Weekend Warriors

I just LOVE weekends.  Not only because I get a break from the office, but also because of all the adventures that lay ahead. The only thing I don't like about the weekends is that Monday always comes too soon.

A few weekends ago, we actually had not a single plan on the calendar.  You know what that means: PROJECT WEEKEND!!!! I tend to refer to us in this situation as weekend warriors.  I got the urge to look up the Urban Dictionary definition of this and it cracked me up.  This weekend of course, was an epic weekend! Here's Urban Dictionary's definition:

weekend warrior a person who holds a regular job during the week which restricts their ability to party/go on trips/partake in awesome activities, and thus plans epic weekend adventures to compensate. As much variation and quantity of awesomeness is packed into the weekends as physically possible, warranting the rest of the work week to recharge for the next weekend.

So yes, the hubby and I "partook in awesome activities with as much variation and quantity of awesomeness packed into our weekend as physically possible".  Our standard Saturday morning routine includes letting the dog out, giving her breakfast, then laying in bed and discussing the plans for the day.  I was totally stoked when Joe suggested the first project on the list. Here's a look at the projects we worked on and their story:

Kitchen Cabinet Update

Our house was built in 2000. The cabinet style in that day (not so long ago) included a piece of trim over the sink connecting the cabinets on both sides. I've always thought it looked a bit funny and I told hubby a while ago that I really didn't like it and the main reason was that I wanted a pendant light where the can light is above the kitchen sink. I was so excited to get this project going!  Here's a picture of the kitchen before.

And here's the style I'm dreaming for: a pendant light, the spring curtain rod, rings holding the curtain....the cabinet color? not quite my thing. I'll stick with our oak.

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Here's the steps we took:

1. Hubby used a small pry bar like this one to remove the long molding piece along the front of the cabinet and the piece placed below the molding.  

2. We tried to remove as many of the old nails as possible.  This was really difficult and we ended up just breaking them off and hammering it as flat as possible on the wood so there wasn't a gap when we placed the molding back up there.

3. We measured the length of molding needed on the sides of the cabinets and marked where that would be on the long molding piece. Hubby used his miter saw to cut the trim to the proper lengths.  I must say figuring out the angle was a bit tricky, so be careful if you're trying this at home.  It's definitely a measure 8x, cut once kinda thing.

4. Joe reattached the molding pieces and puttied any areas that will need sanded and re-stained.  

5. Since Daisy HATES the compressor and the nail gun, we took a little trip to Lowe's to pick up a recessed can conversion pendant light kit to hang. During our trip to Lowe's I hit the jackpot.  I know I just went for 1 thing, but I left with with two more projectss.  When walking to the lighting section, I noticed on the clearance rack, a chrome 3-light vanity fixture (just like the one we've been looking for), and they were clearancing out a TON of fans (also, just what we've been looking for).  So convenient right?

6. We hung the pendant light fixture kit and LOVE the final product.  We've still got to match the stain to patch up some small spots, and update the curtain rod, but here's the almost finished project.

I made the curtain from some linen material.  I'm posting the tutorial soon, so watch for it.

Here's the breakdown:

• Small Pry Bar: $0
• Measuring Tape: $0
• Miter Saw: $0
• Nail Gun (and compressor): $0
• Stain (from Lowe’s): $8 (Still needs to be done)
• Pendant Light Converter Kit (from Lowe’s): $30
• TOTAL: $38

Guest Bathroom Light Fixture

As discussed above, the coming about of this project was due to the trip to Lowe's to purchase the Pendant Light Converter Kit for above our Kitchen sink.  We already replaced the cabinet pulls and the sink faucet, but couldn't really find a new light fixture to match the style.  Here's the before and after of the fixture.

Here's the breakdown:

• 3-Light Vanity Fixture (from Lowe's): $40

Basement Fan

Again, this project sprouted from the Kitchen Cabinet update with the Pendant Light Converter Kit.  The gold fan in the basement was really getting to me, especially after painting the room and rearranging the set-up. Here's the before and after in the room.

Here's the breakdown:

• Fan Fixture: $40

Entryway 

I was totally inspired by Jenna Sue's entry way art and coat rack so I thought I'd come up with my own version.  Her art work is wonderful.  I love the geometric patterns and the simpleness of it.

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I also really LOVE the idea of having knobs as coat hooks.  I really was inspired by these drawer fronts used as coat hooks.

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We've haven't finished the project yet, but we're about halfway there.  We'll be finishing it up soon and revealing our entryway soon!

Kennedy's Baby Quilt

I started this baby quilt a few months before the baby was due.  Before I was finished, a beauty came along.  There is a precious little baby girl that is so adorable, Kennedy Caroline.  She was born in July with some life threatening issues.  She is such a fighter and is now doing very well.  I was inspired to design a quilt from the breathtaking one below.

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I designed my own pattern to be the perfect size for baby Kennedy.  Over the weekend I finished quilting, then a few days ago I made the binding and completed the quilt.

I can't reveal it just yet.  I have to make sure that Kennedy and her momma get it first.  I'll post soon though.

I can't wait to see what this coming weekend has in store!

What projects are on your plate?

State {of the} Art

Did you hear about the Pinterest Challenge that Katie over at Bower Power and a few others are doing? You MUST check out their video!  It made me laugh out loud for about 5 minutes. It's hilarious!

I decided to take it on because currently, I have 196 pins! Check out my Pinterest.

It was pretty easy to pick my project and I had everything I needed for it. (Thanks to finding Meredith's comment about her tutorial here)

I was wondering around Pinterest the a while back, saw this and was totally inspired. Joe and I have been looking for something to hang in our master bedroom above our nightstands for about 6 months now.

I fell in love with this beautiful (and genius) art!

I knew it'll be perfect for our bedroom and we already have the paint to complete it. Meredith over at "Welcome to Heardmont" posted her tutorial and it's pretty awesome.

I made two State {of the} Art paintings, Illinois and Missouri. We both grew up in the same area back in Illinois and we also wanted to mark where our home is right now, in Missouri. I used the leftover paint from when we painted our recessed ceiling.  The color matches perfect with our bedspread.  I could really use some work on the curtains in this room, but that's for later.

Here's our room Before:

The art turned out awesome! Meredith's tutorial was so helpful and great to follow, and it only took me about 30 minutes to do both of them! Here's our version:

We opted not to not put any hearts on ours for now.  This might change in the future, but we'll see.  I love them so much as they are.  Here's a picture of them hung up.

and then there were 9....(see my summer top 10 to-do list here.)

Linked at Bower Power's Pinterest Challenge Summer Edition and Hookin Up with HOH #60.

Mod Podge....

I remember the day I joined my sorority like it was yesterday.  It wasn't actually yesterday, it was over 5 yeras ago.  I will always be thankful for the things that my sisters taught me.  They taught me all about real friends, living with 40 girls, cleaning up kitchens (not exactly taught but I did get a lot of practice), how to parallel park into the tinest places, and most importantly of all: how to be crafty!  I've always been a crafty soul, but once a member of the sorority, I learned about craftiness like never before.  I will never forget my first converstion about Mod Podge.  I remember asking what it was, followed by laughter from my friends.  All through college I did many, and I mean MANY projects with Mod Podge. I began thinking that it seriously was the greatest invention!  I have since moved onto other things, and have not really had the need to use Mod Podge since my college days.  That was until today!!!!  I ran across this blog. Oh Mod Podge, how I love you and have missed you.  Hopefully I will have time in the near future to start another Mod Podge project.  I'm crossing my fingers that my jar of matte is not dried out.  Thank you Mod Podge for helping to decoupaging my world!