Top 2010 Projects- A Year in Review

I can't believe I haven't posted since Christmas.

I really am enjoying just spending time at home with little man and the hubby.

Not being at school every day is soooooo nice.

I'm trying to take advantage of the next two weeks or so that I have left.

Big plans are brewing :)

But I decided while my plans are taking shape, I'd share with you a little 'year in review' post.

First off, I'd like to say a huge Thank you to all my wonderful followers.

I didn't realize when I started this blog last year how much fun it would really end up being.

All of you are so amazing and supportive (not to mention completely inspirational)

Thank you for taking the time to read, comment and be a loyal supporter of my little ole blog.

I really do lurve you guys :)

With that said, here are my top ten projects of 2010...

Number one: Master Bath Makeover

This is probably my most favorite project I did all year- and most certianly the biggest one.

We ended up being able to tackle this sucker in about two days and it made such a HUGE difference.

I am in love with the blue-grey paint and touches of white everywhere.

I think my favorite part is the new mirror that got a makeover.

Love love love.

Number two: Wooden Pumpkins

I can't completely take credit for this idea but the spin and execution is all mine :)

Blogland was filled with cute pumpkins this year and these were my contribution.

I love the beadboard grooves and the distressed look.

I'm kind of sad that these are all packed away...

Number three: Leaf Placemat Pillows

I was blown away by how quickly these flew across the blog-osphere.

They were so easy and made me happy every time I saw them sitting on my brown couch.

I think these get the award for easiest project of the year.

Number four: Dollar Store Tile Mirror

This is another one of my absolute favorites.

I loved the "Dollar Store Challenge' at the CSI project and when I went to browse the dollar store for ideas, I found these beautiful tiles.

Thus the mirror was born.

I cannot wait to get this back out after Christmas stuff is packed away.

Number five: Christmas Tree Scrap Pillow

This is the other seasonal pillow I pulled out this year.

I cut some strips from left-over fabric I had and made an easy Christmas tree.

I totally cheated though and used hot glue to secure the tree down.

Me and my sewing machine are not as good friends as the hot glue gun yet.

Number Six: Cabinet Door Name Sign

If you haven't been around my blog long, you might not know yet that I have a complete obsession with cabinet doors (I'm pretty sure I have nearly 100 in my garage).

I use them for ALL kinds of things, including this name plaque.

This was super easy to make, a little paint and vinyl and it was the perfect wedding gift.

Number Seven: Cabinet Door Welcome Sign

This chalkboard door is what really set me off in the blogworld.

It was my first project to be featured on the CSI project and is the one that started me really getting 'out there' to all of you.

I love the blue and turqoise- it hangs right by my door in the garage :)

Number Eight: Pumpkin Seed Art

This project was quickly dubbed the "pumpkin seed challenge' because my hubby initiated a challenge to me while we were out shopping.

It involved the gas station, five dollars and my loot: bags of pumpkin seeds.

I love how it turned out and am crossing my fingers that it will store well until next year.

Number Nine: End Table Makeover

One of my favorite new things I got into this year was redoing furniture.

I adore it.

I fell in love with our local Habitat Restore and that's where I found this gem.

I decided to put it in little man's room so it got a coat of beautiful red.

I love how the black glaze pops out all the details.

This is just one of many furniture redos I got too this year.

Number Ten: Coffee Filter Patriotic Wreath

This was a project I had been dying to do and I put my own little twist on it for the fourth of July.

Brown coffee filters with dabs of red and blue paint made it the perfect door decor.

I love love how frilly it is.

You'll probably be seeing a new version of this wreath in 2011 too :)

So...there you have it.

Tattered and Inked top projects of 2010.

There were many, many more that you can explore on your own if you'd like.

Once again, thank you so much for all your support in this past year!

 I can't wait to start 2011 with all of you!



Linking too:

• Your Best of 2010 @ Craftoholics Anonymous

Jingle Bell Garland

I saw this post over at Cozy. Cottage. Cute.  and fell in love with her pretty white garland.

I did my own version several weeks ago.

Though I'll admit it took me a while to get done. I only worked on it while I saw with Little man watching 'Diego' so it was in the works for a few days.

I picked up some packages of bells at the Dollar Store- I think I ended up using about four.

I only wanted to do silver and red bells together so rather than pick up the green and red packages they had, I just spraypainted a couple packages of silver bells.

Not perfect. But they were pretty :)

Then I got the world's longest strings of twine and cut three of them.

I wanted them to go all the way around my kitchen cabinets so they were LONG.

Really... all I did was tape the end to my table and then start braiding.

Easy in theory...but the twine kept getting tangled up so I had to go carefully.

Every eight inches or so I strung a bell into it and kept braiding.

I love how they look strung above my cabinets :)

Simple but perfectly festive.

I'm also in love with my sparkly star from Pier One that my mom surprised me with :)

Hope you like!

What last minute Christmas things are you doing today?

I'm over at...

Mine for the Making today!!!

Remember when I talked about having some bloggy news?

Well... my news was that I'm participating at Mine for the Making in her

Want to know what I'm giving away today???

Well run over there and check it out!!!

Christmas Countdown Blocks Box

So I know it's a little late in the game.

But I love love how this turned out :)

Even if it, what, six days away from Christmas?

I've been seeing ca-ute christmas countdowns everywhere and wanted to make my own version and I so happened upon the perfect things while at Micheals one day.

I happened upon these unfinished wood blocks...

I knew they'd be perfect for countdown blocks.

I actually started out holing the bigger version blocks but then I found this cutie...

And the smaller blocks fit so perfectly into it...

See?

And the ridge on top of the box fit the blocks perfectly as well. Thus the project was born :)

I first took off all the shiny gold hardware and gave it a good coat of oil-rubbed bronze spraypaint.

Here they are before...

Then I took some of my new love- Polyshades stain and polyurethane in Bombay Mahogany (yum!)

I stained the entire box, inside and out and let dry.

Then I stained the sides of the little blocks.

I only did the sides because I then modge-podged squares of scrapbook paper to them!

Then stain just helped the corners pop and look a little more finished :)

You wouldn't believe the hard time I've had with finding numbers for these little pretties.

Micheals and Hobby Lobby apparantly are anti-numbers in their stickers.

I finally found some in my stash that worked.

Here's what you put on each block:

first block: 0, 1, 2, 7, 8, 9  (make sure the nine can double as a six)

second block: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Then I did a layer of modge podge over them so they would last longer.

Here's the finished block:

And here are the sweet little blocks on top of their box:

I was in total, complete love.

For the front of the box, I used a scrapbooking label holder.

They were a goldy-glittery color that I brushed some blue paint over.

It still glittered :)

Then I printed out 'days til Christmas' on white cardstock and glued it to the back.

Then it was hotlued to the front.

I think it's a way cute addition to our Christmas decor :)

And little man loves to stack the blocks and see what numbers each day has.

Here's another set I did for a friend.

Except I used smaller numbers on it.

I like it either way but you know my thing about brown :)

And then they hide snugly away so they can be stored for next year!

Here's both sets:

I think they might be my favorite Christmas-y thing I've made this year :)

I set mine on the table by hubby's chair with my christmas tree painting I did several years ago.

So there ya have it.

My own Christmas countdown version.

...a little late...

So, c'mon there's still days left... pick some up and beaut-ify them! :)

Christmas Placemat Wreath

You should know by know that I have a thing for placemats.

It's just a slight love affair.

You've seen me use them here and here... but this is something new!

Aren't you excited?

On my mantle I used an ornament wreath that I made (they are all over bloggy land!) so I wanted something completely different for my front door.

I mean, it had to top my fall wreath that I was so in love with.

Enter TJ Maxx... my other love affair.

I have to limit the amount of times I can go into that place.

Swoon.

But they always seem to have the most awesome placemats that I can't find anywhere else.

Remember this pillow?

Yup. Made from a TJ Maxx placemat.

So... seriously. Head there right now and see what awesome placemats they have hidden on their shelves.

Cuz... they had some awesome Christmas ones...

Like this pretty thing...

(sorry I got way excited and already had to have it out... I LOVE it)

Those dainty little christmas trees all around the edge are just way too cute.

I ended up buying two because I was so in love and they were only three dollars.

So I had another just sitting on my craft table.

And inspiration struck.

Here are the supplies I gathered:

• placemat
• two kinds of ribbon
• Unfinished wooden circle
• Paint
• "merry christmas' ornament from Walmart
• Tulle

I was so excited that I had all these things on hand... I literally threw this together in about ten minutes.

I love when things just come together :)

First, I threaded one of the pieces of ribbon (the plain red one) through three of the sides.

I hot glued the ends down to keep them from unraveling.

Then I threaded the bigger polka dot ribbon through the top, tied a bow to hang it from and secured with hot glue again...

I set that aside for a minute and grabbed the wooden circle plaque.

I painted it a pretty light blue color I had on hand.

After it dried, I cut small strips of my sparkly brown tulle and folded them in half.

I stapled each of them along the back edge of the plaque.

Then I turned it around and just fluffed it out.

Then I hotlgued the plaque to the placemat.

And glued the 'merry christmas' to the middle of the plaque.

I also lightly brushed some red paint over the sign so that the glittery words wouldn't glare so much.

And here she is, all hung up!

I am in LOVE.

I really do just adore wreaths.

Having something pretty on my front door makes me oh so happy :)

It kind of reminds me of things that Jenn over at Redberry Barn does.

Hers are always so gorgeous.

I only hope to get close :)

I love the red and green against the door.

I feel so Christmas-sy inside.

Now if school would just hurry up and end already.

Watcha think?

Wanna go look for placemats now?

Who knew they could make such pretty wreaths!

I hope this helps you see the posibilities are endless with everything!

A placemat doesn't just have to be a placemat.

In fact, I prefer it not to be :)

What awesome wreaths have you found or made so far?

Linking to:

• Under 100$ Linky Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence
• Hookin up with HOH @ House of Hepworths
• Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge
• Catch a Glimpse @ A Glimpse Inside
• Everything but the Kitchen Sink @ A Little Knick Knack
• Weekend Wrap-Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello
• Wreath Link-Up @ Sassy Sites
• Anti-Procrastinatino Tuesday @ New Nostalgia