Sunday, May 31, 2009

It's a Goodwill Party!

Well helloooo ladies! OK, the party is finally here! I am calling this a Goodwill party, but you can link to anything you've purchased "second hand," meaning you purchased it at a thrift store, consignment shop, garage sale, your grandma's attic, whatever!

If you have read this blog for one minute, you know I love me some Goodwill! I have three pretty good ones within a five mile radius, and the best is right down the street. I have developed what I call my "Goodwill radar." I can sense a good deal waiting for me inside...you think I'm kidding! I have found some of my best deals with my sixth sense. Goodwill and I are like this. Tight, yo.

I know some of you have an aversion to Goodwill shops. (Ahem...Jennifer.) Whateva whateva people, you need to load yourself with a mask and some latex gloves and bear down. You can do it! You can bear it! You can walk past the elderly potty chairs and get through it. I believe in you. And if you do, maybe you'll find some treasures like I have. First some of my favorites...

With a bunch of $1.99 hardback books stacked on it: With the covers taken off of course, and they have to have titles I love.

This table is one of my all time favorites. I think it was $30, I can't remember it's been so long. It was AWFUL, awful, blech, puke green. Awful. But I saw it's potential. My dad actually took it and refinished it for me as a gift and now it's one of my favorite pieces of furniture:
Gorg! It's actually an antique, if you can believe it! I had a marking underneath that I researched (I'm too lazy to get my butt off the couch to look now) and it is really old.

This desk was also an awful throw up green (what's the deal with green?) and I painted it black and replaced the knobs. It was $20: Here's a few before and afters I've done in the past few months. I was looking for a little tray for the cat food and water, for, like EVER. I mean, I'm not paying $20 for a tray the cats eat off of. I mean, I love them and all, but really? This bed tray was $4 and falling apart:
With some glue and black spray paint, it turned out perfect:
Don't ask about the water fountain. Please. Just don't ask.
Last fall, our son was starting to get into Thomas the Train, and I researched the train tables and about threw up in my mouth a little. The whole shebang would be $250. One day, my Goodwill radar was at high alert, so I popped in and found this for $25:
It was in PERFECT condition, except where the tracks were glued down. I just turned over the table part and spray painted the table green:
I'm not kidding when I say I saved $225 on this thing! Now, if Hubby would quit buying train stuff, that would be great.

I showed you this last fall, it was $5 and I'm not really sure what it was originally:
I saw it as a little bookcase:
I love it! This little beauty was $2.99 and was OK in white:
But it needed some cleaning and I'm a black paint kind of girl anyway:
It still had a Crate and Barrel price tag on the bottom for $20ish.

I've had a bit of an obsession with all things glass lately, and my Goodwill doesn't disappoint. I found both of these for $1.99 each:
Our dining room cabinet has collected quite a few, although I haven't figured out what I'm doing with them yet:
Remember the jute vases? Yep, they were Goodwill finds:
That gorg tall carafe is fantastic and was $4!

Of course, my laundry room update consisted of mostly Goodwill and consignment shop finds:My little $3 mirror I made into a candlescape...I loved the detail!: I am loving our local consignment shop too -- I've made more than $200 by selling old stuff there over the past year. I find great little treasures there as well (that have completely blown the $200 I made. Huh.) My lamp that I transformed with spray paint and some ribbon:
My skeleton keys were $7 for five keys:
These candlesticks were on sale for $10 for both. I cut one down and glued the top back on so they weren't the same size:
This little doodad on my $20 sofa table is actually a $7 decorative shelf I turned upside down:
Sooooo...what have you transformed? Made your own? Made work for you? Do you need a mask and gloves or do you lurve Goodwill?

I have to mention the purpose of Goodwill while I'm at it -- they are a fantastic organization that help to employ people with disabilities at all levels of the business. These are people may not be employed otherwise. Goodwill allows these folks to be productive members of society, and that is a very good thing. OK, onto the party!!

I have taken down the Linky because of issues it was causing with my site...I've tried just adding the links but it's not working...I'm going to try to get this to work! If you would like to add your post, please leave it in the comments! Thank you so much!

1. Vivienne (lamp shades, canisters)
2. Vivienne (platter)
3. http://www.cleanandclassic.com/?p=1008
4. http://serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/2009/06/salvation-army-saves-day.html
5. Donna at Funky Junk Interiors
6. Lacey
7. Shortmama
8. http://mollythepirate.blogspot.com/2009/05/goodwill-transformation.html
9. http://imperfectlybeautifulms.blogspot.com/2009/06/goodwill-party-treasures.html
10. Fresh Poppy Design...CuTE DecOR!
11. Erin
12. mary's meanderings
13. A Beach Cottage ~ Vintage Shabby Old Dresser
14. Traci-Goodwill chair makeover
15. Kammy-Small Home in the Country
16. Living With Lindsay
17. Chrissie Grace
18. My Garden of Eden
19. Kinzie Sue
20. Kimba (headboard makeover)
21. Kimba #2 (tufted piano bench)
22. The Acting Mom
23. We are THAT family
24. http://lotsofloveformine.blogspot.com/2009/05/back-upi-have-spray-paint.html
25. http://ashleysbusy.com/2009/06/01/a-pillow-a-day/
26. melissa * 320 sycamore (green table makeover)
27. Brandy- Loving Blakely
28. Scatter Sunshine
29. TidyMom (nightstand makeover)
30. TidyMom
31. http://embellishedbayou.blogspot.com/2009/04/back-to-reality.html
32. http://embellishedbayou.blogspot.com/2009/03/switching-gears.html
33. Caren - CityMomma/CountryMomma
34. Lipstick and Laundry ~Jen
35. Caren - CityMomma/CountryMomma
36. ilovemy5kids
37. Sweetbippy
38. Andrea
39. Kara
40. Jane- Anthro find!
41. RedAries-Home decor
42. http://www.homebodyholly.com/2009/06/goodwill-party.html
43. Kelsee Webb ~Window Pot Rack
44. Kimm at Reinvented
45. Aunt LoLo - Teacup Pincushion
46. Jennifer
47. MyFragrantLife
48. http://smithsnapshots.blogspot.com/2009/05/thrift-store-frame-redo.html
49. http://smithsnapshots.blogspot.com/2009/03/you-may-see-new-link-on-right-toolbar.html
50. Rachael
51. http://apieceofpunkinpie.blogspot.com/2009/06/transformation.html
52. Reborn - Steward of the Gifts
53. http://inpassionatepursuit.blogspot.com/2009/05/core-pieces-in-frugal-wardrobe-trench.html
54. The Pleasures of Homemaking
55. Ode to Creativity
56. The Blessed Country Mom
57. Stacy (aunt's entertainment center into kitchen hutch)
58. Molly (sewing chair)
59. http://designonpost.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/goodwill-chair-rehab/
60. vanessa
61. Jen's Thrift Store Treasures
62. Noelle
63. Mustangkayla
64. Bren
65. Marie
66. http://caseysumner.blogspot.com/2009/06/goodwill-party.html
67. http://cherishedtreasures-terry.blogspot.com
68. Lila's Pockets (Everything Was Bought at a Garage Sale!)
69. New Every Morning
70. http://happychaoshome.blogspot.com/2009/06/goodwill-party-and-stool.html
71. Amy Breedlove
72. http://lifeon19th.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-think-i-am-in-love.html
73. Maridith
74. Anna See (thrift store finds!)
75. Josie
76. http://truthisbetterthanfiction-kim.blogspot.com/2009/06/goodwill-party.html
77. Giggles Galore
78. Holly (Mosaic Table)
79. Brittany
80. Brittany
81. Brittany
82. Andy
83. The Starr Family
84. http://ourheartlandhomehome.blogspot.com/2009/06/goodwill-party.html
85. June
86. http://thatsfamtastic.blogspot.com/2009/06/loveseat-makeover.html
87. A Little More Crazy Than Cool :)
88. Linsay
89. Lisa S.
90. Eileen (Earring Lamp)
91. Eileen (Egg Basket, Candy Dish, Bread Box)
92. Steph
93. Amy
94. Marie - Consignment Find
95. The Magic Brush
96. http://thetillmanfamily.blogspot.com/2009/06/goodwill-party.html
97. The Painted Lady
98. Colorfly Studio
99. Simply Saving
100. Kelli
101. http://ellisevents.blogspot.com/2009/06/bench-seat-check-pillows-check-check.html
102. http://barnesfamilylove.blogspot.com/2009/06/showing-off.html
103. Enchantresses 3
104. Melany (Pilarina's Workshop)
105. cher
106. http://meandmyinsanity.blogspot.com/2009/06/good-willgood-advice.html
107. Tammy
108. Eileen HUGE Goodwill score
109. Amber - table to tufted ottoman
110. Heather Happy Chippy Junk
111. Michelle B
112. http://www.moneysavindiva.com/2009/06/my-great-goodwill-finds.html
113. Jaron Hatch
114. Diana

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Mother of two.

I have long considered myself a mother of two. Even before my son was born, I was a mother of one. One beautiful, sweet, lovely (step)daughter. It is hard for me to call her a stepdaughter. It just doesn't seem right. She has been in my life for such a long time, she feels like part of me, so I call her my child.

Not in a freaky stepmother kind of way, mind you. I had one of those a long time ago and learned a lot from that experience.

I was so incredibly blessed when this girl officially came into my life nine years ago. I was so nervous. I knew how bad a step-relationship could be, and I did everything I could to make the experience easier for her. But I didn't need to. She and I were thisclose from the very first time we met.

I don't know how I got so lucky. I never dealt with tantrums, never any anger, never blame. She welcomed me with sweet, open, nine-year-old arms.

Tomorrow she graduates from high school, and as hard as I am trying to keep the tears from pouring as I type, I just can't. She is a beauty, inside and out, and I am so incredibly proud of her.

The past nine years went by in a blink. No more begging to play Life, Sorry and Whoville-opoly all in one sitting. No more sitting at the table and trying to work through impossible fourth grade math problems. No more being afraid to sleep alone at night. And no more kicking us both out of bed (literally) while she slept. No more gymnastics in the family room. No more paint fights with her girlfriends when they are supposed to be painting her room. No more choir concerts, competitions, football games. No more seeing her whenever I want.

I hope she will continue to bring her sweet, crazy, funny friends over, and raid the fridge, eat all the food and stay up so late I am staring at the clock wondering when I will get to fall asleep. I hope she will continue to do little craft projects with me. I hope she will continue to keep me as a confidant and not be afraid to tell me anything, even when it starts with "Don't tell Dad..."

I dream of the day we drop her off at college. I think this is hard...leaving her there will fill me with so much pride and angst I don't know what I'll do. I dream of the day she finds the "one" and wants to start a life with him. I dream of the day she finds the job that she absolutely loves. And I dream of the day (hopefully a while from now!) that she has her own child, "step" or otherwise. So she can begin to understand how deeply we love her.

For now, I will need to get through tomorrow. I am so filled with emotion...I've put off all thoughts of this day, on purpose. It was too hard to comprehend. I am so proud, so excited, so sad.

My sweet step daughter at just a few years old, on stage with her Daddy:

Here she is on stage a young woman:
Tomorrow she'll be on stage becoming an adult. I don't know if my heart can take it.

Friday, May 29, 2009

My New Bench

My new breakfast room is almost finished. After searching for several months I found a wonderful nine foot long antique Belgian Table with an incredible iron base. The iron work is so interesting that I didn't want to hide the front of it with traditional chairs.
(I know the photo leaves a lot to be desired - taken on my cell phone)

So imagine my surprise when I saw this great bench at Wisteria and it was covered in a vintage grain sack like linen! The perfect size too!! So I ordered it!
It just arrived this morning and its perfect!!

I chose the red stripe versus the blue; but I really like them both!
Still waiting for my chandelier (Niermann Weeks) before the big reveal!
But wanted to share what I think is a wonderful find at a great price!
(and did I tell you I also had a 20% off coupon?)

Future House Designs




Future House Designs
The concrete pipes serve two purposes. Um, first of all, they hold up the roof - that’s the simplest function. But the other function which is really fantastic is they store the water which is collected from the roof panels.Quality design and environmental sustainability are key issues & according to NSW Govt. Architect, Chris Johnson, the project is about rethinking & improving suburban housing.

The houses feature passive solar design, natural cross- ventilation, minimal energy consumption, recycled & recyclable materials, stormwater detention, indoor-outdoor flow & so on. Although they are affordable, they profile innovative technologies being researched & tested by the University of Technology, Sydney, CSIRO, & the University of Sydney Ian Buchan Fell Housing Research Centre & supported by many industry associations & interests.

Custom Home Design Image




Custom Home Design Image
Designing a custom home may be right for you. For information on designing a custom house with our parent company, please visit their.

Future Home Appliances




Future Home Appliances
The center is open for techno tourists, but also architects and builders. The items range from complete bedroom sets with massaging mattresses and automatic light systems to induction stoves. Here's a sampling.

Future Home Design





Future Home Design
This modern design was prefabricated – a popular construction method for the eco-conscious requiring less resources and resulting in less site disruption during development. The warm, wooden design boasts low-power LED lighting which gives the home an ultra-modern appeal. Green features include a rainwater harvesting system, passive ventilation, and solar cells embedded in the expansive panes of glass making up the front facade.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Using Ballard Designs as inspiration (part deux)

Here I go again! I tell you what, if you really look through the Ballard Designs catalog, you can find so many items you can make on your own, for a fraction of the price!
I saw this one months ago, and I've had everything for a loooong time to make it on my own. I mean, a LONG time. I kept hesitating because of my new found fear of mod podge.

I'm sceered.

It bubbles up EVERY time I use it. It is driving me batty. I bought a fun new tool to keep it from happening with this project, but in the end, I decided to just go with my trusty spray adhesive and it worked great!

This project is SOOOO easy and will take you about an hour to do. You'll need 12x12 paper -- I got this large book on sale awhile back for $9. But this would be even cheaper if you just bought the paper in singles:
I had a ten foot MDF board cut down into one foot pieces at Lowe's:
And used a brown spray paint to spray the sides and the edges:
Then spray adhesived (my made up word) the crap outta them -- the back of the paper and the front of the board. I let them both set up for about a minute, then just placed the paper on each board:
I decided to do the nine squares like Ballard:
I nailed them right into the wall, instead of putting brackets on the back:
I love it! I bought trim to do the edges like Ballard, but now I don't know if they need it...what do you think?:

I don't know I don't know! Help! I've seen this done all over blogland, and I think most people use canvases. I was being cheap -- I think all the wood for this was less than $10. Total with the wood, paper and spray paint, this cost less than $25. The Ballard version is $200!

Many of you asked about the arch that used to be in this space (a couple posts back). It is uber-cool...I got it from Goodwill years ago for two bucks!!:
I was just reallllly tired of it in that spot, and needed something new. I was going to take it to Goodwill but I think I'm going to use it outside -- fun eh?

To see my other Ballard inspiration project, go here.

 
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