Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Welcome...

FINALLY...
 
We have the SMALLEST entryway of any home I have ever seen. You walk straight into our living room, which is luckily sectioned off by a change in flooring and a squared-off furniture layout. BUT, it only left a small wall for any sort of entryway.
 
So we waited. And waited. And thought. And waited more. And analyzed what we actually used the entryway space for. Conclusion- our sandals which are worn in and out of the house on weekends, a place to sit and put-on/take-off work boots, a DRAWER for keys, tyler's wallet, etc., maybe a spot to hang a coat. The extras I envisioned were a mirror, a cute clock, and a place to put my slender flower arrangement that no longer fit on the mantel due to husband's oversized TV.
 
I give you... our entryway...
 

Briefly.
My mother's father was handicap but found unique ways to paint before he lost all of his muscle strength. He lived two hours away and passed away just before my 10th birthday, so I didn't have a chance to really get to know him. Having one of his paintings is a true treasure for me!
The shelf with drawers and stool were both yard sale finds.
The flower arrangement fit perfectly and I found a cute clock at Ikea.
I have the mirror Grandpa Crawford made hanging on the photo wall, so no need for one here.
The rug is a navy and white, chevron/diamond pattern: found it at Walmart on Clarence.
 
To come.
This wall, as well as the rest of the living room and hallway, still need to be painted grey like our photo wall. I think I will add a row of hooks below the shelf too... to close in the gap and allow for a guest to hang their coat or purse!
 
"For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
 

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Yard Sale Chair

No unique title needed... this chair says it all!
 
Found a silver-metal framed chair with grey seat/back... paid $5 at a yard sale.
 
 
 
Added padding to the seat & recovered each section in fabric I already had, and had already used to make my sewing machine cover (first thing made on first sewing machine).
 
 
 
I secured the fabric with a few staples from the staple gun and then bronze upholstery nails in a design that goes across the bottom and up the sides of the inside, and then across the top of the back of the chair. I love the look of the two different fabrics! The top fabric is gold and white damask, the bottom is gold and white stripe (hard to see in the photos).
 
Also, I spray painted the frame white since there wasn't any silver in my office. I think I will go back and spray paint the screws white as well so there is no silver on the chair.
 
This will be my chair to sit in when I sew... and it fits nicely pushed under my cheap card-table, sewing table! {Note the sewing machine and pile of fabric :) }.
 

 
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.” Isaiah 65:17


Sunday, May 4, 2014

Collections on a Wall

Before the holiday season started in October.. yes, we celebrate pumpkin carving and candy eating :), I took the time to gather several items and frames I had been setting aside KNOWING they would make for an excellent photowall/gallerywall/PinterestMasterpiece :).
 
Then, I taped a very unproportionate square on my living room carpet and laid out my design...
 


BUT. Then we had the holidays and NUMEROUS other household projects... and we didn't tackle hanging anything until April/May.
 
FIRST. We had to paint the wall. We knew we wanted the WHOLE room to go from light tan to a powerful grey- so we started with the "photo wall". A great way to try out the grey before committing to the whole 12 foot tall room and hallways! We LOVED the grey that I painted, so Tyler agreed we could start hanging pictures.
 
Let me explain...
 
My nanny family, the Slaters, gave us a very generous Groupon giftcard during our engagement. I chose to spend it on a deal for two professional photos turned into canvas portraits. GREAT SPEND! Can not thank them enough!

The tan portrait is Tyler and I during our First Dance as a married couple- at our Wedding Reception. The second, Black and White portrait is from our engagement session at the Barker Farm with our precious son, Buddy :).


 
Also during our engagement, while shopping dangerously at Kirklands... I found two plaques that spoke to my heart. I bought them, and right away knew that they needed to be added into a photo wall. Enjoy reading these gems...
 


Next.. I searched for a small frame to fill the whole in my carpet-layout ;). While at khols, who has AMAZING frames for cheap, I found a four selection frame. I thought "It will be too high to capture photos this small of a size" but the frame PERFECTLY fit the measurements I needed, so I bought it. After a few too many days wasted on pinterest, I realized that so many people were framing fabric and scrap book paper for room décor. Got me thinking... why don't I frame the fabric samples from the fabric I've used in my living room and kitchen for curtains, pillows, etc. So I did...
 
 
Both of the Hanging plaques have been in my apartment and at our parents homes while we lived at home waiting to get married. The dog portrait looks JUST LIKE our little guy so when we saw it at the Southern Living Christmas show in 2010- I bought it. The fisherman plaque came from Kirklands... and it was just TOO good to be true, especially now that we are married and living together. I gave it to Tyler for Christmas the year we were engaged and buying our home.
 

From early on in our dating relationship, Tyler and I had a little phrase we repeatedly used, "Love you more". To our content, we have found a picture frame and even a candle with the phrase. This plaque, however, Tyler found and brought home. Beautiful surprise and a great "cherry on top" of our "photo wall". The wood slice was cut by Tyler for our wedding and written on by my crafty sister, Amy. Both are wonderful treasures...

 
 
Please note: The window framed mirror was made by Grandpa Crawford!
 
We still need to find frames to go around the wood slice, and pictures to go inside... but our photo wall is almost complete! My husband spent two complete days measuring out every piece to make sure the wall would look perfect. He is the best!
 


"He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer."  Exodus 35:35