NEW SITE

I have started a new blog! In 2013 I am hoping to get back on track- sharing lots of fun pictures, and projects! Please start following along here: Hope to see you!
All Dolled Uphttp://alldolledupfurniture.wordpress.com/

Summer Inspiration

I love summer. I love that the kids don't have to be anywhere early in the morning. I love warm days and playing in the water. I love bright colors and crisp whites. I like sun tans and outdoor pillows. I love the inspiration that summer brings. Here is some inspiration for you!

I was looking forward to seeing my sister-in-law, who loves green. Thus the "Anna" chair was created.

I love sprinkles on ice cream. Vanilla ice cream! Bright fun colors, and a crisp white comforter are the result of a summer treat. (I'm hungry now.)

I wish I had a beach cottage. One full of white chairs, distressed chippy blues, and of course lots of white gauzy curtains to let the sea air in. AKansas girl can dream. This table and chairs set takes me there.

Summer weddings? You can't go wrong with a little black dress. Or two little black chairs! The red secretary is not too bad either!

This is picture after a 16 hour day of painting, sanding, and sealing in 90 degree Kansas heat. It's not so bad when you have these colors to work with! Don't be afraid to add a pop of color in your home- a little accent piece will certainly become a favorite.

(the mint clover table is my fave!)

This breakfast tray was inspired after breakfast in bed *sigh, from my sweet boys,
*double sigh.

I love stripes. On a tank top. On a summer maxi dress. On little boy's polo shirts.

Oh, and on furniture~ :)

To finish it off. A good ol' re purposed passion:

Taking old dressers and turning them into servers or entertainment centers. The drawer was busted in this piece, so we (Mr. Doll) built in a shelf, added the baskets, and refinished and stained the top a dark rich coco bean stain. The bottom is finished in "wheat bread." It's ready for breakfast.

I adored this piece.

Take a look around you and see what inspires you. I am sure something amazing can be born!

The last Two Months....

 It's hard to believe that I have my own store.

The Cottage Collective is about 2 months old now, and I still stand in shock.

So many pieces, like this vintage red restored locker, have come and gone. I am so proud of each of them.

 The routine has gone a little something like this.

Monday: sand and prep

Tuesday: Paint, distress, glaze, antique, etc.

Weds. Rise early to finish up and place finishing touches.

Late Weds night, get a sitter, load the suburban and truck and head to the store.

Unload the vehicles. Kiss my hubby goodnight.

Grab a diet coke and re stage the store, while pricing the new stuff.

Collapse into bed, typically around 1 am.

Thursday: Do the breakfast\carpoool\make lunches\get everyone dressed\get home and shower\ head to the store:

 open by 11am.

Friday: Visit with the best shoppers around. (I love our customers!)

Pizza night with the family

Saturday: Work 10-4

Sunday: Church, rest, and pick pieces to start all over again on Monday.

(insert the daily's like food, laundry, errands, school events, etc!)

 But when I walk in the room full of my hardwork, it is all worth it.

Every week the store has looked different. I am so humbled and blessed that I have to replace pieces weekly. It is such an honor.

 Below is one of the first shots of the store, how I loved that duck egg blue desk!

 Gray and yellow, it is a new favorite of mine! The dresser below however left with lime green knobs, to fit a little guy's nursery!

 My favorite "black" display. I love frame and mirror collages. I can't get enough of them.

 "All Dolled Up's" take on turquoise: soft, and fun. With a restored wood top!

I like to stack....

Below are some of my favorite Shabby Chic pieces.

I love soft feminine colors, they just make me think of a sweet little cottage nestled in the woods.

(These are the things I think while painting late...late...late at night!)

And a little farmhouse...

my love for farmhouse is growing... and I am currently obsessed with this finish...

That is a post on its own!

This isn't even a quarter or what I have done, loved, tagged, then sold, and loaded in happy new homes in the past 2 months.

It's overwhelming really.

This dream of mine seemed so big.

And sometimes it doesn't seem real.

Thanks to all who believed in me, encouraged me, and most of all prayed for me.

Here's to an awesome "all dolled up " summer.

I hope to get some before and after posts going soon!

Wish me luck on that! HA!

Sew Easy Valentines Decor

It's getting close to the Day of Love, and who doesn't love to have the excuse to decorate with red and pink for a little while? (Mommies of Boys that's who!)

Anyways- I wish I could show you a darling mantle or centerpiece I did, but my house is currently a storage unit for my store that is opening soon, so you will just get some basic tutorials today and hopefully a bit of inspiration!

Felt Heart Garland:

1. Take a sheet of red felt and cut in half. 

2. Sew down the bottom leaving a small seem on the edge

3. Flip the sides inside out and stitch along the other bottom half the same way.

You will get a heart shaped tube:

4. Then cut the hearts in about 1\2 inch sections

5. Thread some yarn with a long yarn or upholstery needle 

*Tip, thread the yarn through the top of the heart, not the center, so the hearts don't topple over when strung.

6. Knot the ends with a double knot, trim your yarn and enjoy!

{The pink topiary is a round Styrofoam ball, covered in crepe paper rosettes, a straw in the middle, stuck into a block of floral foam, then covered with moss. I have used these for showers and other holiday decor! So cute and so cheap!}

Wonders With Ribbon:

If you are on Pinterest you have seen the cute wreaths everywhere! I can't get enough of wreaths!

This one took no time at all.

1. straw wreath

2. several multi-patterned spools of ribbon

3. some cut felt hearts

4. some paper flowers

5. matching buttons.

6. hot glue

7. few push pins

Simply wrap your wreath with your ribbon, securing with push pins when the strand  changes.

Hot Glue different sized felt hearts on one side. Then glue the paper flowers on and a button in the center.

(I despise my boring brown front door, but hey, the wreath helps!)

With the remainder of the ribbon, I stitched some ruffles along a 8" panel of cream burlap.

Then I cut triangle pennants out of the panel.

Simply stitched some jute twine along the top and you have a darling alternating bunting.

 All the decor ready to head to the store!

 I loved searching for fun felt this year. I did a few with black and white hounds tooth, and damask prints as well! 

So fun and chic!

(I cut these while in bed, hence the nightstand full of lotion, Kleenex, and diet books! )

 For these garlands just sew down the middle, with the hearts either side by side or top to bottom, and cut a 6" ribbon to attach to the ends. 

 (sorry about the boring display, this is my craft room wall and it's the only place not overcome by furniture!)

Happy Valentine's Day, dear friends, hope you feel loved and cherished!