~ Sweet Willow Cottage ~

~ A Sweet New Addition ~

2012-01-10T09:23:00.006-05:00

~ KARISSA ELISE ~

joined our little family on:

January 5th, 2012

11:51 am
7 pounds
20 inches long

And she is sssssoooooooo SWEET!! =)

~ photo courtesy of Farmsoft Studios

~ White Flower Farmhouse Giveaway ~

2011-03-03T11:08:00.002-05:00

Check out this neat blog for a great giveaway!

~ Cabinet Love ~

2011-02-08T13:10:00.002-05:00

Wow... It's been so long since I have posted a makeover.... This one was in the works for so long and it's been done for quite some time, too.... just never got around 'til now to post it! =)
And so I decided to just post and join in at Miss Mustard Seed's "Copy Me Challenge"...!

The before:

The finish on top was in sad shape...

The after:

The stained top was directly inspired by her as I've never stained anything before, but I loved that look whenever she did anything like it!

LOVE it now!
(I still might distress it up a bit, but I just haven't gotten around to doing that yet! =) ...and may or may not!)

Thanks for stopping by and looking! Hope you enjoyed it!

~ Happy New Year! ~

2011-01-01T16:00:00.002-05:00

2011

May 2011 be a year of new joys, delights and triumphs in Jesus!! Blessings everyone!

(I wanted to be able to write 1-1-11! I think that's cool! =)

~ Sparkles of JOY ~

2010-12-01T11:22:00.006-05:00

Welcome and warm winter wishes!!!

Hope you enjoyed your peek at my winter mantel-scape!
I can't wait to enjoy the flames of HOPE and sparkles of JOY all winter! =)

Joining in the party over at The Lettered Cottage!

~ Long Time, No See ~

2010-03-16T11:08:00.003-04:00

Wow, I'm sure all my dear readers thought I had surely forsaken this blog forever! To tell the truth, I have not really been in the mood to blog since I moved! But I thought I'd update with a FEW pictures that are already outdated.... as these were taken within the two weeks we moved in. I'd take some right now, but I am without a camera. =(

Living room (now has 'drop cloth' curtains =)

Living room again (with winter decor still up and that is changed a couple times since!)

Master bedroom (now has curtains and picures)

(and books on the shelves...)

And the totally remodeled bath that you can't see much in! (the sink wasn't in yet so that's why I didn't get a pic of it)

We still have a lot to go.... we actually did end up ripping the whole kitchen out, so that still doesn't have much for cabinets (I'm using my china cabinet and a buffet from my mother-in-law for cupboards =) But I do have a sink and dishwasher at least!! =)

And instead of the huge laundry room, we opted for a smaller one and put in a master bath!! LOVE IT!

And I've not done anything in my son's bedroom yet (no closet, as it was ripped out to make the bathroom bigger since it was hardly usable as it was {how would you like a 14in- yes I said 14 INCH- deep closet that you couldn't put a hanger in straight anyway??}), so there is still a pile of boxes in the corner!

The third bedroom - don't even ask..... it's the big, messy extra storage and tool 'closet' right now!

My parents think we did about a year's worth of remodeling in two months.... =) (I grew up in a house that is still needing to be finished 15 years later, but it was a lot bigger and in lots worse shape than this one!) We worked many long afternoons and terribly late nights, plus my hubby still had to run his business on top of that! He's so glad we're moved and we love it here! =)

Well, thanks for still checking in on me! Hope you enjoyed the mini tour and difference from what it was!!

~ Just Stopping in ~

2010-01-13T12:12:00.003-05:00

Just saw this at the Nester's Place and had to have a little fun! =)

~ Sorry for the Silence ~

2009-12-03T09:31:00.005-05:00

But we bought a house! And the remodel crunch is on...... So... silence is golden! (If it is, maybe it will help fund the project?? I wish!!)

Here are some pictures!

Just imagine the possibilities.....

......I can, and I can't wait to get them implemented!!! (though some of them may be years before they can be afforded and done!! =)

But for now - just enjoy the 'potential'! =)

the back

living room

living room

the kitchen (it's not in the budget right now, so everything is just going to get a coat of paint!)

dining room

dining room looking into the living room

LOVELY bathroom! it's t.o.t.a.l.l.y. gutted already and we've just owned it a week =) It's now bigger and the layout is going to change slightly...

love the blue tile board... not.

and how the shower is right up in the window.... =)
You will not even recognize it when we're done!Built in dresser/desk/dresser came right out....looking out from the same bedroom at the living room and the other room will be our mudroom/laundry/storage/maybe sewing & computer room too, if we can fit it all in! =) The washer and dryer needs to come out of the already small 'dining room'! (who would put it in there anyway?!?)

There are two more bedrooms that I didn't show pics of, because they are just, empty bedrooms with the same dark trim!

We will be moving closets around (making some bigger ones!) closing up a couple doors, ripping up carpet & putting down new, painting, sanding the living room floor since it is hardwood under there and all the other things that come with remodeling. Fun! =) Want to come help!?

See you around! =)

~ My Cherry Wood Boudoir ~

2009-11-07T07:30:00.003-05:00

Our room used to be my son's room and before that it used to be my hubby's home office! So here is the before picture of the office:
Typical, home office and I had some of my sewing stuff and a desk in there too.... Now it looks like this:
I love my romantic room... not too simple and stark, but not too overly done up. The cherry 4 poster bed was a 1st anniversary gift from my sweet hubby - I'd always wanted one and he made my wish come true (that was actually the first piece of furniture we ever bought since we'd been married, we already had or were given everything else we needed!) About five months ago I switched out our son's room to ours (when my hubby moved his office out we just put the baby stuff in there, but then after a year or so, I decided I wanted a change and the bigger room! =) So for something different than in our other room, I decided to put up a little canopy for a more romantic feeling. I used everything I already had, so it cost me nothing! Just some left over tulle from our wedding tacked to the ceiling and a sweet, little heart pinned up in the front middle. Tied to the posts with more strips of tulle and.... wah la!

Sheer elegance in an instant! =)

And since the above pictures were taken, I got a pillow that I was wanting for a while, so it has replaced the burgundy heart pillow on the bed and changed to this:

Ah... gotta love it.And from the other direction...

And for a pretty, quick, inexpensive, DIY project (you can see mine in the above picture, on the shelf):

All you need are some goblet(s) (I got mine for 25 cents apiece at Goodwill! =) and tealights of the same amount. Just set a tealight on top of an upside down goblet and you have a lovely candle holder! You can also add ribbons tied around the stem or little trinkets inside the glass ...Line them up in a row on a platter for a centerpiece or on a mantle, put ribbons and booties under the glass for a baby shower decoration, the list goes on.... The possibilities are limited only to your imagination.... Have fun!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And since I wrote this post quite awhile back, but never got it posted until I decided to have my home tour..... For winter and since I painted the living room and moved the quilt rack in there, got a new floor lamp (it was a set and the matching table ones are in the living room), redid the little chair for our room, flipped our quilt back over for the winter colors and found some beautiful, thrifted Battenburg lace curtains - it now looks like this! (If you can't you tell already, it never stays the same for long! =)

Now it's time for a cozy, warm nap!

Thanks for touring my Sweet Willow Cottage with me!!! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed sharing!

Now since we'll be starting all over - stay tuned for the next 15 years!!!!!!!!!!! =)))

Blessings!

~ The 'Hall' and Bathroom ~

2009-11-06T07:30:00.003-05:00

Since we don't have but three, small closets for this house, we needed to come up with a different idea for storing coats and shoes since there is NO place near the doors to enter in that it would work! Here is our solution - the little space in the 'hall'! And it can't be seen from the main part of the house either! =)

So just turn to your right and open the door..... to the smallest bathroom you've ever seen!

No storage in the bathroom either (except under the sink and that's for cleaning supplies and extra TP!), so had to come up with a cute idea for that. =)
And since I got a pretty shower curtain and darling shower curtain hangers for a wedding gift, but there was a glass door on the shower (that is just to the right), I dressed up the window instead!!!!

Just love how you can't even fit in to wash your hands while your husband is brushing his teeth at the sink. *wink* Not. =) But it's been livable and is better than an outhouse or something! I think our new bathroom is a step up, though not much bigger, it will have a tub at least! =)

For my son's bedroom, see this post here - It has been changed up a little bit since, but I don't feel like making a new post, since I already have one done! =) Maybe when I get moved, settled and I finish up the sailboat theme I'm planning on doing for him, I'll let you all see!!!!

See you tomorrow for the final installment! =)

~ The Living Room ~

2009-11-05T06:45:00.000-05:00

Hey again! (If you are just arriving, I'm giving a home tour this week- a room everyday! Check out my other posts if you want to see what you've missed! =)

Here are 5 before pics and 5 after pics....

We have wanted to paint for a LONG time and just got it done about a month ago and now we are planning to move! ...sniffle... BUT we have SO enjoyed spending time in there since it has been done!!!!!!

....dark...

....dark!...And now......................

LIGHT!!!!!!

(to see what's behind the couch, click here!)

BRIGHT!!!!!

CLEAN!!!!!!!!

WHITE!!!!!! (the paint color is called 'Cream in my Coffee' by Valspar, which I thought fitting since my hubby loves coffee with cream! =)

DELIGHT!!!!!!!!

(Have been planning on painting that little table with the Battenburg lace cloth on it... when life slows down and the outside is warm and I feel like it.....! It will be white! Someday... =)

Also, if you want, you can step out through our slider door onto the patio here! (Right now the plants are taken in for the winter and the pillows are put away, so I didn't take new pics for the tour! =)

See you tomorrow for the 'hallway' and bathroom!

Linked up with The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursday! Check out all the other great DIY projects over there!

~ The Dining Room ~

2009-11-04T07:30:00.001-05:00

Glad to see you again! Here is our little dining room! We will just pan to the left again skipping the doorways....

Here is our cozy table all decorated for fall!
(The living room doorway to the left of this picture, which you can see here.)

The laundry room (more like 'closet'!) is behind the door you can just see in the right of this picture and to the left is the little 'hall' that leads to the bedrooms and bathroom.

My china cabinet =) Too full already!

And back around so you can see the kitchen again! Like my highchair spot?! We never use the 'front door' and it is the perfect little corner since there is no other place to put it!
And for a bonus in this post - you get to peek into my laundry closet! =) (And shhhh..... I'll tell you a secret, so don't tell anyone else! ...I like doing laundry! ...But it has to be mine! Ha! =)
(you can see the blue tub is full of my painting and makeover stuff, just handy for when I get the inspiration!)

Come see the living room tomorrow!

(which I JUST did a makeover on - and now we'll have to leave it behind =( )

~ The Kitchen ~

2009-11-03T07:30:00.001-05:00

Thanks for coming in! (you entered by the door that you can just barely see on the right!) I hope you enjoy your tour this week of our little, rented, newlywed cottage that we've called home for the last 3 1/2 years! Lord willing, we will be saying goodbye to this, our dear first little home, and going on to our very own home in the near future!!! I'm so excited that we will be able to remodel and make a house with our very own personality! But... back to the house at hand....... =)

I'm not a professional interior designer (it'd sure be fun though!), but I love making my home beautiful, functional and cozy without the expense. ...Since I am on newly married side still, I like to make due with what I have, or can find inexpensive or secondhand. So.... keeping that in mind, here is my home!

My cozy, cobalt blue and white kitchen! We are just going to pan around the room - skipping the doorways.....

(Love my "P" from Hobby Lobby! =) and you can see my oval frame makeovers here and here.

Small but functional! (a tad cluttered, too, but I like it - hopefully will make my new one more 'streamlined' since it will be a little bigger! =) Now onto the dining room, if you'll turn around and follow me, please.....

~ Please, won't you come in? ~

2009-11-02T08:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by!

Below is the before picture of my front porch makeover the other day - I'm loving the 'after' that is above! =) (Joining in over at Susan's for Met Monday, be sure to check it out!)

I am going to take you on a tour of my house - so..... we hope to see you come inside tomorrow!!

~ Done! ~

2009-10-28T07:56:00.004-04:00

I have been working on a project for a few months now.... scrapbooking my wedding pictures! I. am. finally. done. I can hardly believe it! Now my extra sheet protectors that I ordered, need to come in the mail so I can slip them in and enjoy the totally completed project. Wow. (big sigh) That is sort of why I have a lack of posts, since I have really been putting the fire under myself to get this done.... since something big and new is looming on the horizon....

Anyway, not sure how many other projects I'll be working on since it is getting cold. My painting bug left since the autumn rains came in! =) I just think I might take you on a tour of my little house soon instead!

See you later!

~ A Sailing We Go ~

2009-10-19T11:16:00.000-04:00

....Sailing into a toddlers room, that is! ...Here is the teaser made known! =)

My son is not a baby any more.... =( ....so, I am (slowly!) on the way to making it a little boy's room now and put away the 'nursery' look. I am working on cutting out curtains and a quilt... (but who knows how soon I'll get it done with the list I have of all the other things I want to get accomplish this fall/winter!!! =)

Anyway, back to the sailboat sign, since this is what this post is about! I painted this up during a couple of nap times for J's room, since I want to do a nautical, sailboat theme.

(Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest and a little blurry - it was a gray day here when I took the pictures, so the lighting isn't the best!)

I like how it turned out - just need to get it all done and then I can decorate! (I like to gather everything first and then put it all up at once. =) That's just me.) I also found a couple of things at GW recently, too, which will be fun in there when I get at it!!

I just need to find a nice, sailboat now..... Know of any someone might be giving away!?!? ;-)

Joining in for Met Monday, and on Tuesday, A Soft Place to Land!

~ Oh, I did do this! ~

2009-10-15T11:57:00.005-04:00

I forgot! While I was not my 100% self last week, I took most of 5 of J's nap times (yes FIVE, precious nap times = about 7-8 hours worth!) and finished the last thing to make the living room updating complete.

Yeah!!!!!!!

I know... it doesn't look like much, but it was time consuming (2 coats of paint on each side and then scraping away paint from 30 glass panes!!!) It looks much better - just imagine reddish brown before...

The teaser reveal coming Monday! =)

~ Where I Disappeared to... ~

2009-10-13T09:03:00.006-04:00

Sorry, that I've been pretty scarce lately, dear readers..... but I've been fighting a sore throat, slight earaches and head congestion for over a week now and I had a cold the whole previous week.... Anyway, I finally got some meds and hopefully will be back to my normal self some time soon and can get some projects done to blog about! =) Til then, see you around!

P.S. I did get one done that has something to do with the pictures above.... need to take a picture of it and let you see...... Sometime... soon.... tease, tease..... =)

~ Cake, Anyone? ~

2009-10-06T14:36:00.000-04:00

Love, love, love this cake plate! Mine (a wedding gift! =( ) broke on my son's 1st birthday in April (never, never, never put a warm cake on a cake plate and then put it in the refrigerator!!!!! You will be very sad.) So.....

I had wanted to buy the same one I had... though it would really be just for looks most of the time and for sentimental reasons (which do mean a lot to me).... BUT I didn't want to spend $30 on it!!
Then I came across this the other day in GW and fell in love and gave up my sentimental reasons, because.....
It was only $4.50! Which I could justify more easily! =) It certainly is not as big - as my other one was very large - but I like it anyway and it will do! I really like the simple dainty flowers and the one butterfly on the stand part. It makes me smile.

(It looks to me like it actually might be vintage - the glass is different than most nowadays and there even was one bubble in it. Any expert opinions would be appreciated! Maybe you might know the name and maker??)

To see everyone else's thrifty finds, go here!!

~ Cleverly Covered ~

2009-09-30T14:06:00.012-04:00

See this cute chair?

She once looked like this!!!!!! A little grimy and dated....
(but for $8.50 at GW, who with a little imagination could pass her up!)

Just needed a little love to help her look her best!

Ha! Had you fooled.... it's actually a slipcover - not a reupholster job!!
(from a roll of upholstery found at GW {where else, right!?!} for $4.50... and some cording from Hancock's for $2.00)

Makes that $15 for the whole project!!!!

Great reading spot!

Ah...... a quiet, getaway corner - just for me!

Joining in with Reinvented, A Soft Place to Land and The Dalomba Days (sorry I'm a little late!) and on Thursday The Shabby Chic Cottage and Thrifty Thursday

Joining in in Feb 2011 to the Copy Me Challenge!

~ New family member! ~

2009-09-30T13:55:00.006-04:00

On Monday night my husband had pity on this poor kitty that was hungry and sad, sitting under the steps at his business (it had been around for the whole weekend because his employee said it ran in the building when she was leaving on Friday!).... so he brought it home to me! (and he is not really an animal lover, so that's saying something! =)) She's a sweety! I think someone must have dumped her, because she is very friendly and she loves to run into the house (sorry, she is not going to be my house-kitty though!) My little guy loved following her around! =)

I have yet to think of a name.... any suggestions??

Edited to add: I think I decided on Candace the Calico Kitty!

~ Someone Elses Trash to my Son's Treasure (Box) ~

2009-09-21T09:00:00.003-04:00

Doesn't this look just lovely!!?? Would you put your son's toys in this and let him play in it??

Probably not - I wouldn't either - perfectionist, neat-nick that I am!

Smelling of tools and dirty stuff stored for years........ Phew! But I wanted a place to hide his toys, so I wouldn't have to see them all the time since they were just in a basket. So when I stumbled across this at GW for only $6.50 - I said "unhuh!" With a little bit of paint, paintbrush and imagination -

My son's clean, neat, new treasure chest!

Stored behind the couch for a little play area.....

Take a look at all those toys that I can hide now!

He even climbed right in. =)

*Sigh* Perfect solution. End of unsightliness.

Joining in on Monday at Between Naps on the Porch, Southern Hospitality and Twice Remembered, on Tuesday Trash to Treasure and on Thursday, A Soft Place to Land and The Shabby Chic Cottage!

~ Summer's Last Pasta Salad ~

2009-09-18T14:00:00.001-04:00

I love making this... and then having it for a meal in itself!

I cook and drain some garden (I like the different colors!) Rotelli noodles, then I like to throw in an assortment of diced meat (I either use pepperoni or turkey ham), diced cheese, pickles, black olives, broccoli (if on hand), mayonnaise and Lawry's seasoning salt to taste! Garnish with Parmesan cheese if desired! I use no measurements, but it always turns out great! Enjoy!

Blogged to join in Foodie Friday and Food on Friday!

~ Paternal Grandparents Heirlooms ~

2009-09-18T09:00:00.002-04:00

Joining in the Heirloom Party over at Emma Calls Me Mama!
Oh... and she is having a giveaway too - be sure to leave a comment!!

This is a special lamp as I got it from 'Nana' - my dad's mom. If I remember right it was hers when she was growing up. I used it growing up and I hope to pass it onto my little girl someday, if I have a girl, so she can use it growing up!

I had to replace the shade as the other was old and falling apart, but it is the same style as the original.

I just love the dainty, little flowers on it!

And this candle stick holder/dish was from my dad's parents, also. I have two of them and I think they are SO UNIQUE! I've never seen anything like them. The glass part is like a little, shallow dish that screws into the candlestick holder.

I love to use it for a collage of items - rocks, shells, etc. always with candles! (Well, not always, my other one is full of just rocks, shells and dried seaweed/coral I found on the beach!)
Just the candle stick part - I would show you the glass part by itself (the edges are so pretty!), but I didn't want to empty it out when I had spent a bit putting the things in it just right!! =) (Yes, I know I need to shine the silver, but I don't have any polish.... =)
Hope you enjoyed your peek into the past at my place! I love sharing what special things have been passed down to me!

~ "Fall"ish Table for Two ~

2009-09-17T08:30:00.000-04:00

Ahhh..........

I got out my autumn table runner that I made quite a few years back, shopped the house for things I could use for a fall centerpiece and set the table for supper - now my Honey just has to get home! =)

Love my Pampered Chef square plates that I got from GoodWill for 50 cents each! Score!

Just a simply set table for two, but oh, so cozy, I think!

Love the crisp days! Perfect for many candles..... =)

Joining in with Susan for Tablescape Thursday!

~ Sad to Shabby, just how I like it ~

2009-09-14T08:55:00.008-04:00

My old hope chest (which we use as a coffee table).... was dark, boring and beat up (and something I spent more than I should have on when I was young and wanting a hope chest SO BAD! =) It really needed a make over and so one day I finally just - did it!!

Sanding went fast... (the sides are just thin... uh... boards with veneer, the top and trim pieces are solid wood)

Filling in a lot of the deep grains that were somehow deep and just - missing! (not sure why and can't really explain what it really looked like, because I've never seen any wood look like what this did! Not eaten or rotten but that's the impression I always got - sounds kind of gross though...) I also filled in the design on the front as I never was very fond of it.

Gluing on the new 'design' - just grab what's nearest and go! =)

The first rolls of paint!
......And...... the reveal!

The finished masterpiece! =)

Distressed it up a bit....

Love the 'bones' of this piece!

A little love on the hinges, too, for accent!

I love it now! Wish I would have done it a lot sooner!

Joining in for Met Monday, and on Thursday, A Soft Place to Land and the Shabby Chic Cottage!

Joining in in Feb 2011 to the Copy Me Challenge!

~ Roses that Last ~

2009-09-07T11:10:00.004-04:00

I didn't get this this weekend (I actually had my own little sale on Friday!), but I found it at GW in the last little while... I am SOON (yeah!) to be re-doing my living room.....

and so I have been picking up things here and there...

and I came across this shelf...

Loved it. Bought it. $5.50!

What do you think about it?

Joining Rhoda @ Today's Thrifty Treasures!

~ Oh.... and by the way ~

2009-09-04T08:00:00.001-04:00

We had a GREAT time at the beach!!!!!! Ah..... wish I was still there. My little guy L.O.V.E.D. it. He could get as sandy as he wanted and play in tons of water! (he'd cry every time we'd get out of the shower, after having already taken an outdoor shower, after already having played in the ocean, after all the above already once done earlier in the day! =) Did I mention he loves water???

Here is a my prize picture for this vacation:

It was the life - make you jealous?? =)

Autumn....

2009-09-03T12:34:00.003-04:00

....just listed in the shop!

Take a peek!

~ Patio Party ~

2009-09-03T11:00:00.000-04:00

Here is the boring before......

And with some plants and accessories added......

.....it can truly beautify a place!

I did want to paint the patio floor and the railings earlier this year, but we live in a rental and so I didn't want to put money in where we could be leaving it soon (we've been looking for a place of our very own!) Our landlords are tight with money right now, too, so..... it stays the same for now. I may still do it, but I kind of lost the ambition - this year anyway! (it's starting to feel like fall!!!)
So to still make it a nice place to relax, I found a couple of thrifted cushions... I took them apart and covered the batting with a vinyl tablecloth I already had to water-proof them a little bit more. Put zippers in the covers so I could take them off to wash them easily... I used a large tub I found in the back shed, overturned it and topped it with a footrest cushion I made from a shower curtain! (did the same to the batting as the others)

I also found a couple of neat, old folding chairs in the shed and gave them a make over - you can see it here! They have a place on the patio so others can join us!

A view from the double seat.... =) (I love my Angel Wing plant!)

Hope you enjoyed your comfy stop by my place!

Joined in with The Shabby Chic Cottage and A Soft Place to Land! Go see what everyone else has been up to lately!

~ Dear Beach ~

2009-08-26T20:29:00.004-04:00

HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!

(How do you like my pretty, blue, tie-dyed, thrifted ( for$1!!) beach wrap!?
*Love* it and can't wait to use it!)

See you next week sometime! =)

~ Chocolate Dipped Macaroons ~

2009-08-21T16:10:00.001-04:00

Who doesn't like chocolate? Very few people.... but if you don't like coconut, then this is not for you... all of us that do though, will be HAPPY to eat them for you!!!

That yummy crispiness on the bottom edges gives the PERFECT crunch under that chocolate-y goodness.

Ummm....... Can you taste it already??

Ingredients

14 ounces sweetened shredded coconut
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine the coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whip the egg whites and salt on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until they make medium-firm peaks. Carefully fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture.

Drop the batter onto sheet pans lined with parchment paper (DO NOT USE WAX PAPER! I tried. It doesn't work - trust me!) using either a 1 3/4-inch diameter ice cream scoop, or 2 teaspoons. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from oven, let cool for a couple minutes then remove to wire rack. Dip in melted chocolate (put in fridge to harden for a little bit) and serve.

Enjoy!

Blogged for Foodie Friday and Food on Friday!

~ Just a spritz.... ~

2009-08-20T10:06:00.007-04:00

...can help a WHOLE lot! What do you think I did with the below thrifty find???

You guessed it! Spray paint and I have a LOT of fun!!!

To see the other frame I recently made over and that 'matches' now, click here!

Since they reside on the wall next to the stove - I enjoy cooking very much now!! =)

Jump over (just click on the buttons above!) and check everyone else's projects out!!

~ Tablescape for Two ~

2009-08-19T22:00:00.001-04:00

Simple.

Sweet.

Blue.

Pink.

Romantic.

Lets eat! =)

Joined in for the first time and blogged for:

~ A Standard Basic went to Simply Cute ~

2009-08-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

I had this boring, ugly light fixture..... I wanted something like a chandelier but without paying a whole lot for it. And it needed to be removable (we live in a rental). ....I got a bright idea!

So I went onto Etsy and found some old chandelier crystals.... went to Michaels and got some beading wire... and came up with this:

Ta Da!

It didn't turn our exactly as I had envisioned, but it gives a more romantic touch to the room, which is what I wanted!

So for under $20 I got my light fixture girlie-d up and I can easily take it with me whenever we happen to move out of our place!

~ Chewy Granola Bars ~

2009-08-15T17:00:00.000-04:00

Perfect for road trips, picnics or just plain snacking....

Chewy Granola Bars

9 cups Rice Chex (or Crispix), crushed
6 cups quick oatmeal
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup wheat germ (I used sunflower seeds)
16oz & 10oz bags or 15 cups marshmallows
1 cup butter
1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 cups M&Ms, chocolate chips or raisins (or mix and match!)

Mix all dry ingredients (except the last ingred.) in a very large bowl. Melt marshmallows and butter in a saucepan. Stir the whole time. When melted, remove from stove and add honey. Pour over mixture. Mix well. Mix in your choice of yummys... Press into a buttered 11x15 jellyroll pan. Let harden then cut into squares. Enjoy!

To make it easier when on a trip, I wrapped each square individually!

Blogged for Foodie Friday!

~ Dry? ~

2009-08-11T22:05:00.006-04:00

Freshly listed, just click here to see the rest of it!

~ Gaudy Gold turned to Beautiful Blue ~

2009-08-11T17:33:00.005-04:00

A dollar thrift store find (with curved glass even! Woohoo!)... went from this:

to looking like this!
(the crackled look was an accident - it was too humid when I spray painted but I was impatient!
I really like how it turned out though!)

I LOVE it - it adorns the wall in my kitchen right next to the stove so I can see it all the time... (I couldn't get a good picture there though because of the light reflecting on the glass from all the windows)

(...and, yes, I am still very much in *love* with my hubby!!! =)))

~ Dessert Dishes ~

2009-08-08T08:00:00.001-04:00

Ummm.... Tempting?

Instant vanilla pudding...

Nilla Wafers...

Blueberries...

...Layered in pretty goblets,
makes a yummy treat!

(If you lick the screen, maybe you'll get a teeny, tiny taste! =)

~ Have a Seat! ~

2009-08-06T12:22:00.005-04:00

This chair was in the old back shed.... Rusty and grimy with years of being unused...

....and this one too.... they 'matched'....

...So I thought since I needed some extra outdoor seating for our patio,
[it's getting a slow makeover, so be on the lookout for that!]
.....a little elbow grease and some paint might help.....

Ta da!

The finished product! Stop over to sit a spell with me!

~ Blueberry Chicken Salad ~

2009-08-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

Is your mouth watering yet??

I just make it up, but it was DE-LISH!!!

Here are the ingredients I used:
* Lettuce
* Cucumbers
* Avocados
* Cooked Chicken
* Mozzarella Cheese
* Parmesan Cheese
* Fresh Blueberries!

And if I had room left in the bowls and hadn't forgotten.... I would have added diced, hard-boiled eggs and black olives! Yummy!!!! But it was yummy as it was! (that is with Ranch on top to complete it!)

Enjoy!

~ 1846 Heirloom ~

2009-07-31T08:00:00.001-04:00

This is a very special piece to me... I really don't know who made it, except that it was one of my relations way back.... My paternal grandma's name was also Anne Newhall, same as the little girl who made this sampler, but for the 'e' on the end of her name. My middle name is also Anne after my grandma.

It was given to me by my grandpa on my 16th birthday after my grandma had already passed away. I would have loved to ask her more about it..... but as always, the story of that side of the family will always be shrouded with a little mystery.....

I love the coarse material she used.... all the different fonts and stitches... and only a few choices of colors... and such a sweet little poem - but my favorite part is the verse on it!

Even a sweet little house in the midst of the flowers...

And so old! 163 years ago!!

And she was only 6 when she finished this (it's about 16"x16") - can you imagine a six year old now, sitting still long enough to work on such a big, detailed piece?

I would love to frame it - my grandpa asked me to when he gave it to me - but I have never been able to find anything fitting (old, the right size, character to it and within a small budget!).

Here is the back - I wonder why she sewed paper to it?

I hope you enjoyed your 'peak into the past' at my place! Stop by again!

Blogged to join in with EmmaCallsMeMama's Heirloom Party.

~ Toy Shelf Dilemma ~

2009-07-28T14:05:00.009-04:00

Good day readers! I need you to put on your thinking caps now and help me out here.....
Can you do that!?

I would like to make something like this:

With this - but...
(it was natural wood and I already painted it white)

I'd like to do it as inexpensive as possible! Like free.... or under $10.... =)

I need 4 of a specific size - (boxes, bins, baskets) that are 11 inches by ummm... probably 8 or so inches deep and about 6 or so inches high.

I want it to be cute, sturdy (child + play = well used) and coordinate with my son's bedroom (sage, tan or brown).

Have any ideas??

Thanks in advance for the thoughts!! =)

Edited to add: My hubby kept hinting he needed it in his office for his computer books, so I ended up giving it to him since I couldn't decide what I wanted to do with it and I made this for my little guy instead!

~ Sweet Dreams Baby ~

2009-07-25T14:15:00.002-04:00

Here is my little guys adorable nursery.... (can't say baby - he's really not one anymore at 15 months!) I did a lot of DIY projects getting ready for when he arrived! Enjoy your look around!

This is just panning around the room from the right to the left.

His changing table - a DIY project that I did from an ugly, old dresser - see the before picture below! I painted and stenciled then added new knobs, changing pad, basket for supplies and wipe box to the top!

Here's how it looked - after I had already removed the clunky, wood, square knobs and sanded the orange-y looking varnish off!

Next up is a tall, narrow bookcase I already owned. I wanted it to be another 'dresser' so I bought white wicker baskets with sage gingham liners and they store his diapers, socks, shoes and things like lotions, etc. The extra shelves store a few books and keepsakes.

Then there is the small nightstand - a refinished project too! Much sanding, painting, new knobs and stenciled to match the dresser! (Sorry, no picture - before my blogging days....)

The ribbon board - DIY again! I actually made it two sided because I didn't know what we were having and I wanted some pink if it was a girl. (My theme was creams and sage and then blue or pink to be added later depending on what the baby was). Don't ask me how I made it - it wasn't terribly simple! =) (quick info on supplies: patchwork front and back, batting, cardboard, ribbon, tacks and thread....) An eBay glider (Dutailier brand!) and his little Christmas rocker complete the picture.

Beautiful hand-quilted quilt from his paternal grandmother, crib and mattress from Craigslist.

Handmade blankets - green from maternal great grandma, blue from maternal grandma and striped by me and the white is just one I had. DIY pillow - see my previous post:
~ From Discarded to Darling ~

All the crib bedding - curtains, crib sheet, crib dust ruffle I made myself. They are in creams and tans to be soft and neutral - I couldn't find anything that I liked... so... to work I went! (dust ruffle not shown in pictures because the mattress is in the lowest position so my son doesn't fall out. Therefore it was too long and had to be taken off... =/ It looked just like the curtains.)

A close up of the bookcase 'dresser'.

And the shelf shown was my very first DIY, sand and paint project, finished to completion - ever! =)

Hope you enjoyed your tour! There will be some more in the future - keep checking back!

~ And the Winner Is.... ~

2009-07-23T08:18:00.005-04:00

...Number 1 by Random.org! Congratulations Betty Ann! Please email me your address, or if you are who I think you are - I can bring it to church on Sunday! =)

~ From Discarded to Darling ~

2009-07-16T07:45:00.001-04:00

I saw this shower wrap with a monogram on it, that was someone else's discard and I had to pick it up knowing this kind of fabric is not usually cheap... What did I do with it?

Picked out the two letters that didn't fit, leave the 'P' because that is the initial of our last name... (Real handy! =)

...and made a cute minky pillow with a dotted bow and a small tie blanket for my son to love on! Perfectly good ending for only 2 bucks! (That is if you have everything else on hand!)

~~ Be sure to scroll down and enter my giveaway, if you haven't already!

~ Boring to Beautiful ~

2009-07-13T10:15:00.001-04:00

What to do with a simple, white chair with a dirty seat cover for $5 from Goodwill?

Distress it with a little sandpaper. Get the paint and brushes out.....

....the stapler, staples and some matching fabric and make a 'relaxing' place to rest!

How do you like the outcome??

~~ Be sure to scroll down and enter my giveaway, if you haven't already!

~ A little birdy says: GIVEAWAY!! ~

2009-07-09T10:00:00.004-04:00

For my first REAL post, I'm going to do a giveaway! Because it is my birthday! Yeah! =)

Here is the little package you'll get if you win: A small teacup picture frame with a little collage of a German bird 'sticker' on wrinkled, old cardstock.

And in keeping with the bird theme - a sweet block of bird feathers and eggs Post-It notes!

Rules to enter:

1) Must have a United States mailing address (sorry, international friends! =/)
2) Please check out my Etsy store (sweetwillowcottage.etsy.com) and come back and tell me what your favorite item was when you comment!
3) Be sure to leave your email address unless you have a blog.
4) Only one entry per person, please.

I will be choosing a winner two weeks from now on the 23rd, so that gives you plenty of time to let your friends know and check back often! =)

Have fun!

{Edited to add: Cindy at romantichome.blogspot.com is hosting a giveaway party and I joined in! Stop by her blog and see what other bloggers are giving away, too! You can enter them all!}

~ Come on in! ~

2009-07-08T11:00:00.002-04:00

WELCOME dear friends!

I'm glad you stopped by my sweet little home and new little venture - one that hopes to hold an assortment of fun remodeling, redecorating and little DIY endeavors of mine, plus a few extra surprises that might pop in here and there! (Maybe they will give you incentive to invent something neat of your own! =) Who knows!?) I know I'll need your help with ideas for a few things I've got floating around in my head! So be ready to put your thinking caps on!

Thanks for dropping by my cozy 'cottage'! Hope you enjoyed your stay and want to come back for many more visits over cyber southern sweet tea! =)

P.S. Giveaway is soon to follow - stay posted!