One easter decoration and a few changes...

I suppose I'm not into decorating for Easter this year.

I only have this one little (but super cute) bunny out....

I have spent lots of time making changes to my sofa table....

And I've finally added some accessories above the cabinets....

I'm trying to keep this baby alive....

While these pictures have found their final resting place (I think)....

I haven't made any changes here but I love how it turned out so I'm sharing again...

And finally, I found some frames for our pictures...

This is my next project....

About a year ago I had this elephant chair reupholstered.
Now I'm thinking I should paint it black...what do ya think?

Family Picture Arrangements

No I'm not MIA. Unless you call major focus on my house MIA. I thought I would have more time to blog during break but alas I've completely ignored you. All for a good cause though...my house.

I've been working on the following project for a month and a half. It's taken me that long to gather old family pictures, buy frames, arrange frames, re-arrange frames, find picture mats that fit frames and purchase vinyl lettering.

So how did I accomplish such a symmetrical picture arrangement you ask?

First, I purchased a package of frames from Walmart...an after Christmas sale. I picked up 13 frames for $13. Once I realized what a killer deal this was, I went back and got a second set. I didn't use all of them though. Only enough to make a perfect symmetrical square of pictures.

Starting on the floor, I arranged the pictures several different ways.




Once I was satisfied with the arrangement I hung them. I'm not about to mislead you at this point...there are several dozen holes in the walls behind those frames. I'm anal retentive when it comes to this kind of stuff. I moved each frame until I was satisfied.





Once the frames were in place, I then went through my old pictures and limited them to my favorite. I wanted to keep an "old" theme to this arrangement.

Here are a few...

That cute little guy in the front left corner...the one with the trouble making smile on his face...that's my dad.

This is also my dad...he's so darn cute!

This is my Maternal Great Grandparents holding my Grandfather...

My Maternal Grandparents. My Grandma was 15 and Grandfather 30 when they married.
(check out their washing machine to the left)

My mother when she was 16...

My Paternal Grandparents during the depression. The little girl who would have been my Aunt Carolyn died when she was 1 1/2 of spinal meningitis.

The man on the left is my Paternal Great Grandfather. He is pictured here with his brothers...NO it's not the James brothers.

I printed the pictures at Costco and placed them in the frames.

I also purchased these double sided sticky dots to keep the pictures in place.

The vinyl wall letters are from a local company called Polka Dot Skull. They customize any saying for a reasonable cost. Mine was only $19. I was able to choose the font, size and saying.

And there it is...first project of 2010.

PS. Hobby Lobby will cut picture mats to fit any size picture.

Replacing Furniture, Avoiding Homework, Guest Bathroom Update...

Some of the side effects of being in school are amazing. Yep, while you're studying and doing homework, the most amazing thing happens....you're all of a sudden motivated to clean bathrooms...no kidding. Once your bathrooms sparkle, you notice the base boards need to be dusted. Once that's done you start replacing furniture.

Remember my family room? It went from dark and cold...

To soft and fuzzy...

Dont'cha want to curl up and watch a movie on it?
Dont'cha wish your couch was soft like mine...dont'cha?

Moving on to the dining room. I recently discovered Craig's List. Yes, I realize I'm the last person in the United States that has heard of it. But better late than never, right?

Anyway, here is my table before...

And here is the baby I got on Craig's List. Isn't she a beaut? It came with 8 chairs and a 14 inch leaf.

Moving on to the guest room. *I told you I've been busy avoiding homework* This sleigh bedroom set was also on Craig's List.

I bought this just in time for my Aunt and Uncle to visit on Valentines. I still have more decorating to do in this room...stay tuned.

The guest bathroom, which is also the kids bathroom, got an update. New shower curtain...

New soft white towels hung under the family pic's.

My basket of goodies for the guests...

New white shower mat...


I figure it's best that the kids don't share shower mats with the guests. I like it also because it doesn't have a rubber backing...hate those.

Anyhoo, I'm so thankful for school. I'm getting a ton done now at home. Who knew?

Award & Addictions...

I'm updating this post to join Hooked On Houses blog party.

Girly Stuff has given me this "Fabulous" award and asked that I list 5 addictions. So here is goes:

1. Coffee - I hate to admit it but I would be a cranky, unlikable person if I didn't have my morning cup of joe.

2. Blogging - If you're NOT addicted, raise your hand......I'm not seeing many hands.

3. Tinkering - I love trying accessories in different areas of the house or moving furniture around. My husband laughs at me and tells me I'm sick. I agree!

4. Little Debbie cakes - I can eat a whole box during certain times of the month.

5. Lamps - I LOVE lamps. This is a sickness that has been passed down to me by my ancestors. I also love moving my lamps around to different areas of the house. See below...


Okay, I'm going to share with you just how sick my lamp addiction is. Anyone that wants to donate to my therapy fund may do so. I take paypal. :-)

Remember these lamps? Come along with me while I show you their journey around the house. They started out here in the foyer...

They moved to the family room...

To the front living room...

A better pic...

Back to the foyer. I should have just kept them there but what fun is that?

These buffet lamps were moved from the dining room...

I painted them, added fringe (don't have a fringe pic handy) and moved them to the foyer table....

Now they are back in the dining room...

I may move them back to the foyer next Halloween. I thought they looked great with my Halloween decorations...

The family room lamps have gone from these...

To these new lamps from Costco...

When I decided to buy these lamps, my son said "that's the last thing we need, more lamps".

I wonder what other areas of the house I could try these lamps?

Here are more lamps around the house.
I told you I was addicted.

I have more lamps (no kidding) but I've decided to share them in another post.

Before you take me...the mad, psychotic lamp women off your blog list, come back next week for my Valentine project and decorations. I had to buy Valentine decorations just for my blog...is that pathetic?

Thank you Girly Stuff for the award and tag!