the little things

So I decided that I dislike resolutions many years ago, but I do still set goals for myself. As a matter of fact, I set them quite frequently. And you know what I always seem to focus on? The big stuff. The huge projects that truly should be about 5 or 6 things on the list instead of just one. And nothing ever seems to get completely finished and I feel that I have failed to meet my goals. 

We often say, or hear others say, that it is the little things that make the biggest difference. So my current goal is to focus on all those little things that I have pushed behind the all-important big items on my lists.  For example: today I finally cleaned the old toaster oven and put it in storage in the basement.  It has been sitting for 6 months on my kitchen counter, unplugged and unused. I cannot begin to tell you the sense of accomplishment I feel when I walk in my kitchen and there is clear counter space! This was one of the many things that previously was lumped into "finish the kitchen" on my list.

"What's next," you ask? Well, I don't know... maybe I'll dare to find a storage space for my baking sheets.

Fabric Evergreen

It has been a while since I've posted a tutorial, and what better time than now? We are all getting crafty for the holidays! This is one of my favorite homemade craft decorations that stays up long after Christmas has passed; I consider it a Winter decoration, not a holiday decoration.

The Fabric Evergreen

and the best part is that it requires absolutely NO SEWING!

1. choose your fabric (amount depends on the end size, but a fat quarter should be more than enough)
2. choose your styrofoam cone (any size you like)
3. grab a box of dress pins (also called straight pins; the small silver ones with a flat top)
4. cut a strip of fabric, to wrap around the base of the cone, about 2 inches wide
5. pin the fabric strip into place from the bottom of the cone (leave the sides un-pinned for now)
6. cut the rest of your material into 2x2 inch squares & pin one over the tip of the cone
7. next, fold a square of material in half and then in half again, so you are left with a 1x1 inch square (or diamond)
8. turn your cone upside-down and place the tip of the folded diamond corner over the fabric strip, just touching the bottom edge of the cone
9. pin the right corner of the diamond to the cone (pin should also hold the strip to the side of the cone)
10. repeat with the next square of material, overlapping the folded diamond side corners
11. once the row is complete, start the next row by off-setting the diamond point
12. continue until you reach the top of the cone

I hope these instruction made sense... I forgot to take photos as I worked.  I will be making more of these Fabric Evergreens in various sizes, so I will add additional photos later.

Face Lift

Let's be honest, the newest house we bought was (and still is) in need of major curb appeal.  But I have to say that we made huge improvements this summer!

The work was completed too late for us to do any fall planting, but I'll post an update once Spring arrives. 

My New Summer Project

Two June's ago, my home was damaged by a tornado.  Last June I was packing & selling a house.  I thought for sure this was my year to finally have a real summer vacation with my boys.  Sadly, I was mistaken. 

Here is my new summer project for this year:

 Yep - it rained inside my house.  And we lost a bunch of roof shingles.  Gotta love 80 mile-per-hour winds.  At least it wasn't another tornado, but I still get to deal with the insurance company again.

What are you doing this summer?

Weekend Projects

With the nice weather comes home improvement projects.  And the best ones are the ones that can be completed in one weekend! 

Here is the project that we tackled this weekend (it only took us 7 months to get around to doing it!).

A nice new laundry / mud room floor!



My Favorite Wall

This may seem strange but I have a favorite wall in my home.  I love everything about it.  I love the color.  I love that it is split by a chair rail. I love how the white crown molding pops.  And I absolutely love my shadow box & picture arrangement.  It is my little artsy touch in a tradtional room. 

I took a pic of this wall because it is one of the things I will miss about my current house.  We just moved here 7 months ago, and we are already moving on.  This is one of the things that I want to take with me.