A beautiful day for a wedding...and another project filled weekend!

So, how did you like them there before and after kitchen pictures? Amazed, I know.  I thought so. Anyhoo. Onto this weekend. How many of you have gone to the store to print off a bridal registry list, purchase a gift and a pretty bag, bagged it up, and took off to the wedding?! Yeah. Me too. Several times. Its easy. Its stuff they want. However, since this whole Pinterest craze, I have found that many a nifty way of coming up with gifts for people. I nosed around on the bride-to-be's pinterest boards and found crafts that she wanted to do for her house for after the wedding or just because. I picked three different projects and made them for their wedding present! Its personal. Its something that she wanted.

The ring dish

This is a very easy tutorial on the dish without the monogram or birds on the side from http://abitofbeesknees.blogspot.com/2012/02/diy-lace-bowl.html  

Monogrammed Ornaments




The simple quote on canvas

A refreshed kitchen...

Well peeps, this project took a little longer than expected due to only one thing:  I'm cheap. I was waiting for my bank points to tally up to enough for paint and whatnot's to my fav hardware store. But, in reality, the total time to do this only took about 3-4 days. I am in LOVE with how bright and airy my kitchen is. This was phase one. I have plans to add more cabinets to the other side of the kitchen which is technically an eat-in area, but I don't believe in a formal dining room that is only used for special occasions. I would rather have a regular dining room with more cabinets, a double wall oven, a nice size kitchen island, and a little breakfast bar in front of the window. I could utilize the space much better for my cake business. 

Just so we're clear on the BEFORE. You can also see the space on the right side that I would like to add cabinets to and bring everything together with a good size kitchen island.

Mimi getting the "unders" of the cabinets and shelves

The almost final product. Doesn't it look FUGE!!  (that's Sophia's word for huge, btw) I can't wait to get that island in there. I think it will make a world of difference.

The fridge and shelves...my fav place for cookbooks now! I guess it wouldn't have killed me to clean the fridge for the picture.  And, my sweet girl.

Emmaline helped by being her cute self and  walking around patting us on the back

Behind the sink

 The tile backsplash was so much easier than I thought it would be. I took a "Ladies Night" class at Home Depot to learn how to use this special mesh backing that eliminates the need for backer board and grouting behind the tile. It works GREAT!  The tiles "stick" to the mesh and you grout over the tiles as you would normally. The tiles could be re-positioned. There was less mess and took SO MUCH less time!  My only suggestion, put on your big-girl pants and RENT A WET SAW!!!  I am terrified of saws in general, so I thought I'd cut everything by hand using a manual tile cutter. FAIL. It took my 10 times as long, blisters and pain galore. Maybe Home Depot will have a man for me to rent with the tile saw next time!!

Along the counter...pre-grout and plate covers