Old Mixer... into NEW mixer!

So... when I got married my Aunt Robin really wanted to get me a kitchen aid mixer in my color of choice...    I politely declined and opted for a vacuum instead.   What was I thinking???  I suppose I thought I wouldnt use such a big thing... I'm not sure what I was thinking... although it was a decision I have regretted often!  Even though the vacuum is wonderful and we still use it to this day!          So fast forward a bit, we are at Jims dad's in Philly... he mentions Jim's mom had a kitchen aid mixer... and we can have it if I want it.  I look at it  and its pretty old....  lots of grime from lots of baking... but I say yes anyway and take it home. I scrub and take apart, and scrub some more...       So it ends up being in decent condition.    UNTIL TODAY... when it BECAME AWESOME!!!!

fast forward to tonight....look what I did... to make it all my own!!!! I JUST LOVE IT...     still need to get new attachements (even though the old broken ones, technically work.... )

Craft Projects with the Kiddos!

My girls needed something to do a few days ago!!  They always love to paint... so they were TRILLED when I pulled this out!    The sound of them laughing as I painted their hands and feet was music to my hears...   they giggled and giggled... it was so fun!  I know I will pull these out every year!  

 Maddie and Livi are so proud every time they walk up the stairs...

Stocking Holders.... finally!!

So... I have wanted stocking holders for EVER! but yall who know me.. know I am way to cheap to buy most stuff!    They are really expensive!  So  found these plain bases at Ollies for $2 each! not bad...   THEN I went to Hobby Lobby (my favorite craft store EVER!) and picked out christmas ornaments that I thought resembled my family... Jim a deer.. Maddie wanted the angel,  Olivia a princess carriage (it was a tie bt that or a purple ballerina.. she liked the carriage better!) and me... Shoes of course!  BTW..i got each ornament for $1-$1.50-  NOT BAD ....    then i just hot glued them on!  They are perfect in my opinion... its always great to get exactly what you want, especially when it only costs you about $3.50 each!

sweater skirts!

Again... this is a pintrest find!     I took an old sweater from goodwill... 2 bucks! and turned it into these really cute skirt and leg warmers! i love it, its such a fun and easy project!  all you need is scissors and elastic (and a sewing machine!)

                         so here is one i started with... pretty ugly!!!

 ok so... sorry for all the crappy pics of me... but what else am i gonna do! hahah  you can wear the leg warmers outside of your boots....

                                           or inside your boots...     both are so cute

       Not sure why i put so many pics up....     oh well! hahhaha

Home made!

Ive been busy making my own detergents! I made dish washer, laundry, and kid soap!    Id been wanting to do this forever... so glad i finally did!

Christmas!!!

 So here are a few of the Christmas Decorations I put up!....  I got started really early this year... they've been up for a couple of weeks!   I got tons of ideas from pintrest this year... I made lots of fun stuff... trees, centerpieces, food.. just all kinds of goodness!

                                        bottles spray painted white, rolled in epsom salt (pintrest)

                                 trees i made all from extra fabric i had! i used poster board instead of cones!

                                               just some cord covers i made out of extra fabric! looks lots better

we found these window stickies and have various ones on tons of windows in our house! the kids love them!

ill put the rest of the christmas pics up soon!

New Curtains

So my pantry/mud room/ storage/ whatever room... has always just been ...there!   Recently my great friend Liesel came over and re-organized all my shelves!  and I painted the table and desk but it still did not look cute! UNTIL.. i found this AWESOME fabric and Moyannes (expensive) but I scored it for 5$ a yard!!!!   i should have lined them... but i actually kind of like the way the stripes show through!   I got the fringe for mega cheap too!    I think they are really fun...   so the room is coming along!  I also organized my cleaning supplies just like I found on pintrest!!! gives me a lot more space!

Kitchen Island

We moved to this house about 4 years ago.. I have always wanted a kitchen island.. but never had the money to get what i wanted... a big butcher block top with storage in the bottom!     Well... at a yard sale a few weeks ago... I scored BIG time!     I saw this ugly cabinet in terrible shape but with great structure! I bargained down to $75!!!      after a bit of sanding, painting, distressing, new handles, and mineral oil to the top... here is the almost finished product! (minus towel bars on the side... ordered but havent arrived)    I think its perfect!