More of what I've been spending my precious preschool/nap/neglect-the-laundry hours doing:

A few weeks ago, I decided to revamp an old painting that no longer worked in my home.

I took a quick snapshot of the before. Some of you may have seen this one. When I painted it, I never really considered it "done." It didn't really float my boat. So I decided to re-tackle it. Out of all the projects I've decided to give a whirl, painting is probably my one true love. {SIGH.} It was truly a relaxing take-on.

Which leads me to...photos of part of my kitchen. I decided to do a bit of an impromptu art gallery by revamping a few other paintings as well, to coordinate all the colors.

Remember this post? I decided to take a different route with the decorative paper, and ordered some of this delectable Italian Butterfly stock. LOVE it. Jamin helped me make a gallery frame, from wood and plexiglass. A simple way to switch out peices of art, and freshen up as I fancy.

On the other side, I have a giant bulletin board, made from natural cork. I stole adapted this idea from Domino years ago, but its a great and CHEAP way to display and switch out family photos. AmCork is a great source for naturally patterned cork. If you do ever install this, I recommend foregoing the adhesive that they offer on their site, unless you mount the undercork it to a piece of wood first. Otherwise, hammer in directly to the wall.

This is probably my fave corner of the house. The only problem is, parting with my old photos.

Which leads me to...Thumb tacks. What goes better with a family bulletin board than homemade fabric covered thumb tacks? This is a nice little afternoon project, that will leave you with plenty of "happies" for your desk, home, or wherever...as an end product. Not to mention...who wouldn't love this as a gift? I smell Christmas presents.

What you will need: 

Fabric coverable button kits (You can find these in any craft/fabric section/store) in various sizes. I love to mix them up a little...

Shank remover (usually found in the same location)

Flat thumbtacks

Fabric

Glue gun

Scissors

(I didn't take photos of this -I was too lazy...but the process is pretty basic)

Open all your packages of coverable buttons, and on the backs, remove the shanks with your shank remover. (this is the loopy thing on the back, that when attached to the button will make for a smooth back to attach your tack) That's the hard part.

This is the most laborious of the process, and your hands may be sore, depending on how many you make. I think you may get shankless coverable buttons online, if you're super lazy resourceful.

Follow the directions on the back of the button cover. Cutting your fabric to size (according to the circle on the back) place your fabric on the inside of the plastic thingy. Place the button top inside after the fabric, then folding your fabric under, place your shankless back, and then the blue plastic piece, on top. Push it down until you hear a light snap, and viola! Remove your fabric covered button. You are supa cool.

Taking your hot glue gun, attach the tacks to the buttons.

Give yourself a big pat on the back for figuring it out, and display your cute lil fabric goodness proudly. You are a domesticated diva.

Just an idea: I took some more old fabric, and a ceiling tile from Home Depot. I covered the ceiling tile with fabric, securing it with hot glue and a staple gun. Mini bulletin + fabric covered thumbtacks = fun gifts!

I nabbed this wreath with their floral half off sale at Hobby Lobby last week. Yes, I went to Hobby Lobby with an arsenal of a list. (Hardware...wreath...tulle...check x 3) And scored this one for like two dollars (I think?) I spray painted some pinecones I had lying around my house (yes, I actually had pinecones lying around my house-my parents live in Wetumpka and have some giant pines in their yard so I happened to scoop some up last fall...) and attached them with the glue gun.

The funny part is, this entire wreath was made with things already lying around the hizzy. These flowers were formally seen in Emmy's hair. The M was a foam M (also found at Hobby Lobby) it was originally yellow, and I spray painted it, before wrapping it securely with lime green yarn. {I wanted mine to have a spot of color.} I also like the smaller letters...

I did this project last summer and then decided I had no use for them. So I garnished my wreath to make it extra cozy and tie in the green... Attached it all with an orange ribbon and viola! My cozy fall wreath.

Kinda reminds me of a nest...hanging on a door...

Now go make your own! Happy (fall) crafting.

*I'm trying something different with this site...every time I have a new post, I'm switching up the order of the pages so people will know it's there...that, and you can now easily access projects by clicking on links to the left. The whole four posts at a time thing was killer. This way I'm more flexible. I hope this makes everything a little easier! Maybe let me know???

I'm all set up at My Kid's Attic consignment sale! MUCHAS GRACIAS to Abbie my dear friend (from the fourth grade???- who is also my definite go to for all things resourceful.) Who totally helped me set up. It took a while! (its a given that a thanks, as usual, also goes to the wonderful hubs who built me a base for said bow holding structure and totally helped me by keeping the kids...) It was totally an afterthought, so I will have to adjust the back with stripes and an additional sign...as it turns out I made too many bows in true to Ashley form...so here we are! Two sides. Wish me luck and show a gal some love if you live locally.

If you read my homepage, you saw where I visited a new flea market this week. Our bedroom has been a years-long work in progress, and I am still not sure this will finish it off, officially, anyway. It just kept coming in last because we keep having babies.

Which begs the question...is anything ever actually finished? To that I would give a definitive no. Eventually I want to build my own bed, and our ceiling in our current house does not allow for what I want to do. (I have a major plan.) That and a swanky chandelier... Anyway, I found two lamps for EIGHT DOLLARS. They're these great old heavy brass patina-ed lamps. At first glance I thought I may paint them. But then I realized people pay good money for this look. So the old look I will keep...

It's nothing a new lampshade can't remake into something fabulous. I love the classic shape. Did I mention that? And for eight dollars. That's a pair. Four dollars Each. Quite possibly my favorite find yet. (In the lighting category...) I'm so good at math.

I can't wait to show you what these shades from Target did in their natural habitat to be (our bedroom) They really snazz the area up...

Symmetry at its 4-bucks-a-pop finest. Which begs another question: why always pay big money for the snobbery when you can have the reward of finding your own treasures? Which can look just as wonderful? Perhaps we should discuss.

I was ready to leave when I found these: Apparently kirkland's threw up. Twice.

Brace yourselves.

Some people may shun me for painting over such, uh beauty. But I do fully intend to reinvent these awesome little side tables. They were the perfect height for my bedroom and in the right shade, will make a great addition! Maroon and gold never looked so good for the price I paid. 

I'll be pouring over paint chips in the meantime. Again, the shapes were just perfect.

Knobs via anthropologie.

mmmmm mmmuuuuummmmssss. Much to Jamin's dismay, I picked some up at Home Depot yesterday. 3 bucks each! I then decided to engage in a little mini project I've been wanting to try...you can find the full out tutorial over at Marthastewart.com but the jist of it is to mark off some clay pots with painters tape, take some cream spray paint, and with short, quick bursts, paint up some new pots for yourself. I already had these things just lyind around so it was like new pots for free. Mine were a bit botched because it started to rain on me and I had to jerk them up and bring them inside. BOOO. no one would be able to tell, though, unless I simply posted them in large via the internet, or if the mail lady decided to examine my potted plants...anyway, I highly recommend. Quick. Easy. Fun. And they look pretty good, even if mine are a little ghetto...

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

I decided Emmy needed a party dress for Aiden's birthday...and whipped one up with some leftovers I had from my gumdrop pillow and birdy sling.  Of course, she HAD to have a matching personalized bow to go with.

I also ordered some more fab last week, so I can make some kimono PJ's (via Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones) for Malone and another Dress for Emerson. While we're on the subject, I finally have a way to produce my prints again. A few of you had inquired about them so feel free to shoot an email if you are interested. After a lot of thought, I have decided to reopen my etsy shop again in a few weeks, and I will slowly but surely start doing what I love again! Production time may be a little slower, but you know what they say...good things come to those who wait.

On a final note, I had to show off the PURE sign below. I've been wanting one FOREVER, and just haven't been able to get my hands on one. One day I want to own a big vintage version, and I thought this was really cool of my bro and sis in law to get for me. Walt and Cristin are so sweet. They scored this for me at a flea market! It was really thoughtful of them and I adore it (and them)... It's hanging in my makeshift studio. LOVE IT! Thanks again, guys!!!

Our second bathroom is really for guests, but stays right beside the children's rooms. It's time for a makeover in that department, and I've already dubbed it as my fall project...

When I was nesting, I decided to wash our pottery barn shower curtain in that room.

Only it was dry clean only. seriously? who has dry clean only shower curtains? Apparently pb does, and since I didn't check the tag, the thing shrunk a good three feet...

I found a few photos of inspiration at anthropologie...

And then I decided I want to go for the drama. I'm thinking ceiling to floor handmade shower curtain. So I started checking out fabrics...

And I've decided these are some of my faves. I'm thinking of alternating strips of complimentary fabrics to make one long billowy curtain...

with a fairy-tale-retro-esque type of feel. Anyway, just thought I'd be using this section to start cataloging my finds, in the meantime...and update on my progress.

Quite a few of you have been asking me where I get my fabric sources from.

Here are a few of my faves while I'm thinking about it:

Purlsoho.com

Quilthome.com

Fabricworm.com

Buyfabrics.com

Also, and this is one of my favorite resources, of course: check out my faves in etsy, by clicking on the link to my shop. You can always get great deals on smaller quantities there, much of it designer, simply by searching. Happy shopping!