Sizzle into Summer - It's a Party #29

Welcome to this week's Sizzle into Summer party.  Last week's party was filled with inspiration and awesome links.  Here are this week's features:

Fancy Frugal Life created these clip boards.  I love how these came out.  Stop by her blog for a tutorial.

 Tales of a Trophy Wife created these awesome storage boxes using plain brown boxes she had.  Love the fabric liners as well.

Jessa Jill created this beautiful mod podge initial.  I love the scrapbook paper choice.

I am in love with these monogrammed lamp shades created by Conspicuous Style.   She did this using Target lamp shades.  How cool!!

Love this chair Larissa Hill Designs  made over from an auction.  Perfect.

If you were featured, please grab an "I've Been Featured" button (you can now find my buttons by clicking on the buttons tab right under my header).  Now let's get started with this week's party.  I can't wait to see what you have been up to.  Link up anything you have been working on...home decor, sewing, crafts, organizing, baking, recipes etc.     I will keep this link open through Friday.

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A few rules:

1.  Please become a follower.  

2.  Please grab my party button above and display it either on your sidebar or somewhere in your post.  This way word can spread about the party.  The more people at the party, the more fun we will have.

3.  Please enter the link to your actual post, not just a link to your main blog page.

4. Please visit others who have linked up.   Everyone works hard on their projects and blogs...let's show each other some love by visiting each other.  Let's have some fun and hopefully make a few new friends along the way.

Ok...Let's Party

--Judy

We Got Off Easy and Outdoor Living Room Finally Revealed

We had to leave vacation a day early to get home to prepare for Hurricane Irene.  Being from New York this kind of thing doesn't happen every day.  We heeded all the warnings and prepared ourselves as best as we could.  We got home at midnight on Friday and were up by 6am on Saturday putting away all of the outdoor furniture.  Then we sat back and waited.

The storm hit us Saturday night into Sunday.  Sunday morning we woke up to water coming from the fireplace...

and through a window in our great room.

Not easy to see, but at the bottom of the photo is the tarp he rigged to redirect the water

Then right in the heart of the storm we realized that there was water coming into the basement.  At first we couldn't figure out how.  Then we figured it out.  We knew we had a gutter that was clogged and had hired a handyman to fix that while we were away (we don't have a ladder tall enough).  Turns out the handyman didn't make it to our house while we were away.  From the gutter being clogged, the water was falling off the roof of the house in sheets and landing at the foundation.  The ground became so saturated that the water started to come up through the floor of the basement.  My husband went out during the storm and rigged up a tarp to redirect the water.  It worked great, but unfortunately the damage was already done.

So it's several days later and we are still drying out the padding and the carpet.  We are using a space heater for now which seems to be working.  We also have our dehumidifier working overtime down there.  I'm open to any and all suggestions to ensure we don't end up with a mold issue.

Installing new carpet or hardwood is not in the budget at this time.

What did come while we were away is the throw pillows for our new outdoor sectional.  Finally!! 

I added some lanterns and flowers I had already.  This photo was taken on Monday...only a day after the storm.  What a difference a day makes.  

Here is a close-up of the throw pillows.

These are made of the most gorgeous outdoor fabric I have ever seen.  It's called Perennial fabric and it's really fabulous.

I love having an outdoor living room to go with our new outdoor patio.

It's always amazing to me what just a few pillows and accents can do for a space.

Don't forget to stop back tonight at 8pm EST to join in my Sizzle into Summer party.  Hope to see you then.

-Judy

Announcing Roomspiration

I have some big news I have been sitting on for a few weeks now.  Ange, from The Blooming Hydrangea has organized a giant blog hop and link party and has asked me to be a part of it.

Roomspiration will be just that...inspiration for every room of your home.  I will be hosting the Guest Bedrooms party, which will be very timely for me, as we have out of town guests that weekend.  The Roomspiration Blog Hop and Link Party will begin on September 12th with Abode Love featuring entryways...the perfect beginning to this awesome series.

So get your posts ready to link up.  I hope to see you at all the Roomspiration Parties!!

-Judy

Chore Sticks

My kids are 14 and 11 years old.  For the most part they are helpful around the house.  However, there are those times when the arguments start.  For instance, one will say "why doesn't he have to feed the cat", or "why is it always me who has to empty the dishwasher".  So, to make things more fair,  I came up with this simple solution.

I started with an empty container and a bunch of popsicle sticks I had in a craft bin.

I removed the label from the container and cut scrapbook paper to size. 

 I then attached it using Mod Podge.

I then did the same with the lid.

Then using a Sharpie, I simply wrote the chores on each of the sticks.  

After some final decorations to the container, I filled it with the chore sticks.  Now the kids simply have to try their luck in what they pull out.  (You get what you get and you don't get upset). 

Hope everyone will be safe this weekend with the hurricane scheduled to hit the east coast.  

-Judy

Winner of UPrinting Giveaway Announced

Thank you all for your comments and entries in the UPrinting Giveaway.

Using Random.org to select the winner...

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:1Powered by RANDOM.ORG

The winner of the UPrinting giveaway is...

 Anne said...

I am a follower!

August 22, 2011 7:50 AM

Anne of Hello Newman's is the winner.  

Please contact me via e-mail as soon as possible.

-Judy

Sizzle into Summer - It's a Party #28

Welcome to this week's Sizzle into Summer party.  Last week's party was filled with so many awesome and inspiring links.  Here are this week's features:

I love this Craigslist makeover done by The Turquoise Piano.  Isn't that fabric fabulous?

I love this lamp shade created by Bless My Nest from a $0.75 shade from GW.

This dresser makeover done by Aqua Seventy 6 really caught my eye with it's bold color.  Love it!

 The Crafty Fox painted this rug.  Check out her blog to see how she did it.

How clever are these mini lavender pillow stacks created by City Girl Gone Coastal.   Check out her blog to see how you can make your own.


If you were featured, please grab an "I've Been Featured" button (you can now find my buttons by clicking on the buttons tab right under my header).  Now let's get started with this week's party.  I can't wait to see what you have been up to.  Link up anything you have been working on...home decor, sewing, crafts, organizing, baking, recipes etc.     I will keep this link open through Friday.




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A few rules:

1.  Please become a follower.  

2.  Please grab my party button above and display it either on your sidebar or somewhere in your post.  This way word can spread about the party.  The more people at the party, the more fun we will have.

3.  Please enter the link to your actual post, not just a link to your main blog page.

4. Please visit others who have linked up.   Everyone works hard on their projects and blogs...let's show each other some love by visiting each other.  Let's have some fun and hopefully make a few new friends along the way.

Ok...Let's Party

--Judy

Nauset Light Beach

We are on our annual end of the summer vacation.  Each year we come to Cape Cod.  This vacation is pure relaxation.  Well, relaxation the way our family knows how to relax (for instance...yesterday me and the kids played two hours of tennis, then biked ten miles as a family, then went to the golf driving range and ended the day with relay races at the beach).

Nauset Light beach has great meaning to our family.  My husband grew up going to Cape Cod.  When we met, he introduced me to this wonderful vacation spot.  We got engaged on this beach in November of 1990.  My husband's father's ashes were spread on this beach after his death in 1994.  We have brought our kids here year after year.

What's so nice about this vacation is that it really feels like home.  We stay in the same place year after year and always go to the same restaurants.  Often we come with friends.

This summer we are here with my husband's brother and his kids and my mother-in-law.  It's our perfect way of ending the summer.  How about you?  How do you wind down your summer?

If you haven't already done so, click here to enter my UPrinting giveaway.

Hope to see you tonight at 8pm EST for my Sizzle into Summer party.

-Judy

UPrinting Giveaway

Would you love some customized letterhead?  How about if you used the letterhead as some cute stationary?  Or maybe some new letterhead for your etsy shop or blog?  How about some personalized stationary as a gift?  With UPrinting.com you can make your own customized letterhead.  How cool does that sound?  The possibilities are endless.

UPrinting

I think I will be getting some letterhead that says - DIYbyDesign...Adventures in Decorating.  How about you?

UPrinting

Here are all the details:
500 pcs letterhead for one (1) winner
5.5" x 8.5"
70lb Offset
Front Only Printing
4 Business Days Print Turnaround Time
Free Shipping
Restriction - Limited to US residents 18 years old and above only
If you have won a UPrinting giveaway in the last six (6) months you are not eligible to win.

I'm excited...how about you?  

Please read below to find out how to enter.  The mandatory entry must be done first.

How to Enter:

1. Mandatory- Follow my blog (Leave a comment telling me you are a follower)

Additional Entries:

2.  Leave a comment on a different post on my blog, come back to this post and let me know which post you commented on!

3.  "Like" DIYbyDesign on Facebook. (Leave a comment telling me you Like DIYbyDesign)

4.  Share this Giveaway on your facebook page and tag DIYbyDesign in your status 

(Leave a comment here telling me you shared it on facebook) 

5. Tweet about my giveaway and leave the link in a comment

6.  Blog about my giveaway and leave the link in a comment

That's 6 ways to enter = up to 6 comments!

Giveaway Ends Wednesday, August 24th at 7pm EST!

Make sure to leave your email address in every comment, so you can be notified if you win!  The winner will be chosen using random.org and emailed and have exactly 36hrs to respond with their information to redeem this prize. 

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive letterhead printing service by hosting.  Letterhead design inspiration and wedding envelopes are also available.  Please visit UPrinting.com for more information.

Good luck!!

-Judy

Let's Get Organizing - The Mud Room

I'm continuing on my mission of cleaning and organizing my home room by room, all before the kids go back to school.  Today my attention turns to my mudroom.  My mudroom seems to be the hub of our home...especially in the mornings and afternoons.  It's where schedules, mail, book bags, shoes, jackets etc are all kept.

The summer has left the place a bit of a mess with piles that must be gone through.  I started by sorting the piles...garbage, to be filed, and action needed.

I also removed all the old paperwork from last year, to make room for the new.  However, even with the two cork boards you see, it seems that I have never seem to have enough space to tack up all of the papers that come home from school.  My solution...

adding some self-adhesive cork to the inside of the cabinets.

I started by cutting it to size and adhering it to the inside of each door of a double cabinet in the mudroom.  I have two kids, so one for each of them.

To avoid any confusion, I created "name tags" for each of the sides using my Silhouette machine.

Here's a close-up

Now when the papers start to come in, I'll have somewhere else to tack them up.  The best part is when I shut the doors no one will ever know.

Here's the end result of my clean-up.  It's so nice to see the countertop again.  

Hope you have a great day!

-Judy

Sizzle into Summer - It's a Party #27

Welcome to this week's Sizzle into Summer party.  As always, last week's party was filled with gorgeous and inspiring links.  Here are the features for this week:

I am in love with this turquoise vanity that was created by Wildwood Creek.  It is painted in Louis Blue and Provence chalk paint.  Love the decorative paper used to line the drawers as well.  I hope you will stop by and check out the before and after photos.

To truly appreciate the beauty of this table, you have got to check out the before photos.  West Furniture Revival  created this masterpiece.  I just love the color combo.

The Andrews Update  hand painted this monogrammed pillow.  Very impressive.

Before

After

I had to include the before and after photos of this makeover.  How incredible is this transformation done by The Turquoise Piano...all for around $200!! Amazing.

  I love the depth and dimension this faux painted niche creates in this dining room.  Stop by Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom  to check out how she did it.


If you were featured, please grab an "I've Been Featured" button (you can now find my buttons by clicking on the buttons tab right under my header).  Now let's get started with this week's party.  I can't wait to see what you have been up to.  Link up anything you have been working on...home decor, sewing, crafts, organizing, baking, recipes etc.     I will keep this link open through Friday.





<a border="0" href="http://www.diybydesign.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXqgDYi2iCi1MWNSv6ByCItXuxHik0aUWJqmvWv9HcSDdvlIcNJDrsUwNefuLOdeJ3het1l6dtUKSD9IKmP-CCdwBrQhV-4Lt27GZrHZJ19VohtBgzm9CYePpvnS7IfIC0cQd7XL5gtgN/s128/14898620382.jpg" /></a>

A few rules:

1.  Please become a follower.  

2.  Please grab my party button above and display it either on your sidebar or somewhere in your post.  This way word can spread about the party.  The more people at the party, the more fun we will have.

3.  Please enter the link to your actual post, not just a link to your main blog page.

4. Please visit others who have linked up.   Everyone works hard on their projects and blogs...let's show each other some love by visiting each other.  Let's have some fun and hopefully make a few new friends along the way.

Ok...Let's Party

-Judy