Entryway Makeover & Linky Party

I've been thinking our entryway needed a little face lift.  I finally started getting inspired and started pulling things together.  It did include a few projects that needed to be completed before the makeover could come together.

Grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair to stroll through the projects and the final results!

Project List:

~ Paint the mirror

~ Paint the cabinet with baskets and add shelf

~ Paint the chairs

~ Plan out the design

There was lots of painting involved in this makeover but it went rather quickly since I rotated projects during drying time.

Mirror

This cheapo mirror is plastic and we had it shoved in the storage room.  Time to give it a different look.

1.  Tape off mirror with masking tape.  2.  Prime the Mirror.  3.  Paint the Mirror with white satin paint.  4.  Paint dark stain over white and rub off with a cloth.

Paint Cabinet

I had this cabinet downstairs and it was a dark brown stain that had seen better days.  Two of the baskets were being used in a different place.  I had Scott cut a board to add as a shelf above the two baskets.  Then we painted it white, letting the brush strokes show through.

Paint the Chairs

I found these two chairs a couple months ago for $3 each!  I thought they would look cute with a lighter color blue and the cushions needed to be changed.  Scott suggested doing a light dry brushing of white over the orange and see how it turned out.  Worst case...we have to change the fabric out.  I think they turned out nice...they add a little splash of color.

Now the Design

The photo on the left was the entryway when I first started moving things out.  Then I brought in some of the furniture I was originally thinking and the rug I had out on the porch.  

With all the projects done, it was time to pull it all together.  I placed the chairs and cabinet.  Then decided where I wanted to hang the mirror.  The rest just fell into place.

 

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Now... it is your turn...What have you been up to lately?  

Show me anything creative, I love to be inspired!

{Share the Love} Linky Party

My rules are simple... Please start following me!

1. Share as many of your projects below as you would like...

2. visit other blogs that shared their projects...

3. comment if you would like.

4.  Grab a button...

lf you would like to be a co-host and grow your audience please email me: jennobyrne@gmail.com

<div align="center"><a href="http://throughmycreativemind.blogspot.com" title="Through My Creative Mind"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjra3MCfldM4z7v2Y_XzdcWy157XkAzTUBVMpf7FkWsqH-tWbDG1SqXt6DTXgHgOjsPJu8JtntIwqFYPhlJcA8viqBx-i_5TZPc-e9yg8zh-ImOnpQjk5r-WpIH8l2CexX9uu8HTKyUaBgX/s220/thumbnail1.jpg" alt="Through My Creative Mind" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Life as a piggy bank

After being married for 17 years, I went through my divorce and had to start over and learn how to be a good lover, wife and friend.  The best advice I got was thinking life, friends and any relationship as a piggy bank. 

I have instilled this into my kids as well. 
So, what does this mean?  Think of anyone in your life having a piggy bank...you as well.  Every time you do something or say something nice it is like making a deposit into that persons piggy bank.  In order to keep a good relationship you need to keep the piggy bank full.  Every time you do something mean or hurtful, you are withdrawing from that persons piggy bank. 

Friendships or the live of your life, you need to keep that piggy bank full.  So think of sweet little things you can do for that special person, friend or even family member.  Write a little note and put it in their lunch or car.  Write something on the bathroom mirror,  start a little plant for their office, bring their favorite candy to work and have a co-worker deliver it for you.  There are a million ways to make these special dposits that keep your relationship strong and healthy!

Chalkboard Obsession & Creative Linky Party!

Chalkboard Obsession & Creative Party!



Spring finally seems to be showing itself, since we had a thunderstorm and My Darling Hubby is out on the deck sanding the dresser, next in line to be refinished! Yay! (Watch for it to come)



Here is this weeks chalkboard!

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Now... it is your turn...What have you been up to lately?  

Show me anything creative, I love to be inspired!

{Share the Love} Linky Party

My rules are simple... Please start following me!

1. Share as many of your projects below as you would like...

2. visit other blogs that shared their projects...

3. comment if you would like.

4.  Grab a button...

lf you would like to be a co-host and grow your audience please email me: jennobyrne@gmail.com

<div align="center"><a href="http://throughmycreativemind.blogspot.com" title="Through My Creative Mind"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hK9PdaIcgaY1LzzXNeltsuX71HOQK6tjM72L6Idql_3xWCI8GPgcUhEFkC8cCRE5dTBxkpTVvYokuQEUdHOQ8fXO4P-LYP_IBPuONKQUyeFiwLYK3RQZg2qCSZq104_Kb8tR2mz-VqfH/s220/chalkthumbnail.jpg" alt="Through My Creative Mind" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Linked up on...

Easter Egg Cake

This delicious Easter Cake was quite a sweet treat but it scared us as first!

It is a strawberry cake with layers of buttercream frosting and sliced strawberries.  The next morning when we went to add the fondant the cake was oozing with juice from the strawberries.  We had not idea if the cake was going to be ok or not...but OHHHH it sure was yummy!

The cake with layers of buttercream and sliced strawberries before fondant is added.

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Listen To Your Body???

Current Me

You know how when you are feeling under the weather or you crave something, people will tell you to listen to your body?  Well...I have a question...what if I am craving chocolate...like lots of chocolate?  Is my body trying to tell me it wants me to fat?  haha  My body wants sweet, anything sweet and yummy and so bad for me.

I am now on a "Don't Listen To My Body" diet!  It is screaming at me at 11 pm that I'm starving and I need to feed it...sweets of course!  Come mid-day, again...shouting is happening from my belly...feed me!  I can't listen anymore since it has only made me gain 30 pounds that I now have to work hard to lose again!  Thankfully, I didn't gain the whole 50 pounds I had lost about 5 years ago.  I fell off the wagon but I'm climbing back on.

Me in 2007

Me in Spring 2008

They say that when you go through a divorce you lose weight...you are dating again so you want to look sexy and healthy.  Yep...I did that!  50 pounds!  Then two years ago I met my Soul Mate...Scott.  I guess baking cakes hasn't helped, but I've also become comfortable and happy and very well fed by one of the best cooks I've ever met!  He too, has gained about 30 pounds.  So we are now eating healthy, eating out less and becoming more active again.

I had a setback two months ago, with a hysterectomy which enabled me to sit around more and become lazy.  Since I clean houses, I've always been active but I was off work for 5 weeks.  My weight climbed and climbed even faster.

I started going to the gym and walking...very slowly at first and then gaining speed until my 6 week mark came after my surgery.  Last Monday, Scott and I started doing the Insanity workout together.  Ok...Yes...it is INSANE!!!!  The fit test nearly killed us and the second day I was begging for a beginner video.  Scott said...this is the beginner video.  Then, later realized that it was day 2, MONTH 2!!!  No wonder why it was so hard.  haha  We then got on track and started at the beginning.

Me in 2008

I have since lost an inch all around and 3 pounds down.  Scott is almost 10 pounds down but hasn't lost as much in inches.  Just proves that Men and Women lose weight in different ways.  Unfortunately...I've lost most of my in my boobs!  Yep...its a bummer but I'll trade it for looking better any day.

My goal is to be back to the weight I was in the photo to the right.  I went from a size 16 to a size 4 and weighed 140 pounds.

Share your weight loss stories with me and leave words of encouragement in the comments below!  I'd love to hear them.

~Jen

Scrapbook Art & Creative Linky Party

I love scrapbooking but I'm so far behind on my scrapbooks it is overwhelming.  I do love having that scrapbook feel though and still display my favorite photos.  To I decided to start combining them together.  I have found using frames and canvas as my base piece work very well!

********************************************************************************

Now... it is your turn...What have you been up to lately?  

Show me anything creative, I love to be inspired!

{Share the Love} Linky Party

My rules are simple... Please start following me!

1. Share as many of your projects below as you would like...

2. visit other blogs that shared their projects...

3. comment if you would like.

4.  Grab a button...

lf you would like to be a co-host and grow your audience please email me: jennobyrne@gmail.com

<div align="center"><a href="http://throughmycreativemind.blogspot.com" title="Through My Creative Mind"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjra3MCfldM4z7v2Y_XzdcWy157XkAzTUBVMpf7FkWsqH-tWbDG1SqXt6DTXgHgOjsPJu8JtntIwqFYPhlJcA8viqBx-i_5TZPc-e9yg8zh-ImOnpQjk5r-WpIH8l2CexX9uu8HTKyUaBgX/s220/thumbnail1.jpg" alt="Through My Creative Mind" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Chalkboard Obsession & Creative Saturday Party!

It's another Saturday Chalkboard Obsession & Creative Party!

As some of you know, every Saturday Morning I create another chalkboard on my beautiful, turquoise (4 foot) chalkboard in my living room.  I love seeing this chalkboard every time I walk into the room.  I hope you enjoy this weeks board.  I was inspired last night as I laid in bed...I NEED Spring to come!  And they are saying more snow for tonight.  This is one of the snowiest March's I remember.  Please send the warm weather to Minnesota...PLEASE!!!

Last Weeks Chalkboard...

********************************************************************************

Now... it is your turn...What have you been up to lately?  

Show me anything creative, I love to be inspired!

{Share the Love} Linky Party

My rules are simple... Please start following me!

1. Share as many of your projects below as you would like...

2. visit other blogs that shared their projects...

3. comment if you would like.

4.  Grab a button...

lf you would like to be a co-host and grow your audience please email me: jennobyrne@gmail.com

<div align="center"><a href="http://throughmycreativemind.blogspot.com" title="Through My Creative Mind"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hK9PdaIcgaY1LzzXNeltsuX71HOQK6tjM72L6Idql_3xWCI8GPgcUhEFkC8cCRE5dTBxkpTVvYokuQEUdHOQ8fXO4P-LYP_IBPuONKQUyeFiwLYK3RQZg2qCSZq104_Kb8tR2mz-VqfH/s220/chalkthumbnail.jpg" alt="Through My Creative Mind" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Linked up on...