Tackling the Elephant in the Room

Howdy one and all!  I know I've been MIA for a few weeks now!  Well, I'm feeling more like me and have begun to tackle my greatest task . . . the "Elephant in the Room", my china hutch! LOL!  The reason I call it the "elephant in the room" is because I live in a one bedroom apt without a patio for a painting area.  Plus the cabinet is much too large for me to use my usual outside space, my parking space. *_*    Thus, I have to paint it in place in my livingroom; inconvenient mess, especially since the piece is so large.  Here is its present paint colors plus a peek at some of my blue/white collection. : -)

It's been this color since about 2002!  I'll show the first original paint job when I do the complete reveal!  This hutch is the first piece of furniture I ever attempted to paint!  Please ignore the mess in the picture below; one of the challenges of diy in an apt - moving furniture and everything else around when you're painting. lol

 I had a challenge on this back area.  You can see where the top of the hutch sat; the last time I painted with the top in place.  Can you see the old turquoise color?

Here's a sneak peek of where I'm taking it now!  The first step of painting it two-toned!  This color is a bit misleading as I've since remixed the diy chalk paint.  But not by much . . . -_^  What do you think the second color will be?

So that's it for now!  I'm hoping to finish this by this weekend .. . energy willing.  Hope your week is going well.  Stay tuned . . .

~Barbe~

Frugal Treasures Features!

Hello Everyone!
Well we've started a new week and the heat is crazy here!  Whew!!!  But you've all come up with some really cool things to share last week.  By the way, I love the variety we're getting with furniture and recipes.  A little something for everyone!  So lets take a look at the features from last weeks party.

Jamie's Italian Pasta Salad at Love Bakes Good Cakes.

Frugal Treasures Tuesday #18

Hello everyone, its that time of the week again.  So let's get right to the features of the week. . .

Your choice of most popular belongs to Jeannie Marie of Jeannie Marie & Company for her lovely plate flowers.  Truly unique and beautiful.

Treasures In a Small Spaces!

A friend took me to the cutest mini-antique and craft mall while I was on vacation.  Our plan was to check out some local antique stores, but life got in the way.  By the time we were able to go, the stores were all closing. : (
So we decided to go to Ross's and then she remember the little craft mall.  You can see more of what they have to offer at there website here: NW Creations and Collectibles !

Frugal Treasures Tuesday #11

Happy Monday one and all.  It's been a long week and busy, enjoyable, and refreshing weekend.  As I said before I had to take a break on my projects, but did manage to start my makeover of this cabinet.

Frugal Treasures Tuesday #7

Hello and Happy Tuesday! : )
I'm always amazed the creativity of the many bloggers out there in blogland.  Picking only a few to feature gets harder each week.  But here we go:
The link with the most clicks is this beautiful paper wreath by Vicky at Decor & Harmony.  She is so talented and creative.  Check out the tutorial and some of her other projects.



My 'Fave for the Week' goes to Bethany of Pitter and Glink!  What she did with a few simple pieces is awesome and she includes a tutorial.  You've got to see the before of this project!


If you're looking for a great healthy and delish meal, check out the recipe for this pizza by Peg at Crazy Thrifty Crafts.  The story behind the recipe is a wonderful read also.  Yummy!


Biljana is one of my favorite bloggers with her gift for creating shabby decor.  This is such an adorable lamp and she does include a brief tutorial and pics of materials.

Thank you all for sharing your projects and taking the time to visit and link up.  I really appreciate the support and learning so much from your many talents.  If you were featured please feel free to grab a button from my side bar.

You probably remember this thrift store bed frame makeover from last month.

You know how sometimes you look at a finished project and you're just not quite content with it when you get it in the space?  Well, that's just how I felt after I put the frame in my bedroom.  It didn't look bad, just not quite the look I was looking for.  It seemed like too much of the same color and not enough contrast.  Thus I did this and I'm so loving it!

What do you think?
This look goes so much better with my accent fabric and looks better with the nightstand.
Now on to the party:  A few instructions so we all will have a good time and meet other great bloggers.

1. Link up any of your found treasures, great buys, inspiring projects, crafts, photos, or recipes.  Please not Etsy shops or giveaways.
2. Would really appreciate it if you'd become a follower and leave a comment so I can follow back.
3. Please place a link on your post back to the party, either my button or text link, so others can find the party too.   This will also make it easier for you to check back and see if you've been featured!  -_*
4. Please, try and take the time to visit some of the other links so the party will keep growing.   If you leave a comment you may gain a new follower, also.  : )
5. You may add up to 3 links.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop and visit.   Take care . . .
~Barbe~
I'm partying at these spots:
Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill
Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Power of Paint  @ Domestically Speaking
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Thrift Score Thursday @ The Blue Eyed Owl
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Thrifty Thursday @ Thrifty Decorating
Say G'Day Saturday @ Natasha In Oz
Overflowing With Creativity @ It's Overflowing
Spotlight Saturday @ Classy Clutter
Sleepy But Sassy Sunday @ Randee's Organized Chaos
Sassy Sunday @ Don't Mess With My Tutus

Mantels and Cloches- My Touch of Spring

Well, have you heard the latest buzz in blogland?  It's all the link parties for spring mantels and spring cloche.  Well I don't have a fireplace nor a mantel, but I just hate to be left out! LOL!!!  So here is a quick take I had on each!  Sorry but I don't do professional style picture settings; in the middle of too many room makeovers with limited space.  But I enjoyed doing them and hope you will too!

This shelf was previously in cobalt blue and white with wine accents!  The white coffee pot is part of a vintage set my mom used to have.  It's the only piece that survived when our home burned.  The large charger was a gift from a friend as it went so well with the kitchen I had at the time.  The print only cost me a dollar at a flea mart.

I wasn't sure what I would do, just started grabbing pieces!  I bought the flowers because I loved the spring color of new green; had no idea where I'd use them.

Some of these pieces I forgot I even had.  I do love how my nesting hen looks!  

My take on a cloche!  I couldn't find anything to use.

Then I found the tall glass vase and just went for it.  I love how the rose carved piece from Avon matches my new bedroom color.  I thought I'd have to store these pieces.  I found it as well as the decanter and cup and saucer at different thrift stores.

Imagine my surprise, after I finished these pictures and I found my crystal domed cake plate as well as a small glass container that would have been perfect.  But the moment had passed and I had to get back to painting my bedroom furniture.  Oh well, maybe I'll add a more complete and thought out one when I finish the bedroom. Thanks for stopping by and sharing my touch of spring!   Have a great weekend!
~Bee~

I'm linked to these parties:
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Saturday Night Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
White Wednesday @ Faded Charm
Creative Bloggers Party @ Homemaker on a Dime

My Latest Thrift Scores!

My health hasn't been great of late, I have Lupus and Fibro, so haven't been able to tackle my Bedroom of Roses makeover.  Presently, I'm sleeping on a double air mattress in my livingroom.  But I am still gathering and collecting pieces to help put it all together when the time comes.  So, since this past Friday I had to go for a doctor appt,  I decided to check out the local thrift stores and see what I can find.  At the top of my list was more vintage china with roses, interesting lamps to makeover, and possibly a smaller chair!  Well, . . . I soooo really scored!  I was just giddy when I found these

 This set was $3.50 at half off!  It is Delmar Rose - Iva-lure by Crooksville.  There's 3 plates, 2 saucers, and a bowl.