Flower Power!

Many of you have probably seen the cinderblock planters recently.  They seem to be everywhere I look: pinterest, www.designsponge.com, or www.apartmenttherapy.com. to name a few.  Because I had 20 or so cinderblocks just sitting in the wood shed serving no purpose I liked the idea of how easy this project would be not to mention affordable and interesting all at the same time.  There is a far wall in our backyard near a concrete basketball pad that has bothered me since we bought the house.  It just looks drab and empty, particularly compared to the other side of the yard so this project was perfect for this spot.

 Instead of planting herbs, like so many others are doing with these planters, I opted for more flowers instead because I am all about the color...it's almost summer afterall!  I can't wait until these petunias and other assorted flowers start to grow bigger and cascade down and around the blocks.  Oh, and the painted numbers...well, we try not to take ourselves too seriously around here, especially when it comes to the backyard so I painted the numbers for some added fun and hey as a bonus my three year old will get better at recognizing numbers this summer (at least 1-15, anyway ;)!

Yard work I like!

I have been sitting on this project for well over a year (maybe 2) and finally got around to painting it this past week.  It's an old kitchen table I purchased at a thrift store almost 4 years ago...I think I paid $30 for it.  The shelf, which also came from a thrift, was $25.  Both needed some love so they each got a coat of paint. I also covered the table with some clear vinyl I had leftover from another project.  Right now its unattached but I may decide to staple it under one of these days :). Now they are sitting pretty on my covered patio ready for some serious use in the garden department. 

 I had to include some of my boys tools too since they are my "helpers" in all things gardening. Any excuse to play in dirt and they are eager and willing :) I apologize for the lack of "before" photos but chances are if you have been to my house in the last 2 years you have seen it unfinished anyway.

Now I have no excuse not to finish the next "yard project" I have been working on and hopefully I will get it done this weekend.  Happy Memorial Day all!

Scrap Wood Becomes Wall Decor

I guess you all get to read this post backwards today...oops:)  This is my finished piece after rummaging through my shed/shop this afternoon and gathering a few boards together, then handpainting (yes as you can tell the letters are far from perfect) the letters.  This would be a fun wedding gift, don't you think?

 I had just enough weathered cedar boards to do this.  I screwed them each side by side into this wood frame I have kept for ages.  I guess I was just waiting to come up with a new way to use it besides obvious uses.  I just love the aged wood grain against the crisp white...sort of beachy, don't you think?

 Here it is after being painted and assembled.  Love. Oh and don't mind the jungle grass, I realize it needs cut but it will have to wait a couple more days because I just got done planting my vegetables yesterday and that was enough "yard work" for me this week :)

  Here was my original pile, although this photo was taken after I had cut all the cedar boards.  I swear I am not a hoarder, I just like to keep a little bit of scrap around for a day like today and get those creative juices flowing.

Chances are some of you have treasures just waiting to be transformed as well!  Hope you like!  Happy scrapping!
I am linking  this post up to the SNS party: www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com so check it out for more inspiration!

Completed Nursery

Well folks here is the finished nursery, FINALLY!  I should warn you that this room is very small and is close to the master bedroom.  For both of these reasons it lends itself well to function as a nursery, however there was not alot of room to work with :).  Thank goodness there is a closet in it!

 This first photo is of a small table I painted a light blue and then went over the top with a gold color, then distressed. 

 As you can see the table rests next to...my new red rocking chair!  Although I was hoping to find something a bit taller this chair from craiglist is comfy cozy and looks great with this rag quilt my mom made for the baby draped over it...and the best part was I didn't have to pay an arm and a leg for it (thanks Emily!)

 Above the crib I ended up using some tissue balls left over from my baby shower that my friend Alyssa made and added a metal star and a touch of yellow as well.

 I think it really works well with the existing Pottery Barn bedding I had (ebay).  For the curtains I just cut up a queen sheet from Walmart and let the extra length puddle on the ground.

 And here's another shot of the wall with the chalkboard painted stripes...can you name that tune?   

 And again the desk turned changing table, oops, looks like I need to restock the cubbies with some diapers again :)  Can you believe my little one is turning 3 MONTHS OLD this weekend!?  I can't, but at least I can finally check this nursery off the list :)

If I had to choose a theme for this room I would have to say an old time summer picnic...haha.  Anyhow it has been great to do some decorating again and now I can move onto the next project(s) on the list.  It never ends around here so keep coming around to see what's next and above all thanks for your patience!