Nursery Mobile and Some Cool People

If you read an earlier post this week you may have seen last weekend's baby shower. There was one present that was very cool, everyones eyes exploded. Meet this girl, Stacie. She's one of the girls who has the instant cool factor. Have you met one of those?

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Stacie, using her origami skills and creative background made this for the momma-to-be. 

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Check out my friend Lena's gender neutral nursery here.

Say Goodbye

I was ready to take down my Christmas card pictures but really didn't want to. My solution? Cut off the Christmas clutter. (I couldn't salvage all of them. Boo-hoo.) Now I have a bunch of good looking people on my refrigerator! 

A before shot would have been good. You get the point.

Here's some other Pinterest ideas (late in coming) to savor the Christmas cards a little while longer.

A few metal rings and a whole punch. Enjoy on the coffee table.

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Practice names or use as a prayer journal for little ones..

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That's all I got friends. Did you try something new this year with your Christmas cards?

A Shoe Box DIY

 A shoe box. What is is good for? Your second grade kid's habitat project? Yes. 


This was about as far as I got the other night after purchasing some much anticipated boots I've been trying to find on sale.


In about .2 seconds I had a wild idea. (Just like most times.) I was so sick of my jewelry storage, wadded up necklaces got to be rather annoying. I had seen a few of these images on pinterest for jewelry storage. For some reason that night, they popped into my head.(Pinterest=inspiration  24/7) Grabbing my boot box lid, burlap from a previous table cloth, and some heavy duty spray adhesive, I got to work. 


No planning involved. Just doing. I sprayed the lid and covered it with burlap. Next, I sprayed the edges and the insides. 

The spray adhesive was magic...seriously! The glue is not cheap. I felt like I was handing over my wallet when I purchased it for my nephew's Lego table (speaking of, I need to post that sweet little project). But the 9+ dollars was totally worth it. Plus, knowing I do projects every other day and at every other hour of the day, having it around is smart.

I put some clear thumbtacks in the cardboard, hammered some nails, and I was done. It's not a focal point but it's perfect for me to grab quietly in the morning as The. Mr. sleeps away. It's not too bad for being FREE!


What else can you do with a shoe box?

Getting Busy At the In-laws

I love resting but after 6 days I'm ready to DO. That's a strong verb when you're talking about me. While at the in-laws, I was offered a small dresser that they were going to throw out. Of course, my sweet mother in law knows me oh so well and asked if I would want to repurpse it.You betcha!


I was most excited because I had been anticipating nigthstands for for-ev-er. I was too cheap to buy anything and instead spray painted tv trays. Real cool, real cool. Talk about a cheap-o! Within a few short hours I had sanded, primed, and painted a small nightstand. The hardware is classic and elegant. The perfect combo. The Mr. had quite a time trying to find the right screws for the pulls. After a couple trips to Home Deport and a couple templates for the holes, he was successful.


Here's the before. Mouse poop and all.

Here's what it looks like in our bedroom turned closet dump.

I consider it a success! Within minutes the drawers were full. My only wish is for another one.

DIY Requires Some Failure

Sometimes Do It Yourself isn't so easy.


We (meaning you and I) get brilliant ideas to try out a project we see on Pinterest or something we come across in a store. Sometimes daily, weekly, or for the craziest of us, hourly. 


I dive head in. Most often, I seem to realize half way through the project that I may be in trouble or should have processed it more before I started. (The Mr. is good at reminding me of this.) Because I'm stubborn, I press forward and eventually feel a sense of accomplishment and ownership of the process. But DIY requires some failure.

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I found this project I truely believed to be "cool" for my bedroom.


After assuring myself of this anthropologie inspired project, I knew it had to be rad. (Yes, I just said that.)

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Well I thought I had a picture but I must have thought it wasn't even worth it.


My friends who saw my project probably thought I had officially lost it. I laughed at myself when I saw this on Pinterest with the caption, "To use at the monster party". Ha, my beautiful little flower was considered for a monster party. Head hanging, at least I'm a teacher and can take it to school for my kids to somewhat enjoy.

Although, THIS blog seemed to make the project cool.


And take this coaster idea....

 Then I tried turning into something better...

Whomp, whomp.

And the one I was so jazzed about...

Mercury glass look-a-like.

Before:

After:

 Depressed.

Decided to give it another try.

It will work.

Those of you who think I'm a crafty little DIYer... sorry to dissapoint. 


I totally get those of you who would rather pay for something to be done. Sometimes it's important to weigh your choices. Something I have yet to get a grasp on.


Anyone out there with DIY failures like mine?!

Using Bedroom Sheets

I just returned from an amazing trip to Minneapolis in which I celebrated a good friend's wedding, stayed up way too late with friends and family, and stuffed my face with too many brownie bites! Couldn't resist putting this up...

Decorating is somewhat of a "cared about thing" in my family, mostly influenced by my mom. I was quite impressed when my aunt showed me her recent project. She couldn't find the right yellow and green fabric for her bedroom curtains. Her solution was to use twin top sheets. She backed them with another sheet. 


Bahm! I like this alternative idea. Take a look!

She used two decorative twin sheets from L.L.Bean and $10 Walmart sheets to line them.

File this one for later...can't find the right fabric, buy some sheets!


Materials:
*4 twin sheets
*sewing machine or stitch witchery for no-sew 
*curtain rod and clips
(Make sure to pre-wash sheets for shrinkage.)

Thanks to my Aunt Shari for this alternative DIY idea!

DIY Sunburst Mirror

I'm back! 
Yes, it has been six days since I last blogged. I was a little busy being wrapped up like a mummy due to a surgery I had on Monday.  Let's just say... I'm glad to be back!

I'm excited to share some progress on our bedroom. I like it more and more each day. I think it's important to love the space you live in. Do you?


Sunburst mirrors are everywhere. 

See this tutorial here.

See the tutorial here.

image Talk about a focal point!

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Usually, when something is everywhere, I throw the idea out. Well, not this one. You can find sunburst mirrors at about any store right now. Additionally, there are lots of DIY tutorials out there too. I've been debating between a gallery wall of frames or a mirror above our sleigh bed. I decided on the DIY mirror.


I looked everywhere for a round flat mirror. After 3 weeks I found one at Target for $15. For some reason I stopped at Big Lots one day to do some browsing. I found bamboo rods for $4. I made a mental note. (Oh man, I was super impressed with Big Lots that day. If you're looking for temporary items or inexpensive pieces, go look, seriously!) 


Of course, I went back to Big Lots for my sticks. Luckily, I headed home to my parent's house that weekend and my dad was able cut them on his table saw. I believe we cut them 14", 16", and 18" in length. This is the tutorial I used from Isabella and Max Rooms. Isn't her mirror lovely?

I glued, primed, painted, reglued, and repainted some more. My foolish behavior left me scraping paint off the mirror forever. Hint, don't be lazy, cover the mirror before starting! A special thank you to my nail polish remover.


Here's the process...

 Started with longer sticks first.

 Figured out a pattern between the tape.

Martha says to always have an ice bowl when working with the hot glue gun, thanks mom. I thought I was going to prove Martha wrong, but of course....OUCH! 

 Looks like another episode of Dexter over at our place.

 I got smart and covered the mirror.

 Celery color, no thanks!

Best spray paint, Rust-oleum.

 There she is!

Mmmm.

Want to see other ways you can use a sunburst mirror, check out these pictures!

Ikea Hacks

We love IKEA  beacuse it's cheap and has decent quality items. Not everything there has the wow factor though. Throughout the last two months I’ve learned about the term, “Ikea hacks”. Ikea hacks are awesome! People take plain old IKEA pieces and put them to a new use or just spice them up. Here is some inspiration for you. Go hack away!

Ikea Prant Box:

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Ikea Hack:

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Ikea Karlstad Sofa:

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Ikea Hack:

(New legs and tufteding, genious!)
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Ikea Door Mat:

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Ikea Hack:

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Ikea Lack Shelf:

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Ikea Hack:

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Ikea Spice Rack:

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Ikea Hack:

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Want more?!?! I know you do. While writing this post I came across an original "Ikea Hacker" website. You can even upload your own ideas! My Ikea likeness just grew.