Party for a Princess

My 6 year old is ALL GIRL...baby dolls, dress up clothes, and makeup.  So, it was no surprise when she said she wanted a Princess Party for her this year's b-day celebration. 

I happen to be ALL GIRL myself.  So, I had a blast planning it! My friend, Jeannine, helped tons!  (and, so did my friend ol' "Pinny"---you may know her as Pinterest ;-))

 

The invitation and our craft supplies. Since we were doing a "Princess Pajama Party", we decided to paint pillows as the girls' party prize.

 I made this door hanger for Lanie Mae's first Birthday party and bring it out each year...

This is a coat hanger in the shape of a "6" with tulle & ribbon tied around it.  And, below, are tissue paper Pom Poms my friend Jeannine made.  (thanks Pinterest for that one)

 

The place settings were Dollar Tree plastic cups with ribbon tied around the bottom to "fancy them up" a bit.  And, of course, we had tiaras for all of the princesses.

 

 

Our Birthday Princess had her very own special Tiara preserved in a glass dome.

I was so excited to find these adorable eye masks for the little princesses...

 

I got glass bowls and glasses and super glued them to candlesticks (dollar tree as well).  This added a fancy flair to the candy table.  (thanks pinterest)

And, finally, while the girls slept, I cleaned up round one decor and set up for the morning...

 

 

 

The party was a success!  Now, to plan a Spiderman party for the boy!

 

~Kelli

Lovely little ladderback....

I found this chair at the thrift store for $3.88.



She was in sad shape. Someone had tried to stain her. (and, gave up part-way though) and, it looked as if the seat had been taken off and just a plain piece of wood was nailed into the legs of the chair.

So, I sanded, and sanded, then, sanded some more. I, then, sprayed some kilz primer on the entire chair.

I painted it with some turquoise spray paint I already had in the gaage. Then, i lightly brushed white acrylic paint over it and distressed it with 220 grit sandpaper.

Lastly, I had some poly-FIL and some
Adorable fabric in the garage as well. So, I put my trusty staple gun to WORK!


Here she is now...
She is in her temporary home at Chelsea Antiques awaiting her new owner ;-)

Morton Girl meets Annie Sloan

Oh, I'm in love!! And, of course, with something that's expensive. My sister asked me to paint her Mother-in-Law's old French Provincial Cabinet for her. It was to be an accent piece in her brand new home! So, as much as I had to fight back my cheapskate tendencies, I felt like this was NOT the project to skimp on. So, I bit the bullet and bought some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. And, WOW, was I impressed!!

I started by taping the glass area off .

 

 

 Then, I mixed 3 parts Aubusson Blue with 1 part Old White. (Estimated)....The girl at the fancy paint store told me to mix it in a jar with a lid. So, I was able to use one of the 100 mason jars I had in the garage. It worked great and I have LOTS left over.

After it was mixed, I was ready to get started. It was SO smooth going on and very simple to use.

After two coats, I was set!

Then, onto the inside. Whew!! The shelves didn't come out, which made for a bit of a challenge. But, I put on my big girl panties and went to work I used old white on the inside knowing I would distress it heavily and use a mixture of clear and dark wax on top of it.

The distressing was easy and fun!! You could just see the beauty coming through the more I sanded.




 

After distressing, I put at top coat of clear (mixed with a little dark) wax on top. 

Here she is after...

 

And, in her new home...

 

I have been a BUSY diy/crafter.  But, a terrible blogger. So, stay tuned for some before and after posts coming soon!

Eye Candy

I save random photos on my phone. And, being the terrible blogger that I am, I have no idea the source of these photos. :-( But, anyway, they are fun to swoon over...

Leggy Ladies...

I'm talking about those buffet/sideboard/dressers that just have legs "to die for".  Oh, how I loooove those pieces.  I have been stalking CL in search of one that I can refinish (without paying an arm and a "leg" ;-))  Here are a few pieces that make me drool a little...

Euro Paint Finishes

source unknown

Blue Star Antiques

source unknown

Primitive and Proper

Etsy

Local Sales Site in Raleigh, NC

The Cozy Cape

SO, if any of you see any pitiful looking pieces similar to these around your parts, let me know.  And, the more love I can show it, the better.  I am up for the challenge.

Until Next Time...

-Kelli

Friday Favorites

Here are a few photos that make my heart pitter patter. (you know the kind of pitter patter that you get when you walk into Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn?)

I am a terrible blogger and will just save pictures to my computer as I come across them without saving the source. :-(  I am so sorry.  I want credit to be given where credit is due. So, if you see a picture and recognize it, please comment below and I will update the post and give credit to these amazing designers.  I know some are from Pottery Barn.  Others are from MLS listings, and a few from pinterest. 

I hope you enjoy this Friday Eye Candy.

<3  Kelli

What's the plan Stan?

We spent some time looking at houses this weekend and I fell in love with yet another home!  And, SHOCKER, Neil did not.  GOOOOOD GRIEFFFFF!?!  So, what's the plan stan?  Heck if I know.  Our lease is up March 30.  However, we have the option to go month to month.  Which, in my eyes, is just a way to delay the inevitable.  We are going to have to compromise.  NOT SETTLE...Compromise!  Neil and I both have wants in our forever home.  My biggest want is a home with character and space.  I have found FIVE of those.  Neil's biggest want is acerage.  Well, of those FIVE, they all had a minimum of 3 acres.  However, it's not FLAT acerage. AHHHH.....well, you see, I didn't know that was part of the deal.  So, as I have looked more at flat land, I have realized, we are going to either have to compromise on price, or the size of the home.  So, you guessed it, Neil and I are dead-locked.  I don't want my forever home to be a brick box with no potential.  Or one that we can "one day" add on to.  Because, "one day" may be 10 years from now.  Ok. I'm done venting.  Moving on to a little day-dreamin'.
I haven't spent much time thinking about Hudson's room because he is still in a baby bed and I will have to change up his room decor once he moves into a big-boy bed.  Well, all it took was one look at Restoration Hardware's new Baby & Child magazine to get the wheels turning.  WOW! Check out this room. 

The only problem is, Hudson's room has some red in it that comes from his Dresser that I re-did as a Changing table.  I LOVE it and I LOVE red.  So, I'm gonna have to tie some red in somehow.  So,  Here's what I'm thinking.  I will have to knock-off many of the things I love about the room. I mean, who can spend $300 on a light for there kids room.  UMM, not I!  But, one thing I can't knock off are those adorable sheets!

And, I'm thinking I will just get a navy coverlet to go with it.  (I'm not a big fan of denim) But, that's just me.  Then, I will use this dust ruffle I found at the...wait for IT.......Thrift store ;-)  for $1.98. 

This will bring it the RED .  Then, we can keep the beloved dresser

and, the big "H" his Uncle Jo Jo made for him.

 What do you think?  Who am I kidding. I only have like 3 followers.  haha!  But, I would still like your thoughts. 

That's one more room planned out for my future home.  Continue to pray for my patience and for Neil to get a little urgency.

Have a great day-

Kelli