Glad to be back!

I want to second Autumn's apology.  I spent the last week and half traveling to and from my home town of Tampa, FL, so I have been neglecting you.  Sooo sorry!  However, the trip was just fabulous.  I was able to spend lots of time with my friends and family.  I was also able to spark up some of my creative juices that had been running low since my move to Virginia almost three months ago.  I also was lucky enough to miss both an earthquake and a hurricane that hit my area.  Thankfully we had power when we arrived, and only a couple of very small items fell off of one shelf in my daughter's room (on to a carpeted floor, causing no damage).  God is great!

While in Tampa, I was able to visit my very favorite Annie Sloan Chalk Paint stockist, Robyn Story Designs.  There, I picked up some Aubusson Blue, Arles, Primer Red, and Chateau Gray.  My good friend and fellow blogger, Marcy, shared some of her Louis Blue, Provence and Graphite with me, and my cousin Minh gave me some of her Duck Egg.  I can't tell you how I badly I am itching to start painting!!  But, alas, school starts in just a few days and I am busy school supply shopping and hanging with my kiddos before they are off to 3rd and 6th grades. (Sigh!)

While I was in Tampa, I hit up some of my old thrift stores and picked up a few small, but awesome items to work on.  Just typing those words makes me want to run into the garage right at this moment!

So, needless to say, I don't have a project to share with you today.  :(  BUT, since it's my adorable dachshund, Oscar's 4th birthday today, I will leave you with this:

This smile inspires me!

3 Bags and 1 Apology

So sorry for being distant...it's not you, it's us.
Life can get busy. Blogs can get neglected.
But we're back and ready to share.


Medium Tote


While Yvette has been busy traveling, I have been sewing my knuckles to the bone (in a good way!).


Gathered Clutch







Pleated Sling


More to come! Happy Tuesday!

Men's Shirts Become Boy's Pillows

I was really drawn to the pattern and colors of these men's shirts when I saw them at Goodwill. For $4 each, I figured I would make the investment and see what I could come up with.



First, I cut a square to fit my pillow form. I wanted to keep the pocket and buttons in tact for the pillow front. I used my machine to embroider my older son's monogram onto the pocket of the dark blue pillow cover.



For my younger son, I cut the initial of his first name out of felt, adhered it with fusible tape and tacked it down with some orange embroidery floss for contrast and color.

These were so easy! They only took about 20 minutes each. The boys just love their special pillows.

A fun upcycled project always makes me smile!

Oldie But A Goodie: Red Dresser

Disclaimer:  The following was one of my first furniture makeovers. Before I became obsessed with Annie Sloan Chalk Paints, I would enlist my husband to help me out with all the un-fun stuff that comes with refurbishing a piece of furniture (mainly sanding, although he often took over the painting as well). This is one of the projects we worked on together.


About this time last year I pulled up to a thrift store that had recently opened in my old neighborhood and  I saw this beauty sitting by donation door.  I asked right away how much they wanted, and since it had just been dropped off, the manager let me have it for $10!

It was kind of gross, and the trim had been painted a bright blue, but it had a gorgeous shape!

I love finding surprises (of the non-organic kind) when I purchase a dresser, and this one was great.  The underside of the drawers were lined with a newspaper from 1996 (which is probably when they first revamped this dresser with the blue paint!)

After sanding down the edges we could see the original gold paint peek through.

 Two coats of a Sherwin Williams red paint (I don't have to color handy--sorry!!) and...

I kept the original handles after spraying them with a dark brown Rustoleum paint.

I wanted a clean look, so no distressing here.

So can I get a 'what what'??

Scroll down to see where this and our other projects are linked.

Four Fun Features!

Even though we had a slow week here at Aqua Seventy6, we are humbled to have been featured on four great sites!

Yvette's Embroidery Hoop Wall Art showed up on three blogs this week! 
Thanks to Ginger Snap Crafts,  Crayon Freckles and Clean & Scentsible for showing us love. 

Yvette's DIY Placemat Clutch was featured over at The 36th Avenue, We even got Desirée's Sooo Clever Sticker !

Take a minute today to stop by these great sites!

Bag Love

A good bag is like candy on Halloween - once you get a taste you can't seem to stop yourself!



I made these bags for some friends and I just adore how they turned out!
This design is a variation on an old pattern. I think the silhouette is classic but the bold fabrics make it feel modern.

I think I am hooked on bag making now - I already started another one last night!

New In The Shop: Fabric Covered Button Pendants

Our shop is finally getting underway and we are excited to announce our newest items:

Fabric Button Pendants with Chains!

You know that we are unconventional so these pendants and chains come in many different colors, fabrics and lengths!

Become a follower on Facebook and Twitter to get coupon codes and be the first to know when new items are posted at the shop!

Each of our items is handmade and one-of-a-kind.  We also take custom orders!  Have a question?  Just ask!

Decorating: Bold Color

One of the greatest things about keeping walls and floors neutral is having the ability to use accent pieces to add color. This is a wonderful thing because, as you eye and taste may change so can these accent pieces. You can paint them...buy a new one...or simply move them around different spots in your home.



When considering my entry way I wanted a bright pop of color - what better than PINK?
(Valspar Pink Burst, spraypaint)
It is unexpected and it is the first thing to greet you when you waltz in the door!



I love the excited vibe is gives the entry. And shouldn't you and your guests feel excited upon entering your home?

I also found this fantastic bench (already painted) in orange. My boys helped me pick this out and I have to say, I think they have a keen eye for design!



My 3 year old even helped me style it. He chose the pillows from the couch for the top and his adorable little cowboy boots for the shelf.



I love the way these pieces add pops of bold color to our home!
Break out of the safe color box and make things interesting.

Featured: 5 of our Projects on 3 Great Sites!

It's always a good week when our projects are featured! This week, not one, but THREE of our projects were featured on  One Pretty Thing's Before and After Round-up!

Autumn's Aubusson Desk & Duck Egg/Old White Buffet and Yvette's Skirt from a Man's Dress Shirt

Creative Itch featured Yvette's DIY Placemat Clutch on Sew Cute Tuesday

And, last but not least, our blog was given some love and Autumn's Thrifted Chair Revamp popped up on On A Whim!

Take a moment to visit these super sweet sites today!

Personalized Applique Pillows

Last week, a friend of mine asked me to make something special for her two precious daughters. She is giving their room a makeover while they stay with Grandma for a few days and really wanted a personal touch for their beds.

I am so happy I was able to contribute to the design plan! I think the fabrics are sophisticated enough to grow with them, yet the applique letters gives a nod to the fact that they are still young girls.



I hope they love them as much as I loved making them!

Embroidery Hoop Wall Art

Sorry for the late post this evening!  I have two sick kiddos at home.  Isn't it just the luck that they are perfectly fine on Saturday morning as they are getting their school physicals and immunizations, and an hour after we get home they are stuffed up and have sore throats?!  Boo.

Here's a little project that is kind of a work in progress.  You saw my hand painted sign in my powder room. Well, the adjacent wall needed a little bling-- but on a budget. Using some remnant fabrics and embroidery hoops, I made a little collage of sorts and I just love the way it came out!

I found a few of the hoops at a local thrift shop for 25 cents apiece.  The others are from Hobby Lobby and Joann's.  Most of the fabrics are remnant pieces that I've found for 50% off around town.

I just stretched the fabric in each hoop and cut off the excess.  Super easy!

I'm going to keep searching for hoops at thrift stores as well as remnant fabric pieces or thrifted curtains/tablecloths/pillowcases/etc. within this color pallet that I can upcycle into additional pieces for this collection.

Do you love it, or do you love it?? :)

Scroll down to see where this and our other fab projects are linked!