Top Ten Fresh New Blogs

We're going to take a small break from the usual Top Ten. I'm only bringing you four new blogs today.
Four VERY spooky blogs.
Just in case you and your Minions still have some last minute spots in the house to hit with a horrific stick,
these will inspire you with their ghastly goodness and frighteningly original decadent decor.

And before I make introductions, just in case you think I am devoid of evil myself
and would in no way do anything wrong or awful...

I dress my cat like a rap artist!

Yo, Smidgey Smidge in the hiss house.

(Fine. I'm sorry...)

Enough stalling. Ready for a visit or two?

Wiccan Make Some Too   That's right, Beth is Wiccan! And who better to lead you through some really great projects than a bona fide witch! She's a funny grandmother with crafts, recipes, and site recommendations that will have you taking notes and hitting links. The boots made out of cereal boxes are a great craft with the kids. 

Musings from Kim K   These guys are nuts. Seriously. If you have no idea how to haunt your house, here's your answer. Simple to elaborate, the entire family has Halloween madness, and they'll show you how to cast shadows in your brightest corners. I completely bow to their creativity.

Crows Feet Chic   Tracy is new to this. Steff over at Three bed semi emailed the site to me, and although there aren't tons of posts, what she's done is dead on cool. I'm following her just to see what she does next. And if I have time this weekend, my family portraits are getting her awesomely eerie treatment.

Gothic Wedding Planner  Technically, Steff's site isn't a blog, but the wedding cakes alone had my gears spinning in the direction of show stopping confections with a dark twist. I'm sorry I didn't see her goods sooner, but there's always next year!

Go visit, say hi, follow if you like what you see, and enjoy a little extra chill on me.

The Top Ten will return as usual next week.

Top Ten Fresh New Blogs

Hola, Fellow Blog Stalkers! It's Friday, and we all know what that means!

Yep, time for me to ramble aimlessly!

 

Okay, so here's how it goes down around here: when you comment on my blog, 

one or more of the following will happen:

1. I know you, and it reminds me that like a seriously lame idiot I haven't stalked you yet today and I bolt over to your place to see what you've been up to.

2. You're a new face that was brave enough to click on a link labeled "Rehab." Hmmmm, let me go check this out…

3. I develop a mad crush on your take on the world and want to share it with everyone!

I know what flavor busy is, so sometimes it's handy to be able to meet new folks all in one convenient place.

And just in case you think I'm a really nifty person for doing this, let me remind you...

 ... I am a known cat abuser. Please don't call the authorities.

Michelle at Dream Home DIY- She and her honey are knee deep in DIY, right down to a PB knock off sideboard and hutch that anyone could copy.

Soroya at The Called Ones- I hopped over for the crafts and stayed for the philosophy. Sometimes, you need a quiet place.

Michelle at Polka Dots and Pizza- has such great simple ideas, like her wine bottle light, which I am shamelessly stealing this weekend.

Jana at Bits of Me- If you aren't quite done with Halloween, get over there. If you are, get over there anyway and just scroll down more.

Lindy at Homemade Satisfaction- Lindy is really just getting her blog off the ground, but if her Pottery Barn copy cats are any indication, she's got a lot more to show us.

Heather at My Everyday Graces- Recipes, gardening, crafts, my main woof Tilly, and CHICKENS. A visit is like slipping away to the country for a few peaceful minutes.

Jennifer at Muse Lodge- Best KISS costume for a dog EVER. That alone is worth hurrying over there, right?

Mindy at Create One Day in the Future- Musings, vintage fun, and a Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet made from a dollar store dog collar. Intrigued?

Tanya at Frou Frou Britches- She. Decoupaged. Pants. I'm not even kidding. I really want to try that one!

Tara at Tara Being Tara- Do you see the cool graphic right below this?

By Tara. Yep. It was my Flammaversary gift! Go see what else she's got.

Before you hit the craft or hardware store, pop by and say hi to my new blog buds. This also gives them the chance to meet some of my favorite people ever.

You guys, of course.

Top Ten Fresh New Blogs

 Well TGIF, fellow crafters, and it's a seriously gorgeous day down here in paradise! My crew and I have a busy weekend planned with projects, shopping, a little gardening, a jam session for the hubster and his buddies, and a rock concert for the lovely daughter and me to soak in some metal.

You heard me.

But in planning a weekend's worth of fun projects, it's always a good idea to get different perspectives and techniques, isn't it? Not just the same old same old, but stuff with a truly original spin. And with that in mind, I'd like to introduce you to a 10 blogs I've got a crush on this week, and why!

MJ at My Busy Craft Life
does things a little differently. A little wilder. And she makes the most amazing, elaborate costumes for faires and street events!
Pamela at Be Colorful
is just that: she's a great little shot of crazy color, fabulous finds and poignant observations. Read a few posts and see if she isn't talking directly to you.
Jennifer at 1Bella Stager 
is working at rounding up all of the upcycled goodness she can find on the net or around her through great projects and fun interviews.
Virg at Waste Not, Want Knot
doesn't seem to be afraid to try anything, from art with spray painted greenery to building bar stools, and her photography is stunning.
Vonda at Newlyweds and the Old House
has a cool old house to renovate with style. She loves outside input, and she spreads some serious blog love around.
Farah at Craft a World
does beautifully refined and gracious projects with flowers, gardening, and crafts. She also reminds me that we're all very similar no matter where we are in the world- even in Pakistan!
Adrienne at La Vie Quotidienne
has created a captivatingly visual blog with photos that are pure eye candy. Be prepared to swipe ideas left and right.
Heather at Love and Life at Leadora 
showcases her ideas for food, parties, kids, shopping, seasonal decorating, and whimsy all in an 1870's cottage you're going to want for your own. Oh, and she's Adrienne's daughter!
Alaina at Recycled Interiors
upcycles like a pro, thrifts like a maniac, and has a house that will draw you in like a pig knotty pine hug.Go catch some cabin fever.
Jennifer at Southern Inspirations
always has something new up her sleeve that I HAVE to try- right down to slicing up her napping husband's flannel shirts to wrap candles.

There's my recommended reading for this week. Check out a few when you have a chance, say hi, and become a follower if it looks like a possible addiction. And just in case I sound like I think I'm an authority on anything at all in any way, remember:

 THIS is my dog.

God I hope you weren't drinking anything right then.

(Note: Arwen actually has food and skin allergies that simply make her look like a kielbasa rolled in lint. She's on her meds, is horribly spoiled, has the energy of a puppy, and we adore her like you wouldn't believe.

She just, you know, looks like THAT.)

Top 10: Check Out Some Fresh New Blogs

You remember it: the first comment. The first follower. That first realization that SOMEONE actually read your stuff and liked it.

Yeah, hi, Horselovin Hoosier! My first peep!

Did you ever wonder if you'd hit 10 followers?

Do you remember the first project that got 10 whole comments?

Your biggest project EVER?

I've had a good year for a blog called Rehab. Over 500 posts? Wow, I can babble. Almost 240 followers? Those are some brave people. 80,000 hits since April? Whoa. Awards, some of which I haven't actually even accepted properly yet. 700 to 1000 page views per day just blows my mind. Features, shout outs, and just some serious, serious support and love.

I got through this year because of YOU.

(I sound a little full of myself here. Let me go look at my rickety shambles of a kitchen for a few minutes.)

(Yeah, that puts things back in perspective, doesn't it?)

Time to pay it forward.

I'd like to introduce you to some friends of mine, women who have been hanging out over here, giving me the great opportunity to be one of the first people to discover brand new ideas and crafts over on their little slices of the internet.

Before you start your weekend, here's some great reasons to stash bust, hit the hardware store, scrounge through the craft shop, or dig through your garbage.

And I think this is the first of a weekly habit. If you're relatively new, let me know, and let's make introductions at the party!

I mean, because I've been at this for a whole 14 months and junk.

Andrea Keepin it Thrifty

Allie at Makin it with Allie

Steff at Three Bed Semi

Carol at The Antique Texan

Jane and Ryan at The Borrowed Abode 

Thrifty Tickle

Sarah at The Ugly Duckling House

Sherri B at Little House in Paradise

Ankh at Henthorne Handmade

Isabella at Bella Before and After

Check them out, say hi, and give them a follow if you're so inclined.

(If anyone on this list would like to be removed, just let me know.)

The Top Ten Names I Did NOT Give My Blog

I knew it had to happen.

Someone finally emailed suggesting I change the name of my blog to something more family friendly.

She said she was a daily visitor, LOVED my projects, thought I was funny, but she just couldn't bring herself to put my button on her blog for fear people would get the wrong idea.

And I understand. 

I had friends who tried to talk me out of it too.

At the end of the day though, I like my theme. And seriously, when your before photos look like this...

Well, let's just say this was no quick coat of paint remodel.

Besides, it could have been worse. Here are the other names I was considering:

1. They're Hairy and They Smell. The kids took offense to this. So did the husband. The dog was in full agreement.
2. Does This Look Infected to You? I suspected I'd have even less readers.
3. It Lives in My Closet. Thank God the doctor took me off of those meds.
4. What Middle Age Looks Like on a Bad Girl. This one was close.
5. Things You Can Make Out of Cats. Hey, the supplies would be free. But they were uncooperative.
6. You Can't Use Hot Glue For That. The experiments got out of hand, unfortunately, and again the cats were uncooperative.
7. Inedible Things You Can Eat. Everyone was uncooperative.  
8. Gardening with a Blow Torch. No, that's NOT how the fire started.
9. Where Should We Bury That? I'd prefer there was no Internet proof.
10. Spiders, Lots of Them. I got the first post done and threw up a little in my mouth.

See?

Welcome to Rehab.

Top Ten Tips for Vacationing With Kids

Our friends all know that if you're doing something with us, we're going to bring the Minions along. While they were growing up, Sam and I never so much as went out to dinner without them. Our anniversary was a group thing. We went with another couple for a short trip to Key West, missed the children like crazy, and came straight back and planned a trip back to the Keys with the kids. We consider ourselves to be a package deal.

Along the way, we've gotten pretty savvy at traveling with them.

I'm not sure how many vacations we've had, honestly. I know we've been to Disney World 22 times, and there were trips to Washington DC, Colonial Williamsburg, the Keys, the Gulf Coast, Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens to name a few. That's a lot of traveling. And here's how we survived it:

1. Make a master packing list, and then hand an individual list to each child. Have them set the contents of the list on their beds for you to inspect and double check, then allow them to pack their own suitcases. Use pictures for non-readers. This works in reverse when you're packing to go home.

2. Give each child a small notebook and a budget. They can then write down souvenirs they see and the store they were at. At the end of the week, they can choose the goodies they really want that fit their budget. This will eliminate the "Can I have thats?", help them learn to plan, and teach them budgeting.

3. Skip the DVD player and instead, make a list of topics to talk to your child about, such as what's your biggest talent? What are three things you'd like to learn to do? Where are the best places to live when you grow up? What's the hardest thing to draw? What's the number one thing you're looking forward to on this trip and why? Use this time to get closer and to get to know your child better. You're all unplugged.

4. Make a tub of a healthy snack mix, like Cheerios, Goldfish pretzels, yogurt covered raisins and honey roasted peanuts and take zip lock bags to avoid the junk food fillers on sight seeing or amusement park trips.

5. Hit the outlet mall before you go for souvenir T-shirts, or make your own! $4 at the outlet beats $15 at Disney any day, and my crew was just as delighted with matching tie dye shirts that we made a week before the trip.

6. Canteens!  We still use them, even on day trips. This cuts down on those expensive bottled waters while you're out. We allowed a sugary lemonade with meals only.

7. Let your kids do some of the photography. You'll be amazed at their perspective, even if they're toddlers. We gave the children disposable cameras starting at age three. I will admit that Thom took a lot of pictures of Stitch's butt at MGM Studios.

8. Sketch books are a great way for your brood to record their vacations. We'd look for "art opps" along the way no matter where we were. In fact, my three still take their drawing supplies along. This is also a chance for you to sit down and take a breather.

9. Take an extra small sketch book to theme parks for autographs. Have each child write their favorite thing from that day on a page as you're winding down in the evening.

10. Let the kids in on the daily planning. Have them each pick something they want to do that day, then make a big deal out of, "Okay, we're going to do Savannah's pick now!"

Bonus: Pack your bag with a splinter kit, a first aid kit, sunscreen, lip balm, mosquito wipes, and baby wipes. Hit the dollar store for sunglasses and make sure you have spares.

So there you have it, that's how the Pritchard-Torres clan rolls. What are your vacation lifesavers? Do share!

 

Top Ten Reasons to Hit the Hardware Store

I love shopping. I could do it all day. Seriously. Set me loose in an outlet mall or discount store, and I’m beside myself giddy. 

 But drop me off at Home Depot, and we have my true “Hello, Lover” moment.

Regular stores end up being mostly photos, hastily scribbled notes, and measurements (yes, I have a tape measure hanging off of my purse). The hardware store is where expensive inspiration meets doable DIY.

Now, I do understand that not everyone drools in the tool aisle or is on a first name basis with the guy at the paint counter, but there are very good reasons to cultivate a good relationship with your local Lowes. In fact, here’s 10 of them:

1. The Neglected Nest  : Living Inside the Box: Pallets are generally free for the asking, so how cool would it be to build a deck and planter boxes for nada? I’m serious! Check out this duo’s backyard transformation using free wood and some ingenuity, then bring up Craigslist and borrow a pick up truck!

2. Under the Table and Dreaming: Patio Paver Planters: Large, substantial planters are expensive. Stephanie Lynn’s creativity on this one is going to get me into trouble. I’m just picturing variations and configurations galore on this, and you will be too when you read this simple, sleek project. Oh, the possibilities…

3. Domestically Speaking: Pergola: Did I mention that my gazebo fell? Yep. Although I’d already designed its replacement prior to the event, and when I found this beautiful back patio eye candy over at Maryann’s, I took a few of her ideas and started tweaking. This is graceful, substantial, and simple all in one. And she got the whole family in on it!

4. Sawdust and Paper Scraps: Cabinet Building: Ever have a great space for a built in, but stock cabinets just don’t fit? Relax, Sandra has you covered. She has step by step instructions and illustrations to walk you through your first project fearlessly, hammer held high, able to conquer that awkward space on your first try.

5. Recaptured Charm: Fire Pit Patio: Lisa’s detailed instructions on how to transform an overgrown corner into an entertaining space gave me more energy than a Red Bull! They did the work themselves in a weekend, and the results are lemonade in the shade worthy. Check out the way they softened it with a really nice garden that started out lush.

6. May Days: Four Poster Bath Tub: I was just going through some of the other entrants in a link party when I spotted   Rita May’s fantasy bath makeover. Now, I have no space to do this; her tub is the size of my entire bathroom. But the beadboard surround as well as a few of the other touches are a distinct possibility, and who wouldn’t want to soak for hours encircled by billowy curtains!

7. Tara Being Tara: Building with Wood: How easy are the projects at Knock Off Wood? Tara tackled this as a first timer. I love how it turned out, and the color? Oh please, it’s calling me! I can see this on the back patio stashing cushions and lanterns until needed. And as a coffee table. Or a bench. Or a…BRB, I need lumber.

8. Condo Blues: Make a Compost Bin Out of a Plastic Storage Tub: If Lisa was any greener, she’d be Kermit the Frog. What I love the most is that she shows you how to be green cheaper than NOT being green! This project is quick and easy…and God knows my garden could use some compost!

9. Tools Are for Women Too: Shutter Project: All over blogland, Rory is well known as a “guy pal,” taking you through tough projects with easy tips. With this one, he managed to mix “cottage charm” and “who wants margaritas?” in one fell swoop! I love this, and I know one of these needs to appear over my bar pronto. Swizzle stick, anyone?

10. 33 Shades of Green: Hyper-Whata? Hypertufa Pots: Now, here’s where it gets confusing; that link goes straight to Cassity over at Remodelaholic. Why? Alissa was just featured there, and her project is so new, she hasn’t even blogged it at 33 Shades of Green yet! But this is a great hypertufa tutorial with very clear instructions and her finished products have a very polished look.

Well, do you feel like fumbling for your tool belt yet? I like this roundup because there’s something on here for every skill level. So you make your list, I’ll make mine, and I’ll meet you in the parking lot by the garden center.

The Top 10 Projects I Simply Have to Steal

Okay, here’s the deal:

I have a blogging spreadsheet.

Yeah, yeah, I know, but seriously, keeping organized is a huge deal with me. I don’t want to miss a favorite party, or post the same project twice somewhere, or forget a cool new blog I want to go back to…

Or lose the instructions for a project that MUST be mine. Oh yeah. I nab tutorial URLs like a mad woman. And I make the project with a little twist of my own, giving credit back to the original crafter of course.

The list is crazy long, because I actually do get click happy at these link parties.

With a long weekend coming up, I may knock out a couple of these. Wanna craft along? Here’s my list of The Top 10 Projects I Simply Have to Steal. Grab your notepad and then plan a Joann’s run.

1.  My Shabby Chateau:  Faux Stone Patio: Donna             

This patio reminded me of mine: pretty run of the mill. But Donna’s spectacular revamp on the cheap gives me hope for my drab slab!

2. Imperfectly Beautiful: Mod Podged Mouse Pad: Amanda                    
Here’s a project that made me slap my forehead and go, “Why didn’t I think of that???” My desk is about to get amped up in the coordinated accessories department. 

  

3. The Autocrat: Summertime Koozies: Haley            

O…M…G! Those tacky yet necessary koozies get a revamp that makes me want to hit Walmart to stock up!     

       

4. Sallygoodin: Bamboo Outdoor Hanger: Pam                 

 This awesome plant hanger totally fengs my shui. I have way too many places I could use this, and the design is mega simple.

5. Keep Home Simple: The End of the Paper Pile Up: Robin               

I have all of this on hand, don’t you? How much simpler would this make staying organized each week if you just categorized as you sorted in good looking style? 

         

6. Little Apartment on the Prairie: Antiqued Jar Soap Dispenser: Homesteader                             

Thom is OCD, and he washes his hands a LOT. So I have soap dispensers everywhere. With this, I wouldn’t mind! And imagine this with a matching lotion dispenser! 

    

7. The Hand Me Down House: Pottery Barn Inspired Chandelier: Amanda                      

If you haven't seen this project, you must have been without internet for several weeks, but I couldn’t possibly leave it out. How inspired is this creation?

8. Sweet Something Designs: Concrete Planters and Hurricanes: Michelle                          

You know I love cement. You know I love river rock and shells. You know I love candlelight and plants. I NEED these. 

         

9. Creations From My Heart: A Thank You Gift for the Garden: Sherry Lynn                 

Next time you’re on a stake out at Goodwill, start stacking random glassware and see what you come up with. This was love at first site sight for me.

10. Recaptured Charm: Croc Wreath: Lisa                      

If you have a daughter, you have these in a closet somewhere just obscuring her floor now. I’m thinking of whipping up something in red, white, and blue for the weekend, but with Savannah’s discarded collection, I could change it monthly!

So, how many of these did you copy/paste or bookmark? Share your favorite picks, and when you visit these talented women, please tell them I said hi!

Today's Top Ten: Favorite Brand New Bloggers!

Blogging happens for a lot of reasons. For me, it was something I'd been talking about doing for months to catalog my crafting. I've been making stuff for decades, redoing furniture, and recycling household items to a new purpose. I thought it would be fun to put my processes in writing. But although I was still cranking out projects on the weekends, I hadn't actually gone on the net to start a blog. I was procrastinating.

Then I had a fire lit under my butt. Literally.

 Now, I don't recommend having a major house fire to get your creative juices flowing, but in my case ours was a positive thing. The fire was on August 16th, and my first blog post was September 27th. We had electricity, and I'd started getting the house partitioned off for living spaces versus wreckage. And I had a LOT to blog about!

There are several other new blogs out there that I pop over to regularly. I asked my 10 favorite new bloggers how they got into this. Check them out-these ladies are very free with sharing the inspiration!

A Conversation at Goodwill Sherrie: I enjoy the thrill of the treasure hunt, whether it is at Goodwill, the flea market or a lawnsale. I love to decorate with and repurpose these treasures. I can't imagine shopping at the mall and at full price. I use my treasures in my home, for my clothing and in the garden. It takes recycling to a whole new level. With my blog, I hope to educate or at the very least entertain my visitors.

The Hand Me Down House Amanda: A little bit about why I started our blog -- My husband and I recently bought my childhood home (our Hand Me Down House) and have been going crazy updating it and turning it into our home.  We felt a blog would be a good "scrapbook" for all our improvements and hopefully inspire others too.

The Junkin' Junky Mel: After looking at others blogs, I knew it was high time for me to get off my duff and start spiffying (is that a word?) up my place. I had just finished painting my kitchen cupboards and wanted to share it some how. I had gone to the blogosphere for inspiration and thought that maybe, just maybe someone would be inspired by what I do.  I have connected with so many lovely people and while I don't have a lot of free time, I try my best to be supportive of other bloggers and their work.

Just-You-Wait Kerry: Hi! I recently bought a house. My first. It's pretty old, it needs some work, and my budget is tiny. This is where I chronicle my progress. Come on in!

Our Life in a Click Heather:       I got into blogging to connect with friends and family but I've found a whole new group of bloggy friends that I feel just as connected to. The more bloggers I connect with, the more ideas I want to try and the more blogging I do.

A Date With Design Anne: My husband and I recently bought our second house (which needs major work) in April, and I started the blog as a way to share photos with my family and friends.  I never dreamed I would have other people reading it, but it is such a nice surprise when I get new readers and comments.   My blog has turned into a passion, and I love being able to post about decorating and design, among other things...

Fuzzy Slippers Designs Moriah: Why I started blogging... hmm...  Well, I had lovely friends who thought that my creations should be shown off.  They told me about blogging and how it's like a giant creative party in blogland.  So true!  I get so much inspiration from so many people all over the world.  I also have to say I get lots of encouragement from folks who leave me blog love and have made so many friends that I've never even met in person!

Gingerbread Snowflakes Pam: I'm a mother, daughter, grandmother and wife, who needs to create things as often as possible. I'm a photographer who enjoys crafting, cooking, gardening and collecting minerals, and who has maintained a lifelong fascination with astronomy, geology, nature and anthropology.

Fowl Single File Megan: Hmmm. Why I started blogging. This could get pretty lengthy, but I'll reign myself in and try to summarize it in just a few sentences:   I blush profusely and get all tongue-tied at the slightest compliment (I'm the middle child and not used to the attention, I guess) but I still love showing off the creations that I'm proud of.  Crafty blogging is the perfect venue for someone like myself to share projects AND gather inspiration. There's such a wealth of information and so many friendly folks willing to share their talents out there! Since I started blogging (almost a year ago) my to-do list has quadrupled in size!

Keep Home Simple Robin: I started my blog for many reasons!  I thought blogging would be fun!  It would motivate me to actually do all the projects I had stored in my "idea" folder or in my own head!  It would allow me to better my home and myself, as a mother, a wife, and a homemaker.  I want to inspire other people to create and to make their homes a heaven on earth!

There you have it, my list of great fresh blogs with no artificial flavors or fillers.  

Go take a peek and get some new ideas!

And if you were featured here, feel free to grab my button!

Top Ten Construction Sites

We all have them: our go-to sites. The blogs we relentlessly stalk on a daily basis. Places for inspiration, design ideas, a new recipe, or just a laugh. If you’re one of mine, you know who you are, because I like to leave a little love here and there, so you’ve ended up with the rambling thoughts of the middle aged redhead splotching your blog and confusing your other virtual friends.

It’s okay. I’ve been confusing people professionally for years. As my daughter says, "We're scaring The Normals, Mom."

But we all like to discover new territory right? Young House Love and Bower Power, while still amazing and on the daily must-stalk list, can't do 20 projects a day. You need MORE.

It occurred to me, as I added a new blog to my spreadsheet, that maybe I should share some of the nifty people I always check in with before starting certain categories of projects. And this will be a cinch for me to do, because they are, after all, on their own tabs on this sheet. (What? I told you I’m an organization freak. You didn’t believe me? Don’t let my house right now fool you.)

So without further ado, here are the Top Ten Blogs I Check Before Knocking Out a Wall or Firing Up the Circular Saw.

Yeah, that’s why I shortened it on the blog post title.

This Fresh Fossil - I drop in on these guys like they’re my neighbors. They have no fear. Their claim to fame right now on the blogosphere is for unearthing a buried patio. I’m serious!

Life at the Chateau Whitman - These two are in the middle of finishing their basement- from dark and dank to a hip family hangout. Go learn how to lay flooring, I dare you!

Pregnant with Power Tools - Be afraid. Her power tool tutorials alone are worth the jump, but do not miss how-to’s on wiring and furniture making.

Tearing Up Houses - Kelly actually buys and remodels houses for a living, so there’s lots of great ideas, along with some funny personal stuff and dogs dressed in thongs.

The Flipping Couple - Cindy recently outted Nick as a landscape professional. Yeah, like we couldn’t tell. They also like to rip out walls in their spare time.

Remodelaholic - The name says it all. They also feature great projects from other remodelers, like a green house built out of free salvaged windows. No, I’m not kidding!

Hip House Girl - A house with good bones and a woman with tools. She’s not afraid to rip out and dive in. My latest favorite is a basket cubby at the end of her kitchen.

A Date with Design - She just did a hardwood floor with an orbital sander. And that’s the tip of the iceberg.

One Handy Chick - In between furniture redos, Cece rips out cabinets and knocks down brick walls. While chasing a two year old. I’m impressed.

Potholes and Pantyhose - Looking for intensive marital bonding time? Remodel together. You will learn more about each other than you may want to know. This chick is a maniac! My favorite project of hers involves making hip side table out of a tree trunk with a chain saw.

Ahhh, Babies

A lot of my favorite DIY bloggers are pregnant. I find this amusing because it's such ancient history for me. My children, usually referred to as The Teen Minions or The Love Spawn, are pretty self-sufficient at this point. The oldest even recently told me he's an adult. Yeah right. As I hand him his allowance.




But since the Hubster and I have managed to get them to this point in one piece with no criminal record, I thought I'd share some parental pearls with whomever is bored enough to click and read this.




First, the Top Ten Things You Think You'll Never Do Once The Baby Arrives!




1. The first time your baby sleeps through the night, you WILL wake at some point and in a panic hold a mirror under that squishy little nose.




2. You WILL take the carrier into the bathroom with you for the first couple of days. God only knows what you think will happen to the baby if you leave him alone while you pee.




3. You WILL suddenly find your chic decor over run by bright plastic things that smile back and make noises.




4. You WILL have nothing decorative in your home lower than seven feet. There are two kinds of items in a home with children: things that belong to the baby, and things the baby can't get to.




5. You WILL marvel at the fact that you've been wearing the same pajamas for two weeks. 24 hours a day.




6. You WILL banish the word "spontaneous" from your vocabulary. Spontaneous will now require a ton of planning.




7. You WILL realize how good you look in a ponytail. And you will no longer wonder why so many moms have short hair.




8. You WILL pick someone else's nose.




9. You WILL end up with a diaper full of Cheez Whiz exploding all over your dress two minutes before you are planning to walk out the door no matter what kind of diapers you use or what the manufacturer promises.




10. You WILL be amazed at how in love you are with this tiny person who just took over your life. Because you may think you knew what love was, but this is the most profound, consuming, unbelievable stuff ever.