Sentimental Artwork

I am such a sentimental person.  There are several "memory boxes" around our house that are full of notes, menus, ticket stubs, maps, cards... you name it and it's probably in there.  I love the memories that are brought back to mind when looking through everything.  Since I rarely see all these special items, I decided to frame a few things so I can look at them everyday.   I'm in the process of revamping our computer room and the sentimental artwork adds the perfect touch.

Here are the two pieces I chose for the project.  A coffee sleeve from The Coffee Shop in Gilbert, AZ.  We loved relaxing on their beautiful patio and munching on their amazing pastries when we lived in Arizona.  Definitely a happy memory.  The other piece is a business card from a cute little cafe we visited in Hawaii.  

I used some inexpensive frames that I spray painted black.

I thought about using scrapbook paper for the background but decided it was too busy looking.  I just wanted a nice white background.  I looked around and found a leftover box from Christmas.  The base made the perfect background - nice and sturdy.

I taped the items on the white cardboard then placed them under the glass.

I set The Coffee Shop art next to a photo collage I made of the cafe.  

What an easy project that's filled with wonderful memories!

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Linked to: Boring to Better @ Savvy Southern Style, Creative Share Wednesday @ The Trendy Treehouse, 
Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Inspiration Friday @ Southern In My Heart, My Romantic Home, Between Naps on the Porch

A Week Full of Owls and Cupcakes!

Whew, I'm back!  The last couple of weeks have kept me busy with all kinds of fun-filled Christmas activities.  My 11 year old niece came back with us to Kansas City and spent the week here so we could continue on with the fun.  We had a busy week full of movie watching, eating out, shopping, and cupcake making.  It was pretty rough. ;)  My niece is really into owls so we got online and found a cute idea for owl cupcakes.  After stocking up on Oreos, Junior Mints, banana Runts, and frosting, we got to work. 

 

She even had an owl necklace on while making the cupcakes.

 

 

 

 

Here are the finished owls!  We had a hard time eating them because they were just too cute.  Each one seemed to have their own little personality.  We were about to name each owl but thought that may be taking it too far. :)

 

 

Later in the week we rang in the New Year complete with festive cupcakes.  She came up with the design and sketched out the plan.  I was just there to help. :)

 

 

 

 

My niece is in the process of redoing her room so we decided to make some owl pictures to hang on her wall.  We searched Google images and found some ideas we liked, then I traced them in Adobe Illustrator {love that program} and added our own touch to the design.  We found some inexpensive frames and spray painted them white.  We were very pleased how they turned out.  Talk about cheap wall art! 

I love the orange and blue color combination in this print so I had one made for myself!

We had such a fun week!  Being an Aunt is the best. :)


Linked to Show & Tell Friday

Dining Room Light Makeover ORB Style!

I've been on the lookout for a new light fixture for our dining room pretty much since we moved into our house.  One Saturday a few weeks ago while hubby and I were out shopping, we made a stop at our favorite lighting store.  We usually just go there to 'ooh' and 'aah' over the outrageously priced light fixtures.  The store was having a huge "garage sale" and was advertising how their prices were being drastically reduced.  For this particular store, that usually means instead of a chandelier costing $900, it's reduced down to $500.  Not a deal in my book.

After looking around for a little bit, I spotted it.  The light fixture I've been searching for!!!  I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the price -- it was originally $250 and was marked down to $40!!!  I think my hubby was a little hesitant since the fixture was YELLOW.  Nothing a little spray paint can't fix! :)

I didn't get the best 'before' picture.  Here it is ready to get a makeover:

I used my trusty Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint.

And here's the after:

We installed a dimmer switch to control the light.  I love being able to dim the light in the evenings.

Here's the old light.  The fixture was way too small for the room and never provided enough light.  I listed it on Craigslist and we sold it for $40!!  That's how much we paid for the new light!  Oh how I love Craigslist!

Here's the view when you walk in the house.  Stanley's always ready to greet us when we walk in!

{Anyone else having issues with Blogger?  It keeps changing my font size and it's driving me nuts!}

Linked to:  Anything Related @ All Thingz Related, Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick, Before & After Party @ Savvy Southern Style, Power of Paint Party @ Domestically Speaking, Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Before and After Chair

Remember THIS post about all the furniture projects I need to finish?  Well, I checked one piece off of my list.  I finished the chair this weekend!

Here's the lovely before picture:

I sanded everything and then primed the chair.  I applied two coats of black spray paint and another two coats of a spray polyurethane.

Here are the products I used:

While everything was drying, I recovered the seat with the new fabric I found at a local fabric warehouse for $5 a yard!!  What a deal!

And here's the finished product:

I distressed some of the edges so a little red would show through (even though it looks kind of orange in the pictures!).  I like how it ties together with the red fabric.

 

And the final before and after:

Now on to my next project!...

Linked to: Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch, Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative, Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple, Power of Paint Party @ Domestically Speaking, Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home, Finding Fabulous, Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick

First Time Using ORB Spray Paint

I did it.  I finally used the spray paint that everyone in blogland has been talking about.  I feel like I'm a real blogger now. :)  And I'm pretty sure this won't be the last thing I paint with oil rubbed bronze spray paint.
I've had this vase set for years and it's been stashed away since we've been in our house.  I love how it turned out and can't wait to fill it with my zinnias and cosmos that should be blooming soon!
Here's the before:


After a little of this...

And a few of these...

I now have this!

 

Linked to:
Party On! Debbiedoos Before & After party
Between Naps on the Porch, Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple, Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Toot Your Horn Tuesday @ Silly Little Sparrow, All Thingz Related, Trendy Treehouse, Boardwalk Bragfest @ Bobbypins Boardwalk, Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple, Hookin' up with HOH, Show & Tell Friday @My Romantic Home, Remodelaholic

Memo Boards

I found a bulletin board and white erase board at the local thrift store for super cheap and decided to jazz them up a bit.  I've been on the lookout for frames that had enough depth to hold the thick boards.  I finally found a couple.

I removed the lovely pictures from the frames.

Gave the frames a couple coats of black spray paint.

Then I removed the plastic edging from the boards.

Measured and cut boards to frame size.

Once dry, I placed the boards inside of frames and secured them in place with the tacks.

And the finished product...



Now I just need to find a place to hang them!
Here's another one that my dad helped me make years ago.  It's in the laundry room right now but used to hang on the refrigerator since we added magnets to the back.

Linked  to:

Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple, DIY Day @ A Soft Place to Land, Toot Your Horn Tuesday @ A Silly Little Sparrow, Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch, Woo Hoo Wednesday @ Always Nesting, Look What I Made @ Creations by Kara, Be Inspired @ Room to Inspire, Make It Yours Day @ My Backyard Eden