License Plate

This Christmas my family all agreed that we would not get each other anything. We are going on a trip in March... and I am counting down the days... so we figured that would be our present.  Well, of course I couldn't resist having just a little something under the tree for my parents to open.  Let me show you what I made my mom.  

First let me start by saying that my parents are horse people.  They have 2 horses at their house... ok maybe not AT their house but down at the barn at their house.  This is why Luci is OBSESSED with horses.  It is out of control really.  She can already sit by herself on Slimmy and hold on to his mane while he walks.  How many 2 year olds have a pony... I mean really.  Can you say SPOILED!  

Anyway, I found this old rusty license plate holder at Goodwill for $2 and decided my mom had to have it.  At first I thought she would just put it on her car but then I decided it would be WAY cuter as a cork board.  So, I added a rope to hang it, some cork wrapped in burlap and some cute push pins:

So for $2 (because I already had the other supplies) my mom had a cute little present under the tree to open... because everyone should get to open at least one present on Christmas:)

What Do I Call This Thing?

I had a request over Christmas to make... well, I have no idea what to call this thing so we will call it a display board, sound good to you?  A girl sent me this picture and asked if it was something I would be able to make:

I love everything about this mantle, and that display board is pretty darn cool.  You could even use it year round and just switch out the seasonal decor. Of course I took one look at it and said "SURE! Why not."  

So, off I went to the Home Depot with dimensions in hand.  I basically wandered around the lumber section until I found boards that were about the right width.  Then, because Kyle was out of town and I really like all of my fingers, I stood in front of the saw area until a poor un-expecting employee happened by.  Then I flashed my best, friendliest smile and said "can you please help me cut something?"  (and by something I really meant like 6 somethings:)  The kind man stood there with me and cut it all, without even one complaint. I love my Home Depot friends:)  I skipped my way on home, and started assembling.  I basically just attached the boards with 2 2"x2" boards running vertically along the back.  I painted, then distressed and was pretty darn happy with the final product:

And, because I hate to be wasteful, I used the scraps to make a 2nd display board for the shop.  This time they weren't all exactly the same length, because I decided to take mercy on the Home Depot man, plus I think it looks cute both ways:)  See:

(Obviously the Christmas Sale is over lol)

Hope you all have a fantastic week!

(P.S. this is not a sponsored post.  I just genuinely love my peeps at the Depot.)

Brooch Bouquet

Remember how I told you that The Barn is part of the Castle Rock Wedding District as of late?  I have decided to jump on the band wagon and carry a few wedding items in my shop.   

Well, I have had a CRAP TON of vintage brooches and earrings sitting in my basement.  Or should I say HAD.  I have seen these online and actually in one of my cousin's weddings.  They are gorgeous, unique, and seriously heavy!  I took a few/many many hours and put together this little brooch bouquet:

  If only Pinterest had been around when I got married... never mind I'm glad it wasn't.  I would have tried to do WAY too much!

I love the unique beauty of it but there is one flaw... it is HEAVY.  SO, if you are planning on throwing a bouquet during your reception this would not be the right choice for you.   Unless you are aiming for that one girl you really didn't want to be there!  

It was surprisingly simple to put together, just very time consuming.  My biggest recommendation is that you should use 2 floral wires per brooch.  Otherwise they get all limp and saggy. And trust me, nobody likes a limp, saggy bouquet!  I used tons of floral wire and floral tape and then wrapped the stem in ribbon and lace.  No joke, there are over 50 brooches/earrings in this thing.  The best part, you get to keep it forever.

SCORE!

I hit another EPIC estate sale yesterday.  It was one of my favorites ever.  Unfortunately I showed up 5 minutes after the doors opened and the hoarders... I mean other customers, had already swiped up a ton of the items I wanted.  I did manage to fend off some of the crowd and swipe up some goods of my own.  I kid you not, it was like a feeding frenzy in there.  People are cut throat!

Check out the goods:

Check out this awesome birdcage stand.  I think I will use it for hanging plants. 

Some gorgeous linens.

Vintage silverware

I love this quilt.  It seriously has no flaws! I'm pretty sure it was shoved in a closet somewhere for many many years.

Ok, I know he is ugly, but I love him.  His stick legs and antlers, his painted on eyes, and rope halter make me love him in all of his ugly reindeer glory.

These adorable vintage rocking horses, sigh.

I know this rooster isn't for everyone, but him and the reindeer should probably be together forever.

I love this rusty old red and white scale.  It is so farmhousey and sweet.

This awesome vintage dress form.  I have been on a hunt for one for months.  I almost ran to her and hugged her when I saw her sitting there across the room.  We were meant to be.

Check out this gorgeous primitive dough bowl.  mmmmmm... perdy.  

And now, my crowning glory.  A CRAP TON of awesome antique spools.  I love how they look in my awesome primitive bowl.  It's a match made in estate sale heaven.  

My New Powder Room

I really haven't showed you guys any of our recent home repair projects... partially because we haven't done any lately, and partially because most of our projects are half done.  Well, I am proud to say that the hubs and I took this weekend and busted out our tiny powder room in our mud room.  With very little arguing and only a few cocktails, we managed to bust this thing out in a day and a half and only $250.  Not too shabby.

Lets start with some befores so you can see the level of crappy we were working with.

Mmmmmm, walpaper and nasty ceilings.

When we ripped the medicine cabinet off the wall we got a peak at the original color.  That's nice.

Ok, that's enough ugly for now.  Let's look at some pretty now.

Any suggestions for bathroom appropriate chalkboard quotes?  I was thinking "No Dumping Zone." or "Crap Happens."  I am open to suggestions.

OK, now for a little side by side comparison:

We didn't get a new toilet, yet somehow even our toilet looks better!

The cabinetry and sink are the same.  We just painted the cabinets and added hardware, and changed out the faucet.  I think the counter top makes all the difference!  Now I'm not painfully embarrassed when someone has to pee.

You Picked It

While I am on this nostalgic kick I thought I would take a look at my "best" project of 2012.

Then I realized that there is NO way I would be able to pick... so I went with what you all thought were my best (based on page views of course.  It's not like I had time to take a pole:)

My top 3... according to my little "stats" button... are:

Slip Cover

(Ok, technically this is not my project since I had the slip cover made... but hey, who's keeping track right?)

Craft Wars Wreath

My post Craft Wars wreath... proving that sometimes hot glue IS the best way to go:)

My 3rd Kitchen Table of the Year

And FINALLY my third kitchen table redo.  I guess the third time is the charm:)  I do really love this table... and apparently you all do too, since it was my most viewed post of the year.  

Thanks for all of your support... you guys are the best!

My Year In Review

So, it is 2013 and just like the rest of the world I am forced to take a look at the past year.  Lets face it, I don't remember what my goals were last year, and I'm sure my goals this year will be forgotten by March... But just for the fun of it, lets review:

Went to Bahamas... almost died (literally had to be rescued at sea by a man with a 12 pack and his bombshell girlfriend.  We later named him Don Juan Del Saves my wife... long story)

Fed a Giraffe 

Opened The Dented Lampshade... then expanded it

Got a new job... quit said job 

Went on a reality TV show...Tori Spelling told me to pack up my glue gun and go home... so I did:)

Walked in a fashion show

Modeled as a "Bride" for the Castle Rock bridal district

Did not work out once... unless you count hauling furniture up stairs

Luci Rae turned 2... and refused to be potty trained

(on a side note, I totally caught her standing up facing the toilet the other day with her hands in a position to hold her...you know... just like daddy does.  I about died laughing.  I think it is time for daddy to start shutting the door when he goes #1 now!)

The hubby started traveling every week, so I got to experience first hand the trials of being a single mom... it blows, just in case you were wondering.  The good news, Kyle should be done with all of this in 3 WEEKS!!!

So there you have it, my year in review.  I love my crazy life, my crazy family, and my crazy friends.  I don't think 2013 will be able to top 2012... but I am sure gonna give it a try!

BRING IT ON 2013!