One of my Chandeliers is Finally Up

I have been holding on to this chandelier for five years ever since we moved from our previous home. Of course I couldn't take the house with me, but I just couldn't leave the sea horse knobs in the bath or this sweet chandelier from the dining room. It was always too small for the room, but I just loved it!

Of course it really needed rewiring and major cleaning! It always seems so easy to take it all apart and then put it back together, but it never is! I was smart this time, though, and took photos of every part that I unscrewed or moved.
And yes, I needed the photos!

The rewiring didn't take long at all since it's just a single bulb, but I must admit that cleaning and hanging the crystals took about an hour.

In the end, though, it's definitely worth it and makes cleaning the kitchen so much more pleasant!

Scottie Dog Birthday Part 2

I thought I would never get these photos posted! But finally here are the rest of the scottie dog birthday pictures!
A chocolate chip cookie cake (take 2 - the first one didn't come out of the pan, so I didn't even try with the 2nd one!)

Bunting - so everyone could find us at the park!

Scottie chalkboard tags to go with the chalk favors. Two coats of chalkboard paint and they seemed to work really well.

My oldest even drew some scotties for decorations around the tables! What a sweetie!

A Mary Engelbreit Scottie Dog Birthday

It all started when I found some super cute scottie dog notecards in the dollar bin at Michael's on the day before I HAD to get the invitations sent out for my little one's party. I didn't have any theme in mind, so. . .

I grabbed a notepad, too, (and a few other things that I hope to show in another post). I have a huge collection of curling ribbon, so I picked some colors I liked and picked up some sidewalk chalk at the dollar bins at Target.

I ripped the plastic off the chalk and removed the paper label, too - really sticky, but doable!

I cut out the scotties from the top of the notepad and attached them to the buckets with packing tape. I just need a tiny extra piece for the bottom of the circle.

Added some curling ribbon and presto - super-cute party favors!

Of course, we had to have a coordinating outfit - mostly because I haven't sewn since Christmas and was looking for any excuse!

I found some fabric on ebay and on etsy. Unfortunately it is discontinued, so it was priced accordingly, but I didn't need much. I just used the width of the fabric for the bottom tier and subtracted about 1/4 the length for the top tier. I sewed the ribbon (both top and bottom edges) right along the seam line then sewed the bow on separately.

I found this cute ruffle shirt at Old Navy and added some ribbon to coordinate with the skirt. I pinned it right on the edge and stitched both the top and bottom edges of the ribbon. I couldn't resist making a head scarf with ribbon trim, too!

Now we just have to wait until Saturday to celebrate!

My Cabinets are Going In

My cabinet installer arrived today to begin putting in my kitchen cabinets!!! I can't tell you how excited I am!

I finally get to see them without plastic wrap!

Lots of drawers! And isn't the lazy susan going to be fun! Finally some use for that-corner-where-things-go-to-disappear!

I won't have countertops for a while, but I should still be able to show you pretty photos of the cabinets soon!

Ceiling Retexture in Progress ... and Done!

It doesn't matter what you call it - acoustic, popcorn, cottage cheese, or something else - scraping this off the ceiling can be messy!

Making progress!

My new favorite "tool!" So much easier than using a simple squirt bottle. But it didn't make me any neater!

Almost done - it took me about 4 evenings.

In case you can't tell in the photo, new texture that matches the walls was sprayed on (not by me!), and since I forgot to buy primer about 4 coats of paint (another 3 nights)!
Touch-ups coming soon (I also had to repaint the corners of the walls where new sheetrock was attached and lucky me I had almost a gallon of paint left over from painting 4 years ago).

It's already worth it - my husband is totally impressed with the new look!

Birthday Sale

To celebrate my birthday this year, I am having a 25% sale now through Sunday evening!
Come check out some of my favorite designs!
-CottageInTheSun

Kitchen Remodel Plan - A Bit Revised

Original Plan - make this 7 foot kitchen ceiling go away - what where they thinking?!

Revised plan -
Wow! What a huge beam! Bummer, definitely structural. And really . . . wires, wires everywhere!

Two really fast electricians and one sheetrock installer later... Recessed Lights!

And a skinny beam that only hints at the 7 foot ceiling that used to be!

Making progress!!