step stool to small bookshelf

Continuing with my office redo projects, I needed space for my books since I reinvented my old bookshelf to a hutch for my desk.  The temperature outside today in Western Pennsylvania is Zero, it's snowing and blowing and I did not want to leave the house.  After shopping my house for something to use, I came up with this small stepstool that Sister number 3 gave me awhile ago to refurbish.  Perfect and even better I didn't have to make any changes to it.  I sat this baby on top of my file cabinet and the paperbacks fit perfect.

No cost, no work = Functional and cute. That is my kind of project.

Motivational Art

Very cheap and quick artwork for my office walls.  I purchased 3 canvases from Ollie's for $1.69 each, a book of scrapbook paper for $4.99 and vinyl letters leftover from a previous trip to Ollies.

I wrapped and stapled (with just a plain old office stapler) the scrapbook paper around the canvases. After checking pinterest for some inspirational quotes, I used my vinyl letters and just stuck them on the canvases.

I like this view from my desk chair it a nice reminder to stay motivated!

office redo

My home office was in need of a serious remodel.  I spend alot of time in here for work and pleasure. My real job allows me the opporunity to work from home 2 days a week and this is where i do all my blogging. 

This room always seems to be a catch-all, including my exercise bike that I keep meaning to use more often.  Thats another post in the future. I'm trying to organize and decorate so that when I spend hours at a time in here, I feel movtivated and inspired.

Here's a look at the mess before I started.

The books shelf above was made for me years ago by my Dad.  It has been in so many rooms with different functions that it is a keeper. 

I'll start with that makeover first.  I took the bookshelf and turned in on this side horizonally to use as a hutch on my desk.  I added some scrapbook paper to the inside just for some color with thumbtacks.  I didn't want to make any permanent changes to the bookshelf because I may change my mind in the future.

The hutch works perfect, every thing is at my finger tips while I'm working.

No sew redesign

Another new interest of mine is redesigning clothes.  Pinterest is absolutely filled with so many amazing ideas on how to refashion clothes that you already have to something way more stylish.

I got so excited with this one that I forgot to take a before picture.   I found an old T-shirt of hubbys that was just hanging in the closet.  I made a few cuts and this is what I came up with.........

A stylish new vest for Me!!!!

All I did was cut off the sleeves, cut around the collar, cut of the side seams.  The hole wear you used to put your head is now the halter part of vest. 

more finger knitting

These are a few more scarfs that I made.  I'm telling you this finger knitting things is awesome. 

I'm in love with this new hobby of mine.  The possibilities are endless. 


I'm linking up to:

Sewing is like riding a bike

It had been so long since I sewed from a pattern, I didn't know if I would remember. I'm happy to tell you that it is just like riding a bike, once you know how you can always do it. My daughter called me one day all upset because the Halloween costume she was bidding on for my granddaughter sold and she didn't win the bid. She wanted to know if I could make her a Daphne costume. I had no idea who Daphne was or if I could still even remember how to sew but of course I said yes. I figured the worst thing that could happen would be I would have to get my 92 year old mother to save the day and make the costume. Off to Walmart I go for a pattern. Holy crap have you priced patterns lately? I found a quick sew one that wasn't too bad and it was close to what she wanted. I had to alter the pattern a little, but all in all I think I did a pretty darn good job. I think she was the cutest darn Daphne I ever saw, what do you think?

Our new toy

This is one the excuses that I have for being away from blogging so much last year. Hubby and I both love the sun and the water so boating seemed like a good choice for us. For two people that had no experience in the boating world, we made our mistakes but we sured learned alot and made alot of friends at the Lake.

I can not tell you how much I love this new hobby of ours. It was one of the best purchases we ever made, there is alot to be said about mmmm motor boating down the Lake.

Homemade Pizza

Hubby and I tried our hand at homemade pizza, he made the dough and I was in charge of the sauce. Together we were a great team.

another scarf

Finger knitting is becoming a new passion. It keeps my fingers and mind busy while I’m watching TV in the evening and better yet, it keeps me from eating! This week in Western Pennsylvania we have been having record low temperatures so I need to entertain myself so cabin fever doesn’t set in too early. After all it’s only January. I’m recommending this cheap, easy craft to everyone. All you need are your fingers and a ball of yarn.

I also added a button and a seperate crocheted buckle to keep it all together.  Here's a close of the button and piece. 

Also I almost forgot to mention, your looking at my new dress form that was a Christmas gift from my daughter.  I always wanted a dress form and she surprised me with it.  Thank you Kylee, you are the best!

Finger knitting

I never heard of finger knitting until I was checking out Pinterest for scarf ideas. Check out this inspiration photo.

Here's my version:

This is my first try,  I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.  Stay tuned for more attempts.  I love scarfs and unfortunetly in Western Pa right now I will get alot of wear out of it.

The temp. today is ZERO.  Did I mention that I hate Winter!!!!

American Girl Outfits

I love that my Granddaughter plays with American Girl Dolls, but have you priced the outfits? I bought her a few outfits for her doll for Christmas and decided to try and make a few more. I purchased a few single pieces and figured I could make a cute outfit out of them. I purchased the leopard pants $2, cowboy boots $2, owl hat $2, denim jeans $2. I did sew the black jacket, and the white outfit.

Infinity scarf x 3

I decided to break out the crochet hooks and see if I remembered how to make a scarf. It's only been about 25 years. Yikes when I stopped to think about it the last thing I crocheted was a blanket for my son and he is going to be 25 in a few weeks. Holy crap that is a long time. I didn't know where to start, so I used the modern technology available and asked GOOGLE. I'm still amazed everytime I type in How do I....................... that I get a ton of videos showing me exactly what I want to learn. I looked for the easiest video and just starting crocheting. The first scarf was for myself and I was hooked. The next one was for my daughter, then my granddaughter and why stop there. I made one for her American Girl doll too. Here's a pic of the three of them. Pretty cute don't you think?

Childs desk

Let's see if I can remember how to write a post and add some pictures. Here we go...........

This is what the desk looked like when it was given to me.

I made a few changes with some paint, leftover wall paper border and modge podge. 

Here's how she turned out..........

Starting Fresh in 2014

Do I have any followers left? I hope so.

 It's been a while and I have a million excuses but I won't bore you with any of them. What's important is, I am back and ready to go. You will notice some changes in my posts going forward, I'm going to be concentrating on more sewing refashion projects and less furniture redos for now.

 I'm also going to be posting healthy food ideas. I'm not going to use the words "new year's resolutions." These are going to be "life style changes." Here's to a Healthy and Happy 2014.