Mother of two.

I have long considered myself a mother of two. Even before my son was born, I was a mother of one. One beautiful, sweet, lovely (step)daughter. It is hard for me to call her a <em>step</em>daughter. It just doesn't seem right. She has been in my life for such a long time, she feels like part of me, so I call her my child.<br /><br />Not in a freaky stepmother kind of way, mind you. I had one of those a long time ago and learned a lot from that experience.<br /><br />I was so incredibly blessed when this girl officially came into my life nine years ago. I was <em>so</em> nervous. I knew how bad a step-relationship could be, and I did everything I could to make the experience easier for her. But I didn't need to. She and I were <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">thisclose</span></em> from the very first time we met.<br /><br />I don't know how I got so lucky. I never dealt with tantrums, never any anger, never blame. She welcomed me with sweet, open, nine-year-old arms.<br /><br />Tomorrow she graduates from high school, and as hard as I am trying to keep the tears from pouring as I type, I just can't. She is a beauty, inside and out, and I am so incredibly proud of her.<br /><br />The past nine years went by <em><strong>in a blink</strong></em>. No more begging to play Life, Sorry and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Whoville</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">opoly</span> all in one sitting. No more sitting at the table and trying to work through impossible fourth grade math problems. No more being afraid to sleep alone at night. And no more kicking us both out of bed (literally) while she slept. No more gymnastics in the family room. No more paint fights with her girlfriends when they are supposed to be painting her room. No more choir concerts, competitions, football games. No more seeing her whenever I want.<br /><br />I hope she will continue to bring her sweet, crazy, funny friends over, and raid the fridge, eat all the food and stay up so late I am staring at the clock wondering when I will get to fall asleep. I hope she will continue to do little craft projects with me. I hope she will continue to keep me as a confidant and not be afraid to tell me anything, even when it starts with "Don't tell Dad..."<br /><br />I dream of the day we drop her off at college. I think <em>this</em> is hard...leaving her there will fill me with so much pride and angst I don't know what I'll do. I dream of the day she finds the "one" and wants to start a life with him. I dream of the day she finds the job that she absolutely loves. And I dream of the day (hopefully a while from now!) that she has her own child, "step" or otherwise. So she can begin to understand <em>how deeply we love her</em>.<br /><br />For now, I will need to get through tomorrow. I am so filled with emotion...I've put off all thoughts of this day, on purpose. It was too hard to comprehend. I am so proud, so excited, so sad.<br /><br />My sweet <strike>step</strike> daughter at just a few years old, on stage with her Daddy:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiqSsw27d-hkzpze0c9x2s4nNttKHE-9cixgUH64AZqBgbS9dDVwtw0tcrvf3jYTeExO5F7cuOtBLGZlp-1CqZcVWvSaHG8CFY5vVlIVOEJNj5uBkeI6osrDf1fncFV4rGsPMYTRsfFW6/s1600-h/stagegirl.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341816876655764146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiqSsw27d-hkzpze0c9x2s4nNttKHE-9cixgUH64AZqBgbS9dDVwtw0tcrvf3jYTeExO5F7cuOtBLGZlp-1CqZcVWvSaHG8CFY5vVlIVOEJNj5uBkeI6osrDf1fncFV4rGsPMYTRsfFW6/s400/stagegirl.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Here she is on stage a young woman:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvn-CQfr4JKz2hkhimHg0JI9WIKeU4z_3AHVW-UCAnaZYuRqTNQdgQdcLkV5H6cdTpyGHkH5U0ymDdtygYpVKFk67ttl8xpARhizvCCjPP3KkLJDlGtG8UR4WPlOTH1HWFnVA-9bXL7UJ/s1600-h/stagegrad.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341816870886127682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvn-CQfr4JKz2hkhimHg0JI9WIKeU4z_3AHVW-UCAnaZYuRqTNQdgQdcLkV5H6cdTpyGHkH5U0ymDdtygYpVKFk67ttl8xpARhizvCCjPP3KkLJDlGtG8UR4WPlOTH1HWFnVA-9bXL7UJ/s400/stagegrad.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Tomorrow she'll be on stage becoming an adult. I don't know if my heart can take it.<br /><div></div></div>

Mother of two.

I have long considered myself a mother of two. Even before my son was born, I was a mother of one. One beautiful, sweet, lovely (step)daught...

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Using Ballard Designs as inspiration (part deux)

Here I go again! I tell you what, if you really look through the Ballard Designs catalog, you can find <em>so</em> many items you can make on your own, for a fraction of the price!<br /><div><div><div><div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340963724749025218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwECvPON2ghGbeDCLC36KMrAXZC1sxCo5V4qKgUq2WKlRGnL3GRyXw57_oyqB9sjTXwkNX9Y4Mka6mWW8cdOxVvrz-ugZY3p1CCnpfodykMYhHi8FfVfUh0-I0tvBnA63S9DCmmnSeDSSP/s400/ballard.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 368px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 368px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I saw this one months ago, and I've had everything for a loooong time to make it on my own. I mean, a LONG time. I kept hesitating because of my new found fear of mod podge. <div></div><div><br />I'm sceered. </div><div></div><div><br />It bubbles up EVERY time I use it. It is driving me batty. I bought a fun new tool to keep it from happening with this project, but in the end, I decided to just go with my trusty spray adhesive and it worked great! </div><div></div><div><br />This project is SOOOO easy and will take you about an hour to do. You'll need 12x12 paper -- I got this large book on sale awhile back for $9. But this would be even cheaper if you just bought the paper in singles:</div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340963732613014594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2znaCes8Sd0gqqI5AEvPds_hSdiJP_ctp1Oc5bp6VDbK-C5TgWeZZmgrmrMnLnfvPrxhv_Q18ZUKeTmjuOu1s_nfabIsflDH0kTHyUqaFiRUlCl1ORcRSdAMCabSKqzZ-5UQtIwG81wVR/s400/DSC00064.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> I had a ten foot MDF board cut down into one foot pieces at Lowe's:</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrQZnanNKdhE30D3xlyJbZgl3y2rFyKrdMXo6EO1oGuJtRaxpHvJIWFCZG0c01G0qP-d-r7z_mjUVAeU8JsLUiB7i3DR1LbS1Y-HLKJeD4spYyvAaYKqDOueZHbMATNRzu1h8JADLYeF8/s1600-h/DSC00061.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340963742879360722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrQZnanNKdhE30D3xlyJbZgl3y2rFyKrdMXo6EO1oGuJtRaxpHvJIWFCZG0c01G0qP-d-r7z_mjUVAeU8JsLUiB7i3DR1LbS1Y-HLKJeD4spYyvAaYKqDOueZHbMATNRzu1h8JADLYeF8/s400/DSC00061.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> And used a brown spray paint to spray the sides and the edges:<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340963745779745586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwD71HUKSqgnq3AVlq55SnUH-JSUymlQpRnNTYk5CxevToGRsRk05alAn6-lE9mykKdRPIE3rBCb6rixki1e8vJTBUt2n_9Xb4AuhPHugRfZcGFlEBqGxV1LAwZAV3lCcHGHSOJ4qzLyt/s400/DSC00062.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> Then spray adhesived (my made up word) the crap outta them -- the back of the paper and the front of the board. I let them both set up for about a minute, then just placed the paper on each board:<br /><div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340963749234283970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonLmROrfdWRmZxKQsrAyFmm3MadTfXflVLHZCe7VFv-1wQoO9GtTWw1HD-oi3K7FJOskmENF51N89c6OjJy2JstJpvXGsD__nQjiJ4zCu7R8aS6MMXXC9tVM0XP-Yx2VE138_DIfqlyWD/s400/DSC00063.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> </div><div>I decided to do the nine squares like Ballard:<br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340964521466066258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_d00GAwI2QtlBsAMSaa-exj3nVSIDKXR5T7acNi5rvnq9OY8nQO1SQs1dg189BCRMm6r50IDm_5azUWxVFUXxkAZdGKmhHi0K6UqVadW4Ii_Vt7LwyJyABq36N0_7DLkxZkNiuqeUUV1/s400/DSC00071.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340964512661904338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8NcocIFNpik56Isuo6dj0fKq4goFBqUxfJ0sHs1nleXEp5iNs-uU_s2xwyPECHgjZOsIMQg5M-FaS1YXz7d60S4ylO5UqR_38eeZQ81EIgVqK7Z3maRQxdiyghdHyp5qJ6rdBxuBze3u/s400/DSC00069.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I nailed them right into the wall, instead of putting brackets on the back:<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340964526455076082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvQJb-j0dygYHZduOgeqVR1vp0WPON5Om5w3qUIfIOXJQpybbcMRPnvdz5q-Q2XKJKhr_P6_7XSQn5BtRHwwCbYMpSjVinKSQ0qRHqG_dju2NYhCTT8-eL167oI3ike-Cdmiz5WvxbL7S/s400/DSC00074.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div>I love it! I bought trim to do the edges like Ballard, but now I don't know if they need it...what do you think?:</div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340964927367816226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTXCdhCuRgyuX69UGcmKfyUmIe3vtRzr1WiW9mN8Vfwmv9VAm91DMsPLDzQn3j6lthcmQQaik4H1I1BiyFpLF_ldCsiQzzBszBiGVF5WvcSVC8BsQLBfGvUNMKPtr5eVhuvQbCt9qNDG3/s400/ballard.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 368px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 368px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340964518963195490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcitLFxqXI6FFdHw7tKiQg1pqcUrDraWDK4QlKeKyNHh7C-P-l6VkV0GavrT2qKixRUoF28l2X7-jyE6IVLeX6tFgwnrK2pchuub2X8WdWT1cbd4PAUkhgv1PJSuc4-uxyUyL41txWGGp/s400/DSC00066.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I don't know I don't know! Help! I've seen this done all over blogland, and I think most people use canvases. I was being cheap -- I think all the wood for this was less than $10. Total with the wood, paper and spray paint, this cost less than $25. The Ballard version is $200! </div><div></div><div><br />Many of you asked about the arch that used to be in this space (a couple posts back). It is uber-cool...I got it from Goodwill years ago for two bucks!!:<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340964530367842402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheT2h4-bkU_3tuWIRMHev4epNaCxbh3ZA5ysIsx5jfYmnEAMCIMPvHZg6EZVruue0U-QiAip6V9LaPFqTPPlx-0XI6IsWDCuFyoxOFwbOIWsGH-UyrDMetI-Io2mHNCSlLFGAM5NGqJoN5/s400/DSC00075.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I was just <em>reallllly</em> tired of it in that spot, and needed something new. I was going to take it to Goodwill but I think I'm going to use it outside -- fun eh? </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p>To see my other Ballard inspiration project, go <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/03/using-ballard-as-inspiration-to-make-my.html">here</a>. </p>

Using Ballard Designs as inspiration (part deux)

Here I go again! I tell you what, if you really look through the Ballard Designs catalog, you can find so many items you can make on your o...

Read more »

A playroom for the kids (that works for adults too!)

<div align="center"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340215773376071794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78BgqD60wKLCTAvvAUKISYMhuXoZjhoXwcLGYJpc34NzIN5xzjTVGaWB9YjwXroYxa7wHOxPpdTA1w1sOwll8Sd6mwNkuF7kUy9myfZxxDQ7-M2G-4DcsZoxYU8T2OGZhxIbsTWTXy-6_/s400/DSC00014.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I know I've been talking about this space for a while, and today I realized I hadn't shown it to you yet! The playroom is our loft, and used to be just an adult space for watching TV, but we rarely used it for a number of reasons -- I'm not sure what those reasons are, but I'm sure there are a number of them. :)</div><br /><div align="center">We used to have our son's toys in the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2008/10/things-that-make-you-go-hmmmm.html">downstairs office</a>, but it was starting to give me the shakes. The room was too small for all the toys, and with the addition of Thomas the Train and his <em>one meeeellion</em> accessories, it was just not working. </div><br /><div align="center">So one day, I was at my girlfriend's house, sitting in her loft while the kids played and it hit me like a ton of "<em>DOY!"</em> bricks -- why not make our loft the play room? </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimz054dObRu4Z3800NCkXmBVPwnd8zVAqObygTmWXfN_x3wZJEkl-og0wfMmXBcEKqXKV0_bXeNsI-aW0DGa0fZS5wEMTUtbb2pIkk1yvY5K4imVyENm4RGulgzYxvrNfoyTM2o2xWtsbf/s1600-h/DSC00009.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340215898398367346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimz054dObRu4Z3800NCkXmBVPwnd8zVAqObygTmWXfN_x3wZJEkl-og0wfMmXBcEKqXKV0_bXeNsI-aW0DGa0fZS5wEMTUtbb2pIkk1yvY5K4imVyENm4RGulgzYxvrNfoyTM2o2xWtsbf/s400/DSC00009.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Ummm...I'm not sure why I didn't do this before. I absolutely, positively LUUUUURVE it!! I managed to add some kid fun while keeping it a space we love to hang out in too. </div><div align="center"><br />The large photo wall was already there, and it's one of two projects in this room I still want to redo. I love the wall, I'm just going to add more pics to the shelves soon:</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5YjADlVo8OtXagqKbEmqz_MSmvIE-2dfG5FkxtXD8UNb_KI9SX9u-s10StJUyDVXngIF5ZQYf0yAunWt7AWinbqBxCkRL8ebsFcYOzjyGpl7t_nCaWByRrbFCv3W8nY_1wCRQnyFZP-H/s1600-h/DSC00011.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340215777010310434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5YjADlVo8OtXagqKbEmqz_MSmvIE-2dfG5FkxtXD8UNb_KI9SX9u-s10StJUyDVXngIF5ZQYf0yAunWt7AWinbqBxCkRL8ebsFcYOzjyGpl7t_nCaWByRrbFCv3W8nY_1wCRQnyFZP-H/s400/DSC00011.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The wall vinyl was from Uppercase Living, and it will frame out the new flat screen <em>perfectly</em>. (I act like we <em>have</em> said flat screen...we haven't bought it yet, but oh yes, it will be mine... (Am I the only woman who HATES tube TVs now? I feel like a man with my love of flat screens.)<br /></div><div align="center"><br />This room has exactly one wall that is workable for any major furniture. And it's about twenty feet tall (hence the wall o' photos). We got the recliners for our wedding (thanks Grandma!!) and although any <strong>real</strong> designer would throw up a little in their mouth at the sight of them, they are <em>soooo</em> comfortable and we love them: </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0WbBdou0mcWlGdBz4yTTUaRy64j2A0YbTD9RVjO_KX4_O2WhY9HikSWgunTQNL5erxTyH00AUIMu8MEyaBHK5OJBHDAgyhWowvGzRsaQsWmhlq8XnBTXK7RwAPXKRuGx3iJV332h0rxI/s1600-h/DSC00018.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340215767691553266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0WbBdou0mcWlGdBz4yTTUaRy64j2A0YbTD9RVjO_KX4_O2WhY9HikSWgunTQNL5erxTyH00AUIMu8MEyaBHK5OJBHDAgyhWowvGzRsaQsWmhlq8XnBTXK7RwAPXKRuGx3iJV332h0rxI/s400/DSC00018.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The train table was an absolute STEAL at Goodwill. (I'll share that with you at the par-tay!) I had it lengthwise against the window but the poor Bub could barely move around it to work his trains. ARGH -- dangit! Function over form in this room, begrudgingly.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGdS4HogQnrz01MQ-bgjDf597OknYAeU9T8PJkCoZp4D0QycbIwl-M8PsWrMAuvpvAjCnTbTIFrk8vSCv1KhalvZLjfh0Uhka4PEBemzNwq7uHyEcRf5_zM75OEsBqRq9_Qrl36MllnB6/s1600-h/DSC00052.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340215755959132130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGdS4HogQnrz01MQ-bgjDf597OknYAeU9T8PJkCoZp4D0QycbIwl-M8PsWrMAuvpvAjCnTbTIFrk8vSCv1KhalvZLjfh0Uhka4PEBemzNwq7uHyEcRf5_zM75OEsBqRq9_Qrl36MllnB6/s400/DSC00052.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The wall color is hard to work with, and as you can see there is MUCH of it. I was trying to pull in some fun, whimsical colors without it screaming THERE IS A KID HERE. I found the caaa-utest scrapbook paper at Home Depot and used it everywhere. I matted a bunch of photos:<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKyMCvgJyk9okAe05r7xZBFM1tqoGPka31uYkq2XYESWMYhZnQ97WwjnUcbsjl6diGGhiQGyj_8sKWMbIck-F3stsErcQoi9NlHFcv6hYQNIljOkpUJ0G9akf8szpTBVOd0VWePGB2XcB/s1600-h/DSC00029.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340215367331618082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKyMCvgJyk9okAe05r7xZBFM1tqoGPka31uYkq2XYESWMYhZnQ97WwjnUcbsjl6diGGhiQGyj_8sKWMbIck-F3stsErcQoi9NlHFcv6hYQNIljOkpUJ0G9akf8szpTBVOd0VWePGB2XcB/s400/DSC00029.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The little container I showed you <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/03/four-ca-ute-projects-under-5.html">here</a>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJEQ6-k3ZRAQgISn14lii5hreH2bdNYNVDyCwddCTgcQnwPFyJTLwWNxAt1DKf-OMLTPfH5cn0ShMSNGqIqsjimhmwVRSOP82u1fnMGG70vwcBsELx4r8seEpcxaQW9RHPRGbSkfZMyNZ/s1600-h/DSC00056.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340215362894494482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJEQ6-k3ZRAQgISn14lii5hreH2bdNYNVDyCwddCTgcQnwPFyJTLwWNxAt1DKf-OMLTPfH5cn0ShMSNGqIqsjimhmwVRSOP82u1fnMGG70vwcBsELx4r8seEpcxaQW9RHPRGbSkfZMyNZ/s400/DSC00056.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> This photo tray was a gift, and I had the photos-of-people-I-don't-know that came with it in there for about a year. Instead of spending the time to find pics, I just added some of the paper in the slots and spray painted the mat. I added some whimsy to the lamp with fun trim from Hob Lob for about a dollar:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCx9qvPSGJHAH6LMUkWvp9mJzq5yolKqryfvmbH1dY28Df2C_BpUjdttnqJ_9jOJo18e_N8RtLuCVeWBef74pBztrvHgvcmIXkMbpig0pCnNz53ArwW8UWgY7lYG18YAbxXk_KofxcwWn/s1600-h/DSC00019.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340215361012263922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCx9qvPSGJHAH6LMUkWvp9mJzq5yolKqryfvmbH1dY28Df2C_BpUjdttnqJ_9jOJo18e_N8RtLuCVeWBef74pBztrvHgvcmIXkMbpig0pCnNz53ArwW8UWgY7lYG18YAbxXk_KofxcwWn/s400/DSC00019.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> One of my favorite parts of the whole room are the letters above the window. I got this idea from <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/">Kate</a> when she did it above her window. I got wooden letters, painted the sides and covered the front with the paper. It's the first thing you see when you walk up the stairs. Love it!:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHmupF0uF9e1xSwetXRwlEChQXx3wLyH6_p0tmjetlAylsCHqJPAyTI5clpI9AEKwt4t9Vx8J9z4h1bCzX2zSv0jhA1cm30x008hmqWvyaRHPLc-JI9PZdFV_-OYPQKSQv5ftJrhRf3Au/s1600-h/DSC00016.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340215349400948034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHmupF0uF9e1xSwetXRwlEChQXx3wLyH6_p0tmjetlAylsCHqJPAyTI5clpI9AEKwt4t9Vx8J9z4h1bCzX2zSv0jhA1cm30x008hmqWvyaRHPLc-JI9PZdFV_-OYPQKSQv5ftJrhRf3Au/s400/DSC00016.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I repurposed some items in the room too -- the TV cabinet I painted black a couple weeks ago. (GRRR...that's an upcoming post.)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbMy0qUvSF-hDxW5hvCL1w1ltCwHzPL8tCKRh_914h_cLyf9xVx7fgLeKqfWy1Ny1B9E5ei1peV4uhCEHusckO2-UHiT9hVgbCzS9mzzMor3zy_0APzPUusdcPbixGepHk03kFlyFy00p/s1600-h/DSC00012.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340215346479006546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbMy0qUvSF-hDxW5hvCL1w1ltCwHzPL8tCKRh_914h_cLyf9xVx7fgLeKqfWy1Ny1B9E5ei1peV4uhCEHusckO2-UHiT9hVgbCzS9mzzMor3zy_0APzPUusdcPbixGepHk03kFlyFy00p/s400/DSC00012.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The art pad I took from the Bub's room (I showed it to you <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2008/10/weekend-o-projects.html">here</a> first) and recovered the top:<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341353109858917938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tb-ynYVr74lQ3sY7zwCQd_Rf37q97OBhaSMO6XSFh9jtxCTXYCt3NH1TSZBx8oVUTh2R57RPuoybGmSeErxNCN0VWL0Ln4D9Ku4iC46_I2El-YlW9Xs4eKSYACbV-i2sm6AqbkRHiJoA/s400/padedit.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The mirror was an extra -- I asked the builder not to install it in the powder room. They left it for us anyway and it was sitting in the mud room closet for five years. I hung it up just for fun:<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW89dIl-o9YrHIZyIPqaPlEPTJAeZMhMqOkGZyOnpR4vpfBIAD1TjxBGhOSai7fjXmESgEP3z1gzXyfUa9r8nTZucyFRsizc-0AR_WwvDXyxGmrkRxI9TT7GjE_WR-1F3Jx_0MXsba1vF8/s1600-h/DSC00033.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340214886183701874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW89dIl-o9YrHIZyIPqaPlEPTJAeZMhMqOkGZyOnpR4vpfBIAD1TjxBGhOSai7fjXmESgEP3z1gzXyfUa9r8nTZucyFRsizc-0AR_WwvDXyxGmrkRxI9TT7GjE_WR-1F3Jx_0MXsba1vF8/s400/DSC00033.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Reason No. 513 why you should declutter -- I bought the hardware to hang the mirror, and wanted the flat brackets, but they were too expensive for what I wanted to spend. So I got the cheap ones, and manipulated the molding over them to frame out the mirror. So it bulges out over the brackets:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSLecRjTP1z-9A8p_XLgyWxRPNsO7dZFoepDurdvXkZ7BtUwwW-g65NZdC4YsBm0b16BamKtJdwiAmZ6-29NZAZCP4QDhIL-iaWoJUEAvxlpelpNvU1IsMNP7KjstQu3PiErMZdoSyg0A/s1600-h/DSC00031.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340214878730161618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSLecRjTP1z-9A8p_XLgyWxRPNsO7dZFoepDurdvXkZ7BtUwwW-g65NZdC4YsBm0b16BamKtJdwiAmZ6-29NZAZCP4QDhIL-iaWoJUEAvxlpelpNvU1IsMNP7KjstQu3PiErMZdoSyg0A/s400/DSC00031.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Last week while decluttering the basement, I found the perfect, flat brackets the builder left for us. Double GRRR.<br /></div><div>I used fabric to try to lighten up the space as well. I showed you the drapes <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/04/easiest-cheapest-custom-drapes-ever.html">here</a>:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2drRTEjV7il5bMaiM_ARuerb1RvoHiRl5klH5uiq9cTaE65_XaiVXq_CcecAKbcNKguo7fjZrAOPz1avuHmeU9oSZSPbP3AxQbM1XjPzelG262BqezleUf-nCG-H57531lYbIYfYa8u-/s1600-h/DSC00051.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340214872446885426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2drRTEjV7il5bMaiM_ARuerb1RvoHiRl5klH5uiq9cTaE65_XaiVXq_CcecAKbcNKguo7fjZrAOPz1avuHmeU9oSZSPbP3AxQbM1XjPzelG262BqezleUf-nCG-H57531lYbIYfYa8u-/s400/DSC00051.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The massive Thomas pillow is a family fave:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHl0tV57MX3N1bm-3484irFhyphenhyphenzaaVBwWsXOvj_KSn3YyKoYc4zl4rmtVHQ1T9AUym06lFsYyupzqYkMQY4Ghmv6b0bmiwcGiO73SdGZk-qbWXvjKbU4bYNxUMVXcWyExRLEXIYVBRfl_s2/s1600-h/DSC00058.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340214368377777458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHl0tV57MX3N1bm-3484irFhyphenhyphenzaaVBwWsXOvj_KSn3YyKoYc4zl4rmtVHQ1T9AUym06lFsYyupzqYkMQY4Ghmv6b0bmiwcGiO73SdGZk-qbWXvjKbU4bYNxUMVXcWyExRLEXIYVBRfl_s2/s400/DSC00058.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I showed you that and the plaid pillows <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/03/dont-be-afraid.html">here</a>.<br /></div><br /><div>Storage is super fun in this room -- the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/03/four-ca-ute-projects-under-5.html">art caddy made from a tool box</a>:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI0TbWY7C4qsSbDrFGB1q0qpOZ8nvAKpBJfp5mm5OBETnu1la906SPiXKUeQZJ0g5u2eFnysNyJaj7k_v9lIA_9HcEilWjCXMMkOb4EwoV7fK3B2-bOcbCVqggYs469sYL126Idbx1xbQ/s1600-h/DSC00057.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340214364726512930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI0TbWY7C4qsSbDrFGB1q0qpOZ8nvAKpBJfp5mm5OBETnu1la906SPiXKUeQZJ0g5u2eFnysNyJaj7k_v9lIA_9HcEilWjCXMMkOb4EwoV7fK3B2-bOcbCVqggYs469sYL126Idbx1xbQ/s400/DSC00057.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>I looked for plain magazine holders <em>EVERYWHERE</em>. Finally just bought some on Ebay (they are Ikea and worked perfectly). I spray painted them, added the scrapbook paper to the sides and then made some more of my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/03/five-dollar-spring-projects.html"><em>cutey most</em> labels</a>:<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340214352784980914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvesaBcXkAexeG9t8miq3k0QMVlfM8d6_hNbFvEfk7SboovAwioxCaCoENZbqcj7NUm6WImoJLnrYTdZE1nlkcSG9sLEqPYsUUMtSLmGeOU5ziTrxJn6MUqAzjnmlPg9JJwbFUuYsl-mG/s400/DSC00022.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjE9K0a2kLW8ifpMcWUw_XbjW_lsqrAcl5BRCsvnPWB3ytW02Jw1nRbzZwmTajoSRjtbB20egRtLffz1SEPCMeE8VYnxEnxlaXGXbtMD4OoCBYnUZufC7EEPWguLUQfA0STklAk2SGiuAs/s1600-h/DSC00024.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340214357767237890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjE9K0a2kLW8ifpMcWUw_XbjW_lsqrAcl5BRCsvnPWB3ytW02Jw1nRbzZwmTajoSRjtbB20egRtLffz1SEPCMeE8VYnxEnxlaXGXbtMD4OoCBYnUZufC7EEPWguLUQfA0STklAk2SGiuAs/s400/DSC00024.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>I use the space in the TV cabinet and labeled everything there:<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxBUDFenD69FIdDcxsPuuPKhqgzgo7E7ozI-GC2qbcNuoFFJ3-HY7Y4_e-VqcWkBdpy3JZfDdBN6zdwatmabYhfWQTvNPmNPuYJF9BoJXsNaPcSn-uZ0X5rL4S_EvBFUJIxcnll6bWA6A/s1600-h/DSC00027.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340214350503707106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxBUDFenD69FIdDcxsPuuPKhqgzgo7E7ozI-GC2qbcNuoFFJ3-HY7Y4_e-VqcWkBdpy3JZfDdBN6zdwatmabYhfWQTvNPmNPuYJF9BoJXsNaPcSn-uZ0X5rL4S_EvBFUJIxcnll6bWA6A/s400/DSC00027.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I hear you -- "Where are the toys Sarah?!"<br /><div><br />Chillax people, here you go -- the shelves are <em>FULL</em>: <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340213805691594274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuutxMl3sWipcCa-2hWeh9KKmhfFIN40NsFZnSUm1ERgHuVd9ZPodnGDhctKk6SvW0F1Dtcai-FmL-6zJS24xtKPMTQNCcyUE6DM1V2bA7JAzXJQkDQZ-Ko0ChHarbfOAoh2shP21XiwjK/s400/DSC00054.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div>Target bins hold a <em>ton</em> of toys under the train table:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgOK-d3Bd8VGtUFgyP03jYqd4KF63I9omb68dsZPn0KhfXB_O4N7PGIWaU_t3JGiHEsmrS6W40S9l4XORWgt1VWmxKvbFp_5r-ycrA_KihRR-L_Q48ycHhnKNxdsE01cWCkkG6H3Kw73e/s1600-h/DSC00038.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340213800751045394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgOK-d3Bd8VGtUFgyP03jYqd4KF63I9omb68dsZPn0KhfXB_O4N7PGIWaU_t3JGiHEsmrS6W40S9l4XORWgt1VWmxKvbFp_5r-ycrA_KihRR-L_Q48ycHhnKNxdsE01cWCkkG6H3Kw73e/s400/DSC00038.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD15dkMlXs9Y7snTDb1-41Dxljbg4ZB3riDxfwrZk-KlMjemkEarr8sEbbsEWmSDBqBB4AGQg17xY15ThiZIhlsLD-RYyeUutvDUHP_OXohkmtmq17bBid5AZzmYeIBjZUUm5Zv8ZvPFXR/s1600-h/DSC00039.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340213797252886178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD15dkMlXs9Y7snTDb1-41Dxljbg4ZB3riDxfwrZk-KlMjemkEarr8sEbbsEWmSDBqBB4AGQg17xY15ThiZIhlsLD-RYyeUutvDUHP_OXohkmtmq17bBid5AZzmYeIBjZUUm5Zv8ZvPFXR/s400/DSC00039.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The recliners are not only comfy, the hide an awful lot of stuff:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkexsRakIDHx-0PgnYxnuiQlt32ORm-B_Q4tENXa4-Nz58OnNCHZCWqWo_SftSaiDmcME_TCQ2lEj4TKoR1Fb_3KhXjIEcWRudcY-Y-kL7lgSHUNAsFgO_3u2O-c6YKV0YOR3VzdGy7C8/s1600-h/DSC00041.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340213790504566546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkexsRakIDHx-0PgnYxnuiQlt32ORm-B_Q4tENXa4-Nz58OnNCHZCWqWo_SftSaiDmcME_TCQ2lEj4TKoR1Fb_3KhXjIEcWRudcY-Y-kL7lgSHUNAsFgO_3u2O-c6YKV0YOR3VzdGy7C8/s400/DSC00041.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VFrDhfYdBhMKJMyJbWaMfON3bc_6tN6eKH2864OR_1ok6rO74oBDbe5Bdr6pAqkai7K7B3H4vdl1-8YqH6Ebq4uOSoVzqv4Gh5ZWNk-JyFCi3YrzcKbuQy6sYVSQp6WiunKLjjRdxYES/s1600-h/DSC00043.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340213788916099186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VFrDhfYdBhMKJMyJbWaMfON3bc_6tN6eKH2864OR_1ok6rO74oBDbe5Bdr6pAqkai7K7B3H4vdl1-8YqH6Ebq4uOSoVzqv4Gh5ZWNk-JyFCi3YrzcKbuQy6sYVSQp6WiunKLjjRdxYES/s400/DSC00043.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> There you go! A playroom fun enough for the kiddo, but still sophisticated enough for us to hang as well. This is easily one of the most relaxing rooms in our house, even with the toys everywhere. We love this room. <div><br />The best part, even if every. single. toy is pulled out, it still takes less than twenty minutes to get the room looking like this again:<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimz054dObRu4Z3800NCkXmBVPwnd8zVAqObygTmWXfN_x3wZJEkl-og0wfMmXBcEKqXKV0_bXeNsI-aW0DGa0fZS5wEMTUtbb2pIkk1yvY5K4imVyENm4RGulgzYxvrNfoyTM2o2xWtsbf/s1600-h/DSC00009.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340215898398367346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimz054dObRu4Z3800NCkXmBVPwnd8zVAqObygTmWXfN_x3wZJEkl-og0wfMmXBcEKqXKV0_bXeNsI-aW0DGa0fZS5wEMTUtbb2pIkk1yvY5K4imVyENm4RGulgzYxvrNfoyTM2o2xWtsbf/s400/DSC00009.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ask me how I know.</div><div><br />Remember to join the Goodwill part next week! Yes, this includes <em>any</em> transformation you've created from an item from a thrift store, garage sale, anything that is "second hand." </div><br /><div>OK, the moment you've been waiting for! The winners of my one year giveaway are:</div><div><strong><br />Deb from Wise Old Owl</strong> -- please pick the three items you would like and e-mail me!</div><br /><div>AND</div><br /><div><strong>Yanira</strong>, I will let you know which two items you'll win when I hear from Deb! </div><div><br />THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! Holy crap people, 610 comments! That is so cool! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

A playroom for the kids (that works for adults too!)

I know I've been talking about this space for a while, and today I realized I hadn't shown it to you yet! The playroom is our loft, ...

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