My in-laws came for an extended visit and since Tate and I do not believe in just GIVING AWAY free room and board, even to our families despite 8 hour drives to visit us, we put them to work.
For 3 LONG days, Tate and his dad worked and built a fire pit in our backyard. I’ll admit that I totally didn’t see the point of Tate’s project and that I was certain it was going to be more of a fire TOWER than a fire PIT. He proved me wrong. It turned out amazing.
Did I mention it took 3 days (and 2 bottles of Advil) to complete? Maybe when Tate recovers, we’ll work on the landscaping around the fire pit.
While the men were outside getting stinky, my mother-in-law and I made over my guest room. I think it looks like something out of a magazine.
The pictures don’t do the room justice, they don’t show off the high ceilings and the wood floors. Also, somehow I didn’t get a picture of the lamp my MIL hand painted.
As if a fire pit and a room makeover weren’t enough, I enlisted my mother-in-law to help me with the window treatments on the two glass patio doors off of my kitchen.
These stupid patio doors have caused me a ridiculous amount of stress, trying to figure out what to do for window treatments. Privacy isn’t really much of an issue, but in the afternoons, the sun streams in and temporarily blinds us, so I needed something that could easily be raised and lowered, but NOT be blinds. I also needed to make these myself because I refused to pay the equivalent of college tuition for custom window treatments.
My MIL and I brainstormed and came up with a great, custom-looking solution for the problem. (FINE, IT WAS ALL MY MIL’S IDEA. YOU CAUGHT ME, ARE YOU HAPPY?!)
Heavy duty fabric
Fabric for lining the curtains
Heavy duty ribbon/webbing
Stitch Witchery
Rod for hanging the curtains. I used Magnetic curtain rod
Thread to match the curtain fabric
scissors, straight pins
Isn’t my vintage sewing machine adorable! (FINE IT’S NOT MINE, IT’S MY MOM’S. SHEESH, YOU ALL ARE SUCH STICKLERS FOR THE TRUTH.)
It had been a long time since I’d sewn anything other than a button on, so I had to read the directions that came with the sewing machine.
Threading the bobbin was like riding a bike. Except with less soreness in the crotch region.
The curtains turned out pretty well, with mostly straight seams. We used the velcro to hold the rolled curtain in place. When the sun gets to blinding, the green webbing can be released and the curtains hang down about halfway down the window.
Here’s the finished look! Looks pretty nice, huh?
I think my in-laws earned their keep. We might invite them back sometime.
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I want to thank each of you for the thoughtful and supportive comments on my last post. I really wanted to reply to so many of them, but I got overwhelmed, then I got busy (see above). Thank you for telling me I was overthinking things, for reminding me why I blog, for sticking with me. Thank you.
Wow. I’m so impressed. Can you come to my house? Or maybe just send your MIL? In desperate need of help here!
Angela´s lastest post..Crying Over Spilled Dirt
I *love love love* your guest room! Can your mother-in-law come help me out? Please?
Also, I think the solution to your drapery needs is perfect. Well done, the two of you!
(oh, and I guess the fire pit is nice too)
Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com´s lastest post..Hey, baby!
Isn’t it great when you have family that you can put to work when they visit? This happens when my mom visits all the time.
You and your MIL did a fantastic job!!
Everything looks REALLY good! That Barb & Jim are pretty darn helpful…most of the time
Do your inlaws miss Indiana at all? ‘Cause they can totally come visit me anytime!!
Amy´s lastest post..Urgent Care is Trying to Kill Me
Classy indeed!
Must Be Motherhood´s lastest post..Trudging Forward
Wow! You were busy! I love the guest room and the window treatments. Great Job!
Connie @ Young and Relentless´s lastest post..Gentlemen…Start Your Engines!
HOLY cow! I love that fire pit and hope to have something similar in my new home. Ok, not IN it, but out back behind it. Would your in-laws be available for renting?
Anissa@Hope4Peyton´s lastest post..Just when I think my kids are out to get me, they do this
WOW!!! You all do good work!
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect´s lastest post..World’s best lasagne…or at least the best one I’ve ever made.
Can your MIL come over? I could seriously use her help. Those window treatments are superb.
all things BD´s lastest post..How Much Is That Doggie…
I love your fire pit and guest room. You can come over to my house and help me with a DIY project anytime! I’ll teach you how to sew
Condo Blues´s lastest post..I’m on MSN Smart Money!
I love all the projects! And I’m totally envious that you have handy in-laws. Mine are nice, but fairly not useful
Your home makeovers are really cool! I sadly must admit that I can sew quite well, but somehow when God was giving out genes for decorating mine went to Ty Pennington. I’m usually like, “White walls are nice. No problem there.” I need some help so badly!
Texan Mama´s lastest post..Angry
i saw your pictures on flickr as i was uploading mine at the same time. i really love what you did to that guest room and am loving that color. what is it called?
you are so crafty!
OHmommy´s lastest post.."…. just one more thing."
Love the window treatments….I’d still be at the store picking out fabrics! They look fabulous!
Green with envy over here. Your backyard, your gorgeous guest room, your sewing machine. *Sigh*
Mama Bub´s lastest post..Deep breath in… aaaaand go
So what exactly does a fire pit get used for?
And yep, the guest bedroom definitely looks like something out of a magazine. Well done!
It looks great! Wish I could get some help when my family comes to visit. My folks just stay with us and make messes… and my in-laws always choose to stay at a hotel – probably so they don’t have to help.
i’d be happy to put up your in-laws anytime they’d like to come visit…
the planet of janet´s lastest post..Getting the big picture
I’ve seen that style of firepit before. They’re really nice. Ours is a low circle of bricks with a pattern in the bottom.
Elizabeth Barrette´s lastest post..Participate in Earth Hour
Hello
Thats cool looking Fire pit. I have a backyard with small garden, and I really like the idea. I am going to start making it soon for winter..
Thank for sharing those wonderful pictures.
do they hire out? I love the fire pit!
paula´s lastest post..eeeew!
Gorgeous all around! We’re building a fire pit this summer. I have more faith in it now that I’ve seen yours. I LOVE your window treatments! Yeah, I had my grandmother make mine. What would’ve taken me a year took her about 12 minutes. Glad you had a good weekend!
Jen L.´s lastest post..Spring break wrap-up
I love it. I love it so so much! I love the color of the room too!
mandy´s lastest post..Kudos to our mailman!
We had FUN!! We may have taken a lot of Tylenol, but we washed it down with Bud Light or a fine glass of wine! The time always goes too fast. The kids are a joy to us, and it’s a blessing to “be related to you”. Much love……
My husband has been talking about making a fire pit for the longest time… if it turns out like yours I’ll be a happy girl.
carrie´s lastest post..Twilight
Absolutely beautiful work!
I see I’m not the first to ask if you and your in-laws want to come visit OH?
Shelly´s lastest post..Want to win a free book?
Nice. Do your in laws want to come visit me for a while?!
Ashlie- Mommycosm´s lastest post..Happy Birthday to me
I love the window treatment. And the guest room is amazing! I’m jealous you’re able to have a relationship like that with your mil.
Jennifer´s lastest post..I’m Here, I Promise
Um, yeah. Just wanted to remind your MIL I’m always up for adoption if it means she’ll come and help decorate my house! She doesn’t even have to buy me Xmas and birthday gifts. Just help me make my 3.5 yr old house a home!
@condo blues What? Teach me how to sew? Are you trying to tell me something!?!
@OHMommy I don’t know what the color is, it was painted that color when we moved in. I can’t find the paint cans, I know they’re around here somewhere. I’ll ask Tate when he gets home to tell me where the paint cans are so that I can find the color!
@Veronica We’re going to make a little patio around our fire pit and sit by the fire on cool nights in the spring and fall. Also we’ll use it to roast marshmallows and weinies.
@Jennifer, I’m very lucky to have a great MIL!
Talented yourself and married into a talented family. Bitch.
patois´s lastest post..Haiku: Equals
Do you think you could send the inlaws my way? I could use some help around here.
I love the fire “towers” much better than the pits. So much safer when you have little ones running around.
And I LOVE the color of the guest room. Very pretty!
Great job all around!
Kat´s lastest post..How Is This For TMI?
OMG..Love the curtains. Seriously, please forward pattern to me!! ME WANT!!
@Rachel If I had a pattern, I’d send it to you. We made all this up without a pattern. WE measured the windows and determined the amount of fabric we needed. We added the lining, stitched the two together. Then we used Stitch Witchery to put the webbing on(not all the way down), the excess webbing is used to hold the curtains up when rolled. We sewed space at the top for the curtain rod.
It was really easy and didn’t need a pattern!
Jennifer, it looks spectacular. I knew I should have kidnapped your MIL when I met her. You guys did an awesome job on all of it. I am so inspired. Maybe you should do a home blog too. You know, tips & tricks.
Heidi´s lastest post..Not as hot as you think you are
Wow. Amazing transformation. I love the curtains.!
Mad Woman´s lastest post..Not blind, pill popping opinions on moving and stuff…
The firepit is awesome, the wall color superb and those curtains rock!
I am in awe. Get some rest, have a cold one and yay!!
rachel-asouthernfairytale´s lastest post..Music Mama Reviews: Corneille
Wow! Your guest room really does look like something out of a magazine. It’s immaculate and pristine and perfectly decorated. Good work!
Stephanie´s lastest post..Wordless Wednesday: I Believe In Miracles
Firepits are so delightful in the Spring & Summer. Also, I’ve been thinking of doing the same for window covers. I saw a huge how-to in my new Better Homes & Gardens (I’m sort of embarrassed to admit that I subscribe), but it used adhesives. I’m almost certain your version is way better. Now I just have to figure out how to use the new sewing machine that has been laying in the box for two years.
Amanda of Shamelessly Sassy´s lastest post..Conversations: OMG, I’m Getting a Unicorn!
wow… nice work weekend.. can I have your in-laws
mojavi at simple things´s lastest post..mice… i swear
Lovely house, and the best of luck with the curtains. I can never get them to look right!
I am oozing with in law jealousy. That guest room is gorgeous!!
Scary Mommy´s lastest post..And the winner is…
Can you and your MIL come stay at my house for a while? We need help.
Your guest room is GORGEOUS.
Jerseygirl89´s lastest post..Want Some Popcorn?
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