...became this. (Ugh, this pic is dark...see the pic over at Kimba's)
This next project was for Beanie's nursery. I found this lovely lady on Good Friday at the flea market. It was a good Friday indeed! I was on a mission to find a dresser/changing table and this sweetie fit the bill perfectly. She's long and deep. Perfect for all that changing table paraphenalia...you mama's know what I'm sayin'. There was just one issue...she was blue. And since Beanie was missing some, um, equipment that would have called for a blue dresser, I set to work on the makeover...
I liked her sexy legs!
Here she is, all fresh and white and nursery-ish! See her? There...behind the little people. (I tried to take a pic tonight without the munchkins, but the lighting is terrible and you can't see how fresh she really looks. So this not-at-all-recent one will have to do.)
Here's a look at her pretty glass knobs. (See the crap-o lighting.)
And here are those gorgeous gams...
Staying in the nursery, here is a peek at the window "mistreatment" in there. Ala the Nester, I found two complementary fabrics and some kicky trim to tie it together, busted out the glue gun (that's right), and whipped up some deliciousness while watching an episode of Real Housewives of New York (I'm hanging my head in shame).
In the nursery we have a monogrammed lamp shade. I love having a lamp in the nursery, so we don't have to use the overhead lighting. If I could, I would only use lamps! I found a lamp that wasn't being used and went to work. I'll try to tap out a tutorial on this project in the coming weeks.
Big sister got a mono-shade too!
Again in the nursery...wow, it's so true that babies really take over your world! I wanted something over the crib that was a little different. I got a large letter from JoAnn's and duplicated the dust ruffle stripe on it. This was a tedious and time consuming project because of the size of the stripes. But it really turned out so great and I think it makes the room.
Truthfully, the nursery, in and of itself, is a 2008 completed project. Before it became a nursery, it was being used for overflow storage and Ansley's large toys. When we got pregnant (we meaning me) and determined that we (we meaning I) didn't want to give up the guestroom, this room became the nursery by default. I don't have before pics because...well, frankly it was scary. The walls were plain-jane, cream. No offense to anyone named Jane. There was a mess of junk scattered all around. I don't need photos of things like that lurking around to remind me of darker days! So I chose a color (that is pretty scary when it's going on the wall) and we painted. Then my sweet husband and my sweet FIL put up the beadboard and chair rail (that's not really a chair rail). The result is pretty dramatic, but that's what I was going for.
I created personalized plaques for the girls' doors as well. This is a pic of Ansley's but Ellie has one that is almost identical...well, except for the letter, of course!
Well, I think that about does it. I hope to complete so many more projects in 2009. I feel fulfilled and productive when I am creating things. I hope that you will make it a point to create a beautiful life for yourself and your family in the coming year!
Until we meet again~
Normally I go a little more dramatic on the banister garland, but I loved the simplicity of the unadorned garland with the plain ivory ribbon...not to mention how easy it was!
The dining room waits patiently all year for Christmas...this room's time to shine. With the red walls, there is such a festive feeling in here.
I must confess that I have a little addiction...with nativities. This one resides on the buffet. 
Here's the dining room tree. The theme is red and gold. This tree stays pretty much the same from year to year, but there is an addition or two each year. Last year I added the glittery poinsettias from HL. This year I added some gold sequin balls and gold berry picks. This tree is absolutely a Charlie Brown tree when it comes out of the box each November, but once it's decked out, it's so beautiful! Look - someone's been to Target!
A view into the heart of our home...
I made this little topiary to use some leftover ornaments.
These fun little napkin rings were the inspiration for our "family tree" this year. Red, pink and lime green are a fresh combo and it's been fun buying things to coordinate.
The countdown is on! Have you got all your shopping done?
Monochromatic St. Nick and tree on a 
Here's the mantle featuring a lush garland and our stockings. I love the two red stockings with the cream bows, but I could only find 2. I need 3 more. For now, these are the girls' stockings. If you have a HL nearby and find 3 more stockings like these, let me know! I'll make it worth your while...
A little vignette on the side table. I love this angel. 
Festive birdie in a jar.
Here's the "family tree". This is always a real tree and it features all the ornaments from my childhood as well as all the ornaments that Nick and I have collected over the years. Now the girls receive ornaments that are added to the tree each year!
My favorite ornament from my childhood!
Look inside!
Ornament from Nick's and my first Christmas together 9 years ago.
This is Ansley's tree. I love the way it makes her room look. She always helps to decorate it and I treasure the experience.
The theme is pink and silver.
Sometimes it bothers the psycho-OCD part of me that Ansley rearranges the ornaments and groups them all together...
or that this beautiful ballerina has to dance on a bottom branch where no one can really see her...
but then I realize that perfection is only obtainable in a home with no children. And the fact is that I wouldn't trade my babies for all the perfect decor in the world. 
That Santa is really on the ball this year! 
