Welcome friends!
I’ve been doing this project recap party for a few years now and it is always fun to look back and see what I’ve accomplished for the year. I actually thought I might not have much to share this year, given the fact that 2011 was a train-wreck of a year for me in so many ways. But, I did a few things around my parent’s house and my sis’s as well. It was fun to be productive and get some things accomplished. If you want to check out what I accomplished in 2010, you can check out last year’s post. I am bummed that all the links are gone from last year’s party, not sure what happened, except that Inlinkz was making some changes around that time and I can’t find the party code anymore. Oh well….
With the upside down period of moving from Birmingham back to Atlanta, I settled in at my parents in April and in May we got the opportunity to make over their back porch, which had never been touched in a decorative way. It was fun to see this space transform into a useful and peaceful place to be. Now, it’s my new office and I love sitting out here.
Here’s the really ugly before state. I wanted to be sure to capture it as it was. And this pic says it all.
Here’s the After! I know, you’re breathing a sigh of relief with me now. We have enjoyed this space SO much and it has added a new room onto the house. Porches rock!!
Also, in May, I helped my friend, Vicki, make over a thriftstore table that we scored in Port St. Joe. It went from blah and dated….
To pretty and cottagey in a beautiful creamy white paint.
We then moved into my bathroom at my parents’ house and did a complete overhaul on the 1970′s bathroom that was in dire need of an update. First thing that came up was the old mauve carpet and down went these pretty Allure vinyl plank flooring
On the walls, I added my famous beadboard wallpaper which I am still in love with. I have it in my own online shop now!
So, we went from this….. to this…..
And we we completely transformed that 70′s bathroom into a nice new space, with a few key changes.
Another thriftstore find in Port St. Joe with my friend, Vicki, we made this ho-hum lamp over too.
And it turned into a cute coastal inspired lamp for its new life.
And the biggest project of the year was my sister’s bedroom makeover.
We stenciled the feature wall in this really cool Moorish stencil. And the room went from the 1990′s…
Definitely needing an update.
To a beautiful modern glam master bedroom suite. That was a fun one!
So, that was my year! How was yours? 
I’m truly trusting and praying that 2012 is a much better year for me. I’m in such a better state of mind than I was a year ago at this time and I’m so glad to be through the worst of all the life changers this year. In fact, I’m downright optimistic. There are a lot of foreclosure houses on the market in our area right now and I expect that 2012 will still have many available. We’ve already taken a few drive-bys and look-sees at a few of them, just to see what is out there.
So, I fully expect that this time NEXT year, I’ll be in a fixer-upper house. I’m saving every penny I can and hopefully will find something for less than $70K that I can fix up and make my own. My dad is completely on board with it and since he did renovations years ago on rental homes and also did a lot of work on my first house, he still has the building and fixing bug and would enjoy helping on a project like this. So, that is what is happening with me! I couldn’t be happier in anticipating the possibility of getting a fixer-upper. If I could find the perfect one, it would be a 60′s or 70′s brick ranch with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, existing hardwood floors in a decent neighborhood. We will see what comes along in my price range and of course, y’all will be the first to hear when it happens. Just thinking about it makes me smile really BIG!
It’s time for you to share your projects too, so feel free to link up and let everyone else know about the party as well. You can use the button or just do a link back.
Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yardsales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me? 
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Thanks so much for the fun party!!! I would have to say my fave before and after from this year was definitely the birth of my son!!
It’s a lot of fun looking back over the past year… That back porch is now so inviting!
Thanks for hosting! Happy New Year!
Thanks for the party, Rhoda! My projects were on the sparse side this year too – we moved ( a good thing) which made things crazy and then I had a lot of health issues with my son the first half of the year. Things are looking SO much better for me and I’m glad that they are the same for you. You had quite possibly the “worst year ever” so I’m glad you can be in such a good place! Can’t wait to follow you on the fixer upper journey. If anyone can do it, it is you! Oh, and I must thank you for getting me up early this morning- I now have a quiet house to enjoy coffee & maybe a little bit of Pinterest before starting the day. Best wishes in 2012.
Hi Rhoda
Loved seeing your projects for 2011. Your sister’s bedroom is amazing!!
I’ll be around to visit folks over the next few days. The grands are here at the lake to celebrate Christmas this week.:-)
Thanks so much for hosting this party again. It was a good exercise to go back and see what we’ve done this year, maybe pat ourselves on the back a little, yes?
All the best to you in the coming year, and I hope you find that house you want very soon. I have been where you are now, and I completely understand.
ETS
Hi Rhoda! I enjoyed seeing the projects you featured. The stenciled wall is gorgeous! Wishing you the best in 2012 and all the years to come! Thank you for hosting!
Great re-dos, Rhoda! Love the changes in your sister’s bedroom especially. I hope you can find a house and get started with those make-overs in 2012! Happy house hunting!…hugs…Debbie
Rhoda, Thanks for hosting. Your sisters room is my favorite! I love all your makeovers and can’t wait to meet you at Haven 2012! I am looking forward to your 2012 adventures and I hope that you find the perfect home to make your own. Love your positive outlook!
Debbie
Hi Rhoda,
your best projects of the year post is becoming a tradition on my blog too, and you are so right it feels good to look back on a year and focus on the good and the accomplished. I am always surprised myself to see how much got done. I think I am going to do another post tonight and link that up too.
I made it
Have a good close to this year and may 2012 be your best year yet.
Thank you for hosting. It is a favorite party, I enjoy going back and looking at everyone’s project review for the year. I am going to pin your stenciling post…it is exactly what I was looking for the girls room! Thank you and wishing you all the best for the new year!
Wendy
Rhoda, you had so many great projects this year! Even though things got topsy turvy at the beginning, you pulled through and took 2011 by the horns and made it yours : ) You should be proud. Still loving the bedroom redo- such a dramatic difference! Cheers to a fabulous 2012 for us all!! Thanks for hosting : )
Thank you for hosting, Rhoda!
I can’t decide if the porch makeover or the bedroom makeover was my favorite. This is such a fun party!
You had some fabulous projects Rhoda! I love the stenciling, one of my favs. Thanks for hosting your great party. Happy New Year to you!
Thanks for hosting, Rhoda! It’s so much fun seeing everyone’s top projects for the year. My favorite project of yours was your sister’s bedroom. The redo was amazing! I hope you find your fixer-upper soon. Warm wishes for a fabulous 2012 for you!
Thank you for posting this past year, as difficult as I’m sure it must have been. You’ve shown just how to make lemonade out of lemons when life throws a curveball. I wish you the best in 2012.
Rhoda — Here is wishing you the best year ever. With your happy, grateful attitude and can-do spirit, I know that all your resolutions will come to life!
I especially wish you good luck in your house hunt. What could be more exciting? Just this week I blogged about how I learned real estate investing to pull myself up by the bootstraps. I don’t like to self-promote, but because you might relate, here goes …
http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/12/setting-goals-six-steps-that-get.html
Happy New Year from another reader who won’t miss a post of yours in 2012.
Hi Rhoda–I so much adore your sister’s bedroom wall. It’s so inspiring. It looks both chic and relaxing.
I loved the transformation of your sister’s room! Good luck on your search for a new home. What a fun process! Can’t wait to follow along…
You had some great projects in your parents’ and sister’s home this year. I think we may be seeing some projects from your new home in the 2012 recap!
Beautiful redo’s. All the best to you in 2012!
Good luck with your home search! Can’t wait to see what you do-I’m sure it will be fabulous:) Happy New Year to you and thanks for hosting!
Oh Rhoda… you’ve been thru so much this year. I pray 2012 is much better for all of us.
I’m so excited to hear you’re looking for a fixer upper! Your blog is one of my favorites and I look forward to seeing all the new projects you’ll be tackling in the future. ‘Good luck in your search.
Happy New Year!
LOVE your projects! Good luck to you in 2012, a new home that is in need of some TC and your creative touches sounds like fun!
Cathy @ Room Rx
Thank you for hosting this link party! You completed some amazing projects! I love them all! The stenciling in the bedroom is amazing! I love the lamp and the bath is adorable! I don’t think I would ever leave the porch; it’s so inviting! I enjoyed meeting you on Thrifting Day 2011! I know you have had a challenging year! I hope for you only the best in 2012 and this new year will be filled with many wonderful blessings!
You did some fabulous projects!!! Loved them all! I’m sure you’ll find a good house to purchase soon! And I can’t wait to see what you do with it! Thanks for hosting. ~ KIM
Rhoda-I admire you in so many ways…from your resilient super extraordinary personality to your fabulous sense of style. Cheers to you and your new year…you’re one amazingly fabulous lady! ;}
Even though you had a rough year, you managed to do some great projects. My favorite is the bathroom update you did with your dad in their house. I hope you do indeed find a house to buy and I look forward to reading about how you and your dad restore it.
Love that office makeover! I can’t wait to come along for the new house purchase and transformation! Thanks for sharing and for hosting this party.
Hi Rhoda! Blessings to you in the New Year! I would like to alert you to a neighboorhood for you to watch that’s in your area, but I don’t wish to share it publicly. We have a 70′s brick ranch that we are making over, project by project, and have turned it into a liveable modern-ish home. You are welcome to e-mail me.
HI, Dana, I would love to hear more about that. I will definitely email you soon!
Hoping the new year is a good one for you Rhoda…..and I cannot wait to see what you would do with a “fixer upper”. I am hoping to paint my laundry room in January. My hubs wanted to know why I would want to paint the laundry room and I told him that I spend a lot of time in there and I would like for it to look pretty. I also hope to “redo” my bedroom. I am still on the hunt for fabrics that I want to use before choosing a paint color. We have lived in our town house for almost three yrs and I am slowly getting rid of the builder beige. Thank you for blogging! I always look forward to your postings and I have learned a lot from you. Happy New Year!
Thanks so much for hosting Rhoda! I am enjoying looking through all of these beautiful homes and projects by all the talented folks you have as readers! Happy New Year to you, my friend. I do hope that 2012 proves to be a much easier and relaxing year for you than 2011 has been. :hugs:
Good Morning Rhoda,
My favorite project for 2011 has to be my Farmhouse kitchen restyle that you so graciously featured on your blog. It was a joy to work on and so satisfying to complete and all for under $500.00! I still walk into it every morning with a smile on my face.
Happy New Year my friend…see you at Haven!
janet xox
The Empty Nest
PS…LOVE your sister’s bedroom…well done!
Your parents porch is amazing!!! Thanks so much for hosting! Happy New Year!
Miss Rhoda,
So appreciated seeing all the great projects you worked on this past year. Whew! Almost made me tired viewing them. Smile. I do believe you will find the “perfect” new start residence. I did after a similar experience and it was such a blessing and joy to me. A home of serenity and peace to me and I pray you find one also.
Best to you,
Rhoda, love all of your projects this past year. The bedroom has to be my favorite…or maybe it’s the porch. Oh, I can’t decide, I love them both! 2012 is going to be an amazing year…you are going to shine! I can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you’ll achieve.
Hi Rhoda! Thank you so much for the party! I have enjoyed looking through your projects
I love that you live with your parents & that your dad is going to help you find a home! We certainly have that in common! 
I do look forward to seeing what “fixer upper” you find!
You definitely made the best of your move–you must have had so much fun redoing parts of your parents’ house! I especially like the back porch makeover. Thanks for the fun party!
Thanks for hosting this fabulous roundup of projects. There is so much inspiration out there. Looking forward to putting some of it to use in 2012!
Rhoda your makeovers are always so inspiring! Thanks for hosting this fun party!! Happy New Year! Martina
Thanks for hosting Rhoda!!
I am amazed that this is my 3rd year joining your party Rhoda!! So much time has passed and way too fast but we are still getting some projects accomplished in spite of it!
Thank you for hosting and for all the inspiration you have brought through your blog throughout the years!
bee blessed
mary
Rhoda,
I am putting a lot of hope into 2012 being a much better year too! So many have lost so much this year; homes, jobs, loved ones. We have had our own, certainly, but the saddest for us has been a dear friend experiencing a spinal cord injury and seeing his family’s whole life change.
Rhoda, you give me hope though. Your strength and perserverence this year has been amazing to watch. Like a true Southern woman, I’m sure you have shed your tears in private, then straightened your shoulders and plunged into doing what needed doing to survive, and yes, thrive. May 2012 bring you your lovely little rancher and the life that you want and so richly deserve.
Wow! How did I miss your makeover of your parents’ back porch? What a great transformation. Here’s hoping that 2012 is an absolutely fantastic year for you – you deserve it!!
your sister’s room makeover is just SOOOO gorgeous! thanks for the party and don’t forget to ask your tech guy (if it isn’t you!) if they can make it so if you commented once, the name email etc will show up automatically the next time we comment.
Hey, Selina, I did ask my tech guy and he doesn’t know any changes I can make for that either. So, I have no idea if there is a way to do it. When I go & comment on other WP blogs, I always have to sign in again and again too, so I’m not sure if others have a way to do that either. if anyone knows, I’d love to hear it! anyone, is there a way to set a WP blog so that commenters only have to sign in once? I would think too it would be some sort of cookies set on each person’s computer?? I have no idea, some of this is beyond me!
Thanks for hosting, Rhoda! I can honestly say one of my greatest blessings in 2011 was meeting you! Here’s hoping 2012 is full of good things – including our own houses! ♥
Thank you, Colleen! So great to meet you too. Looking forward to a fun new year and yes, a fixer-upper house. If you are looking too, I wish you the best.
All of your makeovers look great! I love your new office, it looks so peaceful!
Thanks for hosting!
Rhoda, Thank you for hosting! I’ve read your blog for years and finally took the plunge into the blogging fun in September. How fun to have the opportunity to share my favorite projects of 2011 on YOUR blog. I wish you all the best in the new year!!!
Thanks for the party! This should give me ideas for next year!!
Wow- lots to look at!
I loved your parents bathroom re-do. Do you have any tips or links on how to frame out the mirror? would love to do that in my kids bathroom.
Hi Sarah, thanks and I do have a tutorial that I did in my old house, framing out those boring mirrors. The one in my parent’s bath from Mirror Mates, but you can DIY one yourself that is pretty snazzy.
http://southernhospitalityblog.com/framing-those-boring-mirrors/
Rhoda, 2011 has been a challenging year for me, but my year pales in comparison to yours! So many of us love and appreciate you. We join in praying for wonderful 2012 for you. Every blessing to you and your precious family.
I love all your projects! Wishing you a great 2012! Thanks for hosting!
What a year you’ve had, Rhoda! Good luck with your house hunting~can’t wait to see what happens. Holiday greetings to you!!
I can’t imagine how I didn’t find your site before this! Of course, I have joined. I’ve been where you are and I know nothing lasts forever – neither good nor bad. I really believe it’s all part of a bigger picture and we will, someday, understand it all. I’m glad you are bravely marching into 2012!
What a great opportunity to look back. Thanks for hosting this party Rhoda. Good luck with your house search. I’ll be doing the same. You’ve had a very productive year, and I wish you all the best in the coming year.
Best news of this post was that you have been looking for a place of your own and might find something in 2012. I am wishing for the very best to you and I know there is something out there which you would love to own.
You are the best example of “How Blogging Saved My Life!” (Title for your book, perhaps?)
Happy New Year.
Thanks for hosting!! Great party! Congrats on the possibility of a fixer upper!
Love your projects! Your sisters room is amazing! And I am so glad that you have been able to carve out some personal space in your parents house! I will be praying for your house hunting. The house you describe is exactly what I have, and I have had so much fun fixing it up! I look forward to seeing what you do with what you get! Thanks so much for the comment on my post- looking forward to meeting you at Haven my friend
That is an amazing amount of project, Rhonda! I’m so impressed with your work.
Happy 2012 and thanks for hosting this lovely party…I’m going to try to stop by more often in 2012.
Hugs,
Marie
Man, it took me forever to get down to the comments–there surely are a lot of links! I love the porch transformation–inspiring!
It is so good to read that you are looking forward to the year ahead. I think attitude has a lot to do with how well we do.
Thanks for hosting this wonderful party.
Traci
Rhoda,
I love your positive attitude! I love following along on your blog and I think I love the stenciled wall in your sister’s bedroom the most! I hope 2012 is full of peace and love for you and your family!
Ms. Rhoda, I am sooooo excited about your project party! I have my PJ’s on and a great glass of wine…I am parked on your blog for the night!!! Thanks for hosting!!! (ohhhh…I also linked up too!!! “Mtn Retreat Makeover”)
Happy New Year!!!
~~~rhonda~~~
Rhoda,
I’m enjoying following your journey. Not all journeys are smiles and cupcakes…but that’s real life…just like the ones we live.
I’m linking up my top 5 posts of the year. This is my first year of blogging, and it’s been wonderful. You even featured my #1 project; thanks for all the visitors to my blog
Kim
The bedroom is gorgeous! I have yet to attempt a stencil but think they’re beautiful! Thanks for hosting!
Thanks for hosting! What a fun party idea.
What a fun party! So glad I made it! Thanks for hosting and can’t wait to check out everyone’s best of posts. Happy New Year!
Wow! Such wonderful projects! Thank you for the opportunity to link up our projects!
Rhoda, I sincerely hope that 2012 brings you twice the blessings! I know this was a rough year for you, but I’m so glad you are still here blogging and an inspiration- in so many ways. Have a wonderful New Year!
I hope 2012 brings you all you wish for and more. The perfect nest is waiting for you to feather it! Thanks for hosting such a wonderful party. Happy New Year.
Such a fun party. I realize how much I really accomplished over the year. I also love seeing what others have done – in case I missed something during the year. Wishing you a truly fabulous 2012! Thanks for hosting.
I’m so happy you made it through and continued to blog. Your such an incredible inspiration to me! I think you’ve done some AMAZING projects this year! We moved to from AZ back home to TX and into my mom’s big empty house. It’s been a whirlwind. I think I only had 4 post for one whole month!!! Here’s hoping that 2012 brings us tons of projects and inspiration!
OH!! And thanks for hosting! 
Rhoda – Thanks for hosting a recap of 2011 projects! I’ve linked up my favorites and have enjoyed browsing the links. I remember quite a few them! Hope you have a wonderful 2012!
Thank you for hosting, Rhoda! I love everything you do! That porch and bedroom makeover are just awesome (: Excited to see what you do in 2012!! xo
I’m really late to the party but look forward to it every year. I love looking back on all the great projects and seeing some new ones I missed the first time around. I hope 2012 is an incredible year for you and I look forward to many more inspiring projects.
Your projects are awesome and inspiring! Thanks for hosting this fun link party! I love looking at everyone’s projects!
Hi Rhoda, All of your projects are wonderful and I especially love the transformation of your sister’s bedroom. Thank you for hosting and best of luck with the house hunting.
Hugs,
Sherry
Thank you so much for hosting! I can’t wait to see your fixer upper!
Happy New Year!
Kerry at HouseTalkN
Thanks so much for hosting this!! This is a great yearly post to have and I’ve been enjoying checkout out other’s blogs!
Love looking at everyone’s year in review posts… thanks for hosting!
The idea of your fixer upper sounds fun and exciting. I love that porch make over.
Have a wonderful start to a Happy New Year!
Pat
Hello Rhoda!
Thanks so much for hosting this link party! I’ve discovered so many beautiful blogs while clicking on the thumbnails. Hopefully, I will meet some kindred spirits along the way.
As a new blogger……I have so much to learn so I also want to thank you for your blogging tips series. Blogging for me is a creative experimental outlet so I only blog for fun (have a full-time job outside the home). Just got a new camera this year so my photography skills need a lot of work too, but we learn by doing right?
I want to thank you for this beautiful blog! Thank you for sharing your journey with us! I have a vision of you in your beautiful little cottage in the $70,000 range and just know that you will make it gorgeous! Thank you for being YOU. You are lovely and a KIND and have a beautiful soul.
Hugs, Sandy
Oh! I need to edit before I hit the send button! Pardon me for my poor grammar (above post).
I love your projects. Anything with beadboard is my weakness
Just linked up. I guess I’m a little late but I just found out about it while over at another blog 
Amazing bedroom transformation… the office, too. Best wishes in the better year ahead, and thanks for hosting this great party!
Rhoda, I just want to tell you how very much I appreciate your blog, projects, writing and encouragement. You have directly inspired me to take on more than one big home improvement project this year and I thank you for giving me the courage, and admire you for being so courageous during a very difficult year. Best wishes for a HAPPY and joy-filled year ahead!!
Thanks for hosting a “Best of” party! I linked up my/my reader’s fav posts for the last year!
Such great ideas. Thanks for hosting!
These are all amazing makeovers! My favorite is the bedroom makeover, that one was amazing! Thank you for hosting the awesome party!
Oh Rhoda…I so enjoyed this, glad to add my little Hoosier makeover project…I am inspired to recap my faves from 2011…I realized I did an awful lot!!! XOXOX