Sitting Pretty

Well, I dragged another item home from Goodwill. Bill was a bit perplexed what in the world I was going to do with it. I guess I can understand that. Believe it or not I had a few different ideas of the possibilities. So, we began with this:

The back of it was stamped bunkbed. So it was a headboard of a bunkbed. I asked my sweety pie to cut the sides down so that the 'legs' were gone. And I toted it around the house. First I had it in my kitchen and thought it could be a mini wall hutch. I then took it upstairs and thought we could make it into a small table top coming out from the wall. Then, I took it to Nina-Li's room. I thought she might be able to use it as a wall shelf. However, on the wall it would fit on, it would be positioned too high for her to reach. Then, I remembered Bill saying he wanted Nina-Li to have a window seat, AHAA! I asked him what he thought and he said to go for it.
So, first I had to take apart the backing and some wooden type brackets that were on top. I then had to make it a deeper bench. It was only about 6 inches deep. I added a 1 x 8 that we had on hand. However, I used a 1 x 6 for the sides to widen the legs.


I then had to add blocks underneath the widened seat board to attach the beadboard backing I had. Although the bench itself is deeper, I didn't deepen the shelf. It's still the original 6" depth. Once the nail boards were set, I was able to insert the beadboard and attach it. I also added a center support piece to the back part of the bench as shown in the photo.

Once everything was built. (Which by the way, I got to use a few power tools: a circular saw, a miter saw and an air nailer.) I painted our bench black. I know, not very girly, but there is a lot of white in the built-in furniture Bill is building and it ties in everything...you'll see...eventually.


I had foam from little chairs the boys had when they were toddlers. I put it on top of the bench and covered it with this incredible fabric. I LOVE THE FABRIC. I also made little cushion and pillow for the rocking chair in her room out of it. I need to go get more because I have one more idea. Anyway, check out the end results:

The 3 R's

Well, summer is still going in full force. But, after 4th of July my mind begins preparing for the homeschool year. Since we are doing school at the kitchen table this year, (our classroom is now Nina's room (which is a good thing)), I wanted my only little BTS decor. So, I created this little diddy.

I took photographs to create step by step instructions. However, they are no where to be found. I downloaded at the same time I downloaded by hydrangea pictures from my previous blog. It's a mystery to me!
So, quickly, this is what I did if you are interested:
My materials were:
Scrap 2 x 4
Scrap scrap paper
Black Paint
Black Chalkboard Paint
Chalk
Photos
I first cut my 'books' to 3 sizes I thought would be proportionate to where they are going. I then cut 3 more blocks to stack to put the photos on.
After I cut the blocks, I printed my book 'titles' on scrapbook paper.
I then cut my paper down to fit each block and decoupaged it onto the block.
Once dry, I sanded the edges of all the blocks a bit. Then I applied antiquing polish by Folkart. I let it sit for about a minute and then wiped it off. This really does age everything and stains the wood that became exposed from the sanding.
The 3 r's block, I painted black, and then spray painted the front with chalk board paint.
Once everything was dry, I glued it all in place using wood glue. I then used double stick foam pads to adhere the photos on top of the blocks. And used my sweet neighbors chalk to write my little message.
Ta Daaaa. It was that easy.

Welcome to My Garden

The reason why I do this...



Is so I can have this...

Seriously, I love fresh cut flowers in my home. There is just something about enjoying the outside on the inside. Especially when the temperature becomes unbearable like today! When landscaping choose a few flowers that you will enjoying cutting and bringing in. These are my hydrangeas. For those of you who remember my Christmas trees from 2009, these are the same hydrangeas I cut and dry out and add to my Christmas tree every year! I also enjoy irises, peonies, lilacs, and sunflowers! Simple and easy!

Playing with Blocks

Yeah! I love holidays, and 4th of July is one of my husbands favorites. I think it has something to do with playing with explosives. I'm not one to decorate for the holidays other than Christmas and bit for fall. I'm not sure if it is because my sons do not really notice. Or, if I exhaust myself so much decorating for Christmas that the other holidays just kind of slide by. So, I am starting to make an attempt to put out a few things to honor holidays. When I saw this little piece from How Does She Do That (http://www.howdoesshe.com/cheap-home-decor) I knew I could do it.



I did a couple of things different. The original was made with vinyl lettering. I chose to print my words on scrap paper and cut each strip for the bottom of the flag. I also decided to use wood glue and glue my blocks together. After I made a few with "Happy 4th of July" I realized I prefered 'God Bless America' and therefore had to make a few with that on it too!


The 3 Joys I received:
1)This craft was right up my ally of cheapness! I had all the supplies I needed other than the ribbon. The ribbon I got from Wal-Mart (which I try to avoid, but I love this ribbon). You get 15 yards for $4.97. So far I have made 7 of these flags and still have more ribbon. So, I have spent about 70 cents a flag! Not bad.
2)The other enjoyment I received was using my husband's power saw. Oh such POWER!
3)My favorite joy is sharing this with my friends. I got to leave a few on doorsteps and kept them guessing for a little bit!

Charging Station

Well, I have ANOTHER Goodwill find. I spied this at Goodwill for $4.99. I had it sitting on top of this bureau turned storage that is right by our kitchen, for a few weeks until I could figure out what color to paint it.

I finally decided on the color red. The same red I used for the shelving in the kids bathroom. I originally intended to change the little knob too, however, I kind of like it now.

I still need to set it up to charge our cell phones, etc. But, I think I like it. Not bad for 5 Bucks!

Planked Out

I wish that I could find the inspiration piece that motivated me to make this. I got the original idea from Pottery Barn. Once I was ready to make it, I couldn't find the picture anymore, including online. (Which is why I need to make that inspiration book I want to make.) I want to make one bigger than this (maybe), but decided to keep it small for my first project. This was hung in our kids bathroom. I think it is a good compliment to their shower curtain I made (5 years ago!) Just like always, I have one more thing I want to make for this area. I just get so excited by my accomplishments, that I have to share them. Hope you like!

Vintage Keys

I can't believe I did it! I saw this wall art in the Pottery Barn catalogue and wanted to make is soooo badly! I believe it was priced around $329.


I wasn't about to go there, and I wanted to figure out a way to make it. I am not good at painting. REALLY! I know some of my friends don't believe me, but fine motor skills are not my thing!!! So, I was so excited when I found the tutorial on how to make it by Susie Harris. The linky is: http://www.susieharrisblog.com/2009/07/inspirationpass-it-on.html

My Vintage Keys artwork is 24 x 24 (The original at Pottery Barn is larger) and I followed the exact steps as the linked blog. The only thing that I think I did different than Susie was that I used an Antiquing Polish from Folk Art to age the artwork as the final step. I will upload a better image once I am completely done with the area that I set the artwork in. But, for now here's the finished product!!!!


I have another Pottery Barn knock-off that I made for our kids bathroom. As soon as I get photos I will post it. Pretty proud of the final results of it. Then, I have another piece of artwork I am about to start working on, using the same technique as the Vintage Keys. Now that school is out for this homeschool mom, I am trying to exercise my creative juices!!!