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All Gave Some, Some Gave All

{June 6, 1944}

D-Day

In honor of the soldiers who fought and died 65 years ago today, please take a moment and say a prayer of thanks for their courage and sacrifice. I think the world would be a different place today if not for the amazing acts of heroism (yes, heroism!) displayed by that great generation so many years ago. I hope that their example lives on today to inspire our nation to stand together to face the evil lurking about, waiting to destroy us.

Doctor's Note

I totally had a great post planned to share with you all today, but then we had a trip to the E.R. last night, and now you'll just have to read this junk instead. No, really.

Mimi (my mom) came over to say hi to the girls last night before their bedtime. Natalie decided that a rousing game of ballroom dancing was in order. This requires me to lift, spin, twirl, and dip her repeatedly, all the while loudly humming the "Once Upon a Dream" song from Disney's Sleeping Beauty, which is her current favorite this week. If I stop humming to catch my breath, she orders me to continue.

She's a real taskmaster.

With all the intricate dance moves we were performing, an injury was bound to occur sooner or later. Except it ended up being Michaela Byrd. Mimi was spinning her, and we think something in her arm might have popped out of place because she started wailing and could not be consoled.

T rushed home from his poker game to drive us to the E.R. and Mimi stayed home with Natalie.

God surely smiled on us because the waiting room was close to deserted, and we were taken back after only a few minutes wait. In our town, this is a miracle.

As I looked at the enormous X-ray machines, computers, syringes, bandages, and charts, I was at that moment grateful for family in town. If Mimi hadn't stayed home with Natalie, she would have surely overtaken the triage unit and wanted to suture everything.

By the time it was our turn for the X-rays, Michaela Byrd had perked up considerably. And by considerably, I mean she was holding her sippy cup with both hands and downing ice water like there was no tomorrow. She also gave T repeated high fives and tried to climb off my lap.

We jokingly asked her if she was faking.

Pause.

"No." she replied in her tiny little voice.

Okay then.

The doctor reviewed the X-rays and said that she didn't think a splint would actually be necessary and to just keep an eye on her. Something may have popped out of place and then just popped back in.

After a quick visit with my friend J, who was working in the ER, we headed home to put a sleepy 17 month old in bed.

So that's why you ended up reading this crappy post today instead of the wonder I had planned for you.

If you don't believe me, I have a doctor's note.

Thrifty Thursday: It's Chic to Be Cheap {14}

Have you ever had something of sentimental value that you hate to part with, even though it's really a little bit ugly?

T's aunt took up painting shortly before our wedding almost 8 years ago. So, for a wedding gift, we received....you guessed it...two of her framed paintings. They're not horrendous or anything. I like the paint colors she used. I just wasn't a fan of the fake gold frame with the mat. I sort of wish we'd gotten married more recently, as her talent has much improved.

So what's a girl to do? I couldn't very well toss the paintings. Like I said, they don't make me want to claw my own eyes out, and T would probably notice their absence. Then again, I sometimes wonder if he'd notice a grizzly bear walking through the kitchen carrying one of our children.

Here's a before shot (sorry for the glare! was trying to snap it before the toddler ran into the frame):

My friend K's husband is an artist, and he kindly offered to paint the frames for me.

Here's an after:

The story doesn't end here. Perhaps you notice the broken glass in the lower corner? I have a sneaking suspicion that a certain three year old and her friend may have stepped on it (with shoes on, thank God!) during a play date. I had them resting propped up against the wall, on the floor. Poor choice on my part.

So now I really had a dilemma. I did my best to find a frame in the same size with a similar design. No luck. I think it may have been a custom frame. The closest thing I could find was going to run me around $16 with a 40% off coupon. Bummer.

In desperation, I called a local paint and glass store. Turns out, they cut custom pieces of glass all the time. (Lowe's turned me down--said their glass would be too thin.)

"Come on down!" they said.

They cut the glass for me right there, and it only cost me $8!

So don't toss that frame just because the glass is broken! Either find a new use for your frame, or consider having the glass recut. It was considerably cheaper for me in this instance!

Here's a final shot:

Now I have art I can live with. These paintings are no Rembrandts, but they mean a lot because T's aunt took the time to create them for us. To me, that's special!

I'm not sure how I feel about the mat. Any thoughts? Should I color over the gold with black paint? Leave it as is?? Your comments are greatly appreciated!

Do you have anything in your home that you've given a new life rather than toss to the curb?

High Fashion (?)

I have an exciting new sponsor!

Petite Couture by Natalie, a fabulous new fashion label for the preschool set, has just launched an inaugural line. 

Only the most fashion savvy tots can appreciate the genius of Natalie's designs. She blends colors, fabrics, patterns, and insanity into a creative palette that defies the realms of common sense.

Natalie, designer and CEO of Petite Couture by Natalie, began her career as a stylist at a young age. 

She single-handedly made the one-leg toddler leg warmer a national sensation. The fashion world hasn't been turned upside down by a trend like this since acid washed jeans hit the roller skating rink in the 80s.  

Here, she rocks a cropped look. A teddy bear's sweater paired with Pampers? Genius. 

Natalie has garnered much praise from the design elite:

Christian Siriano: "That's fierce."

Ralph Lauren: "Natalie combines chic, whimsy, and the outrageous in such a dynamic way. I stand in awe of her talent."

Stella McCartney: "With equisite taste and the illusion of an effortless presentation, Natalie's skills rivals my own."

Her clients rave about her attention to detail:

"I was thrilled when Natalie agreed to create a couture piece for me. We agreed on a golden, floor length ball gown. She knew I might be uncomfortable with a plunging neckline, so she paired my gown with a hand-stitched cotton tee-shirt. All the other preschoolers were insanely jealous."

-LaLa, socialite and tea party enthusiast

"Natalie knew I needed to be able to move freely, so she designed a fabulous sequined leotard with a drop shoulder over black stretch pants. Now I can scale the highest kitchen counter, and ford the deepest toilet. I am invincible, thanks to Natalie."

-Michaela Byrd, dancer, adventurer, and trouble-maker

The designer had time for a brief interview. She said, "I like to keep it real. I remember my roots and the people who gave me my start. I am just honored to be doing what I love."

Natalie, modeling one of her latest creations. Note the attention to detail in the head piece. 

Editor's Note: After the interview, the designer locked her sister in her room, threw a tantrum over the lack of snack options, and trashed the reception area. Because her sponsorship is pending, we will not be pressing charges. 

Tasty Tuesday!

I'm too lazy to get up and look at my calendar, but I am guessing summer must be near because it certainly feels like it here in Virginia! When summer rolls around, I think of trips to the beach; and when I think of trips to the beach, I think of seafood. We won't be taking a trip to the beach this year due to a long-term, unfortunate situation involving a deadbeat aunt, a family vacation condo, and severe awkwardness.

So if we can't eat at Morehead City's Sanitary Fish Market, a family haunt of ours since the early 80s (I know the name sounds gross, but don't knock it til you've tried it!), the next best thing is to try some seafood here at home.

I'm linking up to Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam today for her Tasty Tuesday party. Head over there today to find some fabulous recipes and tips!

The recipe I'd like to share is very, very easy! I snatched it from a local grocery store's recipe file a few years ago, and I picked it because it looked so simple. Lucky for me, it really was!

Salmon in a Snap!

Ingredients:

4-- 1 inch thick salmon fillets (about 1 pound)

1/2 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning or freshly ground black pepper

1-2 teaspoons reduced sodium soy sauce (I just add that til it looks good)

1 medium orange, halved and very thinly sliced (don't skip this part b/c it really brings the flavor out!)

Directions:

1. Lightly coat a shallow baking pan with cooking spray; set aside. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

2. Season salmon fillets with lemon-pepper seasoning. Arrange fillets in prepared pan. Drizzle with soy sauce. Top with orange slices. Bake, covered, for 8 to 12 minutes or until fish just flakes easily when tested with a fork. (I've found it takes longer)

This would be great with some wild rice, maybe some broccoli, and for dessert...

Let your 3 year old help make brownies! So far, no one has food poisoning...I'd call that a success! (We love Betty Crocker's Triple Chunk Chocolate Brownies for the out-of-a-box variety. Yummy, indeed!)

(Not pictured: Michaela Byrd hopping from one foot to the other saying, "Oooooh, cookie!" over and over)

{Bon Appetit!}

Salvation Army Saves the Day!

Edited to also link to Kimba's DIY party over at A Soft Place to Land!

When Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick Announced that she'd be having a Goodwill Party, I knew exactly which project I wanted to feature, and I started rushing to finish it in time. I'll apologize now for the long post, but I have a LOT of pictures to share of my first big makeover!

If you've been reading my blog for a long time, or if you know me, you know I started searching for the perfect desk way back last Fall. We added onto our home, and I had a spot in the back hallway for my own, personal craft and work space. My "own, personal" meaning that it would be my own and personal until one of the children decides to commandeer it for their own purposes.

I searched high. I searched low. I was looking for something that was real wood with lots of storage. I needed to be able to paint it, and it couldn't be too big because it was going in a hallway, after all. In short, I was searching for the impossible dream.

On my 546th trip to Salvation Army, my eyes fell upon something that I wasn't at all expecting. As I gazed at the hideous, glass top, metal table, I remembered a post I'd seen from a fellow blogger (I THINK it was The Nester!) who used a homemade skirt to disguise her storage area underneath a table or desk. I knew what I wanted to do! After offering $8 for the $15 table, my dubious husband loaded it into his truck for me and we brought it home.

No one believed in me, I tell you! T knew better than to say anything, and to her credit, my mom clamped a hand over her mouth after she started to say something objectionable about my find.

It didn't matter. I've read enough fabulous blogs written by talented ladies to know that I can at least try anything. Good grief, at least I'd only be out an $8 table, right?

So here's the BeFoRE shot again!

Pretty bad, huh?

Here's an AfTeR!

Voila! I think it's pretty cute for an $8 table!

Wanna know how I did it??

First, I went straight out and bought a couple of cans of $0.97 white spray paint at Wal-Mart, a spray primer, and a Krylon clear sealer so the top wouldn't scratch up.

A couple of coats later, and I could still see hints of metal popping through. It drove T nuts, as he is a perfectionist with projects, but I just kept repeating "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful!" (Hmm, wonder where I've heard that before?) After that, I sprayed a top coat of Krylon clear sealer, and it was finished (enough). I learned that I am very impatient with drying spray paint. I made a mistake on one leg, but just decided to put that side against the wall.

Next was the glass. I peeled off all the price tags and Windexed it really well to get it ready for the treatment! (Doesn't that sound fancy?)

I made T spray several a coats of frosting to what I decided would be the underside of the table top (so it doesn't scratch off when I'm working). I made him do it so I would have someone to yell at if it didn't turn out right. Amazingly enough, it turned out great! Not quite as heavy a frost as I'd like, but pretty durn good. Here's what it looks like from the top. (Sorry for the weird flash circle).

I got the clear fleur de lis to show through by making a sticker for T to spray over. When I peeled the sticker off, the fleur de lis was still there, but the rest of the table top is frosted!

My friend Meri gave me some cut-outs from her Cricut and T copied the fleur de lis onto Fed-Ex shipping labels at work. A razor cutting tool was all it took for me to cut the "sticker" out! See?

Then came the sewing. Lots and lots (and lots) of sewing. I chose muslin because I liked that I could match it pretty closely to my Target drapes. It doesn't hurt that muslin. is. cheap.

I"ll just be honest and say that if left to my own devices, I would have stuck the fabric on that desk with a glue stick and some Scotch tape. But I am lucky enough to have a friend, AT, who just opened her own sewing business. She came over and did ALL the measuring, cutting, and pinning of those darn pleats because my math skills are pretty much non-existent. Because of AT, I ended up with some lovely pleats. My seams may be crooked linearly challenged, but it's close enough for me!

AT and I decided on Velcro to attach the skirts (there are actually 4 panels) to the table. I found this "decorator" Velcro at AC Moore. It's pricey, but I had a 40% off (!!) coupon. I'm glad I went with it because it is super-strong. Much better than a glue stick and Scotch tape.


See? It peels right off the table if I need it to!

I felt like the plain muslin was a little bit too blah, so I picked up some black ribbon at the craft store to trim up the skirts since I did the same thing with my drapes I got on clearance at Target last Fall.

I started by sewing one end of the ribbon to the back of the skirt to anchor it. This was difficult for a girl who is new to sewing. I had to try very hard to not sew through my finger.


Fabri-Tac is my new BFF. I had almost a full bottle left after trimming my drapes and roman shade in the Fall. After I hunted it down, I got to work trimming the top of the hem line on each panel.


I like this photo because it shows what the skirt looks like with no top trim vs. trim on the top. I think I'm glad I did it at the top too, but what do I know?


This is a view down the hall from the open part of the addition. You can see the trim I did on the roman shade. That door will open up to our deck if I can nag convince T to get started on it in the next few weeks. The laundry room is the door to the left.

I used my left-over Fed-Ex sticker paper to make a stencil! I had some black matte fabric paint, so I added a fleur de lis to the bottom of the front panels. Not exactly centered, but whatever. I eyeballed it. That's what I get for short cuts. But you know what? I bet no one will notice it. Except you now. And everyone in the 'Burg that reads this blog. Oh well....



I used some more of the fabric paint (since that's all I had) to add a stencil to this planter I got at SA last week. It's the new home for some of my bigger "tools." The little Southern Living at Home vase thingie I'm going to use for my pens. I got it for $1 a few weeks ago. That's all I have on the desk for now. I was hoping to find a lamp to redo this weekend, but I may just go to Wally World and check out their Better Homes & Gardens line. I'd love to have your suggestions for how to dress this area up! I have one of those "Create" wall sayings from the Stampin' Up Decor Elements line, but not much else. I was thinking about maybe doing a fabric bulletin board in a cool frame too.


This is storage bin I have under there so far. I scavenged it from Michaela Byrd's closet. I think you can also see Natalie's foot. Sorry.


Just to show what I have to live with down the hall in the addition, which is also undecorated. I do have some plans in the works!!! It does not include the girls' dollhouse collection!


Here they are, already plotting to destroy something. That's what they do! But they're so stinkin' cute, I can't stay mad.

Hope you enjoyed my first big furniture makeover! If you have any questions, please leave me a comment. I was so inspired by my favorite blogs! I kept telling myself that if Sarah can learn to use powertools herself, and if The Nester can figure out a way to make a door on a wall gorgeous, then surely I can come up with something for a nasty old metal table!

{Happy Bargain Hunting!}