Welcome to my blog. Hopefully I can help inspire you, as others have helped in my inspirations.

Enjoy! More to Come!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Work from home moms

I just signed up for an awesome opportunity!  Do you have a lumpy belly after having kids?  Or just need a few inches lost to get into that outfit that has been hanging in your closet for years?  Please see my new website https://rachelfrey.myitworks.com/Home    .  This is an all natural spa wrap that you can do at home.  And it really does work! I used one on my belly (after 2 kids it still hasn't gone back to normal shape), I lost 6 and 1/2 inches after having this on for 1 hour.  YEP 1 HOUR! I have before picture, but I really don't want to make my belly public (at least not yet).

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Wishing for Spring

Here is yet another table I picked up at a yard sale over the summer.  I first tried my hand at spray painting, but forgot to prime it first. The laminate wood look top was slick, and the paint just peeled off. So I sanded it, and painted it the same color as my dresser/kitchen island.

It was just dark, and when I got it, it wasn't even put together.
I spray painted the legs satin black, and used my homemade mixed chalk paint in Asparagus green.


The green looks different depending on how the natural light hits it, but I still love it!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Rescued shutters

Over the summer I sent my husband out on a curb alert.  There were old wood bifold doors and old wooden shutters laying at the end of a driveway.  My first project was a simple outdoor "plant" holder for my garden. The garden needed some height and color other than green.  So I found a plant stand online and copied it.
My husband got involved in the next project.  Well, let's just say he took over my idea and built a storage unit for behind my couch.
I still need to stain the top.  But it holds a lot, and is now sitting on my enclosed porch full of canning jars, shoes, and more!
I had another set of wood shutters that I painted a gray-blue color (I mixed my son's room color with a gray that I had laying around).  Then I left them outside all summer, fall and part of winter.  I just didn't know what I wanted to do with them.  Today I decided to hang them in my bathroom. They are a little taller than my window, so I may have to cut them, but after the hassle I had trying to hang them myself, and constantly dropping the screws before I got them in the wall, I was completely frustrated and just wanted them hung!
Before..

The blind that was hanging my the bathroom was probably 10 years old and dirt just as old. They came with the house.
I have a half-assed  beach theme started in the bathroom.I don't want it to scream tacky, but it's hardly finished. I like the weathered look.  Not sure if I should keep the curtain (there are shells on the trim, and the colors blend all the other colors together).  What do you think?

Friday, February 24, 2012

Counter height table

This is the table that goes with the chairs listed below.  The top was all scratched up, So I knew I was going to strip it and stain it.  I got out the sander (generally the sander works better and faster than me waiting on stripper).  The sander didn't work.  I usually use citristrip...it didn't work either.  So hubby had some powerful stuff, that worked great!

I forgot to take a before the stripper was applied.

Then I got the sander out, it took me a while (3 hours in total). but now all the scratches are out, and it's so smooth.  I was planning on staining the chair seats to match the table top, but I don't know if I want to go thru the hassle.



Thursday, February 23, 2012

High dining table and chairs

I picked this set up from craigslist of course... There is paint all over the chairs.  I started one chair last night.  We are having some nice weather this week, and I really need to move this set, so I have room for the next project.



After 2 coats of black homemade chalk paint... I think I am going to sand and stain the seats to match the table top.



 More to come!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

For my 12 followers
I have only had my blog up for a few months and it needs help.  And so do I.  I have all my favorite blogs I follow at the bottom of my blog, but how do I add their cute buttons?  And how do I add the new linky following block? Every blog I follow is unique, with beautiful picture titles, and buttons to "go home", favorite projects, etc.  I just need a blog revamp.  Please help if you can.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Birds eye Maple Dresser/kitchen island

The vintage Birdseye Maple dresser
Where did I buy this beauty?  Craigslist of course!  I had this dresser for more than 6 months, I just couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with it. She sat on my enclosed porch for months, and then the rains came.  AND MY PORCH LEAKED! Before I knew about the leak the top veneer had been completely ruined.  I was so distraught!  I have always wanted a dresser like this, I love the curves, and the birds eye maple was beautiful.  But now I had a mess on my hands.  So I moved her inside, and the only space I had was in my kitchen, and for the longest time she sat naked.



We have had a pretty mild winter, but I have Spring Fever!  I am ready for the warmth of the sun to soak into my bones and warm me.  I am ready for shorts and tank tops.  I hate wearing layers.  So I asked my husband to mix me some paint (he works at Ace Hardware), I got a quart of Asparagus in flat, and mixed in some plaster.  I painted the drawers white and distressed (and after it was finished, I was told by hubby that he didn't like the drawers).  It brightens the kitchen with some color.  I think I am going to get some stainless steel for the top and she can be my island. Oh, and I need some drawer pulls!


Sunday, February 12, 2012

I was featured at http://stylishonceagain.blogspot.com/ .  I am so excited!  I am sitting here with a horrible head cold, checking out my favorite blogs, and stumbled across the post.  I don't get to finish too many projects over the winter since I don't have a shelter to paint.  I have to wait for a nice warm day since all my work is done outside.  I did get 2 end tables painted about 2 weeks ago. I can't seem to find the before pictures, but they were just brown and ugly.