Back from Vacation...Time to Work!

We went out east for 9 days and got reenergized. Now it is time to get some work done. We drug everything out of our basement and threw away, gave away, gifted away and consolidated. Now our basement is orderly. What a great feeling! I LOVE LOVE LOVE my label maker. It is addictive, really.

We also baked some dark chocolate chip cookies. Have you ever seen such perfectly round cookies? My six year old son made them. Sickening. Really. My son wants to be a pizza man when he grows up or a chef (said with a lisp, too cute). I kid you not, when we go to Goodwill, his favorite section is the kitchen utensils.

I have been wanting to put some kind of bench at the end of our bed. Here is a before and after. I took 3 layers of fabric off. The fabric I chose to recover with happens to be very similar to the oldest layer found on this vanity bench. It fits perfectly. It only took a couple of hours and I learned a new skill! The webbing on this bench had seen better days. I used my 40% coupon and bought new webbing. I had some left over muslin from previous project to layer over the old stuffing and a new layer I added to freshen it up. I am pleased over all.

Works for Me Wednesday: Kitchen Edition--Recipe Holder

I am two months late to the game but here goes...I have been using these little index card holders for a couple of years now. All of our family favorites are stored in these handy binders I found at Tarjay. I try lots and lots of recipes but a recipe has to be really great to make the cut inito the binder. There are 3 colored lined index sections in each binder. One of my binders has salads/veggies,main entrees, desserts. The other binder has appetizers, crockpot recipes and grill recipes. If you are a camper you may want to consider filling one of these with your favorite camping recipes and leaving them in your camper. Head on over to Rocks in My Dryer and get more tips.

My Handy Boot Tray

My boys were sick. AGAIN. They lounged watching mind numbing tv. I lounged my way-projects!!! I rearranged a bookcase, baked some scotch shortbread cookies, freshened the foyer, changed the front door decoration and stripped my latest furniture refinish project. More on that to come. While working on the foyer I saw this.

My brother says I have "hand-feet". It is true. They are small- a size 5 or 6. The pair on the right belong to my 9 yr. old son. They have to grow up??? Sigh.
Since my U-verse installer sat on the foyer bench and promptly noticed my cleverness, I thought you might want some cleverness for your foyer. It is actually a tip from Martha. Go to your favorite dollar store and get some rocks. They will drain the water off the bottom of your shoes. I leave mine out year round since I have all hardwood.

Another Chair Before and After

I will let you in on a secret. Thanks to a certain commentator, my only commentator, I decided to try another entry.
I have another chair before and after today. This is a 1930's arm chair from GW in need of an update. I paid $10.00. I love the shape and thought it would make a great LR chair for me as I knit at night. I had visions of listening to my son read to me in this chair.
Here are some tips:
1. Be sure to wrap any existing stuffing with fresh batting so it will be smooth.
2. Be sure to carefully take the current fabric off. You will use the old fabric as a template for the new fabric.
3. Buy the reupholstery tools at JF or HL. They are worth it!
4. Don't buy the cheap tacks in bulk. You will grumble and cry because the nail heads will protrude when you nail them in. I am just sayin'....
5. Don't be surprised when someone else claims your treasure for their own.
My husband now sits in my chair everynight while watching tv.

Reupholstered side chair

For my first post I thought I would offer a DIY project of my own. This side chair was given to me for free from a friend who took pity on my reupholstery itch. The fabric is from HL. I think it turned out nice. I used a staple gun and some hot glue. This is a great first project if you have been thinking of trying out upholstery. My advice is paper template!