Crocheted shoes for baby clanton
Since I knew this time I was having a boy I have been super stoked to get back into sewing. I did a lot between the age of 10-14 but basically haven’t done anything since other than a pillow or two. Especially since I really like sweet baby boy stuff for when they are young, not only is it hard to find but typically is a price I don’t want to pay. My niece Alaina (8 years old going on 40) comes to stay while her mom works & since she is totally into crocheting I decided to get her to re-teach me the stitches (she also taught me about inertia, this child, wow) she says to me as we are crocheting on the couch “this is so peaceful, it’s cold & rainy, this is so fun AND we are accomplishing something at the same time!” haha anyway, between her & you tube I picked it back up pretty quick. These are the shoes I made for baby boy clanton #2 I made some mistakes & the second one is better than the first but it will be ok. Up next will be some baby gowns, can’t wait!!
Tate
Ally
You are my sunshine
blurry sigh…
Cheesecake for Thanksgiving
Look Ma! I finally made a cheesecake that doesn’t have an earthquake down the middle!! I have a really hard time sharing things in my life on my blog, I’m not a big talker, I don’t have a lot to say & I certainly NOT a writer in any sense of the word but couldn’t resist taking pictures of this yumminess to prove I actually did accomplish this 
Not only did it look pretty, but it tasted divine!!
Praline Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe www.dixiecrystals.com
Yes, I had horrible lighting…sigh.
mermaid
Cowboy boots
Well after months of not being able to accomplish much of anything I’m finally getting caught up!! It feels good! I am 17 weeks (almost 18 I think lol) pregnant & unlike the first time around it’s been pretty rough…not to mention my 16 month old had double ear infections that took over a month and 3 antibiotics to get rid of. Needless to say sleep deprivation + all day nausea does not a creative being make. These last few weeks have been catch up time now that we both feel better!! I have to say I love these boots & I’m gonna miss ‘em when they are gone and I must make myself one of these banners.
Yeah my focus is off & I have no idea why or what to do differently…so you photographer people just pretend you don’t notice
Harbor
Bluebirds
These sweet little birds are on their way to Charleston SC (how I wish I was) thank you so much Katie! I love how soft and wistful they turned out!!
I’ve been featured on Better After!
Bath vanity before and after
As you know if you have been following along, my hubs and I have been renovating our house for the past well seems like forever now. We originally installed a pedestal sink in here but it didn’t take us long to realize that an old house has like zero storage and we just couldn’t get enough. We constantly underestimate just how much we need…so that led us on a search for something cheap, old
decrepitand within our meager price range. We FINALLY came across this lil’ lady whom about on her last leg, well she doesn’t have legs but you know and on her way to the burn pile at our localjunktreasure spot caught our eye. After much pleading I convinced hubs she was salvageable. We picked her up for $20 we also picked up a huge slab of travertine (some sort of natural stone) at the same place for $35 however we had to pay $120 to have it cut to fit & edged,we purchase old hardware and knobs for $50 total since it was missing all but two or broken on the original piece, the copper sink was an ebay purchase for around $50ish? the faucet was from lowes or home depot and I don’t recall the price. This has been a slow process as hubs and I have both been very busy. I painted the design on the walls by using a stencil purchased from lowes and layers of paint which I scraped off with a putty knife while still wet. The lights on either side of the mirror came off our back porch which at some point or another we picked up for around $10 on one of our treasure hunts. I love how my cabinet turned out! I painted her with Annie Sloans Paris Grey chalk paint…which I learned about over at Miss Mustard Seedsblog (I really need to read her links to photography tutorials) I really love how it showcases the chippyness and wear of the piece. I have yet to invest in a wax so I used my ol’ fall back, bejamin moores 211 glaze, just very lightly buffed in from the edges to the middle so that it wouldn’t darken too much.way before
this bathroom didn’t exist before, we converted a storm porch into our laundry, mudroom & bath, this angle was taken from where the tub is today.
vanity semi-before: hubs had to add a bump out so the sink would fit, he re-attached the old drawer front he added the trim piece all the way around to make it appear it had always been there. He did a FANTASTIC job!!!
after
Fairy tea party
This is the one I have been so very excited about! It is my favorite of all the children’s paintings that I have done so far, I love the free spirit, the colors, the energy, everything! I painted it for sweet Bristol, daughter of my very talented friend Bobbie whom I really can’t say enough about. She is an amazing photographer!
John 14:27
Yeah, so I just blog all at once!!
Two little birds, sitting in a tree…
Last week was a very productive week! Yes, I am a bit behind in my blogging, forgive me, I’ve been busy painting among many other things. Inspiration hit, I sat down and painted for almost 5 hours! I did have to stop and change diapers, fix lunch, and put a sweet boy down for a couple naps but still, I have NEVER been able to sit down and paint when the feeling “I’ve gotta do this!” hits, it was awesome, and I must say, painting goes so fast when it just flows right out. It was very exciting and I’m feeling extra crafty…so who knows what I’ll start next? I have a lot in mind. I can’t wait to share the painting but you will just have to wait until another post since I always like the customer to see it first. I was also thrilled with how this one turned out. It’s girlie, fun, I totally dig birds, and it’s my favorite colors.
Pinterest Challenge!
My post disappeard?!?!?? Here is what I could find…I was trying to edit and add in my “inspirations” guess I should have left well enough alone? Maybe I should name this one “Pinterest Pears” bahaha. Or not, that may only be funny to me…anyways, John & Sherry on Young House Love issued a “pinterest challenge” last Tuesday to encourage all of us who have been pinning away ideas to actually sit down and create one of our pins. So I have been painting furiously for the last several days, in between making just about every tomato base product you can think of storing away the massive amount of tomatoes my garden produced, changing diapers and a zillion other things I will not bore you with including cleaning up dog poo twice because I was so absorbed in painting I forgot to let Piper out and he is too snooty to warn you! I decided (obviously) to paint the pears I have been dreaming of forever! After purchasing a few from the grocery store and staging/shooting them until I got one I liked, I then referenced my “inspirations” and wah la, this is my version!!! It’s not quite finished since it didn’t have time to dry before glazing but I LOVE it!!! Thank you John and Sherry for hosting this and the motivation *bear hug*
inspiration #1
inspiration #2
From monaalicia.com
more birthday pictures!
These are some of my favs that my incredibly talent friend Bobbie took. Thanks girl for capturing such a special time!!
Emerson’s first birthday!
My sweet little man has turned one!!! I can’t believe it, this past year has flown by…bringing all kinds of unexpected changes. His party turned out fantastic, hubs and I have been working hard this past month prepping everything. I made a barn out of two cardboard boxes & masking tape, painted a cow and a pig on a couple more pieces, S put up wooden pallets from the dumpster to make a “fence” and added the posts for me to hang the banners by (which are made out of burlap and cloth hot glued to twine, with happy birthday Emerson painted on). My sister came over and we tackled the cake, it’s a little saggy but I think it turned out awesome!! We had lots of friends and family to celebrate with us, the fun, the food, the homemade cake & ice cream, it was all wonderful. Thank you to everyone to pitched in to help and to my friend Bobbie for taking pictures (which will be shared later in another post).
the barn for the kids to play in
We had “tractor” aka Gator rides for the kids
Sweet Kori Rose
My Mother creating controversy with S who is a hard core GMC guy
More to come!
P.S. Nomi your camera is set on the wrong month and day…xoxo
The latest…
Well, I have a new computer now. So I’m fresh out of excuses not to blog…but don’t expect too much over the next three weeks. We are getting ready to celebrate a certain little boys 1st birthday!!! I can NOT believe it’s almost been a year! He is trying to walk, has eight teeth & cutting four more, eats just about anything you give him, saying words like, hat, hot, dat, doggy, bye bye, no no, light, bath (he also thinks the pool is a ‘bath’ haha), baden means, cracker, cookie, banana, it just blows my mind! Where has the time gone?
from tiny lil’ peanut
to fishing with Dad…Happy Father’s Day honey
and the latest order
prayer for Bodhi
My garden…
Back in the day when we first bought this place and I didn’t take pictures or blog, this was a dog pen. We added a gate and planted a garden, since I like things pretty as well as serving a purpose I created the flower beds in front with old brick Sean discovered while moving a random hill of weeds in our yard..we didn’t know much about it or that the weeds would be more plentiful than our harvest. Our first year we ended up mowing around things. Then we built the raised beds, still a lot of work weeding, then we added the rock. Our mistake, we didn’t put down landscape cloth, guess who will be shoveling gravel this fall, my dearest hubby & I, ugh, but it will be worth it next year!
New bedding!
So, I’ve been meaning to blog for a while now…but my dinosaur of a computer plays a role in putting it off as long as possible. When I really don’t have much free time to blog to start with, constantly getting stuck when uploading makes for a very frustrating and drawn out process! I’ve been too busy to document all my projects, but here is one I’m very excited about!! Since upgrading to a king size mattress I’ve been on the lookout for a comforter/quilt for a while now. I found this splash of happiness at HomeGoods for just $40.00 & I had a giftcard, yay!! I also bought the large green pillow at HG for $12 & the yellow rose pillow from Target for $19.99 the others I already had. Since my eleven month old is into EVERYTHING I had to find a nightstand solution that did away with the fabulous tables I was using before, I needed something that came all the way to the floor to hide cords. The french end table I purchase from my sister-in-law (sadly I didn’t take a before) but I was really happy with how it turned out. The other side is just one I had around the house painted espresso, so I have girly & masculine…now I just need a fabulous barnwood headboard if my hubby ever gets some free time, a jute rug, re-upholster a chair, frame the ginormous mirror I got on craigslist for $12.50 into a floor mirror, a few other things and my master bedroom will be set, small dent in a large list, but hey it’s a great one!
way before
cleaned up…ready to go!
Hubs hard at work
During
afterish
Yes, my room has been painted a few times and now I notice that I left the towel on the right nightstand in the pic since I was too impatient to wait until the paint completely cured to put everything back on top. Unusual color choice on the nightstand I know…but I love how it complements the quilt! After dealing with bad lighting, this little post taking well over an hour and a half as it got stuck, uggh, I even ate breakfast and it was still stuck!! It will probably be a while before you hear from me again, as I have a one year birthday party to plan and execute, four paintings to finish, a garden to cultivate & somehow get to work on time. Maybe one day I will be able to get a new computer, in the meantime I hope you enjoy and it was worth the trouble. I am going to do something else now and get out of the mood dealing with this has put me in. Happy Monday everyone!!
Mother’s Day Pillow
In between doing hair styling for weddings (a complete accidental business I seem to have happened upon) working on orders, taking care of my precious son, and trying to keep my house in order…I whipped up this little spot of sunshine for my Mother-in-law. Who is in the process of re-designing her room. She just got a new bedspread and I thought this would accent it perfectly! It’s simple but I love it, especially the hints of turqouise and red!
Life expectancy
“Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon”. I saw this quote in my chiropractors office yesterday and loved it! So true but also, since we eat with our eyes first, if green vegetables all looked this pretty and fresh we would eat them more often! At least I would.
Bryleigh
1st harvest of the season
Well, I haven’t spent my time blogging but I haven’t just been sitting around eating bonbons. I have a long list of projects in the works to share with you when I get a chance soon! Most recently when I haven’t been at work, I have been busy planting my garden and chasing my precious son who has recently discovered that toilet paper is the greatest entertainment ever (grin I must) with a little painting in the middle of all that. After planting just about everything I can think of in hopes of feeding my family healthy, crisp, organic, farm fresh produce, my goal is to drastically cut down on my grocery bill by freezing and canning as much as possible this season. Not to mention having the certainty that what we are eating is fresh, organic & preservative free!! Not to mention CHEAP! These radishes were such a beautiful color I just had to share, though I don’t love them, they are so gorgeous that I want to eat them anyway!
I Just Won 12 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com
Scrumdelishous
Yes, I have been MIA for a few weeks now. Taking a break from the techy world, fb, blogging, everything. Getting back to the basics, re-evaluating, and doing a little soul searching. I like it, not being consumed by so many different things and just enjoying my baby. Who is growing up way to fast!!! Thought I would catch you guys up starting with yesterday. This is how I spent my day, eating cake. Talk about heaven for a Chocoholic!!! Yum, this ice cream cake I made for my sister in laws birthday turned out unbelievable! My fake out ganache was the perfect accompaniment to this chocolate coffee bliss…not to mention we had the perfect weather to enjoy such delightfulness. Happy Monday everyone!!
Growing up way to fast!!! I know you only see two teeth, but he has six & cutting two more!!
From smelly and depressing to warm and welcoming
So if you have been following along lately, you know my husband and I tackled an old house built in 1928 about 6-7 years ago. This is the story of our kitchen…Sean had to start by jacking up this corner of the house to raise it several inches, tearing out the foundation, pour a footing and build it back (I know you guys don’t understand why we didn’t keep that klassy platform) we tore down that tunnel and ripped out one side, opening it up for a bigger table, added an opening on the kitchen side of the pantry closing off the opening in the dining room, leveled as much as possible, installed tile flooring, new windows over the sink, trim & sheetrock. We moved in May of 2004 with no kitchen cabinets. We had a couple rubbermaid tables set up with our coffee pot & a few dishes (keepin’ it klassy 
washing dishes in the laundry room sink was no fun!) we ordered our cabinets from Home Depot and installed them that September. A few years later we added the back splash and finally October of 2009 we purchased new appliances, no more 16+year old hand me downs thank you! One of my favorite pieces is the hood Sean built over the stove (talented man) & that sweet island scored at Metrolina Expo. Yes those are Barefoot Contessa’s homemade Outrageous brownies sitting on the island, it is Valentines day after all, yum!
before:
linking to 
Girls shabby rocker
This precious little chair started off quite boring. But with a little paint, stuffing, fabric & trim it now looks quite cheerful! I love the bright colors of the fabric. for sale: $50
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I’ve been featured!
Go Duke!!
Okay, I will be the first to admit I don’t know ANYTHING about sports…so ya’ll don’t hate if you’re not a fan. Thank you to Katie for asking me to do this for her darling boy Forrest, I’m sure Papa is proud. It turned out really well, considering I had about 7 heart attacks when applying the varnish, it decided to react with my blue paint (UGGGGHHHHH) talk about scared when I saw the first smear on that devil, all those hours of detail. Feeling like I had a steel band strapped around my chest, I went into overdrive, somehow God was with me because I was able to salvage it with no noticeable damage. Excuse the photography, I had terrible lighting and barely remembered to take a picture before she walked out the door! To say my poor brain was taxed was an understatement!! Whew, I did not completely relax until after a bubble bath and a glass of wine
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Dining Room B&A’s
Still a work in progress…I have many things I want to do in here. Hang some art on the walls, recover a couple of those sweet little chairs, the list goes on. I will get to it one day!!! Still a HUGE improvement over the “before” I say!!! Besides, you can look forward to the makeover of the makeover since I want to add some modern touches among other ideas I have in mind
before
after
linking up
Linky links
I’ve been featured!!!!
Peace within
Country at heart
Mudroom, before and after
By now you most likely realize what a unbelievable heap huge project our house has been. This area used to be a porch which had a really low ceiling, holes in the floor and storm windows all the way around. It is now a bathroom (which will be featured at another time), mudroom and laundry room and is one of my favorite areas we have re-done, I LOVE storage! In an old house you have to get really creative with it, this was just wasted space beside our linen closet with that ugly useful little chest fridge sitting in it. We use the baskets to store our toilet paper, gardening things, shoes and dog supplies, as well as outdoor cushions. The baskets are from target on clearance for $11 each (the cheapest I could find for what I would looking for) and the handles are clearance from Anthropologie for $7 each. I’m not sure how much Sean spent on the wood to build it and I already had the paint. The bead board in the hall is original to the house which we saved from tearing down the ceiling in this area.
Before:
After:
Emerson six months and sitting up, already
Jemimah and Peter Rabbit once again
Thanks to Katie from Charleston SC (one of my favorite vaca spots) I have my first out of town customer! Congratulations on your baby girl!! Talk about motivating, to think my art is finally reaching out to people beyond my “word of mouth” circle is just a whole new level of success, 2011 has started off just as I hoped. God has blessed me and I am so very thankful!
Another glimpse into the past…
Some days looking back, I don’t know what Sean and I were thinking tackling this house. It smelled, had huge holes in the floor, people were saying it was better off torn down as we toured it. Then I remember it was our dream to find an old house and fix it up. Neither of us can stand when old things are destroyed and forgotten. We looked long and hard, you would be surprised how few are for sale…then we stumbled upon this little gem with a foreclosed sign in the front yard. We put in our bid and waited anxiously for appraisals, etc. to go through. Then we find out that the house is not worth as much as the land and we would have to put 50% down, crushed we felt it was over. Our “real estate” agent, aka Sean’s Dad found a loop hole. We were able to use a previous appraisal to get our home loan. Whoo hoo, as of September 2004, it belonged to us!!! Two newlyweds with blinders on stars in their eyes…we have learned a lot, we’ve stressed and fought over claw foot tubs, we’ve grown in spirit and our love for each other.
Stairs before: they painted around that ol’ fridge box there in the corner
Stairs after:
Better a little late than never…
So my plan to begin the new year on my blog is just coming together, but at least it’s happening!! With a six month old, a part time job three days a week, and the steady flow if painting jobs (a big thank you to all my fans and customers who have encouraged me the past two years!!) needless to say, I have my hands full!! At the same time, so is my heart. I love my family, I love to paint, what more could I ask for. I wanted to kick the new year off by sharing a few before and afters of our house each month, for a little something different. That way you can learn a little more about me and how so much of my time is spent…all of which would never have happened if I didn’t have such a talented husband to repair everything we saved from salvage, not the least of which is our home!
Den mantle before:
After…
Two Boat Bob
Christmas ornaments are SOLD OUT for 2010!!!! Anyone who missed out, I will be taking orders again after the first of the year. Thanks to everyone for your support of my work! I truly appreciate it…I feel very blessed. ♥
Finally…Emerson has art!
After almost 5 months I have finished Emerson’s painting and I must say it was worth the wait. I adore it! Though somehow I feel it’s way better in person than in this photograph…
baseball n’ fishing
Blissful bath
My friend, my biggest fan, and my most frequent customer Bobbie asked me to these adorable bird cages in her hall bath. I am so happy with how they turned out, in fact, I’m determined to find a spot in my house for a few of my own!
Christmas cheer
I had no idea my Christmas ornaments would be so popular!! Each one I do I love them more. There is no way I can blog all of them, my blog would be full…here are just a few more $10 each, orders will be taken through December 15th
beautiful [byoo-tuh-fuhl] pear
vintage charm for Bristol Bee
“It’s the holiday season”…
My favorite time of year is here!! There is a crispness to the air, leaves are changing, holidays are coming…yummy food, time spent with family (this year I get to celebrate with a new member of my family) my own adorable son Emerson. Ah, what could be better? Not much if you ask me.
one for mom…
One for grandma…
gettin’ my craft on
So between feeding, changing, and rocking Emerson (the love of my life <3) I have been busily painting, refinishing and sewing, anything I can think of to sell in my booth. Here is the latest…more to come very soon!!!! Hand~painted, down filled pillows, original design $45 each
My name is Julie, I love cowboy boots, food, wine, art, and all things vintage. Married to Sean, a talented, hard working man (who can build anything I draw out for him) we have one precious little boy Emerson, our miracle. After trying unsuccessfully for a few years, unexpectedly, at just the right moment, success! We are BLESSED beyond measure!! I thank God every day. My passion, the reason for this blog...painting and turning useless junk and forlorn furniture into something fabulous. 
