The MOST time-consuming trash to treasure yet!

About 8 weeks ago, we purchased this diamond in the rough. (rough isn't a strong enough word)
It was so nasty that our work clothes were removed and thrown away before we entered our own home.

This house has CONSUMED our time, but I am proud to say that it is fixed up, rented to some lovely people, and beautiful.

Here are a few before and after shots...

Living room before...

Living room after...

Bedroom #1 before...

Bedroom #1 after...

Bedroom #2 before...

Bedroom #2 after...

Master bedroom before...

Master bedroom after...

Main floor bathroom before...

Main floor bathroom after...

Kitchen before...

Kitchen after...

Stairwell before...

Stairwell after...

My person favorite: downstairs bathroom before...
(Did I mention that they left us a few surprises?)

Downstairs bathroom after...

After spending thousands of dollars and countless hours working (and cleaning), the house is now a HOME!

A Valentine Canvas

I paid $1.00 for this canvas last week.

I painted it bubble gum pink with basic acrylic paint. I then free handed a large heart and gave A and O a palette of pink, purple, red, and white paints.

I was incredibly impressed with how they worked together to create a masterpiece without any suggestions or input from me.

Is it necessary to say that I LOVE IT?!?

A valuable piece of art for $1.00.

My Valentine Surprise

I am quite the sentimental gal...surprising?

I have not been able to part with the baby bed that held my sweeties every night for each of their first few years.

I had no idea what we were going to do with it until I stumbled across My Repurposed Life and this baby bed turned bench tutorial.

Several months ago, I mentioned this idea to my sweet Scotty.

This was waiting for me when I returned from my girl's night out Saturday night!Now, I just need to decide what color to paint it, and the perfect place for it in our home.

Here are my sweeties all growing up!
Of course, a seven month old puppy couldn't resist an opportunity to smooch his favorite 2 humans!

What a perfect Valentine's Day surprise!
I am so blessed!

The Pieced Together Nativity

My grandmother has a beautiful, hand-painted Nativity that I have admired my entire life.
When A was born, I set out on a hunt to find a similar one.

Believe it or not, I found this one at a garage sale for $1.00 that very summer.

I finished painting the pieces (with the exception of the camels).

This year, I visited a local pottery store in hopes of finding a stable.

The only stable was $57.

That didn't fit into our budget!

Today, I visited one of my favorite thrift stores and found this one for $7.00. I want to add a few extra touches before next year, but what a blessing!

Perfect....Maybe, I will get around to finishing the camels next year!

Wooden Blocks

This summer, I bought this box full of 2x2 inch wooden blocks at a garage sale for $2.00.I didn't know what I was going to do with them until I read this blog!

I used one of my favorite things...black spray paint. I ordered black and white wallets of some of my favorite photos from 2009 and decoupaged them onto the blocks. I added some fun paper and a little twine.

I don't think that these will get packed away with all the Christmas decorations.

I can see them hanging from a shelf or hook.

My Love Affair with Black Spray Paint

I LOVE spray paint. It transforms trash into treasure almost instantly.

I paid $2.25 for this set of nine buckets.

A can of spray paint and a box of stencils......

I bought this tiered server for $1.00 at a thrift store a few weeks back. It is really dated, but nothing a can of spray paint can't fix.I have no idea what I am going to do with this now, but it looks much sleeker...don't you think?

Refrigerator Clutter

This is what the outside of my refrigerator looks like on a REALLY good day.

(I just de-cluttered it yesterday!)

It drives me crazy, but it is a vital part of keeping our family on track.

I just need more space to put coupons, photos, invitations, prayer requests, to-do lists, etcI found this worn grate at a thrift store last week for $1. The cashier actually asked, "What on earth are you going to do with this?" I responded, "I have no idea!"

I realized that it was magnetic and the plan came to me.

I hung it on the wall by the phone.

Now...I need to find at least 2 more to fill the wall.

My mother-in-law bought me these cute magnets at a craft fair a few months ago.

I love them, and I am thinking about making a few more!

It is the simple things!

Vintage Christmas Card Sign

I purchased this Christmas Card Sign at a garage sale this summer for $.25.

I used my new best friend, black spray paint, to doll it up a little!

I then hot glued a few mini-clothespins around the frame. I am going to use it to display all of the beautiful Christmas cards that we receive this year.
Doesn't he make you want to giggle?

I have been a little distracted this week with our new puppy!

I hope to take some more photos of him tomorrow in the sunshine!

Chicken Feeder

Scott and I purchased this chicken feeder at a Nashville flea market a few weeks back.

I could only imagine the possibilities.

It was still too gross for my liking even after a prolonged encounter with the power washer.When all else fails....turn to paint!
It now has a home by the back door!

Garage Sale Finds

I managed to find a few garage sales on this gorgeous November morning!

I am already starting to have garage sale withdraws. I have been asked what I do when there aren't garage sales. Well....I save money and finish all of my garage sale "projects".I gave $2 for this frame and art work. I think that I am going to embroider something to fit inside this interesting frame.
I gave $1 for these adorable white bowls. I only wish that there would have been a fourth.

I gave $1 for each of these games. We are teaching the children at church about the Armor of God. I can't wait to play the game with A! He could also use a little help with short and long vowels which is what Max's Attic reviews.

I gave $2 for the 2 large pieces of fleece. My mother-in-law loves to make blankets and pillows and give them away. I am sure that she will find the perfect home for this "girly" material. I plan to paint the box pink with polka dots.

Made with Love

A and O are always wanting me to come up with a craft project. I decided to let them help me create a piece of artwork using a canvas that I picked up at a garage sale, scrap burlap, and antique buttons that I have been saving for a few months.I stapled the burlap to the canvas and then used buttons to make the outline of a heart.

A and O then filled in the heart with more colorful buttons.This is artwork that I will treasure for a lifetime!

It was crafted with lots of love!

Hair Bow Storage

I needed a way to store O's brand new collection of hair bows that I purchased for $2 at a garage sale a few weeks ago. I wanted to make something cute without spending a dime. I used a dated welcome sign that I purchased at a garage sale for $.50. I painted it white with polka dots that matched this fun ribbon that was in my craft closet. I then used my $2.99 stencils.

She loves it.

Celebrating 12 Years at the Nashville Flea Market

To celebrate anniversaries, some men buy their ladies nice jewelry or flowers.
How lucky am I?
I buy a bunch of junk for her and make her day.

For once, I had all the attention a man can dream of from the local chicks (ladies)
As I carried this special find (chicken feeder) back to the truck, I was getting
an abundance of attention. I even overheard one lady say, "wow, that's cute."
I was on top of the world.
She was talking about me, right????

Michelle, thanks for letting me write about our special weekend.
SAH