Thursday, September 22, 2011

The Last day of Summer is here! (pics of house flip project)


I don't have anything new to show you today.. The next couple of weeks I have a lot going on. I will try to squeeze in a wreath I'm making out of a paper punch, ink, glitter and foam.. I'm almost done with that puppy. I also have some Super Awesome Pink Paisley I have been playing with that I cant wait to show you. Perfect for the Fallidays!

The next few weeks I will be pulling my hair out decided what to pack and what to leave.. As I have mentioned before, My hubby and I flip houses on the side as more of a hobby. Not ready to sell our baby we have been working on til the market is ready. Wellllll, we bought 3 houses on our street. Ours, our flip and our flip for rent. Now hubby wants us to move into the flip house. Cabinets are going in next week!. Its smaller by 2 bedrooms, and some of the spaces are smaller. Perfect for first time buyers.. I have to say ITS Gorgeous! I will post a pic of absolutely how awful it was. I will show you the pic when I get some updated ones of the after. So we will be jamming into the smaller house for a year at least so we can gut and remodel ours the way we really wanted. Moving walls makes such a difference in layout. I dread this so much. On one hand I'm excited because real progress is upon us..On  the other hand, I'm impatient.. I hate waiting for the project to be done. I like the fun stuff. painting, drywalling, things like that. not the gross part that goes with flips. I cant move my scrappy room..no room for any of it down there. so I will be running back and forth between the two houses. I'm not sure how that's going to work.. we will be keeping electric on here. but my Internet at the other place.. I will feel like I'm living in two places..I guess the good part of it is I can get away   if I need to. On top of everything else, my last child of 7 started high school. He is in the band program and JROTC as well. So between that and games and Uil marching championships.. gonna be crazy for a few weeks..Oh yea, forgot..I have a class or two to teach.. . Oct 1st my sons band hosts a marching UIL band contest called C.T.M.C. (central texas marching band championship). Since we host. All us parents who actually volunteer will be basically running around like crazy trying to take care of all the buses, band directors, bands, judges, water booths. tickets...  (any volunteers?) just kidding.. So if you dont see much from me in the next few weeks..Im gone, but still around.. I will try to peek in and give you an update on things.


meanwhile here are some pics of our flip house... (older neighborhood  house that just needed love)  I cant wait to show you pics of the inside..


what it looks like now, except the door color.
this house was condemned and looked this
way for 5 years. driving past this each day was not pleasant.
This is the front of the house and it looked this way for 5 years before the city condemned it and was ready to tear it down. We thought it could be saved. People thought we were crazy. (front view now to the left)

The Back of the house. Garage is buried by yard debrie that the city
bulldozed up against the house..the left back bedroom roof was collapsed.

Garage door falling off, packed with garbage...Overgrown brush





view of bedroom after gutting
 Gutting the walls, Knocking walls out, moving studs, spraying foam insulation in.. IT WAS disGusting... after basically replacing everything... The house began to have hope again..It began to know what it felt like to be loved... It had to be cut and torn in order to do so.. but isnt that like it is with any growth in life? You have to endure the tough, hard things in life to grow in spirit to get to a better level in life...














Chip was so excited to not only get the insulation in so the ac
worked better, but to see the first piece of drywall go up really
started making it feel closer to becoming a home. 

blown in foam insulation..cuts electric bill in half as well as reduction
of outdoor noise..imagine being in an igloo cooler.. 







 





living room from side view. we moved walls and added a side entry
door.

Originally the ceiling had 2x4 studs across..They werent done right
we raised the ceiling and added a big beam for support. chip created a
nook as well as an easy access to the attic instead of how they are typically
in the closet for access.  where the window is in the dining room was a door
previously. notice the wood floor.. we almost laminated the floor.. I cant wait to show
you the floors..they are gorgeous!!! 
see where the wood is missing on the floor. a galley
style kitchen stood in that little spot.. the living room was less than half
the size it is now. where you see the back left wall,
we moved that wall.




master bedroom. before we painted the new
doors..Love the closet doors.
view from dining room into living room.
check out the nook above. its also a attic crawl space.
I love this color on the wall. at night it is very rich and cozy.. day time
the color is lighter. The natural light in this house is amazing now.
to the right past the studs was the small galley kitchen. To the left
was the dining room. far back wall was like a den.. the kitchen had  4
entrances???  not a good use of space... 

before we moved the wall and made the living room bigger. your
looking into what was the kitchen and bathroom area

I couldnt wait to see the door replaced.. YUCK...

Randy Sammons and Michael helped alot...
Add caption

this was basically after we removed tons and tons of debrie. your
view here is from the tiny living room into where the kitchen once was
as well as a little office area and back door. the layout didnt make sense.
the dining room and kitchen were too small. 
Bless his heart...after getting the insulation and first few sheets
of drywall he could see a house starting to take shape.
This is the back of the house after we re-roofed with dimensional shingles
and tore the back bedroom off and poured a curved patio. The new back
door wasnt in place yet, nor was the kitchen window or new wall siding.
off to the far right is the semi attatched garage. 
Dimensional shingles... nice!!!

We are Roofers too... (not preferably)... Im afraid of heights
and I was up there helping using POWER tools. Love the nail gun.!!! 

Friday, September 16, 2011

Its a Hop!!! at Paper Issues Blog Hop!!!. Love Recycled? Check out this Altered Shabby Window

Drum roll please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Announcing the winner to my first blog hop... 







Its Celeste!!! 
 Thanks so much for participating in the Paper Issues Blog Hop and Hopping into my Blog with some love.  Congratulations!!! I sent you an email to get your address so I can send you goodies to you this week!!! 


In case you were wondering here is the list on Paper Issues of all the winners:
click HERE!




Ladies I want to thank you for coming to my blog and participating in the Super fun and creative Paper Issues Blog Hop!!!  The blog hop is officially closed on my page and I will announce the winner here in just a few short hours!!!    Its been so much fun...I still am trying to catch up and view all your blogs and follow you as well.  When I announce the winner I will need to get your info so I can mail you this prize package lickity split... 




Welcome!!!
Its time to Hop at the Paper Issues Blog Hop!  I am so excited to be a part of Paper Issues blog hop. Its the first time I have ever done anything like this, and I get to do it with such a creative group of gals..There are so many great projects for you to be inspired by and enjoy at the Paper Issues blog hop. Also don't forget all the great prizes you can win! You should have hopped here from  Shellye McDaniel    and your next hop should be Peg Hewitt's: see link below after you have scrolled down. Since the theme this month is "Tree Hugger", I  thought how fun would it be to use a re-claimed, re-purposed , recycled item. My Project is an "Altered Window Project" for you to enjoy and perhaps create for yourself!. 
                                           
                                       Here is the blog hop prize for my blog:
 cute Stampin Up papers, Making Memories alphabet stickers, 3 strips of  friendly plastic, 2 sheets of thank you rub ons, Cloud chipboard alphabet, Heidi Swapp Flower, 2 wooden items to alter. 2 full rolls of American Craft Ribbon. 1 yard of American Craft Happy Birthday ribbon,  Making Memories purple frame, thank you confetti, ribbon tape, Die cuts with a view adhesive ribbon,  Thank U Mini booklet/card. 3 sprays of pearl/tulle, (pink, purple, black)


To qualify for this Fun Spread of Goodies, you must leave a comment about the altered window project, and become a follower of this blog..I will draw a name from a hat of all those that participate on my blog and announce the winner Monday!



For the hop I chose to do a recycled window project. I love things that are shabby, vintage and re-purposed.
My neighbor replaced all his windows and was about to throw these out..Then I stopped him...and begged him to let me have them. My sweet husband put the wood box on with old fence panels. We added two towel hooks. I plan to add a towel bar at the bottom of the window at a later date. We are about to move so I will wait til then to get it all mounted against a pretty background paint color. 


I knew I wanted to make scrapbook pages to fit inside the window of our times in Galveston Island. I think it will go great with a beachy/cottage theme don't you?

This is the front view
There is a missing window pane. I don't know If I will put something there. I will have to wait and see how it looks when I hang it in the new place.  I've been thinking to add maybe a narrow shadowbox within the missing pane, or perhaps a shelf...Hubby suggested a mirror..I guess I will have to wait and see 'til we get moved! 
To create this look you will need:
shabby old window, old fence panels, wood screws, towel hooks, Shells, glue gun, Fish netting, wide brush,   acrylic paint dry brushed on.. chipboard alphabets. sand paper.  I simply dry brushed a little white paint, soft teal paint, a little brown paint and gave it a good sanding on the edges.  Just add embellishment and scrapbook pages and hardware and your done!!! 

I wish the lighting were better!!! 
close up of the wooden fence panel window box, side view and of the chipboard Sea Letters. 

For Close ups of the scrapbook pages in the Shabby Window click Here and here..





Visit the Paper Issues Etsy store and get 25% off!  Just use the code HOP25.  

To see all of the Paper Issues Creative Team projects in all the categories go to the Paper Issues blog

 I'm so glad you stopped by  - now hop on to Peg Hewitts blog!!! 

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Paper Issues will be at Sketch Inspirations sponsoring the Sept 12th sketch!!!

Whew!!! Its been HOT!!!  Living in Texas with 3 digit temps for over 60+ days makes a person long for living in the arctic.. The last couple of days the temps dropped into the 80s... what a difference it can make.
The cooler temps had me inspired to think of fall and the autumnal colors that we (don't have) and wish we did. The most fall like color is in my decorations and food at Thanksgiving. This is a fantastic Sketch from Sketch Inspirations...If you havent scrapped in a while this sketch is sure to get your mojo in the flow!!!! Make sure you stop by http://sketchinspiration.ning.com/ for Sept 12 and see how others have fun with this!!!

Our family like any others is not perfect. Sometimes we laugh, sometimes we cry, sometimes we hurt each other and say things we shouldn't or do things we shouldn't. Sometimes we feel that we don't like each other at times but know deep down we do love each other and would give our last bit of food to help each other. There are even times that we don't want to talk to each other. We are flawed, talented, ambitious, sensitive, loving, creative, full of laughter and full of jokes. Some how through it all we can come together unite in laughter and share food, play games and heal wounds,and build memories,  one laugh one hug, and one word of encouragement



This is another version of the sketch.. Its about my journey to better health. After weight over 300lbs and losing nearly a hundred I have learned alot about myself. Yes some of the weight crept back on but know I believe in myself. I know its not easy. I dont need easy. I just need possible. Thats my favorite quote from the movie soul surfer. It applies to all challenges we face in life.

Supplies for the layout below:
Paper: Bo Bunny;gift of love,  old we are memory keepers, fussy cut, (goal)
stickers: Making Memories market street, Ki-Memories epoxy, thickers
embellishments: Prima flowers and swirl bling, prima butterfly, all my memories charm, Making Memories suede frame, Kaiser craft pearls,

Handmade flowers. dryer sheet flower- stampin up ink, stickles. dimensional paper flower= round scallop punch, stickles, and stampin up ink.  wire ribbon flower-offray.

 
..

Friday, September 9, 2011

Primas September sketch..

Do you Hoard your beautiful Prima Papers, flowers and bits??? Is it more for collective reasons or more because you love it and fear cutting into it?  Well, thats me... I'm happy to say I cut through my fears and played with Primas Sept sketch. It was the motivation I needed to get in there and use more than just a flower. Stop by and check out the inspiration there..prima.typepad.com. Im just a wee follower, or Prima stalker- lol however you look at it.. It appeals to the part of me that loves vintage.. Here is the sketch below along with what I created...I hope you will try this... 






I am happy you took the time to stop by. Dont forget to check out all the wonderful talent at Prima.typepad.com

Friday, September 2, 2011

The Learning Curve



 Hi Ya'll...
At Paper Issues our theme this month is : The Learning Curve..
A few weeks ago I was at the dollar tree store. I found these little wooden shadow boxes, (aproximately 9x9)- unpainted. I wasnt sure what I would do with them until today.  I dug through my stash of oldies but goodies Using some pebbles inc stickers, stemma apoxy stickers. gave it a bright red base paint then stained it a bit with brown ink. I ended up making the chalk by rolling white paper tightly. I also made the little books on the shelves.. Most of the papers are scraps left over. I love to go through my old stash and use what I have..I find that sometimes I get the best ideas that way. (I just adore these little books I made) I never got into the doll house hobby but I can see how it would be addictive.. The ribbons are just ribbon scraps left over.. I did use some Mod Podge and ruler ribbon and fabric around the frame.  Wouldnt this be a great teacher gift?  Thanks for stopping by today..Don't forget to head over to Paper Issues and see what the Design team has been doing!!!

 

A collection of my favoritesboth past and present

Here are some of my favorite scrapbook pages/ and crafts from over the years