Attic Find Revamped

My friend Maria from Dreamy Whites is having an amazing giveaway over at her place.  I know people are always posting about great giveaways, but this one really is incredible.  One lucky blogger will win a queen sized duvet designed by Annette Tatum.  Check it out!

I am so glad that the warmer weather is finally coming my way!  I am ready to hit some yard sales and paint some furniture.  I have a pile in my basement that's been calling my name all winter.  I also have lots of pieces in my home that need a makeover.  When I was working on my sheet music dresser, I decided the treatment would also be perfect for a two tiered table I rescued from my grandparent's attic.  It had some pretty significant water damage, so I needed something more than paint to make it look good.
I didn't take a full before shot, but you can see the top of it in this picture.
I sanded it down and painted it in my favorite white - Creamy by Sherwin Williams.
I then used a vintage French Art Songs book to cover the tops of the table.  Due to the round shape of the table and the center piece I had to cut around on the bottom tier, I cut the sheet music and did a "dry fit" before applying the Mod Podge. 
Once the Mod Podge was dry, I applied a coat of wipe-on poly to protect the table tops.
This table came from my grandparent's attic, but it is not a sentimental piece.  I'm so glad, though, that I am able to save something that belonged to them and give it a new life.
It looks so perfect nestled between my piano and French settee.  After looking at these pictures, I'm really getting the itch to repaint my living room.  I love the peacock blue, but it's feeling a little dark these days.  It just wouldn't be a normal week in my household if I wasn't painting something. 

Miss Mustard Seed

I've posted this to Transformation Thursday.

Workshop Series - Somewhat Simple Organization Tips


Welcome to the workshop series brought to you by Mustard Seed Creations and Funky Junky Interiors!  A quick reminder: the voting for the  So You Think You Can Decorate competition (Donna and I are both competitors) is open through Friday, so make sure you vote for your two favorite "fabric" entries this week.

We'll continue our furniture refinishing and painting journey together next week, because this week I have a special guest who is going to share some great tips about organization.  After all, what good is a beautiful piece of furniture that you painted yourself if it's buried under clutter?  Donna is covering lighting this week in her series on photography, so make sure you visit her blog after you read this post.


When I "met" Stephanie from Somewhat Simple, I knew we were two peas in a pod.  We share the same love of running an organized household.  I used to clean our entire house when I was a teenager.  Sick, I know.  I would also eat an entire artichoke by myself when I was ten.  Weird-o.  Enough about my quirks and onto Stephanie's advice on organization!


Hi! I'm Stephanie from Somewhat Simple!
I am so excited to be here with Miss Mustard Seed to showcase a favorite hobby and healthy addiction of mine- ORGANIZATION!!!

Ever since I can remember, I have loved all things organized! I remember in 4th grade, my friend's mom told me I was welcome to come play anytime because her daughter's room always looked so much cleaner after I left! My poor friend wanted to play Barbies and dress up, I wanted to organize her bookshelves! What can I say, I love a big "Black Hole" and I welcome the challenge to tidy up any space!

Today I thought I would keep it simple and give 5 tips on organization and how to tackle the growing black hole(s) in your home. Let's Get Started!

Tip #1: Only pull out what you can finish within an hour. 
Too often we get ambitious and decide to tackle an all-day project when we really don't have all day to finish it. This leads to frustration, discouragement and an even bigger mess! How often have you had the good intentions of cleaning and organizing an area only to be distracted or needed in another area of the house? Your good intentions are now covered up by a mess that is perhaps even messier looking than when you started- am I right? (You know I am right!) Take my craft area for example:
This is how I like my craft desk and craft closet  to look:
 
But before it got this way, it was pretty bare and lacked any sort of organization system. Here is a before picture of the bare closet:
It wasn't at all messy- just not a whole lot of anything going on it there. So what did I do? I pulled out every crafty thing I could find in all areas of my house and piled them next to my desk with the good intentions of organizing it all. right. then. that. day.
And here is what it looked like for days when I got distracted and had to stop:
And when an area is already a mess, it's easier to just keep tossing things on top of the chaos! SUCH A DISASTER!!! So again, keep your task small and keep it simple. 1 hour at a time is all you need to plan for. If you have more time (and energy) when your hour is up, work for another hour! 

Tip #2: Sort Everything! (again and again and again)
1. Start very basic by making piles or using empty boxes to sort your area into 3 categories: Things to Keep, Things to Giveaway/Donate to Charity & Things to Trash. Take your trash directly to the outside trash and put your charity items directly into your car so you can drop them off the next time you are out. (This way you will be less likely to rescue items or talk yourself into keeping them.)
2. Once you are left with only the things you want to keep, start sorting those items into sub categories, and depending on what you are organizing will depend on what those are. For example you might want to sort items in an office by Bills, Schoolwork, and Important Documents.
3. Make subcategories of your subcategories. Work on one pile at a time and organize it completely to your liking. For example, take the "Schoolwork" pile and now sort it by dedicating a pile for each of your children's papers.
4. Find a home for all sorted items. Don't leave them in the piles that you sorted them into- find a permanent home for everything, or it will all end up unsorted again in no time! When I sorted my kids school papers, I had these crates already waiting to be filled by their school papers:
Just a basic storage crate with hanging file folders- 1 folder for each grade from preschool to high school. These crates are stacked nicely in a closet and easily accessible and kept current. 

Tip #3: Use Labels.
Before I had my vinyl machine, I used my DYMO. Before my DYMO I used a Sharpie, scotch tape and some printer paper. You don't need to get super fancy- you need to use what you have on hand. May I suggest making the labels look as nice and orderly and UNIFORMED as you can so that you smile when you see them? Make them match, please. (Just as a favor to me!)
Here are some things that are labeled in my home that make my life a whole lot easier!
Canisters in my pantry: 
My preschool area
 My daughter's book shelf. (My 4th grade friend's shelf could've looked this good too!)

Tip #4:Use Baskets, containers, bins and boxes... and even think outside the box.
I am a sucker for baskets and fun containers. Watch for good deals and then stock up! The bins used in my daughter's bookshelf were found at Lowes on clearance for a buck each! Baskets can be pricey, but are ALWAYS on sale somewhere- I've scored some great deals at Michaels. 

One of the first conversations I had with Miss Mustard Seed on organization is one I am still looking to duplicate: She told me her diapers and wipes are stored in her kitchen in an old bread box! No one knows that behind the stylish exterior is a stack of Pampers! 

I love this idea! Tara, one of my readers picked up a few $1 trash cans from Ikea and used these to organize her daughter's closet:

It doesn't have to cost a lot of money to look good. And that brings me to my last tip...

Tip #5: Make it pretty
The whole point in organizing is to make your area look clean, tidy and pretty. Clean and tidy have a universal definition, but "pretty" does not. "Pretty" is such a personal opinion. What one may think is pretty, another thinks is hideous.  We all have different styles and tastes, so it is only suitable for each of us to match our homes and areas to our tastes. You should be able to see your completed organization project and smile- that is the whole point- to make life easier and make life happier! I love this tip from Martha Stewart (it was probably her craft department's idea, but all credit is always given to Martha!) They take random containers and mismatched baskets, add some paint and make them uniform. I personally like the color they chose, but you can make them pretty to your liking!

You don't have to spend a lot to be organized, and a neat and tidy place can make such a difference- don't 'ya think?

If you would like to hear more from me, I'd love to have you stop by Somewhat Simple! I update my site everyday with tutorials, recipes, craft ideas and more. I am in the process of launching another site called "Crazy Domestic" where I will feature items and tips specifically aimed at bringing out the best of our Domestic selves! Thanks for having me today Marian! Bye everyone!

Don't you just want to be her friend?  I'd love to have her over to hang out and get some of my troubled areas sorted out.  Her blog is a great resource for anyone who runs a household, so make sure you pay her a visit!  Thanks again, Steph!

So, Donna, you've showed us all how to organize our workshops.  Do you have any organizational tips for inside the home?

Donna: "My fav quick tip for organization is this 3 tiered basket.  The basket is used as a means to store things in sections needing to go downstairs, as my main living is up. The top is for office paperwork, the middle is for things to go in my vehicle, and the bottom is for garage stuff such as tools. The basket helps me avoid having to make 1000 trips up and down the stairs to try and remember it all. AND it also helps alleviate 'nests' of clutter in my way.

One other hot tip of the day from me is to keep a spiral notepad by each telephone. I label the book in which room it belongs (as they tend to travel!) , then on each page I use, I date it. All phone notes and lists are jotted down making them a breeze to find again, and after I've delt with the task, I draw a line through it so I know it's taken care of. BIG benefit over fly in the wind post it notes! Grocery lists are simply ripped out and carried with me."

So, now that your head is packed full of ideas...get off the blogs and go get organized!
Miss Mustard Seed

SYTYCD - Week 5, Fabric

I am sharing this at the CSI Project Fabric Week. 

Visit thecsiproject.com

"I am a girl who loves fabric.  I get giddy at a good remnant bin.  Don't buy me flowers, get me a gift card to a fabric store.  I've spent many days and nights hunched over my sewing machine making things for my home out of fabric, but my most dramatic project is the half canopy I recently made for our master bedroom.
Here is a before picture and my inspiration picture from Country French magazine. 
Our master bedroom has a terrible layout, so we decided to move our bed to a different wall and positioned the canopy to conceal an unused door.  I did all of the sewing and construction, but my dear husband installed it for me.  You can find a full tutorial here
The fabric was purchased on sale at Hobby Lobby and I just love the serene aqua and French toile pattern.   This canopy needed a ton of fabric, so the entire project ran about $100 and took around four hours to make and install. $100 is pretty expensive for one of my projects, but it was well worth it and looks like it cost a great deal more. 

My tutorial on this project may make your head spin, but it's really very simple. If you can sew in a straight line and use a staple gun, you can make this."

The other ladies involved in SYTYCD are sooo talented and creative, so make sure you check them out and vote for your two favorites. 

Miss Mustard Seed

I posted this to the French Obsession Party over at Le Chateau des fleurs.

A Good Day

I've received all kinds of great news over the last few days.  I've won two giveaways (I'll blog about those later) and I just learned that I won last week's So You Think You Can Decorate competition.  To see my "white" entry, click here.  The last couple of weeks, I've been 6th or 7th, so it was a nice boost to win.  I really loved my entry and I'm glad others loved it as well.  Thanks for all who voted.

I hit some yard sales this morning with my mom, but didn't find anything super exciting.  Mostly toys for my boys to keep at Oma and Opa's house for when we visit.  I did not come home totally empty-handed, though.  Here's what I found...
a pair of white ceramic birds for $2.00
a pressed sap bucket for $.50
a blue and white transferware plate for $.50
a three tiered serving piece for $2.00
a small footed bowl for $4.00
this awesome Target lamp from Goodwill for $12.00
It was missing a piece, so the neck was dangling when I bought it.  It just needed a nut and it was fixed.  I think it only adds to the industrial look of the lamp, so I don't mind. 
...and I got a brand new Liz Claiborne purse for $10 also from Goodwill.  I'm always made fun of for my black leather purses, especially since my antiques and hand painted pieces are sold in an accessory store.  I've been told numerous times that I need a "fun" purse. 

I think electric blue leather is more fun than black leather.  I'm trying, here, people. 

Ha!  I just saw on the SYTYCD page that I won a really fun purse as well!  So funny.  The "powers that be" knew I needed a cute purse. 

Miss Mustard Seed

I posted this to Thrifty Thursday at Tales of Bloggeritaville.

Etsy Finds

This is the last day to vote for your favorites on So You Think You Can Decorate's white week, so make sure you pop over before the polls close at midnight EST. 

I have really loved being a seller on Etsy and joining an amazing artistic community.  I wanted to introduce my readers to two new friends I've made through this site. 

The first talented lady I'd like to introduce you to is Erin Flett.  She makes these graphic and retro inspired pillows that are fun and sophisticated. 

I love the bright colors she uses to give these designs some punch. 
This gray pillow is my very favorite one.  Eventhough the design is modern, it would fit in with my French Country style nicely and add something a little unexpected and unconventional.

I also recently fell in love with the sketches by Michelle Palmer.  Most of her subjects are birds, feathers, and eggs and are beautifully captured on tiny pieces of frayed fabric.
I was so in love with her pieces that I bought the ones pictured below right on the spot.  I think I'm going to have to buy some more. They are so charming!

Who are your favorite Etsy sellers? 

I'm about to leave to hit some thrift stores...wish me luck!

Miss Mustard Seed

Instead of Air Conditioner use Geothermal Heating and Cooling System

Can use this system instead of Air Conditioner
This marvelous technology relies primarily on the Earth’s natural thermal energy, a renewable resource, to heat or cool a home or commercial building. The only additional energy GHP systems require is the small amount of electricity they employ to concentrate what Mother Nature provides and then to circulate high-quality heating and cooling throughout the building.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling










Florida Finds


I can't help but hunt everywhere I go and this trip is no different.  My mom and I have ventured out when my boys are asleep and hit Ikea, Home Fabrics, TJ Maxx, and Ross.  I came up empty at Ross, but I found some great things everywhere else.  Well, I did find a really pretty glass cloche with a bird on top, but it was chipped.  Bummer.  Anyway, here's what I did buy...

Some artificial blue speckled eggs at TJ Maxx for $6.99

Some ceramic, lettered spheres from TJ Maxx for $10.  The set was opened and incomplete, so it was reduced.
A pair of plate shelves for $4.00/piece. 
They are a little chipped, but nothing that paint can't fix!  I thought they were a great find.
I purchased two monogrammed pillows from Ikea for $10.49/piece.  I love how they look like old tea towels and I also love that I have pillows that I didn't have to make myself!
Who cares if the monogram isn't yours?
I also bought two down pillow forms at Ikea and two at Home Fabrics. 
In addition, I purchased five yards of white cotton twill, five yards of black upholstery webbing and some remnant fabric and trim at Home Fabrics.  I loved that place! 

We're going to Sea World tomorrow and will hit some thrift stores and yard sales on Friday and Saturday, so hopefully I'll have more to share.

I have not even looked at the FFF entries from last week and I really want to.  I love visiting all of the links and leaving comments, so I'm still going to do that.  Because of that, I've decided to cancel FFF this week.  I'm on vacation, so cut me some slack.  Hold onto your projects and share them with us next week.  Same day, same time, same blog.  See you then!

Miss Mustard Seed

PS - Don't forget to vote for your favorite "white" entries on SYTYCD.  You can check out my full post here.