54 Cent Make-over

We have been busy.  The counter top issue has been resolved.  They replaced the broken piece with a new one.  We've been working outside on the landscaping quite a lot, and I have re-organized and cleaned out our pantry.  It's not 100% completed yet, so I'll wait until I finish to share pictures.  I did also manage a nice $0.54 make-over that I am willing to share now!

My mom got me some potted plants last year, and they came in your standard plastic containers painted a faux terra cotta orange.

I had been wanting to do something with them for a while, so when I found a paint sample in the mis-tint section for only $0.50 I knew that it would be the perfect color for sprucing these up.

I cleaned the pots, painted them, and I am very happy with the results!

Here's the side by side after one coat:

I am very pleased with them, now I just have to find the perfect plants to put in them.

Nursery Art Revealed

I finally finished the nursery art for the door to my son's nursery!  I added a bit more embroidery by putting some french knots in a teal color between the running stitches in dark blue and brown.  Once I finished with the embroidery I framed it.  The frame was from the Salvation army store.  It was an ugly color, but I liked the lines of it and the price (99 cents) so I painted it, pulled the old artwork out, and replaced it with my own.  Then I attached ribbon to the sides of the top and covered the ends of the ribbon by gluing on buttons.  It's not perfect, but I like it.  This was a very affordable project.  Being able to utilize ribbon and buttons leftover from other projects helped me keep costs down even more.

Cost Break-Down:

Fabric: $1.50

Embroidery floss: $0.99

Frame: $0.99

Spray paint: $1.99

Total cost: $5.47 (+ tax= $5.83)

Nursery Art & Balance

I know, I had a deadline of finishing this by December, and well, it's December 3rd.  It was an arbitrary deadline though, so no big loss.  I'm getting there... I finished the running stitch in dark blue, now I'm adding some french knots in teal.  After that, I'm going to iron it, frame it, and hang it.  So hopefully I will be able to finish it soon.  I've been busy working on Christmas presents (which I will be sure to post pictures of once they have been revealed to their recipients).  Really though, who isn't busy this time of year?  I have to be patient with myself.  There are so many projects I'm working on- nursery art, Christmas presents, kitchen remodel, basement organization... I feel so antsy about them all, but I also feel that it is so important to spend time with my family right now.  My son is growing so fast and I want to make the most of making beautiful memories together and really cherishing this first Christmas together as a family.  And so some things, like nursery art, will just have to wait.

Sneak Peek: Nursery Art

My work in progress

I've been wanting to make something to hang on the outside of my son's door for some time.  I finally found a fabric I like and have a vision for what I want.  It's a work in progress, but I thought I would give you a sneak peek at some of the fabric I am using.  It's Alexander Henry's 2 D Zoo in pool.  I know, this fabric has been around for years, and I'm late jumping onto this band wagon of 2D Zoo love, but hey, I just had a kid!  I'm just now making baby items.  And even though it's not the newest fabric out there, it's still awesome and I'm in love with it.  I have a goal of finishing it before December, so look for pictures of the final product by next week.