Newly painted addition to a little boys bedroom

Hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend. I have been marking weekend projects off my "to do" list left and right lately..It feels very good to start seeing some progress! I'm trying to freshen up one room at a time..it's way past due!Here is one of the latest projects I have finished. I added this piece to the little boys room. I wanted a room that didn't need to be changed as the little ones started to outgrow the toddler stage. I also wanted a vintage feel but still fresh looking..hoping that makes sense :) I don't think I have a certain style..I love what I love :) Ok..enough blabbing..here are the before and after pics of the chest. This isn't some amazing antique or some special paint technique. I found this for 25.00 on Craigslist :)

This room is starting to come together...except..has anyone else tried to find a mattress for an antique bed, smaller than the standard twin? Please email me if you have...I can't find anything to fit a really cute bed I have for this room :(

Beth :)

Thrift Store Find Turned Menu/Memo Board

I know the chalkboard paint has been around for ahwile but this is my very first chance to use it on a project. I am in love! I'm already thinking of what else I can paint :)
I found this cute little board at a thrift store for .99 cents. I had no idea what I was going to do with it but liked the fact it already had a shelf and clip board...
Before~

After~

Now, it can't get any easier than this...or much cheaper!

When I am certain our little guys won't eat the chalk, I'm going to paint a large area on their playroom wall..how fun!

~Beth :)

Pottery Barn Inspired Buckets

As part of my 2011 New Year Resolution to get more organized..I have been inspired by Pottery Barn. While browsing the Pottery Barn Kids magazine the other evening..something caught my eye that I knew would be perfect for quickly picking up and storing those little toys that hurt your feet when you walk into the bedroom in the dark. Anyone with children will know exactly what I mean :) I'm hoping the pictures I have chosen will also help the little ones to learn which bucket will hold the blocks or cars.

I have filled the buckets with blocks, cars and misc. toys

I found the images on the internet, printed them and used mod podge to adhere to the bucket. I lightly sanded the bucket and picture to give it a bit of a worn look.

 I picked up three galvanized buckets from a local hardware store for $5.00 each and used a 20% off coupon. I already had the paint on hand making this a pretty inexpensive project..woot!

I first primed the buckets, brushing on one coat of primer (do not skip this step or your paint will easily scratch off). I painted the buckets with two coats of paint.

(A little hint....to clean this primer from your paintbrush, use equal parts of household ammonia and water..cleans oh so easy!

Thanks for visiting!

Beth :)

Stylish Blogger Award!

I just received The Stylish Blogger Award from Heather over at Inspire Me Heather! Please check out her blog, she is a very inspiring blogger. Thank you Heather for passing this award along to me.

Ok..now for the rules....yes, there are always rules ;) I am supposed to list 7 things about myself to help you get to know me better. Then pass this award on to 15 inspiring other blogs..which is the difficult part! Not that there aren't 15 inspiring blogs that I follow but because there are sooooo many blogs I love and follow!

Now for the 7 things about myself..I hope you are still following after you read them..lol.

1. I work full time as an office adminstrator for an engineering company and have my real estate broker license (yes, this makes for a lot of computer time for blogging but not near enough crafting time!).

2. Will not touch seafood! ack!

3. I have to smell everything..especially any new laundry detergent or cleaning supplies..yeah, I'm weird like that.

4. I have always wanted to pursue a Forensic Science degree (see #3..smells have kept me from it..ha).

5. Love flower/herb gardening

6. Love the beach, sunshine, island music (steel drums) and the smell of coconut oil..oh baby, how I wish I was there now!

7. Love to listen to bagpipes

There you have it..I'm actually a very boring person..haha.

Now..on to passing the torch to 15 other blogs. I am inspired in some way by each and every blog I follow, however, I can only pick 15 booo! Here they are in no particular order....

1. Home & Harmony
2. The Willow House Blog with Nanci Burt 
3. Serendipity Chic Design
4. Bella and Aidees Mom
5. The White Chair
6. Turned Gypsy
7. Where Beauty Meets Function
8. Two Story Cottage
9. Home Stories A2Z
10. Momnivore's Dilemma
11. In These Hands..The Paper Midwife
12. Fern Creek Cottage
13. Brown Paper Packages
14. Paper and Ink Playground
15. Dittle Dattle

Thank you again Heather! [Inspire Me Heather]

Vintage Window

It has been a crazy week here! We are "iced" in here where I live in Indiana. Since I have been home from work, I have been able to do some projects I've been wanting to do. My last post was a little night stand I did for the little boys. Here is an old window I am putting in the same room. Most furniture is old or some we have inherited over the years. I will do a room reveal when it's all finished :)
I used my Cricut Expression to cut the brown vinyl from "A Child's Year" Cartridge. I had so many ideas how to decorate this window but this is what I ended up deciding on :) It's easy to change if I decide on something different in the near future..ha.

This room is brown/blue with a bit of green. I am loving it so far! I think the pictures depict a little boy's life perfectly :)

Hope you enjoy. I am linking to some of my favorite parties listed on the left of my blog!

Hugs,

Beth

Old night stand gets new paint...

My New Year's Resolution was to get organized in 2011. I have been cleaning, purging and organizing. Finding storage in my home is difficult...apparently, the person responsible for the plans of my home which was built prior to 1900 didn't plan on a lot of closet space. I have been told it's because many families used amoir's..I don't know the reason but I have to be creative when it comes to storage since my closets are small. Sorry..I sort of got of track here :)....
This past weekend, I started switching bedrooms around..of course, I couldn't do that alone so I had to have the help of hubby (he gets a little nervous when I get a bee in my bonnet!). Some rooms have got a fresh coat of paint during this process. I wanted to move this little bedside table to the room I plan to use for the little boys..so the pink had to go! I think it turned out cute and quite an improvement since it has been used and abused by my daughter.

Sorry about the photo quality..I am by no means a photographer..ha. The new color is called "clear blue".

Thank you for stopping by!

Beth

lil' Tweetheart

Jitterbuggin "For the Birds"
This week's challenge at Jitterbuggin is titled "For the Birds", you must follow the sketch and use pink somewhere on the card. This was a perfect time for me to make a valentine for a sweet 6 year old little girl :)

I cut the little chick from the Cricut "Stretch Your Imagination" cartridge, I also used the "Sweethearts" cartridge. Sorry about the quality of this photo..the shiny silver paper I used for the hearts is difficult to capture a decent picture.

Thank you for stopping by!

Beth

Simply Sweet Giveaway Winner!!

#9 Tandy is the winner of the Simply Sweet Cartridge giveaway!
Congratulations!
Please send me your address (you can find my email button on the left side of my blog)
Thank you everyone for entering. I will do another giveaway very, very soon!

Hugs!
Beth

http://myserendipity-beth.blogspot.com/2010/12/simply-sweet-giveaway.html

A Little Play on Words!

I thought I would share a fun little Microsoft Word tip that great to use for various things.
The WordArt feature lets you bend or make a circle of your words, like this....

To make this, open Microsoft Word and go to-
Insert  > WordArt. Select the half-circle shape
(usually the third shape in the top row). In the box that appears, choose your font and size, then type your text and click Ok.

Make sure your words are selected, and the WordArt tool bar appears. Click the WordArt Shape button, choose circle from the menu of shapes. The words will appear a little wonky at this point (for lack of better words). Go to Format > WordArt...click the Size tab and enter the height and width you would like your circle to be. For a circle, your size will need to be the same for both height and width. Next, you will need to go to your Colors/Lines tab. Under Fill, select the color for your type and also select No Line. Click Ok.

You can also place additional text inside your circle by creating a new text box (with no fill and no line) and drag it over the circle and adjust it to fit inside.

I hope this helps if you have been wondering how to do this..I like using this feature in my scrapbooking :)
You can always email me if I have confused you or if you have any questions :)

Happy Wednesday!
Beth

Simply Sweet Giveaway!

Winner is #9 Tandy!
Congratulations!
Please send me your address :)

I will close the drawing at noon (EST) today and announce the winner this afternoon! Thank you all for entering and for all the sweet posts you left. I will do another giveaway soon..I want you all to win! I am organizing my scrap/craft room so I can get down to business...I don't function very well in the condition I have left it..LOL. I should post pictures but I am too embarrassed!
Good luck!
Beth

It's time for my first giveaway!

Since I'm still in the Christmas giving mood, I want to do a giveaway! For you cricuteers out there..I have a new Simply Sweet cartridge and some other goodies I will toss in. I will use random.org to choose a winner one week from today. I wish I could give all my sweet followers something special.
I hope to do more giveaways in the near future. I have been lucky enough to win some giveaways lately and I feel it's time to "pay it forward" :)
To be in the random draw, I only ask that you....
*Be a follower
*Leave me a comment...gotta have some love! ;)
Good luck!

Shout Out For Willow House!

I recently won a gift certificate to Willow House from the The DIY Showoff Blog! I had never heard of Willow House before Roeshel at The DIY Showoff posted the giveaway. Well...let me tell you, I am a new fan/customer of Willow House products! I was honestly surprised when I received the package in the mail! These products are better than the lovely pictures appear...now, how often can you say that??
I ordered two items from the catalog and already have my wish list of more things to order. Here are the two items I ordered...

I don't have a picture of the file holder in my kitchen but I have put my longaberger dishes in it..yes, they fit perfectly!

Here is a picture of the recipe book holder from my kitchen..

This is a full size magazine (Taste of Home) I was using. I love how it holds the pages open!
I am in love and can't wait to add to this collection. There is a great sale going on right now...hopefully, you will take a peek and see all the beautiful things they offer. Nanci is wonderful to order from..she communicated promptly and the shipment was very fast! Her personal blog is {here}. Her story is touching..I hope you take the time to visit her blog :)

(I was not compensated in any way by Willow House for this post. My opinions about Willow House are strickly my own.)

Hugs,
Beth

Finally~Christmas Pictures

I am so late posting these pictures of some Christmas decorations around our home. Warning..pic heavy!

This is our huge tree (9') in the living room with red and gold decorations

This is our "family" tree. All the baby ornaments and special ornaments the kids have made for me go on this tree. We always buy an ornament when we are on vacation..here are some of my favorite ones. I love the santa dough ornament the children of Aruba make to raise money for their school. I love the Maui surf board and colors of the Cozumel ornament.

The mantel was in an earlier post but I have changed some things around since it was posted..my family laughs at this..each time they visit..something is moved :)

One of my favorite pieces is the antique school desk..the school house quilt was handed down to me by my granny..her grandmother quilted it. It is beautiful..I love it.

This is the family room decorations..the walls look orange but they are actually "brick".

......and of course, the stockings :)

I hope I haven't bored you all..I know everyone is ready to move on to the new year and pack away all the Christmas decorations :)

And the stockings belong to these little sweeties :) Well...sweet most of the time..lol.

I learned trying to take "Chuck" the truck away was not a good idea at the time..thus the reason for the frown! I love this picture because it wasn't planned in advance..we gathered them up from playing..surprisingly it turned out this good :) 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your family or families. I always want everything to be perfect and almost kill myself to make it happen but when it comes down to it..it doesn't really matter as long as we can all spend this time together. I know I won't change my ways..it's who I am :)

More than anything..I just want to make it magical for these little people who won't be little very long.

Blessings,

Beth