* THE COUNTRY CHIC COTTAGE (DIY, Home Decor, Crafts, Farmhouse)

Monday, January 30, 2012

My Seasonal Items Closet -- I NEED YOUR VOTE!

7:06 AM Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage 8 comments

Time for the All Star season of So You Think You're Crafty. And I need YOUR vote! This week is organization week and it could not have came at a better time! My project for this week is my Seasonal Items Storage closet. I will give you all the details next week after the voting ends. Along with a tutorial on how to make your own over the door wrapping paper organizer! Keep reading to get a sneak peek and head on over to to So You Think You're Crafty blog to vote for me!
We received our themes for SYTYC and week one was organization. It was around Christmas time and it was time to haul all that Christmas decor BACK UP to the attic. I think most of us have this problem. Too many seasonal decor items and no where to store them to be easily accessible. I decided to think of a new storage solution. I had a closet under my stairs that was full of...well...junk. Literally the only thing in it I used was the vacuum. The rest either got donated or the sentimental things went up to the attic. So an easily accessible closet was now EMPTY! I made myself a Seasonal Items Storage Closet! As you can see from the BEFORE pictures, the closet was unpainted drywall and sub-flooring. This house is 15 plus years old and no one ever bothered to paint that closet. After the junk was hauled away, I began painting. I painted the walls all white to try to bring in some light. Yes I even PAINTED my sub-floors a dark grey. A perfect solution for sub-floors. Cheap and easy. Plus they really look great!

The area in the back became my Christmas storage area. I added some vinyl to spell "Christmas" on the wall. I added vinyl on all containers to identify the contents. This closet if full of vinyl. I cut each one on my Silhouette then applied it. The vinyl was an easy and attractive solution. I think the idea of adding "Christmas" to the wall really made that back area of the closet stand out. The stacking storage unit is from IKEA and is perfect for this space. It allows me to sort out my seasonal items into easy to access bins. Each one slides out so no stacking and unstacking boxes or bins. Each bin is labeled by season or holiday. I am going to try to keep my seasonal decor to within these bins. So if the bin is overflowing, it is time to declutter. I also could not resist adding a little organizational art to the wall with some vinyl. Keep Calm and Organize On!

But I couldn't stop there! I made a hanging organizer for my wrapping paper. I took an over-the-door shoe organizer and modified it to work for wrapping paper, tissue, ribbon, gift bags, tape, plus so much more! The back of any door can become a wrapping station for minimal money and time. I will have a tutorial on how you can make your own after the voting ends. It is very quick and easy. Yet works perfectly for those odd to store wrapping paper rolls.

Now I have an easy to access, organized area for all my seasonal decor. You could even add storage for seasonal dishes, wreaths, the possibilities are endless!
Pretty, pretty please go vote for me! Pretty please with sugar on top!
Plus stay tuned as next week I will take a couple of days and give you all the details on this closet!

Posted at Get Your Craft On on Today's Creative Blog.

Posted at Take a Look Tuesday on Sugar Bee Craft Edition.

Posted at Tip Me Tuesday on Tip Junkie.

Posted at Tutorials and Tips on The Stories of A to Z.
~Thanks for stopping by!~
~Angie~
The Country Chic Cottage

I am an all star! Plus the fair ivy WINNER!

6:27 PM Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage 1 comment

A little announcement! I am on So You Think You're So Crafty this season. It is the all star season and should be amazing! It starts in the morning. This season our projects don't have to be a secret. So I will be back in the morning to show you my project and beg for your vote! I am not entirely sure how I became an "all star" but I am rolling with it. :)

In the meantime, let's get a winner for our fair ivy giveaway!

The winner is:

Jen the CraftinCowgirl says:

January 21, 2012 1:09 PM

I follow Fair Ivy on Pinterest :o)

Congrats Jen! You have 72 hours to contact me before I pick another winner.

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

$50 Gift Card GIVEAWAY with @aptguide #budgetdecor

9:53 AM Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage 69 comments

Apartment Guide is generously giving away a $50 American Express gift card today! Do y'all remember when I posted about redoing my daughter's room on a budget? Well I will be posting my review and details next week! For now, let's enter a giveaway shall we?

First of all, let's learn a little more about the Apartment Guide...

Whether you're living, looking or moving Apartment Guide offers how-to tips for making the most of your space on a budget.

Ready to redecorate your home but short on cash? Apartment Guide can help you find inexpensive decorating ideas for how to update an area or room without spending a lot of money.

If you’re ready for a whole new space or are looking to move, Apartment Guide has the photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you find the perfect apartment community.

Want to find even more decorating tips for your home? Apartment Guide provides ideas for people in any sized home on http://www.movingtoday.comand http://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/

Now let's enter a giveaway!
The rules:
1) Open to US residents only
2) Open until February 3rd at 11:59 pm central time.
3) Once the winner is posted, they have 72 hours to contact me before I pick another winner.

How to enter:
1) Check out this article on Apartment Guide about what you favorite colors say about you. Leave a comment below telling me what you fave color to use in decorating is.
2) Like Apartment Guide on facebook and leave a comment below telling me you do.
3) Follow Apartment Guide on twitter and leave a comment below telling me you do.
4) Blog, tweet, or facebook about this giveaway and leave a comment for EACH thing you do.

Up to FIVE entries per person.

Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in their monthly blogger programs. As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

~Good Luck!~
~Angie~

Shopping for a Senior Prom Dress

2:48 PM Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage No comments

Yes my oldest is a senior..my baby...a senior! YIKES! The catalogs have been arriving in the mail. If you have a high school age daughter, you know the ones I am talking about. Page after page of designer dresses. My daughter has spent hours pouring over them and dreaming. I started doing some research after my teen fell in LOVE with a gorgeous dress (and I saw the price tag). I ran across Promgirl.net -- they have prom dresses with a price match guarantee!! Did I get your attention? I googled the dress she wants and the lowest price is in fact Promgirl.net. I think I have found MY source for formal dresses! The selection is amazing. Everyone of those designers that you will find in those catalogs are on Promgirl.net.

But the first thing that came to my mind was how in the world would I get the right size? I clicked around some more on the Promgirl site and they have GREAT sizing charts -- by designer! I love that the sizing charts are specific to the designer. That way you know that the dress you are getting will fall within those measurements. The charts even tell you how and where to measure. Cause let's face it...I really did not know. Really all you need to know to get the proper size is on their website. I believe that no matter where I buy the dress, I will probably have to alter it or have it altered to fit exactly. I might was well save a little on the dress itself up front since the alterations are a given. Here is an example of the great sizing charts...

I believe I have found my source for prom. A bonus is that Promgirl.net also has a wide selection of other dresses as well. So if you just need a cocktail dress they have that too. I mention that because we still have to shop for a graduation dress and I will have my teen look on Promgirl.net first. I did just now notice that they have a free shipping code on their website also. A price match guarantee AND free shipping! I don't know what I am waiting for...I better head on over right now.

Of course if you are feeling lucky, they have a free dress giveaway on their facebook page once a month. You might enter there and get your teen a FREE prom dress! The price match guarantee is NOT a free dress but it is the best price on that special dress. Quite frankly, senior year is the time for special dresses. I can still remember my prom dresses, can't you? It is a memory that stays with you for a lifetime! This year is going by way too fast for me. I can't believe I am shopping for senior prom and graduation. I might need to lean on y'all sometime for support....

This post is sponsored by Promgirl.net but all opinions are mine. I do love their site and am thrilled to write this post!

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

Spray Painting in January and some WINNERS!

7:17 PM Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage 3 comments

Can you believe we have had spray painting weather in January? I have been taking full advantage of it. I am still working on that upstairs bathroom....

I really needed a towel holder for that room. I almost bought a standard "hang on the wall" variety. Then I spotted this at the thrift store and it was perfect!

A little antique brass spray paint and it is ready to go!

I will be showing off my bathroom week after next! Y'all stay tuned to see this one in place!

Now for some winners! The winner of the $25 shopping spree to Jesse Anne Designs is....

Great flower lady says:

I love the owl necklace they are my new LOVE.

I also need to redraw the Fish Foam winners...

The Bargain Babe says:

I have never heard of it but with little kids and a dog we certainly could use a good glass cleaner!

The Polka Dot Closet says:

I would love some fish foam...wish they were throwing in someone to wash the window too LOL!

Carol

Tricia Hicks says:

4 yr old house, never properly cleaned all windows...need I say more? :)

Y'all drop me a line! You have 72 hours to contact me! :)

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

Recovering a Memo Board

8:56 PM Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage 2 comments

Do your kid's love memo boards? Or maybe you do? You can easily recover them with a different fabric. Ready to see how?

This was the memo board before...

Um...yea...needs recovered right?

Materials

about a 1/2 yard of fabric depending on the size of your board
contrasting or matching fabric to cover buttons (a scrap is enough)
covered buttons kit
spool of ribbon (will take almost entire spool)
glue gun and hot glue
upholstery tacks
needle and thread

Begin by stripping your entire board. Remove all old fabric and buttons. I left the sawtooth hangers on the back. I cut the old fabric off around them. Then cut around the new fabric so I could reuse them.

Lay out your fabric and cut to allow for at least 2 inches of overhang. Begin wrapping fabric around board and using hot glue to secure. Lots of hot glue all around. You could use a staple gun but this one I tore apart had been up for years. All it had was hot glue securing the fabric.

Hold up your ribbon corner to corner and cut to size leaving enough to wrap around. Secure with hot glue.

Then use one upholstery tack on each ribbon end to further secure. Don't leave these out!

Continue with ribbon. Corner to corner first to create an "x". Then the middle of each side to the middle of the adjoining side. Cover your buttons according to instructions in kit. I had never used a kit like that to make covered buttons. It was sooo easy! Don't be scared of fancy covered buttons!

Secure buttons where ribbons cross with needle and thread. Either go all the way through your board (should be holes already there) or at least grab the fabric. That way when you add your pictures and momentos they will not slide down.

After you buttons are secure, you are ready to hang.

It really was simple! I have already completed a second one and have a third one in process!

Posted at Transformation Thursday on The Shabby Chic Cottage.

Posted at Show off your Stuff Party at Fireflies and Jellybeans.

Posted at the under $100 party on Beyond the Picket Fence.

Posted at the Open House Party on No Minimalist Here.
Posted at SNS on Funky Junk Interiors.
Posted at the Weekend Wrapup on Tatertots and Jello.
Posted at Sunday Showcase on Under the Table and Dreaming.

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~
The Country Chic Cottage

Valentines Vignette

7:33 PM Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage 4 comments

The finals are up on One Month To Win It! Don't forget to vote for your fave project!
Time to show off where I put my Valentine's crafts. My Valentine's Vignette...

I wanted a slight rustic touch to Valentine's Day. But with some traditional aspects...like hearts!

My love banner and rustic love sign started this "love fest"....

I wanted a unique table cover. So I grabbed this feed sack from my stash. It has touches of red and fit in perfectly...

Sheet music rolled up and tied with twine is a perfect filler for milk glass...

I took a ceramic squirrel and spray painted it white. A pile of shabby rosettes sits beside him. He is sooo darn cute!

On the other side, is a owl I got off of etsy with some more milk glass...

My daughter made this bowl in art class. I thought it was perfect for Valentine's decor. The hearts all came from clearance last year...

So there you have it...a simple, rustic Valentine's vignette!

Maybe I should call this one my Chicken Feed Valentine's Decor!

Posted at Show and Tell on Blue Cricket Design.

Posted at Whatever Goes Wednesday on Someday Crafts.
Posted at What I Whipped Up Wednesday on Sugar and Dots.
Posted at Good Life Wednesdays on A Beach Cottage.
Posted at the party on Organize and Decorate Everything.
Posted at DIY Under $5 on A Little Tipsy.
Posted at the Mantel Party on Home Stories A to Z.
Posted at the Vday party on Hoosier Homemade.
Posted at the Vday party on Someday Crafts.
~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~
The Country Chic Cottage

Repurpose Your Food Containers

7:30 PM Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage 1 comment

Let's get organized today! What is better than getting organized? Getting organized for FREE. Today I am going to show you how to repurpose your food containers into organizing bins like these...

What do you need?

Empty Food Containers -- mine were from corn meal and oats.
Spray paint or craft paint
Stamps
Scrapbook Paper
Tape
Labels
Chalkboard Paint
Chalk

The bottom of your food container will show in the finished project. So, let's paint that first. I used spray paint on mine. Anything to make it look pretty will work just fine.

Cut your scrapbook paper to the height of your container. Wouldn't you know that the scrapbook paper was not long enough to make it all the way around the container? So I added another piece to lengthen it just a smidge....just tape it on...

I used my stamps from PSA Essentials to make a pattern on my paper. I took one circle stamp plus two different colors of ink...

The paper itself has a shiny appearance. The stamping is super subtle. That is what really made me fall in love with these containers. They are pretty but subdued all at the same time.

Once you are done stamping and your ink has dried, wrap your paper around your container and tape on the back. Here you can see the back and the front. From here you can tell just how short my scrapbook paper was...

For the chalkboard labels, my pal Gina posted a tutorial on her blog a while back. You just need to spray your chalkboard paint right on a sheet of labels. It works wonders!

The containers themselves are slightly different. Different stamps and ink colors were used. So they match...but not perfectly.

Grab your chalk and write whatever your contents are. That is after you have sorted and organized everything!

Who will be saving their food containers now? Or at least looking at them a bit differently!

For a look at where I used my containers, head on over to this post.

PSA Essentials supplied me with the stamps but the project and opinions expressed are all mine.

Posted at Get Your Craft On on Today's Creative Blog.

Posted at Take a Look Tuesday on Sugar Bee Craft Edition.

Posted at Tip Me Tuesday on Tip Junkie.

Posted at Tutorials and Tips on The Stories of A to Z.
~Thanks for stopping by!~
~Angie~
The Country Chic Cottage

Doily Curtains on The CSI Project

9:41 AM Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage No comments

My doily curtains are over on The CSI Project today!

Head on over and check out how I made these!

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

$25 handmade GIVEAWAY from fair ivy #giveaway #handmade

10:31 AM Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage 44 comments

Today's giveaway comes from fair ivy. I had never heard of fair ivy until they contacted me. Y'all know I love to support handmade business. Well fair ivy offers monthly handmade surprise packages to your recipient! A gift of the month club for handmade gifts!! Yep I was so excited to share this with y'all.

A surprise for yourself or for a special someone in your life! Yes they have packages suited to a wide range of people. Gifts for girls or those young at heart....

All the pictures included in this post are examples of gifts. Your handmade gift package will be a surprise of course! There is a category for women....