Wednesday, June 23, 2010

DIY Obsession: kitchen update

So . . . last Friday we removed everything from the cupboards.
Then this was our Monday night activity . . . I have a new respect for painters. It was such a pain to put up the plastic! It was not a fun job. Not at all! I think we finished all the pre-stuff by 10 p.m.
And then we wanted to get the first coat of paint up before going to bed, but the huge paint sprayer that we borrowed from my hubby's uncle wasn't working. Bummer!


So, Tuesday morning, we did a little research on paint sprayers and went to Lowes. Instead of renting one for $75 for one day (are you serious?), we just bought one that was a little more than that (that we'll have for a long time - - and now I can finish all of my other projects that are piling up).


So this is what it looks like right now. We seriously have been living on peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches and cereal. We just finished the second coat and now need to paint the cupboards.
Also, found a great deal on ebay for the hardware. Just need to order it.
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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

DIY Obsession: kitchen cupboards

So . . . the hubby is home for the summer (thank goodness for school breaks) and so we're trying to get all that needs to get done with the house before he starts school in August.

So we have a list.

A crazy list.

Here's our list of things to finish by the middle of August. . . wish us luck. we'll need it.

1. strip and paint kitchen cabinets

2. finish painting kitchen

3. place hardwood floor in kitchen

4. place new carpet in livingroom area and remove weird looking fireplace mantel

5. finish painting master bedroom and bathroom

6. place hardwood floor in master bedroom and bathroom

7. cut and paint baseboards

8. put up baseboards

oohhh. that's a little daunting.
after finishing this, we start on the backyard.


Here's what the kitchen looked like last week. Right now all the cupboards are off and being worked on. Little Ava has been loving it and has found some new toys and snacks. hmmm.

Check back in a month to see the final reveal . . . of the kitchen, that is.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

"Free" Obsession: movies during the summer

I found this information on my cousin's blog and thought I'd share it with all of you. If you know anything about me, you know that I love almost anything that's free or just dirt cheap.
This would be perfect for those lazy days in the summer. I know where I'm taking little Ava at least once a week.

Check my cousin's blog to see the other free summer activities she's found. (And while you're at it, check out her adorable parties she puts on for her kiddos. Love them! Thanks Jadi!)

Monday, June 7, 2010

Craft Obsession: Father's Day cloth napkin

I was in a boutique a few months back in Newport Beach and saw the cutest paper napkins for Father's Day. They had printed a tie on the paper napkin. I thought this would be pretty easy to recreate on a cloth napkin, and it was.

Have you seen those baby onesies with the appliqued ties on them? Basically the same concept . . . just on a larger scale.


The supplies you need are:

1. a cloth napkin
2. material for the tie
3. wonder-under (or anything similar - I bought mine at Joanns)


other supplies: sewing machine and iron

1.Have your supplies out and create your pattern. (I used one of my husband's ties)

2. Using the pattern, cut out the material.

3. Following the instructions of wonder-under and attach it to the fabric

4. Iron the fabric/wonder-under onto the cloth napkin (using a damp cloth on top of the material and steam iron)

5. The tie is now attached to the cloth napkin, but to reinforce it, you'll want to just sew a straight line or zigzag stitch around the tie.




And you're done! You just have to give it to your father/husband. (Now really, I'm sure your hubby isn't so messy when he eats that he needs a huge, ole napkin on his chest or maybe he does, but it's a fun idea for Father's Day. ** If I were to do it again, I'd make the tie a little bit shorter)

If you want to add a little personalization, have your kiddos write a special note to him on the cloth napkin using a permanent marker or maybe put their handprints on it.

I'm linking to:


This is a little belated, but I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day. Ours was great!