Why does the simple always become involved?

All I wanted to do was update the look in the bathroom that my 2 boys share; new wall color, paint the existing vanity with the Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations Kit, replace the medicine chest/mirror with a fun and funky surprise, new light, fun & funky towel holders, and an inspiring quote or two.

DH helped me remove the old medicine cabinet and light combo that will be upcycled to my MIL.  Boys emptied said cabinet as well as vanity.  I began removing old bathroom fixtures (towel bar, toothbrush holder) and mentioned to DH this bathroom once had wallpaper.  I found a small piece behind the toothbrush holder.  I never gave it another thought until i began to sand the painted square left behind when we removed the medicine chest.  I had assumed the "edge" was a result of too much paint build up due to not removing the cabinet when the previous owners painted.  It slowly began to dawn on me that yes there was some paint build up, but the edge was also a result of the wallpaper that had been painted over.  The wallpaper never went behind the cabinet and now I have a big square that no amount of sanding will get rid of.

What is a girl to do?  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated?

Finally, A Project Marked Off The List!

I have wanted to remodel our 1st floor half bath for a long time. I've had the image in my head for almost as long. About a month and a half ago I decided to start pulling out the quarter round and base boards to see if my idea was even in the cards. These came off easily. I was able todoall of this on my own!!! The plan was to get rid ofthe drab tan and update this little room with some Board and Batten as well as some fresh paint colors. As the project has come to completion this evening I couldn't be happier. It really did turn out the way I saw it in my head. This isn't always the case for me. I was surprised at the relative ease that the Board and Batten went up. We used Lattice forthe vertical pieces. This way there was a small recess from the Board. I love my nailer and mitersaw. They definitely made this project doable. Here are some lousy before (actually during pictures)and some fresh after pictures. Hope you like it!
This shows the small pedestal sink. It is cream and that wasn't going to work with the new colors. Luckily, we still had a lovely white pedestal sink in storage that we had removed from a project years ago. That bathroom had needed more under sink storage for the main bathroom of two growing boys. Glad we hung onto it.
This is a picture that really gives you an idea of the tan. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing exciting either. We did have a picture above the toilet on this wall, but I had already taken it down when I thought to take pictures.

This is a close up of the Board and Batten. The room is already looking better even though the painting is only half done. You can see the great new color going on above the Board and Batten. It is Martha Stewart's Aegean Blue. Yes, that is the same blue as my laundry room. I love the color and I had enough to finish this project as well.

Now to the good stuff. The room is complete as well as another project I have been working on for months. All those frames have been painted, painted again, sanded, arranged, and hung. Love the red accents as well!


We put in a smaller mirror and even though you can't really see it in the picture, the light fixture has been updated. Painted the brass and chrome with the Bronze spray paint I have used everywhere else in the house. It looks a ton better. The mirror is one I have had for years and finally found the perfect spot for it. Painted the stool with the same blue as the walls, sanded it, and it looks fantastic. The wire basket is for tp rolls and it looks like I need to get a few in there.

Another fun addition, were these old doctor's office canisters. The blue wasn't exact, but thought they were a great splash of color and fun way to store the items we do need to have in this bathroom. These came from my uncle's surgical supply business years ago. The two bottles you see have red and blue labels and hold mouthwash for each of my ds's. This is our launching pad in the mornings before school so toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash are must haves. This was such an easy way to have them get their mouthwash and no messy spills.

I have had fun sharing this makeover with you. Hope you have enjoyed it too.

Summer Projects

If I want to get a few projects completed around here I believe that I am going to have to enlist the help of my boodling buddies. Hope you both are up for the job. I'm thinking that if I let you guys in on my to do list you will keep on me, no, encourage me to get some things done. I have compiled a list of some of the projects I want to work on so here goes. Some are big and some are not very big at all, they just require that I stop reading all these blogs and get going.

1. Fan

I have had an old fan for awhile now and I really just need to clean it up and find a home for it. I think that it will eventually end up in the family room but you never know.

2. Shutters

These shutters were picked up on our junk/trash day. They are not in bad shape so I

am just going to attack with a little soap and water. I am not even planning on painting them because I like the blue color even if it is peeling

off in places. I would like to hang them on the wall going down to the basement. We'll see if we can reach that spot with a ladder or not.

3. and 4. Master Bathroom

I have a couple of projects for the master bathroom. First, I want to replace the over-the-toilet cabinet with some shelves. This project,

http://go.tipjunkie.com/dc/652/w

ww.beneathmyheart.net/2009/08/cafe-shelf-tutorial-and-giveaway/, seems like it would be great to try, only with white shelves. Also, I want to paint the room and ceiling, probably the blue that I used in the bedroom. Small room so it shouldn't take long, right?

5. Hallie's Chair

My step-dad finished with the repairs needed

on this chair for Hallie's room now all that is needed is to paint and upholster. Of course, first I have to get it off the top of the camper!

6. Table for TV Room

This little table needs a little repair. The bottom shelf is broken so I plan on taking it out and patching up any damage I do. I will most likely spray paint Heirloom White and distress a little. It will go beside one of the red chairs in the family room.

I have a few more projects that I thought about adding but I have made myself tired typing up these just these six so I am going to stop for now. I am hoping that you will inquire frequently about my progress to keep my working hard.

What have you guys got planned for the summer months? Anything I can help with?

AAAHHH Sunshine!

Well, we have finally strung together two days in a row of sunshine. It is quite encouraging. I have been able to snap a few photos of the flowers that are blooming in my yard. Thought I might share them in order to spread a little sunshine in cyber-space. The Clematis I planted last summer has 3 blooms on it. I was pretty excited to know that it made it through the drought we had. Some of the other flowers in the garden are lookingquite sweet as well; Solomon Seal, Lily of the Valley, and Siberian Iris. Enjoy!

Where is my motivation?

Hey chicks, I need some help here. I seem to have lost my motivation somewhere. I haven't been able to find it in the laundry, under the many blankets we have used to keep warm this winter, or in the pile of muddy shoes at the front door. I was wondering if I could have left it at your house? If I have, would you please stop using it and send it back to me. I really need to find it and start getting some of these projects marked off my mental "to do" list.

I do see some sun shining in the windows today. I know that will help with at least one job around here: the dusting. Maybe that momentum will carry over to others.

Hope you all can find time to get back on the creating side of things.

Come on Spring!!!

Digging out!

There will be no pictures accompanying this blog. It would be too embarrassing. I have almost finished straightening up the upstairs office. This has been a huge dumping ground for paperwork and various" homeless" items (those items that just don't seem to have a place, but can't be thrown out - yet).

Nick has been home from school again today. He is definitely well, but ran a low fever last night and slept in pretty late this morning. I figured it best to keep him home and build up his reserves before sending him back to the germ incubator. While logging Kid's Kloset items, we came across our stack of Webkinz codes. Believe it or not, he was still able to get on his account. As he sits and plays some old favorites; Goober's Lab, Cash Cow and many I can't even name, I am happily filing away all those papers, shredding ones we don't need, and figuring out what to do with the lost items. It is so much more enjoyable with his happy chatter in the background. Amazing what a little company can help me accomplish.

Hoping you guys are able to dig out from under whatever is piling up in your house or better yet, that there are no piles in your house to dig out from.