My First

This was my first sign.  It's a fairly big one.  2'x3'.  I had John router an edge on it, then I painted it.  It's a bit crooked and not perfect.  But, that's okay.  I have been having fun scouring garage sales looking for my next victim (wood, that is, not people).  I might be going overboard, but it will keep me busy for awhile after garage sale season is over.  I don't like to be one to regret anything.  :)  Will post some garage sale finds soon!  Have a good weekend!

Signature

Have you ever wondered how to add that cute and personal-looking signature to the end of one of your blog posts?  Well, wonder no longer.  Donna at Funky Junk Interiors has a great tutorial and link HERE to guide you through the simple process.  It's fast, easy and fun.  Good luck and show me what you come up with!

Life

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are.
As you create a home, don’t get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don’t dwell on your failures, but think about your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your children. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey." ~Marjorie P. Hinckley


I saw this quote recently online and it struck me. I am getting better about this. I really am. I used to worry about things "matching" or going well together in my house. To an extent, I guess I still do, but now I mostly buy things that I love. It doesn't matter what other people think of your house, because if you love it, then it works. It's home. It's what brings joy to your life. Aside from your husband and kids, that is. :)

My joyous living room. I've become obsessed with wire baskets. I want some more. They seem to look great with just about anything in them!

Like this one to hold towels

Or, this one {above and below} to hold decorations {Photos from Dreamy Whites}

Oh, if only I was going to the flea market this weekend! {Sigh} Maybe it's best that it didn't work out. I probably would have found too many things to buy. Right?? :)

A new sign

This is how it all started. My fascination with signs. And my inability to find the kind of signs I wanted. I have many pictured in my head. Finding the time to create and paint them is the problem. I have decided to paint my own. {And will paint one for you too if you’d like} I can pick my own shapes and sizes and colors and fonts and so on.

A Goodwill find {not sure what language this was on here…German, maybe?}:


AFTER

From Trash to Treasure

Okay, so I am having some technical difficulties with my posts and pictures. Does anyone else have any issues with Windows Live Writer? It's giving me a format error and won't post my pictures. Grr. I will have to figure things out. But in the meantime, here is a backwards post for you! I'm too impatient to wait on posting even if the pictures are in the wrong order!

AFTER:

Here is my great find from junk picking a couple of weeks ago. I knew right away what I would do with it and jumped right on it (unlike some other projects I have hanging out around here!) The glass was gone from the frame, but I didn’t want it anyway, so it was perfect. I just spray painted it with some flat white paint and added cork to make it a bulletin board. Easy-peasy.

BEFORE: I loved the detail on it, but it was dirty and not too pretty

Chalkboard Renovation

Hi there! I thought I'd start off by showing you one of my first projects. When I started looking at my pictures to write this post, I realized that if I'm going to do tutorials, I think I should take more pictures! So, hopefully things will improve as I continue on here.

First of all, I started with this nice rooster (can I get a "cock-a-doodle-doo"?) picture from Goodwill for $1.99. No offense to those who like roosters or rooster prints, but I was aiming to make myself a chalkboard.

Then I took some acrylic paint I had on hand and painted the border. It took a few coats.

Here's what that looked like. I didn't bother taping the inside since I knew I'd be painting that too

I let this dry and taped the border so that I could paint the inside. I used a spray can of chalkboard paint (found it at Home Depot) and followed the directions. Sorry no pictures of the process. Might have been entertaining ones though! I usually try to squeeze in my projects in those tiny little pockets of time during the day (or late night) when I don't have all three girls needing me.

I did have to sand lightly in between coats of chalkboard paint since you could faintly see the outline of the rooster.

Let dry and "season" by rolling chalk all over surface. Write a message, menu, store list or whatever your pretty little heart desires.

Sorry, I know you can't see the bottom border of it since it's propped above my cabinets, but it's the same as the top. Overall it was a cheap and fun way to add some height in my kitchen.

ETA: I am working out the kinks with my pictures and editing software. Please bear with me. I am computer illiterate!

ETA {Part 2}: Ha! It's late. That's my excuse. I want to add that I did take some sandpaper to the edges and border of this after it was all dry to lightly distress it. The end. I promise.

A Giveaway!

I have to post this great giveaway here...would love to win! Go and check it out and leave a comment. It's a great blog to check out for DIY ideas and wonderful Before & Afters!

P.S. Stay tuned for another giveway here soon!