Kelly for President

This weekend was amazing.  Kelly and I became instant friends with Sharla and Jana and it was like we were hanging out with sisters.  Friday night at dinner we actually became emotional because of the gratitude and love and friendship of the whole experience. Plus, Sharla, Jana and I agreed Kelly should run for president.  Who is on board!  I can get the bumper stickers made up asap.

Image found here.

I’ve refinished a few pieces too.  

This beautiful credenza was purchased at a yard sale a few weeks ago.

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I found this little basket holder.

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This secretary desk kept me up at night.  I just couldn't wait to paint those legs!

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And my super cool tool box!

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Except for the basket holder, everything's sold.

While folding laundry last Sunday, we had the Grammy's on.  I loved when Chandler finished his laundry and impersonated what Lady Gaga was wearing!  

Trashy Weekend!

What an amazing weekend we had with our 1,000 follower blog winner Sharla and her sister Jana. It began Thursday at 8:00am with a biscuits and gravy breakfast at my house and then off to Goodwill for dollar day.

Here, Sharla and I are scoping out the better quality racks.

Sharla finds a Bebe skirt to list on ebay. Next we head to help decorate an event at my church- something I seem to do a lot of. We promised a weekend in our shoes so we wanted to give our winner a taste of it all. Next Sharla and I went to an estate sale and scored a fabulous lamp and end table. We then had a fantastic lunch at Joe's BBQ in Gilbert. Next, it was a decorating consultation for a clients living room then Laura made us a delicious dinner. Finally it was time to get ready to hit Sharla and Jana's first auction.

Here they show off their first bidder numbers at a local auction in Scottsdale. For first time auctioners- they were not shy- here's a peek at the pile of stuff we won...

Sharla won this beautiful white and blue ware set for next to nothing

as well as this dresser for $45! We were able to list it on craigslist the next day- hope it sells soon.

We left the auction with a truck FULL!!! Didn't get to bed until after midnight, but that didn't stop us from heading out garaging the next morning by 8am.

Another great find for Sharla was this cracker barrel wicker rocker for $1.00! With another truck full of stuff we met Laura for lunch at Tia Rosa's.

After lunch it was back to work! We were able to list the items we found at Goodwill ebay. Here's Sharla's top buy...

A new with tags Max and cleo dress for $1.00- original price $118.00! Can't wait to see how much this one goes for. We were also able to start painting some furniture Sharla brought over to refinish (I'll show the pics at the end of the post) We then raced out the door to the Mesa Auction. The prices were a little steep so we left early and headed out to Red Robin for dinner.

Another late night and then up again by 7:00 for Saturday garaging. Sharla found some amazing frames- mostly $1.00 -wish I had my camera :( We then headed to Qcumberz where Sharla and Jana were expert at helping price and stage some of the items we found over the weekend.

We were able to fit everything in!

This chair was one of my $10.00 finds at auction.

Next, off to lunch- We were running super late and didn't make it in time to Sassy's so we went to our next favorite which is Mattas

Exhausted from the weekend- but one more task to finish- distressing the furniture...

After a quick tutorial Sharla's ready to use the paint sprayer on her own...

We finish up the drawers and then the last step...

Distressing. Sharla's hands are evidence of our hard work- but it's all worth it...

Her pieces are beautiful and I'm sure will sell for $95 each on craigslist. I can't tell you much I enjoyed the weekend. Sharla and Jana were so much fun- we felt like family by the end of our 3 days together. Ironically Sharla lives just 3 miles away- so our goodbye was only temporary. Can't wait to do this again.... when we reach 2,000 followers- so be sure to sign-up! What did you do this weekend? Love, Kelly.

Under Construction Baby Shower

My oldest daughter is expecting our first grandchild April 8th- a boy! When you have 6 daughters the idea of adding a boy to the mix is pretty exciting- so we had to throw a big party. My daughters boss and friend, KC, was gracious enough to volunteer to host- so I helped out with the planning and of course the decor. The invitation read "Road Closed due to the construction of Braxton Hallsted. Please take detour to (with the address) General Contractor: Amanda Hallsted" So of course guests were greeted with a closed road and detour sign.
The shower was held in the cul-de-sac of KC's house. I rented barricades and KC ordered "Caution Construction" tape to mark the venue. I made the detour sign using an overhead projector. Each guest signed the back of the sign and it will go in Braxton's nursery.

The tables were set with black cloths, blue print toppers, cones and balloons.I applied vinyl to the cones to make them more personalized.The cake and cupcakes were created by a dear friend, Dawn. Completely amazing!
Crushed oreo as dirt and chocolate rocks. Inside the cake was yellow and black checks! Tasted as good as it looks. We wanted some manly type food so we served Honey BBQ wings, beans, Pigs in a blanket, Potato salad, macaroni salad and tons of veggies. I picked up the orange tool box for $3 at a yard sale the week before the shower- talk about luck!We served the salads out of big Cat trucks and the potato chips out of hard hats I picked up at the dollar store.

Mr. Right's homemade rootbeer was the perfect beverage.

Guests were encouraged to bring diapers to be entered into a drawing. Love this No Dumping sign I borrowed from my son in law.

Cards were placed in a tonka truck.KC made this adorable diaper cake- so fun.
My daughters and I spent 3 nights making over 200 suckers. We used a stop sign shaped sucker mold and made a sign that said, "Thanks for stopping by"
Flavors included watermelon, cinnamon, kiwi strawberry and cherry. Wish I could show you the embarrassing about of gifts little Braxton received and how beautiful my daughter looked- but right when the shower started my camera battery died!!! My luck with cameras- not so good. Our Trashy weekend winner arrives tomorrow morning at 8am so I can't wait to show you all the fun things we do. If you're local we'd love to have you join us for lunch Saturday afternoon 1:00pm at Sassy's Cafe and Bakery 2729 E. Main Street, Mesa 85213. Leave me a comment if you're able to come- we'd love to see you there. Love, Kelly

Welcome to my world Modge Podge

My life has totally changed forever.  I tried Modge-Podge for the very first time and I'm flying high.

I bought this bottle of Modge-Podge almost a year ago.  It sat in my kitchen cabinet, next to my herbal tea bags and every time I grabbed a bag of tea, I’d think “You know, I’d really like to learn how to use that Modge-Podge.”   Have you ever done that?  Purchased a crafting item, but didn't think you'd be able to figure it out?  Or do it as well as others you know have done it?  Or maybe it would be too difficult?

Yeah, I did that with Modge-Podge!

That day finally arrived.  I don't know, it just seemed like the right time to take the leap. I needed to add some pazzazz to all this trash I keep finding.  I was a bit nervous, but after about 1 minute, I was hooked.  I told Chandler “Besides the day I married your dad and gave birth to all you and your brothers and sister, this is the happiest day of my life.” 

He was a bit confused by that comment, but I meant every bit of it!

So, here is what I did with all my creative energy.

I started with this beautiful sketch art book by Janet Marsh.  I paid $2.98 for it at the thrift store. 

The most beautiful drawing.

Here are a few of the pages Modge-Podged onto this beautiful 1944 table I found at Goodwill for $4.99.

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This little vintage wood toolbox also got hit with the Modge-Podge.

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I also Modge-Podge the cute little wood boxes in the front.

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And this funky mini-etagere stand?

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Modge-Podged:

I literally started walking around my house, pulling anything I could hit with this great stuff.   I carried my sponge brush like a sword.  I was a woman on a mission.  The kids and dog stayed out of my path, but the counselor stopped me every now and then to give me a kiss.  He said my trash looked cute.  

So, here’s my little collection waiting to go down to QcumberZ. 

I may Modge-Podge for the next 48 hours without sleep, but I'm in heaven.
Eden and I at church on Sunday and I felt all dressed up for Valentines in my $4.99 thrift store skirt and $1.00 cardigan.  Eden's looking beautiful in her $3.00 garage sale dress from Grandma.  It all runs in the family around here.

Happy Valentines Day.  Love you all like family!