Wednesday, January 6, 2010

A Look Back – Top Ten Projects of 2009





Hi everyone!  My friend Rhoda at Southern Hospitality is having a Top Projects of 2009  party today. Please go to  her blog for all the other people participating (and it’s never too late to join in the fun).

At first I didn’t think I’d really done that many projects last year. But when I looked back at my old posts I found out that I had done a few! So here are my favorites from last year.

My number one favorite thing I did last year was to paint a checkerboard pattern on my deck! A Checkerboard Deck


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I also painted my fireplace mantel from this…..

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To this!


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I also made what I call an Inspire Me board. Which is sort of like a manifestation board. You put images and phrases of things you’d like to accomplish

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  I later found this fabulous frame and added that to the board.image
My husband and I turned this… image

Into this
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I added the mosaic top to my outdoor buffet. I’d never done such a large mosaic project (and have never attempted another one since) LOL!
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 The Before..
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I turned this silver mirror.
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Into this.
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I also showed How To Make A Raised Bed.image
I made these cute plant markers from thriftstore spoons.How to Make Cute Plant Markers & Thrifty Finds
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I made this cute teacup birdfeeder for my cottage garden.
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For Christmas I made all kinds of trees and this rosette one is my favorite.
FeltRosetteTree


I did my share of projects last year but those were some of my favorites! I have a lot of things planned for my home and garden this year. I actually started to work on some the week after Christmas and have a change in my dining room to share with you all next week.

Thanks for coming by!

63 comments:

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Beautiful projects Manuela! I always enjoy seeing what you are making over.

trish said...

It has been fun reviewing your projects!
Have a great day.
Trish

Michelle said...

I know I can always pop in for a visit here and count on some big-time inspiration! You always have such wonderful projects to share :) We recently moved into a home that has a painted white deck in the back so guess which project I'm planning to tackle this spring...yep, the checkerboard floor...I'm so excited!!! Thanks for sharing your awesome ideas :)

CallaLilly said...

Wow! Your 2009 projects were amazing! I am very inspired. Thanks!

UnModern Mom said...

Wow! This is my first time at your blog and I will be coming back. I'm totally inspired.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I love each and everyone of your projects Manuela! My favorite is your blue garden bench. I have always wanted a garden bench!

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

Beautiful projects! Could you give us a link back to the spoon one - I don't know how I missed that ... maybe it was before I found you... thanks!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Manuela, your projects are always fun to see again! You did a lot last year. I love, love your checkerboard floors, those were so cute. And the mosaic was pretty neat too. You are always painting & changing things & always for the better. Thanks for being a friend these last (almost) 3 years in blogland.

Terri Steffes said...

I was wondering if you would be up to making and selling those spoons for this year's gardening. If so, I would be interested in having you make some for me!

I love your projects and I was happy to see I was familiar with your work!

Marianne said...

Lovely list! Wish I could get away with adding China to my garden I think it looks wonderful.
And you are definitely not afraid of the big projects aren't you!

bj said...

O, my favorite of all these fabulous projects HAS to be the deck flooring. What a fantastic job you did on this....
You were a busy lady in '09..can't wait to see what you do in '10.

Heather said...

i think those are some of my favorites too!

supplies overflowing! said...

Hi!
I hope you don't mind that I've added you to my blog list after discovering you through Rhondi at Rose Colored Glasses.
I've been enjoying your posts.

I will take another look at my father's sweaters that don't fit any of his children or grandchildren, to see if I can repurpose them into pillows.
I love that idea.
thanks.
jenny

Brenda Pruitt said...

Oh, I love your garden with the plates and the potting bench restored! Oh, and the mosaic project. I haven't tried mosaics yet. And the checkerboard pattern. I was in LOVE with all your trees on the newly painted fireplace. Oh, and the cute framed inspiration board. I guess I've loved all your projects, Manuela!
Brenda

Julie said...

Is there anything that you can't do! I just love everything you do, can you come over and do my house!!!

The Good Life in Virginia said...

you accomplished so many awesome projects over 2009 and i am sure there were many more smaller ones...keep up the fab work. i enjoy your blog so much.
happy new year manuela!

Stacey said...

You always just amaze me! That deck project has to be the all around winner of 2009!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Loved them ALL!! Can't wait to see what you have done and are going to do in 2010!!

Great job Manuela!!

Stay Warm!

Lou Cinda :)

Julie said...

Love love ALL your projects throughout the year. They are inspirational. It's SO fun to see what other gals have repurposed and use that as a springboard for your own unique projects in your own nest. Thanks Manuela. As always, enjoyed strolling through your blog. Keep em coming. :-)
That deck floor redo is inspiration for me....see, the wheels are already turning!!

Richella Parham said...

Yes, yes, yes! I agree with you on your favorite. You inspired ALL of us with that checkerboard deck. But all your projects are inspirational!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful accomplishments Manuela! I especially love your mosaic buffet! it's gorgeous!
You are so lucky to be "allowed" to paint wood...my husband does not allow me to paint any wood...he loves the natural wood in all it's grainy beauty and imperfections...{Love your fireplace}
hugs!

Anonymous said...

So many wonderful projects. My favorite is the spoon plant markers you made. Thanks for always being such an inspiration.

Shilo said...

Wow! What a beautiful, productive year! very fun to see it all in one post!
Happy 2010, Manuela!
Shilo

Anonymous said...

I really do love all the projects!! The potting bench is one thing I have been wanting to do along with trying my hand at a mosiac. I love the spoon plant markers too!

So what's on the list for this year?

blessings
mary

Rue said...

Hi Manuela :)

You've done so much that I thought part of these were done earlier! You always amaze me with your creativity and I'm always inspired by you. I think your garden fascinates me the most and I so want to start one of my own next year. I can't wait to see what you're up to :)

xo,
rue

Angie said...

Love all your projects, especially that harlequin floor, and can't wait to see the changes in the dining room!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Great redos - You have accomplished a lot.

welcometomyfrontporch said...

You are so inspiring to me. I love your projects. Hope to do some more projects around here when it gets warmer.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I'm glad you posted this Manuela, because I missed some of the earlier projects. You did quite a bit ~ that mosaic alone must have taken some time! Love how paint changed the look of several items, too. That is my favorite thing to do at the moment.

Anonymous said...

So glad you posted these favorites. My first view for most of them. I just love your homemaking spirit and your generosity in sharing with us. Your home is beautiful and comfy. You are truly an inspiration.

Carla said...

WOW! Yep, you haven't done ANY thing at all! Love each project, think I'm going to have to try that spoon marker one:) Here's hoping your 2010 is even more productive!!

Unknown said...

Love the black and white deck. Also the garden with tea pot, cup and plates. Everything is wonderful though. I look forward to your ideas this year.

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

Thanks for adding the link! You're the best!

Nadine said...

Lovely ideas - you are so full of inspiration

Blessings!
~Nadine

Vee said...

Wearing a grin all the way through at the thought of you not realizing all that you had done. You are always doing something. I truly enjoyed all of them, but my personal favorite is the blue gardening bench...such a rescue!

Julie Harward said...

YOU ARE SO AMAZING...YOU HAVE REALLY ACCOMPLISHED A TON OF GREAT PROJECTS! WAY TO GO BUSY LADY, GOOD JOB! :D

brokeintrovert said...

I love everything. Especially the checkerboard deck. Beautiful! I cannot wait for your new projects.

Melissa Miller said...

All beautifully done Manuela!

You all really worked hard and it showed. LOVE the deck floor!

Miss Janice said...

Love the mantel and all your mercury pieces! Great projects:)

Holly said...

Beautiful work, Manuela! I really love the checkerboard deck and the mantel.

Melanie said...

I love everything you did but I really liked the painted fireplace & the mirror. I have a double mantel in my home now and I am going to paint it black. I can't wait. It will be so dramatic and eye catching. Great job on everything.

Kathleen Grace said...

My fave is your deck too. I adore black & white checkerboard! But I love all your projects, it is amazing how much you get done:>)

Silke Powers said...

Oh, you are inspiring me, especially as I am thinking about redoing our bathroom and bedroom!! And thanks for commenting on my blog - I love the Little House series and I remember The Long Winter impressing me the most - I think of it any time I hear about a bad snow storm... :) Silke

GlorV1 said...

...and do you know something Manuela? I remember each and every one of them. I also remember the excitement when you found a lot of the items on peoples yards because they didn't want them any more. You took them off their hands and made the items new. Yep, I remember it well. Thanks for all that, truly appreciate it. Have a great Thursday. Oh, we are getting a new Goodwill store in the area where I do my shopping, so I will be going there this year to see what I can find. Bye.

Kammy said...

I love love love your garden the mostest..! You are super creative ad I have enjoyed visiting your blog !
Hugs ~ Kammy

Delchick42 said...

you are very talented!! Such creative and pretty takes on the every day. Thanks for sharing.

::cottage instincts:: said...

Love that checkerboard deck! You created so many practical, beautiful things this year. So glad I found you in my blog travels. I enjoy every post you make :)

morninglorycottage said...

Wow! You're amazing but you know that already. :) I think my favorite project of your's was the raised flower bed. I showed it to my good friend who suffers horribly with fibromyalgia and she was able to garden again using these beds and one of those garden carts you can sit on. So thank you from both of us. Have a great year Manuela.

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

It's been fun looking at all your projects - you've had a busy year!

Jenni said...

INCREDIBLE! I love them ALL! I love your outdoor "sink" hutch~ it is so transformed from it's original state! Your creativity never ceases to amaze me! :) I hope you had a wonderful, blessed Christmas with your family! Happy New Year! :)

Gracie said...

You accomplished quite a lot! Bravo!

Kelley said...

I am so enjoying your blog. It is nice to have the visual journal aspect of a blog to see where you've been and how far you've come. Very inspiring! Thanks.

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

There is a reason you are one of my favorite blogs, decorating or other. :)

Trying to get a thank you note out to you but Victoria's illness has had me challenged.

LOVE your gift. Will write a real note soon. You are a blessing.

Christina said...

Beautiful transformations! It is hard to pick a favorite, but I did love your sunporch and your white painted mantel is beautiful-I love the way you decorated it in that picture.

Tausha said...

I just found your blog and could spend all night on here looking at old projects. I want to live next door so I could come over and visit and get all sorts of inspired. Thank you for the inspiration. I will be back.

Mimi Sue said...

My favorite is your deck too. You've been a busy girl. Mimi

The Tattered Cottage said...

Hi Manuela -
Your home always looks so gorgeous! I love your checkerboard deck! And your Inspire me board, I am going to make one for me, I love the idea. Thanks so much for coming by and helping me with my hutch decorating dilema. I do have more of the rooster dishes (setting for 12) I just put a couple on the hutch. I wish you could just come over to my place and redo my whole house! You are so talented and I love everything you do, your home is so inspiring.
Hugs,
Toni

Unknown said...

you are so talented and creative. love your blog. mishelle

Victoria said...

So many of these were my favorites as well! I am so glad you came back to blogging. I've really enjoyed all your projects and your blog.

Enjoy the snow!

Simple Home said...

You've created and inspired alot of us in so many ways Manuela. I really appreciate your talent and your willingness to share.
Blessings,
Marcia

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I had forgotten that potting bench, which I absolutely love! I'm now going to save it to my inspiration file - also the ceramic top. I wish I had your energy AND your creativity! laurie

Camille said...

Dear Manuela ~ It's been awhile since I stopped by...your blog is as lovely as always! I think your new header is pretty.

Oh...what an amazing transformation that mirror make-over did for your living room wall! It really is incredible what a little paint will do ~ It just brings out the other white things in the room...great job! :)

Blessings to you this weekend!
Camille

Anonymous said...

Hi Manuela
So when can I expect you at my place to do all these gorgeous things to my home? :) Lol
I love your style!

Debs xx