One of a Kind

I love finding treasures. Some of my favorite items in my house came from a garage/yard sale or {gasp} on the side of the road. I will do a series of posts on this subject & here is my 1st one!

This is Libby's room. Sometimes I still can't believe I have a GIRL! I'd been waiting sooo long to decorate a girl's room. But of course, when Libby was born we were putting our house up for sale. It did NOT make sense to switch the rooms around & decorate a nursery, when we were hoping to sell the house. So I had many, many months to think about how I wanted her nursery to look. It has been a slow process getting her room in order. We had to move in, paint, etc. Her room STILL isn't done (have some shelves I want hung), but I'd say it's 88% done & I love it. It is so sunny & girly. Let me talk you through some of my favorite pieces. [Click on photos to see them enlarged]

Above is a name sign I made for her. The circle frame once held an old mirror. I bought it at a garage sale summer after my junior year of college - it was $3. [I remember stuff like this] I painted it all white & loved it. On one of our many Navy moves the mirror broke. WOW - coincidentally, it broke 7 years ago. That poor piece suffered its 7 years of bad luck & now it has a new lease on life. My husband cut a nice circle piece of plywood for me & I painted it out, added some color to the flowers, added the bow, her name, etc. I think it is stunning & grand & perfect.

I love her dresser. I believe it was my mother-in-law's when she was a little girl! The desk I got for free. It was minutes away from heading to a dumpster, when I asked if I could have it. It has "Jennifer" carved in it, but I'm keeping it that way.  I think it's funny.  :)  In the frame are some of my Mary Engelbreit Paper Dolls I've saved over the past 8 years or so that I've been receiving my "Home Companion" subscription. I always knew if I ever had a girl, I'd frame some of them. (See I've been planning my "girls room" forever) 

In another photo you'll see a cute little 3-legged table. I bought this 9 1/2 years ago at a garage sale - for $1. I remember bringing it home & my mom thought I got ripped off. She couldn't believe I even paid $1 for it. 2 hours later when I had pink & white stripes on the legs, she ate her words! Yes, it's been painted like this for 9 1/2 years. And it has moved around with us to 4 houses, waiting for my little girl.

Lastly, a coffee table I bought at a garage sale before I was married. I broke the bank paying $15 for this. This is the THIRD paint job I've given it since it's been in my possession. Underneath those girly roses are some roads, bridges, river & trees where some boys' cars once raced around. But soon it'll be hosting some prissy tea parties. [I'm not crazy about the blue stripes... but haven't done anything about it yet.]

If one was to walk in Libby's room, I don't think anyone would know where I got some of her things, nor what the price tag said. Each piece of furniture & each layer of paint is a trip down memory lane. With a little imagination I cREaTed a one of a kind nursery 9 1/2+ years in the making and that is PRICELESS.

p.s. Wanted to put a plug in for 2 of my fellow cREaTive girls... Karah made the cute girly card on Libby's dresser (next to the pig) and Ashley crocheted the gorgeous blue blanket. Click on their names to see more!