2011 Wrap Up

Hello friends! 2011 has been a big year and I can't wait to share with you some of my favorite posts and happenings.

My five most popular posts this year have been:

#5

Easy DIY Art

I love these in my bedroom. The cream color adds some much needed light to the space!

#4

Another Waverly Fabric SCORE!

I paid $14 for 2.75 yards of this gorgeous Sun N Shade fabric and am planning on finishing up my deck project this summer. Here are the fabrics I'll be using.

#3

Downstairs Bathroom - DONE!

This summer I did a mini re-do of my downstairs bathroom. It was just the freshening up I needed...and SO simple! I've since added a DIY Sunburst Mirror to the spot next to the mirror. It's the perfect finishing touch!

#2

Craigslist Dresser...Done?

This was another one of those never ending projects. I had so many problems with the paint bubbling up and I spent so much time sanding and re-sanding. In the end, it was worth it! This is the perfect storage solution for DVDs, diapers and wipes, toys...I love it! I do still need to buy the hardware I've got picked out but I'm having a difficult time getting myself to spend the money. The knobs and pulls are $5 each and I know that doesn't sound like much but that's $60 total and I just don't want to take it out of my budget. I am planning on a re-do of this whole space sometime this year so when I begin that, I'll buy my knobs :)

#1

New Reading Bench

This was by far my most popular post this year and one of my favorite projects. This goes to show you what a little bit of elbow grease can do. I bought the bench for $20 on Craigslist, pulled off some nasty upholstry and padding, repainted and reupholstered it. For a $30 total investment, I have a fun new piece of furniture and a great addition to my little girl's room.

So, those were my most popular posts of 2011. I want to share a few of my personal favorites.

#3

Valentine Wrap-Up

I loved the Valentine's Day crafts I did this year and I smiled every time I looked at them. I can't wait to get them back up and to do even more this year :)

#2

Owl Love You... (Before & After)

I love this little guy. He just makes me happy :)

#1

Lattice Entertain You...

These are my absolute favorite project from this past year. I fell in love with the fabric and got an awesome deal when I found it in the clearance bin at Joann. Unfortunately, I only had enough for one window. I hunted and hunted for this online but this color isn't made anymore. (It's Waverly Lovely Lattice in mocha. They do make this in the Sun N Shade fabric but I had the 100% cotton and needed the same to match up to what I already had.) Finally, I tripped over a store that had this online.

I love everything about this fabric. The weight, color and pattern are perfect and the curtains are perfect for my living/dining area. Almost every time I look at them, I can't believe how lucky I was to find that second five yards :)

2012 is going to be a busy year for me too. I've got a monster list of projects and to-dos that I'm planning on posting soon. Included in that list will be converting my guest room/office into a nursery for a baby boy coming in April. That's my biggest DIY project planned for 2012. (The baby, not the room!)

I've had so much fun looking back on 2011 and it's inspired me to forge ahead in the coming year. I've loved all the friendships that have developed through this blog and all the support I've received. Thank you ALL for making it wonderful :)

Linking up to:

I'm Stuck

I'm sure my lack of posts has been noticed by at least a couple of you. Truth is, I'm so embarrassed that I haven't finished my Craigslist chairs that I've been too embarrassed to post anything. The problem is getting them covered.

Before I started taking them apart I thought they would be a breeze, based on my experience with my reading bench, which had a simple frame I was able to remove and attach my new padding and fabric to.

These chairs don't have that. I'm completely frustrated trying to figure out how to get the fabric to go around the legs and actually look nice. Last night I was trying (again) while my husband was watching football, which gets me all edgy and annoyed anyhow, and I was so frustrated I was yelling at him to not even look at me and my failed attempt. Okay, so part of that might have been hormones. I'm so glad I've got those to blame!

Anyway, I'm almost ready to admit defeat and just take these to a professional to be covered but before I do, I want to reach out for help. Does anyone know of a good tutorial I can look at or have any advice for me? I don't want to be done in by chairs and any help would be greatly appreciated.

On another note, we found out we are having a BOY!! Designing a nursery is going to be fun and I've got a few ideas floating around in my head. :)

Surprisingly AWESOME Christmas Decor!

My mom sent me this image today from House Beautiful. Awesome!! I don't really have anywhere to put it but I wish I did! This would be such a simple and inexpensive DIY - they're just paper wedding bells!

(click pic for source)

Anyway, I was just so struck by this that I had to share. What do you think? Am I way off with my love of this idea?

Progress

Okay, I know it's a long time coming but I'm finally making some progress on my pair of Craigslist chairs!

I wasn't able to find a stapler that would work so I've been going crazy trying to come up with a good solution. I think I found one! Anyway, I'll be finishing these this week and I cannot wait to show you but for now, here is a little teaser :)

Oh yeah, I've also got my ultrasound scheduled for this Thursday! I can't wait to find out the sex of this baby so I can get started on a nursery :) There's lots happening in the Wonderfully Domestic household so stay tuned!