Your Utensils Can Be Cute Too...

I'm here.

I survived another day :)

I had a major 'poor me' session last night if you caught my little venting post.

But I think I'm sane now.

I haven't quit OT school yet... though I swear it's trying to quit on me.

Anyways.

I promised you something fun today.

So how about something organized and cute? 

Sound good to you?

I stumbled upon this picture a while back and fell in love with the simplicity of it.

I love the organization...and I love the natural colors of it all :)

I have two containers that sit out on my counter that hold all my utensils.

One is just a generic stainless steel one I got as a wedding gift...and the other is a cute square tin one I got from Hobby Lobby a while ago.

Once I saw this picture, I was completely over my generic utensil holder.

Don't you love how ideas hit and you have to do something about it right then?

Well I so wanted to do something about it right then.

But it took me forever to decide if I wanted to use a tray like the inspiration or if that was just too cluttered on my little counter.

I kept going back and forth but I did happen upon these cuties at our Goodwill...

(and, no, the kitty was not found at Goodwill- that's our sweet Hobby)

Hobby likes to watch me work on projects- usually he sticks his nose right in it...which is okay unless it's hot glue and he kind of goes psycho. :)

I contemplated painting the white one but decided to leave it alone.

I gave them both a good scrubbing and then jazzed them up a bit.

The glass jar just has a piece of thick brown and white ribbon wrapped around it and secured with hot glue.

Then I tied a piece of jute around it.

For the white jar, I used a rub-on I had.

I loved the checkered brackets- that's what sold me :)

Once I rubbed it on, I gave it a good coat of clear coat spraypaint to help it last longer.

Wanna see the little cuties in action?

Big sigh of relief for cute organization.

My utensils don't look as beautifully organic as the inspiration photo but I love that they're sorted.

Am I weird to think that the wooden spoons and silver whisks look pretty together?

Probably.

See my cute little square tin box?

That's the one I got from Hobby Lobby forever ago.

I think the trio looks good together.

and you can't forget my blinged out Kitchenaid.

(another rub-on)

I did this a while ago and got an exasperated response from my hubby about it.

He came home from work, took one look at the Kitchenaid and said

"every day I come home, this house gets just a little bit more girly"

Sorry hunny...but at least it's not pink :)

As for that generic ole' utensil holder?

It now nicely holds all my paintbrushes.

So I'm thinking that I like it fine without a tray.

I'm afraid that putting a tray with them would make the counter look too cluttered...

what do you think?

Tray or nay?

I think they go great with my backsplash art.

I"m thinking things are coming together in the kitchen :)

And...not girly, hubby.

Organized.

Oh...and cute too.

So maybe a little girly :)

Hope everyone is having a great mid-week day!

Don't forget to stop by and enter my giveaway- just a couple more days to get them in!!!

Linking to:

• Under 100$ @ Beyond the Picket Fence
• Free For All @ Sassy Sites
• Take a Glimpse @ A Glimpse Inside
• Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge
• Favorite Things Friday @ The Speckled Dog
• Anonymous 65 @ Remodaholic
• Link Party @ Spunky Junky
• Everything but the Kitche Sink @ A Little Knick Knack
• Weekend Wrapup Party @ Tatertots and Jello
• Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative
• Craftomaniac Monday @ Craftomaniac
• Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle

Spring Mantle Reveal & a Giveaway!!

I know you guys are super excited about the giveaway part...

...but I really can't wait to show you the grand reveal of my spring mantle.  

So just hold out to the end of this post and you'll see the great giveaway you have a chance to win.
at least I really hope you think it's great :)

Ok.

On to my springi-fied mantle.

One last look at the before shot...my pathetic post-christmas mantle.

And fast forward to now...

What do you think??

Much much springier and lighter.

I'm in love.

So much in love it's hard to change things out for holidays- it may not get touched for easter.

We shall see.

Remember my old window frame from Christmas?

It stayed cuz I just love it.

What I love most is that it was virtually free to redo.

I showed you in Part 1 and Part 2 of the mantle makeover how I used everyday thrifted items and glammed them up.

Most of the pieces here are those kinds of projects.

Plus a few items I had on hand elsewhere.

This white platter was a wedding gift that I adore.

I hated that it just sat on a shelf so I pulled it out and added a rub-on to give it some more interest.

Whenever I get tired of it, I can just wash it right off :)

Part 1 of the mantle makeover showed how to make that stamped monogram art from a scrap piece of wood I had.

Then I showed you how I updated a couple ugly frames i had, inluding that white square one in Part 2 of the makeover.

I didn't put up a tutorial for my 'home' piece I did.

But it was super easy, so if you're curious, I can definitely spill :)

My favorite aspect is all the layers.

It took me a little bit to get everything just the way I wanted it.

And before I even redid all my pieces, I had set them out to get the perfect layout.

That way I could paint them knowing where they'd be.

I didn't want to cover up some vital part :)

These are my version of the infamous dollar store apothecary jars.

They're just filled with black rocks from the dollar store as well.

The white candle I had from my wedding and just wrapped it in a scrap of brown fabric.

The other jar has an "H" tile from Hobby Lobby.

Speaking of the fabulous Hobby Lobby, see that gorgeous white vase?

Totally from there.

I'm pretty sure I squealed when I saw the display with all those gorgeous pieces.

It took me FOREVER to decide on one piece.

And I heart it very much.

The end.

The only other items I haven't mentioned are:

*the baby fleur de lis by the oval frame (it was a gift)

*my dollar store tiled mirror that I can't put away because I lurve it

and

*the plaque that has the popular 'live, love, laugh' saying on it (from Hallmark forever and ever ago)

So...

does it work as my new spring mantle?

I sure hope so.

Because I absolutely love it.

One quick before and after just cuz it's so dramatic?

Yes please.

**********************************

Now onto business!!!

I've been wanting to do another giveaway for my fabulous followers for a while and had a hum-dinger of a time figuring out what to do for you guys.

Because it has to be perfect, you know?

Finally,  I decided to give away one of my Bushel and a Peck printables!

But take a look, because it's not your average one.

Yup.

It's in shiny new colors :)

I thought that maybe not everyone would appreciate the Valentine's hot pink...

so how 'bout grey and yellow?

And I'm giving it away to one of you amazing followers!

Including everything you see:

Aqua cabinet door, yummy twine accent and a glossy "I love you a bushel and a peck" print.

Just three easy ways to enter:

1. Leave me a comment saying that you're a fabulous follower!

2. "like" me on facebook

(click here or check out my sidebar) 

3. Blog/facebook about this giveaway and leave a comment saying that you did.

(Each thing you do counts as a seperate entry, so be sure to leave a comment for each that you do!!)

That's it! And then you're in the running!

Giveaway ends next Friday at midnight so get those entries in!

(and no April fooling you, promise!)

I hope you know how much I appreciate you guys, it makes this whole blogging thing so much more fun when I meet people like you!

Linking to:

• Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello
• Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
• Sundae Scoop @ I heart Naptime
• Sunday Showcase @ Under the table and Dreaming
• Craftomaniac Monday @ Craft-o-maniac
• Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle
• Spring Projects @ Censational Girl
• Your So Very Creative @ Me Making Do
• Craft Catwalk @ Embellishing Life
• Get Your Craft On @ Todays Creative Blog
• Trash to Treasure @ Sassy Sites
• Anything Related @ All Thingz Related
• Linky Party @ A Bowl Full of Lemons
• Show me What ya Got @ NotJust a Housewife
• Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts
• Under 100$ @ Beyond the Picket Fence
• Free for All @ Sassy Sites
• Take a Glimpse @ A Glimpse Inside
• Feature Yourelf Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge
• Favorite Things Friday @ The Speckled Dog
• Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West
• What's in Your Garden @ My Garden of Eden
• Simple Creations Friday @ My Simple Home Life

Spring Mantle Part 2: Updating Tired Frames

Are you guys ready for part two of this whole deal?

I'm ready to just show you the whole thing...but I'm gonna stick it out.

It's more fun to leave you hanging. :)

Little man has been sick running fever since Saturday so we've been stuck inside trying to get things done.

Which meant that...sigh...I started painting the laundryroom.

It's in that 'I don't know if this will ever turn out good' stage.

Tell me it'll be beautiful.

Because I"m doubting myself at the current moment...

Regardless...

We're focusing on this again today...

My poor, sad, neglected after-christmas mantle.

I showed you guys on Monday my stamped monogram project....

and today I wanted to show you what I did with this sad bunch of guys...

I adored that oval frame when I saw it at Goodwill and got it for a whopping .50.

I also got the square mirror at Goodwill for hardly anything.

The ugly maroon frame I had in my stash for some reason.

The first order of business was to give them a good coat of paint.

This was still during the 'too-cold-to-spraypaint' part of the year which is quite possibly the bane of my existence.

So I used acrylic paints.

I found my new love in 'Vintage White' by Americana.

The oval frame and mirror were painted in that and the small frame was in a chocolate brown I had.

I roughed up the edges of the mirror.

I love the dark wood showing underneath.

And then I took my Rub-n-Buff to my oval frame.

I didn't want to use glaze because it always seems to take the layers of acrylic paint off.

This worked beautifully though.

Look at those accents!

The last thing I did to the square mirror was to add a strip of fabric.

I actually just tore it off a remnant I had from my roadside chair project and then hotglued it around the frame.

A little rub-on bling was the perfect touch too.

Then, of course, I stuck a picture of little man in it. :)

Here's some before and afters of all the little projects I've shown you so far:

In the oval frame, I put one of my favorite wedding pictures that I printed in black and white.

The little brown frame got a graphic print that says "we might just be the luckiest people alive".

So there ya have it.

A few more mini makeovers that will add to the gigantic, fabulous mantle makeover.

What do you think?

It's so easy to turn ordnary pieces into something fun and vibrant.

What have you done lately?

**Wait!**

One more piece of awesome news!

After the big mantle reveal on Friday, be prepared for a fantabulous giveaway!!

Can't wait to show you guys what I have to thank you for being the best followers ever!!!

See ya Friday.

(If the laundry room doesn't take me out first)

Linking to:

• Lil Luna Link Party @ Lil Luna
• Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts
• Under 100$ @ Beyond the Picket Fence
• Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge
• Link Party @ Spunky Junky
• Friday Flair @ Whipperberry

Spring Mantle Part 1: Monogram Madness

So I promised a good mantle makeover.

And I completely intend to deliver :)

When I started editing photos from my little mantle photoshoot... I ended up with tons more than I had planned on.

So I thought I'd break it down into several posts.

So it's officially my

Spring Break Spring Mantle Makeover.

Clever, huh?

I'm excited to show you the whole reveal...plus I've got tons of projects in the works to get done this week so I'm way excited to share stuff with you guys in the next weeks.

Onto the issue at hand...

this pathetic little piece:

Remember it's Christmas makeover?

\

Well it' pathetic-ness happened after all that came down.

And it bugged me severely.

It didn't take too long for me to finally get down to business.

I scoured my craft room and came up with a stack of things I could redo to make it over.

I thought I'd show you one of my favorites today and then move on to some more quick makeovers later this week.

Kay?

One of the things I found was this piece of wood.

I got it a while ago at Big Lots for like three bucks.

And yea... I have NO idea what it was doing there.

I mean it's a blank piece of wood.

At Big Lots.

Weird.

I took some different browns and whites I had and painted the board.

I like mixing the colors as I go to get a more layered effect than just a flat brown.

It took several coats to over it and get the layers I wanted.

Then I took this little chipboard H I had and my vintage white paint.

Easiest thing ever.

I painted the H...patted the excess off on the side of the plate and then literally stamped it.

The beauty is that since it's chipboard and not a rubber or foam stamp, it doesn't distribute evenly.

So you have these awesome distressed areas completely naturally.

Yay for distressing.

And as an added bonus, the texture of the chipboard is awesome in the paint...almost canvas-sy. :)

Here's the pretty thing after all my stamping...

I love that they all stamp differently.

The only interesting thing is when the chipboard layers start peeling off... but you learn to deal.

I love the distressed monogram.

I'm obsessed with H's.

You think it's that we're still somewhat newly-weds?

Or will I always love my H's?

Here it is sitting on my now prettified mantle.

Just a little sneak peek of what's to come.

Isn't that chocolate against the blue amazing?

Blue and brown still make me swoon.

Never fails.

What do you think?

Are you mad about monograms still?

They were all the rage last year and I'm still obsessed.

It's amazing what you can do with wood scraps and paint.

And apparantly you can get both at Big Lots :)

Or the side of the road, whichever you prefer.

Check back in Wednesday for Part 2 of the transformation.

Hope you guys are having an amazing spring break!!

Featured on:

Linking to:

• Craft Catwalk @ Embellishing Life
• Trash to Treasure Tuesday @ Sassy Sites
• Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog
• Show me what ya got @ Not JUST a Housewife
• Anything Related @ All Thingz Related
• Lil Luna Link Partay @ Lil Luna
• Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts
• Under 100$ @ Beyond the Picket Fence
• Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge
• Link Party @ Remodaholic
• Link Party @ Spunky Junky

Shanty Chic Blue Table

First off, I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to my lovely hubby for his sweet post yesterday.

We had an amazing time pretty much doing a lot of nothing.

Movies, chocolate and yummy mixed drinks.

My sister called and asked me if hubby really wrote the post.

Umm...yes. He did.

I promise I did not write a post to myself.

Plus, he's just way funnier than me.

(I might need to watch out, he might start a blog and out-shine me)

And Thank you to all my lovely followers for my bday wishes.

I loFve you guys :)

Now onto that shanty chic table...

I found this beauty at Goodwill last summer.

I'm pretty sure I paid around eight dollars for it.

Look at these gorgeous details:

The raised embellishments are just beautiful and I loved the hardware too...

It didn't take much to make the details pop on this little piece.

It just took some patience because I decided to *gasp* not spray paint it.

I had a gallon of this beautiful color by Sherwin Williams hanging in my garage waiting to be used on little man's bathroom :

It took several coats but I loved how it turned out on this beauty.

The color was much lighter and daintier on the table than it shows on the sample.

I also gave it a good glazing job to make the details really shine.

The glazing really picked up the grain in the wood.

Love!

I'm pretty sure that in it's original state, it had a piece of glass sitting in that ridge that covered the raised part on top.

Which would make more sense than trying to set anything on that.

But it did look beautiful.

I kept the original hardware and didn't change it.

It looked perfect on her.

This is actually my first piece I sold.

Eek.

I listed it on Craigslist during the fall (hence the leaves) but didn't get any takers.

I kind of forgot about it with Christmas and school starting this semester but a couple weeks ago, I re-listed it.

It sold within two days.

Eek!

I was so proud of actually making money off something I painted.

She paid 45$ for it.

So , you experts out there, what do you think?

I have no idea how to price furniture I redo.

Was that too little or too much?

Tell me, please, please!

Nevertheless, I was pleased to have it sell (and to have the garage space back).

Want a good before and after?

Ugly duckling to Cinderella?

There ya have it.

A fairy tale ending.

I hope everyone is having a fabulous week.

And remember, don't forget to answer my question!!

I need your input!!!

Because you're the best experts I know :)

Linking to:

• Anything Related @ All Thingz Related
• Anti-Procrastination Tuesday @ New Nostalgia
• Catch A Glimpse @ A Glimpse Inside
• Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts
• Lil Luna Link Partay @ Lil Luna
• What are Little Boys Made of @ Seventhirtythree
• Hookin up with HOH @ House of Hepworths
• Under 100$ @ Beyond the Picket Fence
• Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello
• You're so very Creative @ Me Making Do
• http://sassysites.blogspot.com/
• Get Your Craft on @ Todays Creative Blog
• Show me what ya got @ Not JUST a housewife
• Anything Related @ All Thingz Related
• Link Party @ Remoaholic
• Look what I found Friday @ Vintage Revivals
• Link Party @ Spunky Junky
• Friday Flair @ Whipperberry
• Sundae Scoop @ I heart Naptime
• Sunday Showcase @ Under the table and Dreaming
• Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
• Paint Projects @ Centsational Girl