Spring Mantel

I actually put this together after I took my Christmas stuff down. I never really know what to do once Christmas is over because my stuff looks more springy, but this year I didn't care. I was tired of a mess and wanted something to stay put for a while. :) And, since the mantel is out of the kiddos reach, it can do just that. HAHA! Now the rest of the house is another story.

 

 

 

Piano Wall

For those of you who aren't on Facebook, I finally got my picture printed.

 I love it!! 

Spring Mantel

I had a little trouble getting this mantle together. I looked back at last year's and then realized I had used some of the things upstairs. So, that's why it wasn't coming together.

Plan B:

I almost cut up the flowers from my wreath because it doesn't fit on my door. I didn't exactly want to do that and just stuck it in the toolbox. Lo, and behold, it fit and I liked it.

And, for those who have made comments that my house is always clean...there is a huge mess behind me. I just choose not to photograph it. :)

Candlesticks, Topiary, Bunny: Goodwill
Toolbox, Books, Crate: Wesley's Stash
Wreath: HomeGoods
Clock: Big Lots
Plate: TJMaxx
Bird: Dollar Tree
Pails: Target's $1 Spot
I won the eggs in a giveaway.
 *The crazy wreath was the most expensive thing. Why do they cost so much? Other than that, stuff was el-cheapo. I had everything on hand and only had to buy the pails. So, my mantle cost me $2 this season.

The Stockings Were Hung...

Finally got around to taking some pics of the festiveness around here.

I found a couple of pillows over the summer that started the new look. (Last year, we had just moved and so we made do with our silver and blue tree, but it really didn't match). 

 I didn't have the funds to buy a lot, so I had to get crafty. I decorated the "presents" with brown paper from the Dollar Tree and vintage ribbon I found at a thrift store. 

The tree trio was found at the goodwill and the stockings at Marshalls (was super excited to find them and waaaaaaaay cheaper than what I was looking at at Target).

Instead of buying "stocking initials," I bought wooden letters at Micheals and spray painted them.

The red yarn balls were a pain to make at first, but once I figured out the rhythm (you had to hold your tongue just right) it went fairly quickly. However, the Modge-Podge might have been a little bit of a high that this prego lady shouldn't have gone on. LOL! The majority of the other things, I had on hand.

I had requested this Nativity set from my grandparents and Mom sent it early with Debbie. However, Wes asked me if I wanted it (even though I don't think he was supposed to) and so I already have it set up. I printed off the "chalkboard" sign from Pinterest via Staples' engineering prints. 

My only kitchen decor:

Went with a winter quote so I wouldn't have to change it as fast. Usin' my noggin'...

Office/Hangout Reveal

(Still haven't found my camera card with Arilynn's b-day, so those pics may never come, Mom). :(

When we toured the house before moving, I knew that I would make this landing room more of a sitting room/office than an additional bedroom. We hang out here most evenings. 

The only pictures I found of before were on my cell phone.  There aren't very many.

Moving time:

I wanted to get the downstairs mostly done before I started working upstairs, but needed to clean up the clutter, so this is the way it looked until recently:

This area is our office, Arilynn's school room, scrapbook area, Wesley's study, and general hangout.  

This is when you arrive at the top of the steps:

(I obviously need to get a print order in). This is the shelf that Wes built for me at our last house.

Arilynn's school area is at the top of the steps off to the side:

Turning around again...

Our bedroom is through the window door and there is a 2nd bath behind the other.

I painted this on a cabinet door.

Opposite side of the study wall:

This dresser was rescued from our neighbor's trash. Wesley was already in the middle of painting before I could get a before picture and I'm not one to stop progress, so here is an idea of what it looked like:

The metal signs came from Micheals fun aisle and the postage scales from a yard sale. 

For the most part, I tried to use stuff I already had (maybe attacking with some spray paint).

Wes added the planks to the wall.

My original plan was to paint the dresser a fun and funky color, but it looked bad, so went with this greenish tone. The walls are supposed to be gray, but clearly look blue. I didn't hate it enough to change it though. :)

So, I went with a little more classy look than fun. I like it and Arilynn's school is far enough that it doesn't totally clash.

Kitchen

**Please excuse the quality of the pics. I'm afraid my lens or camera is about to go toast, but you'll get the idea anyways.**

First off, a look at the kitchen before (taken the day after we moved, so randomness is everywhere):

It wasn't quite my style...so, my dearest hubby scraped off wallpaper and painted and painted. I helped paint the walls, but that wonderful guy did the majority of the work himself. I just "guided." ;)

I don't have everything quite the way I want it, but I'll show you where we're at so far.

I'm wanting new lights above the sink and some kind of covering for the window, but not sure what.

I would also like to replace the fan. The chalkboard is quite large. I found the frame 90% off at Hobby Lobby and grabbed it. I was originally going to paint it white, but the gold is distressed and not quite as bad, so we're leaving it for now.

The door leads to the basement and still needs some more paint. We're a little painted out right now, so it'll eventually get done. LOL

Hoping to find some material for curtains to go along with the plates.

We found the cabinet handles at a surplus store. They were gold and ugly, but cheap. So, he just spray painted them oil rubbed bronze. The drawer handles came from Hobby Lobby 1/2 off. (Which reminds me, I still owe you $ Becky for finding the others). He added beadboard wallpaper to the cabinet doors and then painted over it. Changed the look dramatically! 

I painted the sign out of an old cabinet door.

We painted the counter tops with counter top paint. So far, it's holding up. We shall see.

Shew! Major picture upload, huh?! 

So, just a recap...