tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36277606353501941042024-03-12T16:30:38.679-07:00SweetGirl ExpressionsA place to express myselfKatie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-67065605666225546892021-02-22T10:56:00.004-08:002021-02-22T11:55:48.688-08:00It's Perfect Then You LeaveAs I said earlier, we moved from Illinois to Florida a few years ago. It actually will be four years this June (which is crazy)- but I guess you can say it"s true about time flying. So as anyone who has moved before can attest to, in order to get your house ready to sell you end up doing all the little things around the house that you always wanted to get done but somehow never got around to doing. For our household it mostly meant going around touching up the paint, decluttering, and of course trying to keep the carpets clean which means weekly shampooing with kids and dogs. That was a lot of work but I have to say that I became a pro when it came to shampooing carpets. The biggest job, by far was my stairway and hallway railings in our house. We had oak floors which I liked except for the finish...it was that all too overused honey oak. Not a fan, but I could deal with it on the floors. On the railings was an entirely different story. It was too much and just looked dated (in my opinion). So of course I was going to paint it all, and by all, I mean ALL of it. Our house had a crazy amount of railings...we were "blessed" with an upstairs hallway that looked over the family room area and then on then opposite side it looked over the front hallway. This means there were a lot of spindles, like a billion of them. Well maybe not quite that many but it definetly felt like that to me. So I've gone back and tried to dig up some pictures of them before I started painting them and some after shots. Of course I either can't find them or I may have forgotten to take more pictures. I did find these though and even though it was a HUGE job to take on and it felt like it took forever, it was so worth it. The painted railings really updated the house and brightened everything up. When we were showing the house to potential buyers we got a lot of positve feedback on them too. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm glad I did it and if you're ever thinking of taking on a big job on like this, go ahead and do it. Take your time or maybe even put yourself to task and make yourself have to get it done by a certain date. I know that's what works for me, but do what works for you.....you will be happy that you did it.
Oh, and one last thing, our current house in Florida has iron spindles :).
The first two pictures are the railings before I started tackling them...
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The rest of the pictures were taken during this big job. When I started I originally used chalk paint but I didn't like how it was turning out, so I ended up using trim paint ina glossy finish. I wanted to make sure that it would hold up to everyday life. You can also see that I had to use a ladder for most of the work...fun times. I'd do it again, if my current house had those old railings but thankfully it doesn't. The previous owner had upgraded our stairs, making them wooden and redoing the railings in iron, so yup.....I'm a happy girl now.
So...I ended up with the railings that I always wanted and the house exactly as I always pictured it, only to sell it and leave. The house looked great, but it wasn't ours anymore. As a result I'm trying to get things done around our current house in a more timely matter, we aren't planning on moving again for years, but what I want is to get the house the way I want it now, or at least most of it, the stuff I can do myself or afford. I want to be able to have my home reflect who I am and be able to enjoy it now.....not someday.
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...just had to throw this out to the bloggerverse...Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-77346419848453128842021-02-10T13:00:00.004-08:002021-02-10T13:00:27.980-08:00The Sticky Covered With A Million Coats Of Paint Project, Otherwise Known As Anything For A FriendSo this is about a project that I did a few years back when I still lived in Illinois...(another example of my procrastinating on full display here). I took pictures but never got around to posting them. Just call me Mrs. Lazy Procrastinator, that's me..... Anyway, here's the goods-
My daughter was in dance class and the woman who owned and ran the dance studio had a table and chair set that she was using in the studio. She was very unhappy with it because even though it looked nice (painted white) the set was kinda sticky or gooey. The problem was it had a lot of coats of paint on it, and by a couple- I mean like a bagillion. I had redone furniture for her before so she asked me if I could take it on for her. Her only request was to somehow incorporate purple into it and to keep it "light looking". Other than that, she gave me free reign. I picked up the set and went about working on it in my garage....<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qw5PtbhnDhM/YCQ5ms1Ob4I/AAAAAAAABzM/syLVLufUeGMQM8mNcyIKHh3HIz8d-zmwACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5432.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qw5PtbhnDhM/YCQ5ms1Ob4I/AAAAAAAABzM/syLVLufUeGMQM8mNcyIKHh3HIz8d-zmwACLcBGAsYHQ/s600/IMG_5432.JPG"/></a></div>
There were so many gross layers of paint on everything that it made the white paint feel tacky, like it never dried. I quickly decided that the easiest way to get all of the paint off was to use my heat gun and peel/scrape the paint off. Fun times.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DfCS-LilXwE/YCQ64oMZ5uI/AAAAAAAABzY/Ljyjb9fXgkkfOCJhkWmNZRR5sF83qiJfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5475.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1811" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DfCS-LilXwE/YCQ64oMZ5uI/AAAAAAAABzY/Ljyjb9fXgkkfOCJhkWmNZRR5sF83qiJfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5475.JPG"/></a></div>
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After a few afternoons of working on everything and creating a huge mess, I finally managed to get all of the paint off. Then I got to do the fun part.....Paint!! WooHoo!! I will never get tired of painting. I think in a weird way it's relaxing to me. Anyway...here's the finished pics. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8lOAGH030U/YCRAmeTFYTI/AAAAAAAAB3A/ngmklNVTEncHJUzXQEW_3Q38sMkhjfXcACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5492.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1814" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8lOAGH030U/YCRAmeTFYTI/AAAAAAAAB3A/ngmklNVTEncHJUzXQEW_3Q38sMkhjfXcACLcBGAsYHQ/s600/IMG_5492.JPG"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VsUcWYMRkzY/YCRD1TfK-5I/AAAAAAAAB4c/Ob3qhW7GpP8jC-DGCKL7kKiKpCe_6ruUACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5465.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VsUcWYMRkzY/YCRD1TfK-5I/AAAAAAAAB4c/Ob3qhW7GpP8jC-DGCKL7kKiKpCe_6ruUACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5465.JPG"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p5-MFnqwkhY/YCRD-e1UCdI/AAAAAAAAB4g/oFGFI-qxXSoBPCsZpRhX5Ouu0jnrqPRrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5466.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p5-MFnqwkhY/YCRD-e1UCdI/AAAAAAAAB4g/oFGFI-qxXSoBPCsZpRhX5Ouu0jnrqPRrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5466.JPG"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pX6dAtc1zVA/YCREAKIasGI/AAAAAAAAB4k/kxN3hxwn2jIvUmcELPa4VQjv5-0hz_qeACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5467.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pX6dAtc1zVA/YCREAKIasGI/AAAAAAAAB4k/kxN3hxwn2jIvUmcELPa4VQjv5-0hz_qeACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5467.JPG"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzObF5PTRAw/YCREDcJvNNI/AAAAAAAAB4o/9iR0ZnO1b3oROwMn5ZNxsCytgtcrghf5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5468.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzObF5PTRAw/YCREDcJvNNI/AAAAAAAAB4o/9iR0ZnO1b3oROwMn5ZNxsCytgtcrghf5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5468.JPG"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQLI7m4zy5Q/YCREYt-Gi7I/AAAAAAAAB40/dzoHk9byvK0BXWdfZGvNcmbB5Q1nIKkCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5472.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQLI7m4zy5Q/YCREYt-Gi7I/AAAAAAAAB40/dzoHk9byvK0BXWdfZGvNcmbB5Q1nIKkCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5472.JPG"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWAPspO4w6Q/YCREast_LGI/AAAAAAAAB44/zuvgDygFccUxKXydW5VWKg8Y-U9VpzbVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5490.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWAPspO4w6Q/YCREast_LGI/AAAAAAAAB44/zuvgDygFccUxKXydW5VWKg8Y-U9VpzbVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5490.JPG"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D2REwK6AE2A/YCREd74QdSI/AAAAAAAAB48/z5fmfb1j3qUWqJ6jEpKVoj0ZQD_UDZ9gQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5491.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D2REwK6AE2A/YCREd74QdSI/AAAAAAAAB48/z5fmfb1j3qUWqJ6jEpKVoj0ZQD_UDZ9gQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5491.JPG"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ooWbgzphvkY/YCREfW3ju1I/AAAAAAAAB5A/2Pi1nTRndG8IIOfzb1ogP0bhTrseik1HwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1597/IMG_5493.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1242" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ooWbgzphvkY/YCREfW3ju1I/AAAAAAAAB5A/2Pi1nTRndG8IIOfzb1ogP0bhTrseik1HwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5493.JPG"/></a></div>
Here's the finished non-sticky set in her dance studio...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb_pjYkgvxY/YCRE4_dbsrI/AAAAAAAAB5U/zWguuPSBi5YKizYWoCUMk4jaVhhXcvmwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5507.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1798" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb_pjYkgvxY/YCRE4_dbsrI/AAAAAAAAB5U/zWguuPSBi5YKizYWoCUMk4jaVhhXcvmwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/IMG_5507.JPG"/></a></div>
She was very happy with the set once we set it up in the studio and even though it wasn't easy getting all that gobs and gobs of paint off, I was happy to help her :)Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-76976610546094429742021-02-03T13:59:00.005-08:002021-02-10T15:51:30.617-08:00Overwhelming Decisions (my lack of organization skills)So I'm sitting here going through my tons and tons of pictures. I have multiple pictures of interesting places that I've been and various photos of various projects that I've been working on. I also have pictures from our move down here to Florida from Illinois-(that was an epic journey on it's own). Looking back at these memories I realize that I've been crazy busy, but yet I haven't shared anything with you guys. Since I have a few days off I'm going to get about fixing my lack of organization and get my act together and remedy this problem of mine. For now I will just post a couple of pictures....we can call them preview pics :)
....and yes, that is me in the first photo
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq-TUvdmQss/YBsbFJDMH-I/AAAAAAAAByA/POYH9T8vYbIC-tqFlA-pxAzByUQwaHbpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2653.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq-TUvdmQss/YBsbFJDMH-I/AAAAAAAAByA/POYH9T8vYbIC-tqFlA-pxAzByUQwaHbpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2653.JPG"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-akcj8ngbUkw/YBsbTinEcjI/AAAAAAAAByE/wcPoeIRcxtgFJeheWrdCizv4mVHqofw4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/EHCZ6971.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-akcj8ngbUkw/YBsbTinEcjI/AAAAAAAAByE/wcPoeIRcxtgFJeheWrdCizv4mVHqofw4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/EHCZ6971.JPG"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwOF-Fpgsok/YBsbeV0-P7I/AAAAAAAAByI/1Kiym8pZC_A9zIv9KKVxLy5PSw6qHsxAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1339.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwOF-Fpgsok/YBsbeV0-P7I/AAAAAAAAByI/1Kiym8pZC_A9zIv9KKVxLy5PSw6qHsxAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1339.JPG"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sktsi2I3GFI/YBsbhQ9escI/AAAAAAAAByM/tQ-BWAIAK1kc1OmleCAaVgFWtEiPSCuqACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3278.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sktsi2I3GFI/YBsbhQ9escI/AAAAAAAAByM/tQ-BWAIAK1kc1OmleCAaVgFWtEiPSCuqACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3278.JPG"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVHCQ1T0vc0/YBsboSN5fVI/AAAAAAAAByU/f1W_QcaX67ML982FEkHsrlGvenTRJxB6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3305.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVHCQ1T0vc0/YBsboSN5fVI/AAAAAAAAByU/f1W_QcaX67ML982FEkHsrlGvenTRJxB6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3305.JPG"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ddra7D2wLe0/YBscYlu0EmI/AAAAAAAAByo/SHNJwuY5aMISVmLZjyDdfadjcPS3aMkxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2236.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ddra7D2wLe0/YBscYlu0EmI/AAAAAAAAByo/SHNJwuY5aMISVmLZjyDdfadjcPS3aMkxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/IMG_2236.JPG"/></a></div>Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-41630099649599165332020-12-30T18:38:00.001-08:002020-12-30T18:41:00.552-08:00 Something Little That I Had To DoWe've been in our house in Florida for a few years and we have made a lot of changes, (and I will be sharing them with you soon), but I want to show you this easy change that makes me happy. When you move into a new to you house there's always a long list of "things I want to do" and "things I need to do". This fell under the "need to do" category. I know some people would probably wonder why or even prefer the before picture, but I couldn't stand it anymore. It was my downstairs bathroom light fixture. Here's the before picture:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pPSlirH3WNo/X-0ztdl1xUI/AAAAAAAABv0/-niR5ANPr-AlnoEQ7UrZisX5LthHf2TpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s504/F671BC60-9B4F-4CAF-878A-00C2787882A8.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="504" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pPSlirH3WNo/X-0ztdl1xUI/AAAAAAAABv0/-niR5ANPr-AlnoEQ7UrZisX5LthHf2TpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/F671BC60-9B4F-4CAF-878A-00C2787882A8.jpeg"/></a></div>
Not too bad, right? Nothing against anyone who has these lights, but they're definitely not anything I would pick. I lived with them for a few years, always thinking that I need to change them someday. I stared at them every time I went in there and grumbled to myself how much I hated them. Then one day while at Lowes buying paint for one of my many projects I saw these wire light cages (or whatever they are called)....I instantly knew what I was going to do so I bought some black chalk paint and immediately set aside (abandoned) what I was working on and got to my new project once I got home. About an hour later I had my desired result:<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FT4hvmGlM1E/X-01BFNTT5I/AAAAAAAABwA/4tgLtOXHy1kVkM6FUZss4-SGxo910gg1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/708A16E1-E648-4466-8899-738A72A641AC.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FT4hvmGlM1E/X-01BFNTT5I/AAAAAAAABwA/4tgLtOXHy1kVkM6FUZss4-
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It's a quick fix.... and yes, I will probably get something diffent eventually but at least now I don't have to stare at the previous owner's light fixture. Oh, and please ignore the bad paint job, the tiny bathroom was originally a dark grey/blueish/black color that wasn't so great. I'm hoping to get some funky wallpaper up on that wall and I just purchased a new mirror to put up too. I guess you could say that this bathroom is still on the "need to" list and I will finish it, I am just still hunting for the perfect wallpaper. Of course once I find it I'll also have to convince my husband that it will look good....but I'm not worried about that ;)Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-36835661688666552020-12-30T13:11:00.001-08:002020-12-30T18:40:19.576-08:00Blogging AgainSo..... here I am. I may be the only person to ever see this but oh well, it is what it is. It's almost the New Year...2021, thank God...right.? Usually this is the time of the year when everyone talks about resolutions but this year is different. This New Year's Eve is all about leaving that burning dumpster fire of a year behind. It's about trying to function in our "new normal" (and yes, I hate that phrase as much as you probably do). This upcoming year is also about trying to keep everyone safe. So instead of talking about normal New Year's junk I'm just going to wish everyone a happy and healthy one. I do have to say that I am going to try and be on here more. I have tons of photos of previous projects that I want to share with all of you. I also have stories to share with you about my job. Being a flight attendant gives you no shortage of those. I also will share some pictures from my trips, nothing really glamorous, just stuff that catches me eye. Of course I may be sharing all of this with no one but thats ok too.... Thats how I started this blog years ago, just babbling on about nothing in particular to no one and I was fine with that.
~~~ Oh, one more thing....Here's two pictures for you, one that is my mantra and the other is my office view from the other evening.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIUr0KUkoFU/X-zr1ZVYGTI/AAAAAAAABvM/PbZLhmtkLbUNq3VRQOPdqsXcwu3fwJfcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s360/ECD9A6DF-F39B-4AA3-A561-AF63E8ECA806.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIUr0KUkoFU/X-zr1ZVYGTI/AAAAAAAABvM/PbZLhmtkLbUNq3VRQOPdqsXcwu3fwJfcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ECD9A6DF-F39B-4AA3-A561-AF63E8ECA806.jpeg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rea9Pjal4hY/X-zr1TqOgxI/AAAAAAAABvI/5Oj4Sc8Zit0GXvUxiicniccIlu7arLEFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s348/FC40A74B-4256-4CC9-B623-FDB83D693F99.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="278" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rea9Pjal4hY/X-zr1TqOgxI/AAAAAAAABvI/5Oj4Sc8Zit0GXvUxiicniccIlu7arLEFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/FC40A74B-4256-4CC9-B623-FDB83D693F99.jpeg"/></a></div>Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-77624250880726646952018-11-21T17:26:00.000-08:002018-11-21T17:26:40.140-08:00For Just A Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MTonVRhVeqM/W_YFjsuICcI/AAAAAAAABos/PY0OkOQx1QghR0Fbi8i1fLL1yw6tYuUDQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MTonVRhVeqM/W_YFjsuICcI/AAAAAAAABos/PY0OkOQx1QghR0Fbi8i1fLL1yw6tYuUDQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4770.JPG" width="480" height="640" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
Just a quick post of one of my favorite pictures. This was taken from the plane on one of the many redeye flights that I have worked. These flights are always very peaceful. The passengers are mostly sleeping as we make our way through the night sky. My favorite part is when the dawn is just breaking and the sun is waking up. It's always so beautiful watching the sun rise.... It kind of brings everything into perspective and makes me forget about the struggle and worries of everyday life. It makes me take a moment and just be thankful for what I do have. Sometimes I just need to step back and remember these things. Watching the sun rise always has a way of making me do that. Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-46423789891974457532018-11-21T14:05:00.000-08:002018-11-21T18:05:00.154-08:00The Sunshine State
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K60L5y0yfAg/W_XXTsyXviI/AAAAAAAABoU/NBDblPQGfGg1KmZN7vvw8xbx0NG4mBzhwCLcBGAs/s1600/143DFF2D-1DC9-4753-9103-B0DE3E4E63A2.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K60L5y0yfAg/W_XXTsyXviI/AAAAAAAABoU/NBDblPQGfGg1KmZN7vvw8xbx0NG4mBzhwCLcBGAs/s200/143DFF2D-1DC9-4753-9103-B0DE3E4E63A2.png" width="200" height="150" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
This just makes me smile. I’m definitely enjoying the Florida weather. Do I miss the cold and snow?...not really :)Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-25868688795308286572018-11-20T14:10:00.002-08:002018-11-20T14:27:07.365-08:00Forgotten JoysSo here I am.
Is anyone out there, still?.... I think I hear crickets and the wind blowing in my ears. It's been a while, a long while in fact. Over four years. I don't really have any excuses for being a bad blogger, if that's what you would call me. There has been a lot of changes in my life since I last sat down at my computer and shared anything with you.
First thing, I have a new job. Its a career that I've always wanted to do but never really tried to do it. I am a flight attendant for a major U.S. airline and I have been doing it for over three years now and I love it. It wasn't easy to get this job, there were so many challenges and changes to make. The training for this job was hard. I mean HARD. I think I was always afraid that I couldn't do it, that I wouldn't pass all the multiple interviews and the training, but I did. Of course my family and my husband had to get used to the crazy schedule that I now have, but they've been great. They also know that I've never been a Monday through Friday, nine to five girl either. I'm actually home now more and the benefits are the best. We fly for free (or very close to that) now. This is also a good thing because there also was another major change for the family.
We moved, and not just down the street this time, but from Illinois to Florida. It wasn't easy, but it was the BEST decision ever. We've been in Florida over a year now and love it.
So...new home, new jobs (both husband and I) but I still found myself missing something. I think what I was missing was my creative side. It's always been there, just kinda muted with all the new changes and new things to explore. Let's face it, no matter how busy you get, that creative side just kinda starts to show itself in little ways. I have managed to do some big projects, especially on our old house before we sold it, and I did manage to take some pictures along the way. I will be sharing some of those projects with you very soon. Or maybe I'll be sharing them with no one in particular. I'll just throw it out there again, maybe some of you will remember me and show up again.......or then again, maybe not. Whatever the outcome, here I am again.Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-69782586558511115452014-11-01T10:37:00.000-07:002014-11-01T10:37:03.194-07:00We Can All Be A Greek GoddessI have decided to share with you guys one of my families absolute favorite recipes. It's called Grecian Goddess Chicken. My mother used to make this back when my parents were first married and they lived on a military base. Her neighbor made it for her and my mother instantly asked/begged for the recipe. As early as I can remember I loved it, so of course I needed a copy too. It's a great, super easy to make dish too…..for me that means that you just dump all ingredients in together, cook everything and it comes out perfect every time! I honestly have to tell you that I barely even measure anything anymore, I just kinda wing it :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQw7E_YfvoQ/VFUUWFNGeaI/AAAAAAAABiE/NQdl9HFaAd8/s1600/IMG_5503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQw7E_YfvoQ/VFUUWFNGeaI/AAAAAAAABiE/NQdl9HFaAd8/s400/IMG_5503.JPG" /></a></div>
You can tell from my copy of the recipe that it's popular….. isn't it always the "dirty pages" in our cookbooks that have the best stuff?! :)
I'm not sure if you can read it so I will re-write everything for you:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts-
potatoes, cut in quarters-
1 1/2 cups hot water-
1/2 cup of butter (1 stick)-
3 tbs olive oil-
2 tbs lemon juice-
1 1/2 tsp oregano-
1 tsp salt-
1/2 tsp blk pepper-
1/2 tsp paprika-
Here's what you have to do… place chicken & potatoes in a casserole pan and set aside. Melt buyer in a saucepan and then add everything else. Then you just pour the mixture onto the chicken and potatoes and stick the whole thing in the oven and bake it (uncovered) for 1 1/2 hours @350 degrees. About halfway through cooking I baste the chicken and potatoes so they get a nice golden brown. That's all there is to it….easy-peasy, right?!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTwr5aG2Guk/VFUYKZrgSfI/AAAAAAAABig/coFgbW7pyQ0/s1600/IMG_5501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTwr5aG2Guk/VFUYKZrgSfI/AAAAAAAABig/coFgbW7pyQ0/s400/IMG_5501.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nzlg7u__gzI/VFUYPpfgpWI/AAAAAAAABio/TMBbBoHLQLE/s1600/IMG_5504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nzlg7u__gzI/VFUYPpfgpWI/AAAAAAAABio/TMBbBoHLQLE/s400/IMG_5504.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TKQvHGuUPAo/VFUYVFbSEmI/AAAAAAAABiw/PC0HqKK-iZ4/s1600/IMG_5505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TKQvHGuUPAo/VFUYVFbSEmI/AAAAAAAABiw/PC0HqKK-iZ4/s400/IMG_5505.JPG" /></a></div>
Of course I tried to take a final picture of it all set up pretty on a plate but with my family of six and them smelling it cook, I didn't stand a chance of getting that photo!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4eyRI8ebMgA/VFUYxBgalCI/AAAAAAAABi4/yvJM4Dx6bCE/s1600/IMG_5506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4eyRI8ebMgA/VFUYxBgalCI/AAAAAAAABi4/yvJM4Dx6bCE/s640/IMG_5506.JPG" /></a></div>
The above picture was the best I could do…..fresh out of the oven, and smelly heavenly…like a Greek Goddess, lol
Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-46317762734821199492014-10-16T11:47:00.000-07:002014-10-16T11:47:04.518-07:00Something To Think AboutThis morning I was wasting time, lingering around Pinterest. I was pinning all kinds of things that inspire me, recipes that I want to make and other various things. I'll be the first to admit it-- I was avoiding my housework. You see today was a rare day off for me. Don't get me wrong, I have a ton of stuff that I should be doing but you know what…I decided to just blow them all off. I think I deserve a day off every once in a while. I don't think there's anything wrong with that either. I know that I'm not a super woman and there's many days that between working full time, keeping the house somewhat presentable and wrangling four kids,that I am just struggling to keep my head above water. So today I took a day for myself. I'm lounging around, eating potato chips for breakfast and I'm loving it!!! Now some of you may be shaking your head at me but I don't care. Don't knock it until you try it……you just may enjoy it :) I haven't completely been unproductive today, I've made a list of the projects that I am going to tackle next and the projects that I WANT to do. I also found this on Pinterest this morning and I think it says it all. Don't you think?? Anyway…whenever I think I need a little boost to tackle something I'm going to just try to remember this little saying. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r_RQL2qKPjc/VEARKU2i-vI/AAAAAAAABh0/x1EXljuZfho/s1600/IMG_5353.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r_RQL2qKPjc/VEARKU2i-vI/AAAAAAAABh0/x1EXljuZfho/s640/IMG_5353.JPG" /></a> Have you ever had something that you want to do but you've never done it? What has stopped you? Is it fear, laziness or just lack of motivation? I say "go for it"!! You only live once and I think a life of regrets would just be a sad waste….besides, if you fail- who cares! I will have your back and I'm sure there's others who will too...I applaud you for trying!!! Life is an adventure, go live it :)
Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-11169306976061366832014-10-08T12:04:00.001-07:002014-10-08T12:04:48.117-07:00Hanging With the High School GirlsBeing a mom of four who works full time sometimes I realize that I just need a night out with the girls. I need a night out to act goofy, stupid and maybe a bit ridiculous at times. Well, I was lucky enough to have a night like this a while back. I had mentioned that I had never been to Ravinia. Ravinia is an outdoor music theater that is about an hour from my house. It's a really cool place that welcomes you to bring a picnic and your own choice of drinks to enjoy while watching the performance. My friends and I had planned on seeing Duran Duran ( aging myself a bit here) but at the last minute they cancelled! I was bummed…..
Fast forward to this past summer and another artist was coming that we all wanted to see. One Republic was scheduled to be there so we all bought tickets and met up there. Of course it's usually hot in Chicagoland by then but , nooooo…not that weekend. It was unseasonably cold and rainy!! Even though the weather was miserable I still had a blast!!
Sometimes there's nothing better than getting together with old friends!! :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-526LqFmLTMY/VDWJ3CRumEI/AAAAAAAABg4/gZoIdfKcQa8/s1600/IMG_4869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-526LqFmLTMY/VDWJ3CRumEI/AAAAAAAABg4/gZoIdfKcQa8/s400/IMG_4869.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pL0SVrzesyg/VDWKPKm1WEI/AAAAAAAABhY/nDGgv7_fg1E/s1600/IMG_4867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pL0SVrzesyg/VDWKPKm1WEI/AAAAAAAABhY/nDGgv7_fg1E/s400/IMG_4867.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VbQnpJ8v0aY/VDWKJzh2nFI/AAAAAAAABhI/UDQrcQmSBW4/s1600/IMG_4870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VbQnpJ8v0aY/VDWKJzh2nFI/AAAAAAAABhI/UDQrcQmSBW4/s400/IMG_4870.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8QntdZFdR4Q/VDWJ7c3Iy-I/AAAAAAAABhA/3Tfh8Kgddy8/s1600/IMG_4872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8QntdZFdR4Q/VDWJ7c3Iy-I/AAAAAAAABhA/3Tfh8Kgddy8/s400/IMG_4872.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0CgglOPoPk/VDWKQ-iEH4I/AAAAAAAABhg/zK4MkiHRbs8/s1600/IMG_4866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0CgglOPoPk/VDWKQ-iEH4I/AAAAAAAABhg/zK4MkiHRbs8/s400/IMG_4866.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t3kr9J9yz1o/VDWKMyY-j_I/AAAAAAAABhQ/lJnL47JvJnU/s1600/IMG_4873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t3kr9J9yz1o/VDWKMyY-j_I/AAAAAAAABhQ/lJnL47JvJnU/s400/IMG_4873.JPG" /></a></div>
As you can tell from the photos, we had to bundle up but it was still a great night! Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-39257428227929771672014-10-08T11:38:00.000-07:002014-10-08T11:38:20.413-07:00So Excited :) !!!!I have been on the hunt lately. What have I been hunting for? Well, I have been looking for stumps. I have been checking Craig's list and other various outlets when I struck gold! Right next to my daughter's dance studio is a business that takes down trees for the city and a nice man named Chuck told me that I can help myself to whatever I want, as long as I don't take any of the split pieces. That's perfectly fine with me since I want the raw stumps!!! I'm so excited!! Of course you may be wondering what I am going to do with these, but you will just have to wait and see…. For now they are all on my back patio, while I work on them…hoping for all the little critters to abandon their warm wooden homes.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aNL2X5jMkJM/VDWEFDsm0RI/AAAAAAAABgo/XF5XPxLe7XA/s1600/IMG_5372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aNL2X5jMkJM/VDWEFDsm0RI/AAAAAAAABgo/XF5XPxLe7XA/s640/IMG_5372.JPG" /></a></div>Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-50241477740357881202014-10-08T11:27:00.003-07:002014-10-08T12:35:41.629-07:00A Freebie From A Sweet FriendA while back I had a friend tag me in a post that she put on Facebook. She had a free table and wanted to know if I wanted it. It didn't take me long to respond, of course I wanted it! I secretly think she knew the answer would be yes since I had already bought an antique trunk from her, but that's another story…
Anyway I hopped in the car and stopped by to see it. I loved it immediately and offered her some moolah for it but she refused…(seriously she was too sweet to give it to me for free)..she said that it was just sitting in her garage gathering dust, so it was all mine. Yipee!!! I LOVE freebies! The finish on it had seen better days so I decided to paint it and use it in my family room. It was the perfect size and I was actually on the hunt for an end table….This was a fun "quickie" project and I'm happy with how it turned out. I really love how the table has an opening for putting books or magazine because I have to admit, I have WAY too any of those…..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e1aIhKeGS0E/VDWAWNIAfGI/AAAAAAAABfs/r7_Xg8j-gRg/s1600/IMG_5355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e1aIhKeGS0E/VDWAWNIAfGI/AAAAAAAABfs/r7_Xg8j-gRg/s640/IMG_5355.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GlBaTpCzSso/VDWAY4JEPEI/AAAAAAAABf0/93IV8uX7F1U/s1600/IMG_5356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GlBaTpCzSso/VDWAY4JEPEI/AAAAAAAABf0/93IV8uX7F1U/s640/IMG_5356.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0QqnEJXbtqA/VDWAcwm7OrI/AAAAAAAABgA/_7_ZuosUoyc/s1600/IMG_5419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0QqnEJXbtqA/VDWAcwm7OrI/AAAAAAAABgA/_7_ZuosUoyc/s640/IMG_5419.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlMupUnQi9k/VDWAcegqCeI/AAAAAAAABf8/IIXmppfklAQ/s1600/IMG_5418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlMupUnQi9k/VDWAcegqCeI/AAAAAAAABf8/IIXmppfklAQ/s640/IMG_5418.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rmsnKls_UHU/VDWAgeLte7I/AAAAAAAABgM/EC81720uy6o/s1600/IMG_5420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rmsnKls_UHU/VDWAgeLte7I/AAAAAAAABgM/EC81720uy6o/s640/IMG_5420.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZoJ-q0eTAk/VDWAg5Q4qJI/AAAAAAAABgQ/7bTBVbMzNnw/s1600/IMG_5498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZoJ-q0eTAk/VDWAg5Q4qJI/AAAAAAAABgQ/7bTBVbMzNnw/s640/IMG_5498.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJMJe0VIKCk/VDWAjhzy7OI/AAAAAAAABgc/aw3xtuPKcLs/s1600/IMG_5499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJMJe0VIKCk/VDWAjhzy7OI/AAAAAAAABgc/aw3xtuPKcLs/s640/IMG_5499.JPG" /></a></div>
The last two pictures show you where I put the table. I put a white tray and a lamp that I got from Target on it…still deciding on exactly where I want the lamp (and yes, the price tags are still on the lamp. I'll get around to taking those off, I had just bought it, lol)
<a href="www.savvysouthernstyle.net" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc454/pianoprincessdesigns/buttonone_zps78e61b85.png~original" alt="Savvy Southern Style" width="125" height="125" /></a>
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com" title="ItsOverflowing"><img src="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ItsOverflowing-Button-150.jpg" alt="ItsOverflowing" style="border:none;" /></a></div>Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-46597846624119938162014-10-08T10:49:00.001-07:002014-10-08T12:37:24.691-07:00Remember Me?Hi.
It's been a long time…a really looonnggg time. I have to apologize, I've been a bad blooger. I haven't updated you guys on anything for a long time. I don't even know if anyone cares or is following me anymore (I wouldn't blame you if you've completely abandoned me)….So I will just try my best to get back on track. With that being said, I have been super busy. My part-time "fun" job working at a chain restaurant (has a big pepper over the door) has turned into a fun, full time job, which I love! For a while I even had another part time job, so add to that the normal household craziness that I deal with and maybe, just maybe you guys can forgive me for neglecting you my little blog….(please)….
But, I have been managing to still find time to let my creative side out and work on various projects….as I write this I have at least three projects that I'm in the middle of and four others that I need to get moving on. I did remember to try and take photos of what I've been doing so in the next few weeks I will be filling you guys in on all my craziness.
First up- my bar stools. I've had these bar stools forever and I like them but one of my dogs chewed on them back when she was a puppy. I have been living with the chewed up stool for quite a while now ( said dog is now 8, btw) and I FINALLY decided to fix my stools. I decided to paint them to hide the fact that my dog thought they were her chew toy. Since my kitchen is basically black and white, I decided to add some color….I pulled out my Annie Sloan chalk paint in duck egg and went to work. Typical me wasn't happy with just painting them so I decided to stencil on them too and this is what I came up with….<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyBX6GciHPA/VDV3TaQEL9I/AAAAAAAABes/LE3sgGTsPSE/s1600/IMG_5346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyBX6GciHPA/VDV3TaQEL9I/AAAAAAAABes/LE3sgGTsPSE/s400/IMG_5346.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uus-pfLUKFE/VDV3WA7bOyI/AAAAAAAABe0/xG3RCdDDu_c/s1600/IMG_5345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uus-pfLUKFE/VDV3WA7bOyI/AAAAAAAABe0/xG3RCdDDu_c/s400/IMG_5345.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UMP-3AzKrg8/VDV3Yq0E5lI/AAAAAAAABe8/0J6o06XLM5U/s1600/IMG_5369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UMP-3AzKrg8/VDV3Yq0E5lI/AAAAAAAABe8/0J6o06XLM5U/s400/IMG_5369.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q808oBM8SUA/VDV3cFWwgGI/AAAAAAAABfE/bx8PHDpHE_0/s1600/IMG_5370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q808oBM8SUA/VDV3cFWwgGI/AAAAAAAABfE/bx8PHDpHE_0/s400/IMG_5370.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABjy1WrUYcs/VDV3cTWcZaI/AAAAAAAABfI/MPJ5fMiP6wg/s1600/IMG_5495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABjy1WrUYcs/VDV3cTWcZaI/AAAAAAAABfI/MPJ5fMiP6wg/s400/IMG_5495.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mqg-f1ABiF8/VDV3e8OgH6I/AAAAAAAABfU/i32plVBrk8A/s1600/IMG_5496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mqg-f1ABiF8/VDV3e8OgH6I/AAAAAAAABfU/i32plVBrk8A/s400/IMG_5496.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl2Y5RZ0ODk/VDV3gtR2LEI/AAAAAAAABfc/L5AO8wxUJtE/s1600/IMG_5497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl2Y5RZ0ODk/VDV3gtR2LEI/AAAAAAAABfc/L5AO8wxUJtE/s400/IMG_5497.JPG" /></a></div>
I'm happy with the final result and I'm actually wondering why I didn't get off of my butt and just do this earlier…. Oh and by the way- that picture of my kitchen is clean, at least for me…lol
Anyway, I hope someone out there is still sticking by me, reading my measly little blog. It's been a while, but I'm excited to be back :)
<a href="www.savvysouthernstyle.net" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc454/pianoprincessdesigns/buttonone_zps78e61b85.png~original" alt="Savvy Southern Style" width="125" height="125" /></a>
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com" title="ItsOverflowing"><img src="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ItsOverflowing-Button-150.jpg" alt="ItsOverflowing" style="border:none;" /></a></div>Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-52207500338706842512013-12-17T06:59:00.001-08:002013-12-17T07:10:42.634-08:00Finally!!So we've been in our house for three years and something has been missing. I have always known what it was but it's taken three years of discussing (whining) with my husband to get him to see the light....(my way actually). I have a giant old sign that I bought at a flea market a long time ago that I've always loved. In one of our other houses we had it hung up on a wall and all was well...but for some reason my hubby didn't want it up in this house, so sadly it was hung up in the garage. I saw it every day hanging up just above our 2nd refrigerator and every day I thought to myself that I need to get it back into the house. Well I finally, FINALLY got my way :)
My husband finally agreed with me and he hung it up in our family room. He actually said that it looks great and that he doesn't know why he was against it so much...he then said "that he should just let me do whatever I want to the house since it always turns out looking great". Can I please get that in writing??!! Anyway, here it is...one of my all time favorite flea market finds-<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jscMK5hfDcE/UrBlrpBI98I/AAAAAAAABZQ/i7bdDc_O01k/s1600/IMG_4350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jscMK5hfDcE/UrBlrpBI98I/AAAAAAAABZQ/i7bdDc_O01k/s400/IMG_4350.JPG" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just love the graphics on this metal sign!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right above our tv, where she was always meant to be :)</td></tr>
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One other thing....I know the pictures aren't the best (more like crappy). I used my cell phone again...I did finally dig up my camera, I just was to impatient to wait for the batteries to charge, lol. Shared with: Knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com <a href="http://kammyskorner.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff438/kammyskorner/TtoTKammyKorner.jpg" /></a>Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-28381324506190128842013-12-15T10:31:00.000-08:002013-12-20T12:45:25.327-08:00A Tale Of Two TablesI recently re-did two tables for a friend. Both of these tables were garbage picked. She asked me to repaint them for her but left what I wanted to do with them up to me, which made it a fun project for me! Since they were both going into her dance studio I decided to use her prominent color, which is purple in some way. I actually was asked to do one table first but she liked how it turned out so much that she gave me another one.... :) Here is the first table's before picture:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ZOJ1AvxaCA/Uq3yNB7y8vI/AAAAAAAABXI/Ny4vqUkcrPk/s1600/IMG_4297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ZOJ1AvxaCA/Uq3yNB7y8vI/AAAAAAAABXI/Ny4vqUkcrPk/s400/IMG_4297.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Heres' the after pictures....<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lsRpOyMldLg/Uq3ylYvD52I/AAAAAAAABXQ/O96QqIIHDcc/s1600/IMG_4304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lsRpOyMldLg/Uq3ylYvD52I/AAAAAAAABXQ/O96QqIIHDcc/s400/IMG_4304.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93sVlgEU_HE/Uq3y5pA5LII/AAAAAAAABXg/2dCLIMlu-ko/s1600/IMG_4309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93sVlgEU_HE/Uq3y5pA5LII/AAAAAAAABXg/2dCLIMlu-ko/s640/IMG_4309.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BTzDvd1r7Dw/Uq3y8tq24aI/AAAAAAAABXo/w-gAp1k7e_Q/s1600/IMG_4310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BTzDvd1r7Dw/Uq3y8tq24aI/AAAAAAAABXo/w-gAp1k7e_Q/s640/IMG_4310.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of the design I put on it's top</td></tr>
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Here's the second table....<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAloH1fKCJc/Uq3zmr1fz7I/AAAAAAAABX4/8rdynSFyG-E/s1600/IMG_4315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAloH1fKCJc/Uq3zmr1fz7I/AAAAAAAABX4/8rdynSFyG-E/s400/IMG_4315.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I decided to do this table similiar to the first since they were going to be in the same area.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z2mslkoAFY4/Uq30FDxD5DI/AAAAAAAABYA/liWDbvgIS2I/s1600/IMG_4340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z2mslkoAFY4/Uq30FDxD5DI/AAAAAAAABYA/liWDbvgIS2I/s640/IMG_4340.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it just me or does it look like it has a face now?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same design on the top of this one too....</td></tr>
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It was a fun quick project and I'm glad I was able to give her two "new" tables...:)<br />
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Now back to my other two projects that I'm working on......<br />
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Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-62433142086333705862013-12-15T10:05:00.000-08:002013-12-15T10:53:23.370-08:00Fun With The Girls...And A Few ZombiesThis past September a friend of mine posted a little blurb on Facebook about a zombie race. I clicked on it and noticed that it looked like fun and since I'm always up for trying new things and the fact that it included zombies I was very interested. See, the first thing you have to understand about me is that I am a big fan of The Walking Dead, and the second thing is that I like to exercise. But there was one problem, as much as I love to exercise I don't like running. I will only get on a treadmill just long enough to warm up and even then I will not run. A fast brisk pace is fine with me but running?....no thank you. But then my husband reminded me of something... I always said that if I was going to run it would be for one of two reasons: 1. I am running towards a large pot of money or 2. I am running from a monster or a chain wielding psychopath. He then said that he thought zombies qualified under my #2......lol. Well, he was right so I recruited two of my friends who are crazy like me and we decided to go for it! Here's what I learned....it was a blast! Instead of being a typical race it was more of a team building exercise. Besides the running parts there were many obstacles and plenty of stretches where you could catch your breath too. When you were going through one of the obstacles there were no zombies around, which was a good thing because there was plenty of something else....MUD!! Let's just say that I now know what I would look like as a brunette with a deep dark tan, lol. Back to the running parts...we were told to wait for a group of runners before trying to get through the zombie infested areas. There's safety in numbers, take my word on this. We were all wearing flag football belts and the zombies would try to grab one of our three flags. If we got through the whole race with at least one of our flags left on our belts we were a "survivor", if we lost all of our flags we were "infected". We thought we would all run together but that does not happen. When you are being chased it's every man or woman for themselves. You could care less where your friends are, you'll find them later. Your survival instincts kick in (big time)and all you want to do is get away from the zombies that are reaching for you! Pictures a bunch of frightened rabbits sprinting off in every direction...thats's what we all were. Even the "professional runners" were buckled over laughing and trying to catch their breath after running through a mass of zombies! We had a great time and managed to get a few pictures taken while we were there. Also, before you start wondering.....yes, we are definitely doing it again next year except we are dragging our husbands along too!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there....it was in the shadow of the nuclear power plant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of some runners on the course</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runners trying to avoid a group of zombies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xu0mQYPlkxQ/Uq3qIvrJ9AI/AAAAAAAABVo/Ho0bF-ZRVoU/s1600/IMG_4136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xu0mQYPlkxQ/Uq3qIvrJ9AI/AAAAAAAABVo/Ho0bF-ZRVoU/s640/IMG_4136.JPG" width="537" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hard to tell but it was an Abraham Lincoln zombie...who's about to get some runners, lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH5nEAIv3JM/Uq3qSbOqdmI/AAAAAAAABVw/ZZQwloHZEm0/s1600/IMG_4132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH5nEAIv3JM/Uq3qSbOqdmI/AAAAAAAABVw/ZZQwloHZEm0/s640/IMG_4132.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us, before the race...nice and clean</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dance party was going on during the races</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3I4I2SDG70/Uq3qwh-75kI/AAAAAAAABWQ/6PURK-oBLAM/s1600/IMG_4176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3I4I2SDG70/Uq3qwh-75kI/AAAAAAAABWQ/6PURK-oBLAM/s640/IMG_4176.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afterwards....all muddy. Yes, that's a zombie behind us at the hand washing station :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EFEA8Ba_q8Y/Uq3q7-02dlI/AAAAAAAABWo/w9gmvbhZtf0/s1600/IMG_4174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EFEA8Ba_q8Y/Uq3q7-02dlI/AAAAAAAABWo/w9gmvbhZtf0/s400/IMG_4174.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yikes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The zombie that captured my last flag about to take a bite out of me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My medal</td></tr>
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Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-27814267888634194192013-12-15T08:59:00.001-08:002013-12-15T10:53:52.663-08:00Stupid Toliet Roll HolderOne of the projects that I finally got around to fixing was my downstairs bathroom. It was a dark crimson red which I was fine with for a while. My problem was my stupid toliet paper holder. It never stayed in the wall correctly. It was hung with anchors and everything but it always somehow managed to work itself loose! It was driving me crazy!! I could not understand why this was happening, we even re-hung it with stronger anchors but, you guessed it.....it came loose again! At one point I asked my kids if they were hanging on it or something. Of course they denied any wrong doing.....so as a result we just lived with two holes in the wall and the roll getting thrown anywhere. Then one day I just decided enough was enough. I had a solution and for me that means the whole room had to get redone. Never mind that I had to be at work in a few hours, I pulled out my leftover paint and had at it. Three coats later (I was too lazy to find the primer- learned my lesson on that one, btw) I had the wall done!! In my typical style I didn't get around to finishing the bathroom for a week or two but now its finally done! It's much brighter now which is good since there's no windows in there. And as for the toliet paper holder problem, that's been solved with a simple basket :).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OO6I6EKqFyw/Uq3cnnNAYII/AAAAAAAABTg/sRTlT6L-LaQ/s1600/IMG_4186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OO6I6EKqFyw/Uq3cnnNAYII/AAAAAAAABTg/sRTlT6L-LaQ/s640/IMG_4186.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the lovely holes.....at least the toliet paper wasn't on the floor this day.</td></tr>
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Here are the after pictures...once again I was too lazy to grab my actual camera so I used my cell phone again.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WWGte3JYQWY/Uq3edNCr7QI/AAAAAAAABTs/Ddu9StuA3Ag/s1600/IMG_4344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WWGte3JYQWY/Uq3edNCr7QI/AAAAAAAABTs/Ddu9StuA3Ag/s640/IMG_4344.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Problem solved :)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk2ZODaVC04/Uq3ehU36HfI/AAAAAAAABT0/y8ef_mBhIVg/s1600/IMG_4347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk2ZODaVC04/Uq3ehU36HfI/AAAAAAAABT0/y8ef_mBhIVg/s640/IMG_4347.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the tank top is a vintage brick maker's mold which I'm using as a tray...( I know, I need new towels :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EAv2QjGX-Qo/Uq3enbu6b7I/AAAAAAAABUE/T50PMCJmWM0/s1600/IMG_4345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EAv2QjGX-Qo/Uq3enbu6b7I/AAAAAAAABUE/T50PMCJmWM0/s640/IMG_4345.JPG" width="524" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally found somewhere to hang this! It's a reproduction of a Paris street sign that I bought a year ago and have just been trying to find a spot for it.</td></tr>
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It's funny how a little paint can change even the tiniest rooms so drastically!</div>
Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-446755447050843022013-12-15T08:25:00.001-08:002013-12-15T10:54:15.969-08:00MIAHi.....remember me? I know it's been a long time but I'm hoping that you guys haven't totally given up and bailed on me. Besides working two jobs and taking care of my family and my crazy household I have been managing to squeeze in some fun activities and crafts too. First I will share this with you...my house has also been visited by an elf. Yes, I have also been sucked into this holiday nonsense. It's fun but also kinda a pain in the butt (especially when I'm already in bed and then I remember about the elf!)...my daughter loves it though. Every morning it's the first thing she does, she always looks to see what our elf, Jasper has been up to. So without further ado, here's a small taste of what he's been up to....(please excuse the bad cell phone pictures).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First he teepeed our tree...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He made a little marshmallow snowman next</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He took it upon himself to add to my grocery list...lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giddy-up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, now he was turning into a little vandal </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to make a break with my daughter's candy....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The abominable snowman stole the candy from him so they're battling for it</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teaching abominable a lesson....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying some chocolate :)</td></tr>
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Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-39806060785233643842013-09-16T06:56:00.001-07:002013-12-15T10:54:45.344-08:00Emergency Re-DoI know I haven't posted in a long time, work has been keeping me busy and draining my energy (same lame excuse-sorry), but I wanted to let you guys know something. As much as I loved my painted countertops and as much as I loved the look of granite that the Gianni kit gave me it didn't last......sadly. :(<br />
I do have an excuse and I don't think any kind of paint would've held up to my problem.... What I didn't know was that I have a leaky coffee pot. It's not exactly a leak that you would notice, it doesn't drip or anything. What happens it that moisture builds up underneath it and I had it on my freshly painted countertops....I'm sure you can guess what happened next.... The paint completely bubbled up and peeled right off. Ugh. So I was left with a trashed countertop. Great. Wonderful. Looks beautiful...and no I did not take pictures of the crime scene, it was too ugly. So what did I do? I peeled what was left off (that was not fun,btw) and then I applied two coats of chalk paint in the color granite. I then applied a coat of the clear wax. They actually don't look that bad now..they almost look like soapstone. They're holding up surprisingly well too, of course I don't let water stay standing on them either. The stupid coffee pot has been banished to our island, which still has the ugly white linoleum. It's completely in the way there, but at least it won't damage anything...(I still need my coffee so this is how I'm sacrificing). Eventually I'm going to get wood for the island countertop, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I also still have a little section of the granite painted countertop, where our phone is so yes, my kitchen is sporting three different counter surfaces right now, (classy!). I've finally decided what we are going to do for a permanent solution....we are going to go with concrete. I figured if anything can stand up to four kids and a leaky coffee pot concrete can! I will hopefully get started on this project soon....I'm dying to do my backsplash but it has to wait for the countertops to be done! So I'm saving my money and looking for someone who will do a decent job, but not break the bank either...(wish me luck).<br />
Oh and there's one more thing I need to do.....buy a new coffee pot too!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's how my countertops look now done in chalk paint. It's been a few months and they are holding up surprisingly well!!! </td></tr>
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Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-80316592831826268642013-03-05T11:38:00.006-08:002021-01-02T07:14:36.739-08:00Bye Bye Ugly White Linoleum! I know it's been ages since I've posted anything but it's been crazy around here. I've been working a lot more hours lately, the kids and everyday "life" has kept me very busy....even when I find myself with some time, I'm just too pooped to do anything. But........I have managed to finally, (yes, FINALLY) get my countertops finished!!! I used the Giani countertop paint kit in Bombay Black. I watched the video & read the directions but being typical me, I changed it up a bit. First thing, I didn't tape off anything...I hate, well actually despise painters tape. I prefer just to use a fine brush & paint freehand. I also worked in large sections instead of smaller ones like they suggest. I paint fast so I had no problems with anything drying out. Lastly I added black glitter. Not the chunky stuff that kiddos use but the super-fine fancy Martha Stewart stuff. I used this because I wanted to achieve the subtle glimmer that black granite has. I am thrilled with the finished result!!! My husband cannot believe how realistic it looks too. :) I did put three coats of the final clear coat on it.....remember, I have four kids so I'm all about damage control! I still have the island countertop to do,which is going to be totally different and the backsplash too.....hopefully I will be able to keep this momentum up! Ok.....enough babbling......here's the pictures...(excuse the bad shots, some were taken with a cell phone).<br />
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"before"shot with painted cabinets & original white speckled linoleum countertops
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countertops had to be thoroughly cleaned first..
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first I edged everything with a fine brush
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edging around the sink
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first coat, the black matte primer is on</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">already a huge improvement with just the primer on!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close up of the counters after I added the mineral paints</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8kUkwakmCI/UTZCABujgGI/AAAAAAAABLU/soLubS0m7mA/s1600/IMG_3642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8kUkwakmCI/UTZCABujgGI/AAAAAAAABLU/soLubS0m7mA/s400/IMG_3642.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there's three mineral paints (black, silver & bronze) I used all of them</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't use the sponges that came with the kit. I used my handy-dandy Target bags :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I added the black glitter. It's hard to see, but it's on there...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I painted some veining to mimick marble...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another shot, trying to show you the glitter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2cuk-GqjPaw/UTZCvOh0NuI/AAAAAAAABMk/OWGTx7l9Cq4/s1600/DSCN0964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2cuk-GqjPaw/UTZCvOh0NuI/AAAAAAAABMk/OWGTx7l9Cq4/s400/DSCN0964.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you can see the glitter all over the sink before I cleaned it off </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Z7j3G-p4-w/UTZC8oAW_jI/AAAAAAAABM0/DJkgpZqSEwQ/s1600/DSCN0965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Z7j3G-p4-w/UTZC8oAW_jI/AAAAAAAABM0/DJkgpZqSEwQ/s400/DSCN0965.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting for everything to dry before putting on the final clear coat</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l_nF2KqOyeA/UTZCsGqyo4I/AAAAAAAABMc/p0iy_94j018/s1600/DSCN0963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l_nF2KqOyeA/UTZCsGqyo4I/AAAAAAAABMc/p0iy_94j018/s400/DSCN0963.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KE8VD4OX6u0/UTZDArtI60I/AAAAAAAABM8/NyMsHuFyly8/s1600/DSCN0967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KE8VD4OX6u0/UTZDArtI60I/AAAAAAAABM8/NyMsHuFyly8/s640/DSCN0967.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear coat done!!...just have to clean off the edges of my sink </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--QHkXSfPcBw/UTZDK-pU2NI/AAAAAAAABNM/6v9-v2MY-FI/s1600/DSCN0971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--QHkXSfPcBw/UTZDK-pU2NI/AAAAAAAABNM/6v9-v2MY-FI/s640/DSCN0971.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the counters are pretty much dry now, they repel water already, but I'm waiting another week for them to"cure" before I put all my kitchen clutter back on them...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mDJ-p_zkj-E/UTZDZxGZu3I/AAAAAAAABNc/p8yN8-16R9Y/s1600/IMG_3655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mDJ-p_zkj-E/UTZDZxGZu3I/AAAAAAAABNc/p8yN8-16R9Y/s640/IMG_3655.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close up :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4e9gcx-iCQk/UTZDXphQD9I/AAAAAAAABNU/uVH4CnFx7Kc/s1600/IMG_3656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4e9gcx-iCQk/UTZDXphQD9I/AAAAAAAABNU/uVH4CnFx7Kc/s400/IMG_3656.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still need to clean off my sink....:)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-127zTATJURA/UTZDd7V8QqI/AAAAAAAABNk/vVOBtH-1leg/s1600/IMG_3649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-127zTATJURA/UTZDd7V8QqI/AAAAAAAABNk/vVOBtH-1leg/s400/IMG_3649.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice manicure.....</td></tr>
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So what do you guys think? Not too bad for about $80 and a few days of work.....<br />
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next project.....the backsplash.....Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-33080746624607781652012-09-18T13:18:00.000-07:002012-10-07T08:10:16.420-07:00Kitchen Facelift Part II did it. I finally got of off my butt & finished painting my kitchen cabinets. It only took me all summer! If I had stuck to my guns & not been so lazy or easily distracted I could have finished them months ago...but with the kids being out of school I just preferred playing at the pool :)<br />
Since the kids have been back in school I've been busy with a new job but every time I looked at my kitchen I knew that I had to get it done. With that being said, they are finally all done!!! I used Annie Sloan chalk Paint in pure white for the cabinets & graphite for the island. I also used both the clear wax & the dark wax, while sanding them to give them an overall distressed look. Or as my husband calls it "dirty white". I have four kids so I've given up the whole idea of having anything pure white, that's just fighting a losing battle. Anyway.....here's my pictures of my progress so far:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SsR3etTI33I/UFjL6xb4jsI/AAAAAAAABHQ/mM457wzRRZk/s1600/DSCN0853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SsR3etTI33I/UFjL6xb4jsI/AAAAAAAABHQ/mM457wzRRZk/s400/DSCN0853.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the maple cabinets before I started,btw - that is a clean kitchen in my book :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RVxcdoTIV3g/UFjMK0QOSEI/AAAAAAAABHY/je8PCopL-KA/s1600/DSCN0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RVxcdoTIV3g/UFjMK0QOSEI/AAAAAAAABHY/je8PCopL-KA/s400/DSCN0851.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's my stupid faucet that kept breaking, hmmm...no dishes in the sink- we must have eaten out....</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1BYMoSTCEWk/UFjMdZf4kgI/AAAAAAAABHk/ADdFxeWJPxM/s1600/DSCN0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1BYMoSTCEWk/UFjMdZf4kgI/AAAAAAAABHk/ADdFxeWJPxM/s400/DSCN0852.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rL6IYNUHLdc/UFjMjnfLfWI/AAAAAAAABHs/ytKz3VDWKFU/s1600/DSCN0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rL6IYNUHLdc/UFjMjnfLfWI/AAAAAAAABHs/ytKz3VDWKFU/s400/DSCN0858.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was like this for longer than I want to admit....the dogs liked it this way though</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WfXucxSi0Zw/UFjM03st-UI/AAAAAAAABH0/SR9rp-EfkRs/s1600/DSCN0833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WfXucxSi0Zw/UFjM03st-UI/AAAAAAAABH0/SR9rp-EfkRs/s400/DSCN0833.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shot of the island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhFOPpFZb4k/UFjM6vLZ8sI/AAAAAAAABH8/PwVm5dHaoys/s1600/DSCN0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhFOPpFZb4k/UFjM6vLZ8sI/AAAAAAAABH8/PwVm5dHaoys/s400/DSCN0835.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hint: make sure you number the doors so hanging them back on are easy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HW88TEQUpWM/UFjNKhtyqTI/AAAAAAAABII/Lq81YRtX61E/s1600/DSCN0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HW88TEQUpWM/UFjNKhtyqTI/AAAAAAAABII/Lq81YRtX61E/s400/DSCN0847.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the finished island (no hardware yet)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lc18DadleZk/UFjNynIqFaI/AAAAAAAABIQ/bom5WKYsI6E/s1600/DSCN0916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lc18DadleZk/UFjNynIqFaI/AAAAAAAABIQ/bom5WKYsI6E/s400/DSCN0916.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hardware is finally on & the painting is all done</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVojCUTdnhk/UFjN3SXVTLI/AAAAAAAABIY/pinAcPvqpRQ/s1600/DSCN0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVojCUTdnhk/UFjN3SXVTLI/AAAAAAAABIY/pinAcPvqpRQ/s400/DSCN0917.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you can see my new faucet & the wood scrolly things that I added to the front of the sink</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2VjEjZbiGQ/UFjN8gQEgwI/AAAAAAAABIg/Kl3pXju0aHE/s1600/DSCN0918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2VjEjZbiGQ/UFjN8gQEgwI/AAAAAAAABIg/Kl3pXju0aHE/s400/DSCN0918.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used the same hardware on the cabinets as I did on the island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQbhtiJVZdU/UFjOCXAt8FI/AAAAAAAABIo/Ks6KCOiinZI/s1600/DSCN0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQbhtiJVZdU/UFjOCXAt8FI/AAAAAAAABIo/Ks6KCOiinZI/s400/DSCN0919.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">usually someone has their face in here looking for food.....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Erem2E8UF8o/UFjOHHmrG_I/AAAAAAAABI0/2Em9qfM-ZMw/s1600/DSCN0920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Erem2E8UF8o/UFjOHHmrG_I/AAAAAAAABI0/2Em9qfM-ZMw/s400/DSCN0920.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shot of the hardware & my favorite kitchen appliance...my iphone dock/radio :) Yes, I rock out while I cook.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Km7yPjKRU9Y/UFjOMKgT03I/AAAAAAAABI8/ci3atzad8CM/s1600/DSCN0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Km7yPjKRU9Y/UFjOMKgT03I/AAAAAAAABI8/ci3atzad8CM/s400/DSCN0922.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBvx1y7tYUo/UFjOWyoLXoI/AAAAAAAABJM/VRtB0S7IdkU/s1600/DSCN0925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBvx1y7tYUo/UFjOWyoLXoI/AAAAAAAABJM/VRtB0S7IdkU/s400/DSCN0925.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another shot of my surprisingly clean kitchen...(it won't last)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NlLKTx_Sduc/UFjObukfgoI/AAAAAAAABJU/87bABfSfRM4/s1600/DSCN0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NlLKTx_Sduc/UFjObukfgoI/AAAAAAAABJU/87bABfSfRM4/s400/DSCN0928.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6xMs574iQh8/UFjOlfDeGiI/AAAAAAAABJk/JogSKvlQi-k/s1600/DSCN0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6xMs574iQh8/UFjOlfDeGiI/AAAAAAAABJk/JogSKvlQi-k/s640/DSCN0930.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm thinking about getting some new stools next....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUTqLo0Lydg/UFjPRe1spbI/AAAAAAAABJw/6p56jrs6AA4/s1600/13474307-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUTqLo0Lydg/UFjPRe1spbI/AAAAAAAABJw/6p56jrs6AA4/s640/13474307-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this photo was from the listing when our house was on the market...the ivy & foo foo curtains were taken down immediately</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpwkqUV84fM/UFjPnmaBBrI/AAAAAAAABJ4/60dlN8YAnWA/s1600/DSCN0926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpwkqUV84fM/UFjPnmaBBrI/AAAAAAAABJ4/60dlN8YAnWA/s400/DSCN0926.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can you figure out some of what I'm doing next?......except I'm not doing it their exact way, going to change it up a bit :)<br />
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sharing with: http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com</td></tr>
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kammyskorner.com
<a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/"></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">http://www.cozylittlehouse.com</span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">http://shadesofamberinc.blogspot.com</span>Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-83629603553349989642012-08-27T13:31:00.002-07:002012-08-27T13:31:59.159-07:00A Little Sneak Peak<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FU_W2RBpcBI/UDvXvfbqnnI/AAAAAAAABGw/dgYo3A-_Mas/s1600/DSCN0887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FU_W2RBpcBI/UDvXvfbqnnI/AAAAAAAABGw/dgYo3A-_Mas/s640/DSCN0887.JPG" width="563" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see how I am distressing the cabinets in this photo & my hardware is finally on!! :)</td></tr>
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Even though I am still working on my never-ending kitchen I wanted to give you guys a little peak. The cabinets are almost completely done!!!!!!!!!! Talk about taking my time, but in my defense it has been an incredibly busy summer & I am working part time now too...... Anyway, here's a peak:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epiHDgEeNNA/UDvX0XC2qvI/AAAAAAAABG4/gfeY1ltZpbI/s1600/DSCN0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epiHDgEeNNA/UDvX0XC2qvI/AAAAAAAABG4/gfeY1ltZpbI/s640/DSCN0892.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The doors on the left have been stained with both the dark stain & clear stain from Annie Sloan. The one on the right has not...see the difference? In case you guys can't remember, I used chalk paint for this whole project.</td></tr>
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<br />Katie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627760635350194104.post-81955413509950102942012-08-27T13:14:00.000-07:002012-09-18T06:55:30.773-07:00It's Been A While, But Here's Another Quickie.... It's been a while since I've posted any craft projects & frankly it's because I've been so busy working on my kitchen, that I haven't done anything. So the other afternoon it was raining (which hasn't happened in like forever..) and we were all plopped on the couch being lazy & watching the movie Fifty First Dates (cute movie,btw) when I decided to get all crafty. Maybe it was because of the rainy weather & I felt unusually lazy or maybe it was because I had just consumed a huge plate of nachos, but I felt like I had to accomplish something. How else was I going to justify ignoring my four gigantic loads of laundry that I was ignoring? So I went into my office (nice word for the place I keep my hoarding piles) & rummaged through until I found some goodies. I had an old straw wreath and some upholstery tape, found some leftover red felt from a Christmas project and decided to make this. I think it's the first time that I ever actually made anything with red roses.....what do ya guys think? I call it a "quickie" cause it didn't take too long to make. I'm not sure how long, I started it during the movie & finished it way before the movie was over. Anyway.....I'm pretty happy with how it turned out :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b24C4SfLibc/UDvSZVqX0iI/AAAAAAAABGQ/FdA5rjAkXks/s1600/DSCN0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="617" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b24C4SfLibc/UDvSZVqX0iI/AAAAAAAABGQ/FdA5rjAkXks/s640/DSCN0894.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eO1bbvgvddE/UDvScsmQPEI/AAAAAAAABGY/fkgMLt9WcT4/s1600/DSCN0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eO1bbvgvddE/UDvScsmQPEI/AAAAAAAABGY/fkgMLt9WcT4/s640/DSCN0895.JPG" width="364" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close up of my roses..I added the little green leaves because I think it needed a little something-something......</td></tr>
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sharing with: :) http://boermanramblings.blogspot.com/</div>
http://www.notjustahousewife.net http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com http://www.kammyskorner.com http://www.cozylittlehouse.comKatie @ sweetgirlexpressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08183186427366425931noreply@blogger.com4