Shadywood Chic

Oh Christmas Tree - Pot Stand!

2011-11-21T20:45:00.012-06:00

My Ballard Design Inspired Tree Stand!

So I saw this tree stand in my Ballard Design catalog and just HAD to have it!

Only one slight problem...IT'S $99!!!

As I usually do, I e-mailed my mom telling showing her this awesome find and asking for her to keep an eye out for something a little LESS expensive.

About a week later I received a phone call: "I found a pot in the neighbor's garbage, I think it might work for your tree project. It's on the porch if you want to take a look at it." - Haha my mom's the best...not many people can say that their mother goes trash picking for them! :P

THE FIND:

She needed a little fixin' up but it wasn't anything a little caulk couldn't fix.

Caulk - Already Owned

Pot - FREE

Spray Paint - $4.99 + 40% off = $2.99!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Engagement Photos

2011-10-08T11:40:00.012-05:00

I cannot begin to to tell you how AMAZING Rawsii is!

We couldn't be happier with our photos, and our entire experience!

Playhouse!

2011-09-21T15:58:00.009-05:00

When I was younger I DREAMED of having my own house
...a playhouse that is!

Michael decided he'd make my dreams come true (but for our nieces!)

I will post information on how he built it later this week :)

Throught The Years

2011-04-20T09:32:00.008-05:00

Wedding Table Numbers:

Wedding crafting has been a BLAST for me thus far! I have searched and searched numerous websites fishings for all kinds of ideas. There are so many cute ideas for table numbers, but when I saw this project I simply fell in love with it!

All You Need:
* Photos of you and your fiance from ages 1-however many tables you will have.

* Cardstock - I used 111 lb cardstock and glued 2 sheets together since they're only textured on one side.

* Photo corners

* Glossy photo paper - I printed them on my computer at home.

* Glue dots

* Paper cutter

I cut my cardstock 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 so that I was able to make 1 table # per sheet.

Using Microsoft Publisher I was able to create a 5x5 box , place my photo in it and decorate with the appropriate design and number.

I still need to put Michael's photos on the backsides. But I think this is a great conversation piece for our tables and a nice way to make it personal!

Because I had the photo paper, computer ink, and paper cutter

This project only cost .51 per table number!

For The Little Ones!

2011-03-29T18:21:00.010-05:00

Will You Be Our...

It's amazing what a $1 can turn into! The $1 store is my favorite place lately.

I thought this would be a fun way to ask the little one's

if they'd be a part of our big day :)

My "Something Blue"

2011-02-15T18:51:00.005-06:00

These shoes were my inspirations...they are $90 at Zappos but that's more than I was looking to spend and ALL the reviews said how uncomfortable they were that 95% of people returned them.

With a little TLC & Bling these shoes are ready for my big day!

I found these shoes at Target for only $17!
They were perfect other than they were a little dull!

I followed this bloggers DIY tutorial to make the Flowers for the sides of the shoes.
They were very easy and fun to make!

Props to my wonderful fiance for taking the time to put each and every crystal in it's place! I just don't have the patience for projects like that.

$17 for the shoes
$2 for the fabric
$3 fabric glue
$8 for the crystals
TOTAL: $30

The Graz's

2011-02-01T21:18:00.003-06:00

My good friend Dan's been feeling artsy lately and photoshopped this great picture of us.
I had to share it with the world!

Now that my last name is going to be changing, so will some of our decor!

Mike saw these hooks at Hobby Lobby and loved them.

I figured we'd be able to use them for something, and for only $1.50 each what the heck!
The only problem was...they didn't have a "Z!" Since we didn't like how a few of the letters were so similar we decided to sand them down and recreate them our own way.

The DAY after we finished the project, the dish I used to put my keys in got caught on my scarf and shattered into many little pieces...talk about timing!

Here Comes The Bride!

2011-01-29T17:17:00.007-06:00

I'm ENGAGED!!! It happened on 1-11-11 and I couldn't be happier!

We've set the date June 1, 2012 and I've already started planning like a mad women! We are going to try and do as much as we can by ourselves seeing as we're both rather crafty...what better way to use our time?!

...So, I've started with the Brides Maid and Maid of Honor cards...

And the best part is...I already had all of the supplies! Total Cost = $0
(I love it when that happens!)

I'm very happy with the way they turned out and it gives me hope for the future wedding projects we dare to take on!

Ou La La!

2010-11-23T15:53:00.005-06:00

Meet Me Under The Mistletoe...

I really wanted a mistletoe ball for our house this Christmas but it was almost impossible to find. When I found it at Target they wanted $12.99 and it wasn't even anything special!

So I got crafty of course!

For only $4 at Hobby Lobby I found these bunches of mistletoe.

I then went to the $1 store and got this styrofoam ornament that was perfect for my base. I love that it's glittery and gold underneath all the leaves, I didn't like the string it was on so I swapped it out with my own.

And for $5 I made a better mistletoe ball than Target had!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

2010-11-19T10:04:00.005-06:00

This room has a horrible layout and I wish pictures could show the actual space I'm working with. Our "fire place room" has on several occasions almost caused me major meltdowns!You should have seen the "before" prior to this one! My boyfriend had a random bed in that room at one time...we've had about 6 couches piled in there, it's been quite the junk room!

I just don't know what I'll do with it after Christmas!
It might have to stay Christmas all year round :P

We hope to eventually put a table and chairs along with chandelier.

It's still in the process of becoming completed but I think we're heading in the right direction!

The candles are flameless and looks really neat when we turn off the lights.

I'm terrible at remembering to take photos before and after I complete projects. :(
I think that'll be one of my New Year's resolutions!

I bought the holder at Hobby Lobby for $1.50
And the berry branches at Hobby Lobby for only $1

Not too shabby for only $2.50!

I found this shutter at the Kane County Flea Market in August, since then I haven't been able to find it's purpose! A few weeks ago Mike moved it in that corner since it was in his way. We both just loved how it looked there! I am planning on putting all our Christmas Cards in it.

Besides the Christmas Stockings & their holders everything was taken out of our storage attic and finally put to use! :)

Blast From The Past!

2010-10-15T09:10:00.005-05:00

Treasures Will Travel!

Below Is A Dresser My Mom Found Curbside When I Was About 15 Years Old.

She Brought It Home, Where I Then Transformed It Into The Treasure It Is Today!

My Grandparents Travel Around The United States In Their Motor Home. I Thought What Better Than To Mod Podge An Atlas To It?!

The Dresser Was In Great Condition And I Didn't Want To Make It Too Busy, So I Only Put Atlas' To Accent The Piece.

Just So Happens We Found The Perfect Picture And Frame To Go Along With It!

Looks Like I've Had A Bit Of A Creative Side Ever Since I Was A Wee Little One.

Sunday Football Cupcakes

2010-10-10T12:41:00.009-05:00

Da Bears!

Mmmm Mmmm Good!

I am very happy with the color blue :)
I was nervous it'd turn to green!

If you'd like to make some team spirited cupcakes, just follow the recipe below!

Ingredients:
1 box white cake mix (18oz)
1 box (4-serving size) instant vanilla pudding mix
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsps of food coloring (per color when splitting the mix)
**Optional** 1 1/2 tbsps butter (to make sure it's extra moist!)

**Cream Cheese Frosting**
4 ounces butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar

Preparation:
Combine the cake mix, pudding mix, oil, eggs, butter (optional), vinegar, milk, (I let the vinegar sit in the milk while I get my ingredients and add the vingegar/milk last.) Beat for 4 minutes on medium speed, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl several times. Then Split the batter into two seperate bowls and mix in your food coloring. Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 the way. Bake at 350° for about 18 - 23 minutes or until ready!

Frosting: Beat the butter butter and cream cheese until smooth and light. Add vanilla and confectioners' sugar; beat until smooth. Spread frosting over layers and sides (you don't need much frosting, the cupcakes taste like they're already frosted!) Add finishes touches such as sprinkles!

Enjoy!

My Sister!

2010-08-22T21:58:00.002-05:00

My sister Sammie is a fencer at the IFC in Mt. Prospect.

I'm so proud of her and all that she's accomplished!
Here she's seen with Tim Morehouse - USA Olympic Silver Medalist.

...And The Winners Are...

2010-08-09T10:28:00.004-05:00

Drum Roll Please!

Sarah from The Pumpkin Patch

&
Marcy from Haverford House

Congrats Ladies & Thank you everyone for supporting The 'Pair' Tree!!!
I will be e-mailing you shortly!

The mayor stopped by to Support The 'Pair' Tree!

My Dad and Sister running the snowcone machine! It was a huge hit with the walkers!

Even Meatball was supporting the cause!

My First semi-GIVEAWAY!!! (haha)

2010-07-25T11:27:00.017-05:00

Donate for a Chance to Win!

I am challenging the blogging world to help raise money for Breast Cancer Research!

Rules:

1) Make a Donation - No minimum amount required.

2) In the ‘Purpose’ section of the donation form in enter: Your name & blog"

3) Become a friend (if you aren't already!)

The on-line donation raffle will begin @ NOW! and end 5 pm CST August, 8 2010.

- The highest donation will automatically win first choice of ‘Fight for a Cure’ fleece Blanket and gift card.

- We will randomly select one entry to receive the remaining blanket and gift card

Donate now for a chance to win:

One of these "Fight for a Cure" fleece blankets (both are one yard)
Graciously donated from Krafts by Kondrot

One of the following Gift Cards: $25 Starbucks Gift Card
$25 AMC Gift Card

Some 'Pair' Pics!

Our Largest Donation Last Year Received The Golden 'Pair'!

2 Proud 'Pair' supporters & walkers in the 3-Day

Thanks in advance for your support & donations!

Crafting For A Cause!

2010-07-18T14:44:00.009-05:00

Sponser a 'Pair'

All donations help in finding a cure!

'Pair' Tree in the Daily Herald

Last year my Mom Denise heard that the Susan G. Komen 3-day Walk for a Cure would be passing by our house. In effort to "do her part" she thought it might be nice to cheer the walkers on, she turned to my Dad and suggested we decorate our pear tree our front...and then it hit her!

The entire family got involved!

In a matter of 2 weeks we were able to raise over $2,300 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. With the help of my Nana we crafted soft sculptured breasts with pink ribbons and hung them on our tree. The response from both the community and the walkers was something we had never imagined! We donate the money raised to Susan G. Komen THROUGH a walker who has not met their goal. Each walker is required to raise $2,300 and if they do not succeed they have to pay the difference out of their own pockets. Imagine walking 60 miles over 3 days with the stress of having to come up with that kind of money!? The walkers are simply amazing and seeing them walk by The 'Pair' Tree and knowing we're able to put smiles on their faces is priceless! We were so happy with the outcome that in November of last year we took The 'Pair' Tree to San Diego where we were able to raise over $1,000 in effort to find a cure!

Visit our Facebook Page for more photos!

If you would like to learn more about

The 'Pair' Tree

Please visit our website

ALL donations help no matter how big or small, please help us in raising money to find a cure!

South Fork, Colorado

2010-06-18T16:24:00.004-05:00

Mike & I just got back from a little vaca in South Fork, Colorado!

It was beautiful! If you, your friends or your family like to golf, hike, atv, mountain bike or just relax and enjoy nature you should check out this place: http://www.riograndevacationrentals.com/VacationRentals.htm

Mention "Shadywood Chic" and you might just get a little deal ;)

I'm going to start reffering myself to stuff as "Precious Junque" I love it!

What a neat place for a Fire Station, no better place than one of the many mountains!

At least they recycle right!?

Imagine having this as your deck!?

Where else can you hold a snowball next to the sun and running water?!

It wasn't ALL fun (well we still had fun) but we were there to work!

I re-stained my first deck!

(Mike had already sanded the entire thing down - like he does with all my projects haha)

The Fishing Club's deck completed!

.The End!.

Care For A Walk?!

2010-05-20T21:15:00.005-05:00

Dog Leash Holder

I found this at Joann Fabrics for only $5.00!

And thought it would make for a cute leash holder for the pups!

...and so it has!

With a little paint and a personal photo,

It's a great addition to the laundry room!

I am linking up to numerous parties!

Check out my Link Parties page to see them all!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

2010-05-20T08:43:00.010-05:00

I won my first Blog Giveaway!

Thanks To:

Stephanie from Under The Table Dreaming

and

MirrorMate Frames who is a generous sponsor of her's and gave away a $100 giftcard!

I can't wait to get started on our bathroom renovation!

Now go tell your friends about MirrorMate Frames & Under The Table Dreaming!

Laundry Room/Mud Room Cabinet Makeover!

2010-05-12T09:16:00.003-05:00

Cabinet Makeover!

I've seen so many neat things done to cabinets, so I thought I'd give it a whirl!

Our Laundry Room is the first room in the house we're remodeling and we're almost finished! I can't wait to share the final product with everyone, but until then I've been posting a little at a time!

I still need to push the washer & dryer back together and centered!

I found these strage things at Target in the $1 section for $2.50. They're like a grassy/bamboo large...hanging room divider with pockets?

Haha I'm not quite sure what they are to tell you the truth!

...But now they're my cabinets!

I bought 2 since I wasn't sure how much I would need and good thing because look at what my little angels did to one!!!

I'm certainly happy with how they turned out and think it's an improvement from what they were!

I added a few pulls and Vwala! They look like new!

My Little Munchkin!

2010-05-10T10:58:00.004-05:00

Dexter (My Lil' Guy) Visiting His Nona!

While working yesterday (Mother's Day)

I received this picture text that made me laugh out loud! I thought I'd share it and maybe it'd put a smile on your face, since it certainly put one on mine! :)

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T13:35:00.003-05:00

Happy Mother's Day!

I made both my Mom and Mike's Mom Mother's Day Stars using family photos, a little Mod Podge, tin stars, and a whole lot of love!

I hope they like them!

...and I hope my Mom doesn't read my blog before it gets to her!

The Bench That Matches My Coat Rack!

2010-05-06T10:31:00.006-05:00

Bench Makeover!

I found this bench on Craigslist for $50

(Everywhere I look they're at least $100 or more!)

Before:

Once Again Mike is wonderful and sanded it down for me :)

Completed!

I matched it to go with my Coat Rack for in our Laundry Room
Our Laundry Room is the righ when you walk into our house off to the side, now we have a place for guests to hang their coats and we have more storage (inside the bench) which is MUCH NEEDED in this house!

Headboard Turned Coat Rack

2010-04-30T08:32:00.003-05:00

We've all seen em' before...

The Blogging world is full of them...
Yes, it's a headboard turned coat rack (but my version!)

Before:

Headboard purchased at Thrift Store for $15 (I probably could have found it for less but to be honest I wasn't being patient!) I had been to about 6 different stores with no luck and rarin to go!

During:

Mike being the best boyfriend and partner in crime that he is sanded the headboard down for me as well as chopped off the legs!
-Side note- Lately he's been calling me "boss" and his "project manager" haha
I bought the wood accent pieces at hobby lobby for only $6 (and purchased them with gift cards I received for my birthday!)

The Final Product!

The hooks were from Home Depot $2.48 each

Total Cost: $27.40
And a lot of fun!

Mac & Cheese Kinda B-Day!

2010-04-19T21:17:00.002-05:00

Mac & Cheese Challenge!

Mike and have been trying to make our money stretch especially in the food department, and we're having fun doing it!

We've come up with the ultimate challenge...

Who makes the best BOXED Macaroni and Cheese?!

We both write what we score the Mac & Cheese on the back of the box then hang it on the fridge. I'm thinking I need to make a craft out of them when all is said and done, any ideas?!

...We even received some Mac & Cheese in our Easter Basket from Mike's mom!

So Far the Aldi's brand is the best. However, we ate it RIGHT before we started the challenge so we need to get another box!

Please comment if you have suggestions for which ones we should try!

(I should have taken a picture of our stocked pantry!)

My first home made Thank You card.

I don't think it turned out too bad!

Although, I only had enough supplies to make one!

Finally!

2010-04-13T19:46:00.005-05:00

I saw this project done on another blog (I apologize, I'm usually good with keeping track and giving credit where credit is due, but I just got SO excited when I saw this!) BECAUSE...I've had this frame in my storage for about 3 years now with NO idea what to do with it! ...Thank you blogger for giving me the idea to create a fun little chalkboard!

Frame $24.95 Ikea

White Spray Paint $4.95

I first used 1 coat of primer on the glass then multiple coats of the chalkboard paint.

Chalkboard Paint $6.95

Picture This!

2010-04-08T17:37:00.027-05:00

So, Mike and I have been working on 35mm slide lamps!

This is the first one we've completed! We're planning on making a bunch and We're currently working on window curtains!

*I'll be sure to post pictures when they're complete!*

Here's how to make your own!

- We ordered a bunch of 35mm Kodachrome slides off Ebay.

They range in price $9.95 - $29.95 is what I spent and each lot I purchased contained anywhere from 200 - 350+ slides.

It's a lot of fun sorting through them all seeing which ones are keepers, maybes and No's.

We have slides all over

- After we picked which slides we were going to use we cut the slides out of their original cardboard holders and inserted them into plastic holders.

- We also ordered these off Ebay. If you do a search for "Plastic slide mounts" they'll pop right up! You can buy 100's at a time for less than $20.

- After we transferred all the slides into their plastic holders we then drilled a hole into each corner using a Dremel tool. Mike made this neat little device so that each hole would be the in the same location.

Above I have pointed out with a pen the hole we insert the Dremel tool at.

- After we have them all drilled we use chainmill link to hook the slides together. You can buy these at your local craft or jewelry store but, since we were doing so many we ordered these off Ebay also. You can find them by the 1,000's for under $20.00.

Hint: Below are two different 35mm slides. Make sure you get the ones that are more rectangular like the ones on the left! If you don't they wont fit into the plastic slide holders, we learned the hard way!

Happy Crafting!
Please feel free to comment with any questions you might have!
I know I had many while doing this!

Play Time!

2010-03-29T15:39:00.003-05:00

Mike and I watched Cora (his little niece) for the day and she became a lil' Picasso! Although, as you can see below, she did NOT like getting her hands dirty!

Every time she would get paint of glitter on her hands she would make faces as if it were something really gross and need to wash them off right away!

We already had the frames (not sure where they came from!)

Used acrylic paints, glitter and stickers to fancy them up a bit

and took pictures of Cora during the day.

Cora's finished products:

Mike and Cora watching basketball and eating goldfish after a long day of crafting!

The Greatest Form of Flattery...

2010-03-28T16:21:00.003-05:00

Is Copying! :)

I have yet again seen a project on the Haverford House blog and fell in love with!

Although Marcy had used a metal frame and magnets I used a wooden frame (that I loved the design on.)

I got the frame at Hobby Lobby for only $5

Drank some beer in order to make the beer cap letters (hehe)

Printed out the letters using my computer scrapbook paper

Then used Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents to fill the bottle caps with

and finally hot glued the caps onto the frame!

Long Time, No Post!

2010-03-28T16:18:00.004-05:00

Who knew Mike (my boyfriend) was SO artistic!?

...He got bit by my creativity bug, and just started painting!

...ME!

Cakes, Cakes, Cakes!

2010-02-25T01:01:00.002-06:00

http://haverfordhouse.blogspot.com/ - Marcy makes beautiful faux cakes...and I wanted to too! :) she was kind enough to share her secrets!

Works In Progress...

2010-02-25T00:54:00.003-06:00

Mike and I are going to make this into a "head light" hehe

Gus (Asparagus) inspired me to paint again...

However, I've stopped!

Hopefully soon I'll get around to finishing the painting but I feel kinda "meh" about it at this point in time!

"Do I Have A Stache Like?"

2010-02-25T00:51:00.001-06:00

Mike has a funny fascination with mustaches soooo I painted some!

Craft Room In The Making!

2010-02-25T00:38:00.004-06:00

I purchased the pegboard at Menards for $4
36 pieces of pegboard hangers at Target for $5
The hanging baskets at Target for $1 each
The bead containers at the Thrift Store for .99 each
...and the rest I found laying around :P

Nice place to hold my ribbon...Hobby Lobby $8

Curtains to cover the storage closet; Target $1.50
The rod; Target $5

I originally saw this on Marcy's blog http://haverfordhouse.blogspot.com/
Hobby Lobby; $10

I used a magazine holder to make a corner shelf; Target $1.50

The container for the beads; another Thrift Store find for .99

My boyfriend has given me the spare bedroom to make as my craft room or "Creation Station!" ;) While he was away on his trip I borrowed some of his power tools! The room is by no means complete but I'm sure as we start creating it'll fill up real fast!

My First ATC

2010-02-25T00:36:00.003-06:00

It's nothing special or fancy but it's my first so it'll be neat to see how they get better and different as time goes on! This one was inspired by my boyfriend who is on his way home from a road trip.

Creations Coming Soon!

2010-02-13T15:48:00.003-06:00

Link Parties!

2010-01-01T10:25:00.043-06:00

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday:

http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com

Simply Chic Parties

Saturday & Sunday:

2008-12-01T12:06:00.002-06:00