My List.

I've always been a list maker.

In fact, at this very moment, I could probably make a list of all the lists I've made around here.

It keeps my head clear and my mind in the right direction.  

So, I couldn't help but feel a bit giddy at the invitation to make a list of goals I have for my blog.

I've been blogging for several years now, but it wasn't until recently that I branched out and started focusing more on the "Home Projects" side of blogging. Mainly because, what once was a hobby for me, became a passion. Blogging just happened to be the icing on the cake.

As most bloggers might say, I truly enjoy blogging, regardless of how it grows. But, it's nice to take a second and reflect on what exactly I want for my blog . . . in the chance that it might.


1. Inspire Others.
First and foremost, I want to motivate readers. I want them to get out of Target and into a Goodwill. There's so many wonderful things yet to be found! You never know what kind of prize might be sitting on that dusty, dirty shelf . . .

2. Quality Posts.

I want my posts to be useful. I'd rather have 2 super great posts per week than 5 mediocre ones. 

3. Spread More Love.
There's too many great blogs out there not to. I hope to give readers great ideas, but also point them in the right direction of others that can do the same.

4. Cutting-Edge.
Things are changing all the time! With the speed at which technology is constantly being updated and changed around, it's way too easy to get left behind. I hope to spend a little more time researching new ideas and learning from the successes of others.

5. A Happy Home.
Ultimately, I want this to be a place that readers can come and feel good . . .


I hope maybe you'll take a minute and consider a few of your own blog goals. And once you have, join me and LINK UP this Friday with one of these fine party hosts:

It All Started With Paint

Eclectically Vintage

Thistlewood Farm

The Space Between

Pin It Now!

A Wine Cork Board

After getting several comments/questions about the wine cork board in the dining room, I realized I never even posted about it. If you didn't know already, it's a knock-off from on old Pottery Barn idea, and I'm sure you can imagine how simple it really is. Honestly, it's a matter of collecting all those wine corks! (Luckily, a got a little help from a few very special people...)

After getting a large piece of particle board framed out . . .

Grady and I simply started hot gluing the corks- in somewhat of a checker board pattern.

Now, it holds all the thousands of photos I take of Ross. :)

Linked up to: (Sunday) Nifty Thrifty Things, C.R.A.F.T., The Girl Creative, Homemaker on a Dime, Everything Under the Moon, Craftomaniac, Lines Across my Face, The Delectable Home, (Monday) Burlap & Denim, Making the World Cuter (Tuesday) Chef-in-Training, Sugarbee Crafts, Sassy Sites, Not Just a Housewife, Natural Nesters, Clean & Scentisible,  Uncommon (Wednesday) Blue Cricket Design, 733, Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts, Chatty Chics, Crafty Scappy Happy, Beyond the Picket Fence (Thursday) 52 Mantels, Simply Designing, Design Dazzle, See Vanessa Craft (Friday) Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk (Saturday) Six Sister's Stuff, A Little Inspiration, Too Much Time on My Hands Pin It Now!

Babytalk Magazine

I was beside myself when Holly Kapherr from Babytalk magazine contacted me a while ago and wanted to publish a picture of Ross's nursery in the upcoming March issue! She just sent me the article, and I could barely contain myself long enough to show you!

Babytalk is affilliated with Parenting magazine and is freely distributed at Babies-R-Us, BuyBuyBaby as well as Baby Depot. Although currently there isn't an online version of the magazine, you can see loads more baby decor and seriously interesting articles on their website: Babytalk.

If you'd like to see more of this nursery, click here. Pin It Now!

Party Garland

Well, I came to a decision . . . (because, I know you're dying to know)

and, I've totally and completely fallen in love with them!

In fact, I simply can't take my eyes off of them.

Find the super, super easy tutorial here.

Pin It Now!

The Easiest Curtains Ever Made

Seriously. They really are.

All you'll need is . . . 

After installing your curtain rod (I placed mine as high as I possibly could on the wall), measure the length from the rod to the floor- allowing extra fabric for finishing edges (about 2 inches). (Remember that you can always cut off fabric if you have extra, but if it's too short- it's much harder to fix!) This measurement, TIMES 2 (one for each panel) is how much burlap (or fabric of your choice) you'll need to buy. 

Once you have your fabric, simply roll it out and finish the top and bottom edges by folding under about an inch, ironing and then sewing a straight stitch. If you're using burlap, the sides are already finished, so you won't have to do a thing!

Lastly, simply pin and sew your trim at the bottom. (It's hard to tell from the picture, but my trim is orange.)

Linked up to: (Sunday) Lines Across My Face, C.R.A.F.T., Nifty Thrifty Things, Homemaker on a Dime, The Girl Creative, Craftomaniac, Everything Under the Moon, (Tuesday) Chef-in-Training, Making the World Cuter, Not Just a Housewife, Sugarbee Crafts, Sassy Sites, Natural Nesters, Organize and Decorate Everything, Uncommon, Clean & Scentsible, Chatty Chicks, Someday Crafts, Blue Cricket Design, JaQs Studio, Beyond the Picket Fence, It's Overflowing, Southern Lovely, 52 Mantels, House of Hepworths, Simply Designing, Design Dazzle, Finding Fabulous, Saved By Love Creations, Funky Junk Interiors, Tatertots & Jello, A Little Inspiration, Crafty Nest, Too Much Time on My Hands, Twigg Studios, It All Started With Paint Pin It Now!

A Toddler Pillowcase Tutorial

With Ross getting so big, it's inevitable that we'll be making the "big girl room" transition soon. And, in order to help make the transition easier, my plan is to slowly make small changes . . . one of which, is the addition of a pillow.

You probably already know IKEA makes a sweet, little toddler pillow insert . . . but I didn't see too many pillowcase choices to go along.

Using left over fabric from her curtains, I cut a piece large enough to wrap the pillow loosely (roughly 31in. x 31in).

Next, I folded the fabric in half (right sides together) and pinned it. I sewed (straight stitch and zig-zag stitch) 2 of the open edges, leaving one open end.

 Then, I finished the open side by folding it down about a 1/4in., ironed it and sewed it.

After I finished the edge, I folded (and ironed) the same edge down again- this time about 5 inches down . . .

 and sewed it all the way around my pillowcase.

At this point the actual pillowcase is done . . . the next few steps are optional!

Next, I cut an extra long strip of fabric 

(enough to go around your pillow at least 1 and a half times).

Then, I sewed a straight stitch all the way down the middle of my strip 

and tied a knot on one side.

Next, I began pulling the top string of the side opposite of the knot until it started to gather. You'll need to keep pulling the top string until the length of your fabric matches the length of your pillowcase.

Lastly, I pinned and sewed the ruffle on the pillowcase.

Linked up to: (Monday) Lines Across My Face, Nifty Thrifty Things, Making the World Cuter, C.R.A.F.T., Serendipity & Spice, Homemaker on a Dime, Everything Under the Moon, Tutus and Tea Parties, Craftomaniac, The Girl Creative (Tuesday) Not Just a Housewife , Chef in Training, Sugarbee Crafts, Sassy Sites, It All Started with Paint, Natural Nesters (Wednesday) Blue Cricket Designs, Domestically Speaking, Clean & Scentsible, Uncommon, The Thrifty Home, Organize & Decorate Everything, JAQS Studio, 733, Southern Lovely , Someday Crafts, Chatty Chicks, It's Overflowing (Thursday) Between You and Me, House of Hepworths, Beyond the Picket Fence, Saved By Love Creations, Shabby Creek Cottage, Bacon Time, (Friday) Simply Designing, Design Dazzle, Miss Mustard Seed, The Crafty Nest, A Little Inspiration, Classy Clutter, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, It All Started With Paint Pin It Now!

The Perfect Set of Bowls

I am proud to say, I found this perfect little set of stainless bowls at the Goodwill recently for $1.

Clearly, they're a hit.

Pin It Now!

Happy Valentine's Day

We're celebrating with a few of our cousins today . . . in a MOST magical place . . .

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!


Find this fun Valentine paint chip idea at Silly Eagle Books. Pin It Now!

So Long and Farewell, Doorbell.

So, I guess you're probably either laughing . . . or rolling your eyes right about now.
But, I assure you, I have two very good reasons for this new sign . . .

ONE: 
The blasted door bell "ding" is RIGHT beside Ross's room . . .  and the only time we seem get guests is inevitably when she is napping. I can't tell you how infuriating it is! She's such a light sleeper and wakes up on the drop of a dime . . . you better believe she wakes up when the UPS man dings . . . or the mailman dings . . . or the pest control dings . . .

TWO:
The doorbell is broken. *smile*

So, when I smelled the sweet smell of burnt up doorbell wires . . . I got to work.

Using a thrifted picture frame (spray painted black long ago) and Domestically Speaking's fabulous burlap printing tutorial, I made my sign.

So long and farewell, doorbell.

Linked up to: (Monday) Lines Across My Face, Nifty Thrifty Things, Making the World Cuter, C.R.A.F.T., Serendipity & Spice, Homemaker on a Dime, Everything Under the Moon, Tutus and Tea Parties, (Tuesday) The Girl Creative, Not Just a Housewife , Chef in Training, Sugarbee Crafts, Sassy Sites, It All Started with Paint (Wednesday) Blue Cricket Designs, Domestically Speaking, Clean & Scentsible, Uncommon, The Thrifty Home, Organize & Decorate Everything, JAQS Studio, 733, Southern Lovely , Someday Crafts, Chatty Chicks, It's Overflowing (Thursday) Between You and Me, House of Hepworths, Beyond the Picket Fence, Saved By Love Creations, Shabby Creek Cottage, Bacon Time, (Friday) Design Dazzle, Miss Mustard Seed, The Crafty Nest, A Little Inspiration, Classy Clutter, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors Pin It Now!

9 Super Fun Party Garland Ideas

Well, if you read carefully, then you caught that my BABY girl will be turning 2 soon. (Clearly, my attempts at stopping her from growing have failed.)

This, of course, means another party. 

I'll confess, I'm really no party planner. I have decided on a theme (which I'll reveal to you on a later date), but I'm still feeling a little overwhelmed and a bit behind. 

Nevertheless, I have had time to research a few SUPER FUN party garland ideas. Here are a few that I'm deciding between . . .

1. Oh Happy Day  2. Sunshine and Carousels  3. Etsy  4. Unknown  5. Jessica Sprague.com
6. Design Sponge  7. Made  8. A Bit of Sunshine  9. Life as a Thrifter Pin It Now!

A Family of Thrifters

I've talked about them so much, I thought it'd only be appropriate that I finally introduce to you Annie and Fleming (and also Mary Margarette). It's really and truly them I have to thank for opening my eyes to thrifting! So needless to say, I'm always excited when they come for a visit!

And, you'll be happy to know, we always seem to find a little something . . .

even the cousins.

Pin It Now!

Blog Post Trade-Off: Mommy is Coocoo

Hello! I am Amanda, and I blog at mommy is coocooo. My blog is all about fun! Whether you are laughing about the realities of marriage and motherhood or being inspired to make your everyday surroundings lovely, regardless of your budget. 

I couldn't be happier to do my first guest post at Life as a Thrifter!

My thrifty project involves two tables I purchased for $12.50 a piece when

 Nanny Needed a New Coffee Table



I don't like sanding and I don't like using primer either. I like to see results quickly! Nevertheless, the top of Nanny's table had a sheen so I lightly sanded it before I painted. I didn't sand any other part of the table. Painted furniture is more likely to chip and scratch if it is not sanded and/or primed so I frequently go with the "roughed up" look. (Some may call it Shabby Chic or distressed but my mom once said to me, "If you want to buy something that has a lot of marks or scratches on it, bang on it with your hammer and sand it a little. That is called the roughed up look."

I've been a fan of the "roughed up" look for several years now.

I  used a stencil for the chandelier and damask images on the tops. Finally, after the paint dried I lightly sanded the table(s) to reveal the dark wood underneath. The roughed up approach is best because Nanny is in college and this table will see a lot of action be used a lot. 

Which coffee table do you like best?  The readers of mommy is coocoo were almost evenly divide. The chandelier table won out by one vote, which was perfect because Nanny (who had the ultimate vote) chose the Chandelier table.

Holly - Thank you for allowing me to share today. This coocoo Momma couldn't be more grateful! If you'd like to see other coocoo projects or learn more about the whole coocoo family, head on over to mommy is coocoo.

Amanda

Pin It Now!

Baby Legs

Yep. Those are MY sweet baby's legs. 

An almost 2 year old's baby's legs to be exact.

I haven't been sewing too much lately, but I ran across this SUPER, SUPER, SUPER easy tutorial on pinterest about how to make "Baby Legs," out of socks. It seriously turned out to be the easiest sewing project ever!

You should definitely give it a-GO!
Check out the tutorial HERE. Pin It Now!

Up on the Mantel

Okay. So we swoon over Ross . . .
I'm not ashamed.

Pin It Now!