So who doesn’t love Pottery Barn? Seriously!?  I have always looooved their stuff, especially their decor style.  Those of you who have been to my home/studio know that I love antiques. It is always great to see how they implement  vintage with modern furniture or decor.  I  also love the furniture, but lets face it………it is pricy.  I can get the real deal at a antique store or off of Craigs list for a lot less.  HOWEVER……once in a while you see something in the catalog that really stands out and you think, I could soooooo build that! Better yet, my husband can soooooooo build that!

Well we decided that the girls needed loft beds, but man……..so many at the furniture stores are so hokey and look, well………CHEAP.  In comes PBTeen.  Their sleep study loft bed was so cool!  I REALLY love the Chelesa loft bed too.  But, HOLY K’S BATMAN!!!! Sorry, I can’t do $2000 TWICE!  Hello!!!  That is a new CAMERA!!!!   I love my girls, but the camera would win. haha!

So now I’m searching……..searching…….searching.  Nothing!  Nada!  Are you kidding me!  Don’t get me wrong, there are plans out there just not to my standard.  A girl wants what a girl wants!

In comes Ana and her fantablous spectaticular site!!!  This chick rocks and is my kind of girl!  Go check out her site!!  BUT, BE WARNED!!!!!  You will be hopelessly sucked into the massive amount of creativity that is going on all around this site!  Links to other blogs and pictures of what the readers have built.  Do not hold me responsible for being on the computer for around 4 or 5 hours while your children are begging for snacks and asking for help with their homework while you are completely zoned out!  Not that this happend to me at alllllllllll! I would never do such a thing! Ehhem….Anyway………  Here is the link!

Knock off Wood

So, Ana has not put up any plans for the loft bed knock off”s.  Dave and I were down to crunch time with Courtney’s 10th birthday on the 23rd~  We decided that we could just use a few of the plans she has on there and modify them a bit to make our own version of the bed.  We loved her farmhouse bed design and started with it.  We made the legs just a weeeeeeeeeee bit taller!  As of now we have a headboard and a footboard!  We have had fun doing this together, even though I have been accused of being a bit bossy.   (I still love you honey)

I hope we can finish most of it by this weekend!!  I’ll add pictures to this post as we progress with the project. I have no idea how to put the pic’s in order that makes sense, so I’ll just go ahead and apologize if it is confusing! The newest pic’s will be first:)

~Paula~

PICTURES ADDED 4/14/10

Back to work again...... Making plugs!

Hmmmmm this thing is starting to take up a lot of room.....

plugging the holes.

Doing a little practice first.... Dave mortised the bed rail hooks into the post so it would be flush.

Dave likes his new plunge router that Santa brought him for Christmas. I think this is the first time he has used it!

Yup...... I think it is getting bigger!

All put together. I just have to finish sanding and priming, then more sanding and painting. I think we might try to add some decorative molding below the top 2x6. Did I mention that this bed is BIG and HEAVY!! Holy smokes!

Now we need to make the side safety rails and ladder then start figuring out how to make the desk, vanity and bookshelves. Hopefully we will get it all done this weekend! BTW.....I am firing the cleaning lady!

Courtney looking at the bed...... I think she likes it!

PICTURES BELOW ARE FROM 4/13/10

Don't forget to fill and sand all the knots and imperfections on the 4x4's otherwise it will look like construction grade lumber!

For those of you who have had studio pic’s done and ever wondered, “what is behind that curtain?” (yes, my studio is in the garage)……This is what is behind the curtain! The “Man Cave”.

The man at work in his man cave. He is the BEST hubby.

Measure twice, cut once.....right? Or should I say, drill.

If you ONLY knew what I was doing to get him to smile!

I love this man!

Looks much smaller in the picture! It is just over 6 1/2 feet tall.

Started priming it. Loads of sanding and painting will follow.

I hate point and shoot cameras! (Yes, I do own one.)  They always focus on what I don’t want  to focus on! Sigh….

Dave built the headboard last night.  Haven’t taken any pic’s yet.  We also have to finish off the top of this with the 2×4 per the plans.  I was just anxious to start priming!

Here are a couple of pictures of other projects I have been working on………

Stripped and stained my DR table to match my antique hutch we bought in Germany.

The chairs to this table are my evil nemeses!  I will not……I repeat……I will not EVER take on chairs like that EVER again.  One is okay, but SIX!!!  It took me 8 hours just to strip 3 chairs!  I still have to strip the other three.  Still a work in progress!  I also put a coat of poly on the smaller hutch that also came from Germany!  That bad boy was only 50 Euro!  :)  I will eventually put a coat of poly on the big hutch too.  Waxing is too taxing!  haha I’m just lazy……

My $4.00 chair from good will. Painted with new fabric.

There is more to come!   I have been up to my eyeballs in projects!!!  I’m excited to share with everyone!

~TTFN~

Honored to have one of my images chosen….. happy dance!

http://www.taopanmag.com/?p=111

I had sooooooo much fun Saturday with this couple!  The shoot was for her, but we had to get a few of him as well!  They brought along a makeup artist too.  Wearing the right makeup for a shoot like this is so essential!  We started off  with light normal daytime makeup and by the time the session was over, she was rockin in full smokey eyes that looked incredible!!!

I hope you both enjoyed your session!!  I know I had a BLAST!!!

I have had a flood of Mommy to be’s and Newborns lately….. Could be something in the water. Just kidding~

Aren’t these ladies stunning!

Isn’t Wilber cute!

Valentines Day is just about here!  Has me thinking of the Beatle’s song, All You Need Is Love…..

Kids love my total dorkiness and I always have fun with other peoples children, but with my own children, sessions are pure tourture to the them and usually =  serious whining, crying, pouting and many odd faces.  After about 100 shutter clicks I usually get ONE pic I like.  Then it is time for some WINE for mom!! haha

Sooooo after many days of prepping them and letting them know that we were going to do portraits of them for  Valentines Day cards for their classmates,  they ACTUALLY had FUN!  I was shocked!  What usually take me hours with my own kids took  me less than 30 minutes!

Ahhhhhhh That in itself was the best V-Day gift I could get from them!!!!

Isn’t he a perfect little angel!!  He was fantastic and has a great future as a model! (despite the projectile poo) hahaha  I am looking forward to seeing him every three months!  I know he is going to be a super star!  I’m sure that Dad will appreciate the portraits of his little guy.  Our men and women sacrifice so much for our country.  Like many he is deployed and was blessed to be home for his son’s birth.    THANK YOU for all that you do!  Sending many blessings and prayers for your safe return to your beautiful family!

I had the joy of going with this gorgeous family to pick out their Christmas tree.  It was such a beautiful day, but quite cold!

It won’t be long till they will welcome a new addition to their sweet family!

Merry Christmas “N” Family!!!

Isn’t she just beautiful!!!!  This is the most amazing family!  I feel very blessed to have met them and been a part of documenting their newest addition.

Congratulations M Family!!!

~Paula~