Window Seat

I have always wanted a window seat. I have always imagined curling up in such a spot and reading a book, or daydreaming out the window. When we moved here I immediately fell in love with the bay window in our living room. We first fixed this window by getting rid of nasty vertical blinds, if you have them I apologize now. I hate vertical blinds they make a room feel like an office, and who wants to live in an office? Not this lady. So we first tried curtains, which looked okay, but hid the beauty of the bay window, those curtains are now at home in our boys room. We then hung faux wood blinds in each of the four windows that make up our living room bay window. (I totally stole this idea from a decorating show.)

Now all that was missing was a soft place to land. So we went to the local hardware store and bought some ½ in plywood. We measured cut it to size in two pieces. I already had the foam from some patio chairs we replaced a year ago. (Yes, I am a secret hoarder) I then picked up some fabric that went with the rest of the living room. I love the different shades of green.

I don’t use this as much as I would love to, my oldest loves it. I often find him back here with his guys, or latest lego creation. Overall I am very pleased with the way that this turned out.

The Works really works!

Living in a valley, surrounded by limestone bluffs, our well water is rusty and of course full of lime. We have a softener but it only helps so much. Our softener has broken twice on us last year, leaving us with a rusty mess. I searched and tried everything that I could to get out the orange embedded in my tub. Then I read online to try “The Works” toilet bowl cleaner. Yes you read that correctly toilet bowl cleaner. I thought that I had read this wrong myself, until I spoke with a very nice lady where my husband works. We had got to talking when she said to try “The Works”. I asked her if she meant the spray cleaner and she said “No…No… the toilet cleaner.” She told me to just squirt it on and rinse it off. Of course I thought that she was crazy until I tried it myself. I picked some cleaner up at the grocery store for under $2.00, went home and squirted some on the walls and in my tub. I then remembered to put on my cleaning gloves, I put those on and no sooner turned around when to my surprise it was GONE. I couldn’t believe it, it was all gone. I didn’t have to scrub it or anything, I just rinsed it off and it was done. If I would have known how amazing this would be I would have taken before and after pictures. I was sure nobody would believe how quickly it erased the rust and build up.

I use this all over my house and always have some on hand. Today I took it outside, along with my camera, and used it on the front of my house. I was so excited I came inside right away and had to tell all of you! So if you know somebody who has such a rust problem, please show them this post. I spent so much money on products and home remedies that didn’t even come close to working. If I had known now what I know then, that isn’t the first time I had said that, or the last!!!

Before                                                         After(this is before I rinsed )

My "Work" Station

This work station was put in by my husband shortly after we moved here.  This space was once wasted and empty.  I currently have all of my supplies here, a cupboard or drawer for everything.  Even the boy's art supplies are housed here.  The computer seen here is theirs, the good 'ol indestructible desktop.  I use this to listen to my Itunes while I work.

We made this with in stock cabinets and counter tops.  We stained the cabinets and sealed them to withstand day to day abuse.  I love that it is counter height so I can also stand to do some projects.  Since this is located right at the door to the basement, I can close the door and be left alone(or so was the thought).  I have to admit that more then often the boys are in the basement family room while I work.  Which is better to keep an eye on them, you know while the cats away...

While I do my projects I like to get out everything I will need, but hate the mess. I came up with this idea after I purchased this tray or "box" as my husband calls it.  I got it for less then $5 at my favorite store Target.  Never a basket, tray, box or organizing thingy I can pass up!!  We use this for almost everything.  I love the pattern and how deep it is!

Well I have few projects on my mind so till next time.

Command Central

My house is CRAZY.  To make matters worse we are in full Spring/Summer mode.  In the Mid-West we hibernate almost all Winter and make any excuse to not go outside!  Then Spring hits and BAM here we are in full swing!!!  You know weddings, graduations, soccer, school events, and meetings.  Now with a first grader I have even more to do.  We have Spelling tests, sight words, and special days at school.  It is nuts! 

I have learned that organization is the key!  Ha easier said then done right!  If you knew me growing up this would make you laugh on the spot.  However, in my age I have grown to love a little order and organization.  Any reason to buy cute bins or baskets!  That crap is right up my alley!!

This post is not so much about bins or baskets, but more on how we keep our day to day events in order.  If it is not written down it doesn't get done!  (which reminds me of a few things I need to write down!)  I have found that when the boys know what is going on which days I have a lot less "when is my soccer game?"  "Can we do this or that today?"  It really saves my sanity!

I was at my Brother and Sister-in-Laws and they have the neatest chalkboard saved from an old school, about to be torn down.  I have always wanted a huge chalk board and seeing theirs sealed the deal!  I scoured the Internet trying to find one big enough and then finding out what they cost I quickly gave up on the "real deal"  So to plan B it was, time to get crafty, and talk my husband into helping me. 

We put this together with hard board (a super smooth ply-wood), chalk board paint and moldings.

The white lines are painted because we just got tired of drawing them on.  The hardest part of this whole project was waiting between coats of paint. 

Down the Road

My husband heard about this fishing spot down the road from where we live. He left early one morning to get in some fishing time before the afternoon. He did bring the camera and took some pictures (mainly to rub it in Dad’s face). It was beautiful. I can’t believe that this piece of heaven was right down the road!

What about Bob?

Let me start this post with a little background information.  I once got a very questionable look from rescuing a “Cozy Coupe” from the alleyway behind my house.  My oldest had a blast by taking it to the wash down aka our hose in the front yard!  This toy that I “rescued” was a very treasured toy lasting two kids some friend’s kids and a babysitting girl.

This questionable look came from my husband and it was more of an “I can’t believe you just did that” look.  I never will forget how embarrassed he was!  I just saw a great toy in great condition that nobody wanted anymore that kids would love!  Love they did.

Well I don’t know what changed his mind.  It may have been that we have keeping an eye out for desks for our boys, or his shame level has diminished with age, who knows.  It was to my surprise when I heard him shout “stop the car”.  We were driving down the road and a man was putting a sign on these cute desks that read “Free”.

We stopped and loaded all four of these old school desks in my car.  And to my surprise they only needed a little soap, water and sunshine.  I was shocked to see that they were in such good shape and only one of the desks had been carved on.  I personally think that it adds to their charm!

Moral of the story don’t be afraid to “stop the car”.  You never know what Bob has left behind!

Shower Curtain Pillows

So I love Target, there I said it! We have a love/hate relationship though. I love their products and I hate the way I tend to spend way too much money there! The pretty packaging and awesome clearance prices, how could you not? I have been known to pass up an item I love because it is only 30% off. I am a magnet to the 75% off racks!!

I also love to find an item and repurpose it. I found this shower curtain and loved the bright green color, the squares and the price!!! I knew I didn’t want it in my bathroom; it didn’t go with my colors. So then it came to me, pillows!!! I needed new throw pillows on my couch (the first set I made about a year ago, were not my best). I also knew that the green would match my chair and go perfectly with two brown pillows I purchased for $5 a piece at…you guessed it Target.

I made these pillows with a slit in the back so they could be washed easily. I have two young boys so this is a must in my house! I didn’t take too many pictures during the sewing process; I’m still trying to work on that!!

P.S.  If you love the quilt on the back of the couch as much as I do you should check out my Mother-in-Laws blog here!