Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween everyone!  Any plans for parties or trick or treating?  You can't trick or treat in our neighborhood, so we are taking the girls to a local church where they have a festival/carnival type event every year.  They still get candy, so it keeps them happy.  :)

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted last.  I've been doing some thinking about my blog, and where I want to see it go.  I think I have some decisions to make, I'm still working it all out.   I haven't quit blogging - figured I should make an appearance so no one forgets about me.  :)

Hopefully I will have some new pics of my master bedroom makeover to share with you later this week.  And I will post pics of the girls halloween costumes too.  I am making Kalyssa's costume this year.  Fingers crossed it turns out how I want it too!

Anyway, happy Monday everyone, and HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!

Freebie Friday #2

Hey Everyone!

Welcome to Freebie Friday #2.  Every Friday, I will have a new freebie available for you, so you can start collecting the layouts and design your own album or photobook! How fun is this?! Maybe you've always wanted to start a scrapbook, but don't want to invest the time or money. This is a perfect chance to "try it before you buy it" With My Memories, everything is done online - fun and easy.


This is the Freebie available for you this week. Feel free to download away and get started on your scrapbook.

http://mymemories.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2db59f577e9668b002ca5c0af&id=17a9656ad6&e=9e1f5b04b6

I'm thinking of having a link party once a month where you can link up your scrapbooks so hurry and start downloading and creating!  I'd love to see what everyone is doing with their free pages!  Or if you have purchased the digital scrapbooking software, you could also share pages you've created there as well. 

Don't forget you can also get a $10 discount off of the digital scrapbooking software AND a $10 gift certificate to use at My Memories Just be sure to use the coupon code STMMMS47694 to get your discount and certificate.


Have fun creating, and check back next Friday for your next Freebie!!

Feel free to follow along, so you don't forget about Freebie Fridays!

Table Lamp

I got the idea for this lamp at Not Just a Housewife.  The minute I saw it, I knew I had to make one.    I did not, however attempt to make a hand painted lampshade.  LOL

For the lampshade, I just hot glued clothesline rope all the way around all the way up - I used a lampshade that I already had.  I tea stained the rope so that it would look more like twine.  I know, I know - it probably would have been easier to just buy twine.  But I already had the rope and I wanted to finish the lamp.  The wood was all scrap wood that we cut different sizes and drilled holes in.  I already had the stain (Minwax Dark Walnut)
The only thing I had to purchase for this project was the lamp kit, which was around $10 at Lowes.

This lamp will also be part of my Master Bedroom Makeover which is coming along nicely!

The pictures are unedited because I was having Picasa issues.  Seems like I always have picture issues... what can I say, I'm not a photographer.  :)

The side table was a previous Master Bedroom Makeover post.  Bedroom is coming along nicely.  Next big project is to paint our bureau and dresser.  I have 2 50% off coupons from Michaels, so I think I am going to get some spray paint from there for the dressers.
Happy Monday everyone!!

Freebie Friday #1

Hey Everyone!
Something new that will be going on at Because I Said So - every Friday I will have a Free gift available for you from My Memories.  They are giving away 2 quick pages and all the papers and elements used to create those pages.  Every Friday, I will have a new freebie available for you, so you can start collecting the layouts and design your own album or photobook!  How fun is this?!  Maybe you've always wanted to start a scrapbook, but don't want to invest the time or money.  This is a perfect chance to "try it before you buy it" With My Memories, everything is done online - fun and easy. 

I'm thinking of having a link party once a month where you can link up your scrapbooks so hurry and start downloading and creating!  I'd love to see what everyone is doing with their free pages!  Or if you have purchased the digital scrapbooking software, you could also share pages you've created there as well. 

This is the Freebie available for you this week.  Feel free to download away and get started on your scrapbook.

http://mymemories.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2db59f577e9668b002ca5c0af&id=0a9aef7f92&e=9e1f5b04b6

Don't forget you can also get a $10 discount off of the digital scrapbooking software AND a $10 gift certificate to use at http://www.mymemories.com/.  Just be sure to use the coupon code STMMMS47694 to get your discount and certificate.

Have fun creating, and check back next Friday for your next Freebie!!

Cedar Chest

I've had this cedar chest for a few years.  My aunt bought it for me for my 30th birthday I think.  I had been wanting one, and she is a master thrifter/antiquer so she found me this one.  One of the best things about it, is that it came with the original skeleton key!  I love skeleton keys, they have to be one of the coolest things ever.

Anyway, this chest has been in our master bedroom at the foot of the bed ever since.  It houses extra blankets.  Well, since I am in the midst of a master makeover, I decided to paint it blue.  The blue is the same as the stripes that I put on the wall - my oops paint that I got for $5.  You can see my stripe wall here.

After I painted the entire thing, I distressed it with a palm sander.  I wanted it to look pretty beat up.  Mission accomplished.  Then I applied one of my most favorite products - Valspar's antiquing glaze in asphaltum (black)

I may add a stencil to the top, but I'm not sure yet - I kind of like it just the way it is

This is going to make a great addition to my master bedroom makeover!

I started painting and then remembered the before photo

Awesome skeleton key - love

Check out the cute wheels, love those too

You can also see other parts of my Master Bedroom Makeover here.  Links to each post are on that page.

Side Table Makeover

This little bedside table is part of my master bedroom makeover.  I already had the table, and I liked it, it was just in desperate need of a makeover.  I cleaned and sanded the whole thing.  Then I used Valspar's Golden Maize spray paint.  (My new favorite color)  After I painted it, I lightly distressed it and applied some of Minwax's Dark Walnut Stain to give it that "old" look.  Then I mod podged a piece of 12x12 scrapbook paper to the top.

Loving how this little table turned out and it will look great in my bedroom.

Click on any of the links below to see different projects in my master makeover.  I will post before and after pics of the whole room when everything is done and put together.  For now, everyone just gets bits and pieces of different aspects of the room.

I Made A Pillow Cover!!
Bedroom Makeover Post #2
Bedroom Makeover Post #1
Bedroom Makeover

I will be linking this up with http://thediyclub.com/2011/10/31-days-of-spray-paint/


Side Table Before and After

The mod podge was still a little wet in this pic, but you get the idea

Also check out the giveway I'm having for my one year blogging anniversary... it's going until Thursday, so hurry and enter.  You get up to 3 entries.  Who doesn't love free stuff??

One Year Blogging and a Giveaway!!

Well everyone, I've been blogging for a whole year now.  What better way to celebrate than to have a little giveaway.  My Memories is giving one lucky person their digital scrapbooking software for FREE.  I must warn you though, it's very addicting.  So much fun stuff you can do - photobooks, scrapbooks, calendars, cards, make a movie to share with family and friends - tons of possibilties!  I've spent the last two nights putting a scrapbook together.  So many fun options!  Make a calendar for the grandparents for Christmas...  ;)




To enter you can do one or all of the following - each one is an entry so be sure to leave a separate comment for each:

1.  Become a follower of my blog and comment telling me that you've decided to come along for the ride. (great decision by the way)

2.  Go to My Memories and pick out your favorite digital paper pack or layout and then leave me a comment telling me what you like.

3.  You can follow/like My Memories on Facebook and then leave me a comment telling me you did so.  They always have some fun stuff going on, so make sure to follow them to stay up to date on tips, prizes, and scrapbooking info.

The lucky winner will be chosen at random on Thursday October 13th, 2011 8am CST.  I will post the winner on my blog, and I will contact you by email to let you know you've won and how to get your FREE gift.


Oh, and by the way... My Memories is also giving everyone a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbooking Software and a $10 coupon to use in the My Memories Store.  Just go to My Memories and enter the following PROMO code at checkout STMMMS47694.  This is a $20 value!! - Awesome


Great ideas for the upcoming holidays...

Good luck everyone and happy shopping!

Blast From The Past

For those of you who grew up in the 80's, here is a fun post for you from Sassy Sites.

Enjoy!

Now back to housecleaning - I just had to take a blogging and smoothie break.  Yes, the two go hand in hand.

Happy Saturday

I Made A Pillow Cover!!

A NO SEW pillow cover!  These were so quick and easy.  I made two for our bed as part of our bedroom makeover.  These were made from fabric napkins that I bought at Target.  4 for $10...
These came out so great, I couldn't be happier with them.  Did I mention they were NO SEW?!

For this project you will need:
(2) 20" cloth napkins (the ones I used were 100% cotton) - this will make one pillow
18"x18" pillow form
Heat and Bond - can find this at any craft store... Michaels, Hobby Lobby etc.  I'm not sure what size mine was because I already had it and it was not packaged, but I think it would be a little better maybe if you went with a slightly larger width on this stuff.  Mine was pretty skinny, and I think it would be better if it was slightly wider so there is more bonding power.
Iron
Scissors

1. Iron your napkins so they are not so creasy from being folded.
2. Take one of your napkins and cut it down the middle
3. Lay the uncut napkin face up on your work station
4. Apply a strip of Heat and Bond around each side of the napkin and iron it on.  I put my strip right where the seam is sewed on all 4 sides.  So you should have a square of heat and bond around your uncut napkin.
5. Now take your napkin halves and place them face down  (you want right sides together) on the napkin you just bonded.  You want to make sure that the cut edge is facing the outer edge, not toward the middle.  So you should have both halves, face down on the whole napkin with the cut edges facing out.
7. Iron all 4 sides on medium heat until the napkin is bonded together.  You will need to hold the iron on for 6-10 seconds to make sure the Heat and Bond gets a good stick.
8. After the napkins are bonded together, cut a small piece off of each corner, diagonally so that when you flip it right side out, the edges are square.
9. Turn it right side out and iron your seams.
10.  You now have a pillow cover - with a split down the middle back to insert your pillow form!

Couldn't be easier!!
And this pretty yellow pattern will look so good in my new bedroom.

Sorry I didn't have step by step pictures.. but if you have any questions, let me know.  Or you can just google no sew pillow covers, I'm sure there are a ton of how to's out there.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Bedroom Makeover Post #2

So here is #2 on my master bedroom makeover... Actually I guess it really is #3

See inspiration from Pinterest here and post #1 here

So this is really a pretty basic headboard.  I loved the idea of using a pallet or two, but then I read an article somewhere about how pallets are chemically treated and if they are outside they get bugs and bird poop etc.  So after that totally grossed me out I decided just to go to Lowes and get some (4) 1x8's.  I totally forgot what kind of wood it is - but it was a light wood with alot of knots and markings in it.

We got them home, cut them all to 81" (we have a king size bed) and I wanted them to overlap each side of the bed by about 2 inches.  I actually need to get one more to put at the very bottom, it doesn't hang behind the bed far enough for my liking.

So after we cut them, I sanded the edges down so they were just slightly rounded and smooth.  Stained them with 3 coats of Minwax Dark Walnut stain - wiping off the excess with a rag each time.  Let them dry overnight.

Then we just screwed them straight into the wall one on top of the other.  This is probably not the best way to do this, but I'm pretty sure we found the wall studs, and I'm all about fast and easy.  I didn't want to take the time to mount them on plywood or any kind of frame.  They are pretty sturdy and I don't think I have to worry about them falling out of the wall in the middle of the night.

I love love love the wall behind our bed so far... I have one more thing planned for this wall and then this part of the bedroom makeover will be done and I can get to the fun stuff - spray painting our furniture.  :)

Would love to hear ya'll's thoughts on my homemade headboard.

Once again, please excuse the yucky picture quality.  I only had my cell phone camera at the time...

Quick Tip...

So the other night I was staining my new headboard for the master bedroom... (i will post pics of that later on)
I didn't bother to wear any gloves, I never do, so I had major stain hands.  I'm talking every inch of both hands was covered in minwax's dark walnut stain.  :)

As you all know, you just cannot wash oil based stain off with soap and water - totally futile.  So I decided to pour a little canola oil on my hands and work it around for a bit.   No lie, the stain came completely off in about 1 minute.

Just pour some oil on your hands, rub it all in really good, then use some soap, lather it all up a couple of times and VOILA - stain gone!  Any oil will work too by the way, whatever you've got in the pantry.

Who needs gloves when you've got Canola!

Homemade Laundry Soap

LAUNDRY SOAP
I do notice a difference when I use this compared to a store bought brand.  The clothes just seem a little brighter and fresher... or maybe it's my imagination.  Either way it's cheaper than store bought, so it works for me!
I've posted this before, but I wanted to post again - I'm about to make up another batch

2 bars of grated ivory soap, or you could use 1 big zote bar - can be found in laundry section of grocery
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda - NOT baking soda, they are slightly different products - also found in laundry section
powedered oxyclean (this step is totally optional)  I personally don't use it.  I feel like it works pretty good, but you may want an extra boost.Blend everything up in a food processor until it looks like powdered laundry soap, store in a covered container.   For large loads use 2 TBS, for small loads use 1 TBS.  Doesn't sound like alot, I know but trust me your laundry will be clean.  This will not suds and bubble, that's normal - and better for your skin.  You can also use straight vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser in your machine.  This helps to deoderize your laundry and prevent static cling.  Make as big of a batch as you want - just adjust ingredients accordingly.


I don't know about HE machines with this soap.  I've heard that because this soap is low to no sudsing it is safe to use, but don't take my word for it.


and yes, the water in your washer may look dingy - that is totally normal.  After all you DO want the dirt to come OUT of your clothes right?  

Kids And Chores

Let's talk about chores for a second shall we?  It sometimes can feel like a  constant struggle to get kids to do their chores.  I think chores are an important part of a child's development and their ability to be able to take care of themselves when they leave the nest.  You should be training your kids for their future - their future when you are not around to pick up their things and wash their laundry.  If we as parents don't teach our kids the basics, who will??

Our kids have been doing "chores" basically since they could walk.  When they were really little, it was simple things like helping to put their toys in a toy box and helping me do things that they thought was fun.  When our girls were little they loved to do the "grown up" stuff like dust and vacuum.  Was I making my kids dust the house when they were 2?  Well, no.. but they did like to help me, and watch me do that stuff.  When they ask me why I do things, sometimes it's easier just to say something like, "because that's how I like it".  But I've come to realize that if I actually explain to them why I clean or do something a certain way that can be a valuable teaching moment.

Our daughters (age 11& 8) both have daily chores that they do.  Sometimes they complain, but for the most part they are starting to understand that one day, mom and dad won't be around everyday and this is important stuff that they need to learn how to do.  And if they don't do it right, they have to do it again.  :)

Our kids daily (Mon-Fri) chore list is below...
Homework and a snack are the first things to get done
Put any papers that I need to sign or look at from school on my desk so I see them
-just a side note on this one - I do not go through their folders and look for papers I might need to sign.  We have taught our kids to take responsibility for your school work.  If there is something they did not give me, then it is up to them to explain to their teacher why it did not get signed.  And this is something that the school helps to enforce, which I like.  Our youngest is in 3rd grade, and the teacher tells them the same thing.  They are learning to take responsibility for their things at school, so it makes my job easier at home too.
Take the dogs outside
Sweep the floors
Vacuum the floors (we have a small house, so it really doesn't take that long)
Unload the dishwasher
Load the dishwasher
Clean the counters in the kitchen
Pick up their bedrooms
Feed and water the dogs
Pack your school lunch for the next day

On Saturdays they are responsible for getting their dirty laundry to the laundry room to be washed.  I still wash their laundry, but when it comes out of the dryer, it is their job to get it all put away.  If they don't get their laundry to the wash - then they don't get clean laundry.  I do not go through their rooms and collect dirty clothes.  They are old enough to be responsible for their dirty clothes.  Some of this may sound a little rough, but Brandon and I both believe that we should be training our kids to eventually leave.  Are we counting down the days to when they leave us?  Of course not, but we do want them to be responsible adults that can take care of themselves and their families and contribute something to the world they live in.

If you don't have a chore list for your kids, I highly recommend it.  Even if you have small children.  When they are small, is the best time to start because they think it's fun and they are getting to do something that normally Mom only does.  There are so many cute chore list ideas out there too.   Make it fun.  And don't feel like you have to give your kids an allowance if you are going to have them do chores everyday.  But if you do give them a regular allowance turn that into a learning experience as well.  How much will they save?  How much can they spend?

Take the opportunities as they come and use them to teach your kids... They will be better adults for it.

I would love to see some of your cute chore lists if you have any...

I will have a bedroom makeover post #2 coming shortly.  I have the materials I need to make my headboard and a few other things.  Now, it's just a matter of finding the time to get them done.  :)

Have a great Monday everyone!

Bedroom Makeover Post #1

I have a feeling there is going to be like 100 posts by the time I am completely done with the master bedroom. :)
I spent the weekend painting and getting some stuff done while my husband was out of town.  I finally got the girls bathroom painted.  I put that off for way too long.  There is just a bit of trim touch up to do, but other than that I'm done!

Then I spent some time painting the wall behind our bed.  I really love how it came out.  I did make one teeny tiny mistake.  It's not really noticeable, which is good, because I really didn't want to re-do the whole wall.  I figured out where the stripes were going to be by making pencil marks on the wall so I could apply my tape line straight across.  I put the tape on and painted.  When it came time to take the tape off, I realized that I had put the tape on the inside of the pencil marks instead of the outside.  Whoopsie... who does that anyway?  ME - that's who.  I was so irritated that I did that.  But because of the colors, you can't really tell that the grey stripes are slightly larger than the blue stripes.  And if anyone does ever notice, I'll just tell them that's the look I was going for anyway.

The blue paint was also an oops paint that I found at Lowes.  It is Valspar and I got a gallon of it for $5!  Loving oops paint.  I mixed the blue with some grey, because it was really robin egg blue, and I felt like it was a little too bright.  The grey helped tone it down a little.

Did you know that if you put horizontal stripes on a wall in a small room it helps to make the room feel bigger?  I was not aware of that, but once I found out I knew I was going to do large horizontal stripes.  Because we do have a very small master bedroom.

Next on my list is the headboard.  I have finally figured out what I am going to do.  Stay tuned for bedroom makeover post #2...

There is no before picture of the wall, but it was just a plain white wall... nothing very exciting

Happy Weekend!


The picture is not great, I had to take it with my phone, but you get the idea - I hope