Layouts to Share

I've been scrapbooking like crazy in 2013. That creative urge comes and goes, and I've learned to take advantage of it when it's here and not stress about "falling behind" (which I don't believe in anyway) when the creative urge is gone.

First up, just a fun layout about my boys and their Uncle Ryan. Love these photos. The papers and embellishments are possibly from a kit but I can't find where I might have written that down. Any ideas? I also used my Kiwi Lane designer templates (of course).

Next, preschool graduation. Ugh. So long ago! I wish I could have one day back of this time. The papers and embellishments are from the Simple Stories line.

This next layout is from the Summer of '69 kit from Studio Calico. I also used my Kiwi Lane templates. I just love how they let me showcase all those paper layers so easily. I highly recommend them...

Another Studio Calico layout - this one is from the Roller Rink kit and more Kiwi Lane templates.

This next layout uses supplies from Crate Paper (I think) and Kiwi Lane templates.

And finally, this last layout is just a fun layout using supplies from my stash and (once again) those awesome Kiwi Lane templates.

And that's it for layouts for now. LOL. More to come soon...

Hope Chest Makeover

When I graduated from college, my parents gave me a beautiful hope chest. I loved it. It has been in our bedroom since then, for more than 15 years, and has worked wonderfully.

In our new house, however, hubby and I have decided to finally decorate our bedroom. With that, we want to get an actual headboard (we've never had one) and update everything to look like a cohesive space - something about being grown-ups now and we should maybe have a master bedroom that looks nice.

The first project - updating the hope chest.

This was a one-day project, very easy and quick. I used two coats of chalk paint (Paloma by Annie Sloan) to paint the chest - no sanding required. Love the color. After the paint dried, I waxed the entire thing with a finishing wax from Minwax. I spray-painted the hardware with oil-rubbed bronze (my favorite). And I stapled on the new fabric to the top with hubby's heavy-duty staple gun.

Such a beautiful transformation - it makes me happy every time I walk in my bedroom.

More projects to come...Sharing at The Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking. :)