A Work in Progress

First, let me apologize for not posting lately.  Last week was our first full week of school, and we have been busy getting ready to be in the "school" frame of mind.  I am sure that all of you would agree that getting your children  ready for school take TONS of energy.  Additionally,  if you happen to be a mother as well as a teacher, you are stretched in every direction possible.  For those of you who don't know, I am both a mother and a teacher so I have been very, very busy.  Something had to give, and since I do not get a paycheck from this blog you can guess what was put on the back burner.

I am hoping that things will settle down soon and I can get back to finishing/starting projects that I can share with you.  Today, I will show you my oldest son's room.  It is a room in PROGRESS.  Please don't judge me yet!!!  He has shared his room with his younger brother since he was 3 years old, and we thought it was time for him to have a room of his own.  We just moved him into the office to be all by himself and he is LOVING it!  (We still haven't moved the office out yet, but we are getting there.) 

Here is what we have so far.  Again, we built is ourselves using plans for KNOCK-OFF WOOD.

We modified the plans for the storage daybed slightly.  The baskets are from Target, and yes, I need to get more.  I am still not sure what color to paint everything.  I can't decide between navy, black or white.  Your input would be greatly appreciated.  The walls will be painted a light khaki and I am not sure what we will do for the bed linens.  Hopefully, it will be something he can use for a long time.  (He is nine by the way.)

I hope to have it completed within the next two weeks.  Thanks for stopping by!!!  I am off to continue my sewing.  Baby Mac has hit a growth spurt and is in need to new jon jons.

Our Southern Nest

God is Great, God is Good

Today, I will not be talking about furniture or projects but about something more personal.  I received a message this weekend that has been a long time coming for someone very dear to me.  I literally cried tears of joy for my friend.

In that message, I was reminded of so many things.  First, I was reminded that God truly does answer prayers although it may not be on our time schedule or the answer that we want, but he does answer them.  Next, God is in control and has a plan for us all.  Finally, I am reminded of how God has blessed my family in so many ways.  I have a wonderful family, healthy children and wonderful friends with whom I can share the ups and downs of our lives.

Like I said before, God is Great, God is Good!

Thank You Finding Fabulous!

A big Thank You to Finding Fabulous for featuring my bombe chest in their Frugalicious Friday post.  Please go over and check out her blog.  She has great ideas and great giveaways!  I know you will enjoy!

See you soon,
Our Southern Nest

And The Winner Is......

Congratulations to  Lauren@GatheringMoss!  You are the winner of our very first giveaway.  Please email me with your mailing address to claim your prize.

Thank you to everyone who entered!  I really appreciate the kind comments and for sharing my blog with your friends and family.

I have a SPOOKY giveaway planned for the month of September to get you in the Halloween mood.  I am so excited about it, and I know you will love it!  Psst- I will give you a little hint.  I will be featuring the artist in a post very soon!

See you soon!
Our Southern Nest

Distressed Console Table

Have you  wanted something for your house, but you couldn't find it in the right size or didn't want to say the HUGE price tag?  Well, that was my dilemma until recently.  I needed a console table for my hallway that had storage for STUFF.  (In case you haven't noticed, we live in an older house and storage is scarce.) Ana's blog, Knock Off Wood, is the place to go to find a solution. 

I found the plans for this console table on her blog, and my husband built it for me.  In the original plans, the console had drawers instead of the open spaces.  It was also 34" tall and we decided to make it taller.  I decided ditch the drawers and put use some baskets I found at Target.  The smaller baskets hold some of the boys toys, books and games.  One of the larger baskets on the floor  is now the home for Mac's larger toys and the other is meant for every one's shoes. We don't have a mudroom so this is our solution.

I couldn't decide how to paint the table, but I knew I wanted add some color in the hallway.  I also wanted it to look old or like it was built with reclaimed wood.  I started out with two paint colors, Peacock Blue by Benjamin Moore  and Lucky Bamboo by Berh.  (These paint colors were left over from previous projects.)  I painted the table in random spots and covered about 90% of the table.  Then I added Pacer White by Sherwin Williams and  lightly sanded it to rough it up a bit.

Next, I add a crackle medium in certain spots and then painted the console Pacer White (Sherwin Williams).  After the paint dried I sanded it again trying to expose the wood in certain areas.  A little note about the crackle medium.  I will be the first to admit that I did not follow the directions correctly, but I was not impressed with this product.  I wanted really large cracks so I used long brush strokes and tried not to go back over it again.  What I got were very tiny cracks, if any at all.  If someone can recommend a product or tell me what I did wrong, I am open to suggestions. 

I still was not happy with the finish and decided to whitewash it with Pacer White.  I just mixed equal parts of water and paint and used light strokes to avoid as many brush marks as possible.  Once I had the coverage I wanted, I then used my tobacco glaze to finish it.  I will use a wipe-on poly to seal the table after it dries for a few days.

I sanded and painted many layers on this table because...1) that was the look I was after and 2) I was never quite happy with the results.  I tell you this because it is just paint.  If you don't like how something turned out just paint over it!  And if you don't like how that turned out just paint over it!  Do you see a pattern?

I printed the plans for this table from Ana's blog, Knock Off Wood.  If you have read any of my earlier post, you will already know that I am a fan of Ana's blog and you can also find her on Facebook.  Please go take a look at Ana's plans because I think you will say to yourself...."I can do that"!  However, don't go to her blog without leaving a comment about my console table first!  I am really interested to hear what you think!!!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.  The contest to win this MAGNETIC PICTURE FRAME will end Sunday, August 15th at midnight.

Please CLICK HERE to enter! 
All you need to do is leave a comment at the end of the Giveaway post.

Thanks,
Our Southern Nest

Thank you DIY Showoff!

I am so excited that my bombe chest redo was featured on another blog!  The DIY Showoff is featuring my post today along with many other talented ladies who love to refinish furniture.  Please stop by Roeshel's blog to check out her inspirational ideas.  I especially love how she showed the before and after photos of her own home.  I just love seeing the inside of other people's houses.  (Is that wrong?!)

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Click Here

to enter!

Our Very First Giveaway Is Here!

I am very excited to announce our first giveaway on Our Southern Nest! You now have the chance to win the magnetic picture frame you see above. The overall measurements for the frame are 20" x 22". The blue magnetic mat measures 16" x 12". The frame will also come with 4 super magnets to hold your favorite picture in place.

You will be able to fit a 8" x 10" photograph or multiple photographs on the frame. It would also make a nice message center in your kitchen or office. The possibilities are endless!

So hopefully by now you are asking yourself "how do I enter the WONDERFUL giveaway"?  Below I have listed the instructions for entering this giveaway.  You can choose to only leave a comment or you can do all three and increase your chances of winning!  There is a limit of three entries per person, and the contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only. 

1. Leave a comment at the end of the post telling me how/where you will use the frame.
2. Become a follower of my blog. (Please let me know in your comment if you become a follower.) 
3. Share my blog on your Facebook page or Tweet about my blog and you can enter for a third time. (Please leave a link back to your Facebook page showing where you shared my post with your friends.)

So there you have it!  I will announce the winner on Monday, August 16th.

Good luck and thanks for entering!
Our Southern Nest

August Giveaway!

Our Southern Nest its first giveaway later this week!  Please check back to see what I will be giving away and how you can enter the contest.  I am very excited and I hope you will be too!

Thank you Remodelaholic!

Thanks to Remodelaholic for featuring me today!  You have made this girl's day!  If you get a chance, go on over to Remodelaholic (click here)  and she all the ideas and tutorials she has to offer.  Great stuff!

Thank you Miss Mustard Seed

Last week I submitted my "how-to" tutorial to a couple of blogs that I follow on a regular basis.  Today, I found out that I am featured today on Mustard Seed Creations as one of her favorited projects of the week.  I also heard from Remodelaholic that she would be featuring my post on her blog in the near future.  I would like to send a BIG thank you to both ladies!


Please go by and visit both of these blogs if you haven't already.  They have some wonderful ideas and lots of tutorials!  Both are great blogs for all of you DIYers and so inspiring.  Please click on their names above to visit their blogs.


Also, if you like what you have seen here at Our Southern Nest please feel free to come on in and become a follower!