Diggin' it!

Once the garden was ready for planting, we needed only to dig the holes for the plants and plop them in!  We measured where we wanted each plant, so we knew right were they all had to go.  Here's what it all looked like before we planted:<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/digging-it.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-343" height="300" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/digging-it-199x300.jpg" title="digging it!" width="199" /></a><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/before-digging.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-344" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/before-digging-300x199.jpg" title="before digging" width="300" /></a><br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/>It's was pretty grim, but I kept myself optimistic!  Below are the "after" shots, which I think look considerably better than no garden at all!  We don't have mulch yet, but that's next...<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/planted.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-345" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/planted-300x199.jpg" title="planted!" width="300" /></a><br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/the-front-garden.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-346" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/the-front-garden-300x199.jpg" title="the front garden" width="300" /></a>And I'm looking forward to seeing the garden by the end of summer, and certainly by the end of next summer, when it will all be flourishing and the plants will look a little more substantial.  Planting a garden certainly gives new meaning to the phrase "Hurry up, and wait"!<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Now, contrary to my depiction of how to plant a garden (ie. plop the plants in) there are a few steps you’re going to want to take in order to <del>not murder</del> help your plants thrive.<br/><br/>- First, when you've selected your plants and get them home, make sure you water them in their pots the day before you intend to plant.  I watered mine when we got home and then again the evening before I planted them.  (I suppose it goes without saying, you don't want to wait too long to get them in the ground.) I made sure the water ran right through the soil and out the bottom of the pot.  Of course, I had help:<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/water-each-plant.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-347" height="259" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/water-each-plant-300x259.jpg" title="water each plant" width="300" /></a><br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/>- Remove the plants from the containers the minute you want to drop them in the ground. In other words, don't remove the plants from their pots while you dig and leave them sitting in the sun because the roots will dry out.  We planted on a 90 degree day, with full sun (not advisable), which had we left the plants out of their post, could have easily damaged the roots.<br/><br/>- When you take the plant from the pot (gently!), look at the very bottom of the roots. If the roots are densely packed or growing in a circle, gently pull them apart  with your  fingers, so they can spread out once in the ground.<br/><br/>- According to my Mom, the gardening expert, when you dig the hole for each plant, make it the the depth it was in the pot. If you plant them any deeper, the stem of the plant could rot. If you plant them too high the roots could dry out.  But I confess, we had some really tough digging, in rock hard clay. I did plant one shrub too high, about an inch, and I just piled the dirt up to the level I needed. BUT, <em>I swear</em>, I’m gonna watch that particular plant and keep the dirt mounded there.<br/><br/>- Once you fill in your hole around the new plant, don't press down too hard on the plants as you fill in the holes, lightly will do.  Over time, watering will settle them into the ground.<br/><br/>- Water the newly planted garden as soon as it is finished and make sure it gets watered each week, especially if its HOT.  Try not to get the leaves wet in hot sun because they can burn.  Also, it’s important not to get the leaves wet at night because if the water sits on them, they can rot.  <em>SO</em>, my deduction is this, avoid burns and rot altogether, and water only at the roots.  Not having a “soaker hose” I took my regular hose and set it to very low water pressure.  Then I set it at the root area of each shrub for about 5 minutes.  For the smaller plants (perennials) I set it on each for about 3 minutes.<br/><br/><em><strong>So with the garden essentially finished</strong>, this morning, at 7 a.m., with a sore back and coffee in hand, I watered my new garden and had a few <del>barely coherent</del> very intelligent reflections about the garden project/birthday "gift" to share:</em><br/><br/>Digging a garden makes for a pretty tiring couple of days.  I'm starting to re-think my idea of digging our own patio...  Or maybe not...  After all, Big A is still speaking to me....<br/><br/>I will never again paint my toes before digging a garden, especially because apart from when I was digging the holes, I wore flip flops....<br/><br/>How am I gonna keep the dog out of here ....<br/><br/>Should we have the brown mulch or the reddish looking mulch....<br/><br/>But, my main notion was this  - I'm very excited to see how all of my plants grow and how they'll transform the look of our home<em>.  </em><br/><br/> <br/><br/> 

Diggin' it!

Once the garden was ready for planting, we needed only to dig the holes for the plants and plop them in!  We measured where we wanted each p...

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Halfway to a new garden!

The garden project is coming along!<br/><br/>We managed to rototill the area we want to plant, which is most of the front of our house and along the side.<br/><br/>It was an eventful day!  As it turns out there were a lot of things already <em>planted</em> in our garden-to-be.  Such as:  gigantic rocks, wasp nests, and the invisible fence line!  As you can imagine we were <em>delighted</em> at our findings, but rather than celebrate, we still had to ready the area for our new shrubs and flowers.<br/><br/>With my mothers help, I had arranged all the plants where we wanted them to go, or maybe more aptly, where they needed to go.  Big A measured each plant from the house and made a map of the garden-to-be.  I also took pictures of the area with the plants laid out so that we could use the photos as reference.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0025.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-333" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0025-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0025" width="300" /></a><br/><br/>He then used spray paint to outline the edge of the garden.  I have to admit, we were not precise with the outline of the garden.  Our criteria was that it had to be about 5' out from the foundation, because some of the shrubs have a 10' spread when they are full grown.  Also, the garden itself had to encompass some of the huge boulders we have near the house so that Big A didn't have to move them!  Fair point!<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/marking.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-334" height="163" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/marking-300x163.jpg" title="marking" width="300" /></a>Then Big A got to work with the rototiller.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Big-As-job.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-335" height="270" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Big-As-job-300x270.jpg" title="Big A's job" width="300" /></a>The ground was very dry and had a lot of clay and rocks - big rocks.   I wanted to run the rototiller myself, however, when I saw how much it was pulling, even for Big A, I thought I'd better not push my luck.  (At that point we'd already been stung by wasps and I didn't want to end up in the ER with a missing limb...)  So while he rototilled, I raked, cleared out the sod and rocks, and maybe most importantly, dealt with our other two helpers - the dog and the 4 year old.  Helpers can be hard to manage!  But I have my ways:<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Helper.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-336" height="260" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Helper-300x260.jpg" title="Helper" width="300" /></a><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Taking-a-break.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-337 alignleft" height="300" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Taking-a-break-278x300.jpg" title="Taking a break" width="278" /></a><br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/>We finished with the area rototilled and raked ready for planting.  This part of the process took us about 7 hours total.  We were very happy when it was finished, cuz it was admittedly a long and tiring day, compounded by finding wasp nests, and dealing with 90 degree heat. By 5 p.m. we called it quits and headed to my in-laws pool!<br/><br/>Which. Was. Heaven. :-)

Halfway to a new garden!

The garden project is coming along! We managed to rototill the area we want to plant, which is most of the front of our house and along the ...

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2012 Blog Squad!

<p>Well HELLO!  How the heck are ya? </p> <p>I’m thrilled to announce a little…uhh, <em>announcement</em>. I’m so excited to be joining the <a href="http://www.startrightstarthere.com/">True Value Blog Squad</a> again for 2012!:</p> <p><a href="http://www.startrightstarthere.com/"><img alt="true value blog squad" border="0" height="247" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1Y9_GCBYRZo/T-tbR-kW0zI/AAAAAAAAVxs/w1rd01hy2Kg/image605.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="true value blog squad" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I’ve loved working with True Value and <strong>love</strong> my local TV so I’m psyched to get going again this year!</p> <p>I’ve mentioned my True Value’s AWESOMESAUCE spray paint aisle:</p> <p><img alt="spray paint!" border="0" height="533" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TFwxcNdhCOI/AAAAAAAAJd0/CfwlgvEILGo/photo_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" title="spray paint!" width="400" /></p> <p>Stop your drooling, <em>I know</em>. </p> <p>And the fantastic hardware aisle:</p> <p><img alt="hardware" border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_b0sI-ZlP76FF1t9QugykbsQwZLBbBNDla_astVYs4UbCubeNWZFY91z88kQFK5_itP91KhXtl12i700lMbZiT6m50pyXQrdyOOaTHyyDuWErfA_by1YbVZnpsqAjCGGX1KPMrkXoHk/?imgmax=800" title="hardware" width="500" /></p> <p></p> <p>Both rock my socks off. :)</p> <p>This year I’m hoping to take advantage of the lumberyard a bit more (yes, they have a lumberyard – told you it’s awesome). </p> <p>Last summer my Dad and I made my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/08/diy-potting-bench-with-dad.html">potting bench</a>:</p> <p><img alt="cedar wood potting bench" border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBsryJrgmEkUfGV_FKZP9PuT84jK0tMhyuCGQgV2hfFyrv67H3gRVQ-eAYgZuu-jHFjM-WhBE3mz3RJFvIWP4vPDvhk3TKO73-2lHv6MpusVcy1ODR2z2gDNC4GOBSBR5sp4ldmE8XvI/?imgmax=800" title="cedar wood potting bench" width="450" /></p> <p>And I hope to build some more projects this year too. I’ve already got a few in mind. Did you doubt it? :) </p> <p>I feel. in. love. with Kristin’s live edge table when I saw it:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7LNScQ5aSH8/T-tbSpfay9I/AAAAAAAAVx0/ciZW7V7RsUE/s1600-h/4574037091937944_pdmWDck6_f3.jpg"><img alt="DIY live edge table" border="0" height="225" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aY8bhKmugNI/T-tbTIPVCbI/AAAAAAAAVx8/rc9N_EaLeic/4574037091937944_pdmWDck6_f_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DIY live edge table" width="400" /></a>  <br />(<a href="http://thehuntedinterior.blogspot.com/2012/04/diy-live-edge-table.html">source</a>)</p> <p>Isn’t that gorgeous? SO want to make on of my own. </p> <p>Ana White posted this “X” console table a while back and I couldn’t believe my luck:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bQecnS7EgSQ/T-tbTrxUHbI/AAAAAAAAVyE/wI0vD3u0Kxs/s1600-h/3154810345_13376165021.jpg"><img alt="X console table" border="0" height="367" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wgL5xAFkNT0/T-tbUZEAfyI/AAAAAAAAVyM/w_J_DYMOyUE/3154810345_1337616502_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="X console table" width="400" /></a> <br />(<a href="http://ana-white.com/2012/05/plans/rustic-x-console">source</a>)</p> <p>Kid you not, I had been planning on building one for months. And now I know how. ;)</p> <p>I’ve also been planning on creating some in wall storage in our bathroom for awhile too, like this one:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vHhGsy10jJw/T-tbUuzeGQI/AAAAAAAAVyU/k747NcWGwwM/s1600-h/29836416251712706_l99ZMkAx_f%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="in wall bathroom storage" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UhTj_Sr0404/T-tbVFWadQI/AAAAAAAAVyc/BAM3mrAk-Eo/29836416251712706_l99ZMkAx_f_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="in wall bathroom storage" width="320" /></a>(<a href="http://thisoldchurchhouse.blogspot.com/2011/09/skip-to-my-loo-new-bathroom.html">source</a>) </p> <p align="left">I think I can do it – we’ll see how it turns out. </p> <p align="left">And the biggie – I really hope I can get started on the mud room that will be a MUD ROOM and <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/04/case-for-basement-laundry-room.html"><em>not</em> a laundry room</a>. Swoon:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sFRfME0Gl2I/T-tbVkTQ9wI/AAAAAAAAVyk/600ngzfFES0/s1600-h/108086459776387277_l3w1SxBx_f3.jpg"><img alt="mud room built ins" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Xax4xE_9vdY/T-tbWK2SZbI/AAAAAAAAVys/_esrk2rsC4Q/108086459776387277_l3w1SxBx_f_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="mud room built ins" width="322" /></a> <br />(<a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/charlieandco/charlie-simmons-charlie-co-design-ltd">source</a>) </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Be still my heart. This will not be how ours looks but I can dream, right? </p> <p>So I hope to show you how to build more things than I have in the past, with some easier projects mixed in. AND a little somethin’ for you all thrown in here and there. :)</p> <p>Can’t wait to get started -- I know the first project I’m working on! Can’t wait to show you…if it turns out. (Probably even if it doesn’t.)</p> <p>Have a GREAT weekend!! Will you be celebrating the Fourth early? I LOVE the Fourth of July! </p> <p> </p> <p align="left"><i><font size="2">“I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.”</font></i></p>

2012 Blog Squad!

Well HELLO!  How the heck are ya? I’m thrilled to announce a little…uhh, announcement . I’m so excited to be joining the True Value Blog S...

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The Dead Fly and DIY

I'm not a morning person.  Well, <em>technically</em> I am.  I get up early, but as anyone who knows me well will tell you - if you know what's good for you, best not to speak to me until I've had at least two large cups of coffee. This morning was no different.  I got up and shuffled into the kitchen to make myself a cup of personality.  I was lost in thought, thinking about the day ahead.  Big A was going to borrow a rototiller and we were going to get the garden dug along the foundation.<br/><br/>Yesterday, my mother came over and we had placed all of the plants and drew up a <del>slap-dash</del> very precise map of said garden.  I took a ton of pictures of the area so that I could use them as reference as to where the plants were supposed to go after we dug the actual garden.<br/><br/>I got my coffee made and poured myself a large cup: extra cream and sweetener.  (I know, I use sugar-free sweetener, and full fat cream - remember, I walk on the wild side).  I took a big slug, heaven!  But wait, in my peripheral vision, I think I saw something.<br/><br/>Floating. In. My. Coffee.<br/><br/>Which only a <em>millisecond </em>before had been undoubtedly close to being swallowed!  My brain struggled to catch up - what <em>was</em> it?  Surely just coffee grounds!  Maybe a large crumb of bread?  Please let it be bread!<br/><br/>I said please!  But to no avail.  It was:  A big, dead, nasty fly!<br/><br/><em>I shrieked. THAT</em> is not the way to start the day!  Nor does it bode well for the rest of the day!  Was it a bad omen?<br/><br/>Big A suddenly swooped in and took over.  Thank God for that man, he knows I am cranky in the morning, and that it was in everyone's best interest for him to get me <em>another cup, STAT</em>.<br/><br/>I finally calmed down and realized I had survived the ordeal, and was going to be O.K.   With a little trepidation, but a bug free cup of coffee in hand, I headed out to inspect the job site.<br/><br/><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-330" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00062-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0006" width="300" /><br/><br/>It actually looked harmless enough!  Yay!  Use the rototiller around the foundation and around the large rocks - and like <em>magic </em>- ready to dig some holes.  I'm pretty sure even Big A, the one who gets stuck with the hardest work, was fairly optimistic!<br/><br/>But alas, the fly <span style="text-decoration: underline;">was</span> a bad omen, and it wasn't quite that easy... Looking back now, I can almost smile.  I say <em>ALMOST</em>, because these words are in the forefront of my brain:  heat stroke, missing limbs, bees nests, and dog poop.   All of which made for an interesting morning!  But that post will have to wait until tomorrow.  After I've had my coffee.<br/><br/>(No people or animals were harmed in this project, yet.)

The Dead Fly and DIY

I'm not a morning person.  Well, technically I am.  I get up early, but as anyone who knows me well will tell you - if you know what...

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Flower Power!

Planting around the exposed foundation of our new modular home is on my big "to do" list, so I'm very excited to have to opportunity to get started.  My birthday present from my parents was a whole bunch of plants from the local garden center, which with my Mom's guidence I got to pick out!  What an awesome birthday present!<br/><br/>The house has two areas in the front that I'm really excited to adorn with some plants. Let's face it, that exposed foundation looks like H. E. double toothpicks.<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_320" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0056.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-320" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0056-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0056" width="300" /></a> The front to the right of the porch[/caption]<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_321" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0050.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-321" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0050-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0050" width="300" /></a> The side of the house[/caption]<br/><br/>I didn't really want to plant any high maintenance gardens, because although I adore gardens, gardening is not exactly one of my strong points.  Ideally I wanted some pretty substantial shrubs and plantings, perhaps that will fill in and spread on their own, with little effort on my part.<br/><br/>So yesterday, my mother and I headed to <a href="http://www.dickmanfarms.com">Dickman Farms</a>, where we spent a couple of hours in flower and plant heaven!  It was not only a bright sunny day, but only about 70 degress - beautiful!<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_322" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00191.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-322" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00191-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0019" width="300" /></a> Butterfly on a butterfly bush[/caption]<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_323" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0046.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-323" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0046-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0046" width="300" /></a> Flowers everywhere[/caption]<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_324" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0023.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-324" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0023-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0023" width="300" /></a> Love the yellow![/caption]<br/><br/>Eventually we stopped drooling over plants that wouldn't work for the "gardening disadvantaged", and got down to business.  We found 6 shrubs that fit the bill, and various other perenials, like hostas, day lilies and astilbies.  (Pat on the back to me for remembering those plant names!).<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_325" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0045.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-325" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0045-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0045" width="300" /></a> We had 2 wagons full[/caption]<br/><br/>Thank you Mom and Dad, so much!  We have our work cut out for us, getting all of this planted.  However, I can't wait to plant, and see what these guys look like in a couple of years (if I manage to keep them alive!).  Big A is happy too!  I think his exact comment was "<em>Thank you for all the work you're creating for ME</em>!"  I'm sure he meant it sincerely, so that's why, as a special thanks for all of his hard work, Mom and I bought him his "<em>dream tractor"</em> !<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_326" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00223.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-326" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00223-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0022" width="300" /></a> NOT![/caption]

Flower Power!

Planting around the exposed foundation of our new modular home is on my big "to do" list, so I'm very excited to have to oppor...

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Over the fireplace

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1z5aoH_FsRDxOdhRUjsAy9vgOW9q-eGb03OHk9itcqK_y3fBKyJVNBdpvAF2zoQfAT6Oe_WmnNggL1zjOqdmnW2F8f-ehPXmqTCzk6Zu1U3U5Y1MzOCeXJwNWL1smXzRsExrGa6ZmZA/s1600-h/IMG_1801%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img alt="decorating a mantel" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SOZKcAVjGjrpEhUL4thscg1xvruQfwaNQb9UB7sRZFkyXLpK2LpObPGi7sA7WUABwg78jUe7FSH3if7bdwExUQfyWWtz5JRPlHwK-MsyrTvHyPhTqmK_qKnA-HEYiRbk2A5jkRzMDOs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="decorating a mantel" width="320" /></a></p> <p>Hey hey! I mentioned yesterday that I was feeling the NEED for some DIY up in here. (Hea?) I’ve been planning a project for months now and just needed to figure out the details – mainly the exact materials I wanted to use. </p> <p>Ever since we <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/11/fireplace-redo.html">covered our corner fireplace</a> last year, I’ve been planning a treatment over the mantel to finish it off a bit. It has looked just a bit nekked to me all this time, but I wanted to do something I knew I would like long term, so I waited:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzFRAt6SLyivzkzLHGSAl0c-NlipGGZ_LRdOya-2Ui1j34YSUU4jwNEdN4qbQx9cptYYBg0Ict2weURz4YtWg9cPP8dYMekrnJCcuHMWjnaS4iv17Ro-I7T696hsJMnB1W_QlyMWz_XI/s1600-h/IMG_8703_thumb%25255B12%25255D%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="walled off corner fireplace" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OQ59aCIcuVhJ-ZQDGrcQ2RAFAeA_dBztVly96kz7uzC6p5L0rfYGC1ytSmPPIEr5JIJa_J6nS_AvvDdbfEb0VF_71W3dKQgMd_9nwQJcyInckRi4fNon5JqanyHOSRnfjy2xfGkph0c/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="walled off corner fireplace" width="280" /></a></p> <p>I was just SO thrilled to not have that annoying corner fireplace anymore, I was fine with a little nekked. (Can you be a little nekked?)</p> <p>I wanted to do something different than my normal wainscoting squares, and I finally figured out exactly what I wanted to do yesterday and <em>got ‘er done.</em> I started with these baseboard pieces from Lowe’s: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5nviqecXGOkuyrfVKsqX5Qty6ePXyIHZga6BPN2LkTPQardYoFLPqV9SbO3NRwVKTPIdxkAnQRNyFThhT7VUh4tiGqFvSrNuEIdicEWLoGiXAjMv_2SWYWw_slVoFE0Mlb5OPb1uR7s/s1600-h/IMG_1818%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="baseboards wall treatment" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVYpWRZDnUckqLvHosvMO84L7mld4O8zxNLzbGMHiSqBGt-l_uCPSE5W9kdoTybqHUVzp48Ya7VvYfY4qLKxDpC3TLZex3khdDf0Y8lLDAOQOj7OKf2EMQrEAIEPExMHVjn4odklsJHc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="baseboards wall treatment" width="320" /></a></p> <p>They come in eight and 12 foot lengths and are about 5.25 inches wide. The design couldn’t be simpler – just one board across the top, mitered at the corners, then two side pieces coming down:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVO2s3JJfTNuDY1nUB_GSQ-z_wjt3HqxvVZYwgdYnnwBFm2Nr-Uqt9kR8aFWQa58D06bScDpr9LSQFGqFK3kqwsXjxIcQeuYr0WAEnNhKH_QJcJX9W-mvS3H1cg-u_i1fIM55I7fz8Vns/s1600-h/IMG_1774%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PIv8_V-RwssOYvOqVSW0r-JGgxqznrE-YOJxi5HPYOVtFjelONW6vaKSa8MLKg_p7eIrhEDqRVbLv07hHO2EYpFQYAU7v1e9RHkvDZh-WUqfrxaf1-q3Igb4x7Eu_qMtn6n-EE9esnc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I was lucky because the measurements allowed me to use ten boards horizontally, and they fit perfectly in the wall space above the mantel. I didn’t have to cut any of the boards down on a table saw to make it work. Which is a good thing cause I don’t have a table saw. ;)</p> <p>The only hiccup I came to was how to mark where I had the screws for the mirror that hangs above the fireplace. They were already exactly where they needed to be and in studs, so I didn’t want to have to redo the whole thing. </p> <p>Sooo, I grabbed some lipstick, painted the front of the screws with it, then I placed the board that was going in that spot directly on top of them to get a mark for the holes on the back:</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR65p69Gaj0VVetHFIaDDhrAj3Q-nTyRiGJfp4cayXxOeJcHRyunBaKtvXKcRI4zkf_SsGKQlRJUDl6opRdzpacOnp1bIdTGPI95mE1zesSWHl4436tUQu1aDrRPgw_nWo8FveqDU7YMQ/s1600-h/IMG_1775%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging mirror" border="0" height="407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS_2Tvk7NM5y25kGcWLdyJcDQv8j54NRJIosoXQ5KzTNnOQt1tBvZ8yYVlGLiuF_FUXXhUGDW1IzdGvcgtg8X9WPnp2ZgqLsMo41ws1LpLDJCTEnjGxDUO1ODGrf4T3ltg-ONm6a8itg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="hanging mirror" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcY9zj_q55rsrbcyeQOqJ2hrnIODBmdNr86L_mLVtT0VhaR85aXPqZpMiRHwpGnHZG-v5q7f5FBQT4nAj7nijr-ZQITNh9ORycyzGqxfEUJn_xPPreOWjF8MVtJOMvphg-SSv3Tq8N1GE/s1600-h/IMG_1776%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging a mirror" border="0" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zTjdjVR1rFVHY4Banu_wCHu30vTTzQ1ux9IsM3vwxCvlKckJ6nIXesyvZAbSWh3KGvxSAxVBxAuFAYqsQv_24H65FAPokUyL7-g_48SNf_q3114ZeHXc1RsxuJ9q4AruW5fyWaQljjM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="hanging a mirror" width="270" /></a></p> <p>It worked like a charm! I just drilled the holes where the lipstick was and then took the screws out of the wall, put the board up, then put the screws back in through the board. Does that make sense?</p> <p>The design was so simple it took me less than an hour to get it up:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-f_iwRJeW6qW7dBqq6vSN10ijFW1MSSq0asAJb18Byaieb6ckRCRxkgVX_Qrhxec3CV7FxrJ3Numl6fVca0Q63jzaakc2GlNCfRgwpiV5V_b7sJXcNJkQ7as5ozlV81tE66H6gv4H2U/s1600-h/IMG_1817%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="horizontal planks wall " border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ogSiEQEVmsLwbh_RTFzh6ucvNXyqHzBMLIuOVcwuaqYL3tqbPVSHe1zrstiFrsUlgGh96j4UdJR8L19qhkBgKFP3o8AV0SE6tzI48jYghHprBqJc2OAxDT32bsTikABPpvXQUs00f5w/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="horizontal planks wall " width="338" /></a></p> <p>(You can see the screws for the mirror up on the top.)</p> <p>Since I kept the middle basic, I just cut a bunch of 42 inch boards and nailed them up – super easy! </p> <p>Of course the project that I think about for months takes all of an <strong>hour </strong>to do. :)</p> <p>I LOVE how it turned out!:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguh3Hm6GUDDQWOoBdjBIewBTr8SRB1mZvyBsqBdf2dhY-72Pj3RRMjjwVA_8VX74-8JCO-eANO4hfsRtplPXKRPaOmAKcxWpxXQEtWtXBwf6lb3qvT4HtTEGtsel9SbxS9xMILS3r7Y10/s1600-h/IMG_1797%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wall treatment over mant" border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3czlGcbe3_EIND3MeYNY5GdtUTiH8h_KSfAmh-jDnMe0usTt-87mHnb0Lw28TmykjYq6HEymLLViLdnP2QznMkCXYDOQrbbmDA1qwJQpzcRuUZPMEFy9mfT4dwU920nzTteR_EzUGt0M/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wall treatment over mant" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Confession time though – I haven’t even painted it yet. Primed boards are worth their weight in gold, I tell you WHAT. </p> <p>I want to be careful about painting it because I like that you can see the “seams” between the boards – I don’t want the paint to fill any of it in, so I’ll need to take my time with it. </p> <p>And who am I kidding, you can’t even tell it’s not painted unless you get close, so it will most likely be eight months from now before semi gloss touches it’s surface. For REAL. </p> <p>I had to notch out one of the boards to make the outlet work, but the accessories cover it well:</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWxyYEcLLrI1VlJJE0_S3CGfdr0HPcqzAWjVB3s6vdc59XoJvbkYnvbbUesmgkdlaYR8Y4f9fQXKoWv-RGWmpeeWeC4rbUe7mxy2DHMsh8JMElWWuw8T0kJYdceYJoG7l8nd-7MwCs0o/s1600-h/IMG_1806%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wall treatment over mantel" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrud9uWrWEXJizY-gE8NT0HE9xmlxIkwXJGOVMPlWr54TxDgllw43yzjO5fr8Ayf6TmOmJbtiZErA5PTS_V0NjidOnh3iQHT-psrT871ayA-1OYalqt0wTnCX3kvsDXyhnvXtXnexGIE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wall treatment over mantel" width="320" /></a>  </p> <p>And if anyone ever noticed it…well you know what that means. THEY GET A COOKIE. </p> <p align="left">I think it is the perfect finishing touch to the fireplace wall that I now LOVE:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeaoCs7EYb6KWBtSsuazIOdbuxY0ThsNVSvdG3ponLbEF7EHGPczzF5SXLMdmEIG1FYSj2SCIBZHaYM-qM0nfCCLaimyOF85Q61cOS1UyYlKOX7X5Ylg5g2PDD-w4sxIc7RVrZJO001o/s1600-h/IMG_1787%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="wall treatment over mantel " border="0" height="698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gW9eRcrxbkfYw20kjMhL_uqIrnOSEIIe7TMA7a1if3qK07V__nE_U_o6u_aOP5W5gV0aOh4OoZ3cU7LFmJrPXGa5WGDOwXV5l7kTPFjntKPGo5JCV__YLolqFZXN8cIwGVtecFWImK8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wall treatment over mantel " width="465" /></a></p> <p>Let’s look back on the transformation, shall we? I put up molding above our old corner fireplace years ago, then as I mentioned, we had the wall (and a REAL mantel) put up last fall:</p> <p align="center"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-pl06mDFic9-Ye_6jtUrXRAC6hwY3ZhTNWySeWbwib1tmkm8sKvTU-9JzzgppuiU1krBTrbVEHz7a_vAOx4fg8KOuQWqwhAwsC0Dp47Xp-eHUxoPVty_LESO8C_4FzFQOHwK6WjYywc/s1600-h/image%25255B42%25255D%25255B6%25255D.png"><img alt="image[42]" border="0" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA_sQ4c_DcP0OvQK860TlnEvivHPXo06PKWl80B-niSX9yFOR1P8aTUGO7JjPJvvsSQVYphUEamEGgZDnBIqLrI5OaKNocMpPFeX5o8yupHmGS5_piGg9kNrk7nvxElayAwY0b4ycH_E/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image[42]" width="262" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzFRAt6SLyivzkzLHGSAl0c-NlipGGZ_LRdOya-2Ui1j34YSUU4jwNEdN4qbQx9cptYYBg0Ict2weURz4YtWg9cPP8dYMekrnJCcuHMWjnaS4iv17Ro-I7T696hsJMnB1W_QlyMWz_XI/s1600-h/IMG_8703_thumb%25255B12%25255D%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8703_thumb[12]" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OQ59aCIcuVhJ-ZQDGrcQ2RAFAeA_dBztVly96kz7uzC6p5L0rfYGC1ytSmPPIEr5JIJa_J6nS_AvvDdbfEb0VF_71W3dKQgMd_9nwQJcyInckRi4fNon5JqanyHOSRnfjy2xfGkph0c/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_8703_thumb[12]" width="280" /></a> </p> <p>Now it’s what I’ve always dreamed it would be…<em>sniff</em>. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMhqB0KMXVV3afknR9dP3zimfUq6KUD88v_KMVaVZLJrbLj4ALakPcdungI7S5V2d1jM7i44RiiGL5FiDEXDc9APkkLVCAjRfait2JJdgTup0IBM8yKbpX2kl4CY1gLEeDG9Pbt0_8rA/s1600-h/IMG_1782%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wall treatment over mantel" border="0" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhwNoEmuhmWrn2MWbDBqRgpiGJN6hWq8KkxlEm1F5ScITQqe9w192FC5kdf4OKVhoib1sORmyAAeh8GkFY5H7I3pnW3C1_CGwcWDvdqthRyY9fI9GBRzGTPgXftqEX34cSJ_SuliXtyI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wall treatment over mantel" width="350" /></a></p> <p>It took about $60 and an hour to do – and after all this time I have a fireplace that makes a statement instead of hiding away in a corner. ;) </p> <p>I think fireplaces can be so hard – so many I see in blogland look effortless but I find something that works and stick with it…forever. I like the accessories I’ve had up there so unless major inspiration hits, they’ll be like this till fall. Do you struggle with what to do on your mantel and above your fireplace? Do you change it up often? </p>

Over the fireplace

Hey hey! I mentioned yesterday that I was feeling the NEED for some DIY up in here. (Hea?) I’ve been planning a project for months now and...

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Haven conference, finally!

<p>Well, it finally arrived – after a year of planning, the Haven Conference happened last week and I really find it hard to put into words how wonderful it was. <img alt="haven conference button" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEu_L0f3kRmiAtoJzwqm7hxBt_96LY3o-5eze2GIu9lH6zdYkLPwx84ug_WibGny0w-B657ZatufgcxuppadVdfb098w5SL57VfwdEXW2Mrauoiu_frpAmB1zNQr68u0zdwuGmhyphenhyphenLpq-E/s310/BigButton.jpg" title="haven conference button" width="250" /></p> <p>I know you’re probably seeing a lot of these recaps all over blogland today, and I know how hard it is to see these if you weren’t able to attend or just plain have no idea what the heck we’re talking about. So for those reasons, I’ll try to keep this short. </p> <p>I do have to tell you that throughout the week I was continually overwhelmed (in a good way), humbled, overjoyed…it’s really hard to express what a special experience it was. </p> <p>The Haven team is made up of some of my best friends (can I tell you how hard it is to have best friends who you see once a year??), and even though we were always going and working hard, we were ALWAYS having fun:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRISx1nPv_wsuO9okbNncgfYWmVEPSUwy7sLV0iMJ-Iuj_3-1EmJ-JwPIz9B-eQNKfYQvd3hJSeDqI-3qHtGLSUz9fLi_VgFUlg0KuF0nHC5VJ9EIwIuQiWVcLfUtjbGB8OpEHVPWIE10/s1600-h/haven-045_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="haven conference" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiow1F23vaAg2KbFdVJ4CHMfalhee78C5EnGxfEckvojRR1rjPWLDodckOR9w-HMiv4t_XmBOZjeUSQKikwgVFoJM8MolC7BqQaGFxZve4I8R4T8_8R-OZEpucxVBcp2HePnqdCan8do/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="haven conference" width="450" /></a></p> <p>(I had to borrow these pics cause I forgot my camera. And business cards. At a blogging conference. I am smart.)</p> <p>We spent the first day unloading a meeellion swag bags, setting up registration and putting an obscene amount of paper lanterns together. </p> <p>I spoke at a couple sessions each day, and we kicked off I Like Big Blogs with a little dance:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRY488lBtKpcMIWW4A9dV2HDfBrzzvbRA-o2Jwye2GtfUA64wDFVO8Gm3oDE5rQ9p2HGHSYKnYEjSQzanFVcqvwSTUKx9SRIUgdiezuKDBb3Sf9OwZ-KJQmPWavA7raBJoKvkdjZxnkU/s1600-h/dancing%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dancing at haven" border="0" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwg-iyz8IGxKZc1wb-sDTw9cLnKfb44nxkCHfRybUmn8RBlAUwtqswe50piGC6BopeGcR8CJj0zA9G5NqnoSgrHQklrhF8zoBt0giUuVANP2P8nqD-2aNVsSNdHWr-uQVT8YfkmGIq-g/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dancing at haven" width="450" /></a></p> <p>Cause we like big blogs and we cannot lie. ;)</p> <p>My dear friends <a href="http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/">Beckie</a> and <a href="http://hookedonhouses.net/">Julia</a> spoke at the advertising session  with me and I think Beckie rocked some worlds with her info:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5jmLy-JV_QXyVia6YS5hyphenhyphen2qQydrDA9jXWR2fP3jFYbj8hyphenhyphenn_Ns5kBQ4x6ozOb6znez4gr3I0I4eYUUX-WQWq40Rxk5tFXjQVZO-Jk-UX3H-Oj2ekz3XBhmiltFMl0AT9ag8Q9gNez3U/s1600-h/IMG_3958%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="haven conference" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5M742nRA63y1OmZiYoreqRprzp0MU0FA4n21zACAnYq6qKKXC09KUEC1RQHmOAl-kQzPIx3r_86CifRFr7mWtoNDu0NJR3rXheFadBF3FEnW2gJktDMYQvWQWIkqMpYAFUp6MsqovJs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="haven conference" width="450" /></a></p> <p>I want to be her. ;)</p> <p>I try to tell bloggers that when you meet other bloggers for the first time, there is an instant bond that’s hard to explain. I have so many women I consider friends and even though I met some of them for the first time last week, I’ve felt like they’ve lived down the street for years:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxrhgr71kkVQs5GKPOgOoo3AfhaxR42IMKqf-7PH55St-Ok9uQtv3yrywe_Sglcb5BBR-uh1IOgCrxRt6xXoJ0wA7WZaBY8DSYEWYv90oMFflAycvVWaerUljCwtxpVNe3c07v1BqJjg/s1600-h/484616_10150993458384513_156427487_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Haven conference" border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvKmajtLQIyd6T5fAONiPjlr7BivILTfYeycpOcByGOTPglcBSsWRTDaWXPrDtAI8hAUnSJ5Q-hIo71lTzG2vsBRCiHfDXkQRH-HWUdMYDCuGU0UXEw62euQmP2OchOW2SfAoNC8Ryvg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Haven conference" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I think the blogger who wins the award for the most excited was Beth from <a href="http://www.freestylinbeth.com/">Free Stylin</a>:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DbvSlxtOKp2KhDOTj0Ez4ZmdAswtyZ7HyOWdXIpKnPb3HC3M5rQ7L9990N0gJi-4rPr65waYGpUiz88GnaG-DLpBBt0qg75RuNqfxJizPep3ipv5W-aOdC8hlXiL9I34xg5dg9aV6sE/s1600-h/DSC01686%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_a2jCW9yHYqU__2Va9wjtWN-PvVQ2Tz13ecARo9y_XKfu7J1iVH2EYjI4HUcxsWthOuNpX3XL0-W2FSqMbm-JjCJlERwtRpP5LKM7PPkJjWvrYyVEF_oxk_ebSJmmu0_k2rhdQe4N9gs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>She was a doll (as was <em>everyone</em>) and she almost made me cry she was so happy. She’s been reading TDC from the beginning and it was so awesome to meet her and so many other long-time readers. </p> <p>I met so many incredible bloggers and non-bloggers and heard three things over and over:</p> <p>1. TDC was the first blog they found. <strong>LOVE</strong> that. <br />2. I need to keep showing messes in my house cause people like that. ;) (I do too.) <br />3. I am in person what I “sound like” on the blog – and I don’t think I could’ve received a bigger compliment. (Which means that yes, I really am a HUGE dork.) It made my week every time someone said that.</p> <p>It was an amazing week that brought me to (happy) tears more than once. I feel fortunate to have been able to meet so many amazing women (and a few men!) and I am so thrilled to have these six fantastic bloggers in my life:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eIDdj2MZi456K64Rib-cyd-A4q75vFOpH8hGKIjOhyphenhyphenv5ZYe7FyjCqHe96ZVLUKGDJEwRDft-wMU1cxjNCNiCc-80zvAFE_QTHT58B3haVz2DzlpC-Q3kRZEc1H0L6M9NCf344qe4bZY/s1600-h/598920_10150993272764513_1337638632_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="haven team" border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOKgsM3YewXJnAyzZZhejON_ofSIsVYMyJyAaBZBn2dWWqkyRZ8OTIKAzq9Z2nI86ke0QC3StlmI4pKAKv3fojeCiJsa2nJOuTHNuUMqTcHmI1RGb0MPMpTmOCZcWylqGACUELPEGARU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="haven team" width="550" /></a></p> <p>Left to right: <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/">Kate</a>, me, <a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/">Beth</a>, <a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/">Rhoda</a> (who with our coordinator Kristin did a TON of the work), <a href="http://www.beneathmyheart.net/">Traci</a>, <a href="http://justagirlblog.com/">Chris</a> and <a href="http://missmustardseed.com/">Marian</a>. (<a href="http://www.creativekristi.com/">Kristi</a> had to catch a train home early!)</p> <p>I think this picture better represents us though:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqo7UIMG-oZQQxz-XUpiL88p1kpO-Tis0ssRm7OwLJQaZDpnPbwKJQhY13AKGMXUI46IgK1MgawnNNV2-LCLcX73N9hCDM-KwUqSDJp2j1VLK-Ro_4aDg4T3zR6Qj6-s_OOTNpII2M2Nw/s1600-h/602505_10150992949754513_546998872_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="haven team goofy" border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pKB2p6mQvtydkQIQQ_20p9zbrdLr6JnQpD99Fu1WJ-PB5nbCCMX7T1_FQJxZ3SKUAd7xTHUj10mB_agsxqaLgdYfE1OV0Nq0fQb1R9FME-ajbqBlGdY707cCBMDNpMloEIgPqYhn25s/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="haven team goofy" width="550" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Love them. Loved every bit of it. </p> <p>I missed my boys so much and was so happy to get home! It took me a couple days to recoup (I figured out that I had gotten 18 hours of sleep in five days), I was back at the DIY today. I can’t stay away for long. :) </p> <p>If you were able to attend Haven this year, thank you! If not, I hope we’ll see you there next year! </p> <p>**I believe <a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/">Rhoda</a> will have a Haven Conference link up on Tuesday if you went and would like to link your post!</p> <p>**I borrowed these pics from <a href="http://www.loveoffamilyandhome.net/">Tonya</a>, <a href="http://www.beneathmyheart.net/">Traci</a>, <a href="http://www.freestylinbeth.com/">Beth</a> and <a href="http://hookedonhouses.net/">Julia</a>. Thanks ladies. ;)</p>

Haven conference, finally!

Well, it finally arrived – after a year of planning, the Haven Conference happened last week and I really find it hard to put into words how...

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I'm Packin' Heat

I just finished using a gun.  Okay it was only a staple gun, but for me, that should have been danger enough for one day.  However, as I keep telling my kids (to annoy them), I like to live on the edge!  So I also used a knife.  The kind with the razor blade slide thingy, oh, wait, I just looked it up - apparently that is called a "utility knife".  <em>Very fancy. </em><br/><br/>Anyway, last week I started thinking about reupholstering  my ottoman, and couldn't find any of my staple guns.  After several false starts at many different projects, I never did find my staple gun(s), and I basically got nothing accomplished.  Finally, Big A came to my rescue and found a very old rusty staple gun in the bottom of one of his big tool chests. I decided I had better at least finish the ottoman and get one thing done this week.<br/><br/>Here was the problem with the old ottoman:<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0020.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-313" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0020-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0020" width="300" /></a><br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00212.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-303" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00212-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0021" width="300" /></a><br/><br/>All four corners have split and although I have sewn the edges back together before, years of the "little darlings" jumping on the furniture, has not helped my cause.  So now it's definitely time to either re-cover the thing or buy a new one.  At this point in time, I'd rather cover it than spend the money, but we'll see how it looks after the restoration!<br/><br/>Taking a good look at the ottoman, I realize that it's not in terrible condition structurally, and, I really <em><del>am too lazy to</del> </em>don't even need to take off the old fabric.<br/><br/>First, I unscrewed the legs, which took all of about 23 seconds:<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00222.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-304" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00222-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0022" width="300" /></a><br/><br/>Then, using the utility knife, I plucked the buttons off of the top of the ottoman - another 17 seconds.  This is my kind of work!  I laid out the fabric, wrong side up, which is a leather-like  material (sounds so much better than <em>pleather</em>).  And then plopped the ottomon in the center, upside down.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00072.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-306" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00072-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0007" width="300" /></a><br/><br/>I made sure the edges wrapped up and around the ottoman, with about 3" spare on the underside.  I pulled the fabric taught, and started stapling all the way around, keeping it tight.  After I got staples around all four sides, I went back and filled in with staples, about 2 inches apart.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0010.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-307" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0010-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0010" width="300" /></a><br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00121.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-308" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00121-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0012" width="300" /></a>When I got to the corners, I spent what seemed like several hours (in reality was 10 minutes) trying to get the "pleats" to look nice. With limited patience, here is what I said to myself: "Oh for goodness sake, just staple the <em>dang thang</em> and get this over with!".  And so I did.   I used the handy utility knife to cut the excess fabric, and I screwed the legs back on.  Presto!<br/><br/> <br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0004-21.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-312" height="199" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0004-21-300x199.jpg" title="DSC_0004 (2)" width="300" /></a><br/><br/>I have to say the pleats may drive me to distraction.  But after spending only an hour of my time and zero of my money, I think I'll try to live with pleats, rather than rips for a couple of weeks, and see how it goes!<br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> 

I'm Packin' Heat

I just finished using a gun.  Okay it was only a staple gun, but for me, that should have been danger enough for one day.  However, as I kee...

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