For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
~
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
~
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
Before & After : Guest Room
It occurred to me that I shared the before & after from our kitchen in our summer house, but I left you hanging on the rest of the place. Trust me, there's not a single square inch of that house that we didn't re-do!
~
How about the guest room next? And don't worry, just like the kitchen, this room too started out ugly, got worse, and then finally got better...much better!
here's how the old owners had it...complete with nasty carpet, nasty walls and a nasty pipe that ran through the room from the floor to the ceiling
the room required a lot of dry wall repair. the "box" built against the one wall was the only solution for covering up the exposed pipe
with the carpet pulled up, you can see the pieced-together sub floor. It was like a big, uneven puzzle
walls getting better!
ahh! primer, paint (Behr Cottage White), new sub floor and baseboards...much better!
and the fresh carpet really made the room
~
Next it was time to fill the room, and this was my favorite part! I did a little shopping in our basement storage room and came up with just about everything I needed, starting with this headboard that I reupholstered in a linen fabric with large metallic flowers on it
using 1 yard of the fabric for the headboard, I had just a small strip leftover. I cut the strip into three pieces, turned each one and stitched them back together which gave me a large enough piece to make a coordinating pillow!
an old TV tray with a serving tray on top and some spare decorations made up the night stand
there's a small nook on your left as you walk into the room. We found this dresser from IKEA which fits it perfectly. Topped off with some family beach pictures, love!
and the finished project!!
~
Here's my decor breakdown:
- Fabric for headboard ($20)
- White quilt from TJMaxx ($30)
- Dresser from IKEA ($129)
- Bed, headboard, chair, art, nightstand & accessories ($0)
~
With the slanted ceilings and subtle decor, this room is so cozy!
How about the guest room next? And don't worry, just like the kitchen, this room too started out ugly, got worse, and then finally got better...much better!
here's how the old owners had it...complete with nasty carpet, nasty walls and a nasty pipe that ran through the room from the floor to the ceiling
the room required a lot of dry wall repair. the "box" built against the one wall was the only solution for covering up the exposed pipe
with the carpet pulled up, you can see the pieced-together sub floor. It was like a big, uneven puzzle
walls getting better!
ahh! primer, paint (Behr Cottage White), new sub floor and baseboards...much better!
and the fresh carpet really made the room~
Next it was time to fill the room, and this was my favorite part! I did a little shopping in our basement storage room and came up with just about everything I needed, starting with this headboard that I reupholstered in a linen fabric with large metallic flowers on it
using 1 yard of the fabric for the headboard, I had just a small strip leftover. I cut the strip into three pieces, turned each one and stitched them back together which gave me a large enough piece to make a coordinating pillow!
an old TV tray with a serving tray on top and some spare decorations made up the night stand
there's a small nook on your left as you walk into the room. We found this dresser from IKEA which fits it perfectly. Topped off with some family beach pictures, love!
and the finished project!!~
Here's my decor breakdown:
- Fabric for headboard ($20)
- White quilt from TJMaxx ($30)
- Dresser from IKEA ($129)
- Bed, headboard, chair, art, nightstand & accessories ($0)
~
With the slanted ceilings and subtle decor, this room is so cozy!
Geraniums + Pumpkins
Usually by this time of year, the summertime plants and flowers on our front porch are long gone. This year I tried something new on our porch though...hot pink geraniums. And much to my amazement, it's nearly November and they're still going strong. Not only are there still blooms, there are actually new buds still growing on them!
Oh how I would love to have Fall mums with our pumpkins, but I just don't have the heart to throw these out while they're still going strong! So hot pink geraniums + pumpkins it is this year.
Now let's just hope they don't turn into Christmas geraniums!
Oh how I would love to have Fall mums with our pumpkins, but I just don't have the heart to throw these out while they're still going strong! So hot pink geraniums + pumpkins it is this year.
Now let's just hope they don't turn into Christmas geraniums!
I Heart Faces : Pink
This week's I Heart Faces theme of Pink was a little too easy... Let's face it, with a three year old girl, I pretty much live in a sea of pink!
Daddy's girl here...Go Tigers!
Daddy's girl here...Go Tigers!
Monday's 10 Things
Here's what I'm most thankful for, right now!~
1. A fun night with girlfriends Friday night.
2. Eric & Claire's first Daddy/Daughter date on Friday was a hit!
3. Eric giving me an entire Saturday afternoon to run errands while he stayed home with Claire.
4. Two awesome church services on Sunday complete with great music.
5. Watching Claire imitate the high school girls at church, thinking she was pretty big stuff.
6. Fall cleaning is so.close.to.being.done.
7. Amazing Fall weather still.
8. Our power came back on in time to leave this house this morning after quite a thunderstorm last night. (We have a tendency to be without for days)
9. Catching up with neighbors and watching our kids play together.
10. A day tomorrow where we have absolutely nowhere that we need to be, ahh.
~
What are you most thankful for today?
1. A fun night with girlfriends Friday night.
2. Eric & Claire's first Daddy/Daughter date on Friday was a hit!
3. Eric giving me an entire Saturday afternoon to run errands while he stayed home with Claire.
4. Two awesome church services on Sunday complete with great music.
5. Watching Claire imitate the high school girls at church, thinking she was pretty big stuff.
6. Fall cleaning is so.close.to.being.done.
7. Amazing Fall weather still.
8. Our power came back on in time to leave this house this morning after quite a thunderstorm last night. (We have a tendency to be without for days)
9. Catching up with neighbors and watching our kids play together.
10. A day tomorrow where we have absolutely nowhere that we need to be, ahh.
~
What are you most thankful for today?
Fresh Start Sunday
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
~
1 John 1:9 (NIV)
~
1 John 1:9 (NIV)
Favorite Picture of the Week
ticked off that I'm making her pose for a picture with the pumpkinsas the kiddie train was zooming past
Some Friday Randomness
Here I go again!
~
1. The Sarah Jane print I ordered just arrived and let me just say, it's even more adorable in person than online. (and a side note : thank you to the USPS for finally not bending an envelope coming to me that is specifically marked "Do Not Bend")
2. It was just announced that an Anthropologie is opening a store in Grand Rapids in 2011, just 10 minutes from my house! I drool over their catalog each time it arrives in my mailbox, and now I can drool over the real thing, oh heart be still!
3. I've been informed that I will be dressing up for Halloween this year, ugh. So. not. my. thing.
4. The Design Design Factory sale coming up! If you live in Grand Rapids, you must check it out (just not before Thursday night when I'm able to get there!)
5. Have you ordered your free 8x10 canvas from Canvas People yet??? I did, and I LOVE it! Here it is on my laundry room shelf.
~
Happy Friday!
1. The Sarah Jane print I ordered just arrived and let me just say, it's even more adorable in person than online. (and a side note : thank you to the USPS for finally not bending an envelope coming to me that is specifically marked "Do Not Bend")
2. It was just announced that an Anthropologie is opening a store in Grand Rapids in 2011, just 10 minutes from my house! I drool over their catalog each time it arrives in my mailbox, and now I can drool over the real thing, oh heart be still!3. I've been informed that I will be dressing up for Halloween this year, ugh. So. not. my. thing.
4. The Design Design Factory sale coming up! If you live in Grand Rapids, you must check it out (just not before Thursday night when I'm able to get there!)
5. Have you ordered your free 8x10 canvas from Canvas People yet??? I did, and I LOVE it! Here it is on my laundry room shelf.
~Happy Friday!
New Doctor's Kit
Since toys are made like junk..
and both handles had fallen off from Claire's doctor kit bag within the first six months of owning it...
this sewing mom came to the rescue!
(not to mention, it's a whole lot cuter anyway...
and both handles had fallen off from Claire's doctor kit bag within the first six months of owning it...
this sewing mom came to the rescue!
(not to mention, it's a whole lot cuter anyway...polka dots in the inside and red gingham ribbon, oh yeah!)
~
The Doctor will see you now!
~
The Doctor will see you now!
Be "Boo-ed"
Every year around Halloween a little game is played in our neighborhood of "Boo-ing" each other. One family starts by leaving Halloween treats on someone's porch along with a piece of paper that has a picture of a ghost and this poem:~
You've Been Boo-ed!
The phantom ghost has come to town
To leave some goodies... I see you've found.
If you wish to make this a happier fall...
Continue this greeting, this phantom call.
First, post this Phantom where it can be seen,
And leave it there until Halloween.
This will scare other Phantoms who may visit.
Be sure to participate, you don't want to miss it!
Second, make two treats & two copies from
www.beenbooed.com
Deliver them to two neighbors, try to stay calm.
Don't let them see you, be sneaky, no doubt
And make sure they put their Phantom Ghost out!
Next, you have only one day to act, so be quick!
Leave it at doors where the Phantom hasn't hit.
Deliver at dark when there isn't much light...
Ring the doorbell and run, and stay out of sight!!
And last, but not least, come join in the season.
Don't worry, be happy, you need no good reason.
This is all in good fun and we are just trying to say...
Happy Halloween & Have a Great Day!
~
It's so much fun being sneaky at night dropping treats on someone's porch while not being seen, and the kids really get a kick out of it too! We got "Boo-ed" last night, so you know we'll be sneaking out tonight to "Boo" others!
~
You can find all the details, as well as a printable copy of the instructions and ghost picture at www.beenbooed.com
And Have Fun!!
Cora Anne on Facebook
Okay, I caved. The entire world is on Facebook, so why not?!?
Cora Anne Designs is now on Facebook!
There's a button over there on the right ----->
Be sure to "Like" Cora Anne and leave comments too,
I'd love to hear from you!
Cora Anne Designs is now on Facebook!There's a button over there on the right ----->
Be sure to "Like" Cora Anne and leave comments too,
I'd love to hear from you!
Monday's 10 Things
Here's what I'm most thankful for, right now!~
1. (almost) All of my mums in my back yard are in full bloom. Purple, orange and yellow are open, now just waiting on red.
2. New family pictures. Having a photographer in the family sure is nice!
3. A really fun time at the apple orchard with my family this weekend.
4. Amazing Fall weather, we really have lucked out this year. Here's hoping it continues!
5. Claire's teachers telling me at school today what a great day she had and how happy and enthusiastic she was.
6. Girl's night coming up this Friday!
7. Knowing that Eric and Claire are going on their very first official Daddy/Daughter date this weekend. Warms this mumma's heart!
8. My brother, who is celebrating a birthday this week.
9. Two new recipes tried this week that have been a big hit in our house (thanks Abi!)
10. MOPS is this week!
~
What are you most thankful for today?
1. (almost) All of my mums in my back yard are in full bloom. Purple, orange and yellow are open, now just waiting on red.
2. New family pictures. Having a photographer in the family sure is nice!
3. A really fun time at the apple orchard with my family this weekend.
4. Amazing Fall weather, we really have lucked out this year. Here's hoping it continues!
5. Claire's teachers telling me at school today what a great day she had and how happy and enthusiastic she was.
6. Girl's night coming up this Friday!
7. Knowing that Eric and Claire are going on their very first official Daddy/Daughter date this weekend. Warms this mumma's heart!
8. My brother, who is celebrating a birthday this week.
9. Two new recipes tried this week that have been a big hit in our house (thanks Abi!)
10. MOPS is this week!
~
What are you most thankful for today?
I Heart Faces : Orchard
How perfect that the challenge for this week at I Heart Faces is Orchard as we just did the whole apple orchard/pumpkin patch two times this weekend!
Fall in Michigan is the best, and Fall color on the trees is at it's peak right now, it's so beautiful!
looks like determination to me!
~
Head on over to www.iheartfaces.com to enter your photo!
Fall in Michigan is the best, and Fall color on the trees is at it's peak right now, it's so beautiful!
looks like determination to me!~
Head on over to www.iheartfaces.com to enter your photo!
Fresh Start Sunday
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
~
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
~
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
Zippered Pouch 1
These zippered pouches were a hit at the craft show and have done well at Minty Keen too, and I'm finally adding them to the Cora Anne shop!
~
Here's the first one...Heather Bailey Pop Garden on the outside, Amy Butler Cherry Dots on the inside, and finished off with a red zipper.
Perfect for holding make up, or all your little odds and ends floating around in your purse! And since the holidays are coming, keep these in mind as gifts for:
* girlfriends
* co-workers
* teachers
(we just gave Claire's teacher one for her birthday stuffed with a pocket tissue holder and Bath & Body Works hand sanitizer!)
* gift exchanges
Here's the first one...Heather Bailey Pop Garden on the outside, Amy Butler Cherry Dots on the inside, and finished off with a red zipper.
Perfect for holding make up, or all your little odds and ends floating around in your purse! And since the holidays are coming, keep these in mind as gifts for:
* girlfriends
* co-workers
* teachers
(we just gave Claire's teacher one for her birthday stuffed with a pocket tissue holder and Bath & Body Works hand sanitizer!)
* gift exchanges
Little Red Bird Tags
these would look great on top of your holiday gifts,
(and yes, it is time to start thinking about the holidays!)
~
in sets of 4, now in the shop!
(and yes, it is time to start thinking about the holidays!)
~
in sets of 4, now in the shop!
5 Random Things
A little randomness for your Wednesday.
~
1. I made this recipe for dinner last night, yum! I used leftover grilled chicken which made it real snappy, love that!
2. Fall cleaning is underway at our house. My Fall cleaning list is two pages long, typed, with two columns. I separate out every single item because I love the feeling of checking items off my list...the more items on my list, the more I get to check off! Confession time : I've been known to add items to to-do lists after I've already completed them, just to check them back off.
3. I've already started on my Favorite Things for this upcoming holiday season! Woo hoo!
4. I really wish I was heading to the Queen Bee Market in a few weeks, but CA is just a little too far from MI to make it work. Boo.
I AM planning to head to Chicago for the Renegade Handmade holiday show with one of my best friends and fellow crafters though, awesome!!
5. I laughed out loud when I read this headline on the cover of O Magazine.jpg)
I'm so glad that after an entire lifetime of wondering, all I have to do is read O Magazine to know what my true calling is. Thank you Oprah for your Easy-Does-It-Guide to Finding (and Fulfilling) My Life's Purpose.
~
The end.
2. Fall cleaning is underway at our house. My Fall cleaning list is two pages long, typed, with two columns. I separate out every single item because I love the feeling of checking items off my list...the more items on my list, the more I get to check off! Confession time : I've been known to add items to to-do lists after I've already completed them, just to check them back off.
3. I've already started on my Favorite Things for this upcoming holiday season! Woo hoo!
4. I really wish I was heading to the Queen Bee Market in a few weeks, but CA is just a little too far from MI to make it work. Boo.
I AM planning to head to Chicago for the Renegade Handmade holiday show with one of my best friends and fellow crafters though, awesome!!
5. I laughed out loud when I read this headline on the cover of O Magazine
.jpg)
I'm so glad that after an entire lifetime of wondering, all I have to do is read O Magazine to know what my true calling is. Thank you Oprah for your Easy-Does-It-Guide to Finding (and Fulfilling) My Life's Purpose.~
The end.
Toilet Art ?
Since moving into our house three years ago, I've struggled with coming up with good items to put on the walls in Claire's bathroom. Her bathroom is our hallway bath, and the tile back splash in it is full of browns and blues, so decorating it in an overly "girly" way just wasn't going to cut it.
~
I think I've finally come up with the start of a plan. The first item being one of my favorite prints from Sarah Jane (who I listed as one of my Favorite Things last December!) I've looked at this print over and over and still don't know why it's taken me this long to purchase it, but I finally did and it's heading my way as we speak!
Just after purchasing this print, I found this adorable fabric from This and That Japan on Etsy. The colors in the fabric coordinate so well with those in the Sarah Jane print, that I'm hoping to frame a bit of the fabric up on the wall as well.
So that's my start. I'm thinking of adding a "C" somehow, maybe in a vinyl decal or some other way, we'll see!
~
I'll let you know how it turns out!
I think I've finally come up with the start of a plan. The first item being one of my favorite prints from Sarah Jane (who I listed as one of my Favorite Things last December!) I've looked at this print over and over and still don't know why it's taken me this long to purchase it, but I finally did and it's heading my way as we speak!
Just after purchasing this print, I found this adorable fabric from This and That Japan on Etsy. The colors in the fabric coordinate so well with those in the Sarah Jane print, that I'm hoping to frame a bit of the fabric up on the wall as well.
So that's my start. I'm thinking of adding a "C" somehow, maybe in a vinyl decal or some other way, we'll see!~
I'll let you know how it turns out!
Monday's 10 Things
Here's what I'm most thankful for, right now!~
1. A really enjoyable family getaway this weekend to the Great Wolf Lodge.
2. Watching Claire having a blast jumping and splashing in the water.
3. Amazing Fall weather, 70's & sunny!
4. Our Fall cleaning is underway and it feels so good.
5. Eric washing all of our windows and helping me with other cleaning on his day off.
6. Getting yard work done this afternoon.
7. A really great, insightful speaker at MOPS last week.
(www.crystalbowman.com)
8. A really nice and much needed girl's night out last week.
9. After weeks and weeks of a way too busy schedule, our evenings and weekends are starting to free up.
10. Watching Claire multiple times this week want to write "thanksgivings" (thank you notes) for things done or given to her.
~
What are you most thankful for today?
1. A really enjoyable family getaway this weekend to the Great Wolf Lodge.
2. Watching Claire having a blast jumping and splashing in the water.
3. Amazing Fall weather, 70's & sunny!
4. Our Fall cleaning is underway and it feels so good.
5. Eric washing all of our windows and helping me with other cleaning on his day off.
6. Getting yard work done this afternoon.
7. A really great, insightful speaker at MOPS last week.
(www.crystalbowman.com)
8. A really nice and much needed girl's night out last week.
9. After weeks and weeks of a way too busy schedule, our evenings and weekends are starting to free up.
10. Watching Claire multiple times this week want to write "thanksgivings" (thank you notes) for things done or given to her.
~
What are you most thankful for today?
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