The Notebook

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Thrifty Thursday Today!

Hey Notebook readers...So some of you may know that my Mom is a very talented seamstress and owns her own company Mostly Monograms! She has run her work shop out of our basement but now has an amazing shop in Bethesda, MD!

So she is a very busy woman...After years of her helping me with projects I decided to take it upon myself to help her and organize her work space. We all know organization is key and everyone has here own form of it..so I took all that into consideration before gutting her space.

Check out the before and afters...I was able to repurpose a lot of her furniture which saved a ton of money...and with a fresh cost of paint it look s good as new!!!

BEFORE

AFTER

I created a new shipping and gift wrapping station using the shelving unit that was her desk!

BEFORE

AFTER

I painted her filing cabinet white and added an IKEA base cabinet to house her printer and cricket cutter! The desk top is a hallow door from your local big box store for $18! I also repurposed the shelves from her original desk which got a fresh coat of white paint too! All her trade magazines are now organized by using IKEA magazine holders which I got 5 for $2.

BEFORE

This was the my Mom's original gift wrapping station that I consolidated onto the Elfa sheving unit. And her built in shelves for her fabric is now covered with a cute monogrammed curtain.

AFTER

It was a good three day project but well worth it! She was so happy with the results too!

Happy Organizing Notebook Readers!!!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

YAY!

So exciting! We got all our engagement pictures! I know its so typical of having some of these shots but I just had to! Boy and I had a really fun time doing them!

Can't wait for May 31st!

Thank you Jimmy Daly for taking our pictures!!!!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Navy meet Coral

Hey Notebook readers! Happy Tuesday!

It is gross and rainy here in DC and I'm just focusing on the brighter things in my life right now like our wedding! Our wedding colors have morphed into navy, coral, white, and small touches of gold.

Last week I posted about the navy and coral combo and I have now found some amazing inspiration pics...

using complimenting colors like a bold navy against a softer lighter tone like a coral

Can't wait to start incorporating these colors into the runners I'm making!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Sparkling!

Check out this amazing touch to finishing off a vase of beautiful flowers...a sprinkle of sequins! I love ths idea for our wedding!!!

Happy Monday!

Monday after changing the clocks...Let's all get through this one...

Friday, March 8, 2013

Friday Finds...Metal & Mud!

Hey Notebook Readers!

Hope everyone is geared up for the weekend! I know I am!

Check out this awesome DIY idea perfect for a rental or college dorm! Make your own headboard with only fabric!!! Check out how Metal & Mud made it!

1 yard of good quality decorator fabric, which I bought at Premier Fabrics in Germantown. I chose Zig Zag in Corn Yellow.
- Stiffen Stuff
- Good fabric scissors
- An iron

Step 1: Cut the selvedge off and square up the fabric. If you have a queen bed, you’re going to want to keep as much of the width as possible, so be sure to cut close to the edge of the selvedge.

Step 2: Iron that puppy to within an inch of its life. Once you start spraying you’re not going to be able to iron it again, so you want to get it as flat as possible now.

Step 3: Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and sketch on the shape of your headboard. Since my fabric is so angular, I decided I wanted the shape to be really fluid and curvy.

Step 4: Cut out your headboard.

Step 5: Lay your headboard, face down, on a flat surface, with a tarp under it to keep your floor or table from getting sticky (I use a shower curtain liner from the $1 store… way cheaper than an actual tarp). I planned on spraying the entire back, but within a few minutes, my fingers were cramping and the spray bottle started sticking. So instead, I opened the bottle, poured a little into a bowl (one I didn’t mind never eating out of again), and brushed it on with an old paintbrush. Try to get at least a little glue on every inch of the fabric, but be SURE to REALLY SOAK the edges. Let it dry overnight.

Step 6: Once your headboard is completely dry, it’s time to place it on the wall. You can use packing or masking tape to temporarily hold it up. Make sure it’s straight before you start ironing!

Step 7: Set your iron to high heat with no steam. I started in the middle, ironing the middle section from top to bottom, then working my way out. Be sure to focus on the outer edge, making sure it is firmly attached all the way around.

And you’re done! I’m really happy with how this project turned out. It really brings life into my bedroom, which has felt pretty lifeless since I moved in. And the best part is that it cost about $9, didn’t take much time, and is completely reversible if I get sick of it!

Love it! What a creative idea Metal & Mud!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY NOTEBOOK READERS!!!

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Diamonds Ladies!

I am so excited for this project! I am painting this desk from West Elm for the DC Design House...after much debate we decided to paint the desk a cream base and then paint a triangle/diamond look in navy both in a lacquer finish.

here is the inspiration photo

so many different approaches

I'm feeling very inspired! Can't wait for these before and afters! First paint project back in a week!

Super Deal!

Hey Notebook readers! Sorry for the lack of posting yesterday...the snow here in DC was just too much...HA! No it was me being lazy on my day off from school when it didn't even snow! Sorry about that!

But I'm back on this Thursday sharing an amazing special I found on Groupon...

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82% off the painting of one or two interior rooms!!!!

This deal is sweet! If you or any friends live in the DC area and are looking to freshen up a space it only takes a gallon or two of paint to do so!

Great deal!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Check out this Rehab!

I love this color combination! The coral paint against the navy and white stripe fabric! What an amazing palette for a beach house dining room table or even a chic office desk chair!