My Favorite Things...Blog Anniversary

Amazing how fast a year can come and go.  When I started blogging a little over a year ago, I never realized how much it would change my life. 

The fall before 2009 I had decided to start designing and sewing handbags, aprons, pincushion's, and more. I wanted to do something from home that would allow me to be with my family, but also give me a little extra income for things I wanted to do in our home. I started doing some research on the computer for things I would need to do in order to start my business and came upon a site called Etsy.  


This was an amazing site to me...full of creative, talented women and their businesses...I felt an instant connection.  Women just like me that loved to sew, design, paint...women who still wanted to be home with their families, but also to fulfill their dreams of creating.  I started noticing on some of their Etsy sites a thing called...a blog.

I had heard very little about blogs and wasn't even sure how to start one. I knew it was something like a journal and had a couple of friends who had blogs about their families. I for one very rarely wanted to use the computer, in fact most of my friends and family knew I was not very good about checking  my e-mails...my thought " I just don't have time." 

Little did I know that my world was about to open. Blogging was going to add many new friends, inspiring ideas and new possibilities to my life. How grateful I have been for the happiness it has given me in being able to share my thoughts, ideas and design with all of you. Thank you!

With unexpected news of moving last year, I decided to wait on opening my Etsy until after we had moved and settled. I wanted to be able to focus and give my energy into doing what I love...creating! I am happy to say, that I am hoping to open my Etsy late Spring and have lots of  ideas I am excited to design.

I thought, what better way to celebrate my blog anniversary than to share my favorite things.  I wanted to give you a little more insight about who I am.  Here are just some of the things I love...

 

Pictures via~Google

A few of my favorite things... 

 1. Cellos...one of my favorite instruments. I used to play and miss it.  I want to play again.

2. Janet Hill...I love her beautiful paintings!  I have 3 of her prints I am excited to frame and display in the dining room. 

3. My favorite color...turquoise! I love splashes of it here and there in my home, just puts a smile on my face. 

4. Chandeliers, you can never have too many!

5. I love when my toes are painted red...it just makes me happy!

6. Cake design fascinates me.  I like to dabble in it, but would love to devote time to learning so much more.


7. The Beatles is my all time favorite band!  I grew up listening to all their songs on the record player and still love their music.

8.I have a love for flowers.  Peonies is just one of my favorites along with Dahlias, Hydrangeas and Gerber Daisy's!

9. I love to drink ice cold water!  I very rarely order anything else when we go out and it is what I always want at home. 

10. Tanya Whelan is an amazing fabric designer!  I have fallen in love with all her collections.  Beautiful!

11. My favorite food...this was a toss up between Chinese and New Mexican...being raised in NM, it won!

12. Blue Topaz is one of my favorite gems. It is gorgeous!

13. Carrie Raphael is my favorite Interior Designer. She is so inspiring and love her pops of color with soft pastels.

14. Cheesecake is my very favorite dessert...plain or topped with blueberry's!  Yum!

15. I have a dream of going to France.  Not necessarily to see Paris, but the countryside.  Someday... 

16. Ina Garten...great recipes!

I hoped you enjoyed learning a little more about who I am.  I put a lot of thought in what I wanted to giveaway for my Blog Anniversary. There are many parts that make up me.  What better way than to give you all a chance to win some of my favorite things! 


 Here is how it will work.  I have 5 different pkgs. to giveaway to 5 Whimsy readers/followers.  I want you to decide which one is your favorite and that is the one you will leave a comment about to enter.  I am going to give 2 other ways to make your chance of winning even better...  

1. If you follow my blog or are now following, leave a second comment.

2. Post on my giveaway gives you a 3rd entry.

It's that easy...o.k. maybe it won't be that easy trying to pick just one of the pkgs. for your favorite, but entering to win...that is!

So here goes, more of my favorite things that you all can win...

 Beauty

1. Of course one of my very favorite things is my beautiful daughter...but the giveaway is the scarf! I love scarfs...this one came from Macys.  

2. I get told all the time that I couldn't possibly have 5 kids and that I look  like I am 25...I am turning 37 this year!  I have been using Oil of Olay since I was in High School...proof that it works. ;)  

3. My very favorite scent...Love Spell by Victoria Secrets! I never tire of it and everywhere I go I get compliments on how "good" I smell. It is after all my secret...   

4. Winter time is the worst on my skin.  I am constantly having to keep my feet moisturized.  This foot scrubber is the best one I have ever used to keep your feet smooth!  The foot balm is extra protection.  Keep all your cuticles soft with almond oil...it is the best!  It also helps your polish dry faster and smells good too!

5. For beauty and health tips, Allure is a great magazine! 

6. Mentha Organics from Bath and Body. The greatest lip gloss e.v.e.r!  A friend gave me some as a gift years ago and I have never gone to anything else. Keeps my lips soft and kissable...a nice peppermint taste! 

Creative

 

1. Every creative person needs a glue gun...enough said!

2. Somerset Life...this is not only a beautiful book, it has so many great ideas to create!

3.I use my craft knife for all kinds of projects!

4.I always keep a little notebook in my purse...you never know when you will be inspired!

5.I treasure my fine tipped pens...Great for scrapbooking, photos to adding a fine detail in a drawing.

6.Love, love, love...did I say love?  These are the best scissors for fabric! They are spring loaded so your hand won't get tired from cutting. 

 Foodie

1. I don't drink coffee, but I do enjoy a hot cup of herbal tea every now and then. One of my favorites...True Blueberry!  It has a great blueberry taste...so good!

2. You can never have enough great kitchen tools.  The ones I go to all the time... my Kitchen Aid kitchen scissors and fruit/vegetable peeler. 

3.  This Sea Salt has a great taste and comes from France.  A tiny bit goes a long way!

4. I love a good chocolate!  For me the darker the better!  A little taste of Heaven with each bite of Godiva truffles.

5.  These are so cute and whimsical.  Recipes that read a smidgen, pinch or dash...you now have a measurement for!

6.  Taste of Home always has great recipes that my family loves!  This magazine has recipe cards ready to be cut and put in your recipe box.

Home

1. A cute cottage jar.  Love the tiny beading and simplicity!

2. I could look at this magazine over and over!  So many beautiful and inspiring rooms!

3. As I have posted before...the smell of your home is just as important as the feel.  I love Vanilla Buttercream tealights from Pier One...so good!

4.  A sweet birds nest and some pretty robin egg soaps are so cute together.  

5. Scalloped eyelet trim, embelish these cream 300 count pillowcases...add sophistication to your bedroom.

6. 20 Porcelain number orbs big and small will give your home some Whimsy!  Would be so cute in an apothecary jar.

DIY

1. Always great to have a level handy!  No more tilted pictures and with a magnetic torpedo level you can check just about any angle.

2. I use my needle nose pliers all the time. They are great for cutting wire too!

3. With all the spray painting I do, I love this nozzle holder...makes it so much easier!


4. Purdy has some of the best paint brushes I have ever used!  I love this angle brush.


5. This DIY book from the Handyman has so many great ideas and instructions on storage and projects.


6. I never leave home without a trusty tape measure in my purse...you never know when you might find that just right piece!


There are so many more favorite things.  I hope you have found your favorite and are ready to enter!  Don't forget:


Comment on the 1 that is your favorite by putting either Beauty, Creative, Foodie, Home or DIY...and you can enter your chance of winning it 2 more times by being a follower and posting about it!


I thank you all for reading my blog, leaving such great comments and staying with me through this move/remodel.  I look forward to another great and exciting year ahead with lots more to come!


Have a wonderful week and good luck!  This giveaway ends February, 26th 2010 Friday 12 am pacific standard time.  Make sure I have your e-mail or a way to contact you if you win!


Hugs everyone,

Progress...

Where have I been...you might be asking?

 I can't believe almost a month has gone by since I posted last!  I am having some guilt for not posting sooner and keeping you all updated on what is happening here.  As much as I have wanted to be on the computer... I just have not been able to.  The month of November seemed to have flown by and yet...we are still in re-modeling dust!  Re-modeling never seems to go just as you wanted.  Things that should be done quickly can sometimes be the most daunting and time consuming.  Even with all that said...I really do see we are making some progress! :) 

Along with all the re-modeling going on here...my computer's hardrive decided to quit on me!  It is only 2 years old! Grrr...frustration.  I am needing many of my before pictures that are only on my hardrive and yes, I have not been very diligent about backing up my computer as well.  A hard lesson that hopefully won't cost a lot to fix and crossing my fingers I will still be able to retrieve most of my important files...like my pictures!

 I now am having to share the kid's computer while we are trying to get it fixed...let me just say, it is hard to come between my children and their computer time.  I not only have to get very bossy and put on my angry eyes when they want to complain about it...I also have to find a moment when they are not down in the family room so I have silence to think!  So...I better make sure I get this post typed fast and published before one of them call me that name...you know what I am talking about...the most called name everywhere, usually has a little whine behind it...MOM! 

 Progress...that is definitely happening here!  I am loving it!  Every time we get done with one more detail...my stomach gets butterflies.  I love nothing more than having a vision in my head come out in real life and be even better than I have imagined!  Of course...one project leads to the next.  We still have yet to get the flooring down on the main level...because...well...I keep seeing another detail we can add. I know eventually it will all come together...hopefully the main floor will be done before...Christmas. 

Here is just some of the work we have done...

*Click to enlarge and see the detail.

We love our new fireplace and mantel!

This was the "before"...it make's such a difference!

Now, it is the focal point in the room.

The popcorn ceiling is gone and we have

painted the walls a pale blue-gray. 

We still have to add the wainscotting.

Again, before...

I did the tile for the fireplace, while

Mr. Wonderful layed the tile in the powder room.

The grate used to be black and brass...

a little high temp. paint in chocolate

brown made all the difference!

The travertine with the variations

 in color turned out so pretty!

We first painted the mantel and wood surround

a creamy white, I then used a mocha glaze to antique it.

Here is where I don't have my pictures of the "before" to show you all.  There is a powder room on the main floor and it is just that...a very small space!  It had been painted a brown/rust color and seemed very dark. It had basic builder fixtures. We pulled out the wood floor to add tile...it already had some water damage.  There was a pedastal sink that was too low, it seemed more for a child than an adult.  I did want to put a taller pedastal back in, but everything we tried seemed to big for the space.  Finally found a beautiful vanity with darker wood, marble top and added "oil rubbed bronze" faucet.  It looks so good!  Still on the search for the perfect mirror and accessories to finish. 

Loving our new bathroom now...

Used the rest of the beadboard from my

 daughter's room...it look's great in here!

Found a beautiful ceramic tile at Lowe's

called "rialto white" made in Italy.

We layed the tile in a brick pattern.

The contrast of the pale blue walls, crisp
white trim and dark finishings look amazing!

Next big project to do...the kitchen! Lot's of ideas waiting to come to reality.  The work is not ending anytime soon...just hoping to at least be done with some of the main projects to have our floors in. If that isn't enough...I can't seem to stay away from adding more.  I found some great finds on Craigslist and eventually will get to those as well.

I only paid $50 for this antique carved sofa! 

Will be re-painted and upholstered...

Photo:Better Homes and Gardens

Here's my inspiration.

Another great deal for $55...

an antique dresser and mirror! 

Will be refinishing this and using it

as a vanity in our master bath.

Even bought this window pane for $5...

it is going to look great in it's new home!

Can't wait to show more...still lots more work ahead!  I had hoped to have posted before Thanksgiving and didn't get to...I just want you all to know how grateful I am for each and everyone of you who read my blog!  I have so much to be thankful for and feel very blessed for the Gospel, my Family, and great Friends!!  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!  I will post when I can...hang in there with me, it will get much better as more gets done.  Have a great week!


I have linked this post with Kimba@SoftPlacetoLand DIY day and Thrifty Decor Chick: Before and After Party stop by and see all the creative projects that are there!

Hugs and love friends,

One Big Party...

 Have you ever had one of those days that nothing seemed to go how you wanted it to? Well my day has turned into the last week. It seems that every time I turned around something else was giving me a problem or my time for things I wanted to get done had to go to something else. The reason I am sharing this, is I had every intention to have this post put together and lots of projects finished to share! I did accomplish some of the things that I wanted to do, so I am joining in on some blogger parties.

You know I am definitely a DIY kind of girl and Kimba at A Soft Place to Land is having a DIY party every Thursday during the summer. I also love hunting for a thrifty find and transforming them, so I am joining the fun at Thrifty Thursday at Bloggeritaville and The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursday. Make sure to stop by and see all the great thrifty finds, transformations and DIY's they have on their blogs as well!

I went to some of my favorite stores a couple of weeks ago and of course found some great thrifty finds! I knew though that some of them were going to be transformed and become something I love.

I actually hadn't been in Ross in awhile, which is even hard for me to believe. Having withdrawals, I took a break from all the kids and told Mr. Wonderful I was headed to Ross for a couple of hours and wasn't sure what I was going to find. He kissed me and said his famous words, "You know what is in our budget." I smiled and drove happily on my way to de-stress and find something I didn't know I was needing. Here are the things I came home with...

Coral that I paid $4 for, a tray for $2.99 ( another DIY project in mind, show on another post), Cheese markers $2 (great for dinner parties) a pretty pitcher for $5, normally $12, I found 2 shadow boxes for $4.49 (a great deal being that they normally were $24.99 each!) and one of my favorites a cute bird cage. I knew some of these were going to have makeovers. The coral, tray, birdcage and the 2 shadow boxes were getting new looks! Over all I had a good time looking through each aisle trying to find my treasures.

I decided to start the transformation with the shadow boxes. I'm glad I could see beyond what it looked like and was able to see a vision of what it was to become. This ended up being a great new look and fun DIY project.

Here's the before...

and here is the transformation...

I think they turned out great!

I used white spray paint for $1 each and distressed the frames to give a worn and weathered look. I bought some scrapbook paper for a couple of dollars that had texture to add another layer of interest to the picture. I then decided it needed still another detail and added the jute around the edge of the white paper. Hot glued the starfish on that I already had and put the box together. I really love how it looks in the downstairs bathroom.

I bought this shelf a year ago at Ross.
It was a creamy yellow so I painted and distressed it.

This is my other favorite find that transformed, the very cute birdcage. The price was a little more than I would have liked, but going with one of my decorating rules, "Only buy it if you love it"...and I love it! So I paid $10, the original price was $25. I still got a great deal! Here is the makeover with a little spray paint magic.

Going for my "Whimsy French Cottage" look...a lot of white!

I ended up going to Hancock once I was done at Ross. I was so happy to see all their linen on sale! 50% off, so I grabbed some of the colors I have been eyeing for another DIY project and walked out paying only $16 for 5 yards!

Love all these colors!

Can't wait to show you all what I have in mind for them...

Thanks for stopping by and visiting! It has been fun sharing my thrifty finds, transformations and DIY project with you all! I look forward to showing you lots more. Also, don't forget about the Giveaway going on!! Have a great weekend!

Hugs to you,