I did it!!! All on my own!

Those who know me, know I am not very "domestic" I don't own a sewing machine, I don't know how to knit, or crochet and I struggle getting creative ideas on my own. Well since I found the wonderful world of blogging I have found so many wonderful ideas I decided to self teach myself.

My project this time was to create a valance from hand for my side door that is by my fireplace. The door is never used for going in and out, we only open it during the summertime for the wonderful breeze. I have never put any type of window dressing on it because I never found one I liked.

Well one evening as I was wandering through the blogs that I have subscribed to, I found exactly what I wanted. I thought, okay, I know I want it to look like that but in my true fashion, do you think I printed out the directions or even bookmarked the page? Of course not! I had the picture of it in my mind, I booked over to Joanne Fabrics and found the material I wanted. Now being a true newbie, i went to have it cut and gave the girl my dimensions in inches not yards because I didn't realize that is how they measure and bill. The salesgirl was very nice though and did the calculations for me as I sat there covering my face, mortified! But she said it happens all the time. So I came home with all my goodies ready to go! I thought, oh, I can get this done in a couple of hours.....Yeah right! Took me a couple of evenings after work, since I sewed it all by hand.

But after all the finger sticks, sore neck muscles, and almost going cross eyed I finally finshed it. My own homemade valance! It may not look like a professional piece but I am proud of it!

Here it is...drumroll please!

Like I said earlier, I didn't bookmark the page that I found this on so forgive me bloggers for not giving credit where credit is due for this fine idea. I will do much better in the future with that!

I am participating with this for Thrifty Thursdays over at Bloggeritaville!

I'm linking to Transfomation Thursday!

Home Decor - Oh What to Do, What To Do....

This past weekend I enjoyed two full days home with my husband and my animals. It is very rare that I get consecutive days home with nothing to do. Between work, the pit bull rescue I work with, my group of friends that have kids and there always seems to be a party for something or another. My life if very busy but I like it that way!

My latest mission is getting my home decor to the place where I want it, and I want to do it all myself. I like figuring things out for myself and plus I don't have alot of extra cash to buy what I want. I want my home to be my cozy sanctuary. When I get home at the end of the day I want to walk in my house and feel like it's wrapping it's warm, soft arms around me.

My house was built back in 1941 and there is not a smooth wall, even floor or normal ceiling in the whole place. But that is okay, it has been well loved. It is a tiny house, total square footage is 998 sq. feet. Told you it was small! My kitchen is a galley kitchen and does not have room for a table and chairs. But since we do not have any children, sit down dinners are not a necessity in our home. I do have my grandmother's table with two chairs in my living room so when we have company that is where we eat.

I am painting the kitchen in my two favorite colors, brown with forest green trim. I know it sounds dark but, it gets incredible light during the day. I have stone flooring tiles to lay and purchased green materials to make a faux roman shade.

Above the wall of cabinets are three two part cubbies....I painted them green this weekend and am experimenting with decor to go in them..ignore the gap at the ceiling, the trim was taken down and is being painted.

I have so many different ideas and thoughts about what I can do with my house but I suspect it will be a constant work in progress.

If you have any ideas for me please leave me a comment below....

I am going to leave you with this one last picture. I call it my home defenders in action!!!!

Special Project

I am one of those people who don't take friendships lightly. I have a core group of friends that mean the world to me. Each of them, in their own special way, have helped me become the person I am today. I've been with all of them for years, some since kindergarten! I been with them to see their family's grow and change and am impressed with all their success's in so many different ways.

A couple of weekends ago, I was blessed enough to be here when my beautiful Goddaughter made her first communion. It was alot of work leading up to the actual event and party, however it was SO worth it! These are memories I will hold dear to my heart until the day I pass.

During the party, We had a wonderful opportunity to take a group shot of my close girlfriends. Well I bought a shadow box and used all my lovley scrapbooking supplies and dressed it up to make it extra special. It took a couple of days to complete from start to finish but it was well worth it! It now has a spot of honor on my cupboard in my living room so I can look at it everyday!

Here's a pic:

I am on the left, then it's dear Debbie, then marvelous Missy, Lovely Liz, and finally magnificent Melanie! These woman mean the world to me! They allow me to be myself and they still love me anyways! I don't know what I ever did to deserve them. They are my touchstone!

I have a small wood plaque that I am going to make my next project, but am looking for some ideas. I have scrapbooking supplies out the ying/yang but am at a creative block. Any one have any ideas? My house has a cottage feel to it...any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Here is a pic of it:

Well, that is all from me tonight. I hope all is well with everyone out there in cyber-space and look forward to all your ideas!

-Lisa

Tornado's, Flooding, and Earthquakes, OH MY!

I was going to post up the work I did on my kitchen over the weekend but I have been in such a funk today since I woke up to the horrible images of the recent tornado's and their path of destruction. When you see a seasoned reporter from the weather channel break down on air, you just can't ignore how severe the devistation is. I live on Lake Erie about an hour south of Buffalo, NY. Yes, we get hammered with snow, but you know what, at least I know that my home will always be here keeping my hubby and animals safe. Yes, driving can be very dangerous but most of us seasoned winter drivers, we know when to stay home.

My heart just hurts for the people who have been affected. And I worry about the animals as well. As a animal lover and animal rescuer I know alot of times they get pushed aside and are left to fend for themselves. The sad thing is that they are domesticated, meaning, they CAN'T fend for themselves. If anyone knows of any rescues in the affected area please let me know. I would like to donate supplies and $$ to help them get the family companions safe and sound.

I wish for all my blogging buddies and everyone else out there in cyberworld a safe, prosperouse, healthy, happy life. I pray to our Lord that he keep us protected in his arms.

Good Night sweet blogging buddies, and may all your dreams come true!

-Lisa