Happy 4th of July! Enjoy Free Shipping

I am offering FREE SHIPPING Today Only with Promo Code Happy4th.  Please checkout my Etsy shop Plaid and Bows.  If you do not find what you are looking for I can custom make invitations, stationary and enclosure cards just for you.  Happy Birthday America!!!

Plaid & Bows Etsy Shop

This time in my life all of my friends and cousins are having lots of babies.  I wanted to give them something special and custom, but not too pricey since there are so many babies being born this year.  Creating a birth announcement for their nursery and some stationary seemed an appropriate gift to remind them of that special day and for all the thank you notes they will be writing on behalf of their little ones in the upcoming years.  

After creating all these gifts, I decided to start a business and create more to share with you.  I launched Plaid and Bows this past month and would love for you to browse around.  If you are don't find what you are looking for please let me create something custom just for you or that special little one.  I have Personalized typography birth announcement prints, stationary and enclosure cards for now.  Soon I will add melamine plates, cups and more.  Every pattern and image was created by me on Illustrator, so if you want to change colors, patterns or the image just let me know. 

No Sew Pleated Drapery

Making pleated drapery has never been easier. I discovered this picture on Pinterest and can't wait to get started. With hooks lying around the house and drapery in the closet I am going to try creating my own on this Sunday afternoon.  Stay tuned to see my version of this.

Source: houseofhepworths.com via Blythe on Pinterest

East Texas Historical HWY 80 Sale

My Saturday afternoon was spent at the Historical East Texas HWY 80 Antique sale.  There was so much to browse through, but I narrowed it down to some Fostoria glasses, cute fireman fabric for my boys and a handful of Walt Disney children's books with records.

DIY Chalkboard Paint

Creating a shopping list on the back of your pantry door would be wonderful. I love the idea of use a pretty color for the chalkboard. I am thinking about doing this to my kitchen cabinets.

Source: marthastewart.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: abeautifulmess.typepad.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Here are a few tips on how to "Do it Yourself"

Source: salttree.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

loving gingham

Source: google.com via Lise on Pinterest

Source: matchbookmag.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Sharon on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Source: forage.bigcartel.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: abbeycorrine.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Updating our Kitchen

After moving into this 1950's home we are slowly making changes.  The wallpaper has been removed and replaced with texture and paint.  I was eager to replace the floor, counters and back splash immediately after we moved in as well, but we have decided to wait and do this later because of the cost.  I couldn't stand the maroon tile any longer so I decided to paint it for now.  

BEFORE we moved in photos  

BEFORE we moved in photos  

 1st step- tape off

2nd step- 1 coat of primer

3rd step- 2 coats of paint
4th step- 1 coat of polyurethane

 Finished the look by spray painting the knobs with oil rubbed bronze finish metal paint.  Check out a tutorial on Living Savvy.  I am going to paint all my interior doors next.  

New faucet.
Soon the scalloped woodwork will be coming down as well.

The vent above the stove was painted with appliance paint.

 Soon the refrigerator will be painted with the same exopy paint.

To help the boys have fun in the kitchen with me I used chalkboard paint on the partial wall. Looking forward to replacing the linoleum floor with tile soon.

Kitchen Floor

I have been itching to redesign our kitchen for some time now, but I'm having a hard time deciding on tile. I would love to carry our hardwood floors throughout, but afraid of water damage and scratches from everyday wear in the kitchen. Right now there is 1970 linoleum that needs replacing. Since our hardwood floors are dark mahogany I think a dark gray tile would look good below the white cabinets in either a brick pattern, diagonal square pattern or herringbone. I just recently painted the white knobs with a dark bronze metallic spray paint saving me lots of money by not replacing the knobs. My next project will be to paint the back splash tile white until we decide to replace it with subway tile.

Source: vanrozeboom.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: lowes.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: mydesigndump.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

DIY Bins

Before you throw out your old diaper boxes check out this tutorial from Positely Splendid, canvas bins from diaper boxes.

Source: positivelysplendid.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Family Rustic Dining Table

This family table is wonderful because of it's rustic look with a house full of kids. You can enjoy family meals here as well as doing crafts without having to worry about scratching it up. I also love the wooden vessel that holds all crayons and pencils. The stencils chair backs are so cute as well. Check it out on designmom

Source: designmom.com via Sarah on Pinterest