Hey everyone!  Well, I started my new job this week and it's going really well so far.  I'm having a lot of fun and it's exciting to have a new challenge.  It's a big change from being a Domestic Goddess for the past 3 years.  And I know it's going to take me a while to adjust to a new schedule.  But I'm embracing the change and making the most of this new opportunity. 

Meanwhile, I do have some projects finished... but my camera is a big piece of crap and I have YET to go and get a new one.  I've taken like 500 pictures just trying to get a decent shot.  But no chance that's happening.  So that task is at the top of my to-do list for this weekend.

Once that's done I will be posting projects like crazy!  So please check back and see what's been going on.  Have a fantastic rest of the week.

:)

Happy Mother's Day!

Hey everyone, Happy Mother's Day!  I know most of us bloggers are mom's and I've already seen some really good posts in celebration of today.  Being a mom is something I never thought I wanted to do.  I was the working girl, who liked to have fun and do whatever I wanted to do.  But then as my husband and I got older, and we were the only ones without kids, we thought maybe we were missing out on something.  And we surely weren't getting any younger!  So we decided to try for just one. 

Obviously you don't know what to expect when you first start trying.  My best friend was unable to get pregnant without the help of fertility drugs and treatments... and it took her over a year to conceive with her first son.  And like I said, my husband and I weren't getting any younger, so we knew we had to get crackin'!  Wouldn't ya know it... I got knocked up the first month out of the gate!  Well so much for the good time trying to get pregnant.  

 ~ Here I am on Mother's Day 2008 ~

 

But I must say that it was the perfect pregnancy.  I never threw up, I had no complications, and 9 months later I had the perfect baby boy.  He was 8 lbs 15 oz.  A big boy!  

It truly is the most challenging and the scariest job I have ever had.... but it has also been the most rewarding and joyful.  I am so glad that we have him... even through the terrible toddler times!  Haha! 

So here's to all the Mom's out there, I hope you all have a perfect day!  

New Beginnings!

Good Morning!  First thing, I can't believe I have 150 Followers!  Yay!  Thanks for joining my blog and keeping my DIY spirit alive.  I think if it weren't for blogging I probably wouldn't get as many projects done.  You guys keep me on my toes!

Another thing that has kept me on my toes lately is the job hunt.  But I'm happy to report that I was offered a really good position and I couldn't pass it up.  So I start my new job in 2 weeks!  Talk about new beginnings!  It's a little scary, but exciting at the same time.

So the race is on around here to get as much done as humanly possible.  And with that comes more projects hahaha!  So here are a few things on my to-do list:

A while back I showed you this hutch I scored for $25.... well it's just been sitting in my sun room for MONTHS!  I'm planning on putting it my new kitchen to use as extra storage... but it's been waiting for a much needed makeover.  So I busted out the paint and now have it almost ready for glaze.  I'm hoping to have this finished up by week's end because I'm hosting Bonko at my house in a month.  And we typically play out in the sun room... so it's time to make way for that!

I'm also working on repurposing this cute lamp I got at the thrift store not too long ago.  It's going to go in my bedroom as part of a spring update. 

This is another re-work in the works.  An old birdhouse that has a broken insert.  I can't wait to redo this and put it in my new kitchen hutch!

And along with those few fun projects, we've been killing it out in the yard for our Back Yard Makeover.  So an update is coming soon on that one too.

So there are a lot of new beginnings on the horizon.  I'm excited and nervous... but I know I can do this!  Thanks for joining me on the ride :)

Have a great day!







I'm Back

After being computerless for almost a week I am finally back online and up and running!  I wish I had some awesome project for you today... but things have been CRAZY around here lately. 

Aside from the computer meltdown, I am in the process of going back to work.  Yep... I am looking for a job!  My husband was recently laid off from his job and now I need to be the one to take care of the family.  Kind of sucky timing with trying to make something of my blog.  But one thing is for sure... I am always doing some kind of project so I promise I will keep posting them as I go. 

And with all of that going on... we are also starting to potty train our son.  OMG you guys!  Talk about a challenge.  Luckily I have my husband home to help out.  This might be TMI but we actually got Carter to poop in the potty the other night.  It was so exciting!  But do you think he's done it again?  Nope, but hopefully persistence will pay off.

Meanwhile... I still haven't bought a new camera.... and now our dryer took a dump too.  OMG, when it rains it pours!  So those are some of the other items on my agenda to take care of. 

Anyway, enough of the pity party.  I do have a cool outdoor project in the works and will post that in a couple of days.  So please come back and check it out.  Also, if you didn't see the guest post that my mom did, make sure to check it out.  There are some really cute ideas on spring planting.  Now that spring is finally here!

Have a great day!

Bloggers Are The Best!

OMG you guys ~ Thank you for all the fantastic shout outs!  You really know how to make a girl feel like a Supa Star!

I've received some buzz about my Pier One Knockoff and it has recently been featured on a few sites I'd like to share with you.

Knock Off Decor showcased my post on her fabulous site.  If you love a good knock off you MUST check out this blog.  It is extremely well written and designed and the place to go for all of the great copycat design ideas in blog land.  Definitely a must see!








The DIY Home Sweet Home Project showcased my plate creation on her blog.  This site has some great ideas on crafting, recipes, sewing, decor, DIY, and a variety of projects for bloggers.  Plus has a More The Merrier Monday link up party where you can showcase your own creations.  Go check it out!






Extreme Personal Measures is another great site that features blog projects from around the blogoshphere.  This is a one-stop-shop for bloggers to check out the latest and greatest and also has Tutorial & Thrifty Treasures Tuesday link up party.  Be sure to stop by this one!






And just another big THANK YOU to all the wonderful bloggers and followers.  You guys ROCK!

Hi, I'm New Here!

 Care to show me around?





  

So it's been about a month since I started Rustic Renditions and to be quite honest, it's SCARY being the new kid on the block! 

It's also scary how much I loved NKOTB when I was younger.... (go ahead and admit it, you did too!... and I'm sure some of you still do LOL!!)  But isn't Joey sooo cute? :)

Okay, so in all seriousness, there is so much to "this blogging thing" and I've been doing my best to consume all the information available out there.  You could spend HOURS doing this.  I mean looking at all the great blogs alone is enough to take up half your day.  Not to mention trying to figure out layouts and design and fit in time to actually do some projects.  I think I've done a pretty good job so far doing it on my own.  But I still have questions that need to be answered.  Blogging etiquette seems to be an important core value amongst those BBFF's out there... and as a newbie trying to get noticed I don't want to make any mistakes. 

There's actually a great article about blogging etiquette over at A Girl And A Glue Gun that is a must read for us little fish.  While I think most of it is applicable to the majority of bloggers out there I still can't help but feel a little lost.  So I decided to post a survey of sorts for my own peace of mind and comfort.  Let's get started!

1.  Comments:  As I'm receiving more and more comments on my posts (which I totally love BTW), I can't help but wonder if I'm supposed to respond back to each and every one.  I mean, once you get like a BUNCH of them there's no way you could possibly do that.  But in the meantime what does a new blogger do?  I certainly don't expect a veteran blogger to respond back to any comments I've made on their site, unless I've specifically asked a question about a post.  But I want my readers to know that I've read and appreciate their time to leave a comment in the first place.  So to respond or not to respond, that is the question.

2.  Projects:  There are literally hundreds of DIY blogs out there.  I've seen some fantastic ideas.  While I have lots to share of my own stuff, I can't help but want to try out some of the awesome things I've seen.  However, I can't seem to remember what I saw and where to give credit where credit is due.  Like I said, spending hours and hours of searching sites, it's nearly impossible to keep track of it all.  But I don't want someone to come across one of my projects and say "hey that biotch stole my idea!".  Do you go ahead and re-create an idea as one of your own, or skip onto something else completely?

3.  This brings me to my next subject.  Is it okay to feel a little jealous when you come across a new blog that is totally and utterly out of this world, not only in design but in content and as well?   Okay so a little ranting here if you don't mind.  I saw this blog last night and first of all, it was beautiful... so my first thought was "oh she's been doing this for a while".  So I scroll down and see it's only been up since... January? What the...?!  I mean come on!  So did she have this professionally done, or is she some kind of computer guru?  Her profile read wife, mom of 3, avid crafter/DIY'er, blonde bombshell, etc. etc.  Not only that but she had like 2 posts per day (talk about blog burnout) and had about 5 or 6 "I've been featured on...." buttons on her sidebar and like 5 times the followers that any of us other newbies may have.  Okay this one is out of this world.  But how do we compete with that?  I mean, I'm pretty sure my child is sick of hearing me say "you wanna watch another movie?"  just so I have time to figure all of this out.  So how do you juggle blog time, family time, crafting time, (not to mention cooking, cleaning, showering!) and still make an out of this world blog?  If you're cheap like me you're doing it yourself.  But how many of you are hiring this out?

And just as I'm preparing to post this, another great article about all of this pops up.  Just in the nick of time!  Check this one out from Funky Junk Interiors so you don't feel down and out. 

4.  Followers:  So this is a tricky one.  I've recently seen some additional followers join my blog.  Yay!... and Thanks!  It really makes me feel like it's worthwhile if I have someone to share all of this with.  But on the other hand, I can't get everyone I know to jump on board.  I mean, if your own family and friends won't take the time to support you then is it really worth it to continue on?  I've been trying to put myself out there to get a few more blog stalkers, but how much can you really beg and plead with your posse?  Then there's the issue of, if they join my blog, should I join theirs?  How many blogs can one person follow and try to keep up with? 

5.  Advertising:  I've seen a lot of different opinions on this one.  Obviously nobody wants to work for free.  Some of you may feel like blogging isn't work.  But it does take a lot of time.... and well, time is money.  I don't know about you, but if there's money to be made I'm all for it.  Especially since I was a major source of income for our family before having Carter.  It's hard to feel like I'm not contributing.  I guess that's part of the reason I started this.  I want to make some extra money while staying home and raising my son.  Is that so bad?  I guess my question here is, how much can you really make doing this?  I know that may be an inappropriate question... but a valid one at the same time.  If you wish to share you knowledge or experience send me a message as inquiring minds would like to know.

So that pretty much concludes the survey.  While I continue "HANGING TOUGH" :) I hope that you stuck around long enough to enjoy my ramblings about all of this... and if so I would really like to get your feedback.  So please leave a comment or send me a message.  I do have some fabulous projects coming up so I really hope that I haven't scared you away and you'll stop back in for some more of my Rustic Renditions.  Thanks and happy blogging! :)

UPDATE:  So I received this really nice email from Debbie at Debbiedoos Blogging and Babbling.  She has the most awesome info for newbie bloggers, tips and tricks, etiquette do's and don'ts... and she's super funny and down to earth.  So if you're a little fish like me, go check out her Blogging Manners http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/search/label/blogging%20manners - you'll be glad you did!

Surfin' The Blogs

So once again I've been surfin' the blogs so I can link up some of my posts and thought you should check out Funky Junk Interiors where there are more great ideas at your finger tips.  Who knew junk could look so good?  Um... she did!  And it's amazing! Not only is this blog chalk full of great decorating ideas, but if you're a wanna be blogger like me she has fantastic tips on building your blog.  She's also an amazing photographer and writer.  One could only hope that a little ol' start up blog could turn out as good.  Anyway, enough of my admiring... go check it out.  Meanwhile I am finishing up some fantastic old shutters that I'll be posting next.... remember these from my thrifting finds a couple weeks back. 

Well they are looking awesome so far and I'll have some great tips for you on that project.  But first I'm off to get my taxes done in the morning.  Ugh!  And then I'm hoping to get my child out of the house for some fun time.  Poor thing is going stir crazy being inside all weekend!



 

This Blogging Thing...

Hey everyone! I have been trying to figure out this blogging thing for a few weeks now. Wow, there is a lot more to it than I had originally anticipated! Widgets, Gadgets, URL's, HTML's, CSS's???... and the list goes on and on. I think I have done pretty well considering I am a total newbie. But I am happy to say that I have scoured the library for information on how to improve the quality and design of Rustic Renditions. Let me tell ya, there are a lot of books on Blogging! But I'm hopeful that I will learn the technical side of it so that I can continue to bring you my decorating and design ideas in a more user friendly way. Not only that, but I will be dusting off the owner's manual to my digital camera so that I can provide better quality photo's. So bare with me as I continue on this Blogging journey and I hope you will continue to drop back in to see the latest and greatest! Have a fantastic weekend!