A few days ago, I found this really ugly ottoman at a thrift store. 

It was covered in pet hair and outdated fabric and my gag reflex kicked in every time I looked at it...but I really loved the legs and decided to re-cover it.  So yesterday I went fabric shopping and found this great cheetah print.

I fitted it and made a few seams in the corners and then...

decided I wasn't so sure about the cheetah print. 

So I started searching through my fabric stash and found this green and brown that I really like. 

...but I can't decide which one I like more...I'm hoping to finish this "quick" project today...which fabric do you think I should use?  Help!

It's been kind of a mish mash week. 

Let's catch up. 

I usually don't go to Tai Pan Trading very often, but after going and falling in love with the pillow, blah, blah, blah, I had to return a wall piece that I bought that didn't work where I wanted it to.  Anyways, I thought I would take a minute and look at their mirrors, because as you know from reading here, I was in the market for one.  So I looked through their mirrors and they had some good ones, but at $250.00 {!} I couldn't do it.  I continued wandering and finally made my way back to the clearance items, because, really, that 's the best corner of the store, and lo and behold, there it was!  MY mirror.   It was the perfect size, and I LOVED the frame.  It was marked 50% off...but that was still a little pricey.  After some begging and a few tears, very professional haggling, I got the worker to take it down to 75% off!  Woooo! 

Here it is!

And a close up...

Also while I was there, I found one of those flower ball thingys that hang from the light or ceiling or whatever that was missing a few roses {also 75% off!} and brought it home...with it, I made a wreath for my door {I used a foam wreath from the dollar store and used my glue gun to attach the flowers...}

and also some flower pens like they have at checkout counters so you don't accidentally walk away with them.  {This has been a huge problem at my house...I buy pens for the office, the kids walk off with them, I buy more pens for the office, the kids walk off with them...someday, I am going to find like 300 pens somewhere.} 

Anywho, I thought I would affix flowers to all of my new office pens so that the kids would remember to not pack them off.  They also look cuter.

Before:

After:

I also spent some time reading last week.  My 10 year old daughter got the book "Dragon Slippers" for Christmas has been leaving it in places where I would pick it up and read it ever since she finished it.  It was good enough, that I read the second one in the series "Dragon Flight" the next day. {In case you were wondering, yes, I did neglect all housework those days.}  I am now trying to find the third and last book in the series, "Dragon Spear" so that I can move on with my life. 

And then, over the holiday weekend, I read "The Help", it was an excellent book.  I've been reading my kids' books for so long, that it was kind of nice to read something a little {okay, a lot} more substantial.

I've also been busy making the Visiting Teaching message for February.  We will be making these this week at our midweek Relief Society.   I got the idea for them here.  I think she makes the cutest stuff.

I think they turned out pretty cute.  Here's the front.

And the back, where the message goes and also a recipe and treat:

I usually don't get all Valentiney, but hey, who can't use a little more love in thier lives...and red.


I would love to see your projects and what you have been up to.  Anyone else in love with love this year?

Weekend Project

While visiting Tai Pan Trading last week, I fell in love with their red ruffle pillows...

but they were $30...

EACH!

I'm too cheap to drop that kind of money on a throw pillow, so I turned into my mother and told myself, "you could totally make that yourself at home..." 

{I used to really hate it when we were shopping and she would say that, but I get it now.} 

So, I came home and cut up an old sheet, and made myself some ruffle pillows. 

They were pretty easy, too. 

Now I need a few more in white, linen, etc. etc. and maybe with a few more ruffles next time. :)

It seems to me that the older I get, the less stuff I want and need. I'm cleaning out.



In the 5 years that I have lived in this house, I have had dreams of organizing the closet in my master bedroom. 

Now, it's not a huge closet to begin with, but the people who hung the shelving originally just put one shelf, all the way around at about eye level. 

I always dreamed of using the entire closet instead of just that strip. 

 

**WARNING**

You are about to view a "before" photo of my closet.  It was a frightening, filthy, awful mess.  Please scroll past this photo if you are faint of heart. 

I'm so sorry you had to see that.  And embarrassed for myself. 

So, the other day when the hubby and I were out, I sweet-talked my way into picking up a few organizers.  I had been measuring and planning and plotting for months exactly what I needed and wanted, so when I got to the store it was easy.

The hard part was putting the dang things together once we got home...

I'm only partially finished, but I just couldn't wait to share. 

Drumroll, please...

I know!  It's sooooo awesome already!  We still need to put up a few shelves at the top, add a few attractive storage baskets, and add a full-sized mirror straight ahead--but it's a huge improvement, right?!

Now, on to the rest of the house....

What orgainzational demons are you battling right now in your homes?  Most of you probably don't have any, but I have several.  What are you doing to fix them?  Any great ideas would be so appreciated.