Complete

Finally after much blood, sweat and tears (yes, there were all three) we finished our makeover on these chairs. My advice to you: don't pick a project with arms for your first upholstery project, maybe not even your second either. Though we survived, I don't think I'll put re-upholstery on the docket anytime soon. 

This chair was the first of the pair to be completed. Just as we were finishing this one up someone learned to crawl. Moving the second chair upstairs became essential for safety and sanity reasons and well, you know, out of sight, out of mind. Two months later the project had still not been completed. But with visitors on the horizon we hunkered down and made ourselves (yes made, what did I tell you about sweat and tears?) finish the second chair. 

A little self discipline goes a long way. Several days later and ta-da, I present to you chair number two, finally!

Now all we need are a couple of visitors.

This is a before shot, note the less than stellar fabric that led us down this renovation journey. I guess in my eagerness to remove said fabric I forgot to take a full chair shot but you get the "picture"; hideous. 

Free time

Recent crafts to spruce up the office and house.

Christmas Makings part three

If you'll recall previous posts about Christmas decor.....

Then here is the finished product. Yet another use for that burlap and fabric from the church sale!

7 days out, Merry Christmas.

Christmas makings part two

Last month I scored several yards of green burlap and several yards of red fabric for $1 each at a church yard sale. Obviously these made it home with me and morphed their way into a craft. Several crafts in fact. Start practicing your surprised face now, you may be getting one for Christmas. Here is ours. It adds such joy and cheer to our fireplace. 

Christmas makings

Last year we found a killer tree stand at the Goodwill in Longview. It was red and sturdy and was a major bargain. We gave it away in the purge. We pawned (or tried to pawn) lots of goods off on our unsuspecting (maybe they did suspect) siblings; tree stand included. 

This year we started afresh so I am making a tree skirt. A million tutorials later I put one to action. My favorite tutorial, if you are looking for one, can be found here. 

Several pages of newspaper taped together. 17in circle

2 in for the circle around the tree 

And, voila! a custom tree skirt pattern. 

I'm not sure if you noticed in the photo above, but we have been experiencing a heat wave this week. Today was 80 degrees. After several weeks of temps in the 40s and 50s we welcomed the change but our coworkers have informed us that this is dangerous weather. Apparently unexpected warmth means tornado season. We were blissfully unaware. Now we are aware but we are still enjoying the warmth.

Monday Craft Night

Christmas prep has begun! Actually, it began several weeks ago but today we decorated our newly bought tree, does that count as beginning? I think it does. Tonight's agenda, besides putting up the tree and lights, thanks Dan, was to make ornaments. 

Remember the 5th Grade? Yes, these are salt dough ornaments and yes my dear husband helped me paint them. 

On behalf of the Bama Nation we wish you happy Christmas prep. 

Makeover

It started with a funky piece of furniture from a church yard sale. I mean really what is this for or from? Whatever it is or was I bought it for $1. 

Took it home an painted it and voila! a great accessory in our guest bath.

Thursday

Dan often says our house looks like Pinterest come to life. I choose to look at that as a compliment. This week I brought a few more ideas to life. 

Good Ol' Washington

With a route we know so well

I bought a mirror from a CL gal today for $5. We had to drive a bit out of the way but for $5 I was willing. Before the mirror was that pre-fab wood, not my favorite. 

Thankfully, today wasn't too hot so I did the remodel outside, after taping the edges of course. 

I originally envisioned the mirror sitting atop our mantle but it is so huge, and heavy that it makes a better dressing mirror. Don't you just love a good bargain?

As we were driving today I thought of you, yes you my reader, I thought about the chuckle you'd get driving around down here, probably the same chuckle you hear from us as we discover our new home.  Two things you may already think you know about the south, and you would be right. One, they are proud of their southern heritage and two, proud of their football. 

Forever in the heart of Dixie.

All I knew about Paul Bear Bryant before coming here was....nothing. I'd heard his name before but only as the dog on the movie Sweet Home Alabama. When we came in June I was awakened to the legend before us. There is of course a street named after him as well, and I'm sure a few other things I'm missing. 

It's a serious thing the south and their ways.