{primp}ing a dresser

I just finished this dresser: I love the details in the second drawer. Originally a boring brown, I painted it white and distressed the edges. I kept all the original pulls except for the top drawer--and added 2 gorgeous glass knobs from anthropologie. My daughters' room is slowly evolving into more of a shabby chic style, which I am really loving now. I've been primping with beautiful finds from the thrift store: a white shabby photo holder, rose adorned box, and painted floral caddy. I'm still working on the bed that's opposite this dresser (you can partially see in the full mirror--also found at the thrift store.) Now go and primp!

Also, I am fascinated by this live video showing an eagle's nest in Iowa. I found this via a fellow blogger (not sure who now) and can't stop watching it. The mama eagle is sitting on 2 just barely hatched baby eaglets and 1 soon-to-hatch egg. It's been so fun to watch, one moment she was there alone, the next the daddy eagle had brought some food (maybe a mole or something) so she could feed her babies. So cool--you have to check it out.

Gettin' crafty

Because every once in a while we like to get crafty around here, and because who can resist a bird's nest made out of shredded paper, we made this: I got this idea from the newest Country Living magazine. Just cover an upside-down bowl with clear wrap and start layering shredded anything (newspaper, sheet music, book pages) dipped in a solution of equal parts white glue & water. Let dry, flip over and fill with your favorite easter candy. These mini eggs are so dangerous and are probably the #1 thing I love about this time of year. I would recommend doing this a little closer to Easter so you don't have to go through ten bags of these before Easter actually comes. Trust me, these are addicting. Ahhh, a combination of two of my most favorite things, shredded sheet music & mini cadbury eggs.

And because once you started crafting, it's hard to stop, my three youngest wanted to make a cute bunny out of something. So, we pulled out some discarded toilet paper rolls and got busy making these: Also, I took my handy-man son to Home Depot Saturday morning for the kids workshop. Lately he's been making worm fort's out of plywood and duct tape so I thought he might like to try it. It was our first time going and it was really cool. He got his own apron and got to make this cute flower planter with a hammer and nails, he loved it. Then when you're done you get a cute pin to put on your apron. Best of all, it's free. We'll definitely be back next month.

Happy crafting!

frenchy table

I found this petite table/ bench at a thrift store a couple of months ago.

i loved the frenchy legs and thought it would have great potential after a quick paint job and heavy distressing. Its been moved around a bit (even in its very short life), and has been a bedside table, a piano bench, and even an entryway mini table for 'stuff'.Most recently, I added some cool blue thrifty books and bottle to the top.

J'adore ma petite table.

saturday sipping

I got out the old cocoa latte machine for {hopefully} the last time this year. After getting a couple of inches of snow just yesterday I thought I'd get one last use of it before spring really comes. I tried a new & healthy recipe this time (of course not as good as the good stuff, hence the name 'healthy'), and used my favorite $1 mugs from Michaels.
Happy Saturday sipping!

a whole lot of ruffles

I've been doing a little "ruffling" around the house

(along with the usual painting).

I made this ruffle seat cover to go on

my newly redone chair.
I also added some curtains in my bedroom.

They're made out of Ikea's 'Lenda' panels on the top, and for the bottom, just some leftover dropcloth material.

This beauty from Fullbloomcottage was my inspiration.

I also love this one,

and even started sewing one similar,

but after a few hours and only 3 rows on one panel, I knew I needed a lot more rows to get the look I wanted but didn't like how much time it was taking. So I went with plan B, which is the simpler single ruffled panel. I did end up cutting off the 3 rows I completed, but don't worry I have a plan for them in a future project.

Back to the chair,

this is what it looked like before, I loved the details but wanted to lighten it up a bit to go with my current style.

I added a few coats of white paint, distressed it, and added the new 'skirt', which I kind of made up as I went.

I love this ruffly look, and plan to sneak a few more in my house before they get noticed.

a pearl of a find

I found this little beauty at my favorite

little thrift store. She was a plain dark wood color, very boring, but had beautiful lines,

with 9 fun apothecary type drawers.

I was trying to be a little creative by trying different dry brush effects on it (first white on brown, then gray on white).

But after several disappointing attempts
I ended up with this classic shabby white finish.

{I added these sweet porcelein knobs.}


After each attempt at finishing this piece in a creative way I would just sit and stare at it and think, I just don't know if I love it. Once I painted it all white and added distressing, I knew I loved it and wasn't sure if I even wanted to sell it. That's how I knew it was done. When I have in mind to sell something but then decide maybe I'll keep it, that's when I know it's complete. She reminds me of a library card catalog, great for small storage.
I think I'll call her... Pearl (sounds like a cute, old Librarian, right?). I do love this. However, it must go to a new home.
If you are interested in bringing Pearl home email me for more info.

In the mood for spring

I pulled out a few things to bring a little

spring into my home:
old pots, hydrangeas tucked in a tin crate, and a little birdie. I found this fun little green house at a thrift store years ago. I almost gave it away but then forgot about it--its been sitting in my garage for 5+ years. After a good cleaning, I filled it with some greens, a nest and a bird.

I added some new pillows made from material purchased at Ikea for about $4/yard,
and a thrift store bunny with a burlap bow sitting in

an old urn along with some

other spring-time goodies.

These fun "tags" were purchased at a consignment store.

These little bunnies, chicks and eggs are

made out of plaster but almost look metal.

I also found this sweet sign (made by Simply Shabby Chic) at
the thrift store for a couple of dollars.
This blue frame was also a thrift store find (are you seeing a pattern here?), along with the bunny and white floral ball.

Come on spring, I'm ready.

I'm linking to this fabulous party by Jennifer Rizzo.