Preparing For An Outdoor Party- Part 3…

The next step in preparing for the outdoor party…painting the picnic table.  I found some “Ooops” paint at Ace Hardware for $5.00.  The name of the paint wasn’t on the can.  Just a sample of the color.  It looks like a deep red to me.  Not too bright…not too dark.  I lightly sanded the table and then washed it off with some “Greased Lightening”.  My son, Chase, and Mr. C. used some L brackets to make the table more sturdy and my youngest son, Tre’, helped me paint it.  I love the look.  I only wanted the seats and tabletop painted red.  I love the look of the painted and unpainted wood together.

1. Plant Flowers
2. Paint Wicker Furniture
3. Make Lanterns
4. Fix and Paint Picnic Table
5. Make Drop Cloth Tablecloths
6. Make Drop Cloth Drapes for Back Porch

Cheap Lamp Turned Chic…

I found this cute lamp at my local church thrift store. It has great “bones”  and I knew I could bring it into the year 2010!!  So I grabbed my primer and white spray paint and made it even better…  Ignore the clutter in the background.  I am re-doing my outdoor wicker furniture in my basement.

I love the crackle on the base but the shade left something to be desired.

I used my FAVORITE primer.

And after a couple of coats of primer and white spray paint…the base rocks!!  You can still see the crackle which I love.

I paired it with a lamp shade I already had and I love the end result!!

I am linking this project to the following blogs:

http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/search/label/Just%20Something%20I%20Whipped%20Up

http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/

http://madincrafts.blogspot.com/

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/

Mason Jar Lanterns- Round 2…

In my previous post- “Preparing For An Outdoor Party- Part 2” -  I used salt in my lanterns.  I liked the look but wasn’t crazy about it.  It was too beachy for me.  Well, I searched the internet for a better idea and I found it…  Use bird seed.  I love the look…it’s more earthy to me.  I hope you like it too.

Before

After

Preparing For An Outdoor Party- Part 2…

My next step in preparing for the outdoor party…the lighting.  I found the best tutorial for Mason Jar Lanterns at Chez Beeper Bebe. They have a printable tutorial for these wonderful Lanterns. One more thing I can mark off my list.

1. Plant Flowers
2. Paint Wicker Furniture
3. Make Lanterns
4. Fix and Paint Picnic Table
5. Make Drop Cloth Tablecloths
6. Make Drop Cloth Drapes for Back Porch

18 gauge galvanized wire

Spaghetti sauce, salsa and mason jars

I used salt (cheap) and scented candles

You can get the printable tutorial at Chez Beeper Bebe.

Wardrobe- FINALLY Done!!!…

After sanding and priming Grandma Carter’s wardrobe back in February- you can read that post here. I finally found the perfect paint color and fabric for it and got the job done!!  And here’s how I did it…

$4.00 Ooops paint from Lowe’s .  Lyndhurst Duchess Blue Interior Semi-Gloss.  I would describe this as a “Robin’s Egg Blue”.

Red Toile curtains I “borrowed” from the den.

The wardrobe BEFORE…you can look here to see what I did with one of the doors…

And AFTER…ooh la la!!!

I used a tension rod to hold the curtains in place inside the wardrobe.

I will be linking this to the following blogs:

http://thepersimmonperch.blogspot.com/

Dumpster Diving Chair…

I love a bargain but more than that I love FREE!! One Saturday a month or so ago Mr. C and I headed to the dump to throw away some trash. While there I saw an ugly, stinky and dirty chair. So naturally I threw it in the back of my car and took it home. Of course I had to put up with Mr. C looking at me the whole way home like I was crazy. But I knew I could Febreze it, clean it, paint it and throw some fabulous fabric on it and come up with something great. And I was right!!

The dumpster dive find before the Fab-O makeover

Yuck!!

Sprayed with black satin finish spray paint

I covered the seat with an old pillow case

Cut off the excess

I then stapled the pillowcase to the seat

I chose Amy Butler Chrysanthemum in Blue  as my fabric

And here it is…all clean and purty!!

The Breakdown:

Chair- FREE

Fabric- 3.00

Paint- 2.00

Total- 5.00

I will be linking this to the following blogs:

http://thepersimmonperch.blogspot.com/?

http://www.sillylittlesparrow.com/

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/

http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/

Preparing For An Outdoor Party- Part 1…

My middle son, Chase, is turning 19.  I am having an outdoor party for him and REALLY need to get on the ball getting my back porch and carport ready.  Here is my to do list and how I plan to get it done.

1. Plant Flowers
2. Paint Wicker Furniture
3. Make Lanterns
4. Fix and Paint Picnic Table
5. Make Drop Cloth Tablecloths
   
6. Make Drop Cloth Drapes for Back Porch

How does your garden grow?  Well, if you’re smart like me you let your mother who has a “green thumb” take care of that.  Here she is putting together the hanging baskets and tomato plants:

My mom getting her hands dirty

One of the 3 finished baskets

She then planted more flowers in the other pots we had lying around

I then had some old buckets I spray painted navy blue

And with these my mom planted tomatoes in them

Well, that’s one thing I can mark off my list…thanks Mom!!

Stay tuned to see how I complete the rest of my to-do list…

Fila Fit Walk n Sculpt Shoe Review…

I am reviewing the Fila Fit Walk N Sculpt shoes.  I purchased these at Kohl’s for $69.99.  I believe these are only sold at Kohl’s.  At least that’s what the tag on them says…  You can find them here. When I tried them on they felt wonderful.  Very cushiony (is that a word) and comfortable.  My first day trying them out I walked with my sister-in-law at the track for 1 hour on a Saturday.  At first they felt a little awkward but the more I walked the easier they became to walk in.  I then wore them the rest of the day.  Which I don’t think most people should.  You should probably work your way up to wearing them for long periods.  I didn’t feel anything extraordinary but my sister-in-law, who is a personal trainer, said I would probably experience DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).  This usually happens 24 to 72 hours after exercising.  Well, she was right. On Sunday I could feel it in my calves.  By Monday I felt it in my hamstrings but nothing in my butt. I am unable to wear them everyday since I work in an office but when I do I definitely can feel them working my legs. I know they’re not a miracle shoe and even if they don’t turn me into a fitness model…they are still are a very comfortable shoe that I enjoy wearing.

I hope this review helps anyone out there debating on whether or not to buy a pair of these…

Yankee Candle Coupon…

I absolutely LOVE Yankee Candles.  I love going to the Yankee Candle Store and smelling all of the yummy fragrances.  What I don’t like are the high prices.  Thank goodness Yankee Candle has a printable coupon for $10.00 off $25.00.  You can go here to print the coupon.  Online Code/phone order: LKWNG67

On any Yankee Candle product purchase of $25 or more Valid through June 5, 2010

Outdoor Inspirations…

Outdoor spaces are wonderful.  You can be so creative in achieving a welcoming environment.   I really need some inspiration for my back porch so I found some outdoor ideas that are so beautiful and colorful!  ENJOY!!

I love the blue ceiling and the large bill board above the window in this space.

This old barn is so beautiful.  The red accents really makes it great!

A watering can turned birdhouse.  So very clever…

I love yellow flowers.  They bring a burst of color to an outdoor space.