December 9th, 2011
Okay it’s been awhile since I posted part 2 of our kitchen reveal… I swear there will be only one more reveal when the backsplash goes in. After that we’ll just have little details that I probably wont post about because I don’t think that anyone cares to see small updates. But I know that is probably not true because I seriously stalk home renovation blogs yelling into the air for more updates. “Why (insert home renovation blogger), have you not updated in a week??? Don’t you know that I want to see the tiniest progress??” I swear I care way too much about what is being renovated in other people’s homes. We spend about 8 hours a day watching the DIY channel. I don’t think that is an exaggeration either. Don’t believe me, ask my ever-widening behind, and my baby who knows the sound that the TV makes when it gets turned on. We really do need to get out more. Okay so where was I… Yes the kitchen! Almost a month ago I posted part 2 of the kitchen reveal. I was just waiting on the marble counter tops which were just a few days away from being installed. It’s been more than 2 weeks since we’ve had the new counter tops, but I’ve been so busy (hence the lack of updates and Monday free downloads) that I haven’t had a chance to post the kitchen reveal yet. The countertop guys came and did a great job and the calcutta marble counter top is breathtaking. I knew it would be beautiful, but I am seriously in love with how stunning it is.
I have even placed my cute blue, white and taupe dishes in the cabinets. Suprisingly only the small blue plates and large teal cups were purchased recently. Everything else has been collected over the past few years.
The cabinets will have glass doors, but we’re not in any huge hurry. Also looking at this photo makes me want to do some Christmas decorations in the kitchen. maybe a dainty garland across the upper cabinets.
You can see the veining of the marble a bit better in this (awful) cell phone camera photo from the day of the install:
(I swear I need to put a disclaimer on my site about my terrible photography skills. I really am sorry that my photos are so bad. I should be fired from blogdom and have my blog taken away for such a crime against the blogging community).
You can also see above what a difference having stuff in the cabinets makes the room feel so much more homey.
Here is a peninsula view. I LOVE my corbels which I still need to post about. Can someone keep track of everything I have promised to post about and email it to me?
And an up-close shot of the upper cabinets.
So that’s the kitchen as it pretty much stands today. I don’t know what got into me but I was so verbose today! I guess I’m just so excited to have a fully-functioning kitchen!
(If any photographers in the Sacramento, Tahoe or Bay Area wants to take pity on me and come and take a few actually good shots of my kitchen please feel free to stop on by!)
December 7th, 2011
After MUCH ado, we finally have a fully functioning master bathroom. a few weeks ago, I posted a sneak peak because I was so excited about our progress. And since then, the pine planks were painted SW Duck White, the lights were installed, the plumbing finished, the cabinet stained and finished, and the mirror made and hung. Whew! Thats a lot of work, but luckily Mr. Project was up to the task and finished it fairly quickly considering he was on a business trip all of last week.
My favorite part of the bathroom is the plank wall. I just wish it weren’t covered up! But the mirror looks pretty awesome too, and it’s nice to be able to see myself when I put on make-up. Here is an in-progress photo of the plank wall… so pretty:
Here is the other side of the bathroom (yes it’s a small room, but it’s about a million times better than it used to be!). I got that gorgeous train rack from Restoration Hardware. Notice the TP holder has no TP… Ollie found out how fun toilet paper rolls are so now we keep them out of the reach of little hands. I thought about installing the bar up high, but decided no matter how much sense it made, it probably was not the best idea.
Well that’s the master bath! I do want to find a basket for under the sink, but I haven’t seen one that is the right thing for the space yet. So it’s pretty much done and I am one happy lady!
December 2nd, 2011
Hello dear readers it’s Angie Hinksman here and a very Happy Holiday Season to you! Today I’m going to share with you a little hybrid project, inspired by what is probably the most is talked about product this Christmas; the iPad2. I love the simplicity of the design of the iPad and I think that the included stand is pure GENIUS! Now, while my little Recipe Stand won’t help you surf the net, it’s certain to brighten up any kitchen table! You’ll need very few supplies (no need for specialist binding materials here, just paper, card and some basic crafting supplies.
To create the Recipe Stand and 6 recipe cards, you will need the following supplies:
- Recipe journaling templates – you can download the pdf file here
- Some plain co-ordinating paper or cardstock for printing the journaling cards. I’ve used some simple ’letterhead’ stationery for mine.
- Selection of 12 x 12 inch patterned scrapbook papers – I’ve used papers from Jen’s beautiful Stella & Rosecollection. You’ll need 2 for the stand and 1 sheet will 6 recipe cards. Cut your paper to the following measurements:
- 1 piece: 8.5 x 12 inches (just keep the off-cut handy, we’ll use this later)
- 1 piece: 6 x 12 inches (again we’ll use the off-cut later)
- 1 piece: cut out 6 at 4 x 6 inches
- Chipboard or very thick card. If you can’t get hold of plain chipboard, the back of an old note book will work perfectly! I’ve used the back of one of my scrap-pads. Cut your card to the following measurements;
- 2 pieces: 4.5 x 6.5 inches
- 1 piece: 2.5 x 6.5 inches
- 2 pieces: ¾ x 6.5 inches
- A ruler
- Cutting tools (such as a Stanley knife or rotary cutter and scissors)
- Adhesive (I’m using a glue stick and some double-sided tape)
- Cutting matt
- Rolling pin (this helps the glue stick well)
Instructions for the recipe cards:
Print your recipe journal pieces onto your paper and cut out. Glue these to the front and back of your 4 x 6 inch pieces of scrap paper. I’ve rounded the edges of mine, to keep with the iPad feel of the project!
Instructions for the Recipe Stand:
Place your 4.5 x 6.5 and 2.5 x 6.5 inch pieces of chipboard on your 8.5 x 12 inch scrap paper as illustrated. Align the top and bottom pieces with the edges of the paper. Place the middle pieces approx. ½ inch below the top piece. You want to have a bigger gap at the bottom (this will help your recipe stand close well). Use a pencil to mark where your placed this pieces, then glue them down. Use your rolling pin over the top then turn the whole thing over and use your rolling pin again. This will make sure your glue has good contact. Leave to dry for a few minutes then glue the sides down as shown.
Once dry, glue the 6 x 12 inch piece of scrap paper on top, as shown and leave to dry.
Glue the 2 ¾ x 6.5 inch pieces of card together as illustrated. Once dry, glue and cover with a piece of your left over scrap paper. Leave to dry. Once this is dry, glue to the bottom of the main piece(the bottom has the small piece of cardboard). Leave this whole piece to dry thoroughly (I left mine for about an hour).
On the inside of the stand, cut a piece of your left-over scrap papers in a strip: 2.5 inches x 12. Place this at the bottom of the stand so that it meets the edge of the ¾ inch piece. You’ll need to trim this down so it fits your stand. Using either a thin layer of glue or double-sided tape, glue this down. This will create pockets to keep your recipe cards in.
Once your stand is completely dry you will be able to fold it as shown. As you can see, the ¾ inch piece helps the Stand stay in place! Cut another little scrap of paper in a triangle shape to act as a photo corner to display your cards(mine is about an inch and half wide). Glue into place.
Finally place your finished cards in your pockets and enjoy! I think this would make a great gift andit is light and small enough to post to far-away family and friends. Why not invite some ‘recipe-loving’ friends over, give them each a recipe stand, filled with cards and have a recipe swap party. Now wouldn’t that be fun?
Have a great day 
November 22nd, 2011
It’s been awhile since my last bathroom update because all of Mr. Project’s extra energy has been going towards building the kitchen.But since the kitchen build is pretty much done, and my folks are coming to visit, we turned our attention towards the master bathroom.
The shower and toilet are working and the room is finished, but we don’t have a mirror or sinks etc. This is what it’s looked like since we moved in:
There are more pics on my Master Reveal.
And here is my original idea board:
A few things have changed in the process. And as we were drawing out the plans for the vanity, I just wasn’t feeling it. So we decided to scrap some of the ideas and go with something a bit more unique.
I liked the idea of a white plank wall, but we already had the tile, we talked about chipping out the tile, but in the end decided to keep the tile and do the plank wall above it. The sinks remain the same, but we made the vanity a more modern “floating” vanity with a wood counter and wood front. This is where we are at right now:
Not quite there, but close enough to get an idea of where we’re going. The vanity is finished, but the drawers need to be stained to match the top. The sinks need to be installed and the plank wall painted white. Also we scrapped the medicine cabinets and are now doing one long mirror to keep the horizontal flow. I’ll update with a final reveal once we’re done!
November 17th, 2011
Anyone on your gift list can use a new kitchen towel, I promise! Let’s face it, kitchen towels are extremely functional, but have constant turn over… so, why not make them fabulous too? Hi, Janell here for another idea for a quick and thoughtful gift–make one for your own home while you are at it.
I am sewing with Jen Allyson’s fabulous Christmas fabric line: Holly Jolly from Riley Blake.
Materials:
- Fabric for decorating towels
- Towels to be embellished
(helpful hint: when possible pre-wash and dry your fabric, especially when using dark colors to prevent them from bleeding color onto your towels)
- Additional trim such as ribbon, lace or rick rac
- Scissors, sewing machine, measuring tape, thread and straight pins
Steps:
- Measure the width of the towel. Cut the fabric strips the width of the towel, plus one inch. I like to layout my towel with the fabric and trim so I can see what the over-all effect will be.
- Measure trim the width of the towel plus 1/2 inch and cut.
- Turn under 1/2” on each long edge and press with your iron. Turn under 1/2” on each short edge and press.
- Load your bobbin with thread that is the same color as your towel and the top thread the closest color to your trim and fabrics. You may need to switch colors for the same towel, but keep the bobbin thread consistent.
- Pin your fabric and additional trims with straight pins onto your towel. Now you are ready to sew!
- Start with the fabric and edge-stitch along front pressed edges of strip, through all thicknesses.
- Decorate with more fabric strips and embellish with coordinating ribbons, lace, or ric-rac.
Pair your finished towel with your favorite bottle of hand soap and you have a wonderful gift that you’ll be proud of giving and the receiver will be pleased to get!
