tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91153053849838598772024-03-19T02:26:25.040-04:00The Cozy Old "Farmhouse"Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-47428990524918550142017-05-30T07:50:00.000-04:002017-05-31T08:11:42.550-04:00Architectural Salvage Lamps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
*knocks on window....peers in*</div>
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"Is anyone still there???" she asks.</div>
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I am SO sorry y'all! It's hard to believe that I've left you hanging since August of last year!! I miss blogging, I really really do, and I hope to be able to carve out a little more time for it this year. </div>
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So much has happened around here since August! Our beloved Jack Russell passed away in November (she was 13), Baby Girl celebrated her 1st birthday in January, in February our neighbor found a stray puppy and gave him to us and I talked Hubby into letting us keep him, we got 10 baby chicks in March (only 8 are left now and they're getting close to laying age), we've been getting fresh veggies from our garden, and of course I've still been selling shower curtains and homeschooling the kiddos. I'll try to share some pictures of some of these things soon.</div>
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Let's get on to today's post.</div>
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(Disclaimer - These are cell phone pictures because our computer still won't upload any pictures from my good camera, so I just had to do the best I could.)</div>
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These big ol' ugly chunky lamps came from a local thrift store. The first time I saw them I thought, "Wow, those are ugly!" and I kept on walking. But then I stopped and backed up and looked at them again and it hit me, I think I could give those a makeover and make them look really neat. But...I felt like I didn't need another project staring me in the face and making me feel guilty for not completing it, so I left them there.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJUeiMBAL-o/WSqyKiMDorI/AAAAAAAALnI/4aa-0VCY3Pco0RQuCsBSVeDgoPVMpSuEgCLcB/s1600/Lamps%2B1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="676" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJUeiMBAL-o/WSqyKiMDorI/AAAAAAAALnI/4aa-0VCY3Pco0RQuCsBSVeDgoPVMpSuEgCLcB/s640/Lamps%2B1_1.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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They stayed there for MONTHS! Every time I went to that store I looked at them and thought about re-doing them. Finally I decided if they were still there by the time the next 50% off day rolled around I would get them. But then I forgot about the 50% off day and had to wait a whole month more. </div>
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They were still there and I got them both for $3.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j7xMBG4s_7U/WSqyLh1RzjI/AAAAAAAALnU/TQyxVKNQifo6sSk350FW1p7JqXK3KWgcgCLcB/s1600/Lamps%2B2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="634" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j7xMBG4s_7U/WSqyLh1RzjI/AAAAAAAALnU/TQyxVKNQifo6sSk350FW1p7JqXK3KWgcgCLcB/s640/Lamps%2B2_1.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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They weren't very pretty, and they are BIG and heavy. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C3GQ8KR4ef8/WS6yiUYidUI/AAAAAAAALnw/He25P9YkNZYVb810_AUxtJF1GRd9Vj39QCLcB/s1600/Lamps%2B16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C3GQ8KR4ef8/WS6yiUYidUI/AAAAAAAALnw/He25P9YkNZYVb810_AUxtJF1GRd9Vj39QCLcB/s640/Lamps%2B16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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They were chipped and cracked and dirty..... I'm not too surprised no one else wanted them.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOuOfUVUhV8/WSqyLr0H3AI/AAAAAAAALnQ/Sk6aG4qyP1UxffxCaZIueKBtAskEScMWwCLcB/s1600/Lamps%2B3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="540" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOuOfUVUhV8/WSqyLr0H3AI/AAAAAAAALnQ/Sk6aG4qyP1UxffxCaZIueKBtAskEScMWwCLcB/s320/Lamps%2B3_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had in mind to give them a finish that would make them look like a worn old architectural salvage piece that had been turned into a lamp. I had in mind something like these pieces.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TFKs5_bU4Hg/WSqyMFa8RDI/AAAAAAAALnY/rxb-O6FbK0kaEp1sVlVWrgTZVWstjP7GgCLcB/s1600/Lamps%2B4_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="540" height="279" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TFKs5_bU4Hg/WSqyMFa8RDI/AAAAAAAALnY/rxb-O6FbK0kaEp1sVlVWrgTZVWstjP7GgCLcB/s320/Lamps%2B4_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was an experimental process and I really wasn't quite sure how to achieve the look I was going for, but in the end I think I ended up with something pretty cool. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mjUATgJwQ7U/WSqyN-wFi_I/AAAAAAAALng/-zpRlFf_3PIApPus6L_EUNUNQ3Y0IqL7gCLcB/s1600/Lamps%2B7_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mjUATgJwQ7U/WSqyN-wFi_I/AAAAAAAALng/-zpRlFf_3PIApPus6L_EUNUNQ3Y0IqL7gCLcB/s640/Lamps%2B7_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The one lamp already had two big chips knocked out of it, so I purposely chipped up the other one a bit to help it along in the "aging" process. I gave them a base coat of a dark gray paint, then added a crackle medium in random spots all over them, then I sponged on a layer of white paint. The areas that had the crackle medium cracked nicely and the darker undercoat showed through. Then I added a layer of antiquing glaze and then another layer of white sponged on here and there. I finished them off with a few coats of clear sealer in a matte finish.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CtEkSLGot_o/WSqyMoKjbcI/AAAAAAAALnc/9EgrKeu6nD4G5-0LtBOTaVcpyPCbYdjVACLcB/s1600/Lamps%2B9_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CtEkSLGot_o/WSqyMoKjbcI/AAAAAAAALnc/9EgrKeu6nD4G5-0LtBOTaVcpyPCbYdjVACLcB/s640/Lamps%2B9_1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I looked online and at a couple of stores at lamp shades to go with them and nothing seemed right. Then I found these cute burlap ones at Walmart of all places and I knew they would pair perfectly because they pick up the color of the antiquing glaze really nicely.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-euPDz6jtcGI/WSqyJMS81DI/AAAAAAAALm4/L_AUOok6xCYx6cjfOzcqR6LCuK8zeEKcQCLcB/s1600/Lamps%2B11_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-euPDz6jtcGI/WSqyJMS81DI/AAAAAAAALm4/L_AUOok6xCYx6cjfOzcqR6LCuK8zeEKcQCLcB/s640/Lamps%2B11_1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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They're not 100% the way I had hoped they would turn out, but I got tired of messing with them and made an executive decision that they were done. It had already taken me a month and a half to get them finished and I wasn't spending any more time on them.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gbkBgmyj-_8/WSqyJeIBJPI/AAAAAAAALm8/YmB0RlD2KG4xACNYEV098qqQ2HoqXm5HwCLcB/s1600/Lamps%2B12_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="676" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gbkBgmyj-_8/WSqyJeIBJPI/AAAAAAAALm8/YmB0RlD2KG4xACNYEV098qqQ2HoqXm5HwCLcB/s640/Lamps%2B12_1.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
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The display on these crates needs to be changed to fit the scale of the lamp better, but I was anxious to take pictures and be done. : ) </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiIknbCJLWY/WSqyKPRXIUI/AAAAAAAALnE/xjwpQ8bGzPoaqBa12UO88Zy9GwYIPYodACLcB/s1600/Lamps%2B14_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiIknbCJLWY/WSqyKPRXIUI/AAAAAAAALnE/xjwpQ8bGzPoaqBa12UO88Zy9GwYIPYodACLcB/s640/Lamps%2B14_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I started this project I wasn't even sure if I would be keeping them or not, but once I found the shades and put them in place I really like them and decided to keep them. They go nicely with the new-to-us matching leather recliners I just bought for the living room. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NRjpS-C8UZA/WSqyLGFYqJI/AAAAAAAALnM/uDzlTSiXMEYXf1COE0eLsKPviFGttKOiwCLcB/s1600/Lamps%2B15_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NRjpS-C8UZA/WSqyLGFYqJI/AAAAAAAALnM/uDzlTSiXMEYXf1COE0eLsKPviFGttKOiwCLcB/s640/Lamps%2B15_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I already had all of the paints and mediums for this project, so the only cost involved with these was the initial purchase price of $3 and then the shades which were $15 each. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGgI2Koa97s/WSqyJNBIEWI/AAAAAAAALnA/xnekBAFW3lolc6MoDsOBZvVKkYbrNUwpQCLcB/s1600/Lamps%2B13_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="654" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGgI2Koa97s/WSqyJNBIEWI/AAAAAAAALnA/xnekBAFW3lolc6MoDsOBZvVKkYbrNUwpQCLcB/s640/Lamps%2B13_1.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>
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There's just something so satisfying about taking one man's trash that no one else wants or sees the beauty in and turning it into a treasure. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com106tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-48157782090908975002016-08-11T19:00:00.000-04:002016-08-21T06:54:58.612-04:00Barn Pickin' Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past weekend I had more fun than I've had in a very long time! I ended up sweaty and filthy, covered in cobwebs, and happier than a pig in muck! I went barn pickin!'</div>
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Let me share a little back story. Some of you may remember my <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/2014/03/fun-friday-finds-19.html" target="_blank">antique theater seats</a> and the humorous story of the skimpy bathrobed old guy who sold them to me. Well, of course my ears perked up when I saw an ad in the paper that had the phrases "estate sale" and "2 barns to pick through" in the same ad!! When I looked up the address I was fairly certain it was the same place where I had bought the theater seats. And if it was indeed the same place, I remember he had a lot of really unique stuff and his barns must be heaven to pick through.</div>
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Hubs said he'd like to go too, so we made plans to have everyone up and fed and ready to be there right at 8am when they opened. We got there at 8:10 and the local dealers were already making their purchases, so I figure they must have shown up early. Oh well, I wasn't too worried about it. I just wanted the fun of digging and rummaging, lol!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vL9VqaQ_aAs/V6sFCIuwbZI/AAAAAAAALjc/5MACAhUNX-Qud0tG3oyjwjgmDxi80uhBQCLcB/s1600/Barn%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vL9VqaQ_aAs/V6sFCIuwbZI/AAAAAAAALjc/5MACAhUNX-Qud0tG3oyjwjgmDxi80uhBQCLcB/s640/Barn%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We took turns holding the baby while we both dug through boxes and poked around under work benches. It was such fun! You just never know what treasure might be hidden away.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-erK0hnFl-uA/V6sFHqImHMI/AAAAAAAALjo/D0hPgD36KxYtJjdodJkrQEY3-O_xBpGsgCLcB/s1600/Barn%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-erK0hnFl-uA/V6sFHqImHMI/AAAAAAAALjo/D0hPgD36KxYtJjdodJkrQEY3-O_xBpGsgCLcB/s640/Barn%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We spent a half an hour or so looking around and I managed to come up with a pile of stuff. I bartered a deal and we loaded up and left in search of a couple of other sales. If I had an actual brick and mortar shop to keep stocked I would
have come home with a van full! There were old pulleys, and plow pieces, an old wooden dolly furniture cart, neat old antique military pictures, and more. But as it was, I had to limit myself to
only the "essentials." :)</div>
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By then it was time for the baby's nap and it was drizzling rain so we headed back home and I dropped them off, then I headed for another estate sale that I'd heard about. Once I was done there I realized I was still itching to dig some more through those barns, and now I had no kiddos along to keep track of. Hmmmm......should I?</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bEnaGlK9txE/V6sFMfxKmNI/AAAAAAAALj0/a8uV4wr53BgI4lf2b8LRCHrghp5ZtyMRwCLcB/s1600/Barn%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bEnaGlK9txE/V6sFMfxKmNI/AAAAAAAALj0/a8uV4wr53BgI4lf2b8LRCHrghp5ZtyMRwCLcB/s640/Barn%2B5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I called up Hubby and asked if he minded if I went back and picked some more all by myself and he didn't, so off I went. I had so much fun! And by the time I got back most of what I had spotted the first time around was gone, but that didn't stop me from uncovering a few more treasures that no one else had found. :D </div>
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I think I did the owner's a favor while I was digging. I kept finding neat things that were buried and I'd set them out so people could see them better. I noticed they didn't last long once they were in eye sight. I also found a whole set of vintage Fisher Price toys in garbage bags scattered all around, still in great shape. How I wished I had the room to store them! I would have snapped them up for resale. As it was, I put them all out on display on a shelf so some other lucky person could discover them.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rU-al4phDmA/V6sFLYbMuXI/AAAAAAAALjw/orgljn3_4qYdrHC3udzICTxiwCNf1xltACLcB/s1600/Barn%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rU-al4phDmA/V6sFLYbMuXI/AAAAAAAALjw/orgljn3_4qYdrHC3udzICTxiwCNf1xltACLcB/s640/Barn%2B4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There were 3 different safes tucked in those barns. One didn't have a door, one the door was open, and the third was locked up tight. Oh thy mystery of what could be in that safe!! So enticing!! I don't know why, but I just love those old heavy duty safes.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-WqwVsk4WI/V6sFPI-ZwoI/AAAAAAAALj4/RSHa-vqT11ExyfXt682MT4fcS2ipWwE4ACLcB/s1600/Barn%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-WqwVsk4WI/V6sFPI-ZwoI/AAAAAAAALj4/RSHa-vqT11ExyfXt682MT4fcS2ipWwE4ACLcB/s640/Barn%2B6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So after tons of fun digging and fighting dead bugs and cobwebs, and coming away filthy, here's what I came home with. I spent a grand total of $55.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OgvfGl2EEdE/V6sFRzT5jqI/AAAAAAAALkA/kIL804qNkn0Jf4pzMBvkydYII1n6OAszQCLcB/s1600/Barn%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OgvfGl2EEdE/V6sFRzT5jqI/AAAAAAAALkA/kIL804qNkn0Jf4pzMBvkydYII1n6OAszQCLcB/s640/Barn%2B7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A street sign and some license plates for my son's <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/2016/07/automotive-boys-bedroom-makeover.html" target="_blank">automotive themed room.</a></div>
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A divided wooden crate/shelf thing-a-ma-jig, and an antique wooden mop bucket with wringer. I'm not sure yet what I'll do with it, but I couldn't pass it up. I also found 2 really nice old wooden tool boxes with dividers, but since I'm not currently selling vintage in my Etsy shop I let them go. I'm pretty sure they would have sold in a heartbeat.</div>
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One of my most exciting finds was this huge galvanized wash tub. I have galvanized buckets, and even a smaller version of this wash tub, but I've been wanting one of these huge ones (I bet it's every bit of 2 feet across) ever since my almost 9 year old daughter was a baby and I wanted to do some baby pictures in it. But every time I've ever come across one of this size it's either priced way too high, or if it's in my price range the bottom was completely rusted out. I also found a large enamelware wash basin, it's about 14" across, one of the bigger ones I've seen. I plan to put the little enamelware coffee cup on display in the laundry room once Hubby gets my shelf built.</div>
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Another exciting find for me was the hammock pictured there on the left. We have the perfect spot in our yard for a hammock and I've been wanting one ever since we moved in 2.5 years ago. The ones I've been pining after are called Nicaraguan hammocks. They're beautiful and cozy looking, and all the reviews say they're incredibly comfy, but....they're expensive, somewhere around $150. Which is why I had yet to buy one. So when I found this identical looking one I was mentally jumping up and down! When I asked about it the lady said she wanted $50 because it was all handmade and they had paid $75 for it in Brazil. I told her I was thinking more like $10 and we settled on $15. :D I <i>cannot wait</i> until the weather cools down and we can get this baby up and put to use!!</div>
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Also pictured above is a little Christmas Advent box for my kiddos, and a vintage gas/oil can. I used to buy a lot of these old cans to resell, but I've stopped buying since I've only been selling shower curtains in the shop. But what caught my eye about this can was the color, very unusual for this type of can.</div>
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And last but not least, I got this sweet and shabby vintage quilt. The fabric used on it looks like old feedsack material and I just love it. I brought it home and washed it on a delicate cycle and folded it so the worst parts are hidden and now it's on display in an old Hungarian laundry basket in our front entry way. When I was putting it into the washer I found this little metal tag on one of the corners. I don't consider myself an expert on vintage quilts, but I have come across many of them in my day and have bought several and I've never seen one have a tag like this. Anybody have any info on what it would have been for?<br />
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So that was my barn pickin' adventure. I would much rather dig through a dusty old barn full of bugs and cobwebs than go on a shopping spree to the mall any day.<br />
How about you? <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sharing over at:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2016/08/diy-salvaged-junk-projects-341.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Funky Junk Interiors - DIY Salvaged Junk Projects #341</span></a><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-14572828925918486852016-07-31T22:18:00.000-04:002016-08-21T06:55:53.206-04:00Boy's Bedroom Makeover - All Things Automotive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi Y'all!! Can you even believe it's been 3 months since I've posted anything?!? <span style="font-size: x-small;">*sweeps cobwebs away*</span> When I looked at the date of my last post my jaw dropped. I could not believe so much time had passed. It certainly didn't <i>seem</i> that long. But life has been speeding along and our summer has been filled with a growing baby (she's 6 months old now!), swimming lessons, trips to the springs, family visits, shower curtain making, attending Hubby's softball games, church get-togethers, etc.<br />
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Let me preface this post about my son's room makeover by saying that this room has actually been done for well over a year and I've never shared it.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> *hangs head in shame*</span> I won't bore you with the details of <i>why </i>it never got shared, so let's just go with...I'm sharing it now. : )</div>
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This is what his room looked like for the first year that we lived here.<br />
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As you might recall from some of the other room makeovers I've done so far, most of the walls in this house were a weird peachy orange color done with flat paint that had absorbed years of dirt and stains. This room was no exception. He had a hodge podge of furniture and not enough toy storage. His bed was handed down from my daughter when she got a double bed. The headboard was too girly so we sold it and he was left with just the basic frame. The quilt was too big, just an extra one I had picked up at Goodwill for $5 that we were using for the time being.</div>
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The blinds on his window were dirty and broken and the right one wouldn't extend all the way down. We had to keep an oscillating fan on the dresser to keep things cool in the summer. (though why the fan is still there when there's a Christmas tree in the corner baffles me. Or maybe the Christmas tree was still there come summer time. I really can't be sure).</div>
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This room, like all the others, also had the dark wood trim. I had already started priming the ceiling trim when I took this picture.</div>
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In the picture below you can see a set of brown metal shelves. I got these at a yard sale for $5 knowing I wanted to do an automotive theme for his room. They were a catchall for awhile there until his room got its makeover.</div>
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Once or twice a year the kids spend a week or so down south with their grandparents and last year during one of the times they were gone I decided to get his room done and surprise him when he got home. He knew I was going to be working on it, he just didn't know what all I had planned. </div>
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The boy has been obsessed with anything and everything automotive since he was 9 months old and started making car noises while pushing a car along the floor. So I knew he would love a room with that theme and I had been collecting things for quite awhile. So after a whirlwind week of hardwork he walked into his room looking like this instead.</div>
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To say he was excited would be severely understated. His jaw dropped, he raised his hands in the air and yelled YES!, and immediately began jumping around on the bed, lol!</div>
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His favorite color is orange so I had promised him I would include it somehow in his room. He LOVED the stripes on the wall. Blue is his second favorite color. : ) The rest of the walls were painted a khaki color. I don't remember the specific name of the color, but it was some sort of khaki/tan.</div>
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When you first walk up to his room you actually see the side of his closet first. I found the sign at a flea market for a few dollars and had bought the numbered hooks years before at Hobby Lobby knowing I would use them someday in his room. They hold his cowboy dress-up clothes, his hats, and on Sundays he hangs his church clothes on them in between services. </div>
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I took down the broken blinds and replaced them with roller shades. I found the curtain rod at a thrift store for $3 I think, and the curtains actually came from a single curtain panel. A local thrift store has a 50% off day once a month and I found a single, navy blue, panel with tabs on it at the top. With the discount I only paid $2.50 for it. I brought it home and cut the tabs off since they didn't line up with what I planned to do. Then I cut the panel in half, sewed new rod pockets on them, and then sewed on stripes of green ribbon that I already had. So for only a little over $2 I had a cute set of curtains to match.</div>
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I spray painted the brown metal shelves gray and bought canvas bins for his toys. </div>
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You can see that he keeps them stuffed full, lol! </div>
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On the top of his shelf is a little wooden train that spells his name. I bought the magnetic train letters at a craft fair. He has his great grandpa's name and it's very unique, so we never find it in stores on key chains and cups, so its fun for him to have something like this instead.</div>
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At a recent yard sale he found a whole collection of vehicle emblems for 50¢ each. He had brought a dollar along so he got to pick out two of them. We added them to the front of the shelves. The old gas can was a $1 yard sale find that was originally supposed to be for my Etsy shop, but I decided to keep it for his room instead. He's kind of over it now, but there for awhile he loved the movie Cars so we added this Route 66 sign. He says he's over Lightning McQueen now, but he still likes the road sign. : )</div>
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Above his bed is a set of reproduction gas station signs I had bought the year before this makeover and had tucked away. I had actually forgotten all about them and when I opened the box of stuff I had collected for his room it felt like Christmas morning! : )</div>
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My husband built the headboard for me and I beat it up and stained it. It turned out just how I wanted, I love it! The bedding was the big splurge for this room, it's from Pottery Barn. My son actually picked it out. I showed him several options that I thought would go well with his room and this is the one he picked. He liked all the different colors in it and the fact that it had orange on it. We got automotive themed sheets to go with it. He found the little car pillow at a thrift store for $2.</div>
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He still takes a nap most days and he hated having to remake his bed twice a day so we started keeping a blanket on the end of his bed. I found this red and white afghan for $5 at a thrift store and it has become his favorite. You can't really see it, but I also found a navy blue bed skirt at the same thrift store for $2.</div>
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Beside his bed I put this little red table that I made over a couple of years ago. The gas pump is from Hobby Lobby and is a little bank. He loves Legos and always has some sort of creation of his on display. And one of my absolute favorite things in his room is his night light.</div>
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It was a turn signal from a school bus that I got for $1. We added a light to the back and made it into a night light for him. It has a nice warm glow at night. I just love how unique it is!</div>
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And the knob on the drawer of the little table looks like a shifter knob. He found it at Hobby Lobby and was so proud of it! : )</div>
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<img border="0" height="432" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYKAO-TC-Cs/V55N85vMksI/AAAAAAAALiE/uLsA4gc_nds5RRUFtnbj7tpUbvK-RTAdQCLcB/s640/Burls%2BRoom%2B18_1.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
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This plastic bucket keeps his Hot Wheels collection contained. Well....mostly contained....some of the time. You can see I decided to leave the trim in his room the dark wood. I painted only the ceiling trim so that it would blend in with the ceiling and make the room look and feel bigger. The rest of the trim I left alone for 2 reasons. 1) it has a more masculine feel to it being wood, and 2) he's a 5 year old boy who loves cars....I knew it was bound to get crashed into and banged up so I didn't see the point in painting it and then getting upset when he chipped it.</div>
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On the other side of the curtains he has a shelf and a big bucket for his stuffed animals. He always loves to sleep with 2 or 3 of them. : ) </div>
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This shelf was actually made for me by my grandpa when I was in high school. It's been painted a couple of different colors through the years depending on what room it's being used in. For now it holds his little T-ball trophies and soccer medals, his baby handprint, and a jar of shells collected on beach trips with the grandparents.</div>
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Next to his closet is this little bookcase that we've had since my daughter was a baby. She got a desk with built-in bookshelves so we passed this on for him to use. Above that is a speed limit sign that I got at a flea market, I think I paid $15 for it.</div>
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On top of it he has his tractor bank. He loves anything with wheels, but especially anything John Deere since his daddy is a John Deere diesel mechanic. I found the little gas station sign at Hobby Lobby. I'm old enough that I can remember my dad buying gas at Standard stations. Besides his love of all things with tires and engines, the boy also loves art. He's constantly drawing and creating. I found that metal thingy-ma-bob at a yard sale for $1. It's something or other automotive related and it makes a perfect pen/marker/scissor holder.</div>
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A couple of other fun little touches in his room are this diamond plate light switch cover I found at Walmart....</div>
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and this motorcycle ceiling fan light pull (we were able to get rid of the ugly oscillating fan when we put a ceiling fan up). </div>
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So let's do a quick look back at the before and afters.</div>
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I don't know if you noticed that I never showed the 4th wall in his room. The wall opposite the bed. That wall has his dresser and that project isn't complete yet. I'm very very close and SO excited to finally show you that project reveal as well. Hopefully very soon!</div>
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In the meantime, I hope you've enjoyed this automotive themed boy's room makeover. </div>
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I know we've sure enjoyed the change! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sharing over at:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2016/08/wow-us-wednesdays-287.html" target="_blank">Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays #287 </a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2016/08/diy-salvaged-junk-projects-341.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Funky Junk Interiors - DIY Salvaged Junk Projects #341</span></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-70381915409655053382016-04-23T18:30:00.000-04:002016-05-01T21:46:46.417-04:00Dreaming of a Screened in Porch<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, so most of you probably already know that we live in Florida, and in Florida that means rain....and bugs. We have a really nice back deck, but it tends to not get used as much as it could because it's not covered. I dream of the day we can put a roof over it and screen it in to keep out those pesky mosquitoes. I dream of a cozy but practical space where we could eat dinner on nice evenings without the added insect guests, where I could sip my morning coffee without sitting on a dew covered chair, and where we could sit on a porch swing and enjoy a good Florida thunderstorm.<br />
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So, I said all of that to lead up to this. I was contacted about participating in a Florida Room style board challenge and I agreed. The challenge was to create my dream room, but still keep some of the beachy feel of a typical Florida room. I get a couple of these types of request every month and I usually turn them down, but this one sounded like fun. Partly because A) again, I live in Florida, and B) as I stated, I would LOVE to have a Florida room (a.k.a. the screened in porch), and C) it seemed like a fun challenge to take what is typically a coastal/beach themed room and put my own rustic farmhouse spin on it but without completely doing away with the Florida room style.</div>
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I didn't want to create an outdoor living room like you see a lot of times because, honestly, that's just not practical in Florida. I guess if you had an actual room that was temperature controlled it could work, but with a screened in porch type of a room the furniture would get mildewed faster than chocolate melting in the hot Florida sun. So I chose to keep it outdoor friendly and practical, yet cozy and comfy. </div>
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Here's what I came up with.</div>
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/florida_room_farmhouse_style/set?.embedder=9055247&.svc=copypaste&id=196669001" target="_blank"><img alt="Florida Room - Farmhouse Style" border="0" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/9QrCa5EBKu61b6eAW6EcQ/cid/196669001/id/0BPYZcUI5hG67qf3O4xqOQ/size/c600x501.jpg" height="501" title="Florida Room - Farmhouse Style" width="600" /></a></div>
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Every great porch has to have a porch swing, am I right?!? And this basic white one is a great crossover piece for the two styles. Plants are a great way to add a beachy casual feel to a room, but why not tuck them down into a galvanized wash bin stand to make them more rustic styled? The chippy aqua table with white lanterns add a great coastal touch, but the red plaid rug underneath lends the cozy farmhouse feel. Nothing says "beach" like wicker and chairs like this would be the perfect cozy addition to a casual porch made for relaxing. A cute little grain sack striped pillow keeps it from feeling TOO beachy. A chippy antique door leaned up in the corner is a great farmhouse style piece, and the soft green sign hanging on it is a great coastal color. The rustic wooden crates make a great little storage area for books, games, shoes when you come in from the yard, and are also a great place to set down your Mason jar drink or morning cup of coffee. (And by the way, those red Chucks? Chucks are my very favorite type of shoe! I have at least 6 pairs in various colors, lol!) Another little plant tucked inside brings a touch of the outdoor beach feel to it. And of course, last but not least, lighting. I LOVE LOVE LOVE string lights and I would SO hang them all around the room for the perfect evening mood lighting.<br />
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So there's my take on how to combine a coastal/beach style with rustic farmhouse style and turn it into a cozy place where your family and friends would love to relax. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">If you would like the link to any of these items I've included in my style board you can find them <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=196669001" target="_blank">{here}</a>, or here are some great <a href="https://www.elliman.com/florida" target="_blank">Flordia properties</a> for continued inspiration if this sparked your interest.</span><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0;" /> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-52206661376332491492016-04-04T23:13:00.000-04:002016-04-13T15:30:33.699-04:00A Farmhouse Chandelier Makeover<br />
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Ok, so I'm sure you can tell from the title what today's post is going to be about.....a makeover story.....about a chandelier.....a dreamy farmhouse chandelier......now <i>my</i> chandelier.</div>
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So since you already know what it's about, I won't keep you in suspense.<br />
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Let's just cut to the chase and show it to you.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7kLVKu44_ls/VwLF3b9qMQI/AAAAAAAALfI/808Hvv9sgjgyaYvnlFjV3d6Zi2Vq74SEQ/s1600/Chandy%2B13_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7kLVKu44_ls/VwLF3b9qMQI/AAAAAAAALfI/808Hvv9sgjgyaYvnlFjV3d6Zi2Vq74SEQ/s640/Chandy%2B13_1.jpg" width="448" /> </a></div>
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Ain't it purdy?!?</div>
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Do you want to know how much it cost me? $100? Too high. $75? Nope. $50? Keep going. $25? Still too high. $15?? Lower. $10?!? Even lower. $5?!?!?! Almost there. $4??? Yep!! You got it, a budget breaking, whoppin' total of <i>FOUR</i> dollars!! Can you believe that?!?</div>
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It didn't always look like that though. It started off looking like this.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1uo8bXwDAw0/VvlNH1AvRiI/AAAAAAAALd4/NkloLLVH9aoqj_KQS5bpjcL0jl2DmSlkA/s1600/Chandy%2B1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1uo8bXwDAw0/VvlNH1AvRiI/AAAAAAAALd4/NkloLLVH9aoqj_KQS5bpjcL0jl2DmSlkA/s640/Chandy%2B1_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's back up a couple of years and I'll share a story, a two year story about the search for a chandelier.</div>
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When we moved into this house the family room was connected to the kitchen, carpet and all. Yuck! But I had always dreamed of a big kitchen and dining room being all connected. I envisioned a big farmhouse table with a farmhouse style lighting fixture above it, etc etc. So we turned what was the family room into our dining room so that it would be connected to the kitchen. I didn't have the big farmhouse table (and still don't) and for the time being we just put in a really basic ceiling fan from Walmart. But I always had the dream of a better lighting fixture in the back of my mind. </div>
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So for two years I've casually searched at yard sales and thrift stores for the perfect find. </div>
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I've researched online to see what styles "spoke to me." I scoured Pinterest for farmhouse chandeliers and lighting fixtures. What I discovered was this; the style of farmhouse lighting that seems to be popular right now is basically anything and everything repurposed. While I do like the occasional one that has been upcycled, most of them seem hokey to me. Like somebody was just trying to get more pins on Pinterest or more visits to their blog because they added an LED touch light to a car engine, hung it from some strands of jute twine, and called it a chandelier. I know that's a bit extreme, but that's how some of them seem to me. The other thing I didn't care much for on the repurposed fixtures is that the light output often times seems very minimal and impractical. We have a large dining room and I would need something with more than one bulb to keep it well lit. So I determined that I was not really looking to repurpose anything. The style I kept coming back to time and time again was the more primitive/colonial style of chandeliers.</div>
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Something along the lines of these:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://www.lightingcity.com/trans-globe-9016-bk-colonial-candles-6-light-chandelier-in-black.htm" target="_blank">source</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_776436-18573-LWLUM945155_1z0y296__?productId=999980504&Ns=p_product_price|0&pl=1" target="_blank">source</a>)</td></tr>
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But the problem was that those types are always so much more than I'm willing to pay or can even afford to pay. </div>
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There have been a few times that I found something that I thought could work. One time at Lowes I came across a chandelier that was somewhat similar to this style and it was on clearance. I stood there and stared at it and debated, but ended up leaving the store without it. After I got home I kept thinking about it and wishing I had bought it, so the next morning I called Lowes to see if they still had it, but alas, it had just sold....15 minutes before I called. Wasn't meant to be I guess.</div>
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Another time I saw one in a local used furniture store for $40, but I passed it up. I didn't <i>love </i>it and it didn't have any special story to it, so I let it go. Yet another time I saw one in a Habitat Restore for $50 that I knew I could repaint and fix up and make it work. But $50 seemed like a lot of money to me since I was trying to save money for our laundry room makeover as well as saving for the built in shelving unit my brother was going to do for me. So I passed it up too.</div>
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THEN.......the same week my brother came up to start building for me, my parents were also here visiting for the weekend. Saturday morning my mom and I were just sitting in the living room drinking coffee and chatting when I remembered that a little retirement village just down the road from us was having their community yard sale. Hubby agreed to keep the kids so Mom and I hopped in the van and drove the mile down the road and did a quick 15 minute pass through their community building where it was being held. Sitting outside in between a beat up old recliner and some pressed wood cabinets that were falling apart I spied two chandeliers. And let me tell you...they were UGLY! I almost didn't even walk over to look closer, but I figured it can't hurt to look so I went over anyways and that's when I found it.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9w7dXwkGvUY/VwLJLOi-7ZI/AAAAAAAALfU/-cMSeCWto38V8XSIe1tzglxbbv310b9gA/s1600/Chandy%2B1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9w7dXwkGvUY/VwLJLOi-7ZI/AAAAAAAALfU/-cMSeCWto38V8XSIe1tzglxbbv310b9gA/s640/Chandy%2B1_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was so ugly, right??</div>
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But....I could see the potential, because when I moved the sticky nasty chain and the ceiling mount piece that someone
had carelessly swiped white paint across, I found this.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lcixRJbhN-4/VvlNLI6M9EI/AAAAAAAALd8/tmdBJ6LLQPkmyfE-1QaaiUX2E_De4-gQw/s1600/Chandy%2B4_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lcixRJbhN-4/VvlNLI6M9EI/AAAAAAAALd8/tmdBJ6LLQPkmyfE-1QaaiUX2E_De4-gQw/s640/Chandy%2B4_1.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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A perfectly authentically worn wooden center section.</div>
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And once the globes were gone I could see it had great, basic colonial-style lines to it. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gqoNdIG9Sw/VvlNNR3TPtI/AAAAAAAALeA/CggfHcuu5GYR1Gh7cj1quSQFYVkmdVIUQ/s1600/Chandy%2B5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gqoNdIG9Sw/VvlNNR3TPtI/AAAAAAAALeA/CggfHcuu5GYR1Gh7cj1quSQFYVkmdVIUQ/s640/Chandy%2B5_1.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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I knew it would take a lot of work because this thing was NASTY dirty, covered in sticky nicotine and dust and rusty. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kpiKzRiiqxo/VvlNHS0l0fI/AAAAAAAALd0/TPo1PutRVGEH8APv-Gza-IEQ8qG5e8i4Q/s1600/Chandy%2B3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kpiKzRiiqxo/VvlNHS0l0fI/AAAAAAAALd0/TPo1PutRVGEH8APv-Gza-IEQ8qG5e8i4Q/s640/Chandy%2B3_1.jpg" width="640" /></a>Did you just throw up a little in your mouth? </div>
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I was thinking in my head that if it were around $5 I would be willing to chance it possibly not even working and also to put in the work necessary to clean it up and transform it. When I asked about it the man looked at me like I was crazy for wanting it, but told me, "How 'bout $4?" Big grin...."I'll take it!" :D</div>
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So I toted it home and had Hubby check the wiring to see if it even worked before I got too excited about it. It did indeed work so during that week that my brother was building shelves for me, I got busy working on this.</div>
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I put on some rubber gloves and took some Krud Kutter (amazing stuff by the way!), a scrubby, and an old toothbrush to it. Just look at all that nastiness that came off of it!!! Bleck!!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QF0aaCysyEo/VvlNNnAsGHI/AAAAAAAALeE/MP8zqXNggt4WZnJ0XGX9dbq-1Y1uANVUg/s1600/Chandy%2B6_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QF0aaCysyEo/VvlNNnAsGHI/AAAAAAAALeE/MP8zqXNggt4WZnJ0XGX9dbq-1Y1uANVUg/s640/Chandy%2B6_1.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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While I was cleaning it I was thinking that I would need to buy a can of flat black paint to paint the arms and candle holder parts so that it would match the flat black of the middle wooden piece. Then I remembered that I still had half a can of chalkboard paint left from other projects and that, essentially, it would have a flat black finish. So I taped off the wooden middle section because I wanted to leave it just as it was and I painted the rest of it with the chalkboard paint. It worked perfectly.</div>
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You can't really tell it in the pictures, but the candle cover pieces were really nasty, too. They were orange-ish in some spots, I guess from age and the nicotine. I wasn't sure if I wanted them to have a drippy candle look like some of the primitive/colonial style ones have or if I wanted them to be plain black, so I started by painting them black. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-se9zPMCs-UY/VvlNPLZ5iqI/AAAAAAAALeI/Fyq46tejBf0S7HmaqD_r-bLRmZR1_BMVA/s1600/Chandy%2B7_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-se9zPMCs-UY/VvlNPLZ5iqI/AAAAAAAALeI/Fyq46tejBf0S7HmaqD_r-bLRmZR1_BMVA/s640/Chandy%2B7_1.jpg" width="566" /></a></div>
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It was MUCH improved, but it was just TOO much black for my taste. I looked online to see if I could buy the drippy wax looking candle covers and I could have, but I didn't really care for them because they looked SO fake. I studied them a bit and realized I could recreate (and improve) the look on my own using hot glue and not have to spend any money.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kGjZ8DNbk20/VvlNR1wvINI/AAAAAAAALeM/lNFpvo8ZWHoofKUtT9yqxr0qMg3mU1Ubg/s1600/Chandy%2B8_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kGjZ8DNbk20/VvlNR1wvINI/AAAAAAAALeM/lNFpvo8ZWHoofKUtT9yqxr0qMg3mU1Ubg/s640/Chandy%2B8_1.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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So that's what I did. I used a glue gun and made the wax drips, then used some white primer paint I had and covered up the black. Once that was dry I gave them a top coat of ivory paint, which I also already had. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNZQyPCWWVQ/VwLKapi4g-I/AAAAAAAALfo/o_gOrGAxqg4c280nv4iWcQNYqnI-NqMTQ/s1600/Chandy%2B12_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNZQyPCWWVQ/VwLKapi4g-I/AAAAAAAALfo/o_gOrGAxqg4c280nv4iWcQNYqnI-NqMTQ/s640/Chandy%2B12_1.jpg" width="436" /> </a></div>
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It needed just a little bit more character so the last step was to add a
few touches of Spanish Copper Rub-N-Buff here and there on the edges to
give it a bit of an aged look so that it wasn't just plain black. (Though, honestly, when the lights are on you can't even see the aging details. It just looks black.) I
already had the Rub-N-Buff so that made the cost of this
makeover.....totally FREE! </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d9e8afY9sQw/VwLKZWu_leI/AAAAAAAALfk/BPEMnvUXavIRklQ67b86MdLsFAy0-LbKg/s1600/Chandy%2B14_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d9e8afY9sQw/VwLKZWu_leI/AAAAAAAALfk/BPEMnvUXavIRklQ67b86MdLsFAy0-LbKg/s640/Chandy%2B14_1.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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If you look closely you can see the aging details around the rim of the candle holder as well as some touches on the ridged part underneath. </div>
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And here's how it looks in the dining room. </div>
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I absolutely<i> LOVE </i>it!! </div>
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And I love that it has a story all its own. And I love that I spent so very little on it. And I love how much character it adds to this room. Are you getting the idea? </div>
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I love it so much! </div>
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I had to do quite a bit of searching to find a "before" picture that showed how the room looked with the ceiling fan because whenever I took pictures of this room I did my best not to let the fan show because I didn't care for it. But I did find this cell phone picture from 2 years ago where you can see part of the fan.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dSSp1ixTu50/VwLKfQu2lAI/AAAAAAAALf0/oH-xaH3S9Dwr0pM35iMThmQJpnkX1Pxnw/s1600/Chandy%2B18_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dSSp1ixTu50/VwLKfQu2lAI/AAAAAAAALf0/oH-xaH3S9Dwr0pM35iMThmQJpnkX1Pxnw/s640/Chandy%2B18_1.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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It's amazing how much brighter the room is now! I didn't think going from 4 lights on the fan to 5 lights on the chandelier would make that much of a difference, but I didn't take into account the fact that the light would now be bouncing off the white ceiling instead of just shining down. </div>
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It makes a huge difference!</div>
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Let's take one more look at the before and after of the transformation, shall we?</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e0aYLfCxsgc/VwLNncqGSAI/AAAAAAAALgE/LPyq1Vmve00AcRqtyXR5YjTy8hEnLN8xA/s1600/Chandy%2B19_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e0aYLfCxsgc/VwLNncqGSAI/AAAAAAAALgE/LPyq1Vmve00AcRqtyXR5YjTy8hEnLN8xA/s640/Chandy%2B19_1.jpg" width="442" /> </a></div>
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The key to having a home you love is to have the patience to wait for the things you love. </div>
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If you're surrounded by things that have a story or just simply things that "spoke to you" then you'll always enjoy being in the midst of them. It doesn't matter where you find them, it could be a thrift store or a yard sale, the side of the road, on clearance, or even full price at a huge department store. Where it comes from doesn't matter, the fact that you love it and you connect with it does. So be patient when you're looking to fill that empty spot in the corner. The perfect piece will come along and if you settle for just anything in the meantime you will have wasted your money and ended up with a home you love a little less.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m76selPuOOk/VwMoStCNPQI/AAAAAAAALgU/Ef-EKE6CT3k2r0Sxk91L7WNx15j3GwkFg/s1600/Chandy%2B20_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m76selPuOOk/VwMoStCNPQI/AAAAAAAALgU/Ef-EKE6CT3k2r0Sxk91L7WNx15j3GwkFg/s400/Chandy%2B20_1.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></div>
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Sharing over at:<br />
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<a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2016/04/wow-us-wednesdays-269.html" target="_blank">Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesday #269</a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-19160762600525948002016-03-16T11:45:00.003-04:002016-03-16T11:45:57.390-04:00Big Project in Progress!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am SOOOO very excited you guys!! <br />
I just had to share a sneak peak at what's happening at the farmhouse this week! I hinted at it on the Facebook page and said it was a HUGE project. Well, it's not HUGE like an addition onto the house huge, or a whole kitchen renovation huge, but...it's huge to me for two reasons. A) it's bigger than most of the projects I blog about, and B) I've been dreaming of this for almost 2 years so it's HUGE to me!! :D</div>
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If you've been with me awhile you may remember a post from around 2 years ago when I painted our living room area and Hubby tore down some walls in our house. If you're newish around here then let me fill you in real quick.</div>
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This little walled in area was originally supposed to be the dining room and this is how it looked when we first bought this house. BUT....this area is right off the <i>living room</i> and around the corner from the kitchen. Say what??? Such a weird set up!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mgq3rG68kcY/VugceN3CbEI/AAAAAAAALcc/sSQpt7dgD78dmdr3SBLCUwcqxOzRGQ7gA/s1600/IMG_2055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mgq3rG68kcY/VugceN3CbEI/AAAAAAAALcc/sSQpt7dgD78dmdr3SBLCUwcqxOzRGQ7gA/s640/IMG_2055.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The above picture is standing in the living room looking towards the "dining room." </div>
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We knew right away there was no way that made any sense and we relocated the dining room to what was originally the family room next to the kitchen. I know right?!? WHO designed this place?? Anyways, one week while the kiddos were gone to their grandparents I got busy painting the whole living room and weird room area. Hubs decided to go ahead and demo the strange 3/4 wall that same week and get the space opened up.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xcx9pj1013U/VugcwXHhRaI/AAAAAAAALck/uocQ18QkAfwXFI5Dzif1SlIwh_7ISy0fg/s1600/IMG_6018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xcx9pj1013U/VugcwXHhRaI/AAAAAAAALck/uocQ18QkAfwXFI5Dzif1SlIwh_7ISy0fg/s640/IMG_6018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's what it looked like after being painted. You can see I didn't have time to finish the rest of the trim work that week, it happened much later....like a year later, lol!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7AfHxw-bls/VugcygO2vxI/AAAAAAAALco/sCUxhGHL5oY0uEKVxC9XsDxmdO4_r25tQ/s1600/IMG_6019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7AfHxw-bls/VugcygO2vxI/AAAAAAAALco/sCUxhGHL5oY0uEKVxC9XsDxmdO4_r25tQ/s640/IMG_6019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In that previous post I shared my vision for this wall/window area. <br />
I was dreaming of a wall of built-ins to give this area some functionality. It could hold homeschooling books and the cabinets could hide craft supplies and photo albums. The window seat would be a cozy place for my bookworm daughter to read. Plenty of shelves would also give me more room to display my treasures. :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXGbork1nXg/Vugc5ObMe2I/AAAAAAAALcs/FCUeOEWc4EMp-caaD9FxEaWYpPJfxKaJw/s640/ba455b11537423a7a7c3a3c9d741f817.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/photo-gallery-2/our-showhouse/" target="_blank">(source)</a></td></tr>
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Well guess what??? </div>
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It's happening <i>this </i>week!! I am SOOO very beyond excited!!!</div>
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I've
been saving my money for months now and I convinced my amazing brother
to come and stay with us for the week and build it for me. I promised
to ply him with grilled steak and ribs and plenty of good country
cooking while he was here. It must have worked because he agreed. :D</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0V7-ancH1j8/Vul7ZCbl5ZI/AAAAAAAALdE/yQTafZpvGfg2yctxEO_2xssL4KA1_bZwQ/s1600/IMG_3582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0V7-ancH1j8/Vul7ZCbl5ZI/AAAAAAAALdE/yQTafZpvGfg2yctxEO_2xssL4KA1_bZwQ/s640/IMG_3582.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div>
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He should be able to have the majority of the building part of it completed this week. He doesn't have the needed tools here with him to do the cabinet doors, so he'll go back home and make those and bring them back later. Once he's done building it'll be up to me to get it all primed and painted. </div>
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I'll be posting more updates over on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheCozyOldFarmhouse" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page if you'd like to keep up with it over there. </div>
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<i>SO EXCITED!!! </i></div>
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<br /> <img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0;" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-22840605706516463282016-02-26T09:19:00.000-05:002016-02-26T09:23:57.730-05:00Laundry Room Progress<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello again everyone! </div>
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I hope this blog post finds you doing well and surviving the winter weather with minimal amounts of the blues and fits of depression. Hang in there! Spring will be here soon! </div>
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Today I have a short little post to share with you about a little bit of progress that has been made in our laundry room. I've shared before how this room serves as our main entrance to the house because of the way the driveway is set up, so I've been working on getting it looking a little less cluttered and depressing and brighter and more streamlined and welcoming. </div>
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For almost two years it looked like the picture below, dirty peachy/orange walls and dark trim. With pretty much the only natural light being from the window in the door this room could be quite dark and depressing. But we were busy with working on other rooms in the house and this one has been low on the list. But finally....we're getting to it.</div>
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Two months ago, when I was still hugely pregnant, Hubby took a weekend and got the room entirely painted for me. My original plan was to paint it a light cheery yellow color, but at the last minute as he was walking out the door to go buy paint I changed my mind and told him, "Just get an off-the-shelf white and do the whole room white." </div>
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So that's what he did and the room is so bright and clean feeling now! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LiLfBUqmHnI/VtBGWW0ntQI/AAAAAAAALbk/AYQY5hMZ2HQ/s1600/Laundry%2BRoom%2B2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LiLfBUqmHnI/VtBGWW0ntQI/AAAAAAAALbk/AYQY5hMZ2HQ/s640/Laundry%2BRoom%2B2_1.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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So that was a couple of months ago that he painted it, and then it just
sat without any other changes until just last week. I was in the middle
of folding laundry and I went to the laundry room closet to put
something away and suddenly the urge to organize and purge it hit me.
I've learned to just go with it even though it's a bit ADD, because if I
don't it'll probably never get done. So I spent the next hour clearing
it out and making a pile to get rid of and a pile of decor that had
been stored in there waiting for the room to be painted. One of those
pieces of decor was this little washboard cupboard. </div>
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I've had it for years and years. I didn't make it, someone gave it to me and it was already made this way. I've always loved it, but it's always had a purely decorative purpose. This time I decided to make it functional and I hung it just inside the door. I added "S" hooks to the bottom rung to hang our most used sets of keys, then I added small cup hooks to the inside to hang all the extra keys. The little shelf on top holds my husband's stash of Tic-Tacs that he likes to grab on his way out the door to church. : ) I added some fresh greenery clippings from the yard to a little galvanized bucket up there on top and I'm loving the touch of color and freshness it adds. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5m4DaIYbT2M/VtBGZsugcAI/AAAAAAAALbs/7tvat2xM6qg/s1600/Laundry%2BRoom%2B3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5m4DaIYbT2M/VtBGZsugcAI/AAAAAAAALbs/7tvat2xM6qg/s640/Laundry%2BRoom%2B3_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also added our dog's name above her food dishes. I was so surprised to find the wooden cutout of her name at a thrift store a year or so ago for only 99¢, and I just couldn't pass it up. I've been saving it all this time for just this spot. It was an ugly dark wood color originally so I used some craft paint and changed it to a navy blue. I love the quirky touch it adds. : ) My husband said, "Well it's a good thing you put her name up there. Maybe now she'll be able to find her food." He's so sarcastic, lol! </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9fNFEZZlLbw/VtBGaKJmdmI/AAAAAAAALbw/8E8IEvTjCjQ/s1600/Laundry%2BRoom%2B4_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9fNFEZZlLbw/VtBGaKJmdmI/AAAAAAAALbw/8E8IEvTjCjQ/s640/Laundry%2BRoom%2B4_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can see I also changed out the rug. I found the blue denim one at Walmart and I love how heavy duty it has been. The whole room is so much brighter and cleaner now. I also love how the electrical panel box just disappears into the wall with the white paint.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MwdjOPYdofk/VtBGbN5ndjI/AAAAAAAALb0/zlURn7B8kqo/s1600/Laundry%2BRoom%2B5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MwdjOPYdofk/VtBGbN5ndjI/AAAAAAAALb0/zlURn7B8kqo/s640/Laundry%2BRoom%2B5_1.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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I've made a couple of other changes already, and there are plenty more to come. I've got lots of fun things in the works for this little room that I'll share another time.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wlGr-kr7SS4/VtBGWO081eI/AAAAAAAALbg/RPHZDqZ9KQo/s1600/Anna%2B1%2Bmonth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wlGr-kr7SS4/VtBGWO081eI/AAAAAAAALbg/RPHZDqZ9KQo/s640/Anna%2B1%2Bmonth.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div>
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In other news, little Anna Mae is a month old already and just as sweet and happy as she can be. </div>
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We are loving life with 3 kids and all the craziness it brings.</div>
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I'll be back with more to share as time and life allow. </div>
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In the meantime, I pray you are doing well and hope you have a blessed day!</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-24160100519138358352016-01-29T12:03:00.001-05:002016-01-29T12:12:51.969-05:00Frugal Farm Themed Nursery Decor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello everyone!</div>
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Just in case you happened to miss it somehow in my last post, our sweet baby girl was finally born last week. She is so sweet and cuddly and we have all been enjoying her so very much!</div>
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Today I want to show you around her "nursery" and share how I gave her a cute little corner on a small budget. I have less than $20 invested in her farm themed decor. <i>Side note - I find it humorous that with my first child I spent so much time picking out the perfect furniture, the perfect bedding, the perfect this and that. I agonized over the smallest details and spent so much time (and money) on her room. By the time this 3rd child has come along, she gets the hand me down, teething-scarred, 8 year old furniture, and a yard sale find bedding set, lol! </i></div>
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I put nursery in quotes because she doesn't actually have her own room to be a real nursery, her little spot in the world is in a corner of the master bedroom. Keep in mind, this is the last room that has yet to be painted so the walls still have the original weird peachy pink color on them and still have the dark trim.</div>
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So let me "show you around" a bit first and then we'll get into a little more detail of things. </div>
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<img border="0" height="446" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UfQ2Pf6dGIg/Vqkt9aGK8NI/AAAAAAAALZg/-KFzygv-AQY/s640/Nursery%2B1_1.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
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Some perspective - the dark area you see to the right is the doorway leading into the master bathroom, and this picture was taken at the end of the bed looking across to the crib. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpjPSC7BEWk/Vqkt_Z6hwyI/AAAAAAAALZo/r1RpQl9rPbM/s1600/Nursery%2B2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpjPSC7BEWk/Vqkt_Z6hwyI/AAAAAAAALZo/r1RpQl9rPbM/s640/Nursery%2B2_1.jpg" width="432" /> </a></div>
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So her little area is tucked in along this wall across from our bed.</div>
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The crib and changing table are hand-me-down from our first child so we didn't have to spend any money there, and the little white dresser came from my mom. It was originally intended for something else, but it tucked in that spot just perfectly and gave us some extra storage space for her. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t1povKljzmo/VqkuClmygFI/AAAAAAAALZ4/iMZDf2gc_ho/s1600/Nursery%2B4_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t1povKljzmo/VqkuClmygFI/AAAAAAAALZ4/iMZDf2gc_ho/s640/Nursery%2B4_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the combination of plaid, ticking stripes, and ric-rac trim! One sheet is plaid, the other is ticking striped.</td></tr>
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Now onto some details. The bedding is Pottery Barn brand, but I certainly didn't pay PB prices for it. I paid all of $5 for the whole set at a yard sale! It was practically brand new and came with the bumper pad, bed skirt, and two sheets. It has such a sweet style to it and of course I love red and white, and the farm theme is so cute. I bought the set before I was even pregnant, not knowing if we would have a boy or a girl, but figuring it was neutral enough to be fine for either. </div>
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I bought the two bolster pillows much later at a different yard sale for $1 each. I couldn't really remember exactly what the bedding set looked like, but I knew it had red and white so I got them. I was so pleased when I finally did get the set out again and realized the bedding also has red ric-rac trim on it like the pillows do! They could have been sold together originally they look so cute together.</div>
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After I got the bedding put on the bed the area above the crib looked so plain and I really wanted something cute, but also something that didn't cost much of anything. The first thing I tried was printing out homemade art with the letters of her name and used Washi tape to attach them to the wall and surrounded them with an empty red frame I already had. And I liked it just fine. At first. But then it seemed to need something more. It seemed awfully lonely up there all by itself. So then I got the idea of printing off coloring pages and letting each of the kids color a page for her wall. I spray painted some thrifted frames with red spray paint I had left over from another project and added them to the wall. But once I had them up there I didn't like the printed letters anymore. I loved the coloring pages, but the other part just didn't seem to be the right fit anymore. </div>
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I searched Hobby Lobby looking for inspiration, and even went through all of their posters and art work trying to find just the right thing, or at least an idea of something I could make at home. But I came up with nothing and every day those letters drove me more and more crazy.</div>
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And then one Thursday morning I saw an ad for an estate sale that started that morning. By then I was 41 weeks pregnant, but that didn't stop me. I bundled up the kids and hustled them into the van and we went to check it out. The home had a couple of sheds outside that were full of stuff for sale and in a dark dirty corner of one them, behind a box.....I spied it. </div>
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The perfect piece. </div>
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A large cross stitch style, pastoral scene done with yarn. So sweet, so simplistic, so vintage, and so imperfectly perfect! I asked the man in charge how much for it and a $2 price tag was just what my wallet ordered. </div>
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It was a bit dirty and scuffed up so I brought it home and gave the cloth part a light scrubbing with a bit of soap to clean it up and I gave the frame a light coat of fresh white craft paint to brighten it up.</div>
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It was the perfect size to fit inside the empty red frame that had already been hanging there so I glued the red frame to the white frame to give it some more impact and make it stand out more so that the white frame wouldn't get lost against the pale wall. </div>
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Ahhhhh....MUCH better!! Now I LOVE it! </div>
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I love the combination of an "art" piece and also having my kiddos artwork up there too. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lknbpaxyqeo/VquVXOmXlsI/AAAAAAAALaw/2QCWZiVzLZc/s1600/Nursery%2B14_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lknbpaxyqeo/VquVXOmXlsI/AAAAAAAALaw/2QCWZiVzLZc/s640/Nursery%2B14_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"> Colored by the 5 year old. The 8 year old's work.</td></tr>
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It makes it that much more special, and they're pretty proud to have their work displayed like this. :) </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPzwdI8c2j0/Vqkt6t2kKzI/AAAAAAAALZI/3FvZpvTJpKw/s1600/Nursery%2B10_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPzwdI8c2j0/Vqkt6t2kKzI/AAAAAAAALZI/3FvZpvTJpKw/s640/Nursery%2B10_1.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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I also love how the style of the apple trees on the vintage piece so closely resembles the apple trees on the bedding set. </div>
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On the other wall is her changing table. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SdLpNUKRfCw/VqudP3dFWsI/AAAAAAAALbI/YwsIHtaqRgM/s1600/Nursery%2B3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SdLpNUKRfCw/VqudP3dFWsI/AAAAAAAALbI/YwsIHtaqRgM/s640/Nursery%2B3_1.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ckC5czC-yTA/Vqkt6SkYwmI/AAAAAAAALZE/SCKYfG5jMUI/s1600/Nursery%2B11_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ckC5czC-yTA/Vqkt6SkYwmI/AAAAAAAALZE/SCKYfG5jMUI/s640/Nursery%2B11_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I tucked in a little spindle lamp that I've had for years and added a low wattage bulb to use for those middle of the night feedings and diaper changes. The dresser has little cubbies with baskets that hold diapers and other sorts of baby paraphernalia. Above the table is a mirror with hooks that I got a yard sale for $1. It originally had a different style of hook, but 2 of the 3 were broken and I absolutely could not find matching ones anywhere. So I ended up just getting a completely different style to replace them. They were 50% off at Hobby Lobby so I think paid about $4 or so for the 3 hooks.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dTMQMOLVb3w/VquVYiMJmII/AAAAAAAALa4/BvAEX1OPqww/s1600/Nursery%2B15_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dTMQMOLVb3w/VquVYiMJmII/AAAAAAAALa4/BvAEX1OPqww/s640/Nursery%2B15_1.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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They're pretty handy to hold her quickly growing headband
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_grH0_nve-8/Vqkt5ssQGjI/AAAAAAAALZA/RqbNxJD_wx8/s1600/Nursery%2B12_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_grH0_nve-8/Vqkt5ssQGjI/AAAAAAAALZA/RqbNxJD_wx8/s640/Nursery%2B12_1.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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On top of the little white dresser sits a picture my grandma gave us years ago. It's one of her favorite scenes and I thought it would be special to include it. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHgRGuB6Q6Q/Vqkt7-dAUFI/AAAAAAAALZY/jm2ESyhFaKs/s1600/Nursery%2B13_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHgRGuB6Q6Q/Vqkt7-dAUFI/AAAAAAAALZY/jm2ESyhFaKs/s640/Nursery%2B13_1.jpg" width="448" /> </a></div>
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You may have noticed this piece sitting at the end of her crib. My dad made it for my niece as a dress up center to store her dresses and shoes, but she had outgrown it so it got passed on to us. It fits just perfectly at the end of her crib and makes a great little "closet" since she doesn't have one of her own.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fpjPSC7BEWk/Vqkt_Z6hwyI/AAAAAAAALZs/LqW2DMUuZyw/s1600/Nursery%2B2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fpjPSC7BEWk/Vqkt_Z6hwyI/AAAAAAAALZs/LqW2DMUuZyw/s640/Nursery%2B2_1.jpg" width="432" /> </a></div>
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And that, my friends, concludes our story on how I put together a simple farm themed "nursery" for under $20. </div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"> <img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-89267118468505851182016-01-25T05:11:00.000-05:002016-01-25T05:14:09.713-05:00Baby Girl Has Arrived!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am so very happy and excited to announce that our baby girl, Anna Mae, has finally made her arrival!<br />
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She was 2 weeks overdue, but boy when she was ready to come she sure made a grand entrance! She was born in the backseat of our van 10 minutes from the birth center. My husband was driving like an Indy car race driver and my mom was there to deliver the baby. Thankfully, all turned out well and everyone is healthy!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0B1-AfspecU/VqXzJLe2LRI/AAAAAAAALYg/wFQfcJHZO0Q/s1600/12540789_10153658085462025_3580163828108009265_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0B1-AfspecU/VqXzJLe2LRI/AAAAAAAALYg/wFQfcJHZO0Q/s640/12540789_10153658085462025_3580163828108009265_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Announcement sign outside the birth center</td></tr>
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She weighed 8.5lbs and was 21" long, with strawberry blond hair and what we think are blue eyes, though sometimes they seem to have a hint of green in them like mine. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bxuCBY2e-Gk/VqXzJVmigmI/AAAAAAAALYo/QY2kN0gXRf8/s1600/12565371_10153658085217025_5785861304791807101_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bxuCBY2e-Gk/VqXzJVmigmI/AAAAAAAALYo/QY2kN0gXRf8/s640/12565371_10153658085217025_5785861304791807101_n.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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We recuperated at the birth center for a couple of hours and then made our way back home where we've been enjoying loads of snuggle time and big sister and big brother are just eating her up! </div>
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She is just too sweet for words and we are overjoyed and so very thankful for another beautiful and healthy baby! </div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-59328591737204258422016-01-10T20:22:00.000-05:002016-01-10T20:22:11.357-05:00Upcycled Winter Snow Village<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So....what do you get when you combine various and random Christmas village pieces from thrift stores and yard sales, a candle shaped like a tree, a couple of Christmas ornaments, and some leftover light fixtures that have been replaced in your home?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_nyL9AEIys/VpL8C4MDKQI/AAAAAAAALYE/qr0y5czr-tc/s1600/Snow%2BVillage_1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_nyL9AEIys/VpL8C4MDKQI/AAAAAAAALYE/qr0y5czr-tc/s640/Snow%2BVillage_1_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We'll get to that answer in a minute.</div>
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First let me just say, now that all of the holidays are over and things have slowed down just a bit (STILL waiting on Baby Girl's arrival...due date was yesterday!) I wanted to pop in and share this project I did back at the beginning of December. I did it for Christmas, but actually I plan to leave it up through January because it's more "wintery" than it is Christmas so we can enjoy it a bit longer.</div>
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I've always loved Christmas villages, but I've never set about collecting one thus far because 1) we haven't had the room to store all the extra boxes it would take, and 2) I've never really had a good spot to set one up. But this year I decided to do one on a smaller scale and on the cheap.</div>
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So how do you turn all those random things I mentioned before into some semblance of a village?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CBeMphX_dX4/VpL74jzlkWI/AAAAAAAALXU/vVvaIQzdR9s/s1600/Snow%2BVillage%2B2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CBeMphX_dX4/VpL74jzlkWI/AAAAAAAALXU/vVvaIQzdR9s/s640/Snow%2BVillage%2B2_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You spray paint everything white, Mod Podge on a little glitter, add some white lights and white sheet and VOILA! You've got yourself a wintery snow village.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0K3bafMifQk/VpL75aFiaqI/AAAAAAAALXc/-3KcbvqTW7g/s1600/Snow%2BVillage%2B3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0K3bafMifQk/VpL75aFiaqI/AAAAAAAALXc/-3KcbvqTW7g/s640/Snow%2BVillage%2B3_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I even spray painted and glittered the candle tree to make it match. I also added in my yarn "snowballs" that I made a few years ago just to add some extra interest and texture.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tutVFHNdN8o/VpL7-t385eI/AAAAAAAALX8/g8_z_n0Ex70/s1600/Snow%2BVillage%2B8_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tutVFHNdN8o/VpL7-t385eI/AAAAAAAALX8/g8_z_n0Ex70/s640/Snow%2BVillage%2B8_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The little clear trees were a set of Christmas ornaments that I found at a thrift store that already had silver glitter on them. I love how the clear glitter on the houses resembles sparkly snow.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMg5tyw8RNE/VpL77ZbkWoI/AAAAAAAALXk/MfIT0iIHSF8/s1600/Snow%2BVillage%2B5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMg5tyw8RNE/VpL77ZbkWoI/AAAAAAAALXk/MfIT0iIHSF8/s640/Snow%2BVillage%2B5_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And the leftover light fixtures? Well, I used the glass globes from them and stuffed some of the string of lights up inside of them to make them glow. They look like big balls of sparkling ice to me. :) The rest of the string of lights was tucked under a white sheet to make it look like glowing snow.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOVNVoECgL8/VpL78Xl7aVI/AAAAAAAALXs/rfyXBMLJkaE/s1600/Snow%2BVillage%2B6_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOVNVoECgL8/VpL78Xl7aVI/AAAAAAAALXs/rfyXBMLJkaE/s640/Snow%2BVillage%2B6_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's amazing how a little bit of spray paint can bring random things together and make them cohesive.</div>
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My total investment in this village was about $6. I tried to only pick village buildings that were less than expertly painted to begin with, that way I didn't feel so bad covering up someone else's work, lol!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CBeMphX_dX4/VpL74jzlkWI/AAAAAAAALXY/K7Py_B5IEWs/s1600/Snow%2BVillage%2B2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CBeMphX_dX4/VpL74jzlkWI/AAAAAAAALXY/K7Py_B5IEWs/s640/Snow%2BVillage%2B2_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's glowing and beautiful and we've really enjoyed it and will continue to enjoy it for a couple more weeks.</div>
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I'll be sure to keep you posted on Baby Girl's arrival. Hopefully SOON! We're all getting very anxious for her to come. :)</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-63395111559693198062015-11-25T08:05:00.000-05:002015-11-25T09:14:02.468-05:00Superwoman Over and Out<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>So.....here's the deal.</i></span></div>
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As much as I wish I could have shared our fall decor with you all, and as much as I would like to share the Christmas decor with you once I get it up, the reality is....I just can't. I can't do it all. I have to face the fact that I am indeed <i>NOT</i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Superwoman</span>. I only have 6 weeks left until this baby is due and we don't even have a crib or a changing table set up. Life has been so busy and I feel SO unprepared for this one. </div>
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I also feel like this at this point.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="https://jakemcmillan.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/funny-animal-photos/attachment/124/" target="_blank">source</a>)</td></tr>
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Our other two kiddos are in soccer this year and they're in different age groups so they haven't different game times or sometimes the same game time on different ends of the park so Hubby and I have to do a halftime switcheroo-swap in order to watch both kids play. I'm sure it's quite a site to see me speed waddling back and forth! I've been finishing out my waiting list for the feedsack shower curtains (almost done!) plus packaging up other Etsy sales and getting them shipped out. Combine all of that with the amount of time I've spent running to the bathroom every time baby moves and I've been one busy lady. Homeschooling has been hit or miss during all of this, and the housework has just gone down the tubes and it makes me crazy. I don't function well or happily when the house is constantly in a state of needing to be cleaned.</div>
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So....all of that being said, I feel like I need to take a break from blogging for awhile and keep my priorities in line. The Christmas season is almost upon us and I am bound and determined to make it as stress free and fun as possible. Last year was nutso and I felt like I never got to do anything carefree and fun with my kiddos. Not this year though. I've turned down opportunities that would have become obligations, and I'm scaling back on things that just aren't a priority. And as much as I love you guys, you're not more important than time spent with my family or time spent on my duties at home. (I'll be closing down my Etsy shop too.) So I plan to be scarce around these parts for a couple of months.</div>
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I might pop in here and there because I do have a couple of projects that if they turn out like I'm hoping I would love to share if I can. But don't expect any sort of regular posts or even that I'll share my seasonal decor. I just don't have the time (or the energy at this point...remember the fat gorilla?) to do it all.</div>
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If you don't already follow me on the <a href="http://facebook.com/thecozyoldfarmhouse" target="_blank">Facebook </a>page, be sure to do that if you can. It's much quicker and easier to share a cellphone photo and post over there than it is to take a whole series of pictures and then spend the time editing them all, water marking them, and then writing a whole post with it. If you're not a Facebook follower then you've already missed one of my dreams come true. Hubby bought me a Hoosier cabinet for my birthday and I am SO excited about it! I absolutely love it, and it looks amazing in our kitchen.</div>
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So anyways, I just wanted to give you a heads up and let you know what's going on and the reason I've been scarce lately and will continue to be scarce in the next couple of months. Baby #3 is due January 9th and we're all getting very excited for her arrival. She will be the ultimate project reveal. :D </div>
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But please be patient with me in the meantime. </div>
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I feel the need to retire my cape for awhile.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3et940kGw4/VlXCBMCw5kI/AAAAAAAALW8/YkcBmO8oGjg/s1600/superMom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3et940kGw4/VlXCBMCw5kI/AAAAAAAALW8/YkcBmO8oGjg/s400/superMom.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-76683361319374718742015-11-01T19:38:00.000-05:002015-11-01T19:38:50.634-05:00We have a Winner!!<div style="text-align: center;">
In my <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-secret-sewing-project.html" target="_blank">last post</a> I tucked in a little surprise giveaway for my faithful readers for this cute little fall themed pillow cover.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PwZXaWXsoVQ/VjavGYQHA0I/AAAAAAAALWc/Vb9AnDZxQy8/s1600/Pillow%2BCovers%2B5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="566" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PwZXaWXsoVQ/VjavGYQHA0I/AAAAAAAALWc/Vb9AnDZxQy8/s640/Pillow%2BCovers%2B5_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I gave it a week and a half for everyone to get caught up and get entered if they wanted. Today I put everyone's names in a bowl and had my 8 year old daughter randomly draw out a name.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>And the winner is.........</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tl958lxpGb4/Vjau1IhbbnI/AAAAAAAALWM/buVeHjL5UNU/s1600/giveaway%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="606" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tl958lxpGb4/Vjau1IhbbnI/AAAAAAAALWM/buVeHjL5UNU/s640/giveaway%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvwcpw4OccM/Vjau1PwdAnI/AAAAAAAALWQ/3hY4WdW-kDo/s1600/giveaway%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvwcpw4OccM/Vjau1PwdAnI/AAAAAAAALWQ/3hY4WdW-kDo/s640/giveaway%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>Congratulations Melissa!!</i></span></div>
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I couldn't find an email address for you so please comment again on this post so I know it's you and give me your email address so we can get the details worked out for getting this sent to you.</div>
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Thank you so much to everyone who left a comment and entered the giveaway!! I so enjoyed reading each and every one. It's good to know I still have some faithful readers out there. :)</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-66460030651656985902015-10-22T19:00:00.000-04:002015-11-01T16:04:35.775-05:00A Secret Sewing Project<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A couple of weeks ago I shared this photo over on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheCozyOldFarmhouse" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page and hinted at a sewing project I was going to be working on.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iphD6BBsba0/ViN-GxpQ0jI/AAAAAAAALV0/bfSf_sUIa1g/s1600/12038029_879195318801472_1367786230201018790_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iphD6BBsba0/ViN-GxpQ0jI/AAAAAAAALV0/bfSf_sUIa1g/s640/12038029_879195318801472_1367786230201018790_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some of you guessed that maybe it was going to be a fall quilt. I sure wish I knew how to quilt!</div>
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Then a few days later I shared this photo and told you that I had the next step of the project completed, but that it would be a couple of weeks before I could share the whole thing.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_A1VbT-LK6c/ViN-BoDvdyI/AAAAAAAALVs/6zeYh_6FzDE/s1600/12043195_881704628550541_2135637077304717421_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_A1VbT-LK6c/ViN-BoDvdyI/AAAAAAAALVs/6zeYh_6FzDE/s640/12043195_881704628550541_2135637077304717421_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Well, now I can share.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_T6vjx6e_g/ViN8b8PkfVI/AAAAAAAALUs/oq4pDxrCFRw/s1600/Pillow%2BCovers%2B1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_T6vjx6e_g/ViN8b8PkfVI/AAAAAAAALUs/oq4pDxrCFRw/s640/Pillow%2BCovers%2B1_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was working on making fall themed pillow covers! I made 13 in all and the reason I couldn't share them yet was because they were going to be gifts. In my last post I told you that I'm on a little vacation in Tennessee with my mom and her sisters this week, and 8 of these covers were coming with me to be given out to my aunts, my mom, and two of my cousins. Whenever they get together like this they have what they call Scarecrow parties and gifts are given out all around (the scarecrow brings the gifts instead of Santa). : )</div>
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I decided the <strike>cheapest</strike> most cost effective thing I could give would be something I had made. And since I have TONS of scraps leftover from my shower curtain business I decided to use some of them up and make pillow covers. I made 2 more that won't be pictured here because they were Christmas ones and I'll share them another time. I also made one for myself and one for my sister. The total cost of 13 pillow covers was a whoppin' $8...and I still have plenty of fall fabric left over to make even more if I feel so inclined!</div>
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I was a busy bee trying to get these all completed before my trip, plus keeping up with making my shower curtain orders. We pretty much didn't see the top of the dining room table for about 2 weeks, lol!</div>
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Let's take a look at what I worked so hard on.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kEHRVp4-9lE/ViN8auJ-AiI/AAAAAAAALUo/PkYON0SvEXg/s1600/Pillow%2BCovers%2B2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kEHRVp4-9lE/ViN8auJ-AiI/AAAAAAAALUo/PkYON0SvEXg/s640/Pillow%2BCovers%2B2_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some of the covers have a pumpkin shape on them and some have a fall leaf. I used a variety of fabric styles since I don't know the decorating tastes of my extended family members. The pumpkin up there at the top though, I made that one with my mom in mind. She wants to change her living room decor over to a lighter color palette of greens and blues and do a coastal theme. So I made that one to coordinate with her upcoming decor change. I love the combination of the 3 different patterns, but yet they all coordinate. I don't know if you can see it well enough or not, but the aqua one has little white polka dots on it. So sweet. :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wcl1fMywbMA/ViN8cUjC2pI/AAAAAAAALU0/9CqVXan2I0g/s1600/Pillow%2BCovers%2B3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wcl1fMywbMA/ViN8cUjC2pI/AAAAAAAALU0/9CqVXan2I0g/s640/Pillow%2BCovers%2B3_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The other ones I made were more traditional fall colors and patterns. After I cut the patterns out of the fabric, I then used a spray adhesive on the backs of them and followed the directions for a temporary bond. That allowed me to move them around and get them centered just right, but yet it held them in place strong enough to allow me to get them stitched all around. I purposely left the very edges unstitched so that when they got washed they would rough up in a cute rustic sort of way.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a5afbXsOE3k/ViN8gEJkiII/AAAAAAAALVA/VLjs7MyjNa8/s1600/Pillow%2BCovers%2B4_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a5afbXsOE3k/ViN8gEJkiII/AAAAAAAALVA/VLjs7MyjNa8/s640/Pillow%2BCovers%2B4_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love the paisley and flannel pumpkin! I made two of those, one for me and one to give away. I already had two pillow covers that were two different style fall leaves that were done in the paisley fabric, so then I made the pumpkin to go with them. I wanted it to coordinate, but not be completely matchy matchy. I think the addition of the flannel pattern helped achieve that. It's a warm olive green color that matches the green in the paisley fabric.</div>
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So....13 covers in all. Eight were made to give away as gifts, 1 I made for myself, 2 were Christmas ones to be shared later, I doubled up on one of these patterns and made one for my sister....that accounts for 12. So what about the 13th one?</div>
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Well, remember in my last post I told you to be sure not to miss this post? </div>
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That's because.......</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;"><i>SURPRISE!!!</i></span></div>
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I'm doing an unannounced giveaway of the last pillow cover!!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fR8FAJbFbso/ViN8grUJVuI/AAAAAAAALVE/wIALPtLU7zc/s1600/Pillow%2BCovers%2B5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="566" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fR8FAJbFbso/ViN8grUJVuI/AAAAAAAALVE/wIALPtLU7zc/s640/Pillow%2BCovers%2B5_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I made two of these sweet little pumpkin designs and I decided to give one away to one of my faithful readers. I appreciate you guys so much and I'm so thankful you've stuck with me even though I haven't been a very regular blogger these past few months.</div>
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I didn't announce it anywhere and I don't plan to because I want only my faithful readers to be on this. I don't want any freeloaders hopping over here just because they think they can get something for free and then I never hear from them again. This time its just for you guys.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bu3zkRIs0CU/ViN8ku4iAZI/AAAAAAAALVQ/493o51IkAvw/s1600/Pillow%2BCovers%2B6_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bu3zkRIs0CU/ViN8ku4iAZI/AAAAAAAALVQ/493o51IkAvw/s640/Pillow%2BCovers%2B6_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post and you'll be entered! <i>Be sure I have an email address to contact you at in case you're the winner.</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xgapuWbGsE/ViN8k77kJQI/AAAAAAAALVU/R7DN2NBH0f4/s1600/Pillow%2BCovers%2B7_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xgapuWbGsE/ViN8k77kJQI/AAAAAAAALVU/R7DN2NBH0f4/s640/Pillow%2BCovers%2B7_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This giveaway is for the pillow cover only, you'll have to supply your own 14" pillow insert. It's an envelope style closure, and its made out of drop cloth. They're easily removed and very washable. </div>
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I apologize for all the wrinkles. I was running out of time and light to get these pictures done so that I could schedule this post before I left and I didn't take the time to iron them, but you get the idea.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K3zojhWKVRg/ViN8mJo1E1I/AAAAAAAALVY/3dkN624yTkw/s1600/Pillow%2BCovers%2B8_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="574" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K3zojhWKVRg/ViN8mJo1E1I/AAAAAAAALVY/3dkN624yTkw/s640/Pillow%2BCovers%2B8_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There's just one thing we gotta get straight......I don't claim to be much of a seamstress <i>at all, </i>I can accomplish basic things, but I'm certainly not a professional. SO....if you happen to be the winner you have to promise me that you won't make fun of my lack of skills....mmmmm-kay? Just remember, it's the thought that counts and I made this with love for my faithful readers. : )</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fR8FAJbFbso/ViN8grUJVuI/AAAAAAAALVM/HaGZFccoWS8/s1600/Pillow%2BCovers%2B5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="566" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fR8FAJbFbso/ViN8grUJVuI/AAAAAAAALVM/HaGZFccoWS8/s640/Pillow%2BCovers%2B5_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So just leave me a comment below and include your email address and in a week or so I'll do a random drawing and let you all know who won! </div>
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Happy Fall Y'all!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">*<i>This giveaway has now ended*</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-78607197049616921332015-10-18T10:00:00.000-04:002015-10-28T08:00:57.489-04:00A Vintage Farmhouse Fall Vignette <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm <i>so</i> excited y'all!! Tomorrow I'll be taking off for a few days of R&R in beautiful Pigeon Forge, TN! I can't wait! My mom and her sisters get together every year for a few days for a Sister's Retreat, and this year they rented a snug little cabin for 3.5 days. I invited myself along. : ) The kiddos are spending the week with my husband's parents, Hubby is fending for himself, and I am SO looking forward to a few days without responsibilities. And nice chilly weather. And hopefully some beautiful fall foliage. And maybe even some hot chocolate.</div>
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But....I didn't want to leave you hanging for the whole week without something from me, SO....to make your life feel complete I'm treating you to some fall decor pics while I'm away. : )</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzhSWPCck3k/ViAleJN02wI/AAAAAAAALT8/jDsObpUpOc4/s1600/Fall%2BDecor%2B7_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzhSWPCck3k/ViAleJN02wI/AAAAAAAALT8/jDsObpUpOc4/s640/Fall%2BDecor%2B7_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Today we'll be focusing on this little corner of the living room in between the two couches.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_AjntSuRG8w/ViAliHyHwlI/AAAAAAAALUM/21-jatrtCss/s1600/Fall%2BDecor%2B8_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_AjntSuRG8w/ViAliHyHwlI/AAAAAAAALUM/21-jatrtCss/s640/Fall%2BDecor%2B8_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I've created a cozy little vignette on top of my <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/2012/02/plain-crate-turned-shipping-crate.html" target="_blank">crate I rescued</a> from the curb.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAaec4HsMdE/ViAlj8zUE8I/AAAAAAAALUU/bnpIkrlh8Is/s1600/Fall%2BDecor%2B9_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAaec4HsMdE/ViAlj8zUE8I/AAAAAAAALUU/bnpIkrlh8Is/s640/Fall%2BDecor%2B9_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I replaced the cheery and colorful red and yellow lamp with a black one. Black pairs so nicely with fall colors and helps tone them down a bit so your eye doesn't get overwhelmed. It gives your eye a place to rest so to speak.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5kfSUmsXrFM/ViAla5t4CSI/AAAAAAAALTo/i3BH7hosW7I/s1600/Fall%2BDecor%2B10_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5kfSUmsXrFM/ViAla5t4CSI/AAAAAAAALTo/i3BH7hosW7I/s640/Fall%2BDecor%2B10_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Typically with vignettes you always want to work with odd numbers. Things always look better grouped in 3's or 5's and so on. Evenly paired groups never look quite right. When I first started putting this little grouping together I didn't have the old mirror underneath and it didn't look right because the lamp made the 4th item. I liked the grouping though, and didn't want to get rid of anything. So, by placing the mirror underneath the other items it gives them their own boundary and the lamp is no longer part of the grouping. The eye sees it as a separate thing.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g99NppSRqxk/ViAlb89P6cI/AAAAAAAALTw/mAbYgzgDBAE/s1600/Fall%2BDecor%2B11_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g99NppSRqxk/ViAlb89P6cI/AAAAAAAALTw/mAbYgzgDBAE/s640/Fall%2BDecor%2B11_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love how the mirror takes the place of a tray that you would usually see used in this sort of a display.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIiBPF7kNsc/ViAlaMH_mZI/AAAAAAAALTk/L8hQK6lr0sc/s1600/Fall%2BDecor%2B12_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIiBPF7kNsc/ViAlaMH_mZI/AAAAAAAALTk/L8hQK6lr0sc/s640/Fall%2BDecor%2B12_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the other items in the group, I placed some faux bittersweet in a thrifted pitcher that's sitting on top of a an old book with its cover removed. I also added a vintage Bingo card under there for added interest. Even though technically the book and the pitcher are two items, because they're stacked together they become one in the vignette. </div>
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There's also a little chicken wire basket I found in the craft section at Walmart. I added a candle and some hickory nuts to it. I love using real gourds in my decorating and this little splotchy one with its curvy stem was just perfect here. They make for an added expense each year, this is true, BUT at the end of the season they're ready to be pitched and I don't have to take up valuable storage space finding a place to keep them.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bBCds23iC5I/ViAlfzL-Z6I/AAAAAAAALUE/ZWc_BeY5xG0/s1600/Fall%2BDecor%2B13_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bBCds23iC5I/ViAlfzL-Z6I/AAAAAAAALUE/ZWc_BeY5xG0/s640/Fall%2BDecor%2B13_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Tucked in the back there is my old orange grove ladder that I've had for 13 years now. I love changing out the quilt on it from season to season. During the summer months you might remember I had the red and white penny square quilt here. Now I've replaced that with one that has a more warmer and more subdued color palette. </div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_AjntSuRG8w/ViAliHyHwlI/AAAAAAAALUM/21-jatrtCss/s640/Fall%2BDecor%2B8_1.jpg" width="426" /></div>
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I absolutely love this little corner and am really happy with how it turned out.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzhSWPCck3k/ViAleJN02wI/AAAAAAAALT8/jDsObpUpOc4/s1600/Fall%2BDecor%2B7_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzhSWPCck3k/ViAleJN02wI/AAAAAAAALT8/jDsObpUpOc4/s640/Fall%2BDecor%2B7_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As you can see, I'm not one who loves the all neutral fall style. I still love the warmth and coziness of the reds and yellows and orange.</div>
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Even though I'll be away from the computer for a few days, I have a post scheduled for later in the week, on Thursday, so check back for that. If you follow me over on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheCozyOldFarmhouse" target="_blank">Facebook</a> then you know I've been hinting at a sewing project I've been working on. I'll finally be sharing what that was all about. </div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Sharing over at:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2015/10/wow-us-wednesdays-245.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays #245</span></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-82670306929368240372015-10-08T19:00:00.000-04:002015-10-09T08:15:43.956-04:00A Little Lamp Makeover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today I'm bringing you another little makeover project I completed recently. </div>
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My 8 year old daughter had been wanting a desk in her room for quite awhile. She had pretty well outgrown the kitchen play set that was in there, so we moved it out and began looking for a desk for her. It worked out perfectly that my sister was getting rid of this "double decker" desk and she let us have first dibs on it. We got rid of the bedside table/small bookcase that was there previously and the desk slid in that spot just perfectly.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VjJjP76-63E/VhP6eA70W6I/AAAAAAAALS4/gcDxQUW-Drg/s1600/Mini%2BLamp%2B8_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VjJjP76-63E/VhP6eA70W6I/AAAAAAAALS4/gcDxQUW-Drg/s640/Mini%2BLamp%2B8_1.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
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The only problem was that her cute little lamp that I made over years ago was too tall and wouldn't slide in under the shelf. </div>
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Because it stuck out so far it took up a lot of useable surface area.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J2BBiW2Xkaw/VhP6ei4QjVI/AAAAAAAALS8/FWuDrKQWWyU/s1600/Mini%2BLamp%2B9_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J2BBiW2Xkaw/VhP6ei4QjVI/AAAAAAAALS8/FWuDrKQWWyU/s640/Mini%2BLamp%2B9_1.jpg" width="422" /></a><br />
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*Side note* - Here's what the too-tall lamp makeover looked like. This was about 4 years ago, before I ever had this blog. The lamp had been in me and Hubby's room and I was going to sell it in a yard sale, but then realized it would fit her Shabby Chic room style perfectly with a little makeover.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxNh50d77t4/VhQJWATdt5I/AAAAAAAALTQ/fxRrgTZI04A/s1600/Mini%2BLamp%2B13_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxNh50d77t4/VhQJWATdt5I/AAAAAAAALTQ/fxRrgTZI04A/s640/Mini%2BLamp%2B13_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We kept an eye out at thrift stores and yard sales for a smaller lamp, but we just never found one. One day at Hobby Lobby she spied this little one and even though she didn't care for the black color of it, she loved the frilly shade. I assured her we could change the color of the lamp itself and since lamps were 50% off that day we purchased it for $12. She also really wanted the shade to have dangly "crystals" hanging from it, but the ones they had in the lamp department would have cost us another $16! We visited the fabric department instead and bought 1/2 yard of trim for $1.75. :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MgVU3MncWw0/VhP6U6sYEWI/AAAAAAAALSA/wobxWyB_z14/s1600/Mini%2BLamp%2B1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MgVU3MncWw0/VhP6U6sYEWI/AAAAAAAALSA/wobxWyB_z14/s640/Mini%2BLamp%2B1_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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We brought it home and gave it a makeover to make it more her style. I dry brushed it with two coats of aqua craft paint, painted the button in the middle pink, and used some craft glue to attach the dangly trim to the shade.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NRWKyGity7g/VhP6W17rSGI/AAAAAAAALSI/XEyN2rKVi_Y/s1600/Mini%2BLamp%2B2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NRWKyGity7g/VhP6W17rSGI/AAAAAAAALSI/XEyN2rKVi_Y/s640/Mini%2BLamp%2B2_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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She was SO happy with its new look!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etu2RMVnX5g/VhP6YFNA5WI/AAAAAAAALSQ/N-tAVYODQ0E/s1600/Mini%2BLamp%2B3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etu2RMVnX5g/VhP6YFNA5WI/AAAAAAAALSQ/N-tAVYODQ0E/s640/Mini%2BLamp%2B3_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Much more her style.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GpX0VRC3Fkc/VhP6ac-m45I/AAAAAAAALSg/VjDZNE9OVgw/s1600/Mini%2BLamp%2B4_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GpX0VRC3Fkc/VhP6ac-m45I/AAAAAAAALSg/VjDZNE9OVgw/s640/Mini%2BLamp%2B4_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And it fit the space under the shelf just perfectly.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L_zh0qqI8ME/VhP6ZV5oo_I/AAAAAAAALSY/1857JLBUt8Y/s1600/Mini%2BLamp%2B5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L_zh0qqI8ME/VhP6ZV5oo_I/AAAAAAAALSY/1857JLBUt8Y/s640/Mini%2BLamp%2B5_1.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
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Another thing we had already changed about the desk was the knobs. Originally it had these very basic silver and white ones.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkpp4UM27BI/VhP6TCeuuwI/AAAAAAAALR4/vrQXXL-7GUc/s1600/Mini%2BLamp%2B11_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkpp4UM27BI/VhP6TCeuuwI/AAAAAAAALR4/vrQXXL-7GUc/s640/Mini%2BLamp%2B11_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We replaced them with pink and aqua ones instead. </div>
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So much more character now, and again, much more her style. </div>
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(Notice the chippy stool tucked in there? We couldn't use a regular desk chair because they're all too wide to slide underneath and we couldn't have it sticking out because her closet door is directly to the right and she needed to have room to get it open. We discovered that this little stool, which normally resides in the master bathroom to hold a stack of towels, slid under there just perfectly tucked out of the way.)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TD93BbVMmiQ/VhP6SugUySI/AAAAAAAALRw/hdaULSJ-B60/s1600/Mini%2BLamp%2B12_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TD93BbVMmiQ/VhP6SugUySI/AAAAAAAALRw/hdaULSJ-B60/s640/Mini%2BLamp%2B12_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We found the pink knobs at Walmart. They're made to look like glass, but they're actually acrylic. We found the center aqua knob at Hobby Lobby.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_CO3lO2Avo/VhP6cLgd6EI/AAAAAAAALSw/KQDcRQ6XHn0/s1600/Mini%2BLamp%2B7_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_CO3lO2Avo/VhP6cLgd6EI/AAAAAAAALSw/KQDcRQ6XHn0/s640/Mini%2BLamp%2B7_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L_zh0qqI8ME/VhP6ZV5oo_I/AAAAAAAALSY/1857JLBUt8Y/s1600/Mini%2BLamp%2B5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L_zh0qqI8ME/VhP6ZV5oo_I/AAAAAAAALSY/1857JLBUt8Y/s640/Mini%2BLamp%2B5_1.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
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She is loving having this desk in her room. She loves to sit and "work" at her little laptop/game computer, and take pretend calls on her pink phone. :D She also enjoys doing her school work here as well.</div>
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I love being able to find thrifty solutions to problems that come along. :)</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-74305320387703707972015-10-04T15:27:00.000-04:002015-10-04T15:27:31.616-04:00A Thrifted Chalkboard Sign Makeover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I found this chalkboard sign at the thrift store for $3 a couple of months ago. It sure was ugly, but I liked the idea of a freestanding sign and the size was perfect to go on top of a section of my kitchen cabinets that have thus far been bare because I didn't know what to put up there. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkX1UdCOutM/VhELZ2F5_xI/AAAAAAAALQg/HYHMq76NKag/s1600/Chalkboard%2B1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkX1UdCOutM/VhELZ2F5_xI/AAAAAAAALQg/HYHMq76NKag/s640/Chalkboard%2B1_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I didn't want to do anything drastic to it, just update it. The tole style vine painting and green chalkboard were out of date and it was just dirty and grimy looking. </div>
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Had someone attempted to glaze it to make it appear aged? Or was it coated in layers of nicotine? I wasn't quite sure, but either way it looked gross.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-srd9o47OlbM/VhELVe3vTVI/AAAAAAAALQY/hIKrjzFyzek/s1600/Chalkboard%2B2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-srd9o47OlbM/VhELVe3vTVI/AAAAAAAALQY/hIKrjzFyzek/s640/Chalkboard%2B2_1.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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I started the process by cleaning it and then swiping on some brown craft paint here and there that I wanted to peek through in the final product for a chippy look.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6k_iNVrCLc/VhELcfCfSQI/AAAAAAAALQw/JJnX9krv7Zk/s1600/Chalkboard%2B3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6k_iNVrCLc/VhELcfCfSQI/AAAAAAAALQw/JJnX9krv7Zk/s640/Chalkboard%2B3_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've read about using Vaseline for aging a piece, but had never tried it before so I decided this would be the perfect thing to experiment on.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OITU_aD7BMU/VhELn0oly1I/AAAAAAAALRA/oMcsViiFOTw/s1600/Chalkboard%2B4_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OITU_aD7BMU/VhELn0oly1I/AAAAAAAALRA/oMcsViiFOTw/s640/Chalkboard%2B4_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I (and my 5 year old son) dabbed a bit of it on the spots of brown. Well...I dabbed, he smeared, lol!</div>
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Apparently I forgot to take any pictures of the next steps, but here's what I did. I taped off the wood parts leaving just the chalkboard exposed and gave it a couple of coats of <i>black</i> chalkboard paint. Once that was completely dry I covered the chalkboard area with newspaper and started spray painting the wood parts white.</div>
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For some reason, the spray paint was not covering up the leaves and dark brown spots well at all, so I switched to white craft paint and a foam brush. It covered much better.</div>
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Once the white paint was dry, I went back and wiped/scraped off the areas of Vaseline. I could easily tell where it was at because the paint had sort of bubbled and cracked in those areas and had never dried...thus the whole point of using the Vaseline. The brown paint peeked through in the areas I wiped away giving it a nice chippy look.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8y4sEa4jztk/VhELiAiePaI/AAAAAAAALQ4/oXS6DEfGHJg/s1600/Chalkboard%2B5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8y4sEa4jztk/VhELiAiePaI/AAAAAAAALQ4/oXS6DEfGHJg/s640/Chalkboard%2B5_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In hind sight, I shouldn't have let the 5 year old help quite so much. I had better results in the areas where it was thickly dabbed on than in the areas where he had smeared it all over. Oh well....nothing hurt.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hc5gI3rmIrE/VhELpUgl9YI/AAAAAAAALRI/pJF61StgEsA/s1600/Chalkboard%2B6_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hc5gI3rmIrE/VhELpUgl9YI/AAAAAAAALRI/pJF61StgEsA/s640/Chalkboard%2B6_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The neat thing about this sign is that it's double sided. Both sides look identical and each has a chalkboard area. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMO5_is4IcM/VhELthHUUsI/AAAAAAAALRQ/Pg2kJMs0xFM/s1600/Chalkboard%2B7_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMO5_is4IcM/VhELthHUUsI/AAAAAAAALRQ/Pg2kJMs0xFM/s640/Chalkboard%2B7_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Let's compare the before and after.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jn887wluvQ4/VhELxe-Y0MI/AAAAAAAALRY/o69l7bXqzTE/s1600/Chalkboard%2B8_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jn887wluvQ4/VhELxe-Y0MI/AAAAAAAALRY/o69l7bXqzTE/s640/Chalkboard%2B8_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MA66IQGjfGI/VhELxZGOiMI/AAAAAAAALRc/yBg_9ar7eBo/s1600/Chalkboard%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MA66IQGjfGI/VhELxZGOiMI/AAAAAAAALRc/yBg_9ar7eBo/s640/Chalkboard%2B9.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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I thought it turned out pretty well, and since I already had all of the supplies I needed, this little sign only cost me the initial $3.</div>
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So what did I end up doing with it?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-392fv8eNNp8/VhELaPajcHI/AAAAAAAALQk/SsHyoQc_4iA/s1600/Chalkboard%2B10_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-392fv8eNNp8/VhELaPajcHI/AAAAAAAALQk/SsHyoQc_4iA/s640/Chalkboard%2B10_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I put it right where I had envisioned it from the beginning, up on top of the kitchen cabinets. </div>
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I love that I'll be able to change out the words on it as the seasons change or as the mood strikes. And since it's double sided, I also think it would be really neat used down the center of a table as part of a tablescape some time.</div>
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In other news, the weather is finally starting to cool off a smidgen here in northern Florida and I'm enjoying the cooler mornings and milder days. </div>
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I hope you're enjoying fall as well.</div>
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Have a blessed day!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-72519267165664973712015-09-24T09:00:00.000-04:002015-09-26T17:26:16.305-04:00The Story of a Sign (Opinions Needed)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had wanted to get this post shared yesterday on the first day of fall, but that just didn't happen. Oh well, one day late isn't too bad though. </div>
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I wanted to share just the tiniest bit of my fall decor with you, but mostly I wanted to share the story of a sign.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OcymPbpvn2E/VgMHI5s54wI/AAAAAAAALO8/ywY5qpNlM0I/s1600/Fall%2BDecor%2B1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OcymPbpvn2E/VgMHI5s54wI/AAAAAAAALO8/ywY5qpNlM0I/s640/Fall%2BDecor%2B1_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This cute little chalkboard (leftover from last year's <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-rustic-themed-christmas-banquet.html" target="_blank">Christmas banquet</a>) is hanging on the corner of one of my very favorite yard sale purchases.....maybe of all time.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CcF-dgSXe_0/VgMHH8vlIbI/AAAAAAAALO4/2OX1zDYNoJI/s1600/Fall%2BDecor%2B2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CcF-dgSXe_0/VgMHH8vlIbI/AAAAAAAALO4/2OX1zDYNoJI/s640/Fall%2BDecor%2B2_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I got this set of 3 authentic farm signs from a yard sale for only $10. But it wasn't just any random yard sale I was at. No, this one was meant to be and this sign was meant to be mine.</div>
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Let me explain.</div>
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A couple of years ago I shared the picture below on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheCozyOldFarmhouse" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page because I was really excited that I had found a local farm that sold raw milk (plus I loved their cute sign). We had just recently moved back to Florida and were trying out different churches in the area. At one of the churches we met the family who lived on this farm and that's how we discovered the local source of raw milk. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gff1pK8DO6s/VgMK35S_x3I/AAAAAAAALQA/C-c-1CoBpeI/s1600/IMG_1748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gff1pK8DO6s/VgMK35S_x3I/AAAAAAAALQA/C-c-1CoBpeI/s640/IMG_1748.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We visited their farm a couple of times and fell in love with how sweet and loving their whole family was. The last time we visited them they told us that they felt they had been called to go to Romania to be missionaries. (The wife was originally from there.) Well, life happened, time went by, we bought a house and were busy moving and such and we never did get back to visit them again. When I realized it was close to the time they said they would be leaving the country we made one last trip to their farm hoping to say good-bye to them and get some info on how to stay in contact. But sadly, they were already gone. </div>
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I always regretted that life had been so busy and we hadn't taken the time to see them again. I didn't know if we'd ever get the chance to see them again and that made me sad. </div>
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Well, about 8 months or so went by and one day I was scouring the local newspaper looking for upcoming yard sale listings. One of them caught my eye and from the description of it I just <i>knew</i> it <i>had</i> to be them! I didn't know how it could possibly be since they were supposed to be across the ocean, but somehow I knew it just <i>had</i> to be. So that Friday morning I packed up the kids and we drove across town in search of the sale. Sure enough, it <i>was</i> them! They had gone to Romania, but had to come back for a couple of months to finish dealing with the sale of their farm.</div>
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The wife and I stood there talking for probably half an hour as she shared their ministry with me and the miracles that God had done for them while there and how He had amazingly provided for each and every need. I felt so encouraged and blessed by our talk and so thankful I had found them again. I gave her our information and asked them to stay in contact with us and to continue to share their ministry with us. </div>
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After we finished talking she encouraged me to look around at what they had for sale and see if there was anything we'd like to buy. It didn't take me long to spot their milk sign leaning up against the barn, as well as the other two little signs they had used in the driveway. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fbi6nr2PXrg/VgMHMqCiJdI/AAAAAAAALPU/cOzAv8-jnbA/s1600/Milk%2BSign%2B1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fbi6nr2PXrg/VgMHMqCiJdI/AAAAAAAALPU/cOzAv8-jnbA/s640/Milk%2BSign%2B1_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was so excited to be able to take it home, because not only is it an adorable and perfect farmhouse style sign, but it also has a story and sentimental meaning behind it. Now every time I look at it I think of them and it helps me remember to pray for them and their ministry. </div>
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I love it when pieces in my home have a story.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m58cutpCUqM/VgMHOmRlq3I/AAAAAAAALPg/5fRkdWFTQzw/s1600/Milk%2BSign%2B3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m58cutpCUqM/VgMHOmRlq3I/AAAAAAAALPg/5fRkdWFTQzw/s640/Milk%2BSign%2B3_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I made a grouping of all 3 signs on a big blank wall in our dining room. I had never put anything on this wall because I didn't want to hang up just anything ol' thing. I knew that someday, somehow, the perfect piece would find me and I would know it when I saw it.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IqECeKiztcw/VgMHQinfooI/AAAAAAAALPo/5p9OW0zQBls/s1600/Milk%2BSign%2B4_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IqECeKiztcw/VgMHQinfooI/AAAAAAAALPo/5p9OW0zQBls/s640/Milk%2BSign%2B4_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And that's just what happened with this milk sign. I knew it was meant to be.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7vfG5QZURo/VgMHMEX3kNI/AAAAAAAALPQ/7jxTPdwL33U/s1600/Milk%2BSign%2B2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7vfG5QZURo/VgMHMEX3kNI/AAAAAAAALPQ/7jxTPdwL33U/s640/Milk%2BSign%2B2_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The sign is fairly large, over 2 feet wide by more than 3 feet long. It's perfectly aged and weathered, and beautifully chippy. Absolutely perfect for our home.</div>
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Now let me show you some perspective on where this is at and get some opinions from you all. This is the wall in the dining room where it's located. The doorway to the right on the edge of the picture leads to the laundry room as well as what we use as the main entrance to our home. The doorway on the left of the picture is my son's room. You can see all of his little art work he's taped on there. Just keepin' it real folks. :) You can also see the corner of the table on the bottom left.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzv0C9wNHfU/VgMHJof00kI/AAAAAAAALPE/HhnthNJwGIQ/s1600/Fall%2BDecor%2B3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzv0C9wNHfU/VgMHJof00kI/AAAAAAAALPE/HhnthNJwGIQ/s640/Fall%2BDecor%2B3_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's a big space to fill! I don't intend to leave the two smaller signs there permanently. I'd like to have some other sort of items paired with the milk sign, I just haven't figured out what yet. The possibility of lanterns hanging on each side crossed my mind, maybe some greenery like a boxwood wreath or something would go well with it. I'm just not sure and the perfect inspiration hasn't hit me yet. So for now, the two little signs keep the milk sign company and help fill up the large space until I come up with something better. </div>
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And that's where I need your opinions. What would you guys put with this gorgeous milk sign?</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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Sharing over at:</div>
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<a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2015/09/pj-298-an-upcycled-link-party.html" target="_blank">Funky Junk Interiors - PJ #298</a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-19920484641383317922015-09-17T12:15:00.000-04:002015-09-17T12:18:01.187-04:00Quick Update Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I just wanted to pop in and let you know I'm still here and to share a couple of quick updates with you.</div>
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The weather has started to cool down just slightly here in north Florida and I've got all my fall decor spread around the house trying to get it all set up and looking cozy. I don't have any final pictures to share just yet, but I wanted to give you a hint at one of the big changes I'm making.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dmR1K96fXzk/Vfrg9PD61xI/AAAAAAAALOE/5tiZh407I8g/s1600/Nordic%2BChristmas%2B9_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dmR1K96fXzk/Vfrg9PD61xI/AAAAAAAALOE/5tiZh407I8g/s640/Nordic%2BChristmas%2B9_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I shared the above picture with you back at Christmas time and it shows you the red buffalo check curtains that are usually in the dining room....well, that's about to change.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BTJ1OM8jwO8/VfrhXR8gMcI/AAAAAAAALOM/Y3qBzKov1xA/s1600/b%2Bcurtains%2B19_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BTJ1OM8jwO8/VfrhXR8gMcI/AAAAAAAALOM/Y3qBzKov1xA/s640/b%2Bcurtains%2B19_1.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
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These burlap curtains were previously in me and Hubs bedroom back when we lived in Ohio. They weren't currently being used, so I got the idea of replacing the red checked curtains with these in the dining room for the fall months. I'm loving the temporary change. I'll share the final pictures of the dining room soon.</div>
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Another quick little thing I wanted to share is this idea I found on Pinterest.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ub2kfn7JP8/VfrjSA1UqxI/AAAAAAAALOc/gSM_d_ghFaQ/s1600/fall-picnic-basket1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ub2kfn7JP8/VfrjSA1UqxI/AAAAAAAALOc/gSM_d_ghFaQ/s400/fall-picnic-basket1.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/251638697907115454/" target="_blank">source</a> & <a href="http://centennialfarmhouse.com/" target="_blank">source</a>)</td></tr>
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Someone had used a little lidded basket in their fall decor and I pinned it because my mom or my grandma had just given me a very similar one that I didn't know what to do with.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ds1m6eEemr4/VfrjSKHPK6I/AAAAAAAALOY/NGpQjtZ4dS8/s1600/12033084_874315565956114_5804299670964567394_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ds1m6eEemr4/VfrjSKHPK6I/AAAAAAAALOY/NGpQjtZ4dS8/s640/12033084_874315565956114_5804299670964567394_n.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
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Here's a not-so-great cell phone shot of my version. I never would have thought to use it this way, and I'm really liking it. It's something different I've never tried before.</div>
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And the last little bit of update news, if you missed it on the Facebook page, we found out we're having another little<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"> girl!!! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're very excited for her to arrive, only 3 more months to go! </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-44115188485840493702015-09-02T10:11:00.001-04:002015-09-02T10:11:54.414-04:00Summer Living Room Decor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Can you even believe that it's September already?!? On one hand it seems like the summer has just flown by, but on the other hand it feels like it will take forever before the cooler temperatures will return around here. We usually get the beginnings of fall temps in early October here in north Florida and I am <i>seriously</i> looking forward to it! </div>
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I've been itching to start on my fall decor already, but I decided I should do a quick post about how my living room has looked for the summer months first...you know, now that summer is basically over. :)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E2YXFUcMxpE/Veb4VrYzJSI/AAAAAAAALMg/PO0aAdV9270/s1600/Summer%2B11_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E2YXFUcMxpE/Veb4VrYzJSI/AAAAAAAALMg/PO0aAdV9270/s640/Summer%2B11_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a not so great cell phone picture to show you it in bigger perspective. I love adding lots of red and blues for a patriotic feel, but this year I also just wanted more color in general. Bright and cheery and happy.</div>
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I didn't bother with any sort of display on the coffee table, just a simple tray holding magazines. My kids clear the top of this multiple times a day to build Legos, color/draw, or to eat lunch so I kept it really simple.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fD36nrF2T1g/Veb4UQTfU_I/AAAAAAAALMY/OBIpv12HhC8/s1600/Summer%2B1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fD36nrF2T1g/Veb4UQTfU_I/AAAAAAAALMY/OBIpv12HhC8/s640/Summer%2B1_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Of course, my picket fence flag took its place of honor again. I've had that almost my entire marriage and still love it to pieces! I threw the rest of the shelf decor together very quickly one afternoon before some company came over and that's how it stayed all summer.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3iSykhNqsGQ/Veb4YL8-pPI/AAAAAAAALM0/G-cQYvYMlWM/s1600/Summer%2B2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3iSykhNqsGQ/Veb4YL8-pPI/AAAAAAAALM0/G-cQYvYMlWM/s640/Summer%2B2_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A metal baking tray with a star shaped design continued the patriotic feel, and a license plate, vintage flour sack towel, and a sweet pitcher all brought touches of red and blue.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zR7WB2arHr0/Veb4X6Qdu_I/AAAAAAAALMw/Fei0Rd4fwh4/s1600/Summer%2B3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zR7WB2arHr0/Veb4X6Qdu_I/AAAAAAAALMw/Fei0Rd4fwh4/s640/Summer%2B3_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Even the wooden cheese box has red and blue and on it. I love using the old picture of my husband's dad in his little league uniform. Nothing says summer like baseball does.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZftApnlEptM/Veb4ZVnjyRI/AAAAAAAALNA/JgQlN17cPyY/s1600/Summer%2B4_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZftApnlEptM/Veb4ZVnjyRI/AAAAAAAALNA/JgQlN17cPyY/s640/Summer%2B4_1.jpg" width="408" /></a></div>
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To the side of the couch I replaced the plainer wooden crates with this colorful stack of old soda crates as an end table. I found the navy blue lamp at a yard sale for 75¢. A little bit of faux ivy sits on top of an old pulley as well. Did you notice my curtain in the background? I messed up a shower curtain order and instead of throwing it away I hung it up here in the living room to use as a window curtain for the time being.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K0RCp-yn3kM/Veb4ZoT8eEI/AAAAAAAALNE/oveDD9GxiEg/s1600/Summer%2B5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K0RCp-yn3kM/Veb4ZoT8eEI/AAAAAAAALNE/oveDD9GxiEg/s640/Summer%2B5_1.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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On the other side of the couch, I replaced the black lamp with this more colorful one. <i> (You can read about its makeover {<a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/2012/03/eyesore-to-eye-candy-country-farmhouse.html" target="_blank">here</a>}.) </i>I moved a potted plant over here and added a simple basket of croquet balls for even more color. In the background you can see my antique penny square quilt displayed over my wooden ladder.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XFFz4JZ-wAw/Veb4ZuwkqcI/AAAAAAAALNI/-O_oid9_eq8/s1600/Summer%2B6_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XFFz4JZ-wAw/Veb4ZuwkqcI/AAAAAAAALNI/-O_oid9_eq8/s640/Summer%2B6_1.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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Our bedroom throw pillows came out to the couch as well as some thrifted blue pillows for a mix-n-match look.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1HcdBW6fG8/Veb4cr2cGBI/AAAAAAAALNY/wpQGldUvxoE/s1600/Summer%2B7_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1HcdBW6fG8/Veb4cr2cGBI/AAAAAAAALNY/wpQGldUvxoE/s640/Summer%2B7_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Over on the loveseat I draped a small blue floral throw blanket and added the adorable throw pillow I got from my friend over at<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PeekPillowOriginals" target="_blank"> Peek Pillow Originals</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oML1e41IPn8/Veb4dLtSeWI/AAAAAAAALNc/8h1B0m-wrJI/s1600/Summer%2B8_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oML1e41IPn8/Veb4dLtSeWI/AAAAAAAALNc/8h1B0m-wrJI/s640/Summer%2B8_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Isn't it just the cutest?!? I liked how the "star" theme of it once again fit in with the patriotic feel I had going on. If you haven't been over to Etsy to check out her pillows you <i>must</i> take a minute and stop over there! She's got the cutest designs and has even come out with some amazing fall designs as well. And....if you ask very sweetly she's even willing to do custom designs. So be sure to check out <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PeekPillowOriginals" target="_blank">her shop.</a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MJn-oS2dOzk/Veb4dJg9gdI/AAAAAAAALNg/R5Fw4yognPA/s1600/Summer%2B9_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MJn-oS2dOzk/Veb4dJg9gdI/AAAAAAAALNg/R5Fw4yognPA/s640/Summer%2B9_1.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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The only thing I changed on the other side of the room was too add this wool plaid blanket with the perfect color scheme that I found at a yard sale for $2, as well as a little throw pillow. For the pillow cover I simply wrapped a piece of fabric around it and safety pinned it closed. Ta-da! An instant "new" pillow. :) (You can also see that I took the shelf out of part of the entertainment center to make room for our scrapbooks/photo albums to be on display and within easy reach.)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QmMbrFg0Zas/Veb4WS7rdSI/AAAAAAAALMo/_TudUeEjDew/s1600/Summer%2B10_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QmMbrFg0Zas/Veb4WS7rdSI/AAAAAAAALMo/_TudUeEjDew/s640/Summer%2B10_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I just loved this combination of patterns!</div>
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So, you can see I kept things really simple for the summer and didn't stress over having everything "blog-worthy" and perfect. Just a few touches to freshen things up for the summer months.</div>
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Now that these pictures are shared I can move on to warm and cozy fall decor!</div>
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* P.S. - In baby news, I'm a little over 5 months along now and baby is healthy and active. I had an ultrasound done, but baby didn't cooperate and we still don't know the gender. I have another one coming up in a couple of weeks and we're hoping to find out then. I guess one of these days soon I'll need to get started on making space for this new little one's crib. :)</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-74919548181986177422015-08-17T21:45:00.000-04:002015-08-17T21:48:15.532-04:00A 50¢ Makeover & a Lisa Frank 8th Birthday Party<div style="text-align: center;">
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A couple of weeks ago I shared this picture over on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheCozyOldFarmhouse" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page of a dirty little, ugly, neglected, ceramic unicorn that I bought at a thrift store for 50¢. I asked if anyone had a guess as to why in the world I would buy such a thing. Most people didn't have a clue why I would do that, but one person guessed right. It was for a birthday party.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wItaQBfkyEI/VdJaqbPx1AI/AAAAAAAALMA/_0Mhkdd_kK0/s1600/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wItaQBfkyEI/VdJaqbPx1AI/AAAAAAAALMA/_0Mhkdd_kK0/s640/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My daughter wanted a Lisa Frank birthday party this year and to help save money I usually try to be the one to do their cakes, even though I'm amateur at best. She decided she wanted the inside to be rainbow colors and she picked out hot pink frosting for the outside. We ordered a Lisa Frank cake topper to finish it off. But.....I didn't bother to pay attention to the dimensions of the topper, I just assumed it would be a decent size. Nope, it was tiny. More like a cupcake topper. Now what? But one day at the thrift store I found this little unicorn and decided that for only 50¢ I could experiment with painting it and possibly use it as the topper instead. </div>
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I took it home and cleaned it up, then sprayed it with a couple of coats of white spray paint I had. Then using craft paints I also already had I got to work copying the Lisa Frank horse that was on her invitation. Once I finished painting it I gave it a coat of glossy clear sealer and we ended up with this.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Suh5q0llmo/VdH_8XT9b7I/AAAAAAAALIc/vzhu47rvq0I/s1600/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Suh5q0llmo/VdH_8XT9b7I/AAAAAAAALIc/vzhu47rvq0I/s640/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_2.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
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It certainly wasn't perfect by any means, but she was in love with it and so excited about it, especially because I told her she could keep it even after the party! :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2pskjSomWw/VdIAfdia60I/AAAAAAAALK4/e8IXGbsXncY/s1600/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2pskjSomWw/VdIAfdia60I/AAAAAAAALK4/e8IXGbsXncY/s640/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'll go ahead and share a few more pictures with you from the party while we're at it. They aren't the greatest, I was running late and the party had already started by the time I could spare a few minutes to snap some. I didn't want to hold the whole thing up because I was trying to stage every picture and make it "perfect", so I just quickly got a few. I'm still sharing them though because I enjoy doing parties and accomplishing them on a small budget, and I enjoy sharing them with you all.<br />
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A few months before her birthday we found Lisa Frank party supplies on clearance at our local Dollar General and she decided that's the theme she wanted for her 8th birthday. We found some plates, napkins, invitations, and a banner marked down. Later on we found a couple more matching banners at the thrift store for 25¢ each. We even found favors and prizes on after Easter clearance that were bright and colorful as well. She had fun picking out the rest of her party supplies from the party store.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SM-4b-j1l70/VdIAE70dErI/AAAAAAAALI8/lEFRUklLeZM/s1600/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SM-4b-j1l70/VdIAE70dErI/AAAAAAAALI8/lEFRUklLeZM/s640/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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She also decided she wanted to have a water party since August is SO very hot down here in Florida. We prayed every day that the rain would hold off until after the party and it did, we had beautiful sunny weather and were able to do everything outside. (This mama didn't want no soppin' wet kiddos traipsing through the house.) We set up tables on the deck for food, drinks, and gifts, and set up chairs in the shade of our big tree for the adults.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fea5eTtDsGM/VdH__y3PXVI/AAAAAAAALIs/sS7RKGs3heQ/s1600/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday%2B_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="339" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fea5eTtDsGM/VdH__y3PXVI/AAAAAAAALIs/sS7RKGs3heQ/s640/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday%2B_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I didn't realize until later that my camera was on the wrong setting and some of the pictures got washed out. : ( </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7AVczXHKULQ/VdIAHnZog1I/AAAAAAAALJU/uSYV2NOU_kQ/s1600/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="417" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7AVczXHKULQ/VdIAHnZog1I/AAAAAAAALJU/uSYV2NOU_kQ/s640/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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She had so much fun finding colorful and rainbow themed items to use. This is the first year that she has really had a desire to have an input on her party, other than choosing a theme, and it was fun working together to plan it.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NTBb1-iaIiU/VdIAGKFptbI/AAAAAAAALJM/yoBUtMAfnRY/s1600/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NTBb1-iaIiU/VdIAGKFptbI/AAAAAAAALJM/yoBUtMAfnRY/s640/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Everything looked so colorful and festive.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7JSgOZvBfT0/VdJLsoWGNyI/AAAAAAAALLw/bGDy_rb4pQg/s1600/IMG_7741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7JSgOZvBfT0/VdJLsoWGNyI/AAAAAAAALLw/bGDy_rb4pQg/s640/IMG_7741.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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We found these little favor bags in the after Easter clearance stuff and they fit in with the theme perfectly. I painted the words on with white paint to look like chalk.</div>
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We filled up one of those snap-set pools for the kids to play in, and also put a sprinkler under the trampoline which was a lot of fun for them. There were also water guns and tubes of bubbles to blow.</div>
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We played a couple of water games, ate pizza, and had a great time.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GHgjp5YdVlQ/VdIAhsnjunI/AAAAAAAALLM/zPxHwyrig90/s1600/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GHgjp5YdVlQ/VdIAhsnjunI/AAAAAAAALLM/zPxHwyrig90/s640/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_28.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The day before the party my two little helpers assisted with the birthday cake making.</div>
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Since she wanted the inside to be rainbow colors we bought a neon food coloring set and two cake mixes and made 6 different colors of batter.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mT4FjM8hxpY/VdIAhXNQECI/AAAAAAAALLE/DpaeIm4POgs/s1600/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bday_30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mT4FjM8hxpY/VdIAhXNQECI/AAAAAAAALLE/DpaeIm4POgs/s640/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bday_30.jpg" width="466" /></a></div>
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We layered the multi-colored batter into the pans and hoped for the best.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C5SUohbLNBM/VdH_9jF38QI/AAAAAAAALIk/yXhIK9WN3I0/s1600/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2BBday_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C5SUohbLNBM/VdH_9jF38QI/AAAAAAAALIk/yXhIK9WN3I0/s640/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2BBday_1.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
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<i>The finished product!</i></div>
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We used purple frosting between the layers and then I piped the purple in a decorative edge around the bottom and also around the topper. We found the colorful candy flowers at Walmart and used those to help bring in some more of the rainbow colors of Lisa Frank.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CuAWVI1NM2w/VdIAdJbOh1I/AAAAAAAALKk/pKL8Eilt9DE/s1600/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CuAWVI1NM2w/VdIAdJbOh1I/AAAAAAAALKk/pKL8Eilt9DE/s640/Halie%2527s%2B8th%2Bbday_26.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is how the inside of the cake turned out and she thought it was awesome. :)</div>
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I so enjoy planning parties and being creative to accomplish them on a small budget. If it was left up to only me I would probably go overboard and decorate to the nine's and plan every little detail. But my husband keeps me balanced and reigned in and has helped me learn to simplify things so that it's not so stressful for me and therefore ends up being more enjoyable for everyone involved. :)</div>
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Little Man is already planning what he wants his party to be when it's his turn for a big party next year. He changes his mind almost daily, lol!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-39829144715416640252015-08-03T17:43:00.002-04:002015-09-05T08:24:28.529-04:00Kids'/Guest Bathroom Farmhouse Makeover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i>WARNING:</i></span></div>
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<i>*This post is picture heavy, so fortify yourself with some coffee and snacks and settle in for the long haul.*</i></div>
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Ok, so......I've been promising this makeover post for quite awhile now, but one thing after another happened (or didn't happen) and it took much longer to complete than I thought, such is life I suppose. Part of this bathroom has been done for almost a year now, but I was hesitant to share it until it was complete. I'm happy to report that it's now complete! Yay!!! Like I warned you before though, it is a bit picture heavy, but I didn't figure you'd mind too awfully much since my posts have been so few and far between lately. It was quite challenging to get decent pictures of such a small room that doesn't get any natural light, but I did the best I could and we'll just live with it. Mmmm-kay? :)</div>
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So here goes.</div>
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I'm sharing the makeover of our second bathroom....the kiddos' bathroom, and when we have company it's also the guest bath.</div>
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When we moved in the trim was dark like the rest of the house and the walls were <strike>yellow</strike> <strike>peach</strike> <strike>orange</strike>....well, it just depended on what time of day it was really. Sometimes they looked yellow, sometimes peach, sometimes down right orange.....like the rest of the walls in the house were.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tUzXIYWHDaQ/Vb1Nch1oPsI/AAAAAAAALD0/AYx6heBB0nc/s1600/Bathroom%2B1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tUzXIYWHDaQ/Vb1Nch1oPsI/AAAAAAAALD0/AYx6heBB0nc/s640/Bathroom%2B1_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It had an oddly placed towel bar, brass/gold colored knobs (well actually it only had one doorknob, the one for the linen closet was missing and I went ahead and bought an oil rubbed bronze one that I found on clearance.) The tub is small, typical for a manufactured home, so we bought a curved shower rod for it right off the bat to give just a couple of more inches of room in there.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajZtRLIe6NQ/Vb1NfqNEJrI/AAAAAAAALEE/Ge9iC8-qk8w/s1600/Bathroom%2B4_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajZtRLIe6NQ/Vb1NfqNEJrI/AAAAAAAALEE/Ge9iC8-qk8w/s640/Bathroom%2B4_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The floors had a very orange-y hue that matched the walls quite nicely really, but they drove me crazy. Especially the black "grout" lines and the off-centered way the tiles were laid (and not well, I might add. You could see the plywood subfloor in between some of the tiles!).</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k42_wK_KBzQ/Vb1NdR-efnI/AAAAAAAALD8/OU0e1yWupW8/s1600/Bathroom%2B2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k42_wK_KBzQ/Vb1NdR-efnI/AAAAAAAALD8/OU0e1yWupW8/s640/Bathroom%2B2_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The mirror and vanity were pretty much builder grade I guess you could say. The counter top was a grayish blue, the boring sink was old and the finish was wearing off (no matter how much we cleaned it it still never looked clean), the light was brassy and boring, and it had a hand towel holder that was placed much too high. I guess I had already removed it when I took these pictures.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLQ-Gp7PhwA/Vb1NgwSbTaI/AAAAAAAALEM/-nc9mMR3slQ/s1600/Bathroom%2B3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLQ-Gp7PhwA/Vb1NgwSbTaI/AAAAAAAALEM/-nc9mMR3slQ/s640/Bathroom%2B3_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Scuzzy orange flat paint that was filthy.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88QTpKDwHgU/Vb1NiO6UMBI/AAAAAAAALEY/zVKspek6O-U/s1600/Bathroom%2B5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88QTpKDwHgU/Vb1NiO6UMBI/AAAAAAAALEY/zVKspek6O-U/s640/Bathroom%2B5_1.jpg" width="404" /></a></div>
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SO much orange!!!!</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">BUT......</span></i></div>
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Some fresh coats of paint, crisp white trim, a new light, new flooring, a new vanity, a new shower curtain and towels, a little beadboard, and some decorative accents later and it was all MUCH improved!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ucuMA2lbSYI/Vb1NiEinIEI/AAAAAAAALEU/Lu_6-HWJ1Sc/s1600/Bathroom%2B6_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ucuMA2lbSYI/Vb1NiEinIEI/AAAAAAAALEU/Lu_6-HWJ1Sc/s640/Bathroom%2B6_1.jpg" width="344" /></a></div>
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I painted the room gray, Benjamin Moore's Rockport Gray at 50% to be exact. It took me FIVE tries to get the color right!! I also painted all the trim a fresh glossy, off-the-shelf white to brighten the place up even more.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-veXFKQCGl18/Vb1OEc5euuI/AAAAAAAALE8/mOpyQXqIPbk/s1600/Bathroom%2B11_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-veXFKQCGl18/Vb1OEc5euuI/AAAAAAAALE8/mOpyQXqIPbk/s640/Bathroom%2B11_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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One of the most fun things in the makeover was the shower curtain I made. You might remember that I shared that, and the tutorial for it, last year. It can be found {<a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/2014/02/painters-dropcloth-becomes-diy-grain.html" target="_blank">here</a>}. I had an idea of what I wanted in here, but the closest thing I could find was $40 and I didn't want to spend $40 on a shower curtain so I made my own....for $14 and loved it a WHOLE lot more than the original one I was thinking of buying. It's so unique and fun.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xRgGxgMefM/Vb1NjSopnwI/AAAAAAAALEk/WLphJ5ZPd1U/s1600/Bathroom%2B7_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xRgGxgMefM/Vb1NjSopnwI/AAAAAAAALEk/WLphJ5ZPd1U/s640/Bathroom%2B7_1.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
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We changed out the vinyl floor tiles for something much less citrusy. These tiles weren't my first choice, but the ones I loved were <i>much</i> too expensive, I just couldn't afford them. So I went with these cheap ones from Lowes. They have quite a bit of beige in them and you wouldn't think that beige and gray would pair well together, but the walls have just enough "greige" tint to them, and the tiles have accents of gray as well as the beveled "grout" lines being gray and they work together just fine. Plus, I figure that down the road if I change my mind about the gray walls, the floors should be neutral enough to go well with something else. These tiles were inexpensive to begin with, but then I used an online promo code and got them even cheaper. I think I paid less than $30 for all of it. And notice that I had Hubby lay them even, with nice straight lines, not off-centered like the old tiles were. It pleases my eye so much better and just gives it a nice clean look.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UITQxf5m4KQ/Vb1Nk3IQbXI/AAAAAAAALE0/Pv3Rt5oLtPU/s1600/Bathroom%2B8_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UITQxf5m4KQ/Vb1Nk3IQbXI/AAAAAAAALE0/Pv3Rt5oLtPU/s640/Bathroom%2B8_1.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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On the left wall we added bead board that I painted white, new baseboards, and some chair rail to top it off. It added SO much character to the room!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GrYyyhLM6uU/Vb1NkCIGtjI/AAAAAAAALEs/U_1rQuvdSGA/s1600/Bathroom%2B9_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GrYyyhLM6uU/Vb1NkCIGtjI/AAAAAAAALEs/U_1rQuvdSGA/s640/Bathroom%2B9_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We also added vintage coat hooks to be used as towel holders. Notice that they're all different? I love to mix and match. :) They were a bit rusty so I coated them with a few coats of clear sealant spray to help keep them from rusting further with damp towels being placed on them, and also to keep the rust from rubbing off on said towels. I wanted hooks instead of towel bars so that it would be easier for the kids to hang their own towels up. We also placed them down a bit lower than you normally would so that the kids can reach them.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H99tyknYnzI/Vb1NbTLk5nI/AAAAAAAALDs/o2P8sYj1jLE/s1600/Bathroom%2B10_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H99tyknYnzI/Vb1NbTLk5nI/AAAAAAAALDs/o2P8sYj1jLE/s640/Bathroom%2B10_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I found new towels that have stripes of "greige" that go really well with the rest of the room.</div>
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Above the bead board on this left wall I have a miniature gallery wall.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3bCRoh_AFDA/Vb1Op29JFwI/AAAAAAAALG8/0U5U3HbA1wQ/s1600/Bathroom%2B27_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3bCRoh_AFDA/Vb1Op29JFwI/AAAAAAAALG8/0U5U3HbA1wQ/s640/Bathroom%2B27_1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is a cell phone picture. The bathroom is so small I just couldn't zoom out far enough with my DSLR camera since I don't have a wide angle lens. So the quality of these next couple of pictures is a bit off, and the chair rail looks bent, but at least you get the idea.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fs42hI48_h4/Vb1OqDl8gbI/AAAAAAAALHA/YymIOS4dwRc/s1600/Bathroom%2B28_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fs42hI48_h4/Vb1OqDl8gbI/AAAAAAAALHA/YymIOS4dwRc/s640/Bathroom%2B28_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hung bath time pictures of my kiddos from when they were babies, and then a more current photo of the two of them together. I added in pictures of each of their initials to add a cheery splash of red to the mix so that the room wouldn't be too monochromatic, plus y'all know I love me some red! (I guess I'll have to expand this gallery wall in about 5 more months. :D) I already had the two smaller frames, and the three wider frames I got for 50¢ each at a church rummage sale. The license plate in the middle is German, I found it at a vintage booth at a local quilt festival. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HRvscC0DaCY/Vb1OrK0O10I/AAAAAAAALHM/Zr6o2IF1KxU/s1600/Bathroom%2B29_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HRvscC0DaCY/Vb1OrK0O10I/AAAAAAAALHM/Zr6o2IF1KxU/s640/Bathroom%2B29_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The other part of the gallery wall is this little "vintage" knock- off clock I made. You can read about how I turned a $4 Walmart clock into a "vintage" cutie and saved $56 while I was it! </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">See that {<a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-diy-knock-off-makeover.html" target="_blank">here</a>}.</span></div>
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Now let's look at the right side of the room.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSSnc5wmE-4/Vb1OFmAsu0I/AAAAAAAALFE/Oq12is_Y2tk/s1600/Bathroom%2B12_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSSnc5wmE-4/Vb1OFmAsu0I/AAAAAAAALFE/Oq12is_Y2tk/s640/Bathroom%2B12_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Originally, there was a hand towel holder, the circle/ring kind, mounted above the sink on the wall, but it was too high and too hard for little ones to manage to put the towel back. So I installed a hook lower down on their level next to the linen closet instead. We also put in a new sink/vanity, but we'll get to that in a minute.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IuNIaP5rM7M/Vb1OGCYoiDI/AAAAAAAALFM/qte4b_QYREs/s1600/Bathroom%2B13_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IuNIaP5rM7M/Vb1OGCYoiDI/AAAAAAAALFM/qte4b_QYREs/s640/Bathroom%2B13_1.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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My 4 year old still can't reach the sink all the way and needs a stool to stand on. I found this cute little wooden one at a local antique/junk store for $8 and I love how the wood adds a spot of warmth to the room. If it was all gray and black and white it could be kind of cold feeling, but the wood adds a nice contrast that helps balance it out. A coat of clear wax helps protect it from moisture damage.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nM4fWEZAiZs/Vb1OH00z7VI/AAAAAAAALFY/9ohZc8gi1V8/s1600/Bathroom%2B15_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nM4fWEZAiZs/Vb1OH00z7VI/AAAAAAAALFY/9ohZc8gi1V8/s400/Bathroom%2B15_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The walls and trim were painted, the beadboard and hooks were up, and the new shower curtain was up almost a year ago, but the room still had the old orange-ish vanity. I couldn't find what I wanted for a long time, plus we couldn't afford a new one for quite awhile. But then my little Etsy business took off and I saved up and finally found {<i><a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_492894-444-C21130D-SS_4294684460%2B4294566058__?zipCode=32608&address2=&state=FL&address1=3500+Sw+Archer+Road&catalogId=10051&productId=50041108&pl=1&city=Gainesville&selectedLocalStoreBeanArray=%5Bcom.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%406f1e6f1e%5D&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&storeNumber=0418&langId=-1&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&storeId=10151&facetInfo=1" target="_blank">this</a>}</i> really cute vanity/sink combo. I showed it to Hubby and he approved so I ordered it. What neither of us thought about until we got it home was how the plumbing was situated. One of my non-negotiable requirements for a new vanity was that it <i>had</i> to have drawers. This was the only one I could find that I liked, was the right size, and had drawers. But what we discovered was that the plumbing was actually situated on the right....in the way of the drawers. But thankfully handy Hubby was able to switch them around and make it work.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pGkU-Gv_-9k/Vb1OHorN6PI/AAAAAAAALFU/O5TqIteMpU4/s1600/Bathroom%2B14_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pGkU-Gv_-9k/Vb1OHorN6PI/AAAAAAAALFU/O5TqIteMpU4/s640/Bathroom%2B14_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I spray painted the knobs to make them match the rest of the hardware in the room and it fits the space perfectly. I love that it's more narrow in depth than the old one. It gives a couple of inches more room and makes it feel just that much bigger in there. I love that the bead board insets match the bead board on the opposite wall, too.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iO8wrCENvUQ/Vb1OJe8z7LI/AAAAAAAALFk/3mjY7Qjuhbk/s1600/Bathroom%2B16_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iO8wrCENvUQ/Vb1OJe8z7LI/AAAAAAAALFk/3mjY7Qjuhbk/s640/Bathroom%2B16_1.jpg" width="434" /></a></div>
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Here's a full view of the sink area with the linen closet in the background. You can see I replaced the brass light and painted the mirror white as well.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWh5qmP2h_Y/Vb1OJ_XVQcI/AAAAAAAALFs/fXmLXOsnShs/s1600/Bathroom%2B18_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWh5qmP2h_Y/Vb1OJ_XVQcI/AAAAAAAALFs/fXmLXOsnShs/s640/Bathroom%2B18_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There's a story behind this cute barn style light fixture. When we first moved back to Florida and were living in the rental house, the kids and I went yard saling one morning and came across a sale that had lots of things that were just my style. One thing she had was this light fixture, but she was asking more than I could afford and since we were still in the rental house and I wasn't positive I would actually need/use it I passed it up. Well, the nice lady invited us to visit her church and we ended up attending there permanently. So a year later when I was ready to re-do this bathroom I happened to think about that light fixture I had seen at her sale. I didn't figure there was much chance that she still had it, but I sent her a message to check just in case. I couldn't believe it when she texted back and said she did indeed still have it and that I could have it for free! <i>(I had found a similar one, but just a single sconce, online for $143!!! )</i> I was so excited! I couldn't convince her to take any money for it, so I took her out to lunch instead. :)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-407BvXQX7bM/Vb1OKhSyg5I/AAAAAAAALF0/-falFqsFN1Y/s1600/Bathroom%2B19_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-407BvXQX7bM/Vb1OKhSyg5I/AAAAAAAALF0/-falFqsFN1Y/s640/Bathroom%2B19_1.jpg" width="584" /></a></div>
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Isn't this faucet the most adorable thing ever?!? I just love it to itsty bitsy squishy little pieces!!! And I got it for free, too! Well....basically for free. I make a little bit from Amazon each month or sometimes every other month and I had a few of the gift cards saved up and was able to order this for free. I just love the old fashioned style of it. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> (The link for it will be at the end of the post if you're interested.)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHSPFXnwspY/Vb1OLTdARcI/AAAAAAAALF8/Ni1RYbbuIdU/s1600/Bathroom%2B20_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHSPFXnwspY/Vb1OLTdARcI/AAAAAAAALF8/Ni1RYbbuIdU/s640/Bathroom%2B20_1.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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We use this little miniature galvanized bucket to hold the kids toothbrushes and toothpaste.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r96k3AaZqDE/Vb1OMS7tSaI/AAAAAAAALGE/cJN2VQpNd1E/s1600/Bathroom%2B21_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r96k3AaZqDE/Vb1OMS7tSaI/AAAAAAAALGE/cJN2VQpNd1E/s640/Bathroom%2B21_1.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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I even spray painted the night light to match the room, lol!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQr5Mrq79ts/Vb1ONxCZPNI/AAAAAAAALGM/NHBvQAc6Its/s1600/Bathroom%2B22_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQr5Mrq79ts/Vb1ONxCZPNI/AAAAAAAALGM/NHBvQAc6Its/s640/Bathroom%2B22_1.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another cell phone picture.</td></tr>
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To the left of the sink is the toilet area. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S-EtpZm_TJc/Vb1OPtjL_cI/AAAAAAAALGU/wG2V4gV-aA0/s1600/Bathroom%2B23_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S-EtpZm_TJc/Vb1OPtjL_cI/AAAAAAAALGU/wG2V4gV-aA0/s640/Bathroom%2B23_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hung an old soda crate on the wall to hold some necessities as well as some decor items. Another spot of weathered wood further helps to warm up the room. On the top we keep extra hand towels folded up, and to the right of that are a couple of reproduction metal weights I found at Hobby Lobby a few years ago.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x3okIF0K9Vs/Vb1Om-TwuVI/AAAAAAAALGk/92zmtLVn1Ss/s1600/Bathroom%2B24_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x3okIF0K9Vs/Vb1Om-TwuVI/AAAAAAAALGk/92zmtLVn1Ss/s640/Bathroom%2B24_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I got the license plate at a yard sale for 10¢ and it adds a quirky splash of red to this side of the room to balance out the red initials on the opposite wall. The crate also keeps some extra TP handy for guests who don't want to go rootin' through cupboards and closets searching for more when they're in desperate need. :) The other decorative piece of this display is a "jar" full of vintage clothespins. The "jar" is actually an antique street lamp cover that my grandpa gave me. It's open on both ends so we have to be careful when we move it to clean.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ALogMH6GqVk/Vb1OmqiJTKI/AAAAAAAALGc/U1DML8lRg-c/s1600/Bathroom%2B25_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="610" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ALogMH6GqVk/Vb1OmqiJTKI/AAAAAAAALGc/U1DML8lRg-c/s640/Bathroom%2B25_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also in the same area we find a toilet paper stand. There was no TP holder when we moved in and since the kids are small and couldn't reach across to the opposite wall, and placing it on the side of the vanity would be too squished, I opted for this stand to keep it within reach of the kids small arms. A little galvanized basket I got at a thrift store for 99¢ helps disguise the kids's bathroom wipes on the back of the toilet. And the trash can? Well it's a repurposed galvanized vintage flour bin. :)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ra5HTNS11c/Vb1OoEgsYAI/AAAAAAAALG0/Ju_qr2CD5MY/s1600/Bathroom%2B26_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ra5HTNS11c/Vb1OoEgsYAI/AAAAAAAALG0/Ju_qr2CD5MY/s640/Bathroom%2B26_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another cheap little makeover project for this room was the other light that is mounted on the ceiling. Previously it was brassy and gaudy looking with a textured glass round globe. Very 90's style. They are/were all throughout this home and slowly but surely we're updating them as we can. This makeover cost me a whopping 99¢! I had Hubby remove the metal part and I spray painted it Oil Rubbed Bronze that I already had. The globe part is actually from a ceiling fan I think and it cost me 99¢ at a thrift store. I like how it looks like a miniature vintage school style light now.</div>
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SO......that pretty much sums up everything that was done in here on this makeover project. Now let's take a look at some side by side before and after comparisons just for the fun of it.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SFwTk6x-88s/Vb1OsZQ5lEI/AAAAAAAALHU/i1vkeOHIbZY/s1600/Bathroom%2B30_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SFwTk6x-88s/Vb1OsZQ5lEI/AAAAAAAALHU/i1vkeOHIbZY/s640/Bathroom%2B30_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AW3rfQ9BLts/Vb1OxBakneI/AAAAAAAALHw/_JAaeVtdd6s/s1600/Bathroom%2B32_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AW3rfQ9BLts/Vb1OxBakneI/AAAAAAAALHw/_JAaeVtdd6s/s640/Bathroom%2B32_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bx2x3D0J0M/Vb1Owwl6dXI/AAAAAAAALHs/2dD4oXtvWCc/s1600/Bathroom%2B34_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bx2x3D0J0M/Vb1Owwl6dXI/AAAAAAAALHs/2dD4oXtvWCc/s640/Bathroom%2B34_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2lbmHLumyuQ/Vb1OvYI8F3I/AAAAAAAALHk/CfttyYvF3oA/s1600/Bathroom%2B33_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2lbmHLumyuQ/Vb1OvYI8F3I/AAAAAAAALHk/CfttyYvF3oA/s640/Bathroom%2B33_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQo4ywnO2U4/Vb1OtaQVCPI/AAAAAAAALHc/wmg24Fl5AE8/s1600/Bathroom%2B31_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQo4ywnO2U4/Vb1OtaQVCPI/AAAAAAAALHc/wmg24Fl5AE8/s640/Bathroom%2B31_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope you've enjoyed this tour of our guest/kids' bathroom farmhouse style makeover, and thank you to my faithful readers that are still around even though I haven't been a very good blogger lately. </div>
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August is looking to be a busy month for us with my daughter's 8th birthday party coming up soon, swimming trips to the nearby springs, visits to the big city 45 minutes away for midwife appts, and towards the end of the month an ultrasound to find out if this little person growing inside me is a boy or a girl! I can't wait!! :D</div>
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I hope you're having a fantastic summer!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Sharing over at:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2015/08/wow-us-wednesdays-233.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Wow Us Wednesdays #233 - Savvy Southern Style</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2015/09/pj-295-an-upcycled-link-party.html" target="_blank">PJ #295 - Funky Junk Interiors</a></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-74431337697958582502015-06-19T09:00:00.000-04:002015-06-19T10:11:43.174-04:00Sprucin' Up the Porch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello my faithful readers!</div>
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Today I'm bringing you a story. A story of a sad sad little porch, neglected and forlorn, looking abandoned for the entire year and a half that the owners lived there. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_WZ-o8haj0/VYQIL5bMiRI/AAAAAAAALCc/EH8ACqhKLzQ/s1600/Deck%2B1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_WZ-o8haj0/VYQIL5bMiRI/AAAAAAAALCc/EH8ACqhKLzQ/s640/Deck%2B1_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was home to dirty towels and knocked over chairs, stinky socks left out in the rain by little children that can't stand to wear shoes. A plastic folding table that sometimes served as a patio table was knocked over in a storm and no one ever cared enough to pick it up again or even to (gasp!) put it back in the shed where it belonged. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--HHTcuDRg-Q/VYQIKylXitI/AAAAAAAALCU/jUkkjR_NB3E/s1600/Deck%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--HHTcuDRg-Q/VYQIKylXitI/AAAAAAAALCU/jUkkjR_NB3E/s640/Deck%2B2.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
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It was empty and cold and no one wanted to spend much time there. It simply served as a walkway to get from the backyard into the house.</div>
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But...in the owner's defense, she<i> had</i> been searching and searching for a nice used patio set with 6 chairs to put on the deck, but after months and months of waiting for a good deal, she had just not found the right one. New sets were way too expensive, and any used sets that did show up on the local yard sale sites were either too junky, not a style that would fit the owner's taste, OR they were located too far away to be worth it. So....sad and neglected the little porch stayed.</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">BUT THEN...........</span></i></div>
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One Saturday night the owner was on her way to pick up pizza for her family for dinner and she made a quick stop at Walmart to pick up a couple of necessities. She parked by the garden center (which she hadn't been in for months) and quickly made her way in and out so that her family wouldn't starve before she made it home with the pizza. But on her speedy trail through the garden center and into the store she spied a cute little patio set that was marked $99. "<i>Hmmmmmm...</i>" she thought to herself, "<i>my little budget could handle $99, and that cute little set could make do until I can afford something bigger." </i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_NHoEB4QQes/VYQINsmhDtI/AAAAAAAALCk/REMshD_oqtU/s1600/Deck%2B3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_NHoEB4QQes/VYQINsmhDtI/AAAAAAAALCk/REMshD_oqtU/s640/Deck%2B3_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So that very night she transferred some of her hard earned money from her little shop into their bank account and first thing Monday morning she headed back to purchase that little set. She also perused the clearance plant section and bought some .98¢ plants and a $6 mixed container planter. That afternoon while her children were having quiet time in their rooms she worked on putting the patio set together. Then that evening once the sun had started to set and the porch was finally in the shade she set to work planting all those clearance plants into pots and buckets she already had. </div>
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She scrubbed up the plastic Adirondack chairs that were scattered around the yard and brought them all back to live on the porch again. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tabpv4T3-SY/VYQIRmZAg3I/AAAAAAAALC0/xaw1vaTJObY/s1600/Deck%2B5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tabpv4T3-SY/VYQIRmZAg3I/AAAAAAAALC0/xaw1vaTJObY/s640/Deck%2B5_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihpTHhqZqVc/VYQISLl80wI/AAAAAAAALC4/Ss8EQgLfo7g/s1600/Deck%2B6_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihpTHhqZqVc/VYQISLl80wI/AAAAAAAALC4/Ss8EQgLfo7g/s640/Deck%2B6_1.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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She brought out one of her much loved crates to serve as a plant stand.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EcDa-_84qww/VYQITQ9sHHI/AAAAAAAALDE/-7isbT9TQgA/s1600/Deck%2B7_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EcDa-_84qww/VYQITQ9sHHI/AAAAAAAALDE/-7isbT9TQgA/s640/Deck%2B7_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-7YmaZSS00/VYQIXqvTs7I/AAAAAAAALDQ/ihQavqJIn7E/s1600/Deck%2B8_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-7YmaZSS00/VYQIXqvTs7I/AAAAAAAALDQ/ihQavqJIn7E/s640/Deck%2B8_1.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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The little $3 yard sale chair that never got painted like it was supposed to actually looked very cute with its new coordinating container plant sitting on it.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rc2JFZcdBu8/VYQIW-NHLLI/AAAAAAAALDM/Q90g3y1hlZs/s1600/Deck%2B9_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rc2JFZcdBu8/VYQIW-NHLLI/AAAAAAAALDM/Q90g3y1hlZs/s640/Deck%2B9_1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUWxkrFJ4cQ/VYQIHO0HMlI/AAAAAAAALB8/BXrN949ZC_Q/s1600/Deck%2B10_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUWxkrFJ4cQ/VYQIHO0HMlI/AAAAAAAALB8/BXrN949ZC_Q/s640/Deck%2B10_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AcfpjUIOpvE/VYQIHWSPN3I/AAAAAAAALCA/M4MFdcryp7k/s1600/Deck%2B11_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AcfpjUIOpvE/VYQIHWSPN3I/AAAAAAAALCA/M4MFdcryp7k/s640/Deck%2B11_1.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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And finally....<i>finally</i> the little porch was happy and welcoming and the family began to spend time out there each day, eating breakfast under the cute little umbrella, sucking on popsicles in the hot afternoon sun. Even the pets seemed to enjoy it better. And in the fall, when the weather turns cool enough again, the family will probably eat almost every meal out here and will immensely enjoy its new found cheery atmosphere.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVtd2KWCLig/VYQIH4SXHkI/AAAAAAAALCE/UF2irJhdrgk/s1600/Deck%2B12_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVtd2KWCLig/VYQIH4SXHkI/AAAAAAAALCE/UF2irJhdrgk/s640/Deck%2B12_1.jpg" width="556" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The End.</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">** The <strike>funny</strike> aggravating part of this story is that <i>TWO DAYS</i> after I purchased the little 4 seater patio set for $99, a nice 6 seater used set <i>finally</i> came up on a yard sale site, in my local town, a nice style, decent shape, for $125. I just shook my head in defeat. Oh well, you can't win 'em all. **</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-87887359803322267362015-06-03T10:15:00.000-04:002015-06-03T10:15:18.493-04:00Two Exciting Things to Share!<div style="text-align: center;">
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I have two exciting things to share with you today. </div>
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First up, my very good friend Wendy just opened her first Etsy shop TODAY!! I'm so excited for her! She's been working very hard designing and sewing and getting ready for this and I wanted to share her <i>adorable</i> pillow covers with you all. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R7XKuFmfaZw/VW8HpFaOZ9I/AAAAAAAALBI/x2VbAkw7BdU/s1600/peekpillows1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R7XKuFmfaZw/VW8HpFaOZ9I/AAAAAAAALBI/x2VbAkw7BdU/s640/peekpillows1.jpg" width="634" /></a></div>
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She calls them "peek pillows" because the ticking material "peeks" out of the side.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j2W8sSoJWqs/VW8IchSIKUI/AAAAAAAALBY/l7i9M8MenT4/s1600/peekpillows4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="598" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j2W8sSoJWqs/VW8IchSIKUI/AAAAAAAALBY/l7i9M8MenT4/s640/peekpillows4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Aren't they just the <i>cutest </i>things ever?!? </div>
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She's very detail oriented so I know that these pillow covers will be very well made.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WVoZbcp7e4Y/VW8IchPKzeI/AAAAAAAALBc/uWF_VkCJZ6Y/s1600/peekpillows3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WVoZbcp7e4Y/VW8IchPKzeI/AAAAAAAALBc/uWF_VkCJZ6Y/s640/peekpillows3.jpg" width="628" /></a></div>
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These are only part of the designs she's offering right now, so be sure to visit her shop and see the rest! Share the love, spread the word, give her a "like" or two on her products, and maybe even send some business her way! </div>
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You can find her shop here: </div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PeekPillowOriginals" target="_blank">PeekPillowOriginals </a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>Now, onto the second exciting thing.</i></span></div>
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Have you ever seen this image before?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33wgz4lMDOc/VW8JfXkaPsI/AAAAAAAALBo/EWpzYnT5Qos/s1600/crafty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33wgz4lMDOc/VW8JfXkaPsI/AAAAAAAALBo/EWpzYnT5Qos/s400/crafty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Well.....that's me!!</div>
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I'm busy making a 3rd little person for our family who is due in early January. We're very excited and thankful for this added blessing from the Lord. And let's be honest here, maybe just a little bit nervous too. I feel like I'm starting all over since my last baby was 4.5 years ago! :)</div>
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Well, that's all for today. </div>
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I've changed up the living room for the summer months, it's nothing grand or glorious or magazine worthy, just real and simple. I'll share it with you soon.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-24757288460960569262015-05-14T18:48:00.001-04:002015-05-20T10:22:16.315-04:00Mix-N-Match Spring Table Setting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I don't know about where you live, but here in northern Florida spring is basically gone and done with. We've moved right into hot and humid summer-like weather. I'm sure most bloggers that are better at keeping up with things than I am are already posting red, white, and blue Memorial Day and/or 4th of July table scape ideas. I realize I'm quite behind the times posting a spring table setting this late in the game, but if you've been around these here parts long enough then you'll know that's just how I roll. I feel no obligation to the blogging world's schedule and I'll get to it when I get to it. :D</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nN34CPx04wU/VVVXQmMMq-I/AAAAAAAAK_g/TwjjYGW4-qo/s1600/Spring%2BTable%2B1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nN34CPx04wU/VVVXQmMMq-I/AAAAAAAAK_g/TwjjYGW4-qo/s640/Spring%2BTable%2B1_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So...on to today's post. I've had this pale yellow and blue combination on our dining room table since a little before Easter and I have enjoyed it so much. I decided to get out my mismatched dishes and make a table setting to show you all. Pretty much everything on the table is second-hand treasures (including the table and chairs themselves).<br />
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The blue and white buffalo checked vintage tablecloth was a yard sale find a couple of years ago. You can tell it had lots of use by the softness and perfectly worn texture it has. It even has a place where a hole was lovingly stitched up.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-7ka7bRsRc/VVVXmVZI2FI/AAAAAAAAK_0/qlwg7232Gws/s1600/Spring%2BTable%2B3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-7ka7bRsRc/VVVXmVZI2FI/AAAAAAAAK_0/qlwg7232Gws/s640/Spring%2BTable%2B3_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The placemats were a recent purchase at a local 2nd hand shop for $1 each, and the canning jars have been collected here and there and we use them everyday to drink from.</div>
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The silverware has been collected piece by piece at different yard sales and thrift stores. None of it matches and I love it. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pyPAg8mPWZs/VVVXoHxo_EI/AAAAAAAALAA/QYZjNCqT5_Y/s1600/Spring%2BTable%2B5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pyPAg8mPWZs/VVVXoHxo_EI/AAAAAAAALAA/QYZjNCqT5_Y/s640/Spring%2BTable%2B5_1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The white basket weave plates were a church rummage sale find, and the little vintage dessert plates are from a local thrift store. I love that each one has a different pattern and color, and some have smooth edges while others have scalloped edges. We use both style of plates just about every day.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BklxRlrs1gA/VVVXrYcnjRI/AAAAAAAALAI/NJMLA8N22XA/s1600/Spring%2BTable%2B6_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BklxRlrs1gA/VVVXrYcnjRI/AAAAAAAALAI/NJMLA8N22XA/s640/Spring%2BTable%2B6_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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These sweet little lanterns were a thrift store find for $2 each. I think they were originally from Target.</div>
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The pitcher is also a thrift store purchase, and the fresh hydrangea blooms were cut from the yard.</div>
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I just love the combination of the checkered and the floral patterns.</div>
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I thought it all blended well for a cheery mix-n-match combination. Simple, everything secondhand, everything cheap....just my style. :D</div>
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In other news, I'm hoping to be able to get the kids' bathroom completed someday before I'm old and feeble. I've had the sink/vanity and tiles waiting for weeks now, but Hubs has been so busy on the weekends with his side work that we haven't been able to get to it yet. Someday.....I keep telling myself....someday.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115305384983859877.post-23911141858031271232015-04-13T21:19:00.000-04:002015-04-13T21:19:31.689-04:00Springtime Activity<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey everybody! Long time no blog! If you don't follow me on Facebook then I'm sure by now you're probably convinced that I've been whisked away to the witness protection program, or that maybe all my fingers were broken in a freak accident and I couldn't type. But alas, no...I'm still around, with all 10 fingers in good working order, I just haven't had time to blog lately.</div>
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I have some posts coming up in a couple of weeks that will be fun before and after makeovers. I was going to share them before they were finished because I didn't really have anything else to blog about, but then I just procrastinated and got really busy and it never happened. But now I'm kind of glad I didn't because I'm all set to add the finishing touches!</div>
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In the mean time, I thought I'd share a bit of what's going on around the "farm" that's been keeping me busy. Of course homeschooling my kiddos is a big thing, my Etsy shop orders keep me hopping, and I'm still teaching a kids' class at church, but besides all of that here's what's been happening lately.</div>
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We got our winter garden tilled up and the summer garden is off to a good start. We've planted 5, 50' rows of corn. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be doing as well this year as it did last year. I don't think this new variety we tried likes the sandy Florida soil very much.</div>
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On the other hand, the peas seem to be doing really well so far and we're pleased with their progress.</div>
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We've also got 4 rows of bush beans planted so far and they're starting to pop up.</div>
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Hubs built these trellis contraptions with scrap wood so that we can try out some pole beans this year. I'm sure the kids will love playing in the shady tunnel once the vines start growing well.</div>
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We bought a big rain barrel at a yard sale for $5 and it has become our compost bin. It's about 3/4 full now and so heavy I can hardly flip it anymore to keep it mixed up. In the background you can see the tree swing Hubby built for the kids last year. They spend SO much time playing on it! They love to twist it all up and then just spin like crazy all the while throwing their heads back laughing with gleeful abandon. </div>
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I keep this enamelware bucket under the counter in the kitchen so that I can toss all my fruit and veggie scraps into it while I'm cooking. I also add eggshells and coffee grounds, then once it's full I take it out and dump it into the big barrel. The lid helps keep the smell contained and we change out the grocery bag in it each time to help with the smell also. Our neighbor brings us plenty of manure that we mix in to the big barrel, as well as ash from our firepit, and leaves and grass from the yard. We hope it will make a big improvement in our sandy soil once it's ready.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rky4LyAjkIw/VSwX702cJ0I/AAAAAAAAK9k/HlrF4AfN_n0/s1600/Clothesline%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rky4LyAjkIw/VSwX702cJ0I/AAAAAAAAK9k/HlrF4AfN_n0/s1600/Clothesline%2B1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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In other news on the "farm," Hubs built me a clothesline! Yay!! I LOVE using it! He used limbs from a tree that fell during a storm and I love its rustic look. He made the lines low for me since I'm such a shorty and it makes it nice for the kids also because they love to help. Even the 4 year old likes to get in on the action, thus the little red chair he drug over there so that he could reach. I love my little helpers! :)</div>
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And this little uniform is a sign of another thing eating up my time lately...T-ball! With games and practices a few times a week it keeps us hopping. But it's SO much fun to watch them, and our lil' guy is having a lot of fun with it.</div>
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Hubs has taken on some side work. A man in our church is paying him to get this old thing running again. That keeps him busy in his spare time. Thankfully he has it parked behind his workshop so I don't have to look at it much. :)</div>
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Over the winter months while the grass wasn't growing he also rebuilt our mower deck. As you can see, it was completely rusted out. It had been welded and patched to death and just wasn't going to make it one more summer. The sand here just eats it up.</div>
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We have 5 acres to mow, plus we'll now be mowing the 5 acres next door to us so a good mower is essential. This zero-turn Dixie Chopper is 20 years old, but Hubs keeps it running and takes good care of it. He ordered all the parts to make the new deck and now it'll be like having a brand new mower I bet! I don't know how men know how to do these things. I think they're born with the knowledge of engines and construction already ingrained in them. It baffles me how he does it, but I sure am thankful for his skills!</div>
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And that's a little look at what's been taking up our time around here. I hope you haven't completely given up on me, I haven't given up on blogging that's for sure, but I have needed to take a break from it for a bit so that I could juggle everything else I've had going on. But like I said, I'll have some decor posts coming soon. I've been saving up my money to order some things to put the finishing touches on the kids' bathroom, and an unexpected cast-off coming our way will make a huge difference in our kids' bedrooms. I hope to be able to share all of that with you soon.</div>
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Don't give up on me, I'm still here! :D</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85971/kuntrybumpkin7/21dc17d421036c7b1f782e83034a6f24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2012 <a href="http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Old Farmhouse</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06570129561305128679noreply@blogger.com4