Friday, March 29, 2013

Easy DIY Artwork

I have a simple and easy art project to share with you today.  Sometimes I find myself wanting to add a little color or personal touch to my home but don't have the budget to buy new frames or artwork so I have to improvise.  Sometimes just updating some old frames and mats with paint and finding something around the house to work in that frame is all it takes! 


So here is what I started with.  Not terrible, but not what I was wanting for my room.  


I decided to change the frames up with a gray color spray paint and to make the mats uniform and sleek I sprayed painted them all white.  Just make sure you use even and thin layers when spray painting.  Globs are not your friend.
I knew I had some photos I wanted to use for one of my frames but I was a little stumped as to what to use for the other.  I wanted to add some color and pattern to my space so I turned to a pretty gift bag that Justin gave me this year for my birthday.  I thought it was so cute so why not enjoy the pretty pattern in my frame?  

Super easy, no money and I love the added pop of color.  Plus, I can change it out the next time I am gifted a pretty bag :).  Don't forget to peruse your wrapping paper stash, craft/scrap paper stash or scrap fabric for more fun and easy artwork options!  

Hope you guys have an amazing Easter weekend!  Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10

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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

A Fun Two Year Old Activity

I have gotten ambitious this year and decided to start a garden by seed.  Not only was this something I was eager to try but it also turned into a really fun activity for Silas.  I know nothing about gardening so this is really a learning activity for both Silas and I.  Even if we never get any veggies, fruit or flowers from our seeds it has been fun to do with him.  The cool thing about doing this is that it doesn't cost that much at all to start - you need seeds, planters, soil, markers and water.  I really didn't have much of a plan when we started and just went with it.  So here is our little planting seeds activity...


We did this a couple of weeks ago when we had a shot of warm air and it pretended it was becoming spring for a moment.  It was nice being outside, and was a big tease.  Something I learned is that its really hard to get pics when you are covered in soil and are also trying to keep Silas from dumping the soil everywhere.  That was probably his favorite part, playing in the dirt.  So to get started on this activity we headed over to the dollar store (yes, the dollar store) and grabbed some seed packs - we chose sunflowers, tomatoes, watermelon and oregano.  While there I also grabbed some seed starter planters - these are cool because they can go right into the ground when you are ready to plant.  We already had some soil- its just regular garden soil nothing special.


I didn't realize however that I needed way more seed starters for the amount of seeds we bought.  So, I improvised and used some plastic punch cups that I had.  I also didn't think about plant markers until about halfway through - luckily I had a bunch of clothespins which worked perfect for this.  
Honestly I really had doubts that we would see any growth from our seeds but after about a week we started to see little sprouts come through!  Silas was so excited and checks on them every day.  We have them sitting in a windowsill and water about every other day - not much because I'm afraid of over-watering. 
Now the next step will be planting them outside - which I'm also really unsure about.  We still have some time before we can - especially since the weather has been so cold.  If any of you have some great tips for gardens I would love to know!  

Even if we end up getting nothing from out little sprouts it was still a fun activity to do together.

So how about you, planting any seeds this year?  Have you ever started a garden before and had success....or maybe not so much?  Share with me!

Monday, March 25, 2013

An Easy DIY Chalkboard Canvas

I promise I'm still here. Last week was just one of those tough weeks that included a pretty sick little boy.  Thankfully Silas is feeling much better, we have gotten some rest and things are feeling back to normal.   Honestly, taking an impromptu break from the blog was actually kind of nice for me.  I really was able to think about some different ideas and projects that I want to do and continue to try and learn some new bloggy things, so I was good with taking a break.  I have a a full week of blogging ahead to make up for last week and I'm looking forward to it.


I have a quick and easy project to share today as well as a few random weekend happenings.  First up is an easy chalkboard canvas.  This project actually comes via my sister.  A couple of weekends ago we had a big spray painting party and worked on a few things together.  My sister had this large canvas she wanted to change up and decided to try her hand at her first chalkboard project.  I was of course excited since I love a good chalkboard.  Here's the canvas before...


Just and old canvas print she had from a while back.  A couple of coats of chalkboard paint later and it was looking good.


My sister is kind of a newbie when it comes to spray painting but she learned quickly that lighter coats are better.  Spray paint can gloop and glob quickly so you just need to keep your can moving and keep the coats light to get the best coverage.  I believe though after this that she has caught the spray painting bug.  After it was all dry she decided on the text she wanted and we were done.  This was super easy.


Soon I'm going to grab some photos over at my sisters house so you can see where the canvas ended up.  They had this crazy design dilemma that I think they conquered well so I'm eager to share it.

Okay, on to some random things.  I think being gone a week from the blog is causing me to over share today.  I just missed connecting with all of you!  So, is it spring anywhere?  Because here in NC we have been thrown back into winter - its strange and we are so anxious for warmer weather.  Even so, we had a big easter egg hunt at our church this weekend.  We were glad to get Silas out of the house even if we had to be inside the gym to hunt eggs - it was so much fun for Silas.

Oh, this also occurred at our house this weekend.  This is not a new gallery wall technique - its a little thing called March Madness.   Each year Justin holds a big bracket challenge and the best and most fun way to do it is by hanging them all over your living room walls.  Its just a tradition that started a while back and has continued from house to house.  Lets just say that this year my brackets are awful.  I'm just pulling for Florida Gulf Coast to win it all now.


It feels so good to be sharing here today.  I have some more projects to share this week, a guest blogger, some garden inspiration and some more blog updates all happening.  Come back and visit with me!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  How was your weekend? Any crazy March Madness traditions for you?  Share with me!

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Sponsor Love

Happy Saturday!!  Today I have the privilege of sharing two of my sweet sponsors with you.  I have really enjoyed reading and following their awesome blogs and getting to know them.  I know you will too!
First up is Amanda with Cupcakes and Corndogs.  I knew I would love her blog immediately as she loves all things diy.  She shares recipes, diy crafts and thrift store finds that she turns to treasures.

Here are some great projects that I love from Amanda's blog.  She has done this pretty coffee table redo and even built this awesome bench from scratch.

Amanda also hosts a weekly link up for handmade shops!  I love that she is all about promoting and encouraging the handmade community.  If you have a handmade shop make sure to stop by her blog on Wednesday's and link up!!



Follow Amanda:  Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest



Next up is Lura with Domesticability.  She has a sweet blog all about organizing, diy, home decor and recipes.  Lura shares from her heart and you can tell right away that she has a big one.

I love these two projects from Lura - this pretty makeup brush organization and how cute are these shoe photo clips?  So sweet.


This Wednesday Lura will be guest posting here on the blog, she has a great diy to share so make sure to check back for that!!

Follow Lura:  Facebook   Twitter   Bloglovin  Pinterest   

Thanks so much for taking some time to get to know these awesome bloggers.  Stop by and show them some love and follow along with them!!

Friday, March 15, 2013

Bloglovin' and a Few Blog Thoughts

So now that the smoke it starting to clear about the whole Google Reader being dropped thing - I have gotten with it and made a profile on bloglovin'.  If you previously used Google Reader, bloglovin' makes it super easy to import all of the blogs you follow.  Seriously, it was just a click of a button.


I feel like this week has been a huge learning experience for me when it comes to blogging.  I'm talking about the back-side of blogging, not the pretty pictures and fun project side.  The part where you have freak outs and meltdowns when you are trying to replace html in your code. Or, the part where you learn that you had no clue how the comments section worked on your blog and you feel like an idiot when you realize what you have been doing wrong.  Yeah, that was me this week.


I'm kind of thinking about doing a basic blogging series soon.  I feel like I have finally "gotten" some things this week after feeling in the dark and blindly doing the blog stuff for a while now.  I am at no means an expert but when you learn something I feel like you should share.  So if you are like me and feel like a newbie blogger, are wondering why everyone seems like an expert blogger but you or just need the comfort in knowing that you are not the only one who hasn't got a clue - then come follow me!  We will work through this blogging thing together.


If you ever have a blogging question, please just ask me!  I may not be able to answer it - but I might and I would love to help if I could.  I have learned a lot from other bloggers and I am so thankful for their willingness to share and help me through.  I love the blogging community and I would love for this blog to just be an extension of that.

Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend! 



Thursday, March 14, 2013

Pegboard Organization

I love a pegboard.  They are so versatile and great for organizing.  I wanted a way to pretty up the fridge clutter - you know the stuff that accumulates all over the outside of your fridge?  As well as a way to keep it organized and neat - so a pegboard was the answer.


This was super easy and quick.  I actually had a leftover pegboard already but this stuff is not expensive if you want to go buy some.  I gave it a quick two coats of paint.  This is a paint sample that I grabbed for a dollar a while back when Lowes was trying to get rid of all of their pre-made samples.  From time to time I browse the oops paint section and pick up super cheap paint for little projects like this.   I love this soft color, its called Glass Tile by Valspar.  

Next I just needed to tie in a few pieces of yarn and add a few clothespins.  I love that this is quickly customizable.  I can add more yarn or change the placement easily.


I used these magnet hooks and some twine to secure it to fridge.  I have almost thrown these away a few times - so glad I held onto them.  


Now we have a pretty way to corral all of the fridge clutter.  


Thanks so much for joining me today!  Anyone else love a good pegboard?  Have a great pegboard organizing tip to share?  Have a great day!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Spring Wreath DIY

I always love this time of year.  Things start warming up, the days start getting longer, you see little buds and blooms pop up, the grass turns greener, the air is fresh - its just wonderful.  Then the pollen comes and the humidity is quick to follow...but we won't talk about that.  Today is all about feeling springy and cheery.  I have a little wreath/embroidery to share with you today.  It meets my three criteria for projects- easy, simple and cheap.  For projects like this, just use what you have already and be creative.  No need to spend a bunch of money on seasonal decor.  I used pretty much leftover supplies from other projects to make this one.


For this project I used:
- Embroidery Hoops  (4"&12")
- Scrap Fabric
- Scrap lace ribbon & felt
- Embroidery Thread

You will also need a hot glue gun and needle


First step is getting your fabric framed inside your small hoop and then you just cut your felt and ribbon to the size you want and lightly hot glue it down to your fabric.  Cut a longer strip of fabric for the bigger hoop and wrap it around the entire hoop.  I used a little hot glue and the beginning and end to secure it.  I kind of love the frayed ends and shabby chic feeling of this so no need to fret over frays or fringe.  This fabric is actually a leftover kitchen towel from my luggage rack redo and the shower curtain I used when we built our fabric ottoman.  Both are from Target in case you are wondering.


Ok, don't let the next part scare you.  I simply stitched a little "happy" into my embroidery.  I was going for a vintage/shabby chic feel so its just a quick free-handed embroidery.  Really, really easy.  I don't sew at all and I can do this - so can you!

I also made a few rosettes out of my scrap fabric/kitchen towel for the larger hoop.  I used the same technique as I did with these felt no sew flowers.  They are super easy to make.  


Finish it off with a little lace ribbon and you are done!  Now my little faux mantel is starting to look all springy and bright.  


This milk glass vase and turquoise ball jar are two of my favorite things.  Now I just need some of our flowers to spring up so I have something to put in them.



Aren't you guys ready for pretty spring days?  What kind of springy projects are you working on?  Share with me!

Have a great Wednesday!


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Monday, March 11, 2013

Working on the Guest Room

Do you guys have a room or area in your house that turns into the storage spot or dumping ground for things that you don't know what to do with?  Well we do.  Its called our guest room.  Once a room becomes that area in the house, its so hard to get control over it.  Finally over the weekend we regained control over our guest room and its back in a livable state again.  So since I rarely share that space on the blog, I thought I would start today.  I actually really love this room.  It has a lot of our sentimental and vintage pieces living in there and is probably the most girly spot in our house.  Like the rest of our home though, I still have lots of things that I need or want to do to make this room complete.


Like I said, we still have lots to do...


For example, the walls are completely bare and its even more clear in photos how badly I need to fill in these blank walls.  I also really would like to hang some curtains - maybe even diy some.  That would really help bring some softness and warmth to the space.


I love all of the little vintage and personal things in here.  Pretty much every item has some sort of story or meaning to us.  I love rooms like that.



I keep a lot of my craft items in here as well.  I probably have way too many jars and such so I love using them to store things like pens and chalk.  I even have an antique butter dish that works great for Silas' crayons.

Oh, my little luggage rack found its place in the guest room and our laminate bookshelf that I painted a while back is still going strong.  


So that's a little peek into our guest room.  I have some work to do and can't wait to share the progress as I go along.  Stay tuned!

Hope you have a great week!  I'm loving the time change - spring is just around the corner.  I have some little springy/easter crafts coming at you this week as well as some more organizing fun!  Thanks for stopping by!