tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297664068813825712024-03-04T23:14:18.798-06:00The Pear Tree CottageJedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-11266161387612569632011-08-31T10:29:00.000-05:002014-10-14T10:13:11.778-05:00Where Have I Been? and Some News...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There is nothing like packing up and escaping to where the sand is powdery white and the water a perfect shade of blue...<br />
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Ahem, especially when your own town is in the midst of a terrible, record breaking drought! Our youngest was so overjoyed to see water in such large quantities that at first he just sat in it for a good five minutes, laughing with glee. That's what a drought will do to ya folks! </div>
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Ah yes, it is good to get away every now and then to a place by the sea...</div>
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Sandcastle competitions bring out the kid in all of us....</div>
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Note to self: must plan out every homeschool year from now on while relaxing on a beach somewhere :).</div>
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On the home front I have exciting news; our kitchen remodel will be starting soon! We are planning to tackle it ourselves and I look forward to sharing the process with all of you. At the moment I am totally digging the farmhouse sink with butcher block counter top combo....</div>
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House and Home<br />
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We have decided to reuse as much of the current cabinetry as we can so it will be a challenge! As always <a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/our-house">The Lettered Cottage</a> is a great source of inspiration. Have you seen what they did to their <a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/how-to-install-cabinet-molding">kitchen</a>? Fabulous! Love the idea of adding molding to bulk up plain cabinets. </div>
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My computer has yet to arrive from the repair co. so I apologize for the infrequent posting and commenting. The good news is that it should be here some time next week, just in time to share regular updates of our kitchen saga with all of you.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com316tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-29918189470330175512011-08-05T08:54:00.005-05:002011-08-05T16:30:28.188-05:00Dealing With The Unexpected<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Last week the hard drive on my computer crashed. Yes, I am still in a state of complete shock. All of my files were lost and I just found out yesterday that because of the type of damage they cannot be recovered. I have spent the last few days trying to take inventory of all the family pictures I have saved on discs to get a better idea of what was only on my computer and consequently now lost forever.<br />
I am sharing a computer with hubby and the boys while I wait for mine to get fixed so, although I have been able to keep up with your lovely blogs, I have not been able to comment or write posts of my own (it is hard when five people are using one computer!) I miss interacting with all of you but hopefully things will return to normal soon.<br />
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</div><div>Having to sift through all of the pictures we have taken over the last five years is the only good thing to come out of this whole hard drive fiasco. The boys and I have been going through them together and we have had a wonderful time reminiscing! Here is one from three years ago when Mr. Z was smack dab in the middle of 'The Terrible Twos' ......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQa8jF-dXnuJwYrXqvHR5_NWlyhoxGCpYo-WPuEyuz_uf_OSHNNYfWyu0GtLlCOhjeAYopXfYMdXrI8ybPkHTd3CYv7lxR8QbXwFztQCOBESPSkfMcdhzGl7W3cMt77YDQuzC0GR_s_v7/s1600/memories+289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQa8jF-dXnuJwYrXqvHR5_NWlyhoxGCpYo-WPuEyuz_uf_OSHNNYfWyu0GtLlCOhjeAYopXfYMdXrI8ybPkHTd3CYv7lxR8QbXwFztQCOBESPSkfMcdhzGl7W3cMt77YDQuzC0GR_s_v7/s640/memories+289.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I caught him in the act and he was so proud of the mess he made that he even showed me his hands! Um yeah, I never left him alone with chocolate syrup after that one =).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hope every one has a great weekend and if you are in north Texas don't forget that good ol' fashioned way to beat the heat right in your front yard... sprinkler runs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div></div></div></div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-19918258760692663772011-07-26T15:10:00.001-05:002011-07-26T15:28:04.940-05:00You Know It Is Bad When....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">-the leaves on your Crape Myrtle begin to curl -<br />
-the temperature AFTER the sun has set is 101-<br />
-people start baking cookies in their cars-<br />
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Yup, we are in the midst of a record breaking summer here in north Texas and we are surviving it one local splash pad visit at a time...<br />
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I really enjoyed reading <a href="http://onsuttonplace.blogspot.com/2011/07/simple-pleasures.html">this</a> post by Ann of On Sutton Place . It reminds me of how quickly the desire to whine about heat and drought dissipates when we count our blessings!<br />
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These, my friends, are but a few of the simple pleasures carefully noted by an ever thankful heart this week...<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">little wet kisses upon my lips</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">awe inspiring sunsets</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">frequent hugs from strong manly arms</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">summer sounds of cicadas and whirring fans that lull me to sleep</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">jars of freshly squeezed lemonade</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the promise of fall </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I love thalking to you mommy!" exclaimed by a mouth missing two front teeth</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the sufficiency of His grace</span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What "good things" are you thankful for today?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</span></div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-37322213808420114752011-07-20T05:04:00.007-05:002011-07-21T23:09:47.367-05:00Changes In The Living Room<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> While searching for art prints to use on the wall above the T.V. in our family room I found <a href="http://www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Graphics Fairy</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> .</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> It is a blog that has a great collection of vintage images you can print out for free. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_fb8c7lAguBNS6YwmNucg0jP4BobUrV8KDQyuZ1Oxqp1ooPBzYQvm-eYkppgc7Xu0Z0U-DKTsfwi8YMEwDp65GpjlahXKWAzjIN13DI7J0XitKwQa3kV2M15brEbJL3gt6rNQND14JHh/s1600/Family+Room+0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_fb8c7lAguBNS6YwmNucg0jP4BobUrV8KDQyuZ1Oxqp1ooPBzYQvm-eYkppgc7Xu0Z0U-DKTsfwi8YMEwDp65GpjlahXKWAzjIN13DI7J0XitKwQa3kV2M15brEbJL3gt6rNQND14JHh/s640/Family+Room+0.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I printed and framed <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2010/06/natural-history-antique-seashell.html">these</a> natural history prints of antique seashells. I love that some of the shells are the exact same shade of blue found in the painting above the fireplace.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBynOX1jake0bf16DwHtKE7zUKquUBlZoldPrvd-vTyF5eQDLHUtZIzWCPRnmiwUxxSlIZutjbZneLn0Cv9aVwvdHszJtdezTvLtGihyqSrWv6KCgptfEjMz8aOVkfntHOTJjgS8W2roA/s1600/Family+room+changes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBynOX1jake0bf16DwHtKE7zUKquUBlZoldPrvd-vTyF5eQDLHUtZIzWCPRnmiwUxxSlIZutjbZneLn0Cv9aVwvdHszJtdezTvLtGihyqSrWv6KCgptfEjMz8aOVkfntHOTJjgS8W2roA/s640/Family+room+changes.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL33ROjhGuo5Ii2tQTbmBnsZ6Vnnq3XSTzsGrjLoM3KenckdkiTWsiyKzK_m0BEl3sJ6xo5JsfE1aLz88F32Dv_HBM_WV_DlwwhFXZMpRgBXi7fNdTbyMnUoyLk-Tl4TSzsL5Hpgr-CKzM/s1600/family+room+changes+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL33ROjhGuo5Ii2tQTbmBnsZ6Vnnq3XSTzsGrjLoM3KenckdkiTWsiyKzK_m0BEl3sJ6xo5JsfE1aLz88F32Dv_HBM_WV_DlwwhFXZMpRgBXi7fNdTbyMnUoyLk-Tl4TSzsL5Hpgr-CKzM/s400/family+room+changes+2.JPG" width="373" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">These two pictures were taken after a very looong day so<span class="apple-style-span"> you will find that the round coffee table is not centered and that there are two Wii remotes somewhere on the floor. My boys are always playing in this room so things get moved around a lot in there and I have decided to embrace the imperfections during this busy season of my life. </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBynOX1jake0bf16DwHtKE7zUKquUBlZoldPrvd-vTyF5eQDLHUtZIzWCPRnmiwUxxSlIZutjbZneLn0Cv9aVwvdHszJtdezTvLtGihyqSrWv6KCgptfEjMz8aOVkfntHOTJjgS8W2roA/s1600/Family+room+changes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBynOX1jake0bf16DwHtKE7zUKquUBlZoldPrvd-vTyF5eQDLHUtZIzWCPRnmiwUxxSlIZutjbZneLn0Cv9aVwvdHszJtdezTvLtGihyqSrWv6KCgptfEjMz8aOVkfntHOTJjgS8W2roA/s640/Family+room+changes.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">So what do you think of this new addition to the family room? Should the prints stay or should they go? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">All opinions welcome! :-)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-8020219275904855392011-07-15T11:53:00.005-05:002011-07-15T14:10:57.885-05:00My Life Unscripted<div style="text-align: center;"><b> Moments I Want to Remain Etched in My Mind Forever</b><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Because we all dream of flying.....</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfbbglI2CMasNS3gVOCMgApyPNvYCfaU7t8q1jlmPBnGVE6EBO-FKY_wcVKpZaZKaIOC-DK1gIrP8EpYPV2Jwk2D_tSbnITN6MiKEmEE32507xNzTXl3PN9X062kucilyDo_6yXivTb8u/s1600/Mr.+Z+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfbbglI2CMasNS3gVOCMgApyPNvYCfaU7t8q1jlmPBnGVE6EBO-FKY_wcVKpZaZKaIOC-DK1gIrP8EpYPV2Jwk2D_tSbnITN6MiKEmEE32507xNzTXl3PN9X062kucilyDo_6yXivTb8u/s640/Mr.+Z+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">This morning I found him standing perfectly still in the blazing Texas heat, arms outstretched, waiting...</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-xbv5cZGYH7fQq66Htx-luI8kiJH7pIm2ZHF6DbrXnjzv1LL3H2MN8DuJw6MrZHiNBA66y3tYatq5jpy5oXHGYeL0uI4w4zz-5qbXzB-WBt4XVU3SToB1t5goktyOvfj5pgWa29RYhBH/s1600/Mr.+Z+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-xbv5cZGYH7fQq66Htx-luI8kiJH7pIm2ZHF6DbrXnjzv1LL3H2MN8DuJw6MrZHiNBA66y3tYatq5jpy5oXHGYeL0uI4w4zz-5qbXzB-WBt4XVU3SToB1t5goktyOvfj5pgWa29RYhBH/s640/Mr.+Z+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Then suddenly "I know why I am not flying Mommy. It's because it is summer and there is no wind. Come Fall Momma I will fly!"</span></i><br />
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</i></span></div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-81870276915531728502011-07-12T05:17:00.023-05:002011-07-26T20:48:05.008-05:00The Something You CAN Do<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> I often dream of kitchens that look like this one...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJeV125-faLEt8xqqdBmCZE6etqXVjjKuK7hqqjvhtPLlqCoGdQFsJaf5lkFjN-kMFSXT75BoDvOKoolMI2NClDn37tYHBcWpNDsY4kDS0QkNfB-0ay2ZIwCz8W12lTGuKQ4JNIGpP8Rl/s1600/Kitchen+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJeV125-faLEt8xqqdBmCZE6etqXVjjKuK7hqqjvhtPLlqCoGdQFsJaf5lkFjN-kMFSXT75BoDvOKoolMI2NClDn37tYHBcWpNDsY4kDS0QkNfB-0ay2ZIwCz8W12lTGuKQ4JNIGpP8Rl/s640/Kitchen+2.png" width="527" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71UzAyg_yNWeq3Fqj54ZGjiBzdGbVuyAQyVFdm74Uzr75bvG21cLtBKUA6Mxht83FOnko6LTzskzaR1_Uv0j1aJMtkiVZNu8uHAb6HMH47fOv2EjLd4h2VYpmHVxNyC3uOIvnWjpdrf4E/s1600/kitchen+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div> and this one...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71UzAyg_yNWeq3Fqj54ZGjiBzdGbVuyAQyVFdm74Uzr75bvG21cLtBKUA6Mxht83FOnko6LTzskzaR1_Uv0j1aJMtkiVZNu8uHAb6HMH47fOv2EjLd4h2VYpmHVxNyC3uOIvnWjpdrf4E/s1600/kitchen+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71UzAyg_yNWeq3Fqj54ZGjiBzdGbVuyAQyVFdm74Uzr75bvG21cLtBKUA6Mxht83FOnko6LTzskzaR1_Uv0j1aJMtkiVZNu8uHAb6HMH47fOv2EjLd4h2VYpmHVxNyC3uOIvnWjpdrf4E/s640/kitchen+4.png" width="483" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fleamarkettrixie.com/2011/02/kitchen-reveal.html">FleaMarket Trixie</a></div><br />
but for now the reality and the dream have yet to meet. Upon moving into this house of ours we agreed that it was best to wait a year or two before starting kitchen renovations. After all, there were walls to tear down and pink fireplaces to cover up. We were going to be busy!<br />
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Then 4 months after we moved in, amidst much hard work, the breakfast nook that is right next to the kitchen went from this... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjQN4zIQ4ovcBHJl2HOz5HY_z_V8cBDQ_wb6n-BYRiwmRXUupa_WzeFx5S6Iy49NzWkk0txAQnKiezl8Q4RA1Jruqmnui-ZhTGiv8MeVjb9QX0Js3Ek4p7a_PRG3xQi1HatyrXMUKqZFb/s1600/260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjQN4zIQ4ovcBHJl2HOz5HY_z_V8cBDQ_wb6n-BYRiwmRXUupa_WzeFx5S6Iy49NzWkk0txAQnKiezl8Q4RA1Jruqmnui-ZhTGiv8MeVjb9QX0Js3Ek4p7a_PRG3xQi1HatyrXMUKqZFb/s640/260.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">to this... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhwqBcoAwZncgMAJdYp91vFF8duplSK_f-xl0LVcNdIQc9x7L74cE2ptEFZ43rBFPmTdDdRr6RZXOHE2rrqy-WVUf3VtDgTKrEWxCMqcHK6YKScqrbp1KGq5CTm7Cjs3y_rDMAEqIUAhP/s1600/breajfast+nook2+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhwqBcoAwZncgMAJdYp91vFF8duplSK_f-xl0LVcNdIQc9x7L74cE2ptEFZ43rBFPmTdDdRr6RZXOHE2rrqy-WVUf3VtDgTKrEWxCMqcHK6YKScqrbp1KGq5CTm7Cjs3y_rDMAEqIUAhP/s640/breajfast+nook2+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and that my dear friends is when this ....</span><br />
( kitchen pic from our initial house tour)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqgZJxLGkkPRnmcsbjzKcVuzl-ZRYruqxqw4pYA8ARxisFNagD0bWeIDN823cLnOY_6wZP9tdg1vgPn-78cNk3Tn2zVSPEbV5sn17LEZXbAjrEjxFjEZQXFgEhH0NaMiOdn5trZ5aFdi6/s1600/Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqgZJxLGkkPRnmcsbjzKcVuzl-ZRYruqxqw4pYA8ARxisFNagD0bWeIDN823cLnOY_6wZP9tdg1vgPn-78cNk3Tn2zVSPEbV5sn17LEZXbAjrEjxFjEZQXFgEhH0NaMiOdn5trZ5aFdi6/s640/Kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
became quite unbearable indeed. Pink cabinets and dingy pinkish walls, ugh there is just so much a girl can take!<br />
Something needed to be done, but that <u>something</u> had to cost not a single penny since we were committed to waiting one more year before making any major changes to the kitchen. <br />
Fortunately, I had plenty of primer and white paint leftover from a previous project. My first goal? To banish every last bit of pink from the room. I removed two upper cabinet doors for some open shelving and lightly sanded every cabinet surface. I then applied two coats of primer and two of paint.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfXZvCVgEEGnbixozP1rDhrDZ6hBDF9vUvxHyqvUZGepn_PSw6tOxzeC2x03wiW8PS_cRuBXfn7r6NmlPVRtT7U1bvzXmpyJTe-K2OMV1OtLNx7nTqnSVntgseATsz5d2_wtccWR4qPY5/s1600/snow+days+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfXZvCVgEEGnbixozP1rDhrDZ6hBDF9vUvxHyqvUZGepn_PSw6tOxzeC2x03wiW8PS_cRuBXfn7r6NmlPVRtT7U1bvzXmpyJTe-K2OMV1OtLNx7nTqnSVntgseATsz5d2_wtccWR4qPY5/s640/snow+days+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
After all the priming and painting was done I unpacked a box of kitchen items that I acquired at estate sales and different retail stores while living in <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/wwyd-to-part-with-it-or-not.html">The Temporary Apartmant</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvtV1I1i0h4suKUiZhpAoWZxyluq86TPhvz83J07FOMVAr-3WiZqYJ5ulxMSC1xbbKwI48AmKvDdibp-CYoL7dOyFwDbKcKKuO52KKbJ-ux2w2Ha9rNkdTtB1Fr6GHxJcSkddLcwRKiKR/s1600/breakables+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvtV1I1i0h4suKUiZhpAoWZxyluq86TPhvz83J07FOMVAr-3WiZqYJ5ulxMSC1xbbKwI48AmKvDdibp-CYoL7dOyFwDbKcKKuO52KKbJ-ux2w2Ha9rNkdTtB1Fr6GHxJcSkddLcwRKiKR/s640/breakables+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
As I surveyed the items a color scheme began to emerge. Its seems that inadvertently most of what I bought that year for the kitchen turned out to be either red, white or pale aqua blue! I was determined to use only what I had so I went with those colors as accents. This was the end result.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKwR-0JsLek0vy4Oc5UnOXL53PmwqQSwvBLWwVc-WBjdgyMFlXuMEb_DPE3fFAERcVkuAqHNiqcczaXmCejoK4woJHwPHhHz6-1dTbDMa3LbPLbzkJQ5Kgj5Y9gRYq7Cl5v08PTpGHRo-/s1600/kitchen+5+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKwR-0JsLek0vy4Oc5UnOXL53PmwqQSwvBLWwVc-WBjdgyMFlXuMEb_DPE3fFAERcVkuAqHNiqcczaXmCejoK4woJHwPHhHz6-1dTbDMa3LbPLbzkJQ5Kgj5Y9gRYq7Cl5v08PTpGHRo-/s640/kitchen+5+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Much brighter and happier don't you think? We ended up only buying some cabinet hardware for this 'spruce up'. It is hardware that we plan to reuse when we renovate the kitchen next year. <br />
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And now dear reader it is your turn to take a closer look around you, for there is always you will find, that little something you CAN do to bring beauty and light into your space.<br />
Yes, even while you wait for those grander dreams that are still yet to be.....<br />
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To read more about the breakfast room makeover go <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/06/sometimes-those-walls-must-come-down.html">here</a>. If you like the quote print on the wall learn how to make one <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/06/cheap-ikea-art-transformed.html">here</a>.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee;">I just found out that I was added to<a href="http://www.involvingcolor.com/"> Involving Color's</a> Room Gallery!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee;"> Hop on over there and check out all the lovely homes she has featured.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee;">I am also linking this post to <a href="http://blog.addicted2decorating.com/">Addicted to Decorating</a> and <a href="http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/">Homework</a> link party.</span></div></div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-2144014514656254232011-07-07T15:35:00.024-05:002011-07-11T02:42:27.931-05:00WWYD? To Part With It or Not..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">That is the question.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBMeo8Rcetp2u-p91u8NIh5ZNWiwa_veMNPpSFXv1T_qI-rkb2_r7vwH_70C1nm7pHR5hDAX-wqyVNn11DpwO3AZYavxfeJrKpwbxrwESAGcpedjCGe_wkoKZllM4EkAsCcp2g0TzTFn8/s1600/little+desk+2+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBMeo8Rcetp2u-p91u8NIh5ZNWiwa_veMNPpSFXv1T_qI-rkb2_r7vwH_70C1nm7pHR5hDAX-wqyVNn11DpwO3AZYavxfeJrKpwbxrwESAGcpedjCGe_wkoKZllM4EkAsCcp2g0TzTFn8/s400/little+desk+2+001.JPG" width="371" /></a></div><br />
This little rolltop desk of mine is a constant reminder to our family of the importance of faith. Yes, this one little ol' desk that I bought while living in a tiny two bedroom apartment , is a testament to the fact that resilience is buried deep within us, that hope is the last thing to die.<br />
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You see after 10 years of living in a little red 1950's ranch house, where all three of my babies were born, we were forced to sell. It was necessary, but oh what a trial the trying to sell became. Four weeks into the big housing market crash three years ago our realtor put the sign out on the front lawn, and we prayed for a miracle. The miracle came exactly one year later.<br />
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One whole year of trying to keep an old house in perfect condition for prospective buyers, with three little boys underfoot. One whole year of hopes dashed time and time again. There are no words, my friends, to adequately describe that year.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Blurry picture of the retro kitchen we lovingly remodeled in that little red house)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYN5DpoTCHsEtElikhtmU8gkbzlH0XTnW8o0Coco0wOxFLEMX2qe_tQ1LimO02viKBafP1CGuKpMPh-uuLtm-YLCfqu1CbHsI8d8z_roFecPKIHHe2bf5mIJD_xG0JNqO2jPmdmyfrmY2/s1600/red+house+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYN5DpoTCHsEtElikhtmU8gkbzlH0XTnW8o0Coco0wOxFLEMX2qe_tQ1LimO02viKBafP1CGuKpMPh-uuLtm-YLCfqu1CbHsI8d8z_roFecPKIHHe2bf5mIJD_xG0JNqO2jPmdmyfrmY2/s640/red+house+kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
But finally the much awaited moment arrived, the house was sold and we put all our possessions in a storage unit. We thought we would surely find a new house in no time at all and so the only things that went into the two bedroom, temporary apartment we rented were our mattresses, on the floor of course, and our clothes. Little did we know that the wait in that small apartment would stretch into thirteen whole months.<br />
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Here are two of my boys Christmas morning in the aforementioned apartment, five months into our house search. Note furniture-less living room and plain tree, devoid of beloved ornaments and a tree skirt, that were at the time buried somewhere deep in the storage unit. (My eldest with his retainer on, just lovely!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Nf9frRAdX4Kk9CiT5Rphy3WpQFouNf3tjkO1LyDMZmwkre1RgyzD_uQd6Cyjs66TFc0AZwHl86YKUq-u8D5ffuCxtCDMyLfLkUycJg_bTbHp4ssZveOqcOT76rELSbXHAG_3X5aJMZEI/s1600/228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Nf9frRAdX4Kk9CiT5Rphy3WpQFouNf3tjkO1LyDMZmwkre1RgyzD_uQd6Cyjs66TFc0AZwHl86YKUq-u8D5ffuCxtCDMyLfLkUycJg_bTbHp4ssZveOqcOT76rELSbXHAG_3X5aJMZEI/s640/228.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Around month number six, when frustration levels were mounting and despair was starting to set in I decided that for all our sakes I needed to make an attitude adjustment. I calmly announced to the four men in my life that I would begin searching for furniture for our new home. Yes, furniture for the new home that was as of yet nowhere in the horizon. It was a leap of faith, a way of holding on to a dream. The furniture would consist of pieces I could transform with a little paint once we had a garage again . I loaded our three small children in the mini van and the treasure hunt began.<br />
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The first piece I bought was the small desk. I lugged it up the stairs to our second floor walk up and immediately began searching for items to display on it. Decorating that desk top became for me a much needed creative outlet during those remaining months, it kept me sane. The children began to look forward to seeing a new arrangement atop it every few days or so and even the mister complimented my efforts regularly. <br />
Here it is in all its unpainted glory on the eighth month of our apartment stay.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJX9MoApTQrjFBfPOUC1wqY9j4_RM89FXdNia9VYt8UEeFnCTPpEadQO-vpCw6Bcq4roUloZU8L5rpUQsC0HZ_9y3nauyWC79hSEYXCFd6qMcEHJLqwbNvHCEr0xcCrG_cq8AMCzXSOW6J/s1600/219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJX9MoApTQrjFBfPOUC1wqY9j4_RM89FXdNia9VYt8UEeFnCTPpEadQO-vpCw6Bcq4roUloZU8L5rpUQsC0HZ_9y3nauyWC79hSEYXCFd6qMcEHJLqwbNvHCEr0xcCrG_cq8AMCzXSOW6J/s400/219.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
On month number thirteen the time came to say goodbye to that small apartment. We had a house again! I promptly painted the little desk upon moving in and found a place for it between two wing chairs in the formal living area even though I knew a larger piece of furniture was what the space really needed. I did not want to part with it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBMeo8Rcetp2u-p91u8NIh5ZNWiwa_veMNPpSFXv1T_qI-rkb2_r7vwH_70C1nm7pHR5hDAX-wqyVNn11DpwO3AZYavxfeJrKpwbxrwESAGcpedjCGe_wkoKZllM4EkAsCcp2g0TzTFn8/s1600/little+desk+2+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBMeo8Rcetp2u-p91u8NIh5ZNWiwa_veMNPpSFXv1T_qI-rkb2_r7vwH_70C1nm7pHR5hDAX-wqyVNn11DpwO3AZYavxfeJrKpwbxrwESAGcpedjCGe_wkoKZllM4EkAsCcp2g0TzTFn8/s400/little+desk+2+001.JPG" width="371" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Now I have in my garage, waiting patiently, the perfect large piece for that space. But what to do with the little desk? Another good spot for it in the house cannot be found and it is only used nowadays to hold the countless 'treasures' the boys find at the park each day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweFIdTLZwyymnp8cCGtOcR0XKvHOb5krbKdRIYjAzOZ0Gh7VfOAzsVmdM0NohnlImUc2ibfE5u7oDW3Xo7HSQvqm6u1HtTDYJ7wGzp_7c8bI30lZQlJrux__3uozNrQWzdn9D0VZg95v1/s1600/little+desk+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweFIdTLZwyymnp8cCGtOcR0XKvHOb5krbKdRIYjAzOZ0Gh7VfOAzsVmdM0NohnlImUc2ibfE5u7oDW3Xo7HSQvqm6u1HtTDYJ7wGzp_7c8bI30lZQlJrux__3uozNrQWzdn9D0VZg95v1/s640/little+desk+021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BjBdN9uWbwY5MM8mCL8ZujW9yAvbfqL52Hz3hqCd8pnSstDue1aC5v3uo0o57aAJtI9Y1DB-cWFCGzDREW3ZHflSLLOBSBsKXFKx8IIGVmXv5dFac_tHeD7M0fNDhuVGHF9liXSL5sqX/s1600/little+desk+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Butterflies and bark and other woodsy finds... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiii-ZBfTpTvTu41ITpTdGvmoQEE63motw69rzxdL3Fxb4lbyLkdijn0rrTmm0_yKo4BUpaJ-EiVwIVKy69CT471vkL0rrFsUSIAC8-K31tkwe1v2gz7N7ZJgwVb2sinazs6x1RGKONF9xs/s1600/little+desk+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiii-ZBfTpTvTu41ITpTdGvmoQEE63motw69rzxdL3Fxb4lbyLkdijn0rrTmm0_yKo4BUpaJ-EiVwIVKy69CT471vkL0rrFsUSIAC8-K31tkwe1v2gz7N7ZJgwVb2sinazs6x1RGKONF9xs/s640/little+desk+023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">and yet to me it serves another purpose. It serves to tell the story of a particular season in our lives, a season where clinging to faith was all we had, a season that taught me lessons I do not want to soon forget.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">Have you had to part with any one piece of furniture that for you had great sentimental value?</span><br />
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UQWPLA5Gu8CRJmc5RKpZ2_Ai2LBpbaTc67B5fi4djThoxvciBDPI58PIOkJqDBtGsBuiWwcv8sA2PxlKCkrv0M3f5o3wGWOYjFRwvOEvniQrrgRewgxOwzwgAbB_jmYCm4QTVzXKjQ/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UQWPLA5Gu8CRJmc5RKpZ2_Ai2LBpbaTc67B5fi4djThoxvciBDPI58PIOkJqDBtGsBuiWwcv8sA2PxlKCkrv0M3f5o3wGWOYjFRwvOEvniQrrgRewgxOwzwgAbB_jmYCm4QTVzXKjQ/" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/" target="_blank"><img alt="Stuff and Nonsense" border="0" src="http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/alison94/frenchbluesquare-3-1.jpg" /></a></center>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-78114871672193302142011-07-03T12:00:00.019-05:002011-07-09T08:12:03.832-05:00How To Paint Particleboard / Laminate Furniture<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Remember these sturdy Broyhill bookcases I got on Craigslist for our schoolroom? Well, they were hiding a little secret....<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcXPR8Zb0xboFMrm5qqy__ZCjE4-GfYfM5R3Jdt_zJomT3sB3-F50rwwFqheEjqwBVjtye0VPOMVfQI_dBrzcjbPL08tRQbaEaSwIJO_XOjRoZQ8hVVqi2y239EwjbSSb5hGj-gzGmDJb/s1600/Old+bs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcXPR8Zb0xboFMrm5qqy__ZCjE4-GfYfM5R3Jdt_zJomT3sB3-F50rwwFqheEjqwBVjtye0VPOMVfQI_dBrzcjbPL08tRQbaEaSwIJO_XOjRoZQ8hVVqi2y239EwjbSSb5hGj-gzGmDJb/s640/Old+bs.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
While the front and the drawers were made out of real wood, the sides, shelves and backs were made out of what I like to call the fake stuff. Yup, there was particleboard all over the place!<br />
After seeing this inspiring image....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI4GRDqt3_x9Kz6L79sXjizb6Fum1sCR9W-Yqy1Fe8OyYi0xjx6W1-vtDWZddvZS4YCISnGCgVs6YcEBBrgusyY8j5jMlwJ6y8KUNyZZR8KdwDb7xksSj0w1H5dUYF2za7gKtfhqc-bKX/s1600/Thanksgiving+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjfxX6nOuLLBgIiHHdrWg-7X8jf5MQVwVcE-QQIiaH_ERlQjrUoZ88fLDmwJfNovIsydW6JIssUQ2jo-Ud4BqA2PiQR3KYfMlwqApCI4-BXXW60NfW1NxdZgvQJzYgyZwRg7eGGs6Jz8U/s400/kids_rooms_desk_xl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I decided that painting those babies white and putting them on either side of the window was just the thing to do. But what about the fake stuff? I knew from the start that the paint job needed to be indestructible. It needed to withstand three boys and the constant friction of books and other school items for the next 15 years. ha! Yeah, I did NOT want chipping paint and since we were dealing with particleboard (laminated wood?) I decided to do a little research. I combined the advice of different painting experts just to be on the safe side (I was scared remember :-) I bought what I needed and took the plunge.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI4GRDqt3_x9Kz6L79sXjizb6Fum1sCR9W-Yqy1Fe8OyYi0xjx6W1-vtDWZddvZS4YCISnGCgVs6YcEBBrgusyY8j5jMlwJ6y8KUNyZZR8KdwDb7xksSj0w1H5dUYF2za7gKtfhqc-bKX/s1600/Thanksgiving+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI4GRDqt3_x9Kz6L79sXjizb6Fum1sCR9W-Yqy1Fe8OyYi0xjx6W1-vtDWZddvZS4YCISnGCgVs6YcEBBrgusyY8j5jMlwJ6y8KUNyZZR8KdwDb7xksSj0w1H5dUYF2za7gKtfhqc-bKX/s640/Thanksgiving+033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Here they are after eight months of daily use, nary a scratch to be seen....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Jj8SsZqdrP1BLZkJQ-55e0B6ZEtd9as6G683jNTETOtX6VeO7mOI803FRGD6QrYcSSybwSAuNsxYekQNyueGtStWugx7XS_2YXSQLiXpiFjbr1J3bFM6CMyHpcViKxC9OLig8PyKuebu/s1600/schoolroom+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Jj8SsZqdrP1BLZkJQ-55e0B6ZEtd9as6G683jNTETOtX6VeO7mOI803FRGD6QrYcSSybwSAuNsxYekQNyueGtStWugx7XS_2YXSQLiXpiFjbr1J3bFM6CMyHpcViKxC9OLig8PyKuebu/s640/schoolroom+093.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I was so impressed that I recently painted our dining room table using the same process even though it is made out of solid wood. I did not even sand it beforehand!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Before</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOezO_tZsQp_OgtmeV0coHQj8FSuCrUoec827mHy7EBSbRTeZjxDuPNImmKLeLgFdJiAg0E0zAkLC8fRWmUGOIFODfrd4TEuPpui-hE7CohBK6c5RetKQS0OOiDT76NK8_Dnc4Wpunq0W/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOezO_tZsQp_OgtmeV0coHQj8FSuCrUoec827mHy7EBSbRTeZjxDuPNImmKLeLgFdJiAg0E0zAkLC8fRWmUGOIFODfrd4TEuPpui-hE7CohBK6c5RetKQS0OOiDT76NK8_Dnc4Wpunq0W/s640/056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">After</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWzhJOk6-2pJ7RcikFloMRQyxTg2Gl8zp8-oYM7VQ8ycHKRWC2ZU7x5hkAMX1QtD7YWyDlFDsiqtflRAT8aFugKH_FAgaJ_OkAg5NlKoyEb93LN5YGmz69yCmdVLEqgxs5SJxwzL9Dg6X/s1600/better+dining+room+pics+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWzhJOk6-2pJ7RcikFloMRQyxTg2Gl8zp8-oYM7VQ8ycHKRWC2ZU7x5hkAMX1QtD7YWyDlFDsiqtflRAT8aFugKH_FAgaJ_OkAg5NlKoyEb93LN5YGmz69yCmdVLEqgxs5SJxwzL9Dg6X/s640/better+dining+room+pics+056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is the scoop on how I did it: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">First I cleaned the bookcases thoroughly with a damp cloth. I then applied two coats of this primer...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVtdN9QOkrXOcdDH5utk1sqwfdbobhXqXummKlW4Nu8TYzC-GQ0ci-NWwWXomX5Y2L6-hCKpwpIYaL_4yOBQhLzNjDTSDHzWmGY_7QX7kP86TBAWTJj8PsS_YFS2OZAooMmVF5szzGdSp/s1600/primer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVtdN9QOkrXOcdDH5utk1sqwfdbobhXqXummKlW4Nu8TYzC-GQ0ci-NWwWXomX5Y2L6-hCKpwpIYaL_4yOBQhLzNjDTSDHzWmGY_7QX7kP86TBAWTJj8PsS_YFS2OZAooMmVF5szzGdSp/s400/primer.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">This <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/buy/paint/primers/zinsser/cover-stain-oil-base-primer-sealer-1-quart-98106.html">oil based primer</a> is key! It allows you to prime without sanding or 'roughing up' the particleboard beforehand. The odor is strong so I only use it out in the garage with the door fully opened. I would not use it indoors, especially if you have little ones running around. To apply the two coats of primer I used a small foam roller similar to this one..</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW6wthTEV3zTQWd002S-DRdZUUkOMxNJvgMYuKkomyEtVdROsYbf6dIRjWAd7MU5cSUW0bA1Bxj9O1VWjjb3G1n4KUOkkcXmmaQAjTUdXR9ZgdB8uSwt38tSXcQ6wVYNp85vGMePTNKWG/s1600/foam+roller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW6wthTEV3zTQWd002S-DRdZUUkOMxNJvgMYuKkomyEtVdROsYbf6dIRjWAd7MU5cSUW0bA1Bxj9O1VWjjb3G1n4KUOkkcXmmaQAjTUdXR9ZgdB8uSwt38tSXcQ6wVYNp85vGMePTNKWG/s400/foam+roller.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ip8NuPnfd12QrfznslAM0MG4Mo4AV9QXCx-nbgAzFisGLntQ7JnQITTAGcPmksKCs11xCje00gUT-cTcDUIWa04k77SUdocM-t9aOzxLB37JWK_fk0b_tFJLXfHwcpCTyOxDbocg0tAh/s1600/Olympic+paint.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">This primer dries quickly, in about 2 hours, but I waited 12 hours between coats as a precaution. After all the priming was done I applied one coat of Olympic's Zero-voc, white, latex paint in semigloss. It can be found at Lowes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ip8NuPnfd12QrfznslAM0MG4Mo4AV9QXCx-nbgAzFisGLntQ7JnQITTAGcPmksKCs11xCje00gUT-cTcDUIWa04k77SUdocM-t9aOzxLB37JWK_fk0b_tFJLXfHwcpCTyOxDbocg0tAh/s1600/Olympic+paint.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ip8NuPnfd12QrfznslAM0MG4Mo4AV9QXCx-nbgAzFisGLntQ7JnQITTAGcPmksKCs11xCje00gUT-cTcDUIWa04k77SUdocM-t9aOzxLB37JWK_fk0b_tFJLXfHwcpCTyOxDbocg0tAh/s400/Olympic+paint.png" width="341" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the paint was fully cured I applied two coats of Varathane Floor Finish, waiting about 12 hours between coats. It was boiling hot and bone dry here in Texas when I worked on this project, so it took only three days for the paint to cure. If you try this project in a cool or humid climate you might want to wait a bit longer for the paint to dry.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZirstTyl_i6DQB5TIHr0HidfeYH0Al4Zbk_7_wxA7qr0VOlAlYc7v32gLfVFdKubZjQXbslnnR9UoGrtGXKFb43qhBnim-RKMtBIgt3x5FZWDfg7FDtaijgvyxn75ZRTbrNwm7lzwEsn/s1600/house+improvements+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZirstTyl_i6DQB5TIHr0HidfeYH0Al4Zbk_7_wxA7qr0VOlAlYc7v32gLfVFdKubZjQXbslnnR9UoGrtGXKFb43qhBnim-RKMtBIgt3x5FZWDfg7FDtaijgvyxn75ZRTbrNwm7lzwEsn/s400/house+improvements+047.JPG" width="356" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I used the brand Varathane recommended by the talented Holly from </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.inthefunlane.com/">Life in the Fun Lane</a> . It has not yellowed the white paint yet and it is so easy to apply! I now coat all my painted pieces with it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> So with just a little elbow grease the bookcases, fake stuff and all, went from this..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcXPR8Zb0xboFMrm5qqy__ZCjE4-GfYfM5R3Jdt_zJomT3sB3-F50rwwFqheEjqwBVjtye0VPOMVfQI_dBrzcjbPL08tRQbaEaSwIJO_XOjRoZQ8hVVqi2y239EwjbSSb5hGj-gzGmDJb/s1600/Old+bs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcXPR8Zb0xboFMrm5qqy__ZCjE4-GfYfM5R3Jdt_zJomT3sB3-F50rwwFqheEjqwBVjtye0VPOMVfQI_dBrzcjbPL08tRQbaEaSwIJO_XOjRoZQ8hVVqi2y239EwjbSSb5hGj-gzGmDJb/s640/Old+bs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">to this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Jj8SsZqdrP1BLZkJQ-55e0B6ZEtd9as6G683jNTETOtX6VeO7mOI803FRGD6QrYcSSybwSAuNsxYekQNyueGtStWugx7XS_2YXSQLiXpiFjbr1J3bFM6CMyHpcViKxC9OLig8PyKuebu/s1600/schoolroom+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Jj8SsZqdrP1BLZkJQ-55e0B6ZEtd9as6G683jNTETOtX6VeO7mOI803FRGD6QrYcSSybwSAuNsxYekQNyueGtStWugx7XS_2YXSQLiXpiFjbr1J3bFM6CMyHpcViKxC9OLig8PyKuebu/s640/schoolroom+093.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>and best of all they have withstood the test of time amazingly well!<br />
I am more than happy to answer any questions in the comments section below so ask away. If you want to see more of my makeovers go <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/04/fireplace-remodel-before-and-after-with.html">here</a> or <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/06/sometimes-those-walls-must-come-down.html">here</a> or even <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/06/making-chalkboard-for-childs-room.html">here</a> :) Happy painting everyone!<br />
<br />
Linking up to <a href="http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/2011/07/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-link.html">Miss Mustard Seed</a>. </div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com310tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-9272640572842249332011-06-28T17:04:00.037-05:002011-07-22T12:09:57.605-05:00Sometimes Those Walls Must Come Down!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">As I stepped through the front door of this house with the realtor for our initial walk through I immediately thought "Houston, we have a problem", you could see the kitchen sink from the front door! Now I don't know about you but as a homeschooling momma of three lets just say my kitchen sink is not the first thing I want people to see when they walk into our home! Below I drew the layout of that part of the house so you can get a better idea of what I am talking about.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yKsaKDu3oVRbzgEvlJjDnUo2V_w424Yewuz15UWjRG5Q-2P36Fr31to_1Ki2k6lKY2095c0zkVbfw3ISkdHDc3xIACiQ5KkjbixjFaPt3MXtWYzxaZ3JFtfYXPl9vz0shsYuR2STFY6S/s1600/planos+front+area1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yKsaKDu3oVRbzgEvlJjDnUo2V_w424Yewuz15UWjRG5Q-2P36Fr31to_1Ki2k6lKY2095c0zkVbfw3ISkdHDc3xIACiQ5KkjbixjFaPt3MXtWYzxaZ3JFtfYXPl9vz0shsYuR2STFY6S/s640/planos+front+area1.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
This is how the dining area looked on that first day we saw the house with our realtor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZiqrg1CMJf2QvHrnd_XJAZVtmTthn6X_8vAEx508V2JwYJf0ZzY5ghEs9lnKgyW1FvGWFQJYasoGrj2LsthtcARvetxGjcnnc3Vrb27-OVysO-e4WMtw4F_3r3-AMCTNmguhbaq_HPIM/s1600/dining+room+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZiqrg1CMJf2QvHrnd_XJAZVtmTthn6X_8vAEx508V2JwYJf0ZzY5ghEs9lnKgyW1FvGWFQJYasoGrj2LsthtcARvetxGjcnnc3Vrb27-OVysO-e4WMtw4F_3r3-AMCTNmguhbaq_HPIM/s640/dining+room+before.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
As we conducted the house tour I quickly realized that we could make a wider opening to the right of the kitchen doorway since the breakfast nook was on the other side. Oh what difference it would make, I was sure of it! I loved the location of this particular house above all the others I had seen and I knew we could more or less transform the whole feel of the house with just that one simple (not so simple?;)) change. This is what it looked like after hubby removed the old carpet and tore that section of the wall down to create the new opening.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLY_VO7oy93SowvxDrTCkwWCar5zDp9nHRP59ikppRMGQd24BKG2QyXXUaWsfOvV8pKD-7xWUsdeT1fkopLUNIYiqxbs4DrP8sLDBUw7oAvtnSTCtBrtasNaZ0UYkzdAKTqQzyZMYDRm_G/s1600/Thanksgiving+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLY_VO7oy93SowvxDrTCkwWCar5zDp9nHRP59ikppRMGQd24BKG2QyXXUaWsfOvV8pKD-7xWUsdeT1fkopLUNIYiqxbs4DrP8sLDBUw7oAvtnSTCtBrtasNaZ0UYkzdAKTqQzyZMYDRm_G/s640/Thanksgiving+053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Former entrance patched up and flooring being installed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdb4q35rAwv1fpjRRr914OoeJ9pZeUbFL8niHmPf93OsL55zkPzd-L69eXh7fHapZl7e9ChGBQt2kNvPPzJfp2W3W1U0M6ZGoVcUwix2DMJ-ayuYYG95d0A-xfVbSm2vlmstZDlu9nY8j/s1600/Thanksgiving+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdb4q35rAwv1fpjRRr914OoeJ9pZeUbFL8niHmPf93OsL55zkPzd-L69eXh7fHapZl7e9ChGBQt2kNvPPzJfp2W3W1U0M6ZGoVcUwix2DMJ-ayuYYG95d0A-xfVbSm2vlmstZDlu9nY8j/s640/Thanksgiving+065.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We decided to make the spot where the former entrance was a big slate colored chalkboard and painted all the other walls a light cream color. We also painted the dining table and chairs in Creamy a Sherwin Williams color. To read more about how we painted them without sanding go <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/painting-particle-board-laminate.html">here</a>. <br />
I still have to move the chandelier and hem the curtains but we are so glad to have most of it done! Here is the after (So sorry for the glare created by the windows. I love all the light that streams through them during the day but it is not good for picture taking!)<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: small;">Before</span></i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZiqrg1CMJf2QvHrnd_XJAZVtmTthn6X_8vAEx508V2JwYJf0ZzY5ghEs9lnKgyW1FvGWFQJYasoGrj2LsthtcARvetxGjcnnc3Vrb27-OVysO-e4WMtw4F_3r3-AMCTNmguhbaq_HPIM/s1600/dining+room+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZiqrg1CMJf2QvHrnd_XJAZVtmTthn6X_8vAEx508V2JwYJf0ZzY5ghEs9lnKgyW1FvGWFQJYasoGrj2LsthtcARvetxGjcnnc3Vrb27-OVysO-e4WMtw4F_3r3-AMCTNmguhbaq_HPIM/s640/dining+room+before.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<i><b>After</b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUULbxGokH_wu_AP9-CA2Cv6s4gCzbW9VO8l5Lci-5KmUUNBf7_lk34BZbsdMfXEjzMvgQEgvka6DJElf7sqhIeD2fNew7KbmWGAbA8aeYU4HhfC8cqAVEjecMH2Y1G0dCy7189bOM1RcL/s1600/better+dining+room+pics+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__uQYS1LBEOXUwR3etY-9BFEbq6B3DBvT2LgAe1lCAEBgSoWNvJ4xuSuzJ8UwDeFgVMfWgkMBqqWDixNkaNUsoLjyLg9qzzlskKqahOyfbERLrHZ9FFBE5v8bALtML3E1K5IpcEQht8iW/s1600/better+dining+room+pics+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__uQYS1LBEOXUwR3etY-9BFEbq6B3DBvT2LgAe1lCAEBgSoWNvJ4xuSuzJ8UwDeFgVMfWgkMBqqWDixNkaNUsoLjyLg9qzzlskKqahOyfbERLrHZ9FFBE5v8bALtML3E1K5IpcEQht8iW/s640/better+dining+room+pics+056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>A better view of the wall to the left.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6qLhWK8kXSDblf1GLBJdq647iyDpjKHh5Ju1ka2m3MmGENq3S5Y1BMSHqu_1Fha10opX9angU_qrA0Sk_D-hY75XCRp4p80UD_0iwNFkli3H3-X_xY6uSAirkrzdhXYkH9sMptHwJAhi/s1600/better+dining+room+pics+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6qLhWK8kXSDblf1GLBJdq647iyDpjKHh5Ju1ka2m3MmGENq3S5Y1BMSHqu_1Fha10opX9angU_qrA0Sk_D-hY75XCRp4p80UD_0iwNFkli3H3-X_xY6uSAirkrzdhXYkH9sMptHwJAhi/s640/better+dining+room+pics+066.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<i><b>Before ( Looking in from the breakfast nook side, realtor picture ) </b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjQN4zIQ4ovcBHJl2HOz5HY_z_V8cBDQ_wb6n-BYRiwmRXUupa_WzeFx5S6Iy49NzWkk0txAQnKiezl8Q4RA1Jruqmnui-ZhTGiv8MeVjb9QX0Js3Ek4p7a_PRG3xQi1HatyrXMUKqZFb/s1600/260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjQN4zIQ4ovcBHJl2HOz5HY_z_V8cBDQ_wb6n-BYRiwmRXUupa_WzeFx5S6Iy49NzWkk0txAQnKiezl8Q4RA1Jruqmnui-ZhTGiv8MeVjb9QX0Js3Ek4p7a_PRG3xQi1HatyrXMUKqZFb/s640/260.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8n14MkhXUBlcc4CmNbggVm2s18-WfMWDjEdVZHRwM6T2xIAaWPRPHrtxSGhqwg6aNUSQ9AEK_QoiDZe0fEyJA9nMlLtLxawFbAotarDYbSlV5HAmZM5hLHR38TdQcBobAWzsyuojIR_uT/s1600/260.JPG" imageanchor="1"><br />
</a></div><br />
<i><b>After</b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhwqBcoAwZncgMAJdYp91vFF8duplSK_f-xl0LVcNdIQc9x7L74cE2ptEFZ43rBFPmTdDdRr6RZXOHE2rrqy-WVUf3VtDgTKrEWxCMqcHK6YKScqrbp1KGq5CTm7Cjs3y_rDMAEqIUAhP/s1600/breajfast+nook2+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhwqBcoAwZncgMAJdYp91vFF8duplSK_f-xl0LVcNdIQc9x7L74cE2ptEFZ43rBFPmTdDdRr6RZXOHE2rrqy-WVUf3VtDgTKrEWxCMqcHK6YKScqrbp1KGq5CTm7Cjs3y_rDMAEqIUAhP/s640/breajfast+nook2+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b><i>Close up of opening</i></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSii3PSZZTGPldjVHcNRdggvQarvSkpd-H1zk9AmovOA9ITwsQD9oHMiTCUDs1PxyFGFprpEas7RJmnr3eKsQJqtQxg9cVSeVsXgQGOzfoO5AS_7I9YRxnTLBaP4fCk5C8UNLskBmTlMj/s1600/last+ikea+art+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSii3PSZZTGPldjVHcNRdggvQarvSkpd-H1zk9AmovOA9ITwsQD9oHMiTCUDs1PxyFGFprpEas7RJmnr3eKsQJqtQxg9cVSeVsXgQGOzfoO5AS_7I9YRxnTLBaP4fCk5C8UNLskBmTlMj/s640/last+ikea+art+021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Moral of the story? Don't be afraid to tear down a wall (or two), sometimes it can make all the difference!<br />
If you like the print on the breakfast nook wall learn how to make it <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/06/cheap-ikea-art-transformed.html">here</a>. You can also see more of our makeovers, Before and After's <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/04/fireplace-remodel-before-and-after-with.html">here</a> and <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/06/making-chalkboard-for-childs-room.html">here</a>. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I am linking up to <a href="http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com/2011/07/paint-please-link-partyoh-and-my-table.html">Modern Country</a>. Check out her blog for lots of inspiration!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-58549141314664044022011-06-23T12:32:00.015-05:002011-07-11T03:56:32.707-05:00Cheap Ikea Art Transformed!Have you ever bought something even though your insides were screaming WRONG! for the space you had in mind? I am usually a cautious shopper who thinks and rethinks every purchase but a trip to Ikea on Memorial Day (think throngs of shoppers, long lines, three boys and a Mr. who could think of a million more appealing things to do on a holiday etc.) found me at the front of the checkout line (finally!) with a cart full of Ribba frames and you guessed it, <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60193307">this piece of art</a>, that I knew in my heart of hearts would be totally wrong for our home. I stood there unsure of what to do as the cashier rung up the frames at lightning speed. Just as he picked up the item in question I looked at the Mr., who, as if reading my doubt riddled mind, quickly mouthed in my direction "We can return it later.." and calmly proceeded to pay for the purchase. And just like that the deed was done and I became the reluctant owner of a cheap piece of art I knew not what to do with.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb__u2bCjGIGIjU5WRYYJJuJNDisPSpg8OHgz9lrcQYRM6MX9ZhqEDBbxme75_ca5E3N-qdjL0m1A89w2OOpDRqFkv18_bBSpbqs5I8-NzqsERLhUQ8i6pM16v4ouGHfeT9oHJBZJrhUQO/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb__u2bCjGIGIjU5WRYYJJuJNDisPSpg8OHgz9lrcQYRM6MX9ZhqEDBbxme75_ca5E3N-qdjL0m1A89w2OOpDRqFkv18_bBSpbqs5I8-NzqsERLhUQ8i6pM16v4ouGHfeT9oHJBZJrhUQO/s640/013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The nearest Ikea store is 45 min. away so it did not make sense to return it. Since I really liked the overall size for the breakfast nook wall and the hanging hardware attached to the back was very sturdy, I decided not to throw it away and coated it with primer instead. After first coat....(I used two coats)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdLeiOEU7oZCD2ScwerB4TZh24ffNJg3E8ifIk_la1nyz0JY78AIkkE__8wCmByO-vd0yCegazMptnH4HYP82bijSibRH_arujaQ9BJOX1yTYRkkI5uNQnlkgY-npLdObutOEuiCn7lsT/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdLeiOEU7oZCD2ScwerB4TZh24ffNJg3E8ifIk_la1nyz0JY78AIkkE__8wCmByO-vd0yCegazMptnH4HYP82bijSibRH_arujaQ9BJOX1yTYRkkI5uNQnlkgY-npLdObutOEuiCn7lsT/s640/032.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I am really loving a quote by Albert Camus that really speaks to what our family has discovered while going through a difficult time in our lives (you can read more about that <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/wwyd-to-part-with-it-or-not.html">here</a>). I painted the whole board burnt yellow and used white acrylic paint for the lettering. I first tried using a stencil but did not like the perfectly uniform look. I wanted more of a free style so I lightly wrote out the letters myself in pencil and then painted over them with white acrylic paint.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHQDY-NGNO7HJ1HfEwgnrJivvjgGyW-oVst_hc64KzIIXl2PNag6KrO64IF3O_QzZiUhXedNtmyBP_iG6MGXO2IQ0LtbuDsr1t4JejL4FkQarB1pjTyGsRawCnpZrPIwyTnilKkD2om9h/s1600/projects+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHQDY-NGNO7HJ1HfEwgnrJivvjgGyW-oVst_hc64KzIIXl2PNag6KrO64IF3O_QzZiUhXedNtmyBP_iG6MGXO2IQ0LtbuDsr1t4JejL4FkQarB1pjTyGsRawCnpZrPIwyTnilKkD2om9h/s640/projects+047.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I am by no means experienced when it comes to creating wall art so I was pleasantly surprised when it actually turned out to be something I wanted to display!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSii3PSZZTGPldjVHcNRdggvQarvSkpd-H1zk9AmovOA9ITwsQD9oHMiTCUDs1PxyFGFprpEas7RJmnr3eKsQJqtQxg9cVSeVsXgQGOzfoO5AS_7I9YRxnTLBaP4fCk5C8UNLskBmTlMj/s1600/last+ikea+art+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSii3PSZZTGPldjVHcNRdggvQarvSkpd-H1zk9AmovOA9ITwsQD9oHMiTCUDs1PxyFGFprpEas7RJmnr3eKsQJqtQxg9cVSeVsXgQGOzfoO5AS_7I9YRxnTLBaP4fCk5C8UNLskBmTlMj/s640/last+ikea+art+021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
another angle...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhwqBcoAwZncgMAJdYp91vFF8duplSK_f-xl0LVcNdIQc9x7L74cE2ptEFZ43rBFPmTdDdRr6RZXOHE2rrqy-WVUf3VtDgTKrEWxCMqcHK6YKScqrbp1KGq5CTm7Cjs3y_rDMAEqIUAhP/s1600/breajfast+nook2+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhwqBcoAwZncgMAJdYp91vFF8duplSK_f-xl0LVcNdIQc9x7L74cE2ptEFZ43rBFPmTdDdRr6RZXOHE2rrqy-WVUf3VtDgTKrEWxCMqcHK6YKScqrbp1KGq5CTm7Cjs3y_rDMAEqIUAhP/s640/breajfast+nook2+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If you want to see the print in living colah' watch the short video below. My dear sister was visiting us from New Jersey and so the family gathered at my house for the weekend. While reminiscing about our childhood my brother and sister decided to try a clapping game we loved as children . Hilarious I tell you! The print is in the background... <br />
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</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uHVA3R-euM4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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The primer I used was Olympic's No VOC Primer and the burnt yellow was a sample of Behr's Wild Bamboo with some brown acrylic paint I mixed in. What items have you dramatically altered lately?<br />
To check out our different makeovers with before and after pictures go <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/p/house-tour.html">here</a>.<br />
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I am linking up to <a href="http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/">Boogie Board Cottage</a> and <a href="http://creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/">C.R.A.F.T.</a>. Please visit them for lots of inspiration!Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-18098271783005434812011-06-21T13:40:00.037-05:002011-07-17T16:55:43.353-05:00Fireplace Makeover With Details and Before and After Pictures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you have a fireplace that is an outdated eyesore? Here is how we updated ours without removing a single brick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Before </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXCyFSntn4jPSPjDOd9HEylHW-89mK9f4K8JgqHwPyqkOp8wzdBLhQx9ViBEH4XeSibDpFBIfdd7rjK4P0r5Bv7Z4TjazaufxARg3Op5V8KTg2BQp3a3njAXJtz1l6liTaZ16bbXz4pip/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXCyFSntn4jPSPjDOd9HEylHW-89mK9f4K8JgqHwPyqkOp8wzdBLhQx9ViBEH4XeSibDpFBIfdd7rjK4P0r5Bv7Z4TjazaufxARg3Op5V8KTg2BQp3a3njAXJtz1l6liTaZ16bbXz4pip/s640/005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i><span style="font-size: large;">Before</span></i> (realtor pic from our initial house walk through)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8iyF8sg21X7MFYeeoQlDVbefdMOJf3j1lCLU9kHjighs9OuWuvUS4lTmf6zmlioCXoLRh6De-sSh-sD5ce-B2fVVqr6TFwaSdzUwqMK7VWf5QjD98wP5TBxzI0Low-2MCOyOwHcElJFX/s640/Picture1.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9F5a8pr1Fwk5qvjXZ46snHgvCHtnlaae40aU_seJrYg1jryVMrW8MgkzXOTd3WfVRzAHxrhl7WhjzHR27SscRngjd4orWbYOUfuej9yrrSsRBD0G23gMZi1i0YFq3iMNPqrk9m0SP80H/s1600/snow+days+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">After</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkCFh_HXpiUmZfz5WsTJSZ9G9tX40sg3M_wDKQPMW5dI920Dn35KxulSIiafMvVTv1-N4LOQu3dENCUDOLLIAUkH_q37m2bA1W1493JrCcSr7WEetpM_IiChiQBEHCu8EVdR365qOBpYl/s1600/snow+days+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsChVRTgYRPCf8AL3KusMawr27vcfyQmfY_av374qWjJYdooVh_HVet6WrU5CKDfpP_nN9hZb5p3oPYz_nO99FZ2sOcIVqnSWo47y8cXUeM-1fopkLGwJSUDaRd7NJM5CWIyEsWEx757gt/s1600/345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsChVRTgYRPCf8AL3KusMawr27vcfyQmfY_av374qWjJYdooVh_HVet6WrU5CKDfpP_nN9hZb5p3oPYz_nO99FZ2sOcIVqnSWo47y8cXUeM-1fopkLGwJSUDaRd7NJM5CWIyEsWEx757gt/s640/345.JPG" width="570" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgS39bA5kyU2uHn3jWm4Pcpm_mJJDX9xx0TOcQ5jwhjTxO2oq8fRZ4iO_wln6m4cmI82jvykhYUT8wosL0hIUGI6G-PZdMhFEg0QIMDVp0TJ0lJOhr8g4d_vxbLzp9kC_iRswn0hyphenhyphenrT_2/s1600/living+room+2%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgS39bA5kyU2uHn3jWm4Pcpm_mJJDX9xx0TOcQ5jwhjTxO2oq8fRZ4iO_wln6m4cmI82jvykhYUT8wosL0hIUGI6G-PZdMhFEg0QIMDVp0TJ0lJOhr8g4d_vxbLzp9kC_iRswn0hyphenhyphenrT_2/s640/living+room+2%2521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This project is a good alternative for those of you that desire to give your outdated fireplace a new look without all the mess that tearing it down brick by brick would create. My husband and I had never done a project like this before and neither one of us had any carpentry experience so if we were able to do it anyone can!<br />
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This <a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/my-82-fireplace-makeover">post</a> by The Lettered Cottage started the ideas swirling in my head. I drew some pictures and haphazardly :o) covered part of the fireplace with white cardboard so that my husband could kinda see what I wanted it to look like. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWsVvoeke54GE7gj2ufMmX8yMt4q1m04Nf3g1NJ5_0zgRZZ_zPRdktxueFYoYMroD8r8HqC_iTUOdSBXdRvOuJIGrNMYJCzlnsHMnuMElvbsWJXKkzkmjzFWdCdPbP2OcRMouPvCnf4eh/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWsVvoeke54GE7gj2ufMmX8yMt4q1m04Nf3g1NJ5_0zgRZZ_zPRdktxueFYoYMroD8r8HqC_iTUOdSBXdRvOuJIGrNMYJCzlnsHMnuMElvbsWJXKkzkmjzFWdCdPbP2OcRMouPvCnf4eh/s640/008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvM2rFFoENpaahuaNmpNnPm0YzL93S4CGm0Q8_ITRC-iiT434eFCH4VBB6zMOPrJeX99eF9u1F0dVCUiymwW47Db0XsCMGSp66fEyfFtmK18slAgcJ6aDsJaAhYLG4CP9yOlHAsln8nQx/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvM2rFFoENpaahuaNmpNnPm0YzL93S4CGm0Q8_ITRC-iiT434eFCH4VBB6zMOPrJeX99eF9u1F0dVCUiymwW47Db0XsCMGSp66fEyfFtmK18slAgcJ6aDsJaAhYLG4CP9yOlHAsln8nQx/s640/011.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We ended up using..</div>about 10 furring strips<br />
6' of Crown molding <br />
6' of 3"x1" mdf<br />
5' of 1"x 4" wood<br />
liquid nails<br />
6 concrete anchors<br />
two 4' x 8' x 1/4 inch plywood luan (luan wood is a mid grade mahogany plywood)<br />
lots of caulk<br />
a bit of wood filler<br />
a jig saw<br />
a few carpenter clamps<br />
primer<br />
paint<br />
and a drill<br />
We began by attaching the furring strips to the brick facade with liquid nails (the painters tape was used to secure them to the brick while the adhesive dried) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzLPtOCd-29Hts5DmZHWTQ1cp4dd1OxUSlG__AhC1PSkaCn9b_81Wf1WhyphenhyphenNhQf-I_CZMaeulfzNhuqWWaZJp70GwgsvDPCK9L7Qw0KbeXuZeoFu2xrDMscjZf5ltlNcl1CJEUczAhc99B/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzLPtOCd-29Hts5DmZHWTQ1cp4dd1OxUSlG__AhC1PSkaCn9b_81Wf1WhyphenhyphenNhQf-I_CZMaeulfzNhuqWWaZJp70GwgsvDPCK9L7Qw0KbeXuZeoFu2xrDMscjZf5ltlNcl1CJEUczAhc99B/s640/018.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hubby also drilled two concrete anchors (pictured below) into the first and last of the furring strips for extra support.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk5_qtcUCSqpRZyHTWyMiVFcy_SIyRLyuQ3XjE_IWhQvxtjz9CvWLHDFQwr4QQtJstrxW2347Me4rytt049LZ4W4bXD4Lki9Dq8ACi14-SRy-qGHz7WPmY7b13Ss2wC6vn3HPuSibeZoC/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk5_qtcUCSqpRZyHTWyMiVFcy_SIyRLyuQ3XjE_IWhQvxtjz9CvWLHDFQwr4QQtJstrxW2347Me4rytt049LZ4W4bXD4Lki9Dq8ACi14-SRy-qGHz7WPmY7b13Ss2wC6vn3HPuSibeZoC/s640/021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nqnEi6OsgTWi_YSu4JUJfCsUq0nmPuEZog42nZh-299qeLbXWss2cuiJPxApAU3DRR7gAGIkd0ol3y91T8B54oz7IPKcDuwc-ZnLUEcdOIHrmDnt3phP3YxDzysK-GVPP9K7-rWnUd-V/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nqnEi6OsgTWi_YSu4JUJfCsUq0nmPuEZog42nZh-299qeLbXWss2cuiJPxApAU3DRR7gAGIkd0ol3y91T8B54oz7IPKcDuwc-ZnLUEcdOIHrmDnt3phP3YxDzysK-GVPP9K7-rWnUd-V/s640/023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>While the adhesive dried hubby used the jigsaw to cut the 1/4 inch plywood luan facade that would be nailed onto the furring strips.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrLEUF8vQUtJw4aP8gLx_I9awos90K49H7Jb5W09mndFR9tVgufYAKjwr_Ekv9ZD9fM1QSBLnF3bvSY_BaIZy3Y2mh_j5UQ2BcHan75sqlrLW485l60nlquLxiFyDkT_zRzgShQGJzx-Z/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrLEUF8vQUtJw4aP8gLx_I9awos90K49H7Jb5W09mndFR9tVgufYAKjwr_Ekv9ZD9fM1QSBLnF3bvSY_BaIZy3Y2mh_j5UQ2BcHan75sqlrLW485l60nlquLxiFyDkT_zRzgShQGJzx-Z/s640/028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The facade he cut out was carefully nailed directly onto the furring strips.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrnTJ275fFPDz_Fqom-VD09iGIPoNUJA6HmxXTVMQ-RYw7EKaTiQCRJdRf8CQQk7ANuKLSQ-2vCqJaRqM_IGQAT3HemMyyNbcryeuBaVdjeoFCBN9d1LnKlL8dmxT023rfLoEz5hKiU-K/s1600/week+of+painting+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrnTJ275fFPDz_Fqom-VD09iGIPoNUJA6HmxXTVMQ-RYw7EKaTiQCRJdRf8CQQk7ANuKLSQ-2vCqJaRqM_IGQAT3HemMyyNbcryeuBaVdjeoFCBN9d1LnKlL8dmxT023rfLoEz5hKiU-K/s640/week+of+painting+008.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The original fireplace mantle was made out of three sizes of pink brick that were stacked up on top of each other. It was a pretty horrible sight... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXCyFSntn4jPSPjDOd9HEylHW-89mK9f4K8JgqHwPyqkOp8wzdBLhQx9ViBEH4XeSibDpFBIfdd7rjK4P0r5Bv7Z4TjazaufxARg3Op5V8KTg2BQp3a3njAXJtz1l6liTaZ16bbXz4pip/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXCyFSntn4jPSPjDOd9HEylHW-89mK9f4K8JgqHwPyqkOp8wzdBLhQx9ViBEH4XeSibDpFBIfdd7rjK4P0r5Bv7Z4TjazaufxARg3Op5V8KTg2BQp3a3njAXJtz1l6liTaZ16bbXz4pip/s640/005.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Creating a mantle without chiseling off the protruding brick shelf took lots of effort and I am very proud of hubby for doing such an amazing job. He started by attaching a 1"x 4" piece of wood to the bottom layer of mantel shelf bricks with two concrete anchors. He then attached a piece of crown molding to the second layer of mantle shelf bricks. Lastly he attached a 3"x11" piece of mdf to the crown molding to cover the top layer of mantle shelf bricks. The mantle that hubby ended up creating is very beautiful and was so inexpensive to make. Bingo! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByRmUAHe7Co4x8xX_giZAWL0ns2z79g4pcQ83F1DgIej1JAmxkTikgzjjVgE5mSMFkkx2Hohf4GL6QeRoVRtHMtr9DLIp3W2vmRT8ik0USiouO7fWrr5xskvRLSpXjRhjW69H-vcLSaAC/s1600/Thanksgiving+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByRmUAHe7Co4x8xX_giZAWL0ns2z79g4pcQ83F1DgIej1JAmxkTikgzjjVgE5mSMFkkx2Hohf4GL6QeRoVRtHMtr9DLIp3W2vmRT8ik0USiouO7fWrr5xskvRLSpXjRhjW69H-vcLSaAC/s640/Thanksgiving+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Hubby cut leftover pieces of wood into wedge shapes and used them to secure the crown molding to the mantel shelf brick. Hopefully the pictures below will help you better understand how it was all accomplished.:)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ahWwOS3jj2njyEqpQ5The-Y4au34vs0ePgBRYYCoQhMbLBUktb0YMkjmPEbk1LFXsiYXBScGLRAHh25qY1wZlkLXNh_B5DSsm5Wm_ctbqXC7V0Ds1zshLFgrLswLwM2RVQmRyfRCUFFr/s1600/Thanksgiving+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ahWwOS3jj2njyEqpQ5The-Y4au34vs0ePgBRYYCoQhMbLBUktb0YMkjmPEbk1LFXsiYXBScGLRAHh25qY1wZlkLXNh_B5DSsm5Wm_ctbqXC7V0Ds1zshLFgrLswLwM2RVQmRyfRCUFFr/s320/Thanksgiving+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPNpB7XSGn1uYEYW5zQGSAgPHN4GMYd93QkXmYjGsjJfxSSy_-B6ZTGOMn8C2vsPVDr2r4vEeZ3HFfEjhHcbjICwyztDO0VLwMz2sw3Fy-hKWHlH5OqMo5Omq7sliLZgEeSMa1Vyp-KQG/s1600/Thanksgiving+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPNpB7XSGn1uYEYW5zQGSAgPHN4GMYd93QkXmYjGsjJfxSSy_-B6ZTGOMn8C2vsPVDr2r4vEeZ3HFfEjhHcbjICwyztDO0VLwMz2sw3Fy-hKWHlH5OqMo5Omq7sliLZgEeSMa1Vyp-KQG/s320/Thanksgiving+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovWbPLQvEuY6c7wFP5AdG_zfO3hdbfGui-Chxolgth7Gk-Q5fKRKA3mao7l7Wov7kbaoBIvvOGUBL4IzY8zvwo5HH92oJJmaETLoFYVBBQu-dJQlwTUB2LvcKbQfU2GSngCD9BKQQzthb/s1600/Thanksgiving+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovWbPLQvEuY6c7wFP5AdG_zfO3hdbfGui-Chxolgth7Gk-Q5fKRKA3mao7l7Wov7kbaoBIvvOGUBL4IzY8zvwo5HH92oJJmaETLoFYVBBQu-dJQlwTUB2LvcKbQfU2GSngCD9BKQQzthb/s640/Thanksgiving+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDkwdgWvMXhLN1QGlf5MmaLRWhnDtRANfZQNdeEy7GoKcyRDHfsxZsLAm7hE10_bS-__Fs3nLTrRWrfizl6MKRjKOGRRrqqQ-h2qhMiozmJ8f4nKjcg_NvLVCk9Fno11pnsICN2gHKgh-/s1600/Thanksgiving+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDkwdgWvMXhLN1QGlf5MmaLRWhnDtRANfZQNdeEy7GoKcyRDHfsxZsLAm7hE10_bS-__Fs3nLTrRWrfizl6MKRjKOGRRrqqQ-h2qhMiozmJ8f4nKjcg_NvLVCk9Fno11pnsICN2gHKgh-/s640/Thanksgiving+007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkv1x8jI_6XFtBVVcyl_ahNftd7FLFs_-1UOvvr2KY6oI_lBmdPAv3IaJQtR_To3Z_BaNAH__w8q4BpDPkchEEOcscuU1VyfwT87cLeQe9gOYbz7qAd8zBfpONLzAblHl7s5M_zRLxa1J/s1600/Thanksgiving+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkv1x8jI_6XFtBVVcyl_ahNftd7FLFs_-1UOvvr2KY6oI_lBmdPAv3IaJQtR_To3Z_BaNAH__w8q4BpDPkchEEOcscuU1VyfwT87cLeQe9gOYbz7qAd8zBfpONLzAblHl7s5M_zRLxa1J/s640/Thanksgiving+029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>After the mantle was done we attached furring strips to the top half of the fireplace brick just like we had done to the bottom half. We cut the 1/4" inch wood luan and nailed it onto the furring strips.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YLhPwwU5ZS0VmvjcgHk-Lq3CSzhcJeHfm5W3jBw9oQ_nyGFDML2_Yf2paY-qZJUcmeLG4DKWfYb8j-RB3A1uGWaJyH5hULlO6c_kOEOWyN0GLOVuUuhNrnsvGouo4YD20Y21k20nD-xP/s1600/186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YLhPwwU5ZS0VmvjcgHk-Lq3CSzhcJeHfm5W3jBw9oQ_nyGFDML2_Yf2paY-qZJUcmeLG4DKWfYb8j-RB3A1uGWaJyH5hULlO6c_kOEOWyN0GLOVuUuhNrnsvGouo4YD20Y21k20nD-xP/s640/186.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2PB4iQy2e3mxJnA0fzkIWipXDG_qw1ZSIo4kl3a1zj7TINY2F3WvsVIVtgKOjtwrwaUP94ROWJXxFZ58kNY7pb1yKn-JW3IGncK2JG-QaBUwHQfwURYU0hwm806Q0mX8TF-YV6V9vquT/s1600/196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2PB4iQy2e3mxJnA0fzkIWipXDG_qw1ZSIo4kl3a1zj7TINY2F3WvsVIVtgKOjtwrwaUP94ROWJXxFZ58kNY7pb1yKn-JW3IGncK2JG-QaBUwHQfwURYU0hwm806Q0mX8TF-YV6V9vquT/s640/196.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I then used wood filler on all the nail holes and caulking on all the edges. I coated everything (except the inside of the firebox!) with Olympic's zero voc primer which provided fabulous coverage. I painted the area around the fireplace box with Olympics Flat latex Zero Voc paint in Black Magic and the rest of the fireplace in Cloud White (flat latex) a Benjamin Moore color. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmejTnUQXLT1DXv8oW6KCqpzSfarpvybNgPRPquIVFzt0Fuz7IXJsP4SP3a6CSEAZWxzGHHQkUxXqBZw4jv7yGB_O3YPCzI5j2usPnloMJqX5dGDGuPdUXpaql3mak7Cajm4ZtpuvX6lao/s1600/105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmejTnUQXLT1DXv8oW6KCqpzSfarpvybNgPRPquIVFzt0Fuz7IXJsP4SP3a6CSEAZWxzGHHQkUxXqBZw4jv7yGB_O3YPCzI5j2usPnloMJqX5dGDGuPdUXpaql3mak7Cajm4ZtpuvX6lao/s640/105.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeT3d1t2af7p9C14AreZIAMTC5bAPC-ByNd6o-PmrT88MjfQWq5zOryQoUaZNmrFJy6qloyPLA3NbsUDilJAfqb4GkPbxHvzR1kPdBlHzR8bNWH9RaB12Vk3SIOucdWwi_2tiXrEgNxPzL/s1600/076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeT3d1t2af7p9C14AreZIAMTC5bAPC-ByNd6o-PmrT88MjfQWq5zOryQoUaZNmrFJy6qloyPLA3NbsUDilJAfqb4GkPbxHvzR1kPdBlHzR8bNWH9RaB12Vk3SIOucdWwi_2tiXrEgNxPzL/s640/076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Before <span style="font-size: small;">(on the day we moved in)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXCyFSntn4jPSPjDOd9HEylHW-89mK9f4K8JgqHwPyqkOp8wzdBLhQx9ViBEH4XeSibDpFBIfdd7rjK4P0r5Bv7Z4TjazaufxARg3Op5V8KTg2BQp3a3njAXJtz1l6liTaZ16bbXz4pip/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXCyFSntn4jPSPjDOd9HEylHW-89mK9f4K8JgqHwPyqkOp8wzdBLhQx9ViBEH4XeSibDpFBIfdd7rjK4P0r5Bv7Z4TjazaufxARg3Op5V8KTg2BQp3a3njAXJtz1l6liTaZ16bbXz4pip/s640/005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXCyFSntn4jPSPjDOd9HEylHW-89mK9f4K8JgqHwPyqkOp8wzdBLhQx9ViBEH4XeSibDpFBIfdd7rjK4P0r5Bv7Z4TjazaufxARg3Op5V8KTg2BQp3a3njAXJtz1l6liTaZ16bbXz4pip/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXCyFSntn4jPSPjDOd9HEylHW-89mK9f4K8JgqHwPyqkOp8wzdBLhQx9ViBEH4XeSibDpFBIfdd7rjK4P0r5Bv7Z4TjazaufxARg3Op5V8KTg2BQp3a3njAXJtz1l6liTaZ16bbXz4pip/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">After</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsChVRTgYRPCf8AL3KusMawr27vcfyQmfY_av374qWjJYdooVh_HVet6WrU5CKDfpP_nN9hZb5p3oPYz_nO99FZ2sOcIVqnSWo47y8cXUeM-1fopkLGwJSUDaRd7NJM5CWIyEsWEx757gt/s1600/345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsChVRTgYRPCf8AL3KusMawr27vcfyQmfY_av374qWjJYdooVh_HVet6WrU5CKDfpP_nN9hZb5p3oPYz_nO99FZ2sOcIVqnSWo47y8cXUeM-1fopkLGwJSUDaRd7NJM5CWIyEsWEx757gt/s640/345.JPG" width="570" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgS39bA5kyU2uHn3jWm4Pcpm_mJJDX9xx0TOcQ5jwhjTxO2oq8fRZ4iO_wln6m4cmI82jvykhYUT8wosL0hIUGI6G-PZdMhFEg0QIMDVp0TJ0lJOhr8g4d_vxbLzp9kC_iRswn0hyphenhyphenrT_2/s1600/living+room+2%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgS39bA5kyU2uHn3jWm4Pcpm_mJJDX9xx0TOcQ5jwhjTxO2oq8fRZ4iO_wln6m4cmI82jvykhYUT8wosL0hIUGI6G-PZdMhFEg0QIMDVp0TJ0lJOhr8g4d_vxbLzp9kC_iRswn0hyphenhyphenrT_2/s640/living+room+2%2521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The inside of the firebox will be painted with black, heat resistant paint sometime before winter arrives :). You can find two more of our makeovers <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/06/sometimes-those-walls-must-come-down.html">here</a> and <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/06/making-chalkboard-for-childs-room.html">here</a>. Please feel free to ask me any questions in the comments section and I will do my best to answer them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Party Time! Please visit the following blogs for lots of inspiration</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">atthepicketfence</a> <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/"> frenchcountrycottage</a> <a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/">thecharmofhome </a> <a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/">houseofhepworths</a> <a href="http://www.acreativeprincess.blogspot.com/">acreativeprincess</a>, <a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/">firefliesandjellybeans</a>, <a href="http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/">aglimpseinside,</a> <a href="http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/">fingerprintsonthefridge</a>, <a href="http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/">chiconashoestringdecorating </a><a href="http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/">shabbynest</a>, <a href="http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/">mysimplehomelife</a>, <a href="http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/">missmustardseed</a>, <a href="http://blog.addicted2decorating.com/">addicted2decorating</a> <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/">savvysouthernstyle.</a>, <a href="http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/"> debbie-debbiedoos</a>, <a href="http://www.dittledattle.blogspot.com/">dittledattle,</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/07/patriotic-porch-for-4th-of-july-welcome.html">between naps on the porch,</a> <a href="http://hopestudios.blogspot.com/2011/07/tutorial-tuesday.html">hopestudios</a> , <a href="http://answerischocolate.blogspot.com/%20">The answer is chocolate</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/">boogieboardcottage,</a> <a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/">My Romantic Home</a>, <a href="http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/">Finding Fabulous for Less</a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><br />
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<center style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.homemakeronadime.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae194/homemakeronadime/creativeblogbuttonjpg.jpg" /></a> <a border="0" href="http://www.sistersofthewildwest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k32/vacationamy/SisterSunday2.png" /></a></center>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com110tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-83082566156252472182011-06-17T12:39:00.003-05:002011-07-06T01:53:00.550-05:00Framed Art For a Child's RoomAll three of my children are avid readers (the youngest is an avid listener ha!) so we own many, many books. There are old favorites that I have read to them over and over again throughout the years. I chose to frame five pages from those favored books and created a (mini) gallery wall.<br />
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</a></div> I framed a page from "Good Work, Amelia Bedelia" (one of my favorite stories as a child as well)<br />
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One from the book "Madeline and The Bad Hat" ( "Careful, girls, watch your feet" love it!)<br />
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One from "The Story of Babar"<br />
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One from an all time favorite around here "The Christmas Day Kitten" from The James Herriot's Treasury For Children. <br />
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And one page from "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel"<br />
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The boys really liked this idea and we plan to continue adding more pages down the road. The frames are all Ribba from Ikea.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrH43yjvAu6BjTI0C4QLTyIXbCUoNHg7AFukIA-M-YLBelBn0gWCrT5TARNthT_eA88TgNan02JORiCQxWUCYM2nyAH0t6oWUDeBUOYUjcYteU2vhGMzpOXqrq-D6Tzv31nET2yf8eY9Z/s1600/kids+room+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrH43yjvAu6BjTI0C4QLTyIXbCUoNHg7AFukIA-M-YLBelBn0gWCrT5TARNthT_eA88TgNan02JORiCQxWUCYM2nyAH0t6oWUDeBUOYUjcYteU2vhGMzpOXqrq-D6Tzv31nET2yf8eY9Z/s640/kids+room+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Hope everyone has a great weekend!Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-34494988864488799982011-06-16T13:45:00.022-05:002011-07-14T01:59:51.511-05:00Making a Chalkboard For a Child's Room<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This is what the boy's room looked like right before we moved in.<br />
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<i><b>BEFORE</b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpUqMX_pMHJCM7UEp75rRoYJuIPc1eC2IqK0qtz1bExCjwaMffU5R-wMmMmRu3Vyn-j1NgF0mjiHxK5bMEPpYIgV1NhGmhkiU3VGCVzdc43ogwBCrhgPvUJh4q5rjlj2OdwnPnsci_jEm/s1600/kids+room+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpUqMX_pMHJCM7UEp75rRoYJuIPc1eC2IqK0qtz1bExCjwaMffU5R-wMmMmRu3Vyn-j1NgF0mjiHxK5bMEPpYIgV1NhGmhkiU3VGCVzdc43ogwBCrhgPvUJh4q5rjlj2OdwnPnsci_jEm/s640/kids+room+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We painted the room Ash Mist in Olympic's No VOC paint and put in new flooring. The room brightened instantly. On one side I set up a spot for their toys and made a chalkboard to put on the wall.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>AFTER</b> </span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yeB5UC2O9uy-HCgDLQJG9RbZoOg5fPrS8LY9pzI68ZfXeYPLfzN2Y6pPV9Iw8GpJIJhPN5gzNtYcMfvIFKq8f20bTjFt6Pi36ppuE-vw6otpy9puc-KvBVmwrOYTqT2lxYJec_Nfi3nU/s1600/kids+room+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yeB5UC2O9uy-HCgDLQJG9RbZoOg5fPrS8LY9pzI68ZfXeYPLfzN2Y6pPV9Iw8GpJIJhPN5gzNtYcMfvIFKq8f20bTjFt6Pi36ppuE-vw6otpy9puc-KvBVmwrOYTqT2lxYJec_Nfi3nU/s640/kids+room+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Making the chalkboard was quite simple really. I already had a big picture frame that I bought at a garage sale for $5 and wanted to re-purpose so I decided to use it as the frame for the chalkboard.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_Oksj4Iurr25RD_-g68dF3-1HFQJTvCDz-re4a4hyRqlifwjrDMgGYeDiatIWlHqRZBZcTjQSOJy1Bp9NxThf-8mKTZlZh6gT3Sv9sQK29-gPX8q2YnbUBSx1hZD180yaS3G1IAoOgzG/s1600/projects+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_Oksj4Iurr25RD_-g68dF3-1HFQJTvCDz-re4a4hyRqlifwjrDMgGYeDiatIWlHqRZBZcTjQSOJy1Bp9NxThf-8mKTZlZh6gT3Sv9sQK29-gPX8q2YnbUBSx1hZD180yaS3G1IAoOgzG/s640/projects+015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
To remove the backing and glass I first had to pull out many a staple from the wooden frame. A simple little 5 in 1 tool hubby bought at the hardware store really made removing those staples a cinch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wNhPNY-PrKyUgSmhuIZCgyHktMRze3w3UljN5AD2N9y0eAh2MNisB7FZsyJstV2Gf8jUU_FufDZRWHXiderREEgjUBQnJpNqrK6isZTewAnm0z7WxrP8CLOuwQVjungRPVPYFxW4zblr/s1600/projects+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wNhPNY-PrKyUgSmhuIZCgyHktMRze3w3UljN5AD2N9y0eAh2MNisB7FZsyJstV2Gf8jUU_FufDZRWHXiderREEgjUBQnJpNqrK6isZTewAnm0z7WxrP8CLOuwQVjungRPVPYFxW4zblr/s640/projects+017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxBu4idixSR0vCIoE_A6Zo1YcarQ0ct3phdA5640f05kOAv4ANUWl-HG2JuMUhmHM2OX_b4ShSHk-mKl4juPEJ4Twg-GbS1Bk3gd2sMPqMR6buCjEfSRgvfiIgwRu48RyV8r_HOiORAQF/s1600/projects+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxBu4idixSR0vCIoE_A6Zo1YcarQ0ct3phdA5640f05kOAv4ANUWl-HG2JuMUhmHM2OX_b4ShSHk-mKl4juPEJ4Twg-GbS1Bk3gd2sMPqMR6buCjEfSRgvfiIgwRu48RyV8r_HOiORAQF/s640/projects+020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> After removing the backing and glass I primed and painted the wooden frame. The paint is Simply White by Benjamin Moore mixed in Olympics No VOC paint. While I was waiting for the paint to dry I took a piece of 1/4" plywood luan that I had leftover from our<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;"> <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/04/fireplace-remodel-before-and-after-with.html">fireplace remodel</a></span> and cut it down to size with a jigsaw (luan wood is a mid grade mahogany plywood). This was my first time using a power tool! My boys watched wide eyed with wonder from a safe distance while I cut away. The youngest exclaimed at the end of it all "You are the best mommy" with awe in his voice. The male fascination with power tools starts early I tell ya!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8eMO8pBJDiV8BcHJX5X5S2-1xnDmBiIBmWXn8EGZp-N0bUq7DlR1Uo8N1N72XepXG71YBlXcwSw9kWLk-vnU07LvR7x9ZbiXtXNs6o4yh98pTfbQuuUiOOPOSe-sWvv9s5wL8-7FLO7q/s1600/projects+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8eMO8pBJDiV8BcHJX5X5S2-1xnDmBiIBmWXn8EGZp-N0bUq7DlR1Uo8N1N72XepXG71YBlXcwSw9kWLk-vnU07LvR7x9ZbiXtXNs6o4yh98pTfbQuuUiOOPOSe-sWvv9s5wL8-7FLO7q/s400/projects+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezewePCiz_BJlHuKdJ1_64yYsvGlBHbX729LJe_474chRojNcSSPUUeGo8duuWHJqW29lm0e8yNZJZD-g7CBkexpLVuvCOsL_5LeughQ12D9J_rQuF7g84zGnSKufHLNidSroMFGz1bO7/s1600/projects+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezewePCiz_BJlHuKdJ1_64yYsvGlBHbX729LJe_474chRojNcSSPUUeGo8duuWHJqW29lm0e8yNZJZD-g7CBkexpLVuvCOsL_5LeughQ12D9J_rQuF7g84zGnSKufHLNidSroMFGz1bO7/s1600/projects+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezewePCiz_BJlHuKdJ1_64yYsvGlBHbX729LJe_474chRojNcSSPUUeGo8duuWHJqW29lm0e8yNZJZD-g7CBkexpLVuvCOsL_5LeughQ12D9J_rQuF7g84zGnSKufHLNidSroMFGz1bO7/s400/projects+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>After cutting the luan plywood I painted it with chalkboard paint in the color 'Peapod'. It was the perfect shade of green for their room and I was very pleased with the end result. This chalkboard paint is found at most large hardware stores and can be tinted in 12 different colors.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIJk1W49bRwCVaCB_J__Uxfc2-_2NKqNgjWEoMJqG896ordKdSscJhVRpIqCKTSDUBsboPAWpVgrRJAvzSP1L2s5_kWsj8_yZim5pC-S48P1rWgDGPcK3wdPRgdI-P9cGo1mqlwHA1gDQ/s1600/Chalkboard+paint.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIJk1W49bRwCVaCB_J__Uxfc2-_2NKqNgjWEoMJqG896ordKdSscJhVRpIqCKTSDUBsboPAWpVgrRJAvzSP1L2s5_kWsj8_yZim5pC-S48P1rWgDGPcK3wdPRgdI-P9cGo1mqlwHA1gDQ/s1600/Chalkboard+paint.gif" /></a></div>By the time I got to this stage my dear sister Stacy who lives in New Jersey (and blogs<span style="color: #666666;"> </span><a href="http://thepreciouslittlethingsinlife.blogspot.com/" style="color: #666666;">here</a> ) arrived for a 2 week visit and helped me finish the project. Here she is stapling the luan plywood directly onto the frame using a staple gun. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuv7ZPl8CyXOGzEhGL2guBGLqGW0FgXhynfvyG0rtBI2nvcFfPHfnkpRfyy2kv8mJ69nMZlc_HSuwcwDz1Xj8JhLOmwtEvfHyBu_Xiypz03O_uNY3OUBn53kLimxH7Z0JRF58w9ujbFVs/s1600/projects+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuv7ZPl8CyXOGzEhGL2guBGLqGW0FgXhynfvyG0rtBI2nvcFfPHfnkpRfyy2kv8mJ69nMZlc_HSuwcwDz1Xj8JhLOmwtEvfHyBu_Xiypz03O_uNY3OUBn53kLimxH7Z0JRF58w9ujbFVs/s640/projects+024.JPG" width="590" /></a></div>To hang the chalkboard on the wall we used this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Monkey-Gorilla-Picture-Hanger-I-10896948-GOR-S/dp/B0019CHDKI" style="color: #666666;">monkey hook</a> that one of our local hardware store employees recommended. It was our first time using it and we were all quite impressed. It carries up to 75 lbs, is easy to use and makes only a tiny hole in the wall. My little brother hung the chalkboard for me, officially making this project a family affair during which much laughter was shared and many precious memories were made:).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiY3UKQp_MlLtY7olFhScRfV3vGo9dTZycTv-0ypsAstn1RmCxPqcMSsFpNp43pvDGeLZ1FZu7GYM3bK8wsySVT7_pPYrwLzKd4x9Svfku-iHdkx7BJrpPIOhzPT7zM6owTRjdvLTrFiiD/s1600/DSC02278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiY3UKQp_MlLtY7olFhScRfV3vGo9dTZycTv-0ypsAstn1RmCxPqcMSsFpNp43pvDGeLZ1FZu7GYM3bK8wsySVT7_pPYrwLzKd4x9Svfku-iHdkx7BJrpPIOhzPT7zM6owTRjdvLTrFiiD/s400/DSC02278.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyuxRuUsNivANPwYnJMT00ydXrOLLGoZ9QVxYx5EBeZFgLTlRRqd_mDkfstv3zjGm4O8LiOk-J0IvOfSE6ibrUEQfNXDawLgbvgaczqHp8lBb_jiuDr-6HIzBwIrmfqvDugLF4qkqro9k/s1600/DSC02279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyuxRuUsNivANPwYnJMT00ydXrOLLGoZ9QVxYx5EBeZFgLTlRRqd_mDkfstv3zjGm4O8LiOk-J0IvOfSE6ibrUEQfNXDawLgbvgaczqHp8lBb_jiuDr-6HIzBwIrmfqvDugLF4qkqro9k/s400/DSC02279.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpmbzbbkKtsV2Jn37mdPdeCvQxICJHrmRsfxw6-Pf9bSWwE_hrdx1LIdYPL6rkzOPVCS7Pr4jQBko1kWpLnYV_0JxzuCP4rilzKFrZUs4S0uHdIzfwBAcH53zWUlmHgu3nui8CKlQbpLF/s1600/boys+room+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpmbzbbkKtsV2Jn37mdPdeCvQxICJHrmRsfxw6-Pf9bSWwE_hrdx1LIdYPL6rkzOPVCS7Pr4jQBko1kWpLnYV_0JxzuCP4rilzKFrZUs4S0uHdIzfwBAcH53zWUlmHgu3nui8CKlQbpLF/s640/boys+room+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yeB5UC2O9uy-HCgDLQJG9RbZoOg5fPrS8LY9pzI68ZfXeYPLfzN2Y6pPV9Iw8GpJIJhPN5gzNtYcMfvIFKq8f20bTjFt6Pi36ppuE-vw6otpy9puc-KvBVmwrOYTqT2lxYJec_Nfi3nU/s1600/kids+room+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Under the chalkboard are two <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20087525" style="color: #666666;">trofast storage systems</a><span style="color: #666666;"> </span>made of pine that I also painted Simply White. Ikea sells the exact same frames in white but since those are laminate I was worried about sturdiness (3 boys!) and opted for the ones made out of wood instead. We have been using them for a year now and they are extremely sturdy.<br />
Here are the trofast frames before I painted them. The boys were so excited that day to finally be able to organize all their toys in the different bins for the first time since our move! (the stools and the rug are are also from Ikea and can be found <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70050812" style="color: #666666;">here</a> and <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20101871" style="color: #666666;">here</a> )<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOthOVMYIKpHoKKmvg4vZD8WYIowgtCgu-YSTU4q1HJfscLDL91-DQ650yB-VkaWYqecpDFOa2GtbWKR2b-ScsZ551QFPwz4m7-ao8ZNza6ameujbAHm19M24zXeQJGRWAZcGiUUPNYOFH/s1600/Thanksgiving+413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOthOVMYIKpHoKKmvg4vZD8WYIowgtCgu-YSTU4q1HJfscLDL91-DQ650yB-VkaWYqecpDFOa2GtbWKR2b-ScsZ551QFPwz4m7-ao8ZNza6ameujbAHm19M24zXeQJGRWAZcGiUUPNYOFH/s400/Thanksgiving+413.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b> Before</b></span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpUqMX_pMHJCM7UEp75rRoYJuIPc1eC2IqK0qtz1bExCjwaMffU5R-wMmMmRu3Vyn-j1NgF0mjiHxK5bMEPpYIgV1NhGmhkiU3VGCVzdc43ogwBCrhgPvUJh4q5rjlj2OdwnPnsci_jEm/s1600/kids+room+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpUqMX_pMHJCM7UEp75rRoYJuIPc1eC2IqK0qtz1bExCjwaMffU5R-wMmMmRu3Vyn-j1NgF0mjiHxK5bMEPpYIgV1NhGmhkiU3VGCVzdc43ogwBCrhgPvUJh4q5rjlj2OdwnPnsci_jEm/s640/kids+room+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b> After </b></span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yeB5UC2O9uy-HCgDLQJG9RbZoOg5fPrS8LY9pzI68ZfXeYPLfzN2Y6pPV9Iw8GpJIJhPN5gzNtYcMfvIFKq8f20bTjFt6Pi36ppuE-vw6otpy9puc-KvBVmwrOYTqT2lxYJec_Nfi3nU/s1600/kids+room+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yeB5UC2O9uy-HCgDLQJG9RbZoOg5fPrS8LY9pzI68ZfXeYPLfzN2Y6pPV9Iw8GpJIJhPN5gzNtYcMfvIFKq8f20bTjFt6Pi36ppuE-vw6otpy9puc-KvBVmwrOYTqT2lxYJec_Nfi3nU/s640/kids+room+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I will be posting pictures of the other side of the room soon...<br />
Checkout two more of our makeovers<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;"> <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/06/sometimes-those-walls-must-come-down.html">here</a></span> and<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;"> <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/04/fireplace-remodel-before-and-after-with.html">here.</a></span> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Party Time! I am linked to the following parties <br />
<br />
<a href="http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com/">A Creative Princess</a><br />
<a href="http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/">Momnivores Dilemma</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/2011/07/anything-goes-party-25.html">Type A Decorating</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><a href="http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2011/07/thrifty-thursday-122-plus-tablescape.html">Tales From Bloggeritaville</a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sassysites.blogspot.com/%20"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">sassysites.blogspot</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.creationsbykara.com/2011/07/look-what-i-made-7-6-2011.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">notjustahousewife</span></a><br />
<a href="http://creationsbykara.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">creationsbykara</span></a><br />
<a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">firefliesandjellybeans</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">fingerprintsonthefridge</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><a href="http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/">The shabby nest</a> </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-30544384288578063322011-06-14T23:58:00.002-05:002011-07-06T02:01:47.167-05:00Kid's Room Decor / Design Before and After PicturesI am happy to report that during this past week many projects were finished around this home of ours. Today I will be sharing two pictures of the children's room that we have completed. Here is a before picture from our original house walk through.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">BEFORE</span></b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpUqMX_pMHJCM7UEp75rRoYJuIPc1eC2IqK0qtz1bExCjwaMffU5R-wMmMmRu3Vyn-j1NgF0mjiHxK5bMEPpYIgV1NhGmhkiU3VGCVzdc43ogwBCrhgPvUJh4q5rjlj2OdwnPnsci_jEm/s1600/kids+room+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpUqMX_pMHJCM7UEp75rRoYJuIPc1eC2IqK0qtz1bExCjwaMffU5R-wMmMmRu3Vyn-j1NgF0mjiHxK5bMEPpYIgV1NhGmhkiU3VGCVzdc43ogwBCrhgPvUJh4q5rjlj2OdwnPnsci_jEm/s640/kids+room+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></b></div><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Before</span></i></b> ( after we moved in)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRyS1GLQdmg2FjRrlBbh7vjmz3EvHHztOWg7VyW4Ltz5mRTb2zmwzPxVFjn5GEE-qSnhrfKumhkVaYnjetaDhIAb0l1vXfA0osMlaZrIreQEI0qv_o0VJ60mvvXb7Jj_5mw7bfhJjcyQi/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRyS1GLQdmg2FjRrlBbh7vjmz3EvHHztOWg7VyW4Ltz5mRTb2zmwzPxVFjn5GEE-qSnhrfKumhkVaYnjetaDhIAb0l1vXfA0osMlaZrIreQEI0qv_o0VJ60mvvXb7Jj_5mw7bfhJjcyQi/s640/032.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>AFTER</i></span> (will explain all details soon!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yeB5UC2O9uy-HCgDLQJG9RbZoOg5fPrS8LY9pzI68ZfXeYPLfzN2Y6pPV9Iw8GpJIJhPN5gzNtYcMfvIFKq8f20bTjFt6Pi36ppuE-vw6otpy9puc-KvBVmwrOYTqT2lxYJec_Nfi3nU/s1600/kids+room+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yeB5UC2O9uy-HCgDLQJG9RbZoOg5fPrS8LY9pzI68ZfXeYPLfzN2Y6pPV9Iw8GpJIJhPN5gzNtYcMfvIFKq8f20bTjFt6Pi36ppuE-vw6otpy9puc-KvBVmwrOYTqT2lxYJec_Nfi3nU/s640/kids+room+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>AFTER</i></b></span> (Not the best picture of the bed but my favorite none the less. I will post a better picture of that side soon.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCP06nfsIUS2NIGBMOGN6Dn2wUgKklgfBmubRaz3srK04ug5bL76Q4_3bu2HUa2ruI6BGFBbZ87ICXap9GMYJAMyS9STsUSJgtGcG5yxwRfCNBeVB1e6gvhipjgfBrxuUUEYyHCqM3YYX/s1600/projects+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCP06nfsIUS2NIGBMOGN6Dn2wUgKklgfBmubRaz3srK04ug5bL76Q4_3bu2HUa2ruI6BGFBbZ87ICXap9GMYJAMyS9STsUSJgtGcG5yxwRfCNBeVB1e6gvhipjgfBrxuUUEYyHCqM3YYX/s640/projects+009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-62931985848439187082011-06-03T23:19:00.002-05:002011-07-06T00:31:17.401-05:00That's Life..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hello all. My lack of posts lately can be blamed on LIFE and its refusal to stop happening. The whole of the month of May we ran around trying to do all those things that are impossible to enjoy once that stifling Texas summer heat comes barreling in! We enjoyed games at the ballpark...Go Rangers!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRK_EwlxBxuwDme9wbBrWal4Pcz4-mMrL9iEz7YoW9Fhxt8C8EAhTZYWun5ZG9pYm2WMG8hrmMmVYvyVvRdnvCC2DDVcDAvcVH3sce3g2DUZV-Ur4nIlWms6BHvZ6Z2VVyUGh4G8AfIkH/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRK_EwlxBxuwDme9wbBrWal4Pcz4-mMrL9iEz7YoW9Fhxt8C8EAhTZYWun5ZG9pYm2WMG8hrmMmVYvyVvRdnvCC2DDVcDAvcVH3sce3g2DUZV-Ur4nIlWms6BHvZ6Z2VVyUGh4G8AfIkH/s640/004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Trips to the zoo (where we were delighted to find a new baby chimp!) So cute! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwo_J8n6uzbvDXqZgadYnCuB3i1htabaWzfWSlAH6DWa6HVdIoHDcmryf_0kOwGeJCiNnUv-Zo3H6s8DuEIBg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>We were also surprised to find dinosaurs lurking behind every corner ha!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRnFmZbmS5y3mDuT7YTzQaqxB6_gHcl1eFFT2qYOHmKsP_R1ASAO9FBrQj_tUd_aY_F-Ar2DN-vYuVuZgSor_TQeUIRsGrLYLBruxnY_wcRsY77TsDBqSDVST1n57DkF0N2q-WDJAryRM/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRnFmZbmS5y3mDuT7YTzQaqxB6_gHcl1eFFT2qYOHmKsP_R1ASAO9FBrQj_tUd_aY_F-Ar2DN-vYuVuZgSor_TQeUIRsGrLYLBruxnY_wcRsY77TsDBqSDVST1n57DkF0N2q-WDJAryRM/s640/022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two lovely birds that I caught kissing and the beak of a certain duck made me want to paint something in our house the perfect shade of aqua. Yes, design inspiration can be found anywhere, even at your local zoo!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgUYXmaPvKxaKiMqtyPJeEPsdAD7E79Gmfnq9bXR1oir2JimsJy8u7CK7oWxpgmLSsJDISbRYkUglq-DPGFgQxdMbFB4EI9QrCUgfxyaiSeKQlye2dD-4EgdmGYwOtUo-df-fey5ycNIn/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgUYXmaPvKxaKiMqtyPJeEPsdAD7E79Gmfnq9bXR1oir2JimsJy8u7CK7oWxpgmLSsJDISbRYkUglq-DPGFgQxdMbFB4EI9QrCUgfxyaiSeKQlye2dD-4EgdmGYwOtUo-df-fey5ycNIn/s640/047.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnttf7LRm_BjHw9lsQgO3OWvUaj6B5Q6B3JC6ns9kXTo9tLNB65a9aohF6D6fxRXnFocHFroooPGdQ94rpZW3oF3_RwfwTFVIi7_ufziFXQ5bV7-HrAAPz76NsHZic-H05hTXgNe-6KDv/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUPnT-P4gNop4xnggWQwjoLM1P5ZO-hF4ngDILFc4hWfr0a21-owhiUfHtwqqRgmd7MJy0Asv_nJyB0vo7soeYLqiS_Eztf0QRCaGyA8ZHJmCuvPyHjdq4fsen47K0dsC0t8VO2V1P7YG/s640/026.JPG" width="640" /></a> We also visited the museum quite a few times.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDNACoIbthoHAZti-3AEP6bq3jwjROhpujOzRLjsF2_hEYesXyrZJOrecBr6KRs3R3ZV4FqNCKxfe1j4z2y02QAOdBmDXLvwbo0vx3qygQKSUisInb3mp5cl_HeIm_hjh5fXSP3Zdm3Yu/s1600/piano+museum+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDNACoIbthoHAZti-3AEP6bq3jwjROhpujOzRLjsF2_hEYesXyrZJOrecBr6KRs3R3ZV4FqNCKxfe1j4z2y02QAOdBmDXLvwbo0vx3qygQKSUisInb3mp5cl_HeIm_hjh5fXSP3Zdm3Yu/s640/piano+museum+097.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Add to the many outings, almost daily walks to the park, lots of homemade popcorn and I love Lucy viewing marathons in the late evenings and you can see why posting has been scarce!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJizEFup8QtQTvfHG2kyBwvpCNNV9t9OzfRFI4lzH1B2LWx-JD5Sx8EEzW7BXqTMlYczQkg5xs7mwZxZQe7WO7LkqSdjHhTtQuXg5gu_1CeTaR9nu7c52I3ZK6NVCc6aGBuqFGZir4_pdo/s1600/Zack+basketball+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJizEFup8QtQTvfHG2kyBwvpCNNV9t9OzfRFI4lzH1B2LWx-JD5Sx8EEzW7BXqTMlYczQkg5xs7mwZxZQe7WO7LkqSdjHhTtQuXg5gu_1CeTaR9nu7c52I3ZK6NVCc6aGBuqFGZir4_pdo/s640/Zack+basketball+009.JPG" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpHBPawtj9Qzr318otzhqR-UOI-esWyN1RfySRlqg_2QJCdzc60qYfQuVc6JDmwP9mHJbWsa6XKPpggJ4N-USc2EB7PyRPPDDUNe2nekSUmmAPJ8-f2-eiJ_kBxF5OwLp0YtWtTodxMJj/s1600/Zack+basketball+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpHBPawtj9Qzr318otzhqR-UOI-esWyN1RfySRlqg_2QJCdzc60qYfQuVc6JDmwP9mHJbWsa6XKPpggJ4N-USc2EB7PyRPPDDUNe2nekSUmmAPJ8-f2-eiJ_kBxF5OwLp0YtWtTodxMJj/s640/Zack+basketball+013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>On Monday I decided enough was enough. I looked my troops straight in the eye (eyes?) and announced that the fun was over. It was time to finish all those half done projects, like that dining table I was going to paint but only got as far as filling in the scratches with wood filler.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-oJ9pvyDM882Z2LDdq1PdqTRxz3ngZLkZOfThkDylVF8HodOWXyw6T7upg1C0ecDtmNf8Flkq7LBUgMdupfzaj3jBMhinnuaimbAnc0mZ6pr43VdZ9N0uAw8OEEGl_1tl1x4bxPeXA6m/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAJOxKvJvh6MCybtAK7FfFaWb4x46crt80s99zoewHNF4N5i75a_a5iGzciBtIxgTTwlfK1AgXOaboUJUcX2QOTT2jkpT2PBaFGj5qXE5ryb_QJfP0wBDOzvqKDKJ6tooNbSa9Znorr7e/s640/house+improvements+040.JPG" width="640" /></a> and that gallery wall-to-be ( for a month just pieces of paper taped to the wall)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-oJ9pvyDM882Z2LDdq1PdqTRxz3ngZLkZOfThkDylVF8HodOWXyw6T7upg1C0ecDtmNf8Flkq7LBUgMdupfzaj3jBMhinnuaimbAnc0mZ6pr43VdZ9N0uAw8OEEGl_1tl1x4bxPeXA6m/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-oJ9pvyDM882Z2LDdq1PdqTRxz3ngZLkZOfThkDylVF8HodOWXyw6T7upg1C0ecDtmNf8Flkq7LBUgMdupfzaj3jBMhinnuaimbAnc0mZ6pr43VdZ9N0uAw8OEEGl_1tl1x4bxPeXA6m/s640/028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">all the frames from Ikea waiting patiently under the buffet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvo9JyG4_1-w6ngm3I3ede0_W4NIiooTrYelzr4vmgXqbF1DJcS50bkWVtCTX5_zR1ZCAQPLNzD5XMr-bTLQgPZiNdko6rhj9X3WNkiKEmoUe8X_WqDPwoCQZnzJrewjA56bg0yMawDd1V/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKewklPhGT8rzlo1q2224qttSQdwLL63EPJvDy_uh246aCxUwHF3AUsM8FLR7vaQzMEvHN3oqtWwI5m3FckP_-ht2KRDaB6NZMrWUqhOQY7VyLL189gcSgAHVY8NUBOhy0cx0QTTzu-NVV/s640/017.JPG" width="640" /></a>Yup it was definitely time to get moving. Since putting my foot down I have been walking around with a half tired, slightly harried look on my face which causes my kids to ask me repeatedly throughout the day "Are you o.k. mommy? Are you sad or something?" It's hilarious! I have spent the last few days painting like crazy and reassuring my offspring over and over again that I am o.k. . ha! ha! These projects must. get. done. Today I finished priming the table and will be painting it this weekend. Yahoo!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HMpbtjd0F_5F8DX8DSlup9ApQ8fTVimTu6gPwpHqYbOCnY7DqR7KddvMFo9EHB1zh95J569U8b48ZbJInO2PyJzdNyQHtDPTUxLrdz-TLhMqyWndRe7HW9-7EFyuOo2ZbvsYFY-dhNVG/s1600/house+improvements+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HMpbtjd0F_5F8DX8DSlup9ApQ8fTVimTu6gPwpHqYbOCnY7DqR7KddvMFo9EHB1zh95J569U8b48ZbJInO2PyJzdNyQHtDPTUxLrdz-TLhMqyWndRe7HW9-7EFyuOo2ZbvsYFY-dhNVG/s640/house+improvements+041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since I suffer from decor project ADD I went from priming the table to doing something radical to this piece of Ikea Art. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb__u2bCjGIGIjU5WRYYJJuJNDisPSpg8OHgz9lrcQYRM6MX9ZhqEDBbxme75_ca5E3N-qdjL0m1A89w2OOpDRqFkv18_bBSpbqs5I8-NzqsERLhUQ8i6pM16v4ouGHfeT9oHJBZJrhUQO/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb__u2bCjGIGIjU5WRYYJJuJNDisPSpg8OHgz9lrcQYRM6MX9ZhqEDBbxme75_ca5E3N-qdjL0m1A89w2OOpDRqFkv18_bBSpbqs5I8-NzqsERLhUQ8i6pM16v4ouGHfeT9oHJBZJrhUQO/s640/013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Yup, I covered it with primer. Soon after buying it I realized it was totally wrong for the breakfast nook hence the primer fest..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyHZH9OFt2Aope9OhuBJPL4qzAFuGrg72zk3A3JLAq8IUFxawtJVvV62iIiAyYdy0THvGTDgCglVBMZlnc-CauWcAoNecWl_dUSbYyZMcQOEKxAmvgM1KrS8VpfXFUtPHTtcP5qHAw8sa/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyHZH9OFt2Aope9OhuBJPL4qzAFuGrg72zk3A3JLAq8IUFxawtJVvV62iIiAyYdy0THvGTDgCglVBMZlnc-CauWcAoNecWl_dUSbYyZMcQOEKxAmvgM1KrS8VpfXFUtPHTtcP5qHAw8sa/s320/032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> No worries I have a fantabulous idea that will transform it into something better suited for the space. Pictures of all finished projects and some how-to's coming (hopefully) soon! If you have made it all the way to the end of this really loong post you deserve a reward. I leave you with this inspiring image. (I chose it because it reminded me of the windows in your living room sis.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDQ7y71wo0ocdpuBHinDplon6ZoU-YJ17od0N1GkLiNYFOhaYyk9fxWGDheBSpuhdpmzIOB9C5T2grziQSt3VtKsNDk7wHrzc5fJxPY7mEJSsIGRJd5k_1ag038WUnbRCIPXNp8e3DZKy/s1600/Stacy+living.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDQ7y71wo0ocdpuBHinDplon6ZoU-YJ17od0N1GkLiNYFOhaYyk9fxWGDheBSpuhdpmzIOB9C5T2grziQSt3VtKsNDk7wHrzc5fJxPY7mEJSsIGRJd5k_1ag038WUnbRCIPXNp8e3DZKy/s640/Stacy+living.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Have a great weekend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*if you have the original source for the above pic. please let me know Thanks!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-5172558400652653762011-05-23T23:25:00.001-05:002011-07-06T00:33:45.734-05:00Of Dreamers and DreamsWe have a little dreamer living among us. His favorite book for the past few weeks?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaIqjJlK00Qm-yx12iUPe46BjpicZGTLlWtPfvc2TQIwN19Ap83XKIlptyFs-Hl4GAFehyXm2T8FsLymb6RpgQUY8suHjeBOYx207ioT806LFnGA_BdfgzrHq_MHGLr0OCcTNZse6VkJx/s1600/salt+in+his+shoes+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaIqjJlK00Qm-yx12iUPe46BjpicZGTLlWtPfvc2TQIwN19Ap83XKIlptyFs-Hl4GAFehyXm2T8FsLymb6RpgQUY8suHjeBOYx207ioT806LFnGA_BdfgzrHq_MHGLr0OCcTNZse6VkJx/s400/salt+in+his+shoes+002.JPG" width="321" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He carries it with him wherever he goes and has asked me to read it to him over and over again. Just last week, as he was flipping through it for the millionth time, two large drops of water fell from the kitchen sink onto one of the pages. He immediately burst into tears because he was sure the water would permanently damage his beloved book. After I assured him that the water would dry up and everything would be o.k. he ran off, much consoled, with the book safely tucked under his arm. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaFZg9m1Qmrj7BFvRIoq4i0zMgyTv5xUqOtHZPaMcaH_UXdKcH5nyTLAWSw8w8Be8x60t5mcyZBSl29rv2jD6oiM_HlbY6Bm0l9q7mOHSwtCB0CPCvYT4scSBI1_ph5CP0UM7pPmGnm52/s1600/salt+in+his+shoes+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaFZg9m1Qmrj7BFvRIoq4i0zMgyTv5xUqOtHZPaMcaH_UXdKcH5nyTLAWSw8w8Be8x60t5mcyZBSl29rv2jD6oiM_HlbY6Bm0l9q7mOHSwtCB0CPCvYT4scSBI1_ph5CP0UM7pPmGnm52/s400/salt+in+his+shoes+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> He spends hours playing/dreaming with a ball his brother made him out of a wad of paper (wrapped with tape) and a plastic rim taped above his playroom door. He not only tears up the court (a.k.a. hallway) he also gives a play by play broadcast with such enthusiasm! If you listen carefully to the video below you just might hear a crowd of imaginary fans cheering him on.... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyIpCLD9dKf1WTjpeBWvOueOxHzMRwbmP3RAviP7hYThhDXom0syc5gh-JvrULLPo6bqFH8aOFtJQGrPxUFpg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com112tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-62371899059899356592011-05-15T23:42:00.004-05:002011-07-06T02:02:58.845-05:00Top Ten Reasons to Paint Your Walls White<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Are you afraid to go out on a limb and paint a room (or two or three) in your house white? I was hesitant at first but decided to take the plunge after realizing that almost all the rooms I had saved on my computer as favorites had white walls! Here are the top ten that inspired me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYXI9wp6EiS-N3hO_SfY2V3g4FvTZJ1TcknEcib2EHhFAY4efR4P7WG7R6x9eFwjzKlfxdvrsEhaECZFjoO6xBCCDw-kZ2zzEK0VaN295MxEi23tzM_PZ_Yn-g3r_mwpfIhUbebPiQq26/s1600/white+wall+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYXI9wp6EiS-N3hO_SfY2V3g4FvTZJ1TcknEcib2EHhFAY4efR4P7WG7R6x9eFwjzKlfxdvrsEhaECZFjoO6xBCCDw-kZ2zzEK0VaN295MxEi23tzM_PZ_Yn-g3r_mwpfIhUbebPiQq26/s400/white+wall+11.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJwzhd6B2u1Di-PIkt__pWSnyV0m-zIB_tIlVDom-O4whlW_lQ6SDuKB-BpspA7OUBemNwwEYeA2bKhB0vQHNFij9k94Ams6AroYUClRCdKpyQKDeyz_Q_og2vCBfIjgrHtoj9JDXbLoy/s1600/white+walls+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJwzhd6B2u1Di-PIkt__pWSnyV0m-zIB_tIlVDom-O4whlW_lQ6SDuKB-BpspA7OUBemNwwEYeA2bKhB0vQHNFij9k94Ams6AroYUClRCdKpyQKDeyz_Q_og2vCBfIjgrHtoj9JDXbLoy/s400/white+walls+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69V1hxr6Ha9Kyq73gK0Rhj-YMqNyt6KCx87vkOYnblJoqdn7LMJYcJZVQ3go8WE2L4fbOAKMRjevYJutmMsqyGlQcoAVuJnjbirN1dwXOkRlevlJK7Scu45zTkYzGYUnwlzzQ_r3dit4_/s1600/dining_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69V1hxr6Ha9Kyq73gK0Rhj-YMqNyt6KCx87vkOYnblJoqdn7LMJYcJZVQ3go8WE2L4fbOAKMRjevYJutmMsqyGlQcoAVuJnjbirN1dwXOkRlevlJK7Scu45zTkYzGYUnwlzzQ_r3dit4_/s400/dining_xl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Here is our family room, the first room I ever painted white. I am in love!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsChVRTgYRPCf8AL3KusMawr27vcfyQmfY_av374qWjJYdooVh_HVet6WrU5CKDfpP_nN9hZb5p3oPYz_nO99FZ2sOcIVqnSWo47y8cXUeM-1fopkLGwJSUDaRd7NJM5CWIyEsWEx757gt/s1600/345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsChVRTgYRPCf8AL3KusMawr27vcfyQmfY_av374qWjJYdooVh_HVet6WrU5CKDfpP_nN9hZb5p3oPYz_nO99FZ2sOcIVqnSWo47y8cXUeM-1fopkLGwJSUDaRd7NJM5CWIyEsWEx757gt/s640/345.JPG" width="569" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuObS4wKU6GECfVuWFTc1gz0XcP40o09oOQnxrD-lVe4CKQDC14BHEO3Sz7IsTPhH-K-gVnhonPV378mL_MpwO9lVxK5KAQ6AiRamXCEYSShq67N_qBSmc8DVlSz0izVc7j2-7g4RVv26m/s1600/aaaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuObS4wKU6GECfVuWFTc1gz0XcP40o09oOQnxrD-lVe4CKQDC14BHEO3Sz7IsTPhH-K-gVnhonPV378mL_MpwO9lVxK5KAQ6AiRamXCEYSShq67N_qBSmc8DVlSz0izVc7j2-7g4RVv26m/s640/aaaaa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Hmmm.... I wonder which room I should paint white next.<br />
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*images from BHG, Country Living, House Beautiful and <a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/">The Lettered Cottage</a>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-14164022415075940492011-05-02T21:44:00.005-05:002011-07-12T11:49:49.144-05:00Consider The Many Ways of Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I was thinking just the other day about the myriad of ways we show those around us that we love them. As a stay at home mom who also home schools I spend most of my time around my children. I tell them things like "I love you from here to the moon and back!" and "You will always be the love of my life" a bazillion times a day while gazing into their eyes. I also hug and kiss them a lot. For me it is as natural as breathing to love on them this way. (Zach had just woken up from a nap and had the grumpies in this pic :o) <br />
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The Mister on the other hand is not so touchy, feely. He demonstrates his love in other ways, primarily by giving the boys one on one time where they enjoy his undivided attention. Even when exhausted, after a full days work, he will take the time to play all kinds of sports with them. He takes them on long bike rides and sometimes even joins their games of 'hide and seek' and 'It'. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7j34uAczZWb4-iFi0Qvgghkod4i1SFl_cHKeGf-htTYoZWjjvGV9Zgf8Q5aZ8jSxLGZnHOabK5io68AEjE5pDrP9ExMlGAMdTBng1cBUju7ZG2iu05Z4WWi0sFQXm0V-atq4BcnFb5IYv/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zNLJSXplT-21NP2pzsbpYgUkJ6UxvrsbpDVCgou4u3CUg0n1IzS-PFmajGVTqGSwqidrIE0s4MXlLE0Rmb6QpLJenHMm_J1xA3HjXNIImeXw9C30TxU3zQyqp_J24MViTsFHUzS-HqDU/s640/022.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Just a few weeks ago he brought home a huge piece of cardboard and fashioned out of it a puppet show theater so the boys would have something to keep them busy on those endless Saturday afternoons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreIgxOpkiUOImxGsp-o5AtG6ZlSy4JAdWzvXLLCVV1ZlTenc6PBY6hnyRhkmysp153rzEkHQFUG-leG9AenyBLeW2hv3_iyLeobeocgucfyZq7mcAjIq0v8XYUQFiRskprFDR4ODlZ0UR/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreIgxOpkiUOImxGsp-o5AtG6ZlSy4JAdWzvXLLCVV1ZlTenc6PBY6hnyRhkmysp153rzEkHQFUG-leG9AenyBLeW2hv3_iyLeobeocgucfyZq7mcAjIq0v8XYUQFiRskprFDR4ODlZ0UR/s640/031.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666;">As the boys went off excitedly to make puppets and write out scripts, I could not help but smile at the many ways of love. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisJvArS7N7VoZLWguqsyg1zRsH_12jFoL8pi2TyWhd51FFvPCMrRFom-dfFHhV1EHDxBFThH-IACZydxTJhUfEBELQ2bm1Z6GPzhxpCSrGSwp6P7yO-S0PM1K0hjxVlrBSFkEbrAA0ifx/s1600/352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisJvArS7N7VoZLWguqsyg1zRsH_12jFoL8pi2TyWhd51FFvPCMrRFom-dfFHhV1EHDxBFThH-IACZydxTJhUfEBELQ2bm1Z6GPzhxpCSrGSwp6P7yO-S0PM1K0hjxVlrBSFkEbrAA0ifx/s640/352.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-42876055978382044512011-04-27T01:56:00.007-05:002011-07-08T15:20:32.902-05:00Schoolroom Progress Pictures<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Before</span></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkO82ZmsHt6lygUSkm0FYq5m7ps5LFeHIzI-VgtbMCPuByjRCheSP2HqCEMdgOrrbF29owknnLnWz4fdBe8ss-tLNDV4lgEdjw57rRO9u06Mu4c_YHyTPwPxAL0LitXFUPEHTgczcg35f6/s1600/Thanksgiving+306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkO82ZmsHt6lygUSkm0FYq5m7ps5LFeHIzI-VgtbMCPuByjRCheSP2HqCEMdgOrrbF29owknnLnWz4fdBe8ss-tLNDV4lgEdjw57rRO9u06Mu4c_YHyTPwPxAL0LitXFUPEHTgczcg35f6/s640/Thanksgiving+306.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sUX5dDqPBXkz9GRpGQ17wuuJ6b64jO4XgtUDDOeRVaZFiYnFrIqG74Gu4E59kT4EVLc84Lk7DZfQMGK5opVW-q5hU4y_dU9d4pVDaYf7FlPezzEyr6tFotvI35zM8iywcGpRJOrQWJVx/s1600/Thanksgiving+308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sUX5dDqPBXkz9GRpGQ17wuuJ6b64jO4XgtUDDOeRVaZFiYnFrIqG74Gu4E59kT4EVLc84Lk7DZfQMGK5opVW-q5hU4y_dU9d4pVDaYf7FlPezzEyr6tFotvI35zM8iywcGpRJOrQWJVx/s640/Thanksgiving+308.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is what the schoolroom looked like on the day we moved in. The paint on the walls was a pink tinged color (of course!) and I could not wait to whip out my paint roller. We put many sample swatches on the wall and finally decided on the color Lemon Ice from the Martha Stewart line.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3MME_D614FeOJbJOjE8G7yLcADscg4ESYvOGyTr5WKg9S9tSkjhyF8siXwHWW8OVx-8J2gEj9FeMq6bXRdiA3Zct5rjPSvhb7p6WQ2pe8_l75WWNpITueWpjeIYduyygMUno4b8jGTqq/s1600/Thanksgiving+332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3MME_D614FeOJbJOjE8G7yLcADscg4ESYvOGyTr5WKg9S9tSkjhyF8siXwHWW8OVx-8J2gEj9FeMq6bXRdiA3Zct5rjPSvhb7p6WQ2pe8_l75WWNpITueWpjeIYduyygMUno4b8jGTqq/s640/Thanksgiving+332.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> After painting one wall I began to have second thoughts. The color looked way too bright almost like a neon yellow. I thought that the terrible lighting in the room was probably the culprit (it was nighttime after all) and decided to press on and paint the rest of the room hoping it would look better in the morning. What a mistake!! The color looked even worse in the daylight.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXw6d99FkvEkT1xHJFapV4eulBSab_69Jux48UGZZyXYQ2nd4Z3UUrl0WrFcyEXUAv4ts2rVmQJnaq9I4WxKnzaKNVlrfRtndW6p3iTia1dGuvfNKtKcECLjsC6ZYth0OSg-xBTuSKX7L/s1600/Thanksgiving+338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXw6d99FkvEkT1xHJFapV4eulBSab_69Jux48UGZZyXYQ2nd4Z3UUrl0WrFcyEXUAv4ts2rVmQJnaq9I4WxKnzaKNVlrfRtndW6p3iTia1dGuvfNKtKcECLjsC6ZYth0OSg-xBTuSKX7L/s640/Thanksgiving+338.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> The color looks softer and not as bad in the picture above due to lighting but it was really pretty awful . There was no way I could live with that color on the walls so I decided to repaint the room Salt Glaze also by Martha Stewart. While I was busy painting away my little men were having a blast making knight's armor out of cardboard and aluminum foil. At one point I almost fell off my ladder when I turned around and saw these two looking at me!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcN3EJq5sVPRaJXymjbRBfpI-TARksRdZQViZ3uJLxmrzzZWRR0TtXkPyNACdtHdYgjiAB-OHO_xU11Fi4pMkDrutDNeQUjzto3fa_bF_McAhGEDRxerup6vozGlQHBXOdAKzNwy5lJWF/s1600/Thanksgiving+319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcN3EJq5sVPRaJXymjbRBfpI-TARksRdZQViZ3uJLxmrzzZWRR0TtXkPyNACdtHdYgjiAB-OHO_xU11Fi4pMkDrutDNeQUjzto3fa_bF_McAhGEDRxerup6vozGlQHBXOdAKzNwy5lJWF/s640/Thanksgiving+319.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ahh second time was a charm! Salt Glaze turned out to be the perfect color for the space....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9nVDVZOvCptvxbXY5GxP52L2CG96af0Ay49OUZ2zdX66pSzUOY-oMHUuwXZN5BXpJrOwIqAsRp4kmR-mnSjXUO991rrPWs59n5eVIi7aX96E6vn7p5kheUXCseL7Ua2c6diXtT_SnGKb/s1600/Thanksgiving+348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9nVDVZOvCptvxbXY5GxP52L2CG96af0Ay49OUZ2zdX66pSzUOY-oMHUuwXZN5BXpJrOwIqAsRp4kmR-mnSjXUO991rrPWs59n5eVIi7aX96E6vn7p5kheUXCseL7Ua2c6diXtT_SnGKb/s640/Thanksgiving+348.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After all the painting was done we ripped out the carpet and put in new flooring. I also painted the bookshelves and a red ikea table we had simply white </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(a Benjamin Moore color). You can find a tutorial explaining the process I used to do that <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/painting-particle-board-laminate.html">here.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfR2BKhPJCaoe5DBCYcQH-WY2wwYdlzTousmOlqVucqOr-41GCF218U8hPQI7OWPdrGFKbXlKKPe17U5ANURiB19Ojp0aSSdEyongoRhPL6hN3kURFi3XDX9tM9vbLFHJ1CBe1jZc4Ou9/s1600/Thanksgiving+416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfR2BKhPJCaoe5DBCYcQH-WY2wwYdlzTousmOlqVucqOr-41GCF218U8hPQI7OWPdrGFKbXlKKPe17U5ANURiB19Ojp0aSSdEyongoRhPL6hN3kURFi3XDX9tM9vbLFHJ1CBe1jZc4Ou9/s640/Thanksgiving+416.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI4GRDqt3_x9Kz6L79sXjizb6Fum1sCR9W-Yqy1Fe8OyYi0xjx6W1-vtDWZddvZS4YCISnGCgVs6YcEBBrgusyY8j5jMlwJ6y8KUNyZZR8KdwDb7xksSj0w1H5dUYF2za7gKtfhqc-bKX/s1600/Thanksgiving+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI4GRDqt3_x9Kz6L79sXjizb6Fum1sCR9W-Yqy1Fe8OyYi0xjx6W1-vtDWZddvZS4YCISnGCgVs6YcEBBrgusyY8j5jMlwJ6y8KUNyZZR8KdwDb7xksSj0w1H5dUYF2za7gKtfhqc-bKX/s640/Thanksgiving+033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>BEFORE</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkO82ZmsHt6lygUSkm0FYq5m7ps5LFeHIzI-VgtbMCPuByjRCheSP2HqCEMdgOrrbF29owknnLnWz4fdBe8ss-tLNDV4lgEdjw57rRO9u06Mu4c_YHyTPwPxAL0LitXFUPEHTgczcg35f6/s1600/Thanksgiving+306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkO82ZmsHt6lygUSkm0FYq5m7ps5LFeHIzI-VgtbMCPuByjRCheSP2HqCEMdgOrrbF29owknnLnWz4fdBe8ss-tLNDV4lgEdjw57rRO9u06Mu4c_YHyTPwPxAL0LitXFUPEHTgczcg35f6/s640/Thanksgiving+306.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Since we are still in the process of finishing this room this is not an after picture but more of a "progress made so far" picture. I need to put up the roman shade that will hide the gorgeous meter right outside the window. I also need to arrange the books and other items on the shelves and hang the map and artwork on the walls.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<i>After</i> so far......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEK0iPIEc_p9xqLJByAFxfwvpNPlCE5muuQJ7X4enYQtNk6Eo2pwky01sGEalJ0ku9C5eu5duDFvX7d5JxtrEO6mC_22RvRHsr9MnygLiTfZfS-0m0ENqtDQzqQZCJoWzx5JCJbscvAlU/s1600/schoolroom+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEK0iPIEc_p9xqLJByAFxfwvpNPlCE5muuQJ7X4enYQtNk6Eo2pwky01sGEalJ0ku9C5eu5duDFvX7d5JxtrEO6mC_22RvRHsr9MnygLiTfZfS-0m0ENqtDQzqQZCJoWzx5JCJbscvAlU/s640/schoolroom+093.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the other side of the room there is a closet with double doors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgug9qedeZCauy55n9yS24OLRkPT8veuF1QwSxy2YPIqqHbZYYomAfFhu8qSQgnovRUhOfuJ3lCiyeJJVJC6K3DHxSs2H4DCkso6Rsw3at9rDD98wweiFIVrCBYWjH9S9N3tkXKaSOffVWv/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgug9qedeZCauy55n9yS24OLRkPT8veuF1QwSxy2YPIqqHbZYYomAfFhu8qSQgnovRUhOfuJ3lCiyeJJVJC6K3DHxSs2H4DCkso6Rsw3at9rDD98wweiFIVrCBYWjH9S9N3tkXKaSOffVWv/s640/005.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We though it would be perfect for stashing books and other homeschooling material. A just close the door on the chaos kinda thing. So hubby made shelves.. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3kOM7TAKkV5bFLSFIOjzNv0E15e4NHbPGfk261_eXvlsNco2SkTWsDGQ-cF7oYEGkKgOyD1cnODUoKcKs_pP1KqjcSp8-GEEPV9u1Z69_GD7sOcVVnK6oyoSAoJO7oMhJ76rPJ-BqX9g/s1600/schoolroom+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3kOM7TAKkV5bFLSFIOjzNv0E15e4NHbPGfk261_eXvlsNco2SkTWsDGQ-cF7oYEGkKgOyD1cnODUoKcKs_pP1KqjcSp8-GEEPV9u1Z69_GD7sOcVVnK6oyoSAoJO7oMhJ76rPJ-BqX9g/s640/schoolroom+034.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Here they are all painted and filled up....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDfcy29zgJuaztUx3TdmhZYWPgFezEzjEmAzJa_adIFZCodfa5xoS8q9EFfugmbICghrRcEoYgSqT5RISrP4SYQm7mlOyyc4ZPIHoDM9MjHqWSAdw1voTWelpCGrtIwWKPusIzmQGLkrB/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDfcy29zgJuaztUx3TdmhZYWPgFezEzjEmAzJa_adIFZCodfa5xoS8q9EFfugmbICghrRcEoYgSqT5RISrP4SYQm7mlOyyc4ZPIHoDM9MjHqWSAdw1voTWelpCGrtIwWKPusIzmQGLkrB/s640/010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and lest I discourage any homeschooling mother out there with pictures of pristine homeschooling areas this is what the table looked like tonight!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MVWM4nySaRzo4RPE0Ej4cs34Axq06eY48NzhypzXRd3p3htrsPFQdNDA_CGvfoCp3EKa84oSJHlfCPPY5_nhW34kGq2x4CeyuIjlCEAzs895zdbrTssRzF-7oNnVEK3fT5d-pZcy2tR3/s1600/075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MVWM4nySaRzo4RPE0Ej4cs34Axq06eY48NzhypzXRd3p3htrsPFQdNDA_CGvfoCp3EKa84oSJHlfCPPY5_nhW34kGq2x4CeyuIjlCEAzs895zdbrTssRzF-7oNnVEK3fT5d-pZcy2tR3/s400/075.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Ouch! Just keeping it real :)! After Pics coming soon...</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can see a makeover of my boy's play area with complete before and afters <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/06/making-chalkboard-for-childs-room.html">here</a>!</div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-90269552271301082202011-04-22T07:20:00.001-05:002011-07-06T01:15:18.134-05:00He Is Risen!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i><b>Don't be alarmed, he said. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.</b></i><br />
<i><b>Mark 16:6</b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3StQfGXwKQ0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Three years ago I stopped trusting in my righteous works and started trusting solely in Jesus Christ for my salvation. Since then there is in me a continual joy that nothing can take away. Today my life is hidden in Him the author and finisher of my faith and I delight in obeying His commands to give Him glory. Hallelujah for He made a way!<br />
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<i>Knowing that a man is <b>not</b> justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall <b>no flesh be justified. </b>Galatians 2:16</i><br />
<i><b>But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justificatio</b>n. Romans 4:24,25</i><br />
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Happy Resurrection Day! <i> </i>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-9564545440658709662011-04-18T17:32:00.004-05:002011-07-08T22:09:04.688-05:00What Sealed The Deal<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="color: black;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As the one year anniversary of our current house purchase draws near I am reminded of the journey that led us to where we are today. Choosing a home to purchase is no easy task</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Even though the house structure itself is important, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">where the house is located, your overall lifestyle, pastimes as a family etc., should also be taken into consideration when making a final decision. After a year of searching (and I mean searching people!!) we ultimately chose this particular house of ours, in a all its 90's pinkness, above countless others because of its proximity to a 100 acre park that sits like an oasis in the midst of endless rows of suburban manicured lawns that surround it. My three boys deem the vast park their </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">very own paradise and they do not seem to tire of exploring it day after day. It has been a continuous source of joy and entertainment for our entire family.</span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaP-I5O23ykmY-VNW0L9kdpFtpcYuXRlR2pFLY4rr3eeknrn0DPUxZrw6zfPZvi_JMCITH1vBTL2mPCbJqW6RzyxjvcQvAp1iOK4GOeESoQd9XhK2-vXkoxVVymCl9nHIkL6uZJ5mYlQr-/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaP-I5O23ykmY-VNW0L9kdpFtpcYuXRlR2pFLY4rr3eeknrn0DPUxZrw6zfPZvi_JMCITH1vBTL2mPCbJqW6RzyxjvcQvAp1iOK4GOeESoQd9XhK2-vXkoxVVymCl9nHIkL6uZJ5mYlQr-/s640/037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe77YJS8p3OTKp7Mei47Iq3NIDuOtNL6FGu6pnn3-iNjGJZLB3PcUpHTKFEjloXZNU-EGIKgbgLAfH5LOXnrqsti0Sa84PEpOU2ljQilhIemfsmgYRJ3TnJdkzjrz-nwzP_Dtld75JKCF/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe77YJS8p3OTKp7Mei47Iq3NIDuOtNL6FGu6pnn3-iNjGJZLB3PcUpHTKFEjloXZNU-EGIKgbgLAfH5LOXnrqsti0Sa84PEpOU2ljQilhIemfsmgYRJ3TnJdkzjrz-nwzP_Dtld75JKCF/s640/018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This protected piece of land, with its endless trails, trees, wild grasses and streams as well as numerous sports courts scattered throughout, sealed the deal for us and we have never looked back.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8qYjIu9cRq7saIbhI3-NKxuRJj3xb54vxU6iVJuLx385EnoqqfR4Z2wMKDgIoTTCpkfljRtWvnGr__58d3-eC6lHviPJbtP8Bex4EphLV6rysvacSZ0BYRtrtP1Sc5S6qu647l818NrM/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8qYjIu9cRq7saIbhI3-NKxuRJj3xb54vxU6iVJuLx385EnoqqfR4Z2wMKDgIoTTCpkfljRtWvnGr__58d3-eC6lHviPJbtP8Bex4EphLV6rysvacSZ0BYRtrtP1Sc5S6qu647l818NrM/s640/042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Pec7frBWwwq9YWKllSZIsYM02FKbgd9y4TFmKrPoSAeTEoXMakMv3rxY8Fo3elpBqenICYDhY_cDfTo-iDkGNowJoJJ4UNKmZdoDiWKuChfoKLe3nFE3F1T3Sc2vYcBgqO5agz9J8as4/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Pec7frBWwwq9YWKllSZIsYM02FKbgd9y4TFmKrPoSAeTEoXMakMv3rxY8Fo3elpBqenICYDhY_cDfTo-iDkGNowJoJJ4UNKmZdoDiWKuChfoKLe3nFE3F1T3Sc2vYcBgqO5agz9J8as4/s640/035.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>O</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ur daily walks through favorite spots are usually slow and leisurely since the boys insist on examining every single discovery most thoroughly and one of them in particular loves wandering off to pick just the right flower for mama :o) </span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3smg1I8VtaFMq2Ue4RvwmbfcVlVCHNEwkN2PbLFFTdX5OVM8NUmh8c9pMySsCtKI1qK58uxoryhQxwOTajkq2nIbQ8mh3JkwYsixZQ6iDCJ1O7MJtVDCRpILVnb8l5uXc2POuJYEPuWs/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3smg1I8VtaFMq2Ue4RvwmbfcVlVCHNEwkN2PbLFFTdX5OVM8NUmh8c9pMySsCtKI1qK58uxoryhQxwOTajkq2nIbQ8mh3JkwYsixZQ6iDCJ1O7MJtVDCRpILVnb8l5uXc2POuJYEPuWs/s640/022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-joKjInaORu0m1YIYoOUhFy9PHQ91KfWuVDMMYH0M08J_EJQxTI7ioMmF8htFrLVTBVi5DhuJsOBPdoZvS1KCGRmgbqq2EwSmmmbNzr4ptSRIbOzEvMO445JWgpFNsRvMC3hSUwoIhvR/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-joKjInaORu0m1YIYoOUhFy9PHQ91KfWuVDMMYH0M08J_EJQxTI7ioMmF8htFrLVTBVi5DhuJsOBPdoZvS1KCGRmgbqq2EwSmmmbNzr4ptSRIbOzEvMO445JWgpFNsRvMC3hSUwoIhvR/s640/019.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><b></b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is an area where nature is preserved and so wildlife thrives. There are, <i>ahem,</i> shall I say 'many a critter lurking about'. The latest discovery? A snake's skin dangling from a branch. A veritable treasure if you ask my three....</span><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3zesWAcp6SL_cb2VVZolszZpjMZOL_pJJwKxPsbWVhj_eA5AD08vInIPvEjqVMQWDKsYJPNt8JE7HySLkF9ae_ZGOFZTIyjO5Ehge9peavd-T2HQNKpRbRFz_0c-BRWk-Kv1_AZ4IMvA/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3zesWAcp6SL_cb2VVZolszZpjMZOL_pJJwKxPsbWVhj_eA5AD08vInIPvEjqVMQWDKsYJPNt8JE7HySLkF9ae_ZGOFZTIyjO5Ehge9peavd-T2HQNKpRbRFz_0c-BRWk-Kv1_AZ4IMvA/s640/024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was of course promptly removed and examined from all angles.</span> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrIANyodAb9ncYMPhdeS7tzLm3AEuA5LzYtjKj87X73BFPilOsnrgx0t5lr1WGzBzpkcZiWcJpLszEgf_D4j9WFZyN264AAcXPwd69WF0kgyKwD9m0OwtxG56sFWyVVKWURjKaLcyOktF/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrIANyodAb9ncYMPhdeS7tzLm3AEuA5LzYtjKj87X73BFPilOsnrgx0t5lr1WGzBzpkcZiWcJpLszEgf_D4j9WFZyN264AAcXPwd69WF0kgyKwD9m0OwtxG56sFWyVVKWURjKaLcyOktF/s640/027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfg7RLjeYnAIl3WOA9Zs5tbbnc8fZU0JAweV3ab4657RGNmBYTvgpdxIOoP4-uffomB9LjgSIZpGHBqsiNxaLG95tIl1aoyFfh8iVlXqWVZdUKsF4B1JKTsHhzsADn6QB-qzMZ40ooM8M/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfg7RLjeYnAIl3WOA9Zs5tbbnc8fZU0JAweV3ab4657RGNmBYTvgpdxIOoP4-uffomB9LjgSIZpGHBqsiNxaLG95tIl1aoyFfh8iVlXqWVZdUKsF4B1JKTsHhzsADn6QB-qzMZ40ooM8M/s640/030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> In their efforts to convince me to let them carry it home so as to add it to their ever growing collection they actually told me they thought it would look great as a decoration on our entryway table! What mama can resist such convincing?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHilKJTDBtuYbeuBqGmLvRAiOHIe9KMBOQCngXniIpsKoB3q8vKzvCXl3-9q3iWbtHBuobxYrKpNrNBr0ctJAxR4v0cd5TPgvQP2UVYmUiSZztNUdE7qnMx9uR1EAtQV89qbMxfgj9CYr/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHilKJTDBtuYbeuBqGmLvRAiOHIe9KMBOQCngXniIpsKoB3q8vKzvCXl3-9q3iWbtHBuobxYrKpNrNBr0ctJAxR4v0cd5TPgvQP2UVYmUiSZztNUdE7qnMx9uR1EAtQV89qbMxfgj9CYr/s640/041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Just a friendly reminder to look at the big picture when choosing a home for your family. For us it has made all the difference! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The above photos remind me of this rhyme...</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What are little boys made of?</b><br />
<b>Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails</b><br />
<b>That's what little boys are made of !</b></span></i></div></div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-3097382405766194822011-04-15T13:52:00.003-05:002011-07-06T02:04:28.677-05:00Cottage Style Living Areas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDw3INkrind54GXLsMUc5U8Jsf2ySF9c_8IbLqrQTWSR_ut1cSQt1JvafIQu76LM7tyHkcRda8pwOS3eTD49EM-YFCG5m3Dv8tXjiG4umD475k8NKC6R_gYlyRjyW_8Vg34EJSmxfaDpaC/s1600/68515-airy-living-room-r-x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDw3INkrind54GXLsMUc5U8Jsf2ySF9c_8IbLqrQTWSR_ut1cSQt1JvafIQu76LM7tyHkcRda8pwOS3eTD49EM-YFCG5m3Dv8tXjiG4umD475k8NKC6R_gYlyRjyW_8Vg34EJSmxfaDpaC/s640/68515-airy-living-room-r-x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1t0w56M1Nb8MwQ5rfB9aBLnc4_sI1Jx_qD3cdqtrhBVEftSWo5l2icZD9lMtKgOFwZfo04nBcyQVMr6DZoLDxMQNpMolj6Tvx83MOF4Iz2Fx2IJYB8B35fBrVDh5qFuSQzLyeYx4EKkS/s1600/Cottage+living.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1t0w56M1Nb8MwQ5rfB9aBLnc4_sI1Jx_qD3cdqtrhBVEftSWo5l2icZD9lMtKgOFwZfo04nBcyQVMr6DZoLDxMQNpMolj6Tvx83MOF4Iz2Fx2IJYB8B35fBrVDh5qFuSQzLyeYx4EKkS/s640/Cottage+living.jpg" width="608" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblztKDZn6ZwxfY8gBi9cR8obG6D7PTAFn9U8qshv4fZaM1HXEpDadoV0VZIliqEF26ZuMzZW5yw4ysHGvBivASHrVhbBMeISbkE9JbLE9KVtJh4pCin5i_woiMVh-jVJAXIWymg1osRHz/s1600/cottage+living+room+cute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblztKDZn6ZwxfY8gBi9cR8obG6D7PTAFn9U8qshv4fZaM1HXEpDadoV0VZIliqEF26ZuMzZW5yw4ysHGvBivASHrVhbBMeISbkE9JbLE9KVtJh4pCin5i_woiMVh-jVJAXIWymg1osRHz/s640/cottage+living+room+cute.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Hope you all have a great weekend!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Images courtesy of My Home ideas</span>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-15438888504136648432011-04-14T13:43:00.002-05:002011-07-06T02:06:40.848-05:00Painting On My Mind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What originally started out as a simple entryway makeover has spilled over and turned into a bigger "decorate the the entire space" kind of project. Since our front door opens right into a large area that serves as our front living and dining room, decorating the entryway also means looking at the rest of the space and making sure it all flows well. Right now I am tackling our 60" round dining table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sZqXC5lt4vdyL2R1hGyFglGO1B5qUFJl6BuzacZLIVrIF5RAhw8gY1tZzHMt6lW8NlJnHcV3QYqqX_NpZIrL3Iug1zLImQMCG85WjXM73iqioGcQ1b2RPi1rXl8QvWzWXiyY_w9idDhk/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sZqXC5lt4vdyL2R1hGyFglGO1B5qUFJl6BuzacZLIVrIF5RAhw8gY1tZzHMt6lW8NlJnHcV3QYqqX_NpZIrL3Iug1zLImQMCG85WjXM73iqioGcQ1b2RPi1rXl8QvWzWXiyY_w9idDhk/s640/026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have it covered with a tablecloth because the table top surface is not in the greatest condition. This is what is under that tablecloth .....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOezO_tZsQp_OgtmeV0coHQj8FSuCrUoec827mHy7EBSbRTeZjxDuPNImmKLeLgFdJiAg0E0zAkLC8fRWmUGOIFODfrd4TEuPpui-hE7CohBK6c5RetKQS0OOiDT76NK8_Dnc4Wpunq0W/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOezO_tZsQp_OgtmeV0coHQj8FSuCrUoec827mHy7EBSbRTeZjxDuPNImmKLeLgFdJiAg0E0zAkLC8fRWmUGOIFODfrd4TEuPpui-hE7CohBK6c5RetKQS0OOiDT76NK8_Dnc4Wpunq0W/s400/056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Not only is the table scuffed up the stain is also too dark and it does not blend well with the buffet. I want to paint it creamy white and think that it would look great against the dark floors and buffet. I have been looking at these two images for inspiration. Any suggestions welcome!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-9zt4GsTxX9W0RrdSI5TLijGA6sGCBaLqPO7AUzndOS93bidkcOplboBnYM2hHXAJiKi268HkM0prHyPUeJfwEwGnYir5x7N-pZqwSx5LG7A3hQ1Uvi6y6V950sK2bJSJ6TPH7Q9ACV7/s1600/white+table+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-9zt4GsTxX9W0RrdSI5TLijGA6sGCBaLqPO7AUzndOS93bidkcOplboBnYM2hHXAJiKi268HkM0prHyPUeJfwEwGnYir5x7N-pZqwSx5LG7A3hQ1Uvi6y6V950sK2bJSJ6TPH7Q9ACV7/s640/white+table+1.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-p_6Epwj76JsFKF9CI8bFa7jTe2nJ7K4bnGPZd2hbdeQMEIrlvdY0qoeJNH07lvZWNHhFUhFqUuWVIDBILk3_JIBo97jV-iCsD-zsvBWETVnWj_GQRUg4_JwJoQMlQD3b8dyT1RZ9sVKB/s1600/white+table+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoSpj6J6mn9qr2toX2odueYi2WEpHepsuAsaUzb_b115t4tIhDUppreximHCY4B7QbB6lXIMjlGKfRubtfD5LusmJwTUUvXX_tPLXgkWYojjzxNcr4MtYbg_F8GzPZAfpXG_CWa6YbXP4/s1600/white+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoSpj6J6mn9qr2toX2odueYi2WEpHepsuAsaUzb_b115t4tIhDUppreximHCY4B7QbB6lXIMjlGKfRubtfD5LusmJwTUUvXX_tPLXgkWYojjzxNcr4MtYbg_F8GzPZAfpXG_CWa6YbXP4/s640/white+table.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-19416657853669088692011-04-04T01:34:00.001-05:002011-07-06T01:22:39.592-05:00Surprise!Friday morning, hubby and Seth left for a two day apologetics conference five hours away. Zach looked a bit lost without big brother around so while Jacob practiced the piano I took out the Scrabble game and let him play with the letter tiles. I was blown away (floored really :o)) when he began to point at each tile and correctly identify the letters. I never taught them to him, yet somehow, someway he learned them all! When I asked him how on earth he had learned them he explained that he would listen to the spelling lessons I do with his brothers. This surprised me because while I do spelling with the oldest two he is usually away from our table on the floor putting a puzzle together or building something out of blocks, legos etc so I assumed he was not paying attention to our lessons. I cannot believe I did not find out that he knew them until now! I told him I wanted to record him saying the letters and dashed off to get my camera. He grew quite impatient when he saw I wanted him to go through the letters again for the cam but complied long enough for me to get this short video below. My baby is growing up people *sniffle * sniffle* <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzAWj6MeHJiwcDI_ov_Icsc63cFjyVNt9PYtVZgGqD94pKN80ERfOVGtnlmRub88XLo5CtZ9qyv1e3WbMET' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2229766406881382571.post-17935624162736150492011-03-30T16:08:00.002-05:002011-07-08T17:40:05.693-05:00Celebrating a LifeOur house looked quite festive this Sunday as we celebrated Jacob's birthday with family and friends. We hung paper lanterns in the dining room....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1DsOeuNz4qaiXnA9yaEjCCJiuuufHu0JXFu78q_UVF6Ys5eeX6hgNi1PEvuVBdYILm6vGpJD5Qjx_Adeeqeu9l2grW54JLLd0_wciqi3D6U2JS-NZsflt3cdgYJJIt_oAc2k-vCBXlOI/s1600/lanterns+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1DsOeuNz4qaiXnA9yaEjCCJiuuufHu0JXFu78q_UVF6Ys5eeX6hgNi1PEvuVBdYILm6vGpJD5Qjx_Adeeqeu9l2grW54JLLd0_wciqi3D6U2JS-NZsflt3cdgYJJIt_oAc2k-vCBXlOI/s640/lanterns+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
and attached pennants we made out of scrapbook paper throughout.<br />
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</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHWSrHCYnbat-w5735bkhJtelvxxj5yLYSDvXvkWVtlbc6xGJmcW97Ig0zsXoGhVGuuqw1x_a_18_Ua6cyMqGf6ITL3D0ZewmR9YBrzE-AGQmKYJTCwVOsghHa6ZQTmDZ6p3XN2kzFDyx/s1600/Birthday+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHWSrHCYnbat-w5735bkhJtelvxxj5yLYSDvXvkWVtlbc6xGJmcW97Ig0zsXoGhVGuuqw1x_a_18_Ua6cyMqGf6ITL3D0ZewmR9YBrzE-AGQmKYJTCwVOsghHa6ZQTmDZ6p3XN2kzFDyx/s640/Birthday+005.JPG" width="640" /></a> We also made a chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting that turned out quite delicious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9PN61vflWBLxXtp5LewzE5rWfyw7iPXCogPm6luWLxbH7FDvubc4Pw96qxOykJq-QzAaFZ1IZLjbOmpzC2mZVrIToKrw814hH_JMTZM1da5bx2fzbHrtYaqagg_EQrnCNERNScm77OEa/s1600/birthday+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9PN61vflWBLxXtp5LewzE5rWfyw7iPXCogPm6luWLxbH7FDvubc4Pw96qxOykJq-QzAaFZ1IZLjbOmpzC2mZVrIToKrw814hH_JMTZM1da5bx2fzbHrtYaqagg_EQrnCNERNScm77OEa/s400/birthday+015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Letter to Jacob from Mommy on March 26, 2011<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My dear son, </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eight years ago, on a beautiful spring day, I held you in my arms for the first time and fell in love. Today you are all of eight years old and my heart is still completely and forever yours. You are like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day and we cannot imagine our lives without you. I am always amazed at how self assured you are for one so young and I can already see in you glimpses of the great man you will one day become. How I love your witty, slightly sarcastic sense of humor and your great laugh, they light up my days. You are energetic and full of life, and I enjoy watching how you delight in playing sports with your dad for hours on end. You are so artistic, always creating something, and your knack for finding beauty in the simplest of things is very refreshing. Above all I admire your great love for God and stand in awe of how powerfully He is working in your heart. Recently you shared with me how you believe God has called you to be a missionary to China and I know that since then you dream of learning Mandarin and helping the people in that country come to know the One who died so that they could live. These are all good and noble dreams my love but never forget that it is only through Him alone that all this can be accomplished. If He is your all in all then there will never be a task too great for you, for nothing is impossible for Him. On this day my greatest wish for you, my sweet Jacoby, is a life filled with His grace and His love.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love you more than words can express and I hope you have a very Happy Birthday.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Your Mommy</span></i>Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16512397685714010182noreply@blogger.com110