tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77428426321088771282024-03-13T22:20:20.375-04:00Jill of All TradesLife lessons from a girl who wants to do it all!Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-15052949966897008742013-08-13T12:54:00.001-04:002013-08-13T12:54:17.016-04:00Farewell for NowToday is a quick final post to let you all know that I will be taking a break from the blog for a while. Life has a way of changing plans, and so for personal reasons I need to put this aside for now. Thank you all for being there with me as I chronicled my DIY journey, and I hope that I can pick up the paintbrush once again after the pieces of my life are picked up. Your readership and support have meant the world to me, and I hope that I was able to inspire some of you. <div>
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XO,</div>
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Jessica @ Jill of All Trades</div>
Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-67733209752636087222013-07-04T21:01:00.001-04:002013-07-04T21:01:17.702-04:00Happy Fourth!Happy Fourth, everyone!<br />
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Just wanted to pop in and wish you all a wonderful Fourth of July! Don't forget the brave men and women who are serving our country and hard at work right now. Without our military, we wouldn't have an independence to celebrate! :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via Cheermad.com<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-76137762300089583682013-07-01T17:12:00.000-04:002013-07-01T17:12:01.032-04:00NothingThat pretty much sums up what my plans are for the next few days. Sure, I have a second bedroom that needs cleaned, a front door that STILL needs to be painted, some mending to do, and a duvet that needs to be sewn. But I just couldn't resist the temptation of laying in bed all day while the kiddo is camping with Grammy and Pappy. I mean, I earnestly thought to myself, "What's the one thing that I just cannot do while the munchkin is around?" And my answer was nothing. Absolutely nothing. And so that's what I aim to do. At least for now, anyway. :)<br />
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I'm sure when she comes home I'll think back and wonder why I didn't take advantage of all of the free time I had to get things painted and not worry about little fingers touching them, but sometimes the body and soul just need to relax. We have been in our home for almost 3 months now (!!), and it often feels like I have been in fast forward mode the whole time. It's nice to have a couple of days to just relax, lay in bed, read a good book, and not worry about a single little thing.<br />
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Read anything good lately? I'm diving back into my love of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. I love that series, and am anxiously anticipating the release of her latest book this coming Spring. It's time to catch up and prepare myself for the TV series adaptation of the book on the Starz network as well. Let's hope they do it some justice!Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-35255861797517439692013-06-28T18:24:00.000-04:002013-06-28T18:24:01.377-04:00The Curtains That I Didn't MakeSay Whaa?!<br />
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I blame Target's Threshold line for being so darn pretty. And when I found that they had a BOGO 1/2 off coupon on the website for curtains, I was off to Target to get me some. I think my daughter's room is starting to become the poster child for that store.<br />
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In the store I had thought the trim applique on the panels was more of a chartreuse green, but it turns out that they're more of a goldenrod yellow. I think they play nicely with the tulip design on the bed sheet and also pick up hints of the same golden color in the <a href="http://diyjill.blogspot.com/2013/01/bout-time-bedding.html" target="_blank">doll bedding I made</a> earlier this year.<br />
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I've also put some storage together for Claire's things. We have a few bins of toys stored under the bed, and I'll be making a custom bed skirt to hide them from view. I've also utilized a suitcase to store her barbie collection. I picked up this vintage piece at the goodwill for $4, and amazingly enough it stores EVERYTHING. There are even a pair of cars in there! I love the pockets on the side-- they're perfect for storing smaller pieces like brushes and accessories.<br />
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Originally I bought it to paint and put casters on, but I decided that I really loved as it is. I did need to repair some of the trim on the inside which had a small tear. Nothing a little bit of glue can't fix. When Barbie and Co aren't in play, they tuck easily out of the way under the wardrobe.<br />
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I brought Claire's rocker up to her room so she could lovingly care for Poomba while he naps in the crib. The picture on the wall was given to me by my mother. It's an original Hummel piece, and used to grace my nursery wall when I was a baby.<br />
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The other side of the room boasts more Target clearance finds, including the unicorn bank that was only $4, and the grey star burst mirror that was $8. My child's movie collection is sickening, isn't it? I'd love to bring more artwork into the room since there is plenty of empty space still on the wall.<br />
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This room is starting to look so much more put together now, and I really love how it's evolved. There are still a few things to do on Bob, though:<br />
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Get new lighting<br />
Hang some artwork<br />
Find a rug that fits the space<br />
Book rails for the reading nook<br />
Fill the empty space above the wardrobe somehow<br />
Floating shelves above the doll bed (?)<br />
Sew duvet cover using the tulip sheets<br />
Hang some hooks on the wall behind the door for more storage.<br />
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So that's pretty much it for now. I love how this post started about curtains that I didn't make and wound up turning into a mini reveal. I think they really bring everything in the room together, though. I like them a lot more than the green floral ones I had hanging in there previously. What do you think?<br />
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Once I get things cleaned up in the other bedroom, I can unpack my sewing machine and get to work on the duvet cover. I'm keeping an eye out for some pretty artwork inspiration, too. Hopefully I can figure something out for that large space above the headboard.<br />
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Anyone else enamored with Target's Threshold line? Are you having as hard of a time resisting their clearance as I am?<br />
<br />Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-61979506279782043602013-06-26T14:54:00.003-04:002013-06-26T14:54:58.730-04:00Claire's Reading NookI've been working on this space for a long time. Longer than I would have liked, but sometimes DIY projects just aren't always a priority. C'est la vie.<br />
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Nearly a month ago I primed, painted, and caulked the wall and repaired the window. A. Month. Who knew that a space so small could take so long, but then again I kept putting it on the back burner for a while. I had some pretty lofty stencil plans after checking out the amazing $5 sharpie project from <a href="http://owensolivia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Owen's Olivia</a> blog. I took inspiration from <a href="http://owensolivia.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-04-17T07:12:00-04:00&max-results=5" target="_blank">this amazing project</a> she had completed in her daughters room. It seemed serendipitous that she used one of my favorite patterns: Ikea's Green Birds print (which they, sadly, no longer make). I loved it so much that I purchased a couple of yards on Ebay a while ago so that I could use it for a future project (Or hoard it in my fabric stash. Same difference, really).<br />
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My husband and I purchased a projector a few months ago after we had moved in so we could watch TV in our bedroom without having the eyesore of a big screen television on the wall. We also have been fantasizing about hanging a sheet up and hosting movie nights in the backyard. It also would allow me to make my very own Ikea Green Birds stencil in the closet. In my mind, this project was meant to be.<br />
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But it just wasn't turning out as lovely as I had hoped. We had a few years of thick, goopy paint on the wall which didn't exactly leave the smoothest texture, and I was too lazy to skim coat the plaster. I started with a Sharpie fine point, but I had difficulty getting a smooth, even line. The stencil felt really thick and heavy, and I just wasn't happy with it. So I bought some Sharpie ultra fine point pens and gave it a whirl hoping it would turn out better. It did look much cleaner, but it still looked like someone drew on the wall. I'm not sure if the Sharpie markers just did not agree with the type of paint I had used ( Valspar Ultra painter/primer in White), but they did not work very well. I had to keep going over the same lines several times to get them to show up, and I was really disappointed. I gave up in frustration, and went back to the drawing board.<br />
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Literally.<br />
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I really loved the contrast of the black and white in the closet. And I thought it would be great to not only make this a reading nook, but a fun little place where she could draw, practice her letters, and color. I also added a little bit of fun versatility with the magnetic primer.<br />
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Six coats later, we had good magnetism. The can said to use three thin coats, but after reading some "horror stories" about the disappointment that the magnetic paint had been so a few other bloggers I wanted to make sure my $20 can of metallic primer wasn't a total waste. I asked the gentleman at the Lowes counter to shake both cans for me to ensure the paint was well mixed-- much easier than stirring it by hand. Let me also say that the metallic primer was uber smelly. Apparently it's also oil-based paint, and it made quite the mess. My arms and hands qualified me to join the 102 Dalmatians (Ignore the coke nail that I've got going on in the picture above). But we weren't out of the woods, yet. I still had two coats of chalkboard paint to apply.<br />
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We still had good magnetism, but we also had quite the dusty mess. Oy! Once I wiped down the walls and added some seating and books, we now had a fun little space for Claire to enjoy. It wasn't the space I originally envisioned, but it turned out to be perfect.<br />
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I love the way this has come together, and I cannot wait to see how it evolves as my little one gets use out of it. The seating I provided is a storage ottoman that I purchased on clearance at Target. Its a perfect place to store her basket of Play-Doh and accessories. I also purchased the pink and orange polka-dot magazine holders at the dollar spot at Target. It holds her coloring books and a few smaller paperback books. The garland is something I made for Claire's 5th birthday party this year, and the CS Lewis box set is from my childhood.<br />
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I still have a few things that I would like to add to this closet to make it more functional for her, including a few ledges on the bare wall to the right so we can add more books to the space. I'd also like to make the chalk more accessible, so a tray would be great. Maybe a little table that folds up and down from the wall would be nice, too. As she grows older, I can totally see this transitioning into a space where she will do her homework. We might need to add some lighting at some point for that.<br />
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I also want her to be able to make more use of the magnetic part of the board, so I want to make some letters kind of like this for her to use:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found on pinterest via Etsy shop: CrunchyFarmBaby</td></tr>
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I think my favorite part, aside from being able to doodle on the walls with chalk, is the ottoman. Got to love multitasking furnishings! What's your favorite part? Anyone else succumb to the chalkboard craze that has been going on lately?Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-7757543744520074022013-06-17T16:13:00.000-04:002013-06-17T16:13:41.292-04:00Pinterest Busters: Microfiber EditionHope everyone had a great weekend! Ours was fun and exhausting birthday extravaganza. I can't believe how many people we know with birthdays in the month of June. Crazy!<br />
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Ever watch Mythbusters? I'm a big fan of Adam and Jamie, and their fun experiments to either prove or debunk urban legends. Today's post is one of those "I saw that on Pinterest and had to try it" kind of posts. Where I put things that I have pinning to the test. There are so many things that look too good to be true, and you can't believe everything that you pin, right?<br />
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Today's challenge is cleaning microfiber. Our love seat used to be a favorite spot for the dogs to sit. I've been trying to be diligent about keeping them off of the furniture, but sometimes they are sneaky and climb up there. Sometimes you just can't teach an old dog new tricks. Both of my dogs have picked this particular chair as the perfect place to groom themselves, and so it was disgustingly speckled with lick spots. And it smelled gross. No judging.<br />
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The pictures above show you a side by side comparison of the half that is riddled with dog saliva, and the half that came clean after a good scrubbing with rubbing alcohol and a wash cloth. I have to admit that this is my new favorite way to clean our furniture. Yes, it was rather stinky at first, but the smell does go away, and I am grateful that my love seat doesn't smell like an alcoholic. I've spared you the grossness that consumed my rags when I was finished.<br />
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Here's what I used:<br />
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1 spray bottle from the dollar store<br />
1 bottle of 70% rubbing alcohol<br />
Wash cloth (or you could use a sponge). Make sure these are either white or the same color as your furniture to avoid possible color transfer from the dyes.<br />
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You just spray the cushion and go at it with your sponge or wash cloth. It will appear to be very dark at first, but when it dries, it will lighten. Since alcohol evaporates pretty quickly, it will not leave the water spots that my Bissell machine does. It will also take less than an hour to dry rather than a day or two. You might have to change our your sponge or wash cloth often depending on how dirty your microfiber may be. I went through two wash cloths cleaning this nasty chair.<br />
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And Voila! Here is the official "after". I give this Pinterest legend my stamp of approval. If you've got microfiber, and are looking for an alternative way to keep it clean, be sure to give this method a try if you haven't already. I am pretty darn impressed with how everything came out, and I can't wait to tackle the rest of my furniture. I no longer dread having to clean the upholstery in the living room since it is MUCH faster to both clean and dry.<br />
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Any of you have success with certain Pinterest urban legends and care to share your results?<br />
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<br />Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-59221979289209383482013-06-14T09:00:00.000-04:002013-06-14T09:00:10.388-04:00Fruits of the GardenI'm in garden mode this week, obviously. Bear with me if you're a black thumb, or aren't into that sort of thing. This year I didn't get to build the grandiose raised garden bed of my dreams. I haven't even started building a rain barrel or a compost bin. Each something I wish to accomplish over the summer. Hopefully.<br />
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I did manage to pick up a few plants from Aldi of all places. If you aren't familiar with Aldi, it's a great little German-based grocery store. The prices are low because you have to bag your own groceries (bring your own or buy them), shelf stocking is minimal (everything is pretty much set out on pallets), and you put a quarter into your shopping cart to use it which eliminates the need for having to chase down shopping carts throughout the parking lot. Anyway, we love Aldi. It's where we do all of our shopping for groceries aside from the local farmers market.<br />
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Here are the plants I managed to pick up from there:<br />
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Our $7 sweet pepper plant. We've already used a ton of peppers from this little plant, and there are so many more left. Can you believe that this little guy came with all of these peppers already on it? I had the intention of transplanting it into a bigger pot, but I might wait until we are done harvesting it. I don't want to put it into shock. I love dicing up the peppers and adding it to my egg salad.<br />
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The tomato and pepper plants here were each $2 at Aldi. I definitely need to repot these guys. I've already got a little 'mater growing. The smaller plant is lemon balm. He got a little crispy after not being watered one weekend when I was away. I need to put that into a bigger pot, too. Something to do hopefully after this weekend.<br />
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My plants have been living happily on the back porch now. I might just keep them there in the container garden. They get plenty of sun here, and brighten it up.<br />
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Our blackberry bush has blossoms, and I can't wait for it to produce. It's happy in it's new home on the side of the garage where it gets lots of morning and early afternoon sun. The raspberry bush does not have any blossoms, but it has been growing nicely. I bought the small black trellis from Lowes to help the plants have something to grip to along the base of the garage. It should suffice for the next year or two.<br />
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I'm a little disappointed that our garden is relatively small this year, but it gives me plenty of time to properly prepare a space for next year. Hopefully by then our compost pile will be established and ready to transplant some healthy, organic soil into the raised beds. It may be a slow transformation, but we will eventually get there. :)<br />
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How about you? Do you have a garden or are you a black thumb?Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-68530417651780168022013-06-12T15:26:00.001-04:002013-06-12T15:26:26.698-04:00Crimson and Clover"Now I don't hardly know her. But I think I could love her...."<br />
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Nothing like Tommy James and the Shondelles to get us pumped for today's post!<br />
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Today I thought I would bring you a post about our garden. It's not the immaculately weeded and expertly cultivated garden of my dreams. You won't find any tomatoes or zucchini here, either. I'm talking about Mother Nature's bounty in an empty field. Some of you might come away from this thinking I am some big hippie. That may be. We love to recycle, and I could wear Birkenstock's (or any brand of flippy floppies) year round. I'm an aspiring amateur herbalist. And I love pretty things-- especially if they are good for me, too.<br />
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We are fortunate to have a large, empty field behind our home. It is not part of our property, unfortunately, but the owner has given us free roam of the space as long as we pick up after ourselves. It's a perfect little hill of a field-- great for flying kites or doing cartwheels in the grass. It's also abundant with clover right now.<br />
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White clover is such a fun little plant. Bees love it. Horses love it. And I love it, too. It's a wonderful earth medicine that is abundant all summer long. It's crazy good for you, and you might be lucky enough to have this in your yard, too!<br />
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Not only does clover fight the common cold, soothe coughs and do away with migraines, but it also promotes healthy hair and fingernails. It has a plethora of detoxing benefits, too.<br />
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One of my favorite ways to use clover blossoms is in tea. It is easy to dry and save for the cold winter months, and provides lots of FREE medicinal comfort during the flu season. It is easy to adjust for taste, and boiling the dried petals helps extract the healthy goodness in an efficient way. They have a hint of natural sweetness, and can also add a lovely vanilla undertone when added to any batters or baking mixtures.<br />
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Here's how we dry our clover blossoms:<br />
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Take a brown paper lunch sack and punch holes in it. Fill it with clover blossoms. I usually only fill only 1/4 of the bag so as to leave breathing room for it to dry. Just give your bag a little shake each day to toss the blossoms around, and they should be fully dry within a week or two (depending on how full you filled your bag). You can use them immediately or you can store the dried clover in an airtight container for when you need them.<br />
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Clovers are great fresh or dried-- use whichever method you prefer. I like to dry mine so that they are easier to store for the winter months when fresh clover is not available. White clover tea is great on it's own, or you can concoct your own recipes by mixing it with rosehips, hibiscus, nettle, rosemary, or lemon balm. Feel free to add your own spices, like cinnamon, too.<br />
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Some tips for collecting clover:<br />
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Be conscious of where you are picking. I usually flick the blossom that I am going to pick first to make sure there aren't any bees hiding where I can't see. You obviously don't want to pick one of those. :)<br />
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Be cautious of where you step. If you have a ton of clover in your yard, then you might also have a lot of bee's who are visiting the flowers for their pollen. You don't want to step on any of these, either.<br />
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Pick the biggest, fullest blossoms. Our bee friends that I mentioned above are great indicators of which blossoms are best. They visit the ripest, sweetest clovers... so once they are done visiting a flower, feel free to pick it in confidence.<br />
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Don't pick every flower in the patch. Leave some for the bees. We are lucky enough to have a very large field which makes it easy to skip from cluster to cluster and collect a large amount of clover.<br />
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Clover is abundant year round. Don't feel like you have to spend all day picking everything in sight. More blossoms will pop up again and again. The field behind our house is mowed every so often, too.<br />
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Clover blossom picking is a great outdoor activity for the kids! My daughter loves being a part of nature, and it's a great way to show her how to respect it. We watch the bees, and talk about their journey from flower to flower, and eventually to their hive where they make honey.<br />
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If you have outdoor pets and are picking blossoms from your yard, be conscious of where they do their business, and not "shop" near there. My dogs have a particular spot in the yard they like to frequent, and so we make sure to stay far away from that spot.<br />
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Do not pick and use your clover blossoms if you chemically fertilize your yard or use weed killer. I doubt clover would survive on grass that is sprayed with Roundup, but then again I wouldn't know since we do not use that stuff. The field around our property is mowed every other week, and that is the only "maintenance" it receives.<br />
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Have you tried clover blossom tea, or are you willing to try it? Have any other secret herbalist tips to share? I'd love to hear about them!Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-47635771308316168292013-06-10T14:45:00.001-04:002013-06-10T15:27:56.227-04:00Sprucing up the Front PorchSo, this isn't exactly the post I wanted to publish today. I wanted to show you my beautifully painted Adirondack chairs or my front door in it's lovely new coat of paint, but unfortunately the weather hasn't exactly cooperated. It's also turned out to be a much bigger job than I anticipated. Don't you love when that happens?<br />
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So here we are. Chairs that are still in primer and a front door that's a hot mess.<br />
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I wish it were as easy as slapping some paint on the door and calling it done, however the surface of the door was not in good condition. No telling when the last time the door was painted, but it had several layers of white and cream paint that were cracked and flaking off. So I took my trusty 6-in-One tool from Ace Hardware and began the arduous task of scraping off the paint. It came off surprisingly easy on the lower half of the door. The upper half, however, put up a fight. So I had to bring in the big guns: paint stripper, and soon the upper half of the door as well as the jamb began to look like this:<br />
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Paint stripper is nasty, messy stuff. If you've used it before you know exactly what I am talking about. Prep is key. You'll want to make sure you wear long rubber gloves, eye protection, and use plastic sheeting to protect the work space below (something I, regretfully, did not take into consideration). This is what your floors will look like after you scrape the chunks off if you do not prep the floor properly.<br />
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Oops. So, it looks like I will have to add "pressure wash" to BOB. Which works out because I had the intention of pressure washing the underside of the porch roof anyway. Speaking of BOB, I don't think I ever laid out my "game plan" for the porch. Here's my list of goals:<br />
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Seating<br />
-<strike>Prime</strike> and Paint<br />
Paint shutters black<br />
Paint front door and frost the windows for privacy<br />
Powerwash underside of porch roof and concrete<br />
Paint/seal concrete slab<br />
Remove ivy from perimeter of the porch<br />
Remove azalea<br />
Add steps to create a traditional entry for the front porch<br />
Upgrade porch light<br />
Tiered planters with house numbers (something like <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/283726845247753865/" target="_blank">this</a> or <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/283726845247453251/" target="_blank">this</a>)<br />
Landscaping<br />
Window boxes for added privacy and color<br />
Maybe beef up the porch columns<br />
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So, as you can see, it looks like I have barely scratched the surface of my list. One thing at a time, right?<br />
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So, now that it is raining again, here's a sneak peak of what I've been working on inside. It, too, is a tedious process, but perhaps at the end of the week I may have some more to share. :)<br />
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How was your weekend? Anyone else get frustrated at how certain projects seem to fly by while others drag at a snails pace?Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-57390077519439508022013-06-05T12:44:00.001-04:002013-06-05T12:51:09.823-04:00Craigslist Score and Shutter DillemmaI'm a huge fan of Craigslist. It's usually the first place I stop to shop when I need something for around the house. I love a good bargain, and there are many to be had there. Initially, I was in need of some yard tools-- in particular, an edger. But not the electric or gas powered kind. We wanted the old school rubber wheel with splines. We had priced them at Lowes and Home Depot, but I wasn't interested in shelling out $30 for a plastic tool that had questionable hardware. It just didn't feel very solid. So, naturally, I hit up Sir Craig and his list to see what I could find. Lo and behold, the first listing under my "Trimmer" search revealed exactly what I was looking for: long handled garden tools. Best of all, they were only $5 each! For half of what one tool cost at one of the big box stores, I scored 3 sturdy tools to aid me in my yard work efforts.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeNSzjp-cy0/Ua9krhAAF0I/AAAAAAAABTM/XzshX2N6qic/s1600/Shutters+004+(531x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeNSzjp-cy0/Ua9krhAAF0I/AAAAAAAABTM/XzshX2N6qic/s1600/Shutters+004+(531x800).jpg" height="640" width="336" /></a></div>
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And in true dough-brain fashion, I totally forgot to take a picture of the edger-- the tool that started this adventure to begin with. D'oh! The pitch fork is going to come in handy when I finally get a compost bin set up. I've been frantically pinning compost bin styles to my boards, and I like the idea of a 3-bin system. Hopefully I can get started on that project this summer. The pickaxe will hopefully help me loosen up the soil in the flower beds with ivy so I can more easily remove the roots. Some of the root systems on that plant are that of a small tree, and incredibly hard to pull by hand.<br />
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The gentleman selling these tools also had a garage full of other great antique finds. Including these awesome shutters that we just HAD to grab. Originally he was asking $80 a pair for these, but I managed to talk him down to $60 a pair. Aren't they awesome!? They're in really nice condition despite their age, and they match the shutters that are hanging alongside our front door.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wh3PSHBjFFw/Ua9nlRoiaDI/AAAAAAAABTc/k5C5Aua_fAE/s1600/Shutters+003+(531x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wh3PSHBjFFw/Ua9nlRoiaDI/AAAAAAAABTc/k5C5Aua_fAE/s1600/Shutters+003+(531x800).jpg" height="640" width="472" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t7C5CQNcbyQ/Ua9nvZJhPGI/AAAAAAAABTk/-YFVL4-IOUU/s1600/Shutters+005+(531x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t7C5CQNcbyQ/Ua9nvZJhPGI/AAAAAAAABTk/-YFVL4-IOUU/s1600/Shutters+005+(531x800).jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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We have some ideas for these guys: either replace the shorter front porch shutters with these and add a planter box to lengthen the window, make a rustic dressing screen for the bedroom, or a new headboard for our bed. There are so many options! Which do you think sounds like the best project?<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ac6ojZAvvyQ/Ua9oOAagU-I/AAAAAAAABTs/EfId6RORnc8/s1600/Claire5thbday+043+(531x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ac6ojZAvvyQ/Ua9oOAagU-I/AAAAAAAABTs/EfId6RORnc8/s1600/Claire5thbday+043+(531x800).jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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These are the shutters that are currently alongside our front door. They are slightly different than the shutters which we purchased, so I am a little hesitant to pair them, but I don't know if that bottom detail is really prominent enough to matter. We will have seating in front of the windows which will somewhat "hide" the bottoms anyway. I'd also like to repaint the shutters (I'm thinking black will be a nice contrast against the masonry), and the door is going to get a dose of color this week.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--sDVxV8Ph3w/Ua9o-feT6iI/AAAAAAAABT8/a03kQ_Y0ljE/s1600/Claire5thbday+045+(800x531).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--sDVxV8Ph3w/Ua9o-feT6iI/AAAAAAAABT8/a03kQ_Y0ljE/s1600/Claire5thbday+045+(800x531).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a good comparison of how short the window shutters are next to the entry door. I had contemplated adding the larger shutters alongside these windows, and then add some window boxes beneath the window to elongate them. Would that look odd or cohesive I'm not sure at this point. The side of our home does not have shutters. I could always relocate the shorter pairs to the side of the house, but would that be necessary? Would it look overdone? Decisions, decisions!<br />
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As for the chairs above, they're already undergoing transformation. So far I have them primed and ready for a light sanding before adding color.<br />
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I love them already.<br />
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What's happening at your home? Have you spruced up your front porch at all? Do you have any suggestions as to our shutter dilemma?Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-56219581693895450932013-06-04T00:12:00.001-04:002013-06-04T00:12:57.613-04:00Weekend BlurThis past week has been a blur of activity for us. We had family come to visit for the holiday weekend, we celebrated my munchkins fifth birthday, and best of all my husband was able to take some leave from work so he could be here. In the nearly 2 months of being a homeowner, he had yet to spend one night in his own house. Crazy, huh? That's Army life for us, though, and we are thriving. I can't wait until he is home for good, though.<br />
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Birthdays are a big deal around here. I love to party in style and make the birthday person's day feel extra special. Every year I go all out on cake and decorations. It's just something I want to be memorable (and perhaps I am living vicariously through my five year old. It happens.).<br />
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This year was a blast despite the stress of moving. It was great to be able to celebrate with family as we have always been too far away for them to join us, and I am so glad that we were able to see everyone. My only regret from the day was that I didn't get to take many pictures since I was busy manning the Lemonader, flipping burgers, and refilling the chips and dip. It wasn't until after the cake when everyone had sat down to open presents that I was able to take a break and snap a few pictures. I'm hoping my friends and family are willing to share their moments with me so I can have some to remember the day and maybe share here. I doubt you all want to see a half-eaten purple ombre cake. :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AclNPb5yxuU/Ua1l1C-_O1I/AAAAAAAABSo/qXWaXahQo5E/s1600/Claire5thbday+007+(531x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AclNPb5yxuU/Ua1l1C-_O1I/AAAAAAAABSo/qXWaXahQo5E/s1600/Claire5thbday+007+(531x800).jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday princess and her guests while opening presents</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIOwd9Xdznk/Ua1mmXtc9YI/AAAAAAAABS0/H0EtJyQEo7s/s1600/431115_597281150289960_190619905_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIOwd9Xdznk/Ua1mmXtc9YI/AAAAAAAABS0/H0EtJyQEo7s/s1600/431115_597281150289960_190619905_n.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids enjoyed playing on Claire's new swing set.</td></tr>
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After the Memorial Day weekend, our guests who had come to stay with us left to return home, and we got to spend a week with my husband before he had to go back to work. We had so much fun going on throughout the week that it just flew by, and before we knew it, it was over. Claire went to stay with Grammy and Pappy while I made the round trip trek to New York and back yesterday (which is why I am late with my post). Of course I took advantage of a kid-free house and decided to get a few things knocked out.<br />
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Here are some of the fun things we accomplished last week:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7DK19oDwZg/Ua1gQlWijMI/AAAAAAAABSM/YAh6UBgDICY/s1600/Claire5thbday+045+(800x531).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7DK19oDwZg/Ua1gQlWijMI/AAAAAAAABSM/YAh6UBgDICY/s1600/Claire5thbday+045+(800x531).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self-assemble adirondack chairs from Home Depot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jM1TtK8HCB4/Ua1gXqTavvI/AAAAAAAABSU/jqgQQCHB5vg/s1600/Claire5thbday+047+(800x531).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jM1TtK8HCB4/Ua1gXqTavvI/AAAAAAAABSU/jqgQQCHB5vg/s1600/Claire5thbday+047+(800x531).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini trellis from Lowes</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nVW6GOkI4JQ/Ua1getLPcOI/AAAAAAAABSc/gW6f3jRjjvg/s1600/Claire5thbday+048+(800x531).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nVW6GOkI4JQ/Ua1getLPcOI/AAAAAAAABSc/gW6f3jRjjvg/s1600/Claire5thbday+048+(800x531).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Goodbye ivy. Hello ancient lamp post foundation. I've still got a lot of de-rooting to do with this patch, but eventually I hope to start a little rose garden here.<br />
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I happy to report that we are finally done moving-- nearly two months later! This afternoon I unpacked the car which was filled to the brim with the last of our stuff that was in storage in NY. What a relief to have that over with, and it's great to have discovered a few "missing" items. I also spent the evening in paint mode: priming the new adirondack chairs and painting Claire's closet. I was amazed at how productive I could be without a kiddo on my heels. I'll have to take advantage of more "Grammy and Pappy time" in the future!<br />
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So that's pretty much a recap of the craziness that has consumed my last week. I've got so much fun stuff to share with you this week, including more about my secret closet project and also some sprucing up going on on the front porch! Here's a hint!<br />
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I can't wait to see how the color I've chosen works out! It was hard to find something that both my husband and I could agree on (initially I was going to paint them white to avoid making a choice). Any guesses to what we went with? No cheating if you've seen my Pinterest! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. Did yours go by like a blur like mine did? </div>
Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-51309336018307542422013-05-31T09:00:00.000-04:002013-05-31T09:00:02.809-04:00Secret Closet Plans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week I eluded to some secret plans that I had for the former closet in Claire's room.While it may take some time to see my vision complete, I didn't want to leave you hanging, and thought that I would give you a few hints as what to expect. Here's what we started with when we first moved into the home:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VKKVHLKTSk0/UXwxMDU6rPI/AAAAAAAABJI/yxSdWMTetlY/s1600/Claireroomrepaint+012+%2528531x800%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VKKVHLKTSk0/UXwxMDU6rPI/AAAAAAAABJI/yxSdWMTetlY/s1600/Claireroomrepaint+012+%2528531x800%2529.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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Claire's closet left a lot to want when it came to storage for her clothes. It's a pretty narrow but deep space, and it also has a beautiful decorative window inside. Awkward.<br />
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The first steps that I have taken towards renovating this space is to patch up the holes, clean and caulk the trim and window, and eventually give it a fresh coat of paint.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IyiMUl6POfE/UZq-gwlmgbI/AAAAAAAABQg/ioihzGnnxaY/s1600/wardrobe+update+005+%2528531x800%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IyiMUl6POfE/UZq-gwlmgbI/AAAAAAAABQg/ioihzGnnxaY/s1600/wardrobe+update+005+%2528531x800%2529.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_5yuigTis0/UZq-pvUWS_I/AAAAAAAABQo/xZbau9ffsuk/s1600/wardrobe+update+008+%2528800x531%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_5yuigTis0/UZq-pvUWS_I/AAAAAAAABQo/xZbau9ffsuk/s1600/wardrobe+update+008+%2528800x531%2529.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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The pictures above were taken before caulk and paint and before I had a chance to patch the holes in the window. Once the window and trim around the window has been painted and caulked, I'd like to install a secondary pane of glass to help protect the window from any unruly toddler activity, but also provide an additional weather barrier to help insulate the closet against the winter weather.<br />
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As for a few hints on what the space will become, I'll leave you with a couple of these images to mull over. I am so excited to get started on this space! Behold:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABA6yUUCbLw/UZrMS0j5Q7I/AAAAAAAABR0/qHpB6qxEeB8/s1600/wardrobe+update+029+(800x531).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABA6yUUCbLw/UZrMS0j5Q7I/AAAAAAAABR0/qHpB6qxEeB8/s1600/wardrobe+update+029+(800x531).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Ikea "Green Bird" fabric that I picked up on Ebay since Ikea no longer sells it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/550x/8c/13/e0/8c13e0ec6c2d096ca4e4cf03c51c17bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/550x/8c/13/e0/8c13e0ec6c2d096ca4e4cf03c51c17bb.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via Pinterest<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via Pinterest</td></tr>
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**Note: The two Pinterest images above do not link back to the original source for the images. I would LOVE to give the original source credit for these photos, so if you know where I can find the original links, please let me know! </div>
Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-49542340441259181812013-05-29T09:00:00.000-04:002013-05-29T09:00:06.266-04:00Storage CartI just wanted to leave a small post about the crate I bought at HomeGoods, since I had some questions. First, this thing is pretty sizable, and I was incredibly happy to pick it up in the clearance aisle, no less. I paid $24.99 for it (original price was $39.99). The distressed exterior really got me, but also the weight of it. It's not a flimsy little bin by any stretch of the imagination. It made me love it even more.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-HI8IMLS7I/UZq7jEJ2U6I/AAAAAAAABQQ/UUl22RvMJLw/s1600/wardrobe+update+010+%2528800x531%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-HI8IMLS7I/UZq7jEJ2U6I/AAAAAAAABQQ/UUl22RvMJLw/s1600/wardrobe+update+010+%2528800x531%2529.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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My first inclination was to see if this bin would fit beneath the wardrobe that we recently moved into the room, however the handles made that an impossibility. I could have attempted to relocate the handles (and certainly that is an option for the future), however I decided that I liked them as is for now. I also knew that if I was going to use it in this space, I wanted to make it easier to move about without damaging the floor. Immediately I thought that some casters would be a perfect addition, and I picked some up at my next trip to the hardware store.<br />
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It was a very easy modification to make on the crate. I purchased wood screws that did not require pre-drilling, and it took about five minutes to complete.<br />
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I think it's going to make excellent storage for some of Claire's adored stuffed animals. The girl has a mini-zoo going on, so hopefully this will provide her with a place to keep them safe and off the floor. We are certainly in need for more storage options, so stay tuned as I work those out. It's been a slow but steady process, and I cannot wait to give my munchkin a great little space of her own.<br />
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<br />Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-49566556315409249612013-05-27T09:00:00.000-04:002013-05-27T09:00:08.884-04:00Happy Memorial Day!I am sitting here this morning with my warm cup of tea reflecting and giving thanks to those who serve our country. Some have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and I am forever grateful for that. I hope that you, too, will take some time to reflect on our nation's service heroes and veterans as you celebrate Memorial Day. <div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture via war-veterans.org<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-72033179751765229332013-05-24T09:00:00.000-04:002013-05-24T09:00:05.296-04:00Happy Birthday, Claire!5 years ago, at exactly 5 pm on May 24th, my little bundle of joy came into this world. I had been in labor for over 16 hours, my husband was deployed overseas, and I just wanted to get OUT of that hospital! Not without my munchkin, though. :)<br />
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It was you and me from the start, kid, and I relish the mommy-Claire time that we have shared. We're a regular Thelma and Louise. "Somebody said get a life... so we did." Every day has been an adventure, and I look forward to growing old with you. Sometimes it seems like high school, prom, or college are right around the corner. Your passion and enthusiasm fascinates me. You are funny and kind. You are sometimes wise beyond your years. I love seeing your little mind work, and enjoy teaching you the finer things in life.<br />
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Sometimes I am sad that my little bundle of joy is no longer a little bundle, but you will always be my joy. I have been there for every milestone-- from your first wet diaper to potty training. And I will be there every step of the way as you grow another year older. Happy fifth birthday, my little cupcake. Mommy and daddy love you!<br />
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<br />Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-73992892729515928972013-05-22T09:00:00.000-04:002013-05-22T09:00:01.115-04:00Narnia RelocatedWith the help of my step-dad, I was finally able to bring the new wardrobe upstairs to Claire's room, and Operation Relocate Narnia was a success. Since then, I had ample time to sort through her clothes-- in with the summer outfits, and out with the winter and outgrown pieces. On a side note, it's unreal how fast this kid is growing through clothes. Nearly everything that she had worn before we first moved here ended up in the donate pile!<div>
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I did have to make a small trip to Lowes before being able to hang her clothing as we were in need of a new hang bar. The smallest expandable bars start out at 30", but the width of the "hang area" was only 21". We chose a 1 3/8 oak dowel (found in the stair/railing department) and an inexpensive wood rod socket set (found in the closet storage section) to hang her clothes up. </div>
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I used a mixture of vinegar, hot water, and dish soap to scrub the wood. There are a few scuff marks on some of the ends, but overall the wardrobe is in excellent condition. At this point, we'll probably leave it as is, but I have been toying with the idea of painting the inside drawer fronts. I'm not sure if that will look odd, but perhaps it is a happy little detail that only we can enjoy to see when it's time to get dressed. The drawers definitely need lined, and I am envisioning some Martha Stewart label plates on them. </div>
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New knobs are also in order in addition to a better way to keep the cabinet doors shut (perhaps a magnet). </div>
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If you've noticed from the first photo, I've also hung some curtains. You may recognize them from my <a href="http://diyjill.blogspot.com/2012/09/ahoy-makeover-complete-for-now.html" target="_blank">sewing room</a> at our old house. I'm not sure that they will remain or if they work well enough with the bedding, but they will do for now. I did try some white linen panels, and it was just too stark. </div>
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We still have a lot of work to do in here. I am eager to put some toy storage together. Unfortunately the bed is a little lower than a normal bed is, so a traditional trundle will not fit beneath it, however I would like to put a custom trundle setup together that will have adjustable dividers. At this point we have just a few Tupperware containers storing some toys, but there are more toys that need a discreet home. </div>
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I'm also looking forward to putting together some artwork and shelving on the walls. Claire has a Disney snow globe collection that is still boxed up, and I would love to be able to display that. Perhaps on the wall across from the bed. </div>
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Looking at this photo now, the first thing that comes to mind is that my daughter's movie collection is entirely too big. The girl loves her some Max and Ruby. You can see the lamp that I proudly scooped up from the clearance shelf at HomeGoods. Originally I had bought it for my bedroom, but I think it looks even better in here. It's a gorgeous gunmetal gray. Another nice little deal I found at HomeGoods is this wooden crate. It, too, was in the clearance aisle. My first inclination was to see if it would fit beneath the wardrobe, but unfortunately the handles did not allow for that. I'll have to keep an eye on some more great storage for under there. </div>
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It did not come with casters on it, but that is a little touch that I added to keep the munchkin from scratching up the floors. I think it will make an excellent home for her stuffed animals.</div>
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And for the last element: what used to be the closet. I have since removed the hang bar from it, and patched the holes. I've also scraped the window and prepped it to be caulked and painted. I've got some fun little secret plans for this spot, and I can't wait to share them with you. </div>
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I realize now how dirty this window looks. Not sure when the exterior was last cleaned, but wow. Deer-tay!</div>
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So that's about it for the updates in Claire's room right now. It's slowly coming together, and I can't wait to finally give her a finished space that she can enjoy. We've come a long way so far. Let's get a glimpse of before and after to celebrate it.</div>
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What do you guys think? Do the curtains fit the space, or should I keep exploring options? Should I paint the drawer fronts in the wardrobe? </div>
Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-23633649658741850122013-05-20T17:23:00.000-04:002013-05-20T17:23:07.052-04:00Get to Steppin'Anybody ever remember that phrase, "Get to Steppin'?" Is it even cool to use anymore (or was it to begin with)? Haha, I digress.<br />
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Anyway, today's post has to do with the steps to our rear porch. I had been on a month long quest to exterminate the horde of wasps that seemed to congregate around that back door. I used one of those bright yellow wasp/hornet traps for a week or two which managed to snag and drown 6 of the little beasties. There were still plenty left, so I bought the "kills on contact" spray and took out another 5 wasps and 2 yellow jackets. Imagine me doing the spray and run tactic. It's not exactly as effective as it sounds, trust me. Once the coast was clear, I took the broom to the awning, and swept out the little mud nests that they were starting to build but some how, they just kept coming back. It wasn't until I saw a wasp duck under the carpeting of the stairs that I realized I had missed the mother hive.<br />
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Sorry that this shot is so far away. I realized that the only picture I had taken of the back steps was when we were going through the house for our home inspection during March. Boy, things have greened up in the last two months! Hurray for Spring!<br />
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The back steps had at one point been covered by that luscious faux grass carpeting. When I say luscious, I really mean disgusting. It was threadbare in some areas, mildewed at the bottom, and overall ugly. Did I mention that it was ugly?<br />
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In a death defying stunt, I swiftly ripped that carpet off of the steps. Like an ugly band aid. Okay, maybe not so swiftly since I was still employing the rip and run tactic (similar to the spray and run, except this time I was unarmed). After a few good tugs, that carpet was gone-zo. Leaving me with this hot mess:<br />
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And there she was. The little doorway to wasp Hell. I gave the area a good hose-down with the Wasp-X, and took my broom handle to the nest that was just barely visible, but insanely huge. I am crossing my fingers that solves the wasp problem, but we won't know for sure until we get that wood board off and look behind it. I haven't seen any more wasp activity, though.<br />
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Isn't the construction of the door sill just amazing? Fiberboard and plywood, my friends. Some of the wood is rotten over on the edge of the porch (where the wasp hole is) and will need replaced as well. Here is how we're looking after I spent a good hour scraping at the adhesive. Some of it was loose, the rest will take a good amount of chiseling.<br />
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Once I get the adhesive off and the stoop replaced, I'll be ready to paint this bad boy. I think that a nice dark, slate gray would look nice against the grey undertones of the masonry. We'll probably consider painting the exterior of the porch gray with white trim as well, to coordinate with the garage.<br />
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As for how to remove the rest of the adhesive, for now I am at a loss. I suppose I could keep scraping and slowly chisel it away, but it is an incredibly hard and difficult process. I am open to any suggestions that any of you who have experience with this sort of thing may have to offer.<br />
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Anyone else fighting with massive hordes of wasps this year? Considering that our home was empty since 2007, I am not surprised that we had a problem. The garage seems to be an even bigger haven for them. Hopefully I'll be able to get that under control this summer.Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-35503695564548434202013-05-18T20:14:00.000-04:002013-05-18T20:14:17.474-04:00Queen of the CastleIt's been a crazy week, which hasn't left much time for blogging. I've got a lot of progress to write about, though. I was a naughty blogger, though, and didn't take many pictures. I guess I was too "in the moment".<br />
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My parents came down to visit for two days, and with their help I was able to knock a few things off of BOB. The first day consisted of assembling Claire's birthday present from them: a cedar swing set. The girl loves to play outside, so Grammy and Pappy swooped in with an amazing gift. I wish assembling the thing was as amazing. It took us nearly SEVEN HOURS to complete it. SIETE! Can you believe it!? I did manage to capture an "in progress" photo with my Ipad.<br />
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It wasn't until the next day before we could take the fun photos: Claire playing on her awesome new swing set!<br />
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Claire is just over the moon with her swing set. She calls the little clubhouse at the top of the slide her "castle". I love playing "customer" with her on the little picnic table side of the tower. :)<br />
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The next afternoon we planted Claire's Birthday Tree. For her birthday this year, we thought it would be better to plant a tree in honor of her special day. Claire picked out a Bing cherry tree, and she can't wait for it to produce in a couple of years. :)<br />
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We also planted two berry bushes-- one raspberry and one blackberry, moved the Desoto forward and repaired the garage, assembled the patio furniture, set up my washer and dryer, and hauled Claire's new wardrobe up to her room. It was so great to have an extra set of hands for the past two days. I am really going to miss someone helping me get things done!<br />
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Sadly my parents had to head back home again. Once they left I used the last of my energy to mow the yard and take the munchkin to the farmers market. She loves it there. Somehow we also managed to find ourselves at HomeGoods later in the evening, and I came home with a few goodies. More on that later.<br />
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All in all, it felt great to spend time with my parents and get some things knocked off of my list. Of course, it seems like once something falls off the list, something pops on there to take its place! Anyone else have that problem? How are you guys spending your weekend? I wish that I could say that I was taking it easy, but I have so much to do before next weekend-- Claire's birthday and birthday party! Ahhh!Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-16540729012898715892013-05-13T09:00:00.000-04:002013-05-13T09:00:03.474-04:00To Narnia!Seriously, grab your fur coats!<br />
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Isn't it lovely?<br />
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I stumbled upon the greatest little "hole in the wall" furniture shop via Craigslist. This little gem was only $65, and I happily snatched it up! I've got plans to use this in Claire's room. She was in dire need of a better way to store her clothes, and this, my friends, is the ticket!<br />
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Check out all of that handsome storage! The built-in drawers is what sold me on the piece. Also, the beautiful spindle legs remind me of the legs that are on her bed frame, so I thought these would match nicely. I will need to make some modifications to it-- mostly by removing the hang rack that currently sits inside (that metal hanger-like piece). It is designed to hang garments from back to front which isn't very efficient. I'd prefer to hang things from side to side. I haven't decided on whether or not I am going to paint this piece, either. I have yet to get it upstairs (it's too heavy and bulky for one person to lug it up the stairs), and I really need to see it in the space before I can make that type of a decision. I love the Art Deco design on the doors. The wood finish as of now is somewhat dull, so perhaps a good cleaning will revive her. I've also contemplated painting the drawers-- I've seen so many fun ombre style dressers-- but I'm not sure if that would look awkward inside the wardrobe.<br />
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Some of you may be thinking, "but wait a minute-- doesn't her room already have a closet?" Yes, it does. but it's such an awkward little space. From the size to the half-moon window, it just isn't functioning very well. I do have plans for this space, though. I think it would make a lovely secret reading nook. I've got a $5 wall treatment planned as well as a pillow poof to sew. I've envisioned it all in my head, and it's going to be fantastic. I can't wait to get started.<br />
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As for that little furniture shop I've discovered, I'm definitely going back. They had some amazing pieces for cheap! A lot of their inventory came from auction houses and estate sales, so there are TONS of fabulous vintage finds.<br />
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Do you have a favorite place to find furniture? Would you paint this wardrobe or leave it as is? Anyone else hopeful to run into Mr. Tumnas? I am. Let's go!<br />
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<br />Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-47315847406204632112013-05-12T09:00:00.000-04:002013-05-12T09:00:03.928-04:00Happy Mother's Day!Happy Mother's Day to all you mom's out there!<br />
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I appreciate my mom every day of the year, but sometimes it's nice to make it extra special-- and I hope yours is, too! I received this pretty little bouquet of flowers on my doorstep from my husband and daughter this year. It was a delightful surprise. I love flowers. The carnations smell amazing.<br />
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My little diva just HAD to be in the picture with the flowers. Isn't she cute? Proud mama moment. :)<br />
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Anybody else get a lovely bouquet for their mom this year or receive one?Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-27298134899598598612013-05-11T19:46:00.000-04:002013-05-11T19:46:32.057-04:00May Showers and Spring FlowersWe had a nice little rain storm this afternoon, but once the rain stopped and sun started to peep through the clouds, I made a mad dash for the backyard to photograph some of my pretty spring flowers that are soon to bloom.<br />
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Here we have some peonies that have sprouted out of an unruly patch of ivy. Behind the peony, it looks as though a lily of some sort might be coming up, too.<br />
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I think I am going to have to send my camera out for repair because it is totally focusing on the wrong thing. Boo. :(<br />
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I also have some type of rose growing out of another ivy patch. I'd love to know what type of roses these are. I've not always been an avid gardener (although I love doing it), so I have a lot to learn in the way of plant species and their care. Looks like these beauties are going to be a lovely red or deep pink shade.<br />
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I managed to rescue the poor rose bush below from the grips of ivy. It is currently planted by our walkway to the front porch, however I am thinking it may do well to transplant it to another area. It's rather tall, and it might have better support up against the garage. I can't wait to see what lovely color these blooms will be. I am so happy to see that there are plentiful buds on it. These popped up just in the last couple of weeks since I removed the ivy!<br />
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In the background, you can see the gorgeous azaleas and their luscious hot pink blossoms. I won't share a pic of those, though, since they look the same as they did in the post I did about removing the ivy here. I did, however take a picture of the many buds that are currently popping up on our rhododendron. These should be lovely, and hopefully the bush will thrive better now that it isn't tangled in ivy.<br />
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So that is a small taste of spring around here. Everything else is pretty much covered in ivy. I hope to remedy that, but it's a long and arduous process. I'm looking into possibly propagating some of the ivy so I can transplant it onto the embankment alongside the side of the road. That area has been a pain to mow, so perhaps the ivy will gladly fill that spot in for me. Right now I am researching propagation, and what's needed, so if you have any advice, please share!<br />
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Do you love to garden or have some lovely spring flowers sprouting in your garden? What's some of your favorite flowers to plant this time of year? I happen to LOVE the Iris!Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-52180222614722396702013-05-10T09:00:00.000-04:002013-05-10T09:00:02.871-04:00Ivy League Landscaping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've had some really great weather in the last couple of weeks, so it was the perfect opportunity to spend some time outdoors and do a little landscaping. On the driveway side of our home, we had a monster rhododendron bush that turned out to actually be a trio of bushes that were growing together (and out of control) so they were first on my list to undergo the knife. It was incredible how much dead growth there was under the canopy of branches, so it took me a few days of cutting, pulling, and trimming. I wish it were just as easy as clipping a few branches, but the undergrowth of ivy had managed to wrap itself around all three bushes. There was also some other kind of unidentified vine that had, too, wrapped it's way around all three bushes, and had started to grow over the top of them. I have no idea how long it has been there, but from the size of the trunk on the vine, it had been there for many years.<br />
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Behold, a before and after:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the day we had our home inspection.<br />
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What an amazing difference, huh? Here's a view from the front side. The before pictures are from when we had our home inspection (because the bad blogger in me forgot to take before shots before tackling the bush). Sorry that they aren't the best angles, but they still show you how drab the landscaping really <strike>is</strike> was.<br />
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So... where you see the brown dead-looking patch above is where there used to be two giant mounds of ivy growing. When we first walked through the house, and saw the ivy I thought to myself, "Oh! How charming!" The charm definitely wore off after we moved in and I realized what a pain in the butt ivy really is. Yes, it's beautiful ground cover and super easy to maintain. Kind of. It grows incredibly fast, so i was having to trim it quite often to keep it from overgrowing onto the porch. The nightmare under the rhododendron bushes was another nail in the coffin, and the bees and wasps that were seeking sanctuary sealed the deal. My husband is deathly allergic, and if I didn't want to reenact the scene from My Girl, the ivy had to go. As you can see, I am taking it out in phases, because it is horrible, back-breaking work. I took out the top layer with the mower, and the thick, viny root base has to be pulled up individually.<br />
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As you can see, I am far from finished. I've managed to de-root most of the area where the rhododendron's are planted, but I have yet to finish pulling up the roots and vines along both sides of the walkway. And of course I'll be laying down landscaping fabric, edging, and mulch to keep the ivy from returning.<br />
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The azaleas are blooming beautifully in the front of the house, but unfortunately they, too, are being choked out by the ivy. Eventually I'll muster up the strength to tackle the front and left side of the house. Maybe in the fall. Next year (I'm kidding. Maybe.)<br />
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Anyone else getting out in their yard and gardens and getting things cleaned up for the summer? I can't wait to get started on a vegetable garden, but I might not be able to get to it this year. One thing at a time, right?<br />
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Any suggestions for what kind of plants to use for brightening up our walkway? I'm so tempted to do some sort of edible landscaping. We also have a beautiful rose bush that was on the verge of death by ivy, but it may need to be transplanted because it looks like it will grow HUGE. More on that later.<br />
<br />Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-86342777367476158562013-05-07T18:58:00.000-04:002013-05-07T18:58:02.861-04:00Trim and FurnishingsThings are starting to really come together in Claire's room. I've spent the last week hard at work painting the windows and trim and sanding down her bedroom furniture. The windows were extremely tedious, and though I was cautiously cutting in around the glass panes, I did have to go at it with a razor blade in a few spots. Some of the paint that I scraped off was from a previous paint job, and of course it made a huge mess. But it is progress, people! Here's a few before and after shots.<br />
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I had some nail holes to fill in and quite a few gaps and cracks to caulk. It helps give the trim a nice, clean finish.<br />
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Overall I am happy with how everything is looking. I wonder if the color I chose, Simply White by Benjamin Moore in a Behr satin finish, is a little too creamy. It's definitely not a stark white. I suppose time will tell.<br />
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I also managed to finish sanding down the bed, and repainted the bookshelf. I decided that I really love the distressed look that I achieved with sanding. It's elegant looking with the purple, and I cannot wait to buy some new bedding to jazz it up. Target has some lovely sheets in the Shabby Chic collection that would be perfect. I think I'll be waiting for them to go on sale, though, since $40 for a set of sheets is a bit steep. I'm <strike>a cheapskate</strike> frugal.<br />
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I still have to sand down and repaint the night stand. You can see here how yellow and dingy it is in comparison to the bed. In person it looks even worse. I had mod-podged some paper to the drawer fronts, and it is peeling in places.<br />
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This room could use a fancy new light fixture as well. I'm not a fan of the boob light. I'm just so glad to be living in a house which has rooms with overhead lighting, though. Our previous rental homes in New York and Texas did not have that luxury.<br />
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Claire is enjoying her new room, especially now that it has furniture in it! Hopefully this week I'll get the curtains hung, and some of her things moved in. I've also got some more work to do in the closet so I can hang her clothes in there. The hang bar has been relocated, but the walls could use a coat of fresh paint, and the window needs caulked and sealed. I'd also like to install a shelf above the hang bar.<br />
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So that is the progress for this week. I am looking forward to bringing in some more color with her accessories. Any suggestions as to what would pop with the lavender? Maybe some yellow? What about a hunter green? What do you think of the room layout? Should I keep the bed on the large wall that it is on, or should I move it in front of the window on the far side? I have a wicker linen chest that normally sits at the foot of her bed, but with the current layout, there won't be enough room.<br />
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Anyone else making progress on a remodel project? :)Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-88381614740861957192013-05-01T09:00:00.000-04:002013-05-01T09:00:04.645-04:00Free At Last!I am so happy that I can finally say that we are DONE with the rental house in NY. It has been an extremely stressful three weeks since we signed the settlement papers on our new house in Pennsylvania. Now that our lease on the house that we rented in NY is finally behind us, we can focus on all of the wonderful things we are going to be doing in our new home. I cannot wait to begin sharing it all with you!<br />
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Thank you all for your support and encouragement as we transitioned through everything. Now I can get down to the fun DIY stuff that you are all waiting for! We've got SO much to look forward to: a kitchen renovation, painting projects, gardening/landscaping, and tons more!<br />
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Anyone else nearly lose sanity over a big move? You'd think that being a military family we'd be professional movers by now (and to some extent we are), but it was tough work getting two houses cleaned and prepped for moving. Especially when I had to do most of the work (including moving) on my own due to my husband's schedule. Big high-fives to those of you who have or who are going through a moving transition. It's not easy!Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742842632108877128.post-150210539503486432013-04-29T09:00:00.000-04:002013-04-29T09:00:01.134-04:00Subtle People Walls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm pretty sure that's the face my husband made when my text told him that our daughter wanted to paint her room the color <strike>people</strike> purple. We had a good laugh over that auto-correct fail, and now it has been an ongoing joke. I was seriously read to get my paint on in Claire's room, though, so I could finish unpacking her things and put away the multitude of boxes that are consuming the living room. I picked up a gallon of paint at our local Home Depot, and could not be happier with the result: subtle <strike>people</strike> purple walls.<br />
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Unfortunately my pictures do the color no justice. In person, it is simply divine. The color I chose is Behr's Lilac Champagne in their paint/primer duo formula with an eggshell finish. I had tried another color, Lovely Lavender (also by Behr), but luckily I only purchased a test pot of that color. It turned out to be MUCH brighter than I had anticipated.<br />
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Above you can see where I began to cut around the trim with the lilac and over the lavender. The lavender is a pretty shade, but just not the soft, subtle shade I was looking for.<br />
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Now that the walls have been painted, I'll be removing the dated aluminum blinds and painting the trim. I should tackle that this week once we have turned our keys over for the rental house in NY. I am also in the process of refinishing her bedroom furniture. I made the unfortunate mistake of choosing the wrong type of polyurethane when I painted her bed, night stand, shelf, and table/chair white a few years ago. The crisp white quickly yellowed and looked more like it had spent the last 30 years in a smoker's haven rather than a toddlers room. Yuck.<br />
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Sanding down the furniture turned out to be a lot more tedious than I anticipated, and here is what I wound up with after using three sanding discs:<br />
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I'm kind of loving the distressed look. Is that weird? Maybe I am just a tad feeling lazy, too. We'll see how it all comes together once I finish the rest of her furniture and assemble all of the pieces. I've also got a little work to do in her closet.<br />
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Your eyes do not deceive you. That is, indeed, a hang bar screwed into the window. An odd choice for placement (not to mention it's an odd place for a window), so I'll be moving it down below the window sill and installing a shelf above it to keep the sunlight from bleaching anything stored inside the closet. More things to throw at Bob. I'll be sharing more about it once I get the basic room together and can formulate a good design plan.<br />
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<br />Jill of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16942214373419983727noreply@blogger.com2