Where has the time gone...

I can't believe it has been over a year since I have written a blog post.  I have not felt well enough physically or mentally to keep up with my blog and that makes me sad.  It has been a very hard time for me and my kids and I are still not through the rough patch that has consumed my life.  I am going in to this new year with a new attitude and a feeling that this will be our year to pull through this. 

 I have been doing a bit of painting and even did a little mini craft show right before Christmas.  It was great fun and I would love to do more this coming year.  I guess that could be on my New Years resolution list.

See I told you it was small but it was kind of last minute and I didn't have a lot of room to paint.  It was a great day none-the-less and got me started on my way to doing shows.

Now I would like to introduce you to my new obsession...



Hello Mixed Media!

 To say I am obsessed would be an understatement!

I loved doing these projects and will start adding them to my line up.

So here is to the New Year and happy and prosperous times ahead. 

As Always, Karie 



Another piece of the storage puzzle

It truly does pay to frequent Goodwills and thrift stores in your area.  I scored again and only spent $34.00 on 2 major pieces that I have been needing. Here it the first one.

She is a little flimsy but for $14.50 she will hold my daughter's undies and t-shirts just fine.

I scrubbed her up well and gave her a coat of white paint.

Oh, I also painted the handles chrome.

I have been seeing this technique of applying decals to furniture and I thought I would give it a try.

First you start out with an image. I found most of mine at
The Graphics Fairy
She has a great selection.
Make sure if you have writing on the image that you mirror it. 

I had a heck of a time with that since my printer doesn't have a mirror setting but I figured it out with the copier at school.

Here is where I messed up on this one. See the big glops of glue that I left.  I was thinking the old adage that the more the merrier would work here but it doesn't...

Make sure you have a thin layer of Mod Pog and make sure it is smooth, no big glops.

You then want to apply it to your furniture piece.  you will need wait until it dries.  This is usually overnight, but make sure it it fully dry. Then comes the fun part...

You wet the paper with a damp rag and go to town rubbing the paper off.

This is how it looks now.

Not sure how I am feeling about it but my daughter loves it and that's all that matter!

And we are one step closer to organization in the Painted Palace.

Stay tuned to see the other piece of furniture I bought the same day for only $19.50 and the cool idea I have for it...

As Always,

Karie

Linking to:
The Graphic Fairy

New Kitchen table

I have finished my $3.70 kitchen table that I scored a while back.

I love the way it turned out.  I now just need to finish the chairs.  I have found my sewing machine in our storage shed so I now have no excuse not to get them done.

cute little detail on the edge.

Love the legs.  Reminds me of the Eiffel tower.

Well now I need to be off and do those chairs. (been saying that for 3 months now)

As Always, Karie



Chalk paint give away.

She is at it again! Robyn at Robyn Story Designs and Boutique is giving away more chalk paint.  I have not used this yet but I so want to!  It sounds like a GREAT paint for furniture. 
Check her out and sign up to win.

Oh my luck!

Have you ever had one of these days, weeks, years... where you are feeling a bit down on your luck?  I have been lately.  I know the pieces I want in my new house and I either can't find them or they are more than I want to spend.  I have been getting REALLY frustrated about the lack of storage and the fact that my old furniture doesn't fit in our new little cottage. Some would be excited to start new but I have a problem with that. 

1. I am poor

2. I am cheap.

I guess those kind of go hand in hand.  We are trying to decorate this house on a budget and I am trying to stick to that budget.  Did I mention, I am not a budget type of gal? The word itself makes me cringe and I envy anyone who can make and stick to one.  I was not programmed to even know how to do it.
It is in no way, shape or form in my DNA. 

 I also know that there are bargains out there because all over blog land I see them every day.  These people finding wonderful treasures and then making then even more fabulous.  Well all summer long, I have been searching for a table to fit in my kitchen.  This table can't be too big or too small,  It needs to be round and have a cool base.  See I wasn't asking for that much...
Well today the girl and I set out for a girls trip to the Big City.  (that would be Omaha and yes it is the closest city we have and it is big enough) Since the main road to the City is closed still due to the flood we took a side trip through the small towns. While in the City we stopped at a few Goodwill's looking for a table but nothing, nada, zip, zilch.
Well on our way home we stopped at a Thrift store in one of the small towns.  Not the best store I have ever been in and I was holding no hope for finding my table today. (we were holding our noses though, not the best smelling store either)
Out of the corner of my eye I spotted it.  At first glance she was not that pretty, but once you get to looking closer she just might be a keeper.  What was that the clerk said,  all furniture is half price today.  Oh I may be breaking out into a sweat now.  I may have found "the one" She has good bones, she is round and had a very interesting base.  I think I am in love and the price you ask... (wait for it)... $3.70.  yes folks I just found my new kitchen table for under $5.  I will have to invest another few dollars in spray primer but it will well be worth it in the end.
Would you like to see what she looks like before her makeover?

Ok, so she is not what you would call a natural beauty, but just wait.  I can see her potential.

Look at those legs!  I can't wait to get started on her.
And no I did not have a soft filter on my camera lens, it was so hot out that my camera was fogging over.  Yuk to the Heat.  Ok, I said it.  After living in Minnesota for 12 years, I said that I would never complain about the heat but I did. Now it is out there and I will own it.  People, it is HOT, melt the makeup off your face the minute you step out the door HOT.
Ok I am over it now and will not say another word about the HEAT,
Can't wait to show you pictures of my new table when she is finished.
As Always, Karie

Almost done

With the kitchen, that is.

We have been unpacking and sorting through our stuff and I think we about have the kitchen where we want it.  there are a few things missing but those will come in time (and when I can find them on my budget)

let's revisit a before picture

Now the after

I am kind of digging my open shelving.  I can now get my pretty dishes out and they can be on display.

Some may say that my refrigerator needs to be cleaned off but I just can't live that way.  If it is not right in front of me, I won't remember.

Still need to find a table, paint my chairs and reupholster them.  All in good time.

Still searching for an island, as well.  We are in definite need of more counter space.

These little beauties need to be installed as well.  Ok, so my list is a little longer that I lead you to believe but at some point it will get done. WE will have a P.A.R.T.Y. when that happens.

As always, Karie

Awesome giveaway!

Check out this awesome giveaway!

Oh what I would do with that chalk paint.  I have been reading about it and it sounds like a miracle paint!

 

Check out this giveaway! since I am having a hard time posting her button I will also send you her way by this link for Robyn Story Design and Boutique

Try that and if you win you can share with me LOL.

As Always, Karie