thrifted hutch

I recently bought this hutch at my local Salvation Army. It had only been there for two days but I was able to talk the manager into taking 25% off the price (they usually won't give a discount unless the item has been there for at least a week) so I paid only $30.


I have plans to do something bold à la Barb from Knack Studios:


As much as I love the orange that is not what I want to do with this piece. I am thinking teal, specifically "Woodlawn Charm". I first saw it here. It is the perfect teal. Not too light or too dark more green than blue. I love it.

My adoration was further cemented when I saw this kitchen.


I am also considering an avocado-y green color. There was a house for sale near me that I would have bought in a heart beat if I had the money. There was much to love about this house; full brick, one mile from Liam's school, sunroom, completely renovated and much more but what really hooked me was the kitchen:


I can't have that green kitchen but I could paint my hutch a similar color.

My dining room is a little small though. I am afraid that having a piece of furniture painted in such a bold color would be too much for the space. Should I play it safe & boring and paint it white? Also the wall color in the dining room will not be staying that dark olive green color. The whole room is getting a bit of a make-over, albeit a slow one.

What would you do?

thrift stores rule, antique stores drool!

This morning Ezra and I were visiting some of my favorite thrift stores and I decided to stop by an antique store that I rarely shop at. This is why:

Two cute white vintage pyrex mixing bowls.

The price? On sale (!) for $18.

An hour earlier at Salvation Army I bought an identical set. For a total of... wait for it...

$4.99! But wait, there's more! It was 50% off bric-a-brac day so I actually paid $2.50.

I also got a set of vintage pyrex casserole dishes for $1.50! The antique store sold similar sets for $25-35. I think I might give this set to my sister-in-law. She's keen on vintage pyrex. You interested Jen?

I looked up this design, it's called "Forest Fancies" if you like it there are several sets listed on etsy. Not for $1.50 though! :)

sunshine pillow tutorial

This tutorial is for a 15" square pillow. I used 100% cotton for the pillow and a jersey knit for the circles.
{Click the pictures to see them bigger}

1- Cut one 15"x15" piece of fabric and two 11"x15" pieces of fabric.
2- On the shorter (11") side of one of the 11"x15" pieces fold and press the edge under 1/4".
3-Then turn and press and additional 1".
4- Ready to sew.
5- Sew close to the folded edge.
6- Repeat for the other 11"x15" piece. Set aside.

7- Trace your circles directly on to the fabric. I used a can of spray adhesive.
8- Cut all your circles out. Mine are 3". I have approximately 45 circles on my pillow which took about a 1/2 yard of jersey.
9- Using masking tape, secure your 15"x15" piece to a cutting mat (or an un-carpeted floor if you don't have a cutting mat). The tape should cover about a 1/2" of the edge of your fabric, this is your seam allowance.

10- Pin the circles to the fabric. Place the pin where the seam will be, in the center of the circle. Make the circles random and tucked under each other, just make sure you will be able to sew the circles down without sewing on top of another circle. Don't pin or sew the circles past the tape line (the edges of the circles are okay to overlap the taped edge).
11- Sew the circles. This is the most time consuming part. Take your time and fold the circles out of the way as you go.
12- All the circles are sewn.

13- Fold and pin the outer circles so they won't accidentally get sewn over, remove tape.
14- Pin one 11"x15" piece over the circles (right sides facing).
15- Pin the other 11"x15" piece (again, right side down).
16- Sew all the way around with a 1/2" inseam. I used my serger but a regular straight stitch will work too.

Turn your pillow right side out and put in pillow insert. Admire your handiwork!
If you make one I'd love to see it! Send me pics!

almost there...

I have received many requests for a tutorial for the circle ruffle pillow I made back in January. I am sorry for taking so long... sometimes real life gets in the way of all the things I would like to create. Anyhow, I finally made the time to get this pillow done. I am calling it "The Sunshine Pillow".

I changed a few things. This pillow is square (as opposed to the original rectangular version) and I used jersey for the circles. After a few weeks the circles on the first pillow started fraying more than I liked. The jersey won't do that.

The tutorial should be ready to post early next week. Have a fabulous weekend!

granola

I love homemade granola! I eat it for breakfast, a mid-day snack or even a late night snack (it's got to be better than ice cream or cookies, right?).

In the fall I have made pumpkin spice granola and it's delicious but for the rest of the year I prefer this granola recipe. It is so yummy. It is packed with healthy things: oats, wheat germ, whole wheat flour (freshly ground with my fancy wheat grinder!), almonds and pecans. It is sweetened only with honey. I like to eat mine with dried cranberries and milk. The recipe makes a ton- I actually have to stir it together in a giant stock pot because I don't have a bowl large enough- but it is so good that we ate the last batch in less than two weeks!

Do you have a favorite granola recipe? Do share!

wheat grass

I grew my own wheat grass! I don't know what I am going to do with it though. I have a lot... six pots. I love how it looks. It is so fresh and spring-y. I think I will just keep it in the house for looks.

There are a lot of health benefits to wheat grass but you have to have a special wheat grass juicer. Do any of you drink wheatgrass juice?

It was incredibly easy (and fast) to grow. I followed the directions I found here at Make and Takes. I wish it was as easy to grow grass in my back yard!

After 24 hours:

48 hours:

72 hours:

96 hours:

8 days:

pleated ruffle t-shirt

I have tried a couple of t-shirt refashions lately that have not worked out. So I decided to ditch being original and adopt someone elses creative genius. Today that creative genius was borrowed from Ashley of Make it and Love it. I adore the top she made for her daughter.


So I made one for myself. It was quick and easy, about 25 minutes. I used a $5 white shirt from walmart. (it's actually a really nice t-shirt. soft and thick, but not too thick) I cut up an old shirt for the pleats and the strips on the sleeves.


While Ashley's daughter is certainly much more adorable in her t-shirt than I am in mine, I am very happy with the result. I think I will be wearing it a lot this summer. I love white in the summer, somehow it makes me feel less hot.

p.s.- Those earrings are one of the many pairs Jamie sent me. I love 'em!

this weekend

Today and tomorrow will be spent listening to General Conference in which we receive prophetic council from our church leaders. It's one of my favorite weekends of the year. The doors and windows are open letting in a spring breeze. The kids play on the floor and Michael and I cuddle on the couch. A perfect relaxing and uplifting way to spend a weekend.

HAPPY EASTER! Enjoy your time with your loved ones!



*LOVE IS SPOKEN HERE print available here.