Ikea curtains turned custom

This past July I began helping my father-in-law design a suite in his office building. In case you missed it, click here to see the fun paint design we added. Last week, he called me and said he was ready to add some drapes. The budget is small for this project so it was time to get creative...enter IKEA.

This is what we dreamed up...

Ignore the horrible mini-blinds. They have to stay. And the ceiling panels, they stay too.  Remember, it's an office building.

A little crafty sewing gave us a custom look by using these...

{$49.99}

and these...

{$34.99}

This leftover portion of the curtain panel gives a better representation of Kajsa's true color, cream and navy. (They're NOT white, like they appear on the website.)

These panels are super cute all by themselves but the cream color was lost in the office paint color so that's why they work perfect as only the accent in our design. Cream and navy together are umm, umm good!

Transparent Tuesday

Whew! John and I have been slapped in the face the last few weeks as we've realized our kids' since of entitlement has gotten out of control. Hence...

Today's transparent topic: Entitlement

{image via}

Parenting seems like a roller coaster at times. You're going along and everything seems great then before you know it, AHHHH...hold on...things are going downhill FASSST! Suddenly, our seemingly great kids turned into monsters before our very eyes. How did that happen? When did that happen?!

Quick...how do we fix them? There's an immediate solution, right? That's how this is supposed to work. There must be a magic pill that will turn them back into our little angels.

You guys see my "little angels" performing Random Acts of Kindness all the time and must be shocked at this point to realize that they could possibly do something wrong, much less, be entitled, right? Boy, I sure hope this isn't the case. I'm here to tell ya, my kids are very. much. normal. AND, very. much. entitled.

We had a come to Jesus meeting with them last week and were met with tears and even anger when we told them they'd have to start doing chores. Sadly, I was surprised by the reaction. I didn't exactly expect them to be jumping with joy but I certainly didn't expect this news to seem so tragic. 

"What? You expect me to work before I can turn on the TV or go outside to play with friends? How dare you mom and dad!" thought the Frieling kids.

I am largely to blame for this predicament.  It's been much easier to do everything myself than to take the time to make a list of chores, set days, then ensure they're being completed. I'm not teaching my kids a single bit of responsibility if I keep doing everything for them. In fact, I'm just feeding their entitlement.

So, we've turned over a new leaf at the Frieling casa as we're trying to prevent our kids from growing into adults who expect the world to serve them. We're praying that our kids will grow up and have hearts that are eager to serve others.

If this problem rings true in your own life, I'd love to pray you through it. Heaven knows, that's the only way we're making it through! Please leave me a comment or send me an email: dfrieling1@gmail.com. Thank goodness, God is bigger than even my kids' entitlement. ;)

How to Create your own Robot Decor

Oh my!...I left a very sarcastic remark at the end of my last post about the weather cooling down and guess what? We got a break! Our weekend was amazing without 110% humdity. There's a tiny bit of crispness in the morning air and it feels soooo good!

So, Friday I gave you the cool edited version of this photo and today you get to see the pretty colors as I break down the parts and where to buy it all.

"Rob" hangs out on a freshly painted Colonial Blue wall by Benjamin Moore.

His parts:

1. CD holder basket from Container Store

2. Garden hose from Home Depot. 

I bought 2 and cut one in half for the arms. The legs stayed as one unit.

3. Velcro from Target. 

This is being replaced with a magnets from Michaels though. The velcro wasn't quite strong enough.

4. Magazine holder from Ikea.

5. Magnets from Container Store

6. Pencil holders from Container Store

7. Curtain rod holders as antennae (not pictured)

1. Battery Clips (aka hands) from Home Depot

2. Anchors and Screws from Home Depot

The  hoses are a little heavy so make sure you use an anchor along with the screw. Of course, the first thing a kid's going to do is pull on these fun springy things so make sure it's functional!

One last shot:

There are a million different variations you could use for this project. Get creative and think about how your little one will use his robot. 

Linking to these fabulous parties:

Between Naps on the Porch

Home Stories A to Z

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tip Junkie

House of Hepworths

DIY Robot Surprise

Meet "Rob." That's the name of this fun little guy, affectionately given to him by his 8 y.o. owner. I was tickled when his mom sent me a text to let me know her son "loved!!" the robot surprise we had secretly assembled while he was at school. She said they refer to Rob as "the roommate." So cute!

 I'll share all the good details on Monday for those of you in need of a robot of your own! It's pretty self-explanatory but I'll cut your shopping time in half and tell ya where I purchased all his parts (and exactly what they are).

Rob's not the only robot that will adorn the walls of this precious room. A handful of prints have been ordered and we're anxiously awaiting their arrival. Here's a peek at some similar ones...

{etsy}

I've had a blast helping create fun and unique rooms for my clients' sons. I love getting into their little minds and thinking of things that make their rooms as awesome as they are!

Enjoy your weekend, friends. We're hanging out with all the family this weekend and going to see a play, The Promise, at an outdoor theater. Hoping Texas gets the memo before then, that fall is near and it's supposed to be cooler weather. Yeah, right! A girl can dream...

Random Act of Kindness #48

Happy Thursday! Just one more day and this week's in the books, friends. Is it just me or are the days flying by now that school started? It feels like we're living in a time warp sometimes!

Ready for a challenge? More importantly, are you ready to spread a little kindness?!

There's something about the site of money that immediately grabs your attention, right? And, is there anything better than finding a little extra cash just laying around? Well, that's the basis for today's challenge.

While you're out and about today, simply drop a dollar bill. If you really want to put some thought behind this challenge, make it a strategic move. Think about your surroundings and the possible recipient...

Close to a park? Drop a dollar
Next to a school? Drop a dollar
At Chuck E. Cheese? Drop a dollar
Catch my drift?...kids will appreciate this RAK a million times more than an adult!

That's not to say an adult wouldn't appreciate it too, though.
Next to a vending machine? Drop a dollar
Close to a laundry mat? Drop a dollar
How about a parking meter? Drop a dollar

Okay, friends, it's your turn...go out and be kind!

Project Sneak Peek and Z Gallerie's Eclipse Chandelier

Oh my goodness, I can't wait to show you the full shot of this project! It's very close but we're not quite there yet. So this is it for today, friends.

I will give you a full glimpse of this super cool chandelier though. It's a gem from Z Gallerie. 

My clients bought the English Bronze finish but they also sell it in White and Olde Silver.

Here's a great tip for you to file away... Next time you purchase a chandelier and the chain is too short, go to a hardware store and purchase a new chain. You can buy it by the foot. Or, try a speciality lighting store if you're looking for something a bit more decorative. Once you buy the length you need, spray paint it to blend with your chandelier. We recreated the English Bronze look by spraying a Silver base coat then spritzing it with a coat of Antique Bronze.

I hope you guys will hang on a little longer for the full reveal. The painters were putting on the final coat and cleaning things up today. Hip hip hooray!

Transparent Tuesday

I really hope you guys had a lot more fun on Labor Day than I did! I must have been in a very literal mood yesterday. I woke up, painted boards for our guest room project then preceded to do 6 hours of yard work in 100+ degree temperatures. Crazy, right?! I'm soooo ready for cooler weather!

Anyway, onto today's transparent topic. It's a little different today in that I want to pose a question to you...

What do you wish your parents did differently when you were little?

John and I have recently been faced with the decision of continuing guitar lessons for Reed. Neither of us are particularly musical but Reed is constantly singing, humming and/or making noise of some sort. We decided to channel this noise-making into something that may prove beneficial for him. Hence, guitar lessons. 

Well, after almost a year of lessons and close to $900 spent, I can proudly (insert sarcasm) report that the child knows how to play Happy Birthday. Oh my! Right?! I'll be fair and tell you he has gained musical knowledge and knows how to play the beginnings of numerous songs, but that's it.

So, is Reed or his teacher to blame for this predicament? 

I told his teacher we were going to stop taking lessons. He gave me the guilt trip  the talk about how he talks to people everyday and when he tells them he teaches guitar lessons for a living he typically hears them say, "Oh, I took lessons when I was little." Then what typically comes next is, "Yeah, I didn't practice and my parents made me quit. Boy, I sure wish they had made me stick with it!"

Well, I'm happy to report that his pep talk worked! Although, not in his favor. We found a new teacher who appears to have an extreme passion for teaching guitar. After just one lesson, Reed is rockin'! He left the lesson and said, "That's the most fun I've ever had at guitar!"

So, at this second in time, it appears we made the right choice but this entire situation has left me wondering what decisions we're making for our kids today that they'll one day look back on and wish we had done differently?!

So, it's your turn...what do you wish your parents had done differently when you were little? Maybe we can use this knowledge to make better decisions today!

In true Transparent Tuesday fashion, please feel free to leave a prayer request. If you're struggling with a difficult decision, I'd love to pray about it for you. Leave me a comment or send me an email: dfrieling1@gmail.com.