DIY Oversized Swiss Cross Wall Art

A few days ago, I scored two oversized metal poster frames (I'm talking 3'x 4') at a consignment shop for $10 each. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them, but I knew that just the sheer size of these babies would make an impact in any room. 

I ended up deciding to paint the foam board (that was included with the frames) a light mint green, and gild a huge swiss cross smack dab in the middle. I've been loving swiss cross decor plastered all over Pinterest lately, so I figured now was the time to get my fix. :)

Supplies: foam board, paint color of your choice, gold leaf, size (gilding glue) foam brushes, frog tape, pencil, measuring tape

1. I painted the entire foam board with the mint green paint. 

2. I measured and marked everything to make sure the cross squares were all the same size and that it    was centered in the middle of the board. (This was the most time consuming part.) 

3. I outlined my cross with frog tape to make  the gilding process much easier. 

4. I gilded the cross. (Great instructions on how to gild here.)

5. Put everything back together & voila! 

Oversized Pom Pom Christmas Wreath

Well, the Christmas season is upon us again...I kid, I kid. It's still August!! Sheesh...
I don't know what has gotten into me lately, but I've been in a wreath making mood. Something about wreaths just make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Yeah, I'm a weirdo. What's it to ya? :)

A few months ago, I stumbled across this massive, dusty, old wreath hanging out at my local thrift shop. This thing measures around 28" in diameter! Since it was a mere $4, I scooped it up and threw it in my basement. I knew someday I could do something with it.

A few days ago, as I sifted through old Pinterest pins, I ran across this J.Crew catalog photo and remembered how much I absolutely LOVED that wreath! Well, since I wanted an indoor wreath, have a crawling baby who loves cords, and didn't want to burn my house down, I opted for a non-electrical version.

Supplies needed:

• Massive wreath - I believe they sell these at Michael's
• Clover Pom Pom Maker - you can get these cheaper at Joann's with a coupon (I used the smaller sized one)
• Tons of different colored yarn - the more colors, the merrier!
• Patience

Basically, I followed this easy tutorial to make the pom poms and made about 32 total - 2 of each color.

Just a tip when you're making the pom poms: don't cut the string too short that wraps around and pulls the pom together. You need to make sure you have some string left over to knot each pom to the wreath branches. 

Once you tie all of the pom poms to the wreath, trim the excess yarn, and voila! You have a massive, festive wreath for the holidays! 

Enjoy!

Impatiently Waiting for Fall

I've been in Fall mode since yesterday, so what better way to celebrate than with a new fall wreath! :)

Supplies needed:
Foam wreath
Yarn in your color choices
Gold thumbtacks
Hot glue gun

Yarn wreaths are all over the Pinterest world so the instructions are pretty self explanatory. Just wrap and glue the yarn in any pattern you desire, then embellish with your tacks. Easy peasy!

(The first photo shows the true colors of the yarn...the second is much brighter for some reason.)

Now, if Fall could just actually get here...

Vintage Cabinet Score!

Vintage, industrial furniture pieces have always had a place in my heart when it comes to interior design. For as long as I can remember, I've been searching online for an affordable metal doctor's type cabinet to use as a storage piece in our dining/living room. The only problem was that if I did come across one, it was either way too expensive or in not-so-good condition. So, the search continued...

Well, I hit the Craig's List jackpot about a month ago when someone posted a "metal cabinet" for $60. Apparently, this person didn't know what this cabinet was worth, or just didn't care as he wanted it out of his basement asap. I did my research and it turns out to be a 1940's Hamilton Cabinet Co. American metal hospital examination room supply cabinet. It was in pristine condition for it's age, just one of the legs was broken off and it was missing the glass shelves, totally fixable.


This is what the cabinet looked like when we got her home:

I knew I wanted to maintain the vintage look of the cabinet, so I decided to have it professionally painted a light, minty green color. I love the way it turned out!

With the cost of the cabinet, professional paint job, and new glass shelves (which I still need to buy), I maybe spent $350 total. The crazy thing is that I found my exact same cabinet, in so-so condition on an architectural salvage website for $995!!! It pays to be patient...I'm one happy gal. :)

life lately...according to my iphone

This post is a few weeks late, but the month of June was a complete whirlwind around here! Felicity finally got to meet her Uncle Mike and Uncle Ben. Our weekends were filled with seeing new sights and making new memories. We only have a year left here in the Boston area, so we're trying to make the most of it. Felicity and I went to our very first Red Sox game at Fenway Park with Mat's family. His family was rooting for the Braves (they're from GA) and Felicity and I were for the Sox...the Sox won! ;) Our little one is growing like a weed and she will be crawling anyday now. I'm nervous about this... Life is good.

My Sweet Baby

My Sweet Felicity,
You are a little over 7 1/2 months old today and your daddy and I are so in love with you, it's almost ridiculous. From the moment you wake up with your crazy bed head, you are all smiles and giggles. Your sweet laughter just melts my heart. Your personality shines bigger and brighter as each day passes and it's amazing to watch. As we sit and read books together, you like to scratch each little thing on the page that interests you with your finger. It's the cutest thing ever and I laugh every time. As you eat your fruits and veggies at dinner time, you take a slurp and immediately put your fingers in your mouth before even swallowing your food. This is proceeded by doing a face plant into your high chair and rubbing your messy mouth all over the tray. We can't help but just laugh at your silly antics. At night, when you're nestled in your bed sound asleep, your daddy and I tip-toe into your room just to get a peek of your beautiful, little face. It's so sweet how all four sides of your crib bumper are permanently bent because you cuddle and wrap your arms around them like a teddy bear.  You are definitely a cuddle bug, just like your daddy.  We are constantly staring at the baby monitor-Not because we are worried, but because we can't stop looking at you.  I tear up a lot just thinking about how fast you are growing. It seems like yesterday that daddy and I were in the hospital, scooping you up and taking you home with us for the very first time. You were just this tiny little thing that fit perfectly into our hands. Now, you're over two feet tall and growing like a weed. As sad as I am to see my little baby grow up, I'm excited for what the future holds. You fill our hearts with so much joy and we love you more than you will ever know.

Love,
Mommy

Current likes:
-Bailey giving you smooches (you adore her so much)
-putting anything and everything into your mouth...blocks, books, mobile, pillows...you name it
-bananas, peaches, pears, apples
-sitting in your bumbo chair and watching Yo Gabba Gabba
-reading books with mommy & daddy (while you try to put the book in your mouth & tear out the pages)

Father's Day - June 17, 2012

Father's Day at the German Car Show

Picnic at Castle Island, Boston, MA- June 2012

6 Month Photos

This post is almost 4 weeks overdue, but here are some of baby girls 6 month photos.

Can we say adorable?