WEDDING CASH WITH A TWIST (tie)

We all know the proper gift for a wedding is money, in hopes of helping the new bride and groom pay for their big day that they graciously invited you to attend.

It easy to pick up a card, write out a check or stop by the ATM and get some cash. But as a guest to an upcoming wedding for one lovely lady that has always been the person to crack me up, she is super out going and just really loves life to the fullest, I knew a plan card wasn't going to be enough.

I did some research on money origami, practiced a few different ones and after cashing out at the bank with a bunch of $5 and $10, I came up with this fun flower bouquet display to wrap up in a pretty box with a bow to give to the new Bride and Groom.

Who doesnt love a guy who can bring you
flowers to show his love!
 

 

I am sure at some point she will be cursing, with all the twist ties that hold the flowers together but I know her well enough to know she will be laughing her a** off the whole time.

 

Happy Wedding Day to Gen and Tim!!! 09/23/12

WE MOVED!! Cards

My sister and future Brother-in-Law just moved into their new house in Ellington, CT. She asked that I create a note card to let friends and family know that they have officially changed their address.

Katie wanted to use a moving box as an idea to create the note card with the new address. In my mind, wasn't sure what I was going to do to make that all work out.

So with a few sheets of label paper to print duct tape on and use it to seal the 'box' shut and print out the Fragile sticker, some brown recycle cardstock and some creativity. Ta-Da!!

We came up with a one-of a kind card design that her family and friends will love.



Outside of the box, peel back the duct-tape printed label.

Inside the box, ghosted pots and pans behind the address
announcement.

Katie and Matt decided to include an invitation for some of the address change recipients to a House Warming Party, what a better way to work with the Moving Box theme...than a Moving To-Do List. Printed on a simple piece of cardstock, placed inside the box...what a fun way to announce the big move!

Fun way to invite your family and friends to a party!

Easy Headboard

With a finished grade piece of Plywood 4x8, a couple of 1x4s, inexpensive bamboo type curtains and paint...this headboard is done in a couple hours.

I made this headboard awhile ago with my dad. Wanted something to define the bed at the time which it didnt have a bed frame or headboard and give it a little pizazz. It was originally black, made sense in the room that it was create for, as many of the accent pieces where black or a deep wood tone.

The original paint color.

The headboard has made a few moves and now that it has claimed its permanent space, it needed to be toned done in color to work with the white furniture in the space. So with some white paint, its as good as new and works well with the beginnings of the nautical inspired decor.


Simple in white!

Now for some nautical themed artwork above the bed!

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KITCHEN PROGRESS

Inexpensive Backsplash -

Couldn't figure out what I want to do with the backsplash, so until I can pinpoint the best look for our kitchen. I decide to paint the formica backsplash the wall color. It really makes the white cabinets POP! Its a good tide-me-over for now!

Even Harley made it into the Photo!

 

 

PAINTING CABINETS - Done

Well after spending all weekend and some time on Monday and Tuesday...I am happy to say that the cabinets are all back together and are sitting pretty in their new 'Stone White' attire. It was a lot of work, but as I stand in the kitchen now and see what it has done to the space, it makes me happy.

Sunlight just seems to bounce off the doors and brightens up the whole space.

Countertops are the next project, thinking a butcher block, love the idea of the contrasting wood tone against the white and will be happy to remove the formica backsplash that right now hides a huge portion of the walls that I would rather be painted the 'Flint Smoke' to really bring in the colors and begin to minimize the continuous white. Or maybe even something black...hmmmm?

New Fridge comes today and old fridge will make its way downstairs for additional food storage!'

Then onto the floors....oh boy!

Before

After, need to put the book shelf back in over fridge, but you
get the idea.

 

 

Kitchen updating time!

Well we know that replacing all the cabinets was going to be super expensive and we weren't ready to commit fully to replacing them all. A cheaper way we found, as most know, was to paint them all. When we started the project on Saturday, we were so reved up. Doors were off, sanding began, we taped off the kitchen to keep the dust from traveling to all parts of the house and the weather was perfect to work outside, but as time the project leaked into Sunday...and now Monday, the excitment has dwindled.

We thought before sanding that we would try to use a paint stripper, in hopes that it would be a quicker process. When the stripper was removed, we found beautiful wood behind the extra thick black paint, unfortunately the trim detail pieces weren't the same wood type and the stripper didnt work so well on the trim, so there went that idea!

Well here it is Tuesday and about 80% of painting is done and cabinets are full and reorganized!
 Stayed tuned for updates on progress, all before the new refrigerator arrives tomorrow. NO Pressure!

Stripper revealed a beautiful wood tone.

All sanded and ready for paint!

You don't realize how many cabinets you have until
you have to sand and paint them. ARGH!

Kitchen starting to look better already, now that we are
taking off the 'Putty" and Black paint

Well first coat of paint on the frames
and adding the wall color behind
the open shelves, gives it a nice finish.

NEW KITCHEN IDEAS -Photoshop

Most of the rooms in our home have had some attention, whether its been new furntiure or a coat of paint. One of the main rooms, the kitchen. is still waiting for its beauification.

I took a picture of existing (top photo) and brought it into Photoshop. I found a white tone paint that I enjoy from Behr and plugged in the color code into Photoshop and started "painting" the cabinets to see them in the our kitchen environment and if I would enjoy the brightness of the white.

It uniformally brings the cabinets together and instead of replacing all the natural wood cabinets, I have decided to paint them. It will be a process, but am excited to see the end product.

A new stove has been bought and installed and the new fridge is on its way next week. The beautiful new stainless steel appliances deserve a nice 'new' kitchen.
Stay tuned for updated photos of the process.

RECYCLED CANVAS BAG

Our wedding location turned out to be a destination for a few of our guests and were able to find accomodations for them close by. As a welcome treat upon their arrival, I created a venue logo, which was a map playfully showing the wedding ceremony location. Printed it onto an Iron-On Transfer and then ironed them on inexpensive tote bags.

*NOTE: Using the fabric transfer gives the pillow a softer feel and more flexible.

Cheaptotes.com for $1.50 each
and pack of iron-ons for $14 

 Then we filled each one with waters, granola bars, snacks, playing cards, etc. A note was attached about the weekend events and locations of places around town that they may be interested in checking out during their visit. Overall it was a nice treat to have in their rooms when they arrived.

Great keepsake for the guests to take home and use over and over.

I made sure to make extra totes incase there was a change in guest counts. I know its always good to have a reusable bag around, but not wanting to use this special bag, for just any old errands. I took the canvas bag, tucked the handles down inside. Stuffed in a throw pillow I no longer needed from the living room and ta-da..instant personal throw pillow.

I chose to use velcro, so that it can easily be taken off and washed. Sewing in snaps or stitching at the open end would work as well. Without cutting off the straps, if I ever change my mind, I can go back to using it as a bag. But for now its a nice addition to our breezeway rocking chair.

Added bonus: The bag is already sguare and perfect size for a pillow. You only end up having to sew(close) one side!

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DINING ROOM RENO

We moved into our house and had this interesting gingersnap color on the walls. Interesting in the fact that some loved the colors and others hated it, myself included. I love the tones of the beach and any thing inspired by the colors of the beach, tans, blues, whites...all to be light and airy.

We played with three different colors of blue and it was a fun battle with Mike each time having to repaint and purchase more paint.

The before color - dark and boring

The first blue option was too much, so we tried
add a lighter color on top.

This color reminded me of the Smurfs, so thats a no.

With the perfect light blue/gray paint, a new China Cabinet and curtains with rods from Ikea and the beginings of introducing a shock of pink color into the pallet, really love the room. So much that we actually sit in here to eat dinner instead of infront of the TV in the living room.

Simple items here from Ikea,

the china cabinet, about $200

curtain panels and rods just about $60

paint assortment of color about $80 to we picked the right color

everything else was either a gift or something we previously owned.

It really great place to have a small dinner party or buffet
style gathering for family and friends

.