I LOVE Fall!

I can't believe I haven't posted anything for months now! I have been so busy...well, enjoying life! I LOVE FALL.  Now if only it would FEEL like Fall here....oh well. I will be posting pictures of my projects soon!  For now, here is a picture of my entry way.  At least I can look at FALLISH stuff. :)

New Hardware=NEW LOOK

Do you have a piece of furniture that is still in great condition, you spent a ton of money on (or at least ANY money), you don't want to get rid of it, but there is just something about it that says UGLY?

I have hated the hardware on this since I bought it.  It is part of our bedroom set that we purchased 5 years ago. It is one of the only things we have purchased NEW.  I prefer painted wood, but my husband likes stained.  At the time I decided to be fine with it....knowing that someday it may get painted....but the hardware, that had to go.  5 years later I am finally getting around to it. Antiqued brass I love, this 80s brass hardware was not working for me in my bedroom.

A trip to TARGET and found these babies on clearance. Not my favorite, but still much better than what I had.  Hardware can be expensive--usually the MOST EXPENSIVE part of a furniture makeover if you are changing it out.  But worth it.  Besides the LOOK of the other hardware, it had other issues.  The holes were drilled slightly too far apart.  So literally almost every time you touched them, the center pull would FALL OFF. I was constantely having to put them back on. Annoying. The one on the bottom as you can see in the first picture never made it back on the last time. And every time you shut or opened the drawer the pull (if it stayed on by holding it carefully) would bang against the wood and was starting to leave marks.  So this was also a preventative measure to damaging the finish and the wood.  These came in packs of 4 or 6---I can't remember off the top of my head. I bought some others on sale too!  But I really probably paid maybe $1-$1.50 for each.  Worth it in every way!

The Music Teacher's Chair- {Antique Chair Makeover}

This chair has been hanging around for about 2 or 3 years now.  I have had different visions of it being a bold color or a fabric that just says LOOK AT ME!  But it wasn't until about 9 months ago that I decided what I wanted to do with her.

She is a real beaut I tell you.  A true antique made by Louis Rastetter & Sons of Fort Wayne, Indiana.  The company began in 1882.  This company made folding chairs during the 1920s to the 1940s.  The company was around until about 40 years ago.  The chairs though still remain in existence.  They truly are amazing quality chairs.  They were made for businesses, churches, cruiseliners...you name it. Apparently they are sought after by collectors. 

This particular one is from the earlier days since the company is stamped into the wood.  The newer chairs had sticker labels on them.  I found this one on Craigslist a few years ago.  I did not have a place for her, but I had decided since it is a music chair, it would be the chair I would use next to the piano to teach my girls lessons.  At the time there wasn't a place next to our piano.  Since moving she she has finally found a home.  Next to the piano.  And now that I have added the extra cushy batting to it, my bum won't be so sore.

So with all of the other color lurking in this room, I decided I wanted her to be neutral. I know, boring. But she is what she is.  I bought the fabric 7 months ago and I FINALLY got her done today. Yea for Grandmas who take half the kids for a sleepover.  And yea for popsicles, sidewalk chalk and bikes that kept the other 2 busy while I worked.  And I finished just in time before the rain. Miracle.

The original chair was stained and had a leather seat.  Somewhere in the process the leather seat was painted TURQUOISE. Imagine my surprise when I took off the nasty denim fabric and found MY FAVORITE COLOR. 



If it wasn't in such bad shape, I would be tempted to use the original seat!

I am not sure how you get turquoise leather.  Did they paint it back then? Was this truly original? Or was it later painted?  Oh the stories old furniture could tell.  And then at some point it was painted with a black lacquer.  My husband said it looked fine and why was I painting it!?!? Call me crazy, but I think I like it better...

...NOW.

If you have never reupholstered a seat, it is very easy.  Now a CHEVRON pattern or any other lined pattern, is a wee bit harder.  Only because you have to make sure and line it up PERFECTLY straight.  And when you are working with a curved seat, you are going to have to accomodate--as you can see my left corner is less than perfect, but close enough.

The chair was painted with my version of Homemade Chalk Paint (similar to Annie Sloan's expensive stuff).  I used leftover paint from my bedroom.  It is Valspar brand from Lowe's.  I color matched a color from Wal-Mart's Better Homes and Gardens line called Driftwood.  This is my all time favorite gray.  And my fabric matched perfectly.   You would have thought I color matched the fabric! FABULOUS.

I used Annie Sloan's Clear Wax to finish it off.  I used some dark wax (AS as well) but decided I didn't like it on this piece.  So it was used very minimally.

So now my favorite chair in the house finally has a home.

Coupon Code for My Memories

So if you know me very well, you KNOW that I love to do crafts, especially scrapbooking.  This has been a hobby of mine for years--since high school.  One thing I can say about scrapbooking--EXPENSIVE.  All of the little cute things add up.  So the solution? Digital scrapbooking!  Yes, there is still some expense, and YES I know this has been around for a while.  But have you tried out MyMemories.com? FAB.U.LOUS.

So this coupon code is for a DISCOUNT from My Memories.  I have teamed up with a personal consultant from MyMemories.com for you to receive an awesome discount! 

Here it be folks.....

$10 off My Memories Scrapbook Suite Software
http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software

AND

$10 coupon for the My Memories Store in FREE PRODUCT
MyMemories.com

You must use the coupon code STMMMS2774 at checkout to receive the discount.

So if you are new to My Memories or new to digital scrapbooking, check out their website and products at

This is a GREAT deal.  A GREAT way to keep a record of your personal and family history.  Not only is it fun and easy, but a way to save you some pennies when it comes to scrapbooking. 

Organize those digital photos and turn them into something special with My Memories. You can thank me later.  Now hurry up and go check out their website! Don't forget to use the unique promo code to get your discount!

COUPON CODE:  STMMMS2774

My camera needs a funeral..... and Quinoa Taco Salad

So I am about to cry as I write this post.....

my 3 year old killed my camera.

It has suffered a very traumatic and torturous death.

Rest in peace my dear friend.

So while I wait to find a new camera, I will be unable to take pictures of my newest projects on the cheap.  So stay tuned in the near future. My dream camera is hopefully on its way.

So for now, I am stealing borrowing pictures from elsewhere.



photo credit here http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2010/05/quinoa-taco-salad.html

I adapted the recipe from this blog.  We LOVE ourselves some quinoa and especially with some kind of Mexi flair.  This recipe is SUPER cheap and super GOOD FOR YOU and best of all SUPER DELICIOSO!

So here it is folks, QUINOA TACO SALAD in all its glory.  Serves 4-6 people

1 c UNcooked quinoa--not really sure how much it ends up being cooked (need a tip? This will not only save you time but energy{=$$$} and will guarantee you fluffy yummy goodness every time.  Pour 1 c quinoa into a saucpan.  Add 2 c water.  Bring to a full boil for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Remove lid and fluff with fork. Ta-DA! and Done.You can also use a rice cooker, but really I find my method better.)

While quinoa is "standing"CHOP up the following in a large salad serving bowl

2 heads of romaine lettuce--you can also add some spinach and cabbage if you want additional greens
4-5 roma tomatoes
1/2 green bell pepper
1/2 yellow bell pepper
1/4 c (or more) finely chopped cilantro
1/2 red onion
1 large avocado

Then add:
1 c roasted corn (another tip--use frozen corn, pour onto cookie sheet and roast for 6-7 minutes at 400 F)
1 can (or cooked from scratch) black beans, rinsed well. (optional--I have made this with and without beans)

Once quinoa is done, drizzle with olive oil and juice of 2 limes.  Add sea salt to taste.  Toss together.

I serve the quinoa on the side.  If you are plating the food for everyone you can make separate salads by starting with a bed of lettuce and adding the chopped vegetables on the top with the quinoa.  We serve family style so I just make a large salad and serve the quinoa on the side for those who don't want it IN their salad.  You can also add some yummy taco chips or serve in a homemade taco bowl. My kids love all of the variations. My girls love ranch on just about ev.ery.thing. so I make what they call "Spicy Ranch"--very complicated.

Ranch and Tapatio hot sauce to taste. Yum.

We sometimes top with a little cheese.  My favorites are pepperjack or sharp cheddar. Either is delicious.

This salad is perfect without any dressing since it has the olive oil and juice on the quinoa. This is a real winner at our house. The perfect vegetarian meal and also gluten-free. If you have never tried quinoa, this is the perfect dish to try. It is light but filling and SUPER DUPER healthy in every way. A TON of protein--so don't worry about the no meat factor. The quinoa and beans are your iron and protein FILL, not to mention the spinach if you add that in too!

The perfect hot summer day dinner.

Enjoy!



 

Busy Busy Me

So the last few weeks have unfortunately NOT been filled with some of my planned projects.  Instead I had plenty of OTHER things to do that came up that were still very worthy of my time.

I had a Scentsy party with old friends and new alike in a sweet place where I used to live.  Not only did I get to catch up with some friends, I made a few more pennies. Yippee!  Have you heard of Scentsy? It has been around for a few years so most people have seen or heard.  But if you haven't, check out my website   www.annah.scentsy.us

I helped my dear prego friend prep and paint her nursery and do some other things around her house while her husband is out.  Brave woman.  I am not sure I could live without my husband for that long. Even for a good cause. I consider myself a strong woman, but not that tough.  This week I am planning and preparing for her baby shower which is this weekend.  I am also working on a shelf for her baby's nursery.  I will show pictures of everything when I am done.

We cleaned house, cleaned teeth (not one, but 2 dentists visits) and had relatives in town. Celebrated birthdays of grandmas (one was a great-grandmother in fact) and ate lots of chocolate cake.  Now this was REALLY worth my time.

My girls love when their cousins come to town.  Not only did we play and have a grand ol' time just at our house and at the grandparents' place, we hit the beach not once but TWICE.  We even walked away without sunburns.  I love myself some Banana Boat sunscreen at the beach. My favorites are Banana Boat Baby 50 and Banana Boat Surf.  I swear by them. ONE APPLICATION lasts all day IN THE WATER.  We didn't get sunburned but we did bring back plenty of shells and memories. My older girls and I went surfing. It was so nice to not only have my husband there but also the grandparents--the Abuelitos---we call them Lito and Lita.  Always nice to have a few extra pairs of hands and eyes at the beach.  And of course my husband's sister, the girls "Tia" and her kids.  The beach is one hundred time more fun with cousins to play and surf with.

This week I have to kick it into high gear to get back on track to finish some projects I have planned for July.  We will be headed out of town for most of August. But for now, it is off to the library.  I have to make sure and remember to keep things in perspective too---I am a MOM, first and foremost.

Going crazy in my old age.

So I guess I am losing my marbles.  I wrote down on my calendar that we had dentist appointments this morning.  Good thing I checked my planner.  They are not until NEXT week!  I think I need to start writing random appointments on my calendar though.  I got up, dressed myself all cute like and put on makeup before 8am on a summer day BEFORE my husband left for work.  Now if only I hadn't let on that I thought we had to go to that blasted tooth man this morning, my husband would have thought I was being extra productive today and trying to look all dolled up for him before he left for work.  I'll be honest.  Most days in the summer I don't wear makeup.  I rarely get "ready" from head to toe.  We're talking pull my hair back in a pony, throw on whatever is clean and comfortable and then dive into a project around the house and take a shower at the end of the day once I am a complete mess.  When I have on nice clothes I don't feel like scrubbing the kitchen floor on my hands and knees and cleaning out my office closet (that still has a few boxes from when we moved.....).  I am just not productive in nice clothes.  I guess I will change.  I will just wait until AFTER my husband leaves.  At least I can look nice for him for at least another 30 minutes. Because I am in the mood to CLEAN HOUSE now that I have an EXTRA day I didn't plan on.  And those office boxes are calling  my name.