A Couple Quick Projects

Check out this awesome picture I just bought! just kidding. I am always on the lookout for great, chunky, solid wood frames. Doesn't matter what color, or how ugly, as long as they're solid and good quality. I got this one for 50 cents at a thrift store. I needed an 8x10 frame for my baby announcements collection.

So here is the before:

And the after:

On another note, we have started summer vacation and need to find stuff for the kiddos to do. The girls keep asking me to braid their hair and their dolls hair, so I figured it was time they learn themselves. I just found some yarns scraps, knotted both ends, and taped one end to the table and set them to work! Voila!

Have you done any fun projects lately? Any plans for the summer?

Antique Side Tables Repainted and Updated

This is a table I inherited from my grandmother. I love this table. I think it is beautiful and it has sentimental value. I love how it looks old and is small and dainty but works well. I always thought it would be great to have two of them, so I could have a pair of matching end tables or nightstands. Being a garage saler and a thrifter, I always sort of kept this in the back of my mind and kept a look out for a similiar one.

Then, over a year ago, lo and behold, I FOUND ONE.

I brought them to my dad knowing he could help me refinish them since I knew nothing about this sort of thing. We originally wanted to restore their dark brown stain and original beauty, but the one I found was so far from it's original state with tons of cheap paint over it, etc and dad had spent so much more time than I ever expected or wanted him to working on this project, we decided to spray them white and lightly distress the edges after stripping them. I was really nervous at first since I'm not into painting lots of furniture, however.... I LOVE how they turned out. {Thank you dad for all your help!}

Finally, a matching pair!

Picture perfect.

Picture perfect. {L O V E}. What do you think?

Ode to Sisterly {craft} Love.

I'd like to take a few moments, if I may, and write about two people who inspire me. My brothers married some amazing women. Not only are they beautiful, smart, and talented, they love their husbands and families, have four and five children, teach them well, AND still have time to craft!!! Our family had a wonderful opportunity to spend the weekend together (all 20 of us!) and my sisters-in-law each surprised me with some little lovely gifts they crafted.

Sis N, mother of five, made beautiful little flower hair clips. They look like peonies and she made them in tons of wonderful different colors.

But what I loved most and thought was genius (!) was the simple little slits on the back: with these little slits you can slip the flowers onto clips, headbands, bracelets/ribbons, and brooch pins. It's four things in one! Thanks, N :) The girls and I love to wear them.

Sis K, mother of four, is one of the two people who read my blog. (lol). Do you remember when I blogged about my love for THESE architectural letter drawings I found in the Ballard Designs catalogue?

Well, Sis K loved them too. I'm not going to go into the detail of how she tracked them down, but the fact is she DID, copied my last initial onto spiffy paper, handmade a chunky black frame for it, and presented it to moi. Can I just say: I LOVE. it. (And I couldnt believe it. Still can't).

Thank you, K. You ALWAYS come through for me :) I will treasure it for-evah!!!
I'm so grateful for awesome Sis-in-laws~ A: that goes for you too!

xoxo, Rebecca

I can make that: Crate and Barrel summer 2011

Apple and pear twig fruit: foam sculptures with rush grass finish, twig stem, and paper leaf. Instead of the rush grass, just cover with craft moss.

Layla felt pillow: cover 20" square cream colored felt with lots of circles in different sizes. You could glue or sew. This gives me lots of ideas for other felt covered pillows with different shapes, colors, even flowers!

I LOVE Vintage print fabrics

Do you remember when I found THIS fabulous fabric???

Or THIS?

I have found another adorable print and coordinating prints for a little girl's room. Take a look:

Precious! I just love vintage prints! Can't you just picture these on a sweet dress from the 50's or on your grandma's old apron? Love it.

Of course I had to order a lil' fat quarter of the "Aunt Grace". Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet......

Any ideas???

I Can Make that: Pottery Barn Black & White Prints

In my early summer Pottery Barn Bed and Bath catalog, I saw these "Vintage Black & White Prints" for sale. "We love the finely detailed images found in Victorian newspaper ads. Here, we highlight their artistry by presenting each as a framed print. Hardwood frames are painted black. Large print set includes bowler hat, purse. Medium print set includes top hat, boot. Small print set includes pocket watch, key, bumble bee." Prices are $99 and $49. R e a l l y?

Oh, look! Two seconds on The Graphics Fairy finding images and a couple minutes spray painting some old frames black and BOOM. Here's my own set of vintage black and white prints for free.

Thank you very much.

This would be the "small print set":

I LOVE: this little black dress

Wanna see my new party dress?

With the help of my awesome sister in law, we located this awesome perfect dress for a mere $7.50. That's right seven dollars and fifty cents. Um, yes. Please

So excited to wear it!

For this look, I paired DownEast Basics’ Little Black Dress with a Gold Chain Fireball Necklace from Charlotte Russe, a Hobo International Double Frame Patent Clutch from Nordstrom, and some Michael Antonio Keme Pumps from Piperlime.

For this look, I paired DownEast Basics’ Little Black Dress with a Coverlet Cuff from Anthroplogie, Gentle Souls Bay Leaf flats from Piperlime, and a simple Ficcare ‘Glittery’ Double Arch Headband from Nordstrom (which I think would look amazing with an up-do).

And Last but not least… holiday party look number three! For this look, I paired DownEast Basics’ Little Black Dress with aTriple Mesh Bangle Set from Charlotte Russe, SPANX “Birdseye” patterned High End Tights from Bloomingdale’s, and some absolutely beautiful Valentino Side-Bow Patent Leather Pumps form Saks Fifth Avenue (yes, I realize no one can afford $695 pumps, but they are gorgeous nonetheless).