Hop to It

I am the queen of cheesy titles.  Anyway, being the saver that I will one day be (really!), I refuse to pay $30 for burlap.  Even if it's painted, polka dotted, and shaped like a bunny.  Pinterest, oh how I love thee and loathe thee at the same time.

The OTMJ got re-purposed as a pattern template.  It's roughly 18"x24".

Even more green: a re-purposed dry cleaning pants hanger turned door hanger hanger. (That sounds super weird to read!)


A very rough sketch, plus cuteness polka dots.

Getting closer...

At least it mostly resembles a bunny.

Staples and plastic baggy "stuffing" complete the form.  Sewing would likely be the best, but then I wouldn't get to use my one-touch stapler and I would have to vacuum up the mess.

One inch yard sale dot stickers plus...

white spray paint makes him springy!
*White paint would work, too.  I'm just not that patient.


Floral wire and leftover scraps make the tail.

And the burlap bow makes this one door hanging that may never leave my door!

(I am also envisioning a cute Easter egg, American flag, football, and acorn...)

Spring Things

Spring is quite possibly my favorite time of year.  Specifically, I love when all of the cherry trees blossom and their tiny petals float in the breeze like snow--but it's 80 degrees instead of 20, and I get to wear coral shorts.  Here are some happenings that keep me smiling this month.

{1: : Patterned Drapes}

This is Covington Katana in Travertine Taupe.  It was $20/yard, minus my 20% off coupon (annv1).

Four hours of crawling on the floor, smoothing out the fabric, pinning, sewing, and two very sore legs after, voila!  I am SO pleased to have window coverings that will block my neighbors' unsightly selves and dining room.  Hooray!

I was surprised how many options Lowe's had for drapery poles.  In the end, we went with a pick-each-part-separately approach and ended up with an 8' walnut fluted pole, round end caps, and large rings with clips.

I added seven 4-inch pleats to help give the drapes a little more pleating when they are pushed to the side.

All of my seams and print repeats match up perfectly!  THAT is what took so very long.

{2: : Windmill Quilt}

This pattern is much larger than it's pinwheel sister, but I can't wait to see it on MCH's twin bed!

{3: : Mercury Glass Tumblers}

Where are these hiding?

{4: : A Golden Birthday}

Massey turned 7 on the 7th!!

{5: : New Blooms}

Eleven (yes, eleven!!!) stargazer lily blooms from 3 stems--$10 at Publix!

{6: : Aroma Therapy}

It's like having the real thing all year long.  This super fragrant candle hasn't even been lit.

{7: : Bradford Pear Trees}

Is it even possible for these to be any more symmetrical and gorgeous next to a swirly cloud background? 

Springtime is Here!

Well this is a smorgasbord post of sorts.  Mostly because I am bewildered by the fact that the last post was 21 days ago!  I'm super-excited the warm weather seems to be here to stay--aside from the weekly tornado warnings and downpours.  Since we bought the house at the end of last year, we've been saying, "Oh, we'll take care of that in the spring."  Well guess what?  Spring is here and summer is coming! April has brought the rain and the azaleas that have since died.  Now I'm ready for the May flowers to come out!   I feel like a broken record every time I think that we've almost finished painting.  Now we only have four rooms of baseboards, five fronts and backs of doors, and this left:

Be sure you know if the existing paint is latex or oil-based.  Our house is full of surprises--different finishes and bases in every room.  Thanks, previous homeowners.

I painted the doorway trim in the kitchen and the pantry and swinging door two weekends ago.  The Sherwin-Williams label says to wait three days for the paint to cure before taping.  Done.  Well I taped it off today to take care of this convenient two inch space of wall between the pantry and the adjacent wall.  Needless to say, I peeled off the blue tape, along with half of the trim paint.  Agh!!!!!!!!!!!  If I keep taping one to paint the other, then this viscous cycle WILL NOT END.  This house is going to send me to the place they keep the crazies.  If there is anything I hate more than painting, it's redoing work that I've already done.  One reprieve was the fact that all of the touch-ups (of wall paint only, obviously) are done, and the back entryway is painted just like the kitchen.  By the way, Meditation by Benjamin Moore is the awesomest gray/green saturated wall color.  I wish my whole house was done in this color instead of my safe, ultra-neutral Powell Buff. 

On a side note, it's time for summer cuts.  I'm thinking something short and piece-y instead of my standard long bob curled under.  When Dear Husband says my hair is getting long, it must be time for a cut--especially since he knows to never comment on my hair unless it's a compliment!

Not my favorite person, but maybe this cut a touch longer.

This looks like it could be perfect with my thin, non-volumized hair.

Even Bear Bear was ready for a fresh cut!

I'm pretty sure he is the most adorable baby ever!