Kitchen remodel

I looked high and low for a "before" picture of my kitchen and could not find one. The original cabinets were covered in dark brown faux wood laminate. The countertops were dingy white Formica with gold specks.

Hummm... any wonder why I couldn't find a before picture?

 Can we say....................

 REALLY ugly?

My home is only 1400 square foot so we have to make

 the most of our space.

At this point everything has been sanded and primed.

We have added open shelving and a cabinet on the end for more

 counter space and storage.

The original cabinets were very sturdy and in good shape so we chose to peel, scrap and sand off that ugly dark brown laminate and just build new doors. The cabinets themselves were solid pine but the doors were some kind of pressed board. 

Below is a picture before changing the counter tops.

After about 3 months of my husbands hard work, here is the result.....

my beautiful butcher block counter top.

Once we completed all the cabinets we moved on to the other side of the kitchen.

I hated this pantry.....

Can you tell?

Making progress

View from livingroom before removing the pantry

And after....

To free up some counter space, my very talented and handy husband, then opened up the wall going into a hall closet and made this little cubby for the microwave. 

I Love my kitchen.

Thanks Jerry for all your hard work, it's perfect.

I am linking today to:

http://www.fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

http://thecsiproject.com/

Denim recycle....

Somehow, I always end up with a stack of worn out jeans I just can't

throw out.

This tote is truly a recycle....

I used old jeans, fabric from a worn out shirt and handles

I cut off an old purse.

The lining fabric was left from another project.

Notice, I even reused the belt loops.

I would love to hear your ideas on recycling old blue jeans.

Simple Christmas gift idea

I started my gift list for Christmas 2010 after Christmas last year.

On my list are 3 nieces, who are sisters.

 I usually try to make the same thing for each, just in different colors.

Last Christmas I opted for simple.

I personalized ready made towel and hair wraps for each.

This year I will be making matching hanger covers, sachets and

 lingerie bags.

What's on YOUR Christmas gift list this year?

Gooey Butterscotch Bars

 I baked these for dessert last night.

If you like butterscotch, you will love these....

All it takes are a few ingredients.

*****

1 package (4 svg size) butterscotch instant pudding mix

1-2/3 cups milk

1 package white cake mix

1-2/3 cups butterscotch chips (10 oz bag)

1-1/4 cup chopped pecans

In large bowl combine pudding mix and milk.

Beat on low speed for 2 minutes.

Add cake mix and beat on low for 1 minute longer or until smooth.

Spread batter in 13 x 9 pan. Scatter chips on top, then pecans.

Bake 35 to 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool on wire rack for 30 minutes before cutting.

*****

Hope you'll try them.

*

Today's link party:

http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/

Picnic plaid

These were such a great deal, I had to share.

I found these chair cushions at Wal-Mart in the seasonal section, a set of two for $7.00.

When is the last time you've seen chair cushions for $3.50 each?

They are covered in heavy fabric and the bottom has these little
nubby things to grip the chair - no ties.

I've been thinking about painting my dining room chairs white.

What do you think? 

Wouldn't these be cute on the seat of an all white chair?

Make brushing fun....

To celebrate Oakleigh's first tooth, I made her a toothbrush holder

and zippered bag.

The roll-up holds her set of "graduating" toothbrushes so they stay tidy in her bag. The bag is large enough to hold the roll-up, toothpaste and a few other essentials.  

I am linking today to:

http://craftingreallyawesomefreethings.blogspot.com/

http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/

http://sewcando.blogspot.com/

http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/

http://itssoverycheri.com/

http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/

http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/

Homemade bias tape

Doesn't the bias tape you make yourself, look so much better than the ol' store bought stuff?

I think so, and it's really easy to make.

Here, I made my daughter a placemat using a small amount of homemade bias I had leftover from another project.

(Love the stripes)

This was WAY too easy.

The front is made using prequilted fabric.  I used the same fabric for the back that I used to make the bias.

I stitched my designs, basted the two fabrics wrong sides together (makes it easier when adding the bias) and added the bias around the edge.

DONE!

Now let's eat dessert!

Around the world...

I have noticed my blog getting several readers from other countries...

 How exciting !

Leia from Brazil has just joined as a follower. 

Leia's comments on What are your plans for the weekend are written

 in her native language.

To make it easier for her and others to read my blog I have added the Google translator to my side bar. 

I am linking today to:
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Have a great Friday!

Simple July embroidery

While I am working on this years 4th of July goodies for my daughter and granddaughter, I thought I would post a few items from previous years.

July 2008

July 2009

I will be posting this years projects a little later.

(sorry for the "not so great" photos)

Yippee !

Misty at Creative Itch is hosting Sew Cute Tuesday again. Check her out below. She has a great blog.  Be sure to check out that brownie recipe while you're there...looks yummy. Can't wait to try it! 

What are your plans for the weekend ?

Whatever they may be....
Have a good one!

Friday night dinner

We don't do pizza on Friday nights....

we do Wrights Gourmet.

My favorite...

Turkey on pumpernickel with an extra helping of their special mustard sauce.

*******
Just joined "show and tell Friday" at Cindy's beautiful blog

come check her out...

Sew Lady-like

I guess it's pretty obvious by now.... I LOVE ladybugs!

I bought the adult button-up shirt for $1.50 from K-Mart at the

end of summer last year.

Can you believe that- $1.50? I bought one in every color. What a deal...

I never shop at K-Mart, just happened to pop in that day.

You can bet, I will be popping in again.

I attended a luncheon at my daughter's school yesterday and thought it would be cute to wear matching shirts for the day.

Time for tea

A few months ago I hosted a small Pennie Pocket Swap.

As a "thanks for playing" gift, I made and mailed each person 

one of these little coasters.

The tag says "Sewing is my cup of tea".

I thought they turned out kinda cute.

Meet Layla and Kevin....

Aren't they the cutest couple?

I just love Layla's style.

 Check out their beautiful home here:

http//:theletteredcottage.blogspot.com/

I crashed a few parties!

Link parties that is .....
Click on the buttons below and find lots of talented bloggers. You may even find a few of my projects.

Ship Ahoy !

This little ensemble started out as an old pair of jeans with

a hole in them.

 One thing led to another.....

...and now my daughter has a whole new outfit !

I cut the jeans off to make shorts, but couldn't stop there - I just had to embellish them. I decided she couldn't have a "new" pair of shorts without a shirt to match. Now, with a matching beach towel....
Miss Polly will be riding on the boat in style!

Oakleigh's artwork

Isn't this sweet?

My precious Miss Oakleigh coloring pictures for my fridge.

Aren't they pretty?

Needing to express her creativity a bit more...

she chose to decorate a boring, blank wall in my dining room. 

Isn't it beautiful?

I too, felt a need to express my creativity a bit more, and embroidered her a new outfit...

Letter to Santa

Oakleigh's mom reminded me I had forgotten to post a picture of the back of Oakleigh's Christmas stocking.

Here it is again:

Front

Back

I added a pocket for her letter to Santa

Quick embroidery and....

AWESOME smoked chicken !
My husband purchased a large smoker/grill a few months ago and...
WOW... can he cook!

We had about 18 friends and family attend

"Jerry's backyard BBQ" yesterday.

What a great way to spend Memorial Day.