C.D. Loken's Blog, page 9

Foyer Refresh!

Welcome to our foyer!
If you've been following along-you've probably heard me talk a LOT aboutgiving our foyer just a 'wee' bit of an update.
When we started this project, the initial plan was to pull up the carpet on the staircase
replace the balusters-and paint and stainthe woodwork.

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Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop #123

Happy Tuesday!!  I hope all of the mom' had a VERY Happy Mother's Day this weekend!!  I sure enjoyed spending time with my family-and celebrating the day with my two mom's!I was also able to complete a few projects-including the finishing touches on the foyer!Yes folks-hubby and I finally agreed on a light fixture!I'll be sharing the entire room refresh on Thursday-so come on back!Until then..I can't wait to see what you all have to share with us this week!Be sure to check out our favorite's Pinterest board-as well as all of our social media pages-because we just might be sharing your WONDERFUL post!!Let's party!!

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Good Intentions-Poor Planning!

 They say, 'opposites attract.'
I don't know if that' true for everyone, but it
certainly is in my marriage.
Hubby is the 'thinker'.  Whenever he has a project to do,
he starts by 'thinking' it out.  This process can take hours, days,
and even weeks!  The next step is planning.
This is where he determines what materials are needed-
the time it will take to complete- wind velocity-air temperature...
you name it-he plans for it.

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Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop #122

Happy May!

Spring has sprung! 

The grass is turning green, trees are budding, birds are chirping...a very happy time. 



And our party is growing. 

Last week we had a record turnout with so many views! 
Here are the ones that YOU liked best!

Most Viewed



Best Summer Salad from Cooking The Recipe




Very Popular





Clown Hat Carnival Cupcake Topper from Tikkido

How To Make A Link Party Tracker by Purfylle

Finally A Soft Delicious Sandwich Bread from Taylormade Ranch






Editor's Pick
7 Unique DIY Wedding Ideas from Suzy's Sitcom





"Thank you" to our wonderful co-hosts!



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Carrie of A Mother’s ShadowBlog / Bloglovin’ / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest /Twitter
Kim of 2JustByouBlog / Bloglovin / Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter
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Libby and Rachel of Two Keck GirlsBlog / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest
Diane of Recipes For Our Daily BreadBlog / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest / Twitter
CD of CD's Country LivingBlog / Bloglovin'/ Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest 

Sensational Sunday Love Links!

Happy Sunday!!  I hope you all are enjoying a SENSATIONAL weekend!!!   
 If you follow me on Facebook, you probably saw I was scoring a few 'treasures' at some yard sales on late Friday afternoon!   On Saturday-hubby and I were able to get caught up on some chores outside-and take advantage of the glorious weather we having!!!  Today I plan to clean up the front porch-and start planning how I want to decorate it this year!
Now onto this week's love's!!!


1. Favorite Recipe:  I'm always looking for yummy and healthy recipes to try-and this one from This Silly Girls Life definitely caught my eye(and my stomach)!  I'll be making a batch of these sweet potato fries for dinner tonight!




2.  Favorite DIY-   What mom wouldn't want to receive this lovely kitchen herb garden that About a Mom created out of cans?  I know mine would-so I guess I better start pulling them out of the recycling bin!!!


3. Favorite Furniture Makeover: Angie, from Knick of Time finds herself under my LOVE radar quite often-and there is a reason for that-She's a furniture makeover GENIUS!!! 

4. Favorite Indoor Space:   I LOVE everything about  Kate's  living room.  The neutral colors-the chandelier-the union jack dresser-and that barn wood feature wall......breathtaking!!




5. Favorite Outdoor Space:  I want to change things up a bit on our front porch and patio this year-and this GORGEOUS setting has become my inspiration!!!
Joss and Main
 6. Favorite Garden Accessory:  Speaking of outdoor settings-they are so much fun to decorate if you have just the right accessories-and who wouldn't love having this vintage bike Courtney shared  in her garden??



7. Favorite Beverage:   Of course, there is nothing better than sitting out in your outdoor space on a hot summer day-sipping a refreshing cocktail, right?  Well,  Cincy Shopper has one that is filled with my favorite summer fruit!!!


8. Favorite Summer Outfit- Comfy jeans-a pop of color-and a little bling.....LOVE!

Source
9. Favorite Hairstyle:  Spring is all about change for me-and my hairstyle definitely needs one! I've been pinning away-looking for just the perfect inspiration, and this one made my short list!!!


Source
10. Favorite Tip (s): I'm always looking for ways to save money-get healthy-and yes, even relax!  If you are too-here are a 100 must read tips that will inspire you!

Source
Blessings and hugs,

CD

Rustic Farmhouse Gallery Wall

One of my 'must haves' when we first started the updates in the foyer, was definitely a wall gallery.

 I've always wanted to fill the wall leading upstairs with special photos, art, and even treasures, but I'll admit, when I started reading some of the tutorials on  how to create the perfect wall gallery-I was literally terrified!!

All of the tutorials talked of measuring-and cutting-and measuring again.  That may seem easy enough for some folks-but let's be honest-this girl couldn't measure or cut a straight line if her life depended on it!

So what does a girl, who has no mechanical skills do?

Well, if you're like me-you wing it........



Which may or may not cause your significant other (who is most likely a perfectionist like mine) to become VERY frustrated (vein in the forehead kind of frustrated) as he/she watches you try and find just the perfect placement of your inspiration piece-and all the other special photo's and treasures you've chosen.



Of course, he/she may will be horrified by the many, many holes that are put in the wall during this process.....


But, if you're like me-you'll merely remind them that holes can be filled.


And when you take it all down, not one, not two-but three times-you'll remind them that perfection takes time.

Not that our gallery wall is perfect, mind you.  Oh goodness no!!  Not even close!  There are still spaces that need filling-and of course-nothing is aligned perfectly.

But I love it just the way it is.

Imperfect yes-but it's still a gallery wall of all the things that are near and dear to my heart!

An aerial shot of our family farm-photo's of old barns-cows-vintage seed catalog covers-and more.

I love it so much that I've already started another gallery wall in the upstairs hallway.  This time of family photo's.

Of course patching plaster walls might cause hubby to go over the edge-so maybe I'll try that measuring-cutting thing after all!!


On another note-the light fixture for the foyer (the last and final step to completion), did arrive-but after putting it up-both hubby and I hated it!   Hopefully, we will find one this weekend-so I can finally share the reveal next week!!

I'll be sharing at these amazing parties-so stop on over and be inspired!!!

From my Front porch to yoursInspiring GraceJann OlsonKatherine's Corner
Rooted in ThymeShabby NestRomantic HomeDIY-Vintage Chic
Funky JunkPierced Past TimesWhat to do WeekendsReasons to skip HouseworkSix Sisters StuffShow me Saturdays
 Nifty Thrifty SundayUnder the Table and Dreaming


Blessings and hugs,

CD

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop # 121

What a great party we had last week.
So many posts.
So many views.
♥
So much LOVE expressed 
through
comments
likes
follows
shares
♥

Here is what you loved the most followed by an exciting new party this week!
Most Viewed
Angel Food Delight by A Mother's Shadow
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Sensational Sunday Love Links!

Happy Sunday, all!!   I hope your weekend has been amazing so far!  Hubby and I spent yesterday morning at a few local rummage sales-and then had some friends over for dinner!!!  Today we plan to spend some time outside- and be inspired by the return of warmer weather!!!

Speaking of being inspired.....this week I found a TON of inspiration-and a WHOLE lot of love!!

Here are my favorites!!

1. Favorite Furniture makeover-  I recently 'met' Val, from the blog, Love my Diy Home, through a  FB DIY blogger group she started and invited me to!  I am SO glad I found Val's blog, because she has some AMAZING DIY tips+ she loves chippy treasures as much as I do!!  This chair is just one example-and isn't it just GORGEOUS??  



2. Favorite Crafty project-  Okay-you all know I am all thumbs when it comes to crafting-so I have no problem telling you that I was BLOWN AWAY-when I saw these lovely paper peonies that Ash, from the blog Ash and Crafts created!!!  OH how I LOVE peonies!!


3.  Favorite recipe- Are you looking for something INCREDIBLY creative AND yummy to serve at your next  Spring gathering??  Well look no further!!!  Jenn,, author of the blog, More than a Mom of Three-has it covered!!!




4.  Favorite tip-When I first started blogging over a year ago-Yvonne was one of the first bloggers I started to follow.  I LOVE her design style-her devotion to inspiring her readers-and most of all her love for family treasures.  Her post this week on displaying those treasures brought tears to my eyes-and it definitely a must read!!!




5.  Favorite Re-purpose- Once again- Carlene has amazed me with yet, another GENIUS creation!!!  You won't believe what she used to make this lovely flower pot holder!!




6.  Favorite outdoor space: What mother wouldn't want to spend her special day in this magical wonderland that Paula created??? I especially LOVE the butterflies floating above the pretty tablescape!!



7. Favorite find:  You all know how much I LOVE old barns-so imagine my absolute PLEASURE-when Angie, from Knick of Time shared this AMAZING freebie!!!  Thank you-Thank you, Thank you, Angie!!


8. Favorite Spring Vignette- I LOVE everything about the vignette, Lou Ann created for her kitchen table!!  The fact that she put it all together in that GORGEOUS rusty drawer-is OVER THE TOP!!



 Have a SENSATIONAL SUNDAY!!!

Blessings and hugs,

CD

DIY-Re-Purposing a Door Panel into a Coat Hanger

Happy Friday!!!  If you've been following for awhile-you might remember when I did a makeover for my office. 

There were a few DIY projects in that makeover-including one where I re-purposed the top half of an old bi-fold door.  Well, at the time, I really didn't have any use for bottom half, so they were put in the basement, along with all my other 'I'll use it someday', stash.




Until now.  When I started making over the foyer (months ago-UGH), one of the things I absolutely wanted to have, was a coat hanger.  Although we have a coat closet down the hall from the foyer-it rarely (if ever) get's used when family and friends come to visit.  Usually those coats get thrown over the staircase banister for easy access.

Initially, I was going to make a coat hanger out of some reclaimed wood we had in the basement-and then I caught sight of those door panels!  Unfortunately, when I held one of them up against the wall, it was a bit too long.  Enter hubby-with a few quick measurements, and a quick swipe of his circular saw-the door panel was ready for me to add a little function and character to it.

Instead of boring you with the LONG, step by step version-I'll give you the short one.

Basically, I started by taping off the center of the door panel-and giving it two coats of chalk paint. Once that was dry-I gave the outer part one coat of American Decor (Everlasting).  Once that was dry-I put a light coat of Elmer's glue over the paint-and when the glue was a bit tacky-I painted another light coat of the Everlasting on.




Then I used my hairdryer to speed up the crackling process.  Once the surface was completely dry-I used sandpaper to get rid of any excess paint-and distress the door a bit.  The last step was screwing in two hooks that I found in the attic, and two knobs I purchased on the panel. 

I'm OVER THE MOON happy with how it turned out, and it goes perfectly with the eclectic mix of old and new that I wanted for the foyer.

 Of course- I wasn't too happy with hubby last night-when, just before I was going to take photo's-he decided to erase my prayer (which was written so pretty)-and add his own message. That would have been just fine-except the sun was about to go down-and the foyer is dark to begin with!  ERGO-the sloppy script on my chalkboard!!!



On another note-remember I told you about this GORGEOUS barn picture I picked up last weekend?  Well, it too has been given a 'little' character!!!  I'll be sharing more about how I created the weathered look on the picture frame-as well as the wall gallery it takes center stage in...on Monday!!


I'll be sharing more about how I created the weathered look on the picture frame-as well as the wall gallery it takes center stage in...on Monday!!


Blessings and hugs,

CD

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop #120

Happy Tuesday, all!!!  I'm so excited for tonight's party-AND-because this past weekend, hubby and I went treasuring hunting, and I just couldn't wait to share one of the most fantastic bargains I found!!!



Isn't it just GORGEOUS!!!!  Okay I know there is a glare, so it's hard to see, but it's the only BEFORE photo that I took, because I was in a BIG hurry to make the frame over!!  But it's the picture I fell in love with the moment I saw it!!

 I absolutely LOVE old barns, and I just recently started pinning them-and even collecting pictures of them-because sadly, these beautiful structures that were built with hard work and love-are deteriorating, or worse, being destroyed!

I'm so happy with the way the picture turned out after I 'touched' up the frame-that it made center stage in my wall gallery that I created for the foyer!!!  I can't wait to share that with you later in the week-and I can't wait to see what you all have to share at the hop!!!

So.......let's get to it!!!!

Blessings and hugs,

CD






Welcome to our party!
We are so glad you're here!
Every week you share so many amazing crafts, tips, recipes and ideas we just LOVE to promote what you do.
♥
Our party features spotlight the posts that you, our guests, particularly liked from the previous week.
Last week there were many!!!

Most Viewed Family Favorite Pancakes from Heaven Smiling AboveFruit Carving Tutorial by Suzy's Sit Com20 Awesome Uses for Magic Erasers by Life Is Poppin
Very Popular Spring Al Fresco Table Setting from Shabby Fufu BlogThe No-Show Birthday Party from The Champagne Super Nova7 Powerful Pinterest Tips from Tabler Party Of Two
Editor's Pick
DIY Herb Garden Chalkboard Pots from Robyns Hobbies

♥We can hardly wait to see what you have for us this week!
Let's party!
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