.  I never planned on my blog being taken over by my fight with fat.  I promise more home decor and crafty posts in the near future, starting with this one.

You all know I got Lauren the cutest dang bed off Craigslist recently, and few cute little decor items to dress up her desk and room.  Well, some of your comments mentioned her needing a mirror.  I totally agree, she needs a mirror.

So Ta Da...Mirror.

Isn't she cute!!  I got her at one of my favorite stores, The Barn.  Lauren has already told me it's for putting on her make up.  That's my girly girl!

I know some of these pictures are repeats, but I wanted to show you a close up of the 'Art' on this side of the room.  They are framed paper dolls.  I love them, they are based on Gone With the Wind, one of my all time favorite movies.  Only the artist used animals instead of people.

Here's a close up of Scarlet O'Hare.  Isn't she cute.  I wish I could share the link to where I bought these, but sadly they are out of the paper doll business after 14 years.  They want to try something new, good luck!  I will miss your dolls.

This is another paper doll from La Boheme.  I'll have to figure out how to get a better close up so you can see the detail, maybe I should scan it?  The blanket was made by a dear friend of the family, and it has never been used!  Lucky me, Lauren has never pulled it off the wall either.  I really wanted it be a keepsake, so far so good.

Mr. Type A made both of these little floating shelves with rods, I was the designer.  He takes direction pretty good for a man!  lol  I just wanted to be able to hang her blanket and some of her dresses.  Notice one dress is missing, it's on her baby.  I pick my battles, my favorite of her dresses is put up in a box she can't reach.  The picture of her and her 'Gigi' is hard to see, but it is one of my favorites.  Gigi, is her Great Grandma, and like a mother to me, she helped raise me.

Aren't they cute!  Lauren loved Gigi right away, even at 5 months old she new she was in good hands.  Just check out that toothless smile! 

This is one of the banner's I had made for her 'Tea Party 3rd Birthday", it hangs from her door now.  I need to replace the dowel rod, it's too small.  I will one of these days. 

On to her little stool that resides under her desk.  I bought her the cutest vintage little girl desk chair, and then we went to The Barn and she saw this.  She HAD to have it, yep at 3 she already has her own sense of design.  That's my girl. 

My sweet friend Angie over at All My Treasures, wanted the 411 on this piece, so here it is.  I didn't make it obviously, but I could have.  Sometimes it's just nice to buy instead.  (and easier, and less time consuming)

I think Lauren fell in love with it cause it's pink and soft.

View of the top cushion, the fabric is pretty cute, and very soft.

I love that it opens and can be used as storage.  I love multipurpose anything!

And it's on wheels, so she can  move it around easily.  One less thing I have to to. =)

I hope you guys like the changes!  Thanks for stopping by!  xx

Fitness Friday #1

I was thinking about it the other day, and it dawned on my that I tell you a lot about what I eat, and what I'm losing weight and inch wise.  I just never talk about the Exercise.  Which is really KEY to any program.  Watching what you eat is important, but it will not get you the results like exercise, or build muscle.  You HAVE to do both. 

I work out six days a week a minimum of one hour per day.  Even after I lose all the weight I want, I will continue with this plan.  I'm not getting any younger and I need to make sure I keep this body in the best shape I can.  The more muscle the stronger your bones and the faster your metabolism.  Muscle is AWESOME.  Plus lean definition looks fabulous. 

I try to vary my workout, some days I create my own and others I do a workout video.  I've done so many workout videos in my life, it's crazy.  I own at least 100, and I've probably given away, thrown away and broken as many.

You are probably asking yourself, "Then why do you have to lose weigh?  Shouldn't you be in the maintaining stage already?"  Well, the answer is simple.  I should be in the maintaining stage, yes.  The only thing I can come up with is this.  1.  I quit smoking, replaced it with food.  2.  I broke my foot and couldn't work out for 6 weeks, and could never get motivated to start up again.  3.  My hubby left for his first contract in Iraq and I was a little depressed.  They are all perfectly fine excuses, but really I'm not sure why I let myself back slide.  Just know this, I don't plan on making the same mistake twice!

I purchase 95% of mywork out videos at http://www.collagevideo.com/, they don't pay me too, but I would let them!  I do because they have the best selection and carry every instructor you could think of.  I have a favorite I'd like to share with you.

Jari Love, pronounced Jerry.  She's awesome, and her workouts can be adjusted to every level of exerciser.  I think that is a sign of a good video.  I mean really, who wants to buy a beginner level video, just to replace it every time you jump a level.  I know I don't, they aren't free.  I should also mention, I don't have time for a gym and with two kids I can't afford to leave them at daycare while I work out.  Working out at home is what works for me. 

Here are the videos I own by Jari.  I love them, she is a great instructor and cues her videos really well.  You will be sore the next day, trust me and my glutes when I say that. 

These next two, I've just ordered.   I'll let you know after I've tried them if they were just as good. 

So there ya go, if you have any questions about an instructor or a video you are thinking of purchasing, give me a shout.  I probably have done a video by them, or even owned the video.  Same goes for home equipment, I've owned it all! I will talk about some of the equipment I really like too, next time. Thanks for stopping by! XX

Quick Question

I have a quick question for my fabulous readers. If you had a give away and contacted the winner and hadn't heard back from them in two weeks, would you post the give away again for some one else to win? I tried contacting the winner, and the folks donating the give away have too...and no response.   What would you do?  Thanks for all your help and support!! xx

UPDATE!!!!

The Winner has been found and she is very excited to receive her prize!!!  Thanks to all of you for your great suggestions and comments.  I really was at a loss, never had this happen before. 

My Dining Table Gets an Upgrade!

Well to me it's an upgrade.  I'm just so tired of my table cloth, it's vinyl and not very pretty.  I figured since I have to clean the table every day regardless I would ditch the table cloth and buy a glass top for it.  I can't leave it totally unprotected, I mean lets get real I have children!  Enough said. 

So I dragged little Lauren out with me yesterday, to find a glass top. I was going to buy one off craigslist, but the price wasn't much different than a new one and I figured I'd let my kids be the first to scratch it.  Please not right away. 

Lauren had a blast at the furniture store, you would have thought we were at Disney!  She kept squealing "look at this chair!" or "this couch is so comfy!", and my favorite "can I have this room for my birthday!"  It was a living room set btw!  Which really made it that much funnier.  I just said yes and would you keep up.  It took 3 HOURS!  Mostly because she had to sit on every piece of furniture, and because I got lost going to their warehouse...oopsies!

We survived and now it's home and in place.  FYI, a 48 inch glass top is heavy, make sure someone helps you unload it and put it in place, and I'm talking not a three year old.  My arms are still sore, at one point I was like 'arms don't fail me now!' 

Before, ugly table cloth.

After, gorgeous wood grain!

I'm so glad I broke down and bought this, so worth it!  My glass is definitely half full.  The second best part, is was on sale!  Woo Hoo.

Thanks for stopping by! xx

Anything Goes Party #4

Thanks so much for the great party last week!  You guys ROCK!   Here are few I wanted to share, in case you missed it!

Pantry reveal from Hines Catch Up.  I want a walk in pantry so bad.

Welcome sign from Three Mango Seeds, have I mentioned how much I love wooden signs?

Meet Lola from Simple Matters, I'm a sucker for french beds, french anything.

On to the party.  No rules, just a couple suggestions.

1.  Please follow my blog, it'll make it easier for you to find the party every week.

2. Please put a link back to this party in your post so others can join in the fun.  I even have a button if you want to use it.  If you have a party page you can put the link there, I do that.

3.  Please link as much of anything you want, no limit.

Here's some other news, the winners of my Barn Photography Give Away are...

Tanyia from Surving Motherhood and Michelle from Shell's Shabby Shack.

Congrats Ladies!!!  Thanks to everyone who entered!  xx