Dining Room Makeover

I like to redo rooms in my house about every two years. It just so happens that I have been living in this house about two years!

This project took less than 6 hours with 1 person. Imagine how fast you could change a room with 2 or 3 people!

BEFORE

Now!

I love my new dining room makeover! What do you think?

My new organization station!

I made this little area to keep all my goodies organized. It works good but it a little smaller than I need. Any ideas as to what I can add to it?

Old Item New Use

Bakers racks are very versatile and can be great in homes in need of additional storage space. Most people limit the use of bakers racks to the kitchen or dining room. I tend to think outside the box and use items for things other than they were intended for.

I was able to pick up this old kitchen bakers rack at an auction for $35. I did not even think of the kitchen when I was bidding on it. I knew it would be perfect in my little girls room. I added a few shoe box size storage tubs to organize her hair accessories.

Nest time you are out at a estate sale, auction, or yard sale have an open mind. You just might find a new use for an old item.

More on the Dinning Room Makeover

I have made some additions tho the dinning room since my last post. What do you think?

Before-

http://mrssuziehomemaker.blogspot.com/2008/11/we-just-bought-new-house-and-are-in.html

Goodbye chickens, Hello kitchen makeover.

When we bought our house in April the first thing that had to go was the kitchen full of roosters. I am okay with chickens but the chicken wire on the wall and huge chicken border was was not working for me. If I was going to cook in this kitchen it was time for a major kitchen makeover.

The top of the cabinets to the celing was covered in chicken wire. Who in the world hangs chicken wire on their walls? This was a first for me!!

Ewwww!

This was my inspiration for my kitchen makeover. I thought about the baby blue walls but I could not bring myself to paint my kitchen walls that color.


We started with a nice clean surface. The chicken border came down and so did that crazy chicken wire. I textured the walls and painted them white.

The next chore was to tackle those horrible floors. I will never understand why anyone would put carpet in the kitchen. We went with a nice peel and stick tile that looks like wood. We still have a few left to put in on the bottom right of the next picture.

So it is almost done. I took a trip to a flea market and bought lots of mix matched plates in blue and white. I also made some blue and white curtains to hang. I sewed a plain panel and up a piece of fabric down the front and back. I used those two pieces to tie a bow when I want them open. I can untie the bow and the curtains will be down. I actually like the way they look up though. I still have a little more work to do but I really like the way it is coming along.

How to make a wax dipped stuff animal.

Have you seen the yummy smelling wax dipped bears?

They sale them at craft fairs and stores for $15 to $30. This is the time of year to get ready for those craft fairs. This would be a great Craft for a wahm or sahm to make some extra money for the holidays.

They are quite simple to make yourself with a few supplies and a little time.


Stuffed Teddy Bear or other animal
1 lb. wax
1.5 oz fragrance oil
Double boiler or crock pot
Thick Rubber Gloves w/ Lining
Drying Rack
2 Forks
Tongs
Blow dryer




















I used a large pot with water in it with a tight fitting bowl set down inside of it.









































Use tongs to lower in your stuffed animal very slowly. Roll it around using the tongs.























Be careful the wax is very hot.






















Any type of cooling rack will work.



























Fluffing the stuffed animal is the key to a nice looking wax dipped stuffed animal. Do not worry if you see the wax start to dry and flake, we can fix this later.

























If you feel that you have messed to the point that the hair dryer will not help just redip the bear and start over.























It is best to allow it to dry overnight.




























Tips-


Jointed bears seem to work best.

Longer haired bears work better than short hairs.


The most common sizes used are from 6" to about 10".

Better quality stuffed animals will hold up better to hot wax... some cheaper glued bears can fall apart. The glue will melt on some of the cheaper ones causing them to fall apart.

Try to use oils that are clear or very light in color on white or pastel bears.

For extra scent pour concentrated fragrance oil into the inside of the bear before dipping.

Do not set waxed bears on wood surfaces as the oils in the wax can stain the wood!

Average 6 - 10" bears sell for anywhere from $15.00 to $30.00 retail!

The bears will naturally lose scent over time. Refresh them by sprinkling with refresher oil or warming them with a blow dryer.

They are not toys and should be kept out of the reach of children.

Try using colored wax on matching colored bears for a dramatic look.

If your wax bear is dusty, clean him with a blow dryer on the cool setting.



Do yu really want one but are not sure you are ready to make it? Check out the super cute ones at Apple Blossom Candles


These photos belong to http://www.mrssuziehomemaker.com/ and are not to be reproduced without written permission from the webmaster.

123 Decor Change

Do you like to change your decor often? How about your kids? are they always wanting to redo their room in the next big thing?

This is a easy way to decorate walls without painting.

You will need fabric, liquid starch, and a sponge. Liquid starch can be found in the laundry products section at your store. A popoular brand is StayFlo. It will cost you about $2 to $3.

Choose a fabric with a bold print that can be cut out. In this case I am using butterflies.

Pour a small amount of starch in a bowl and add your fabric. Get the fabric completely wet and squeeze out the excess. Put your fabric on the wall and smooth down with your finger. Use a paper towl or sponge to blot away the excess liquid.

These are really easy to remove. Just pull them off and wipe away the residue on the wall with a wet sponge. You can reuse them again and again. The picture shows them on tile but they work wonderful on walls also.