All this...for a coffee table??

My friends...I think you have gotten me into trouble!

My French Chocolate coffee table has been very popular,
not only with me,
but with my kids and many viewers.
Even my husband...doesn't hate it!

Many of you said, "You should keep it!"
I responded, "I would love to, but then I would have to buy a new couch!"
"So I'm not going to."

(Famous last words.)

Here is my living room yesterday morning. See? Nice sectional. Very cushy. It's about 10 years old, but at least one of those it was in storage, and most of those it was in the infamous "front room" where it never got sat on.

I just happened to mention to my husband that maybe it was time to consider replacing it.

I wasn't prepared for his response:
"Great! Let's go shopping RIGHT NOW!"

Huh. Apparently, he doesn't like it!?!

I gently explained to him that I wasn't really thinking about right now...but just for kicks, we should check the classified ads.

Wouldn't you know it, a leather Pottery Barn couch had been posted mere hours before...about 1/2 mile from our house.

We went to see it. Want to see what's in my living room now?

Oh yeah, baby. It's a new couch ...AND... the coffee table!

And now there's a lot of work to be done! For one thing, all the pictures and the vinyl quotes I had on my wall are in the wrong places. I peeled off the vinyl last night, but haven't messed with the pictures yet.


The coffee table isn't prettily staged. (I'm having a hard enough time keeping the children from using it for an art table. Or car track. Or bench.)

There are no pretty pillows on the couch.


...and there's a big blank space on the far wall that needs something. I'm thinking maybe a short, wide bookcase? Or something that could be used as extra seating? I'd love some suggestions! (At the very least...I've got to cover up the ugly outlets!)

Please help! Come on, ya'll helped me get into this mess...help me get OUT!

Every great dream

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer."

That's what it says on my chalkboard right now.

I was smitten when Miss Mustard Seed posted this picture with her new pennant banner from Lisa Leonard designs.

(photo courtesy of Miss Mustard Seed)

Isn't it gorgeous? I love old metal and old wood. Unfortunately, the price for a "dream" banner is over $50, and thus out of my price range!

Luckily, I came across Vintage Skye's etsy shop!

She handcrafts the most amazing knobs, pulls, tags, and more out of clay! I wondered...could she make a pennant banner like the one I loved out of clay?

Oh yeah, baby!
(note: for about half the price of the metal banner)

Look what was waiting for me when I got home from Montana!

I am delighted with how it turned out. Each little 3" pennant has a lovely script imprint over the whole surface, and then the stamped letter is color in black. I love the texture each piece has.

Here it is on my chalkboard. Maybe it was just a little dream...but I was the dreamer!



I also got a few other treasures. I have four of these darling bird tags. One has a home on an old bottle on my buffet.


I also received four drawers knobs. They're waiting for just the right piece of furniture!

Thanks, Vintage Skye, for making my little dream come true.
This has not been a paid advertisement...I'm just...happy!

I'm also curious...what would YOU choose a banner to say??

Linking up here and.

Flowers from home

I haven't been able to work on any of my furniture projects the last couple of days, because I am in Montana! I came home for a few days to spoil my parents as much as they will let me. They still live in the home of my childhood--they have been here for over 40 years now. It is still one of the most beautiful places in the world to me.

Today I stepped outside to take a few pictures. Spring came late this year, so many of the flowers are just in full bloom now.

My parents' home has planters that run the full length of the front of the house. For as long as I can remember, my mother has planted petunias in them. In the last couple of years, my sisters and I have tried to keep that tradition alive for her Mother's Day gift. I love this striped variety.


I have mentioned before that lilacs remind me of my mother. The funny thing is that there are no lilacs growing in our yard, but the neighbors all have them! But my mother loves them, and loves lilac perfume. So do I!


I have heard this bush given many similar names: bridal wreath, bridal veil, etc. I always liked the name "bridal veil" because the branches droop down (like a veil), all covered in white flowers.


There are iris growing on the south side of our house. Many years ago, there were all different colors, but apparently the purple are dominant, because that is all that blooms now! I love iris, and have them growing in my front yard because they are one of my dad's favorite flowers. They smell wonderful, too.


There are two large maple trees that grow on the property line of our house. When I was little, there was a tire swing in one, and it was so fun to climb! The branches are too high for anyone to climb anymore! That is...unless they let this little sprig grow! Maybe it could be ready in 20 years or so!

Hope you enjoyed a little Montana springtime!

THANK YOU and a Guest Post

Hello, Everyone! I wanted to shout out a great big

to so many of you who have taken the time to make a kind comment on my French Chocolate coffee table. It has been my most popular project by far!

Today I am guest-posting at Remodelaholic!

I would be delighted if you would come visit me there,
and I'll show you what I did with this table:

Click HERE to visit me at Remodelaholic!

Sunshine Winner!

I know, I know, I promised I would post the winner of the Sunshine Canvas giveaway last night...but I was up too late working on writing up a project, and I didn't have it in me!

So, without further ado, the winner is #30!
(Number obtained from Random.org)

Holly from Full Circle Creations!

This is very intimidating for me to send her something, as she makes beautiful signs herself!

Congratulations, Holly, and thank you all for entering.