Pillows, Dogs, & Friday Nights...They go together right?

So I have this thing for pillows. I've made quite a few of em', probably because they're quite easy to make. 

Fact about me: I prefer making pillows with zippers. I truly believe it's easier to make them with zippers. If you want to learn I can show you how. 

Anyways, I recently bought some plain gray pillows from Ikea, and decided that they needed some glaming up [well one so far]. I was bored last night [Friday] while Kevin did homework [per-usual]. 

It's very relaxing to just create. I tuned into Pandora [Lady Gaga selection; which led to other awesome songs] and went at it.
As I was crafting and singing [well if that's what you call it coming from me <--NOT the next American Idol] some of the songs made me really wish I was out dancing. Do you ever just want to dance, dance, and dance some more? I did, but instead I had to let the energy flow through my fingers; which was fine.


**Can we please have a dance party, someone? Any takers? I'd be down.

Here's the {before} of the boring ol' gray pillow:

Heres the {afters} of the gray pillow 

[WARNING: I got picture happy with the after shots of this pillow]:

All handmade pillow accents.

This pretty little bow wasn't too tough to make, I wasn't sure where I was going with it when I first started crafting it, but then this came into being. I'll take it!

*Kev dislikes the bow on the pillow...gerr. I highly value his opinion, and were usually on the same page, so I'm finding it difficult to stick with what I like when he doesn't. Anyone else married and have this dilemma? 

I really need a girls opinion around here sometimes. Or I need to just learn to be confident in MY OWN opinion. 

All the fabric used for the pillow accents. 

My workspace after crafting. 
It looks like something exploded.

An explosion of craftiness. 

I made this pillow [below] months ago. I don't believe I ever posted pictures of it though. Well here she is. I stitched the flowers and sun design on it with my sewing machine. I had plans to make two of them but have yet to finish the second one [though I did start it!..months ago]. ;)

Glance at the back. *Zipper on bottom.

Leonidas & Bailey recently had their hair chopped off, so they've been extra cold [they're used to having long hair]. Being the nice mom that I am I bought them some sweaters to keep warm. They have doggy sweaters on sale at Wal-Mart for $2.50. Deal.
[& YES, I am that crazy person who calls herself "mom" when referring to my relationship with my dogs. I can't help it, I just love them]

It's a hard life being a dog. 

I especially like how Leo skeezes up the windows all the time. ;) 

I'm thankful the Lord created animals. They're a blessing.

 
Oh & I really hope I'm as spunky and free-living as these ladies 40 or so years from now. 

Before and After...

I'm not the first to spray paint something, and I'm sure I won't be the last. It's amazing what paint can do. I never knew how much of an impact paint has until Kevin and I purchased our house 4 or so years ago. Paint has definitely transformed our home.

I get bored. I've had the same centerpiece in my dining room since the beginning of time {click here to see it}, so I've been wanting a change. After some inspiration from friends and other things, here's what I have so far.

Also, I still have A LOT of bare walls in my house, soo, slowly but surely I'm adding to them.

I picked up some cheap vases from the DAV and some old ugly frames I found there and spray painted them into something new! I bought the "Amore" vase and flowers from Michael's.

I didn't end up taking very many before pictures, but I think you'll get the idea.

Please ignore our HUGE dog cage.  I would like to down size it; so if you know anyone who needs a gigantic cage let me know ;)

Spray painted vases below:

What do you think of the placement of the vases? Should I add more? I don't know. 

Kev wasn't a fan of the candles on some of the vases, so now I'm a little insecure that it all looks funny. 

I think this is one of those things, that I need to just accept that I like it, and that's good enough.

Vintage frames given a modern fresher up-er. 

Yay something on the walls!

To Paint or Not to Paint? I don't know!...

I need your opinion on something... 

Kevin and I were talking about possibly painting our fireplace mantel white. We thought painting it white might make it pop more in this room. I don't know though! Once we paint it we can't go back.

Do you think it would look better white?    Or should we leave it as it is?

What are your thoughts!?  I need your opinion, please!

Also, wanted to show you something new we have on one of our dining room walls.

Bought this frame from Ikea a few weeks ago [i & <3 ikea; who doesn't?] and then spray painted the center with chalk.

{.I like it.}

This is what love on the wall looks like: