MY favorite projects of 2013

My last two posts were about what my stat counter showed were my most popular posts of the year. You can read #10 - 5 here and #5 - #1 here.

Today's post is about what MY favorite blog projects of 2013 were!


In No Particular order:

My guest bathroom project

I love the color and the beadboard wallpaper. It was so easy to install, easy to paint and looked great. I am thinking of using it again in my 1/2 bath in the new house. I have no desire to remove the pedestal sink and toilet in the new house to install real beadboard, so wallpaper it is....

My front door that I painted black on the interior

It took me years to work up the courage to do this. Finally one day I took a brush and put a large black streak on the door with a sample can. I was not ready to paint it that day, but the time had come to just.do.it. I loved the result and can't wait to do it again at our new house. I even have a few cans of the same paint ready to go! Benjamin Moore Black Iron. Perfect!

Burp Cloths

I have literally made DOZENS of these over at least 10 years. They make great baby gifts and are so easy to do and every one can be different.

Wall Ruler

Admittedly, this project was photographed very poorly by me. The pictures do NOT do it justice. This looks very cool in person, and my kids love checking out their heights on it regularly.

Brass Lantern redone

I LOVED this project. Getting rid of the large fluorescent light with the oak trim around it was part of it. But it was so easy, and looked so great over my old kitchen island. I liked it so much, I have a nice new shiny one waiting to get painted and hung over my new island!

Monogrammed Cake Stand

This was done using glass etching cream. It is really very easy; picking your design and lining it up on your surface are the most difficult parts...... I love the way this turned out, and it made what was a nice gift into a very special personalized gift. There will be more of this in 2014!

Painted Rustic Wooden Flag

This was made in less than an hour - maybe less than 30 minutes. I just grabbed some left over fence wood, some paint, painters tape and got started. I have mentioned before how I love July 4th and Americana decorating. This was such a great addition to our home during July!

Snapshots of My Hometown: A New England Town

I took these photos around town when we were visiting last summer. I really took my time getting pictures that I felt captured the feeling and look of New England. The photo above shows the town warf where the lobster pot Christmas tree was located. I enjoy taking photographs, but do not usually take scenery photos; people or things are usually my subjects. I think I will have some of these prints made into canvas and hung in the new house.

Monogrammed Napkins (with fabric paint)

This is such a cool example of how awesome fabric paint is, and how easy it is to use. I LOVE these napkins and want to make more for gifts in 2014.

Redone $2.99 stool(s)

This turned out better than I imagined. I did not have high expectations due to the low cost of the stool..... however I love this and know it will look great at my new kitchen island. Now if only the stool fairy could find me just one more!



Those are MY top 10 blog projects of 2013, I hope you enjoyed looking at them. Projects will be slow for a while. We are closing in 18 days! Lots to do and get done. But I will be diving into the projects once we get in the new house.

Thank you for stopping and reading!

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Top 10 viewed posts of 2013 - Part 2 of 2

Okay, let me start with the fact that obviously I can NOT count. My last post was Part 1 and was supposed to be 1/2 of the top 10, which would be FIVE, correct?!?!? Well, I gave you a countdown from #10 through #5. That would be SIX. Ooops........

SO today I will re-cap #5, which I shared with you last time, and then also include the final top posts! So without further adieu; here are the TOP FIVE POSTS of 2013.


#5. Painted Kitchen Cabinets. This post is actually about more that that. I also painted the kitchen island and added beadboard and trim to it. I moved a thermostat and added a tall pantry cabinet. This completely changed the look of our kitchen for not much money. A lot of work, but totally worth it! Go see for yourself!

#4. Tooth Fairy Sign. This is a cute little sign, that is going to be needed again any day......

#3. New Headboards for Twin Beds. These were built by me using Ana White's plans. They were built for my 2 boys who were getting a "new" room that they would share, and this was my very first post ever!

#2. Board and Batten in Entry. Not too much work for a LOT of impact. Can't wait to do this again in our new home......

Drumroll please..........

#1. Little $4 Yard Sale Table makeover. I LOVE how this turned out and plan to do more projects like it when we move in the new house.

Thank you for stopping by today and for reading my blog, both new and returning readers!

I have a favor to ask y'all..... I want ideas of posts you would like to see in 2014. Keep in mind that we are moving into a brand new home in 3 weeks and the house and yard will need lots of custom work and attention to detail. Let me know what your favorite projects are, or what you hope to read on my blog in the coming year, and I will see what I can to to bring it to you!

Linking with the Incredible Thrifty Decor Chick

Top 10 Viewed posts of 2013 - Part 1 of 2

Well, Happy New Year everyone. I hope your New Year has started out beautifully!

Ours has been great personally, just a little rainy and wet......not good for kiddos on vacation who want to play outside!

My very first post was February 8, 2013. This post also was in the top 10 for most viewed! So my top 10 of 2013 is from the last 11 months of blogging. I have enjoyed every minute of sharing my project with you all. Here they are in order from lowest to highest.....

# 10. Picture Frame Wainscot that I installed in our dining room in our last house. This was a favorite project of mine. Easy and HUGE impact.

#9. A shutter that I turned into a jewelery organizer. This was so easy and I love that I now can see my choices for jewelry, so I don't always use the same earrings or necklace over and over......

#8. Jute Wrapped Letter.

#7. LL Bean Copy Cat Longitude/ Latitude Sign. I LOVE this sign and made 2 of them for gifts. The next one I make will be for our new home!

#6. Rustic Painted Flag Sign. July 4th is one of my very favorite holiday and times of year and I love decorating with Americana decor. This sign was so so easy....

#5. Painted Kitchen Cabinets. This post is actually about more that that. I also painted the kitchen island and added beadboard and trim to it. I moved a thermostat and added a tall pantry cabinet. This completely changed the look of our kitchen for not much money. A lot of work, but totally worth it! Go see for yourself!

Stay Tuned for the top 5 posts of 2013............coming soon!

** Update: Here is Part 2 **

Thank you for reading and visiting and I hope you come back for my next post!!!

I am linking at these fab blogs: The Pin Junkie The Girl Creative The Shabby Nest Redoux Interiors Craft Dictator

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