Hello lovely readers!! My bloggy friend, Karen from Redoux Interiors invited me to participate in a Tour Through Blogland where I tell you a bit about myself, answer four questions, then share three other bloggers that I think you will LOVE. You are in for a treat!
This is just one of the many ways our blogging community is so supportive of one another and I am thrilled to join in the fun!
Do you know Karen?
She is a dumpster diving diva, and so much fun!! Seriously…she has a series called Trashy Tuesday dedicated to sharing what she finds for FREE. In the trash, Ya’ll. You would be amazed at some of the things she comes across, and then she turns them into gorgeous pieces…like this!
She would love for you to stop by and say hi. (I know you want to see what else she’s found in the garbage.)
A Little About Me
{This was in February. Mickey is slightly creepy in this picture, no? Who knew he blinks?}
I am married and I have two sons, ages eleven and four. I am a Registered Nurse currently enjoying staying home with my beautiful boys. I live a mile from the ocean and dream of someday owning a seaside cottage. As long as I can remember, I’ve always had a project going and I tend to move from one to the next, as in a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer! I started blogging, not only as a way to fill my days after taking a break as an RN, but also to inspire others to tackle things they may have thought they never could. I love to share fun makeovers and simple tutorials and I try to break everything down that I share, so you not only get to see the before and after, but every step along the way! I LOVE to share and I’m SO glad you’re here!
Okay here are my questions:
What am I working on right now?
You mean what am I suppose to be working on? I am actually working on a few pieces. I am on a waitlist for a booth space, so right now I’m working on trying not to look like a hoarder every time I open my garage! Keep moving, neighbors…nothing to see here! (They always want to know what I’m spray-painting in 34 degree weather, and what I’m unloading out of the back of my SUV THIS time!)
How does my work differ from others in this genre?
I would say the way I deliver what I share is a bit different from some. I like to give you more than just a before and after. I love to share all the steps in between as well. My creative process might differ also in that I rarely know where a makeover is going when I get started. Sometimes I just start painting and pray that inspiration comes. The toughest ones to figure out usually yield the best results, like my drop cloth rosette stool, which started out as a total fail. It’s now one of my favorites.
Why do I write/create what I do?
I love the feeling I get when I transform something outdated into something beautiful, and I’m excited to share it…like this $85 thrift store dining table and chairs:
Or this $20 yard sale dresser that I painted and added fabric to…this ended up in a totally different direction than I had planned. I originally was going to add graphics to the front, but after transferring the ENTIRE graphic, I realized the surface was just too bumpy!
Or how about this sweet $2 thrift store tool caddy, that also started out as a flop…
This is the other side:
Adding the chalkboard to the other side was an afterthought, but I love it!
I also love to figure out simple, low-cost solutions to things we need like new outdoor cushion covers, and then share them with you! This is one of my most popular posts!
Or how about how I built my closet? This is one of my most pinned posts!
How does my writing/creative process work?
My creative process is this… I have this (insert random thrift store/yard sale find here) what on earth will I do with it? Sometimes I have an idea, but it rarely finishes as I started, I usually just start painting and see where it takes me. I guess that is a creative process. Straight tutorials are usually easier, although often take longer… like my tutorial for how to paint kitchen cabinets:
These posts are the ones I love to share the most because although they take a lot of time to put together, I really hope someone else can benefit from what I’ve already done. I like to think I’m inspiring others to take on projects they otherwise wouldn’t have felt they could. That’s one of the reasons I started blogging in the first place. 🙂
Now I am SO excited to share who I picked to continue this tour! I am always inspired by these three ladies and I think you will love them too!
First up is Shanna from Restoration Redoux:
“Hi! I’m Shanna from Restoration Redoux! I’m a wife, a stay at home mom of 3 dogs, a cat and an amazing teenage daughter. I’m a lover of yard sales, the color turquoise, decorating, and antique stores. I believe decorating doesn’t require a lot of money just a lot of creativity. I love breathing new life into furniture pieces headed for the dump and giving yard sale finds high end looks in my home. I’m far from a DIY expert, but through the years I have had some triumphs, some mistakes, but have had a lot fun along the way.”
Speaking of the color turquoise (also my personal favorite), this is a gorgeous example of one her amazing furniture transformations:
Would you believe she painted the fabric too?? Stunning!
This beautiful turquoise chandelier is one of the first projects of hers that wowed me:
She is fearless and that’s what makes her amazing!
Next up is Angela from blue i style:
“Hi there, I’m Angela! I am an attorney, a wanna-be designer, and most recently a stay-at-home mom to two toddlers. My young sons keep me very busy, but in my spare moments my passions are all things artistic, and my house is my palette! It is a constant work in progress – decorating, organizing, and DIYing! I strive to make everything thing pretty, while at the same time ensuring that our home is a fun and safe place for two adventurous little boys. I love color! I love modern design! I love opening the door to an organized closet! I love the satisfaction of making something myself! And I love sharing my projects and meeting others with similar passions!”
Her home really IS her palette! This is her first son’s nursery and the first post of hers that instantly got my attention!
The details are amazing…
His little brother’s nursery is equally as beautiful!
She also shares fantastic organizing ideas, like how to make these adorable dividers for baby’s clothes:
How cute are they??! Love her ideas!
And finally, meet Shayna from The Wood Grain Cottage:
“Hi there! I’m Shayna from The Wood Grain Cottage! My handy husband and I live on our farm in Colorado where we just built our new home. One room at a time, we’re adding those custom touches and cottage/ farmhouse
style that we love. When I’m not sweet talkin’ my handsome husband into helping me with my latest DIY idea, you can find me on our back patio sippin’ sweet tea, watching our crops grow or giving a bit of TLC to one fixer upper at a time!”
I haven’t seen a project of hers yet that I didn’t like. She and a couple of other girls, including one of my fabulous GYDO co-hosts April, get together the first Thursday of every month for $30 Thursday. Her projects inspire me every single time! Like this Hook Rack made from spoons and pallet wood:
This was one of the very first projects of hers I ever saw and I still love it!
Or how about this Farmhouse Pendant Light she made from chicken wire and embroidery hoops, to hang in her laundry room?! Seriously? That is so clever!
I recently had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with all three of these beautiful ladies at the Haven Blogging Conference, and they are just as lovely in person as they appear on their blogs. Do you follow any of them already? Maybe you found someone new to inspire you! I hope you’ll pay them a visit and take a look around…tell them I said hello!
XO,
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Email * Facebook * Pinterest * Hometalk * Twitter * Instagram
I love to party!
karen says
Thank you so much for the love and passing it on! I loved reading more about you and your family. I do love your blog for all the reasons you listed, and oh my, you are one talented girl!!!
PS That picture of Mickey had me laughing out loud. So funny!!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks for inviting me to join in the fun! Isn’t that picture of Mickey hilarious? XO XO
Daune | Cottage in the Oaks says
Christy…love reading more about you! =) So glad you guys did this! It was great meeting you at Haven this month….hope you have a wonderful summer! xoxoxoxo
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Duane! It was so nice to meet you too!!! 🙂