We started out this morning sharing WHERE we look for great furniture finds, and now it’s time to talk about WHAT to look for! There are a few basic guidelines to remember… but as always, there are exceptions to every rule. So follow your gut!Search for pieces that are solid. And by solid, I mean… structurally sound. Although, being solid wood is definitely a bonus. If you have the tools and ... [ Read More ]

We did a post several months ago, laying out some tips for SELLING your furniture (or anything) on Craigslist. But lately we’ve been getting a lot of emails from friends and readers wondering what our secrets are for FINDING great deals on furniture! And today we’re going to spill the beans! This is specifically for our fellow DIY readers that are wanting to find, purchase, and ‘redo’ (by ... [ Read More ]

Each and every year, my entire immediate family (along with corresponding spouses, children and fiancé's) goes camping on the 4th of July weekend. Since the 4th lands on a Wednesday this year (TODAY!!), we decided to camp last weekend instead of having a mid-week situation. I don’t know what part of the country you’re from, but here in Iowa… it was grossly HOT. I’m talking, like the fires of hell ... [ Read More ]

My friend Molly (who is a fellow momma) and I were discussing how baby gates are annoying for SO many reasons. They are (and feel free to add to the list): clunky and inconvenient potential finger-pinchers damaging to walls/doorways/banisters in the way when they aren't in use in the way when they ARE in use inconvenient to pass through expensive don't always accommodate any door ... [ Read More ]

Haha, did you see the funny I made with my witty title? You know… the book '50 Shades of Gray'? It’s ok, I haven’t read it either. And I still live a jubilant and ‘fulfilled’ life. Yep. The REASON my title is '50 Shades of Light' is because Shades of Light has approached us about being our newest sponsors here at Sawdust and Embryos!!!!! (YES that was 5 exclamation points)… It would be an ... [ Read More ]

I have a new favorite thing. My cousin Alyssa cross-stitched this: Incredible, no? I had a short stint with cross-stitching back in the day, so I have an intense appreciation for the countless hours and explicit detail that went into this. Yowsers. Thank you Alyssa! I can’t wait to get this up in the nursery! ... [ Read More ]

I’ve been realizing that I haven’t posted anything entirely crafty or creative in the least this last week-ish. Sorry about that! We’ve actually been slaving away on a dining set for a client, which includes a table with two leaves, 5 chairs and a china cabinet. We hope to finish up this weekend, so hopefully we’ll be able to post about it next week! It’s all turning out pretty fantastic. Here’s a ... [ Read More ]

This post brought to you by Quaker Oats. All opinions are 100% mine. So when Quaker asked us to review their new Quaker Soft Baked Bar... I was like HECK YES! Firstly, because they offered to send us SAMPLES! And secondly... the hubs and I are suckers for baked goods of any kind (and I wonder why I can't lose these last 30 pounds of post-preggo-chub - HA!). And while 'typical granola bars' can be ... [ Read More ]

Oh my, what a beautiful and busy weekend! Did you all survive? As a stay-at-home-mom, sometimes I look forward to Mondays... getting back to the quiet and the routine. On Friday, I mentioned we were going to visit my Granny B! She’s been feeling a little bit ICK lately (I would too if I was 94 and still mowing 6 acres of grass!), so we ventured out to visit her on her farm! The girls love to play ... [ Read More ]

When I was a little tyke, I liked my blankie and my thumb… very much in fact. I reckon the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Maybe one day Paisley will help me FOLD the laundry! ... [ Read More ]