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Living Creatively, Living the Dream

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Category Archives: DIY

Local bloggers wreak havoc at IKEA… #IKEAHalifax

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Colleen ODea

It was a lovely evening that found a number of ECM bloggers at the Media Preview of the Brand New IKEA store in Dartmouth Crossing. We were there to have a look at IKEA’s largest sustainable store to date, be Continue reading Local bloggers wreak havoc at IKEA… #IKEAHalifax→

Posted in DIY, Living Creatively

How to Paint Kitchen Cupboards…from Oak to White! #DIY

Posted on May 21, 2017 by Colleen ODea

My next few DIY projects were more of a DIYWHFYF (do it yourself with help from your friends/family) projects! I hauled in the big guns as my brother, Shannon, took over the kitchen cupboard portion of my kitchen makeover and Continue reading How to Paint Kitchen Cupboards…from Oak to White! #DIY→

Posted in DIY, From My Kitchen, Living Creatively, Love My House

Mixing a Little New with a Little Old…my Dining Room Makeover

Posted on April 28, 2017 by Colleen ODea

My Dining Room has always been a bit of an afterthought. It’s part of my Living Room…so it needs to be there, but we don’t really use it very often and for the most part, the table tends to be a Continue reading Mixing a Little New with a Little Old…my Dining Room Makeover→

Posted in DIY, Living Creatively, Love My House

Making a Mirror from a Vintage Frame #DIY

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Colleen ODea

We’ve had this frame in our family for as long as I can remember. In my teens, I hauled it out of storage (in the furnace room) and painted the once black and white frame a bright pink and white…adding Continue reading Making a Mirror from a Vintage Frame #DIY→

Posted in DIY, Living Creatively, Love My House

A “Flower and Photography” Workshop with ECMMedia

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Colleen ODea

If you were to attend a gallery opening at Holly Winchester’s Gallery Nineteen Nineteen, in the North End of Halifax, Holly would be very quick to introduce me as her blogger friend, “who came up with the idea to turn Continue reading A “Flower and Photography” Workshop with ECMMedia→

Posted in DIY, Living Creatively

How to Paint a China Cabinet #DIY

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Colleen ODea

For the last number of years I’ve been checking out the various furniture painting tutorials on Pinterest…from bright bold signature pieces to understated elegance…each project re-purposed from a worn out item needing a new life. Years ago I was given a Continue reading How to Paint a China Cabinet #DIY→

Posted in DIY, Living Creatively, Love My House

From Drab to Fab…My Living Room Makeover

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Colleen ODea

YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING! All the help you gave to turn my living from “Drab to Fab” was absolutely fantastic. A month ago, I asked you to help me make a few choices…I showed photos of chairs and rugs and you Continue reading From Drab to Fab…My Living Room Makeover→

Posted in DIY, Living Creatively, Living the Dream, Love My House

How to Re-Cover an Ottoman #DIY

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Colleen ODea

We’ve had this cube ottoman in our family room for um-teen years now…a fake leather thing with a massive hole in the top and much wear and tear. It’s seen better days. BUT, before I even get started telling you how Continue reading How to Re-Cover an Ottoman #DIY→

Posted in DIY, Living Creatively, Love My House

How to Apply Silver Leaf to “Fancy-Up” Chair Legs

Posted on April 4, 2017 by Colleen ODea

Sometimes, you find a piece of furniture and love absolutely everything about it…except for one wee tiny thing! Which is what had me “silver leafing” the legs of this fabulous leather chair I found at Wicker Emporium. While the wooden Continue reading How to Apply Silver Leaf to “Fancy-Up” Chair Legs→

Posted in DIY, Living Creatively, Love My House

How to Decorate your Planner with Washi Tape

Posted on January 18, 2017 by Colleen ODea
How to decorate your planner with Washi Tape

January is the time for setting goals and NEW PLANNERS! And, to kick off the new year in style, here’s how to decorate your planner with Washi Tape! Remember when I said I was planning on doing more with my Continue reading How to Decorate your Planner with Washi Tape→

Posted in DIY, Graphic Design, Living Creatively

The greatest gift…

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Colleen ODea

Mid November, myself and a number of bloggers gathered at a friend’s home for an epic morning of cooking, crafting and togetherness. Blogging has provided many, many opportunities for me over the last few years that I’d never have dreamt Continue reading The greatest gift…→

Posted in Blogging, Creative geniuses..., DIY, From My Kitchen, My friends are AWESOME

Finding a little “me” time…and DIY Lavender Bath Salts

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Colleen ODea

With September upon us, it’s been a bit of a wild week around here. I’m not good with change, and with Noah heading off to university, I’m having a bit of a tough time adjusting. Throw in the fact that Continue reading Finding a little “me” time…and DIY Lavender Bath Salts→

Posted in DIY

How to Make a DIY Photo Booth

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Colleen ODea

Photo Booths are all the rage these days, so, when it came time to decorate for my parent’s 50th Anniversary Celebration (read: Part 1 on how to decorate)…I knew it would be the perfect way to capture my family in action…every bit Continue reading How to Make a DIY Photo Booth→

Posted in DIY

Getting Creative with FAT Paints…

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Colleen ODea

It was a lovely afternoon that brought together a group of bloggers at HUE Design Studios in Halifax’s North End. Nestled just behind the shops at the Hydrostone Market, HUE Design is filled with paint, wallpaper and decor but the Continue reading Getting Creative with FAT Paints…→

Posted in DIY, I <3 Local

How to create a Gallery Wall…

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Colleen ODea

Remember when I told you I was putting together a Galley Wall in my house? I’d made a few pieces…purchased a few more…and this weekend, it finally came together! AND…I couldn’t be happier! To start with, I made a couple Continue reading How to create a Gallery Wall…→

Posted in DIY, Love My House

How to Make an Eye Chart with your Children’s Names!

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Colleen ODea

It was while Spiderman was at Ocean Optometry, having some tests done on his night vision…alright, whatever, he had “eyeball pain” and it needed to be investigated…ANYWAY… It was while we were at the eye doctor that I took a good look at Continue reading How to Make an Eye Chart with your Children’s Names!→

Posted in Creative geniuses..., DIY, Graphic Design

How to make a mirror out of a tire!

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Colleen ODea

He was thrilled when his bicycle tire wore all the way through. Hours of skidding to a stop on his two-wheeler with a massive grin on his face…showing me the black mark he’d left on the sidewalk…quite proud of his accomplishment Continue reading How to make a mirror out of a tire!→

Posted in DIY, Raising Teens

Six Steps to making Patio Lanterns…

Posted on August 2, 2015 by Colleen ODea

I’m not sure when I stopped doing DIY projects as there was a time that a glue gun and gold spray paint were my very best friends! But…at some point I packed up the craft room and never looked back. Continue reading Six Steps to making Patio Lanterns…→

Posted in DIY

70 things we love about you…

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Colleen ODea

– – – – – – – – – To purchase the template of this file or to have a custom piece created, please visit my Etsy Shop or Shopify Site. To learn about how I came up with the idea for Continue reading 70 things we love about you…→

Posted in DIY, Family, Graphic Design

Tips for using the self-checkouts at the supermarket!

Posted on June 2, 2010 by Colleen ODea

I once spent $2,712.16 on a lime! I was at the self-checkout at my local grocery store which normally works very well for me…except, every now and then I realize I have a piece of fruit or a veggie that needs Continue reading Tips for using the self-checkouts at the supermarket!→

Posted in DIY, Living Creatively

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Sometimes, you have to take a few hits to figure out who you really are! Curtains are Open is about moving forward, accepting change and finding happiness in the craziest of places. I write about life as a single Mom of three fantastic kids...how I returned to school in my forties, started a new company and began putting my life back together again...better than I ever imagined. I'm thrilled so many of you have been along for the journey and find inspiration in my story. The curtains are open. Read more...

I WROTE A BOOK!
















Shocked over landing on the Sea and Be Scene "Cool People Profiles!" Took me forty five years until someone thought I was cool! AND, I'm in there with some REALLY COOL people!


Totally freakin' HONOURED to be one of She Knows Canada's Favorite Mom Bloggers.


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