The Lampshade Sham

I watch Mad Men.

I have watched Mad Men since the very first season.

I am a fan of Mad Men.

I LOVE Mad Men.
{Remember our Mad Men Season 5 Premiere Party?}

One of the things that I have always loved about Mad Men were the set designs... simply amazing.

But, this season.... the very first show.... I was disappointed.

VERY disappointed. Shocked and STUNNED at how they could EVER let this happen.

Not, Don Draper... he is simply amazing {although things have changed a bit this season}....

But....

That....

That....

CURRENT DAY.....

lampshade!

From....

TARGET!!!!!

Don't get me wrong.

I have NOTHING against Target.

I have NOTHING against Target Lampshades:

I used one paired with my vintage lamp base I found at a thrift shop. 

I'm just shocked that a show so amazing with their set designs and decor could do this. That's it... just shocked... and a lil' sad.

But, I will be happy tomorrow when we start to PARTY!

REMINDER:

Starting MAY 1st I will be co-hosting the UFO DIY Challenge.

Please visit this post to find out more and join us back here on TOMORROW to link up!

See y'all tomorrow!

Progress on my UnFinished Object

 

How are you doing on your UnFinished Objects?

Are any little green aliens helping YOU along?

{I won't answer that question.... ha!}

We are getting closer to the start of the party. Remember... the UFO Challenge?

From May 1st - May 7th, I will be co-hosting a DIY Link Party with these AMAZING gals:

Kim from The Money Pit

Lisha from One House One Couple

Micki from Confessions of an ADD Housewife

Shelby from The Bean Sprout Notes

These women are fantastic!

They are wonderful!

They are ALL co-hosting the party! 

When you link up your project at any of our blogs, it will show up on ALL 5 of our blogs! 

So, have you started?

Have you finished?

Which project will you link up at our UFO Challenge?

Here was a sneak peak at what I was starting with...

Here is a look at it in progress...

Oh yes! SPRAY PAINT!

WHITE.... SPRAY PAINT!

This isn't a huge DIY project {it doesn't have to be}... but it has a BIG impact!

Tune in on Tuesday to see my FINISHED UFO!

Our UFO Challenge will be open for linkup from 

Tuesday, May 1st - Monday, May 7th.

Then on Wednesday, May 9th each of us gals will announce our favorite as a feature and award buttons on each of our blogs.

Grab the button to tell others about the party.

Can't wait to party with y'all!

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I would LOVE for you to share any progress or any before pics of your UFO. Share them with me and I'll stop by to encourage you!

Convex Mirror Transformation

I really think convex mirrors are gorgeous.

Especially OLD Federal Convex Mirrors.

LOVE!

Here is a little special find that I brought home with me one day last year.

While antique shopping....

browsing, really....

not looking for anything grand.... 

BUT then, I stumbled upon this:

Isn't it amazing?

I have no clue the history or how old it is. But, it tells some sort of story. I did find one very similar in an on-line search. And then, I also found that Debbie at Refresh Restyle updated one very similar.... but, mine seams to be VERY old. The mirror even has the old gorgeous worn/flakey antique look to it.

It is formed out of solid wood.  The carving is so detailed and intricate.

Absolutely. Stunning.

It required a good and gentle cleaning.  Some parts had to be glued into place.

And then quite a bit of time protecting this little gem for the spray painting it was about to receive!

I thought long and hard about which color to utilize to restore this beauty.

I thought, gold... to recreate a sense of the true origin of these pieces.

I thought, white... to create a crisp, clean and modern feel.

I thought, electric blue... for some eclectic funk.

But, I settled on a dark gray gloss. Simple, neutral, subtle, but.... bold.

I used Rust-oleum's Painter's Touch Gloss Dark Gray and finished it off with a couple coats of Gloss Clear for added shine.

This was an uneven space in our old house. There is no symmetry.  And it was quite difficult to do much with this wall because of the switch plates, carpet/tile seam, etc, etc. I added a feel of symmetry with the lamps and two pictures, but threw the symmetrical feel off with this mirror.

From old to timeless-n-trendy MARVELOUS!

Now in Our Double-Wide in the Sky, it resides in my office.

And... what was the best part about this transformation?

Was it the joy of turning old into new?

No.

Was it the elegance of the history behind these Federal Convex Mirrors?

No.

Was it that the convex component is soooooo cool?

No.

Although, the previously said items are all awesome in their own right.... what made this project even more amazing... was....

THE PRICE!

The mirror was ONLY $12!

Yes. A glorious light appeared over this piece while I was hunting in the antique store junk section.

Yes. The choir of angels began to sing a melodic harmony.

Yes. My heart fluttered a million beats a minute {and no this was not due to my heart problems}.

Yes. I fell in love instantly with this piece.

But, the price.

The. Price. Was. Unbeatable!

Linking up to:

Hookin Up with HOH @ HouseOfHepworths

Thrifty Thursday @ ThriftyDecorating
Transformation Thursday @TheShabbyCreekCottage

A Kick in the Bottom

I don't know about you...

But practically all the time sometimes I need a good kick in the booty.

Especially, when it comes to unfinished projects that have been sitting around for me to do. Projects that are neat and fun DIY items... but, they have just been daunting. Do you have any projects like that? A dresser that needs painted? Or curtains that need to be hung? Or crafts that need to be completed for your end of the year teacher gifts? Or.... you get the point.

Anyway, that's where my AWESOME friends have come into play.

They are not only encouraging me.... but, they will be encouraging YOU, too!

Encouraging you... with your unfinished objects.

Encouraging you... to finish those unfinished projects.

Encouraging you.... with a PARTY!

Oh, yes! 

You heard me right.... a...

P-A-R-T-Y!

Yes, little green aliens are my friends.

No, they are not the friends that will be encouraging you {or me} to finished those

UnFinished Objects that you need a kick in the booty to... well.... finish.

But from May 1st - May 7th, I will be co-hosting a DIY Link Party with these AMAZING gals:

Kim from The Money Pit

Lisha from One House One Couple

Micki from Confessions of an ADD Housewife

Shelby from The Bean Sprout Notes

These women are fantastic!

They are wonderful!

They are ALL co-hosting the party!

Which means, when you link up your project at any of our blogs, it will show up on ALL 5 of our blogs! And if you haven't checked out their blogs yet... go do it!  From some wonderful DIY projects that have been featured at very rockin' sites to melt-in-your-mouth recipes to adorable party ideas. 

PURE AWESOMENESS!

So, has your mind already been racing about which project you will finish?

Which project you will link up at our UFO Challenge?

Which project that just may get featured at any one of our sites?

Don't worry... you have some time. 

Our UFO Challenge will be open for linkup from 

Tuesday, May 1st - Monday, May 7th.

Then on Wednesday, May 9th each of us gals will announce features and award buttons on each of our blogs of our personal faves.

So what are you waiting for......?

Oh, do you want a sneak peak at what I am getting the kick in the booty to finish?

It's a gift for a friend {not a green alien friend... one of the human race}.

Doesn't look like much does it?

Oh... just wait until I reveal the finished project... on Tuesday, May 1st!

Grab the button to tell others about the party.

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Can't wait to party with y'all!

A Long Time Ago...

This is the kiddo's room.

And I bet you can't guess what he likes.... hummmmm....

Legos.

Legos.

Legos... and STAR WARS!

This is kiddo {the short one} with one of his good friends. 

We have interesting guests in the Double-Wide in the Sky. 

I don't know what it is about us.

Kiddo's room serves as the Guest Bedroom. This is one of the many things that changed when we moved to the Double-Wide. We went from a 4 bedroom to a 2 bedroom. But, it still works out quite nicely. The guests have their own bathroom {which is connected to the room}. For now, kiddo is small enough that he sleeps on the couch.

We actually can make other arrangements for guests {or kiddo - when he is older}... we are connected to a hotel.... so we get a great rate on hotel rooms :0)

Bedding - PB Teen

Lamps - Pottery Barn Kid and HomeGoods

Throw Pillows - West Elm, Etsy and HomeGoods

Couch - Online

This is Mr. Ott {The Stars Otter} and Too Big. Too Big has been in our family now for over 5 years. I picked him up at Walgreens after Valentine's Day at 90% off. He was only $2!!!! Little did I know that this "stuffed animal" would become kiddo's FAVORITE and one of those that you keep forever and E-V-E-R! Kiddo came up with the name... because the stuffed animal was TOO BIG for his crib!

That just makes my heart smile.

Ottomans - The Dump

Rug - CB2

Corner Desk - Pottery Barn

Chair - online

Black Dresser - revamped {was hubby's dresser when he was a kiddo}.

Kiddo wants to be a Movie Director when he grows up. Steven Spielberg is his favorite director.... hence the Indiana Jones... Star Wars... E.T., etc!

I have a source {in all my years connected to Antique Markets} for authentic --- original --- movie posters. You  have to view these as ART! Because you PAY for originals... as ART!

The Indiana Jones poster..... a copy purchase on eBay.... for like $4.

The Star Wars Episode 1 Poster... an original.... NOT $4.

The Empire Strikes Back New York Subway Poster... an AWESOME original.

Kiddo LOVES his desk. He does everything on it. From school, to games, to writing film story boards... etc.... etc.

That painting was lovingly given to kiddo by our contractor.... who is also an AMAZING artist!

Kiddo loves his room.

Guests love his room.

I love his room.

It's cozy... but VERY B-O-Y!

I have not yet included this post as "A Double-Wide in the Sky" House Tour.

The tabs are located on the right side bar of the page.... but, if you're interested in browsing further I have included the links below. 

And since I had a special project going on.... I have new shots of all the rooms. So, if you have even visited the tour before, there are all new photos to see. So, enjoy!

High-Rise {Before}

Kitchen

Dining Room 

Living Room

Foyer

Master Bedroom

Office

And if you REALLY like what you see, feel free to follow me on Linky. I just signed up!

Or Pinterest!

Have a GREAT day and a GREAT weekend!

I am linking up to Thrifty Decor Chick and The Rooster and The Hen.

Where I Walk

I was inspired by Linda's post at It All Started With Paint...

I was inspired because I have had 3 heart surgeries... one was a SERIOUS surgery.

I am 36.

I am a "healthy" female.
My cholesterol level is PHENOMENAL.
I exercise about 3-5 times a week {totally dependent on the week}.
I cook low-sodium meals.
I eat a low-sodium/low-fat diet.

I have had 3 heart surgeries.... one was SERIOUS.

My father has heart failure.
His twin brother has heart failure.
They are both "healthy" relatively-young males.

This stuff is sometimes HEREDITARY.

I now see a cardiologist and electrophysiologist about 3-4 times a year. My heart gets monitored... FREQUENTLY. Every time...with potential expectation... there might be another surgery needed. This is my life. I didn't do anything "wrong". As we tell kiddo, "It's just the way God made me. I have a 'silly' heart."

TAKE YOUR HEART HEALTH SERIOUSLY!

So, as I was saying.... I was inspired by Linda's post.
I took a walk yesterday.
I took my camera.
This is what I captured:

Gorgeous already... huh?
We picked up Hubby/Daddy for a nice little walk and lunch.
Stopped at the Dallas Museum of Art... and walked {what we call} The Cathedral of Trees.

Peering in at the Garden at the DMA.

Then... The Nasher Sculpture Center.... one of our favorite places!

FOOD TRUCKS off of Olive Street!

Our footwear.

Picnic table to eat food from said food trucks!

Then a stroll in the gardens at The Nasher Sculpture Center!

Amazing. Isn't it?!

Yep, I'm totally "ctrl-c-ing" the following from Linda:


Enter the Walk It. Pin It. Win It. sweepstakes going on over at the American Heart Association (you can read more at www.swavolunteer.blogspot.com).  Five iPod Shuffles with $25 iTunes gift cards up for grabs.  All you need to do is pin a photo of where you walk and you’ll be entered into a random drawing.

Here’s how it all works …

1. Take a walk and snap a pic of your favorite path. 

2. Pin it on your Pinterest account and add #walkit in the description.  Then leave a comment on the contest post on their blog (www.swavolunteer.blogspot.com) – or, if you’re on Twitter, you can tweet them with your username @heartsouth -- and they’ll find you and re-pin it on their Walk It board. {I'm not on Twitter...}

3. You’ll be eligible to win one of five prize packages (iPod Shuffle-4th generation and a $25 iTunes gift card to buy some new walking tunes!).

4. Contest runs 4/4/12 – 4/25/12, winners selected in a random drawing.

Visit the American Heart Association sweepstakes and show them your Pinterest pin where you walk!
… you have until April 25.


Thanks, LINDA!

So, do you go for walks?
Where do you walk?


Do you have a link to heart disease or heart illness?


Share with me.... I'm interested!

How I Framed A Jersey

Here is a little story about how a jersey came to be framed.

But, please.... if you are a Maverick's Fan... PLEASE don't be a Player Hater while reading this post. 

Thanks so much!

It all started with a kiddo {of course, it's my kiddo}... He had a new favorite player on the Dallas Maverick's team. We searched everywhere for a Lamar Odom jersey and there were none to be found in youth sizes. But, upon asking a vendor at a game, they told us they could MAKE one.

Yippee!

Kiddo was ecstatic and we got it made for him. 

He wore it EVERYWHERE he went. Especially, on game days.

Then one day.... Mr. Lamar {that's what we call him around these parts} signed it for him!

And then.... later that same day, kiddo had a VERY SPECIAL moment with Mr. Lamar.

And then... about a week later.... Mr. Lamar and the Mavs parted ways.

So, I promptly went about framing the jersey.

Here is how to frame a jersey totally in an armature way :

1. Purchase a shadow box frame at Michaels for 50% off and gather some items to potentially frame with jersey.

2. Disassemble the shadow box.

3. Lay out jersey and fold in needed spots.

4. Use straight pins to pin to the back of the shadow box.
I used about 8 pins and pulled the jersey tight as I went around pinning.

5. Create or use accessories to define what is preciously being framed.

I used cardstock, computer and a color printer to create the "label".

I used a sticker and cardstock to create the "logo label".

 6. Adhere your labels without damaging the jersey.
This is where I was just going around the house thinking.... what could I use?

I came up with these scratch protector discs. There were sticking on the side I adhered to the jersey, but I don't think it will damage them.... and I used hot glue to adhere the disc to the cardstock label. No glue got on the jersey.

7. Close up shadow box and ENJOY!

We hung it in kiddo's room. Surrounded by his movie posters and Lego collection.

His LOVES his framed jersey.... but MISSES Mr. Lamar.

He now is wearing a new jersey: Jason Terry.
I wonder if we could get that signed?


Linking up to Tip Junkie and Not Just a HouseWife.