Finish Pinterest Project- Check!

Hello my name is Amy and I'm addicted to Pinterest. 

But who isn't. The humor section can keep boredom at bay for a long time. I'm also addicted to annoying my sister and BFF by sending them pins they probably aren't interested in. 

You know how it goes, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Don't tell anyone, but I don't do everything I pin. Lots of the food ones, less of the DIY ones. Good intentions.

This, though, piece of cake.

Undeniably, the original is better. Possibly because mine took 10 minutes. 

Supply list: unfinished wood board ($2.99 at Hobby Lobby)

hook (that one came from TJ Maxx.)

Lantern (which you can get just about anywhere)

Spray paint in bronze and/or metallic black

To be efficient, I painted the first coat on the wood in bronze and then unloaded the groceries. Tip- use a box in your garage to save from overspray. Before the first coat was dry, I added the black metallic in a light spray. It blended nicely and looks like a lot more work. That night, while watching TV, I got to use my drill to screw the hook on, and hung it up. Seriously. 10 minutes. 

Tools of the Trade

I'm suffering through the Super Bowl waiting for funny commercials. Is it just me, or are you wondering why companies are spending that much for dullsville content. All this heart warming stuff is just plain ridiculous. This is America! We like funny! We like competition! A competition to be the funniest is America at it's finest. Blah.

Today, I bring you my list of must have tools and why I love them. 

First, my glue gun, without which I might never be tardy. I mean be in business. After going through other styles, this is the best because it can be cordless. It charges in its holster which has a drip pad. Warning: when you use it fast over a large surface, it can get clogged. If it starts to get hard to push the stick through, pull the stick out and make sure there isn't any backed up. Warning part II: the trigger will probably snap. Why do I keep buying it? I don't! Which is why I linked you to Joann's. Keep your receipt and they will take it back when it breaks. 

Get it here.

Saves your table because glue doesn't stick to it. The end.

Get it here.

Sorry, no link. They are available in the Joann's store, but not online. Saves your fingers. Best $4 you will spend. It takes a bit to get used to it. But when you do, you'll feel naked without them.

Last November I was over trying to get through two layers of burlap. I wanted something that had a little Home Improvement behind it. More power!! No go. These are in the tool department and are made to cut thin metal and leather. Burlap didn't even put up a fight. Warning: What is leather? Animal skin. They will cut you. I almost required stitches when I cut the tip of my finger. 

Get it here.

Finally, if you don't have this, you aren't a real crafter/designer/artist. You think it's not, but it's really a multi use tool. Cleans out glue guns of debris, cleans the crack of my desk for burlap shards (they will stick in your skin, you can't see them and they do hurt.), gets the paint from under my finger nail, just to name a few. Oh! And you can stab someone if they break into your house. My new office is at the back of the house. I fear intruders daily.

Get it here.

There you have it boys and girls. There are always new must haves, but I'm pretty sure those are going to stay around for quite some time. Have fun!

P.S.- I did like the Heinz commercial, Tim Tebow and the obscurity of the Bruce Willis Honda one. 

A Tale of Two Chairs

There has been a strange blank space in my living room for about 2 years. Our tree went there this year and when it came down, it was clearly my first job. I was sick of looking at that area and adored my tree. Since there is an end table next to the sectional, I didn't really want a console table or book shelf. 

Just for fun, I moved a lightweight chair there, but it bounces, and I didn't want to hit the wall and old window frame behind it. So, the search began. After not loving anything because of their size, I stumbled on the genius idea of a dining chair. That led to an upholstered dining chair. 

In a perfect world, I'd show you all kinds of chairs, but in reality, the first place I went won. World Market. At the time, the furniture was 50% off, and that is music to my cheapskate ears. 

Because honestly, $180 for a chair? That comes in a box? 

No. 

Without further ado, meet my new chair!

Get it here

So many things make this work. Because it's made to sit up straight instead of relax back, it fits wonderfully. Yes, the pattern is a little bold, but if I stick with it for two years, it will be worth it. 

Onto the next chair project (you can see it a little in the picture above).

After 7 years of not having matching chairs at our dining table, I discovered these last year. There are several choices of metal cafe chairs out there, but these are the best priced. By a lot. They are wonderful all on their own and usually they would be left alone. But why do that when this is so simple?!

I asked an Etsy shop owner, called Vinyl is Your Friend, to add a No.4 to her set of 1-3 and less than $10 and a couple days later (really fast shipping) and they were ready to add. Which if you know anything about vinyl, takes about 10 whole seconds. 

Since it's 15 degrees in the garage, thanks to this horrific winter, no power tool projects for a bit. These will have to do!

What simple and inexpensive changes are you making while stuck inside?

Pillow Talk

I feel like I've told you this before.

I adore fabric.

The way it smells, how smooth it is on the bolt, all the colors and how it can quickly invoke a whole new plan. As I write, I'm under a quilt made from bits of fabric left over from my clothes when I was a little made by my Grams. All the piles that woman has (that she says she's going to give away but won't) is a museum to her past. My personal favorite is when my mom and her sister Ellen argue over who had what. Fine, I argue about fabric my sister and I had. With my mom. 

Last year, I bought a massive green pillow to go on our couch. It was one massive mistake. Too big for me. The rest of the family liked it. Too bad for them. Needless to say, I'm in the market for new pillows. Thanks to removable forms, changing the covers is entirely too easy not to.

Here are a few contenders:

via

via

via

via

via

These are all from OnlineFabricStore.net and are printed quilting fabric. I'm going with the light weight since I change my mind a lot, I don't want to pay a lot.  All my tree skirt burlap comes from there and so far so good. Whatever I decide, I can just about promise that the woodgrain will be in my house. And how awesome is the comic?

Pumpkin Extravaganza

If you know me, its zero secret that I love orange. Obsessed with it really. It started on a whim over 15 years ago, and hasn't stopped since. (I just realized that's a real long time.)

Couple that with a love of being snuggled in blankets, and with my Main Man, and you can see why Fall is my favorite.

Let's talk about three homemade pumpkin choices.

First, pie. 
One of the littlest love's favorite books has a line that says "Pie. That reminds me of something… PIE!" He asks me to make him pumpkin pie every year. Do you know buying a sugar or pie pumpkin is actually cheaper than buying it canned? Usually about $1.50 at a grocery store. To turn them into puree, it's as simple as one- cut it into quarters and get rid of the top, bottom and innards. Two- cut the quarters in half and microwave in groups of 4 for 5-6 minutes. It's done when you smash all the way through with a fork. Three- Let it cool for a bit, and peel the leathery rind off, and puree in your blender or food processor. You can freeze it or eat it (gross) or make your favorite recipe for pie. 




Second, lets make a pumpkin!

These might look fancy, but they're really simple. Two pieces of 2x6's. One is 10" the other is about 7". A quick coat of orange craft paint, and then orange glitter spray paint. It doesn't look pretty until the glitter paint dries. What you think it white, dries clear. The stems are pinecones, and I added a couple burlap leaves, some berries and leaves from a grouping at Hobby Lobby in the Fall section. Attached some ribbon and it's done! The longest part was holding the pinecones and waiting for the glue to dry! 

Last, some pumpkins for inside.

In two choices of classic fabrics or burlap. Even burlap coffee bags! All are finished in different ways. All are charming. In small (1/$8, 2/$14, 3/$20) and medium($14). These are for sale in my Etsy shop, or you can leave your email in the comments section with which ones you want and I can send you an invoice. 

Happy Fall Y'all!

Burlap Garland Wonderland

 Garlands!

not swag. do not call it swag. we both know it's stupid.

You know how I role. I see awesome ideas on Pinterst and make them slightly or not so slightly, my own. 

Here's what I found:

Burlap Garland

It's as easy as you think. She explains it all. To primp,  twist a lot.  Then twist more.

Here's how I used them to dress up my boring old roman shades in our dining room.

If that doesn't convince you that you can't live without these, this will:

Deco mesh! Can you see this stuff with lights at Christmas time? It's going to be spectacular! You'll get to see it.

Up close and personal.

My shopping tip- at Hobby Lobby, you can find deco mesh in at least two places- Christmas and general floral. Every other week, ribbon goes on sale for 50% off. Deco mesh is floral ribbon. Seasonal is only 40%. You're welcome. (The same goes for burlap ribbon.)

It's Tree Time!

See what I did there?

Tree time instead of tea time? 

I know. I'm hilarious.

Before we get to the heart of the matter, I'd like to let you know an upcoming month long 'project' called Crock-tober. I saw the phrase in a book, and decided to make my Mom and sister do it with me, which lead to a comment on Facebook, which lead to others wanting to going, and here we are. It's a thing now.

This is not a food blog, but it's the best way to get the recipes, shopping lists and links out. Since I don't hate cooking and I love LOVE my crock pot, it's happening. Despite all the work it will take, I'm excited. My dad is too. He just doesn't know it yet. 

Now, for Arts and Crafts time with Amy.

I found this at Sugar and Charm and it calls for a styrofoam cone covered in paper. Have you ever bought one of those? They are at least $3 and never on sale. My plan was to make several in different sizes and with different covers. And I'm cheap. Instead, I used kraft colored card stock. AKA brown. Rolled one into a cone, glued it and cut the bottom to make it flat and that left me with a stencil for the next one. Glued the second to the first and I was left with a fairly sturdy cone. For less than a buck. (Because the paper was on sale at the Lobby of Hobbies.)





After this worked, I got a pack of 25 of the paper for $3 on sale. Which it is about every other week there.

And then came the gluing of the pinecones. Big and little. Start at the top, but not the tip top, save that for the perfect one later. The first few were slow because I needed to let the glue dry and be secure, but after that, I would glue, hold and keep going at a pretty good pace. The whole project took over an hour, but it could have been faster. That's not my living room, it's my friends. She had a 'bring your own craft' day. A bag of mini pine cones are $3 and I already had the bigger ones. On sale at Target last year for a whopping 90 cents. One bag of minis and a few bigs only covered the front 2/3's. But where it sits, can you tell?

The orange garland was bought at Hobby Lobby too. On sale. That goes without saying. I'm thinking of spray painting one in chalkboard paint? One in red glitter balls. Who knows. While everyone else is all about the snowmen, I'm in love with trees for Fall/Christmas/Winter decorating. 

Here's Your (Favorite Friday) Sign

Already it's been quite a day.

The littlest love woke up with terrible growing pains in his hip. Poor kid can barely walk! Luckily his pain tolerance is crazy high and thinks it's funny that he can't really walk vs crying. I woke up at 6 am to a phone call from the school announcing a two hour delay. At least he gets time on the couch with a heating pad! 

 In better news, our daughter got her school issued iPad yesterday and we put a picture of us on it. Because we're awesome parents like that. 

Bring on the Friday Favorites! 

This week is brought to you by my hatred of the signs that say 'Simplify'. I feel like that defeats all purposes. Why are you buying something to remind you not to buy things? Just don't buy it. A wallet that says 'simplify' would be much more appropriate.

Via

Via Perfect for any small business owner. We never really close.

Via

Via I grew up with a hunter and have an irrational love of faux taxidermy. In any form.

Via I've bought a gift from this shop before and I loved it! She does a killer job. And this sign is exactly what I need in my kitchen for my not picky but finicky family.

Did you find a favorite? Have a wonderful Friday and weekend!

Everything and the Kitchen Sink

Everyone is at school. Even the Littlest Love, my baby, is surviving kindergarten. So far, it's a social club and that kid leads every and all social events. At 5. My daughter has hit 5th grade and has stopped wearing her usual uniform of jeans and tshirts. This is going to cost us. A lot. Thankfully H&M ships now. (On a semi related note, they have housewares! Not a lot, but it's all stinkin' cool.)

The house is very quiet. I get a lot done.

Since I was a kid, I've wanted a farmhouse sink. Should have been a hint that I was destined for design. What 9 year old wants a specific sink? My Grandma Lytle grew up with one and assured me it was a terrible idea. This girl does not listen well. Fast forward 20 years and you'll find me, the Main Man and two bored kids staring at sinks in Lowe's. 

I LOVE!!! my sink!

Look at all that soaking room! I left stuff in there so you could see the glory of it. Someone said in the comments section on the Lowe's website that it's not very pretty when wet. Only if sparkly isn't pretty! It's made of crushed granite and has not scratched in it's short 6 month lifespan in my house. 

No, she wasn't cheap. It is only $50 more than any other 9" deep sink. I know, 'only'. I force us to live on the cheap, and this was a Christmas money expenditure. That faucet? Was a steal. $250, on clearance in an open box. The Main Man asked nicely for a further discount and we paid $100. It was wonderful.

Get your own sink, right here.

It did require a little plumbing underneath, so be prepared for that expense. Minimal if you know what you're doing. The directions say it's a meant for a 36" sink base cabinet, but we did it in a 33". It's tight, but who cares? It's awesome!

What do you think? Would you buy a house with a massive sink?

A Fire Pit That Was As Easy At It Looks

One day, a few years ago, my Main Man decided we should have a fire pit. So he dug a circle about 3 ft across and went off to get cheap bricks to put around it. 

Which was great. 

Until he decided it wasn't and made it bigger.

Know what happens when you have a big fire pit? You have a giant fire. Not a fun little 'roast a few marshmallows' fire. A roaring fire. Of course you don't have to. But give men a pile of wood and it will happen. I promise.

We didn't use it at all last year, and I wasn't about to let that happen again. I've been reading The Tao of Martha by Jen Lancaster and she throws wonderful parties! A S'Mores party it is!

Except our fire pit looked a little run down. What did I do at temperatures were soaring into the 80's at noon? I tore every brick out. Then off to Lowe's I went. But not without a little Pinspiration!

I got nothing like any of those. Although I really like the last one, but it would have meant a lot more work because ours was already started, and not like that.

An almost finished product:

I didn't do the bricks on the bottom with much care because A) that was all we had from a different project and B) I wasn't sure how I felt about the idea. 

Wanna know a secret? It's a planter box! After doing the math, they were cheaper and easier. $18 for the 4 long pieces and 4 connectors. I did a layer of bricks underneath because they were cheaper and hidden. That big circle is size of the old one. Huge, right! I need one more bag of stone. Think about how easy it will be to mow around too!

In all, it took less than 2 hours. To tear apart the old one, go get the bricks, put it together and add the stones. 

It was money well spent. We had a great night with great family and friends. I can't wait to spend my fall in my back yard.

Home to School

Today, my Main Man signs his very first teaching contract! 

(Cue applause and cheering) 

It's been a long time coming and two weeks ago, we didn't think he'd have a job for this school year. So, in honor of that, lets take a little of home to school. This is also a little research for me, since I'm his room designer. When he lets me. Read: when he gets desperate and wants to be better than everyone else.

Via His 6th and 7th graders will love this. It also shows you how to make the mug. Handmade gifts!

Chevron is too girly. Colts or IU perhaps? Less ruffled? But I can tell you that is from Hobby Lobby and I'm 90% sure it's printed duck fabric. My favorite of all printed fabrics.

Here's the problem. He has a 'decorate as you go plan' using the kids work. But, the room looks pretty stark right now. He isn't as uninviting as the room suggests. We need a little help. Because while the Constitution and Bill of Rights are awesome, they leave a little to be desired in the 'learning is fun!' department.

He needs a chair, and I have a staple gun. Actually, he can have my desk chair and I'll take a fun one!

Via First, this website is a great idea. Second, this is a free download! It won't work for his room, but it's a great plan, and I have markers! Use it at home! In a study area or make your own with house rules.

It's just contact paper! He has all kinds of boring metal in his room that is just screaming for a hint of fun!

I found all of this through Pinterest. We don't Google anymore, we ask Pinterest. I searched for 'classroom decor' and under 'education'.

The Many Faces of Burlap

I fell into this burlap craze early. Really, pre-craze. There happened to be a remnant of ivory at Hobby Lobby one day. It was a month before I used it. 

First Burlap Project

The idea of burlap was imported from India, and was much rougher and a tighter weave than we generally see in fabric stores. Now, there are lots of ways to add this rough fabric to your interior. Without actually touching it. (Sometimes, I get burlap splinters.)

There is no link to this choice, so here is how I would do it: Tack used burlap bags from Rural King or eBay and use a dark, contrasting ribbon to tie them up. I'll let you know how easy it's going to be. I just realized it would look great in my kitchen over the sliding doors. And now that the Main Man is away at work (teaching), he can't protest!

I love these planters because buying large trees usually comes with the burlap.  But not nearly as pretty.

Easiest Christmas tree ever. Just add lights.
(Which I do in a top to bottom zig zag. Easy to put on, and fast to rip off.)

Wrapped around candles with ribbon and raffia. These candles don't even match, but by adding the wraps, you didn't even notice, did you? 

With Summer on it's final decent, how are you planning to use burlap in the Fall?