DIY before and after: Patio Chairs

I am always coming up with great makeover ideas, but rarely ever do them. After moving to our new apartment we really needed some cute patio chairs. Being very broke we couldn't even justify spending $36 for a pair that I wanted at our local F Meyer.

Before- grungy chairs

I found this pair of chairs driving through my neighborhood. They were sitting out in front of someones yard with a "FREE" sign. They were really mildewy, dirty and gross.

But with a scrubbing and $7 worth of plastic primer and orange spray paint. I think they cleaned up real nice.

After- pretty patio chairs

  
chairs           free
paint            $7
cushions       $12
plants           from last season
planters        free
total cost  =  $19

not bad for our small little patio. now all I need to find is a table.

New Spring Neck Linens

Oat



Cream

 Two new cowls in the shop. Perfect for spring and even summer. Knit up in a light lacy stitch  out of an cotton linen blend.

Hello Portland!!!!!!!

Bedroom- really need to update the decore



living room- it looks crowded now but twice as big as the last place

 Well we did it. We have gone and moved to Portland. Here are a few new apartment photos, before the unpacking began.

office/craft/knitting room. much larger than the last place

kitchen- love it!

Snow!

It's snowing here in the PNW. I know it's nothing compared to all the snow the rest of the country has gotten this season, but it's our second snow fall, and that's rare.
It give me the perfect opportunity to get stuff done in the apartment. Like PACK!!!!
That's right. It is official, we are moving. The husband got a job at a swanky apartment complex in The Pearl in Portland. So we are frantically getting things in order to start over once again.
I feel really good about this last and hopefully final major move. We are going where the young go to retire. Portland here we come, it's going to be great.

Visions of Portland danced in their heads

Don't you hate it when something big is happening  in your life and your brain just keeps replaying senarios and coming up ideas. It keeps you up at night, the husband and I had a hard time sleeping this weekend with news of the possible new job around the corner.
And of course I am cooking up plans of where to open up the store, maybe buying a warehouse and renovating it, maybe in the pearl district. My brain just keeps going and going. I'm excited but want to get started already.
Of course there is the issue with the money. There is none, Yet!
But we are working on that. I am not giving up. This is My dream and I am going to make it happen.


I can't wait to explore this city



off to Portland tomorrow

the husband has an interview tomorrow afternoon. Looks like we could be in Portland sooner than we thought.

Cowl Nation

 Two new cowls in the shop.  Now in Coral

And in Navy

First Sale!!!!

Thanks Bryan for my first sale for gmtp.

total $20 in

$4080 more to go :)

New items in shop, Warmers

These are brand new designs available in the etsy shop girlmovestopdx.etsy.com
I have winter white and royal ready to ship, but can do just about any color for a special order.

Do what you know best, with what you have

So when I originally thought about redoing my etsy store, I got all these ideas for cowls and handwamers and such, but I would have to buy this NEW yarn to make these NEW pieces.
Last weekend when I came up with the new plan, I thought I need to do what I know (knit) with what I have (stash).
What a brilliant idea. As you can see I have plenty of yarn.

Look at all this great stuff i can been accumulating.

Introductions are important

Hi my name is Laura. I've lived in many different cities and for the past 2 1/2 years my husband and I with our dog have lived in Eugene Oregon. Recently we have decided to move to Portland, where we will open up a brick and mortar shop called Made: indie craft boutique.

Made will be filled with the most wonderful local and regional handmade and upcycled goods. We will join the already thriving DIY community in Portland and become know as one of the best places to go if you are looking for that unique gift for yourself or a loved one. Classes will also be available for those who want to hone their DIY skills.

So what is this blog all about you ask?

Well it takes money to open up said shop and I am asking all of you...... friends, family and loyal readers to follow me in what it's going to take to get to Portland and open Made.

You can support us by buying something from our new Etsy shop or donating a few dollars here and there.

So join me and the adventure that I am about to embark on.

This is My Dream and I encourage everyone to go for their own.