Easy D.I.Y. Distressed Pallet Flag......Just in time for 4th of July. #MadeByYouMonday

Happy Monday!  Only another day and a half of school left for my Thomas and then....."school's out for summer." (sung in my worst Alice Cooper impersonation.)   I'm excited for this summer. Vacations at the beach, day/weekend trips, BBQ's with family and friends, golf , hanging out in the sun by the pool and did I mention THE BEACH?

Before I get all sidetracked thinking about the beach, I want to share with you a DIY project I did this weekend.  So quick, so easy and so cheap it was practically free.

I've had this old pallet laying around for probably a year now.   I picked it up down the street from my house in the parking lot of a local business.   I knew when I snagged it I wanted to make it into something cool. I just didn't know what.   I see a lot on Pinterest  of what people make and do with these old pallets,  it's amazing!
I got my inspiration from wanting to do a project for my upcoming 4th of July party. Plus there's a spot on the front of my house that's had the same twig wreath for years and it was way over due for a change.   (Look at me, killin two birds with one stone.)

Supplies Used:
~1 pallet (FREE)
~1 each red, off white, blue paint and black paint - (bought craft paint from Walmart for 50 cents each)
~1 package of assorted sized wooden stars (bought at Joann's Fabric and Crafts with a 50% off coupon. paid only $2.00) 
~1 package of assorted paint brushes (bought at Walmart, $2.47 for a set of 3)
~Saw
~Nail Gun
My total cost was $6.47 but most of us have paint and brushes in our craft supplies. I happened to only have foam brushes at the time and had just thrown out all my old paints.

I don't know why I bought 2 each of the red, white and blue paint.  I guess I got a bit carried away when I saw they were so cheap, plus I didn't think I was going to go with the distressed look when I started out. No worries, they won't go to waste.   I have plenty of ideas to use up the rest of the paint.

You'll have to forgive my photography skills.  I get a bit wrapped up in my projects and forget to snap good pics as I go along.   I'm trying.    This one is so easy, a step by step tutorial isn't as necessary.

First thing I did was have my husband cut the bottom 3 slats off the pallet so it had more of a "flag" shape. Pallets come in all different sizes and shapes, some are more of a square.

To get the distressed look, I painted the blue square and stripes of the flag using a very light hand and very little paint, like a dry brush technique.  

Next I had "roughed" up the stars before painting them.  I used a rock from my driveway, just so they weren't so smooth looking.    After painting them with the cream color, I dry brushed black paint to distress them a little.

Then I had my husband nail them to pallet.   (I did pick out 13 stars but dropped one on the ground and didn't notice til I was all done....shhhh, don't tell)

.....and there ya have it!  Quick, easy and cheap!  My 3 favorite things about any project.

  

I'm linking up this #MadeByYouMonday over at SkipToMyLou.org  
You should go check out her site, it's an amazing place for all things creative.  

Cleaning Out The Clutter... One Week At A Time (Master Bedroom)

With the new year comes all of the good intentions of being more organized in every aspect of life.
Since it's January, I am doing my BEST to turn all those "intentions" into reality.
I believe that when your household clutter is so out of control, so is your life and mind.    It's a lot easier said then done.   "Oh, just clean out, throw out and organize everything and it'll make your life better."   Well, when you really step back and look at all that needs to get done it's a bit paralyzing.   At least for me it is.

I know we are a few weeks into January already but it's been rough around here with my father-in-law in the hospital with serious heart and kidney failure.   I'm doing this now because, A) It's NEEDS to be done..B) I need to get my mind back in the game.. C) I could really use the distraction.  

Better late, then never...right?  

I originally was thinking I would do a 31 Day Cleaning/Organizing Challenge, but that quickly became too overwhelming.  After, I typed the whole list on my computer and printed it out, I instantly realized I was being unrealistic and setting myself up for disappointment. I just if I couldn't accomplish something everyday, I would get defeated and give up totally.   I decided it was probably a better idea to give myself a bigger goal but at the same time give myself a longer time frame.    So, I came up with this weekly "Cleaning Out The Clutter" challenge for myself.  

This week it's my bedroom.   I would normally start with an easier room, like the bathroom or laundry room. But I really wanted to challenge myself to get a big job done first.

Here's my plan:

• under the bed 
• both night stand drawers 
• both dressers 
• tv/entertainment center shelves and cabinet 
• closets  (This will be the worst job of them all.  Both my husband's closet and mine are packed  from floor to ceiling with clothes and shoes.    The saddest part is that probably 75% of what's in there, is stuff  we wouldn't ever wear or doesn't fit.)    
• vacuum and steam clean the rug 
• new curtain for window 

Are you doing a cleaning, organizing or decluttering challenge?    I love hearing about how other people tackle their household chores.  

I'll be back every Sunday to update my progress and hopefully move on to another room.  

Inspiring Inexpensive Interiors... The Series

I've been wanting to redo my living room for the last 5 years.  I HATE it!

The thing is, the whole living room is in desperate need of a makeover.   I'm talking new couches, tables, lamps, decor, wall repairs and paint.   It's very overwhelming.

It's not just the money that it will take to redo everything, it's the work that's involved.   With Chris not being physically able to help move around furniture or the painting, it's a lot for me to even think of doing all on my own.  So, nothing has changed.

I've thought of just buying new couches but with the walls all beat up and disgusting, what's the point?   I've looked for new pillows, new wall art, new curtains something that would jump out at me and say, "OMG this is perfect for the living room!"   Ya know what I'm talking about, right?    I found a lot of things I like, but nothing I LOVE.  I think it's just been a creative block so-to-speak.   Deep down I wouldn't let myself fall in love with something knowing it would never become a reality.      

The worst part, the stumbling block, is the wall repairs and painting.   My living room has a 15 foot vaulted ceiling.   I've just come to the realization (so has Chris) that we will have to pay somebody to come in and do that part of the job.  Believe me when I tell you it's killing him to give up on that.  He has always loved painting and is a perfectionist.  The thought of someone coming in and doing a half-assed job makes him cringe.   But he can't do it, he has accepted it.  

So, now since that's been decided, it starts..... the saving, planning and shopping.  

But where to start?  The couches? The paint color?   A piece of artwork or a fabric swatch?

That's where the idea of documenting the process of redoing the living room into a series right here on my blog.

I hope you'll join me each week as I share in my quest for an "Inspiring Inexpensive Interior."      

(Next week.... The search for couches)  



 

Burlap Wreath (Tutorial)

If you didn't already know, I'm obsessed with all things burlap.  I love that I'm seeing more and more of it out in the home sections of stores like TJMaxx.

I made a bunch of these wreaths back in December for a craft show.  (I still have a few left over if you would like to order one from me, you can email me at TinaVanDeusen@Gmail.com)    

These are the supplies..... A foam wreath, burlap garland, small piece of burlap fabric off the bolt,  floral pins, scissors and a hot glue gun.   (all purchased at Michael's craft store)  

First I cut a strip of raw burlap to wrap around the foam wreath.  (Just so you don't see any of the green foam)  I secured it with a dab of hot glue.

Then I took the burlap garland and just started gathering it, pinning into the foam base with the floral pins as I went along.   There is not right or wrong way to do this.   I tried to not make it look so symmetrical, more free-flowing.  The good thing about using the pins is, you can remove them and move around the burlap if needed.  

Honestly, it's as simple as that....  Done!

You can add floral pics for any season, add a wooden or foam letter for a last name.  The possibilities are endless once you have the base done.

Sorry for the horrible quality of my pictures.   I need a good camera and some photography lessons.  

(It's on my "Bucket List")

Carpet One's New iPad Magazine

Beautiful Design Made Simple is a new digital home decor magazine for your iPad.
Created by Carpet One,  this quarterly magazine is packed with interactive articles, videos and slideshows with the latest tips and advice for decorating your home.

The premiere issue is filled great advice for finding inspiration.  Within the next few months I want to redo my living room.   New furniture, paint and all around design of the whole room.    I'm constantly looking at paint colors, couches and wall art hoping something will just "speak" to me.  I'm still on the hunt, but it really helped me focus on what I want and don't want.

The issue also has a great article on how to incorporate Benjamin Moore's 2013 color trends into your home for an updated look.  There is a trend for everyone's style, Artisan, Urbanite, New Traditional, and Coastal all have such beautiful pallets to choose from, I couldn't even tell you my favorite right now.

I think you need to just go check out the totally free app for yourself.   You can download it for your iPad at  
beautifuldesignmadesimple.com 

I'd love to hear what you think about it.  Did it help you with ideas for your home?

Con-tact Paper....It Isn't Just For Lining Your Shelves

I have many obsessions and I'll be the first to admit that some of them are WEIRD.   My current obsession happens to be Con-tact paper.  I've been on a a kick lately, covering anything and everything with it.

It all started when I spotted this black and white shelf liner at Target.  I didn't have plans to redo any drawers or cabinets in the kitchen, I just knew I wanted it because it was pretty.  

I did use it to re-line the insides of my cabinets.

But that's not all I covered with it.....

My kitchen isn't very big, so I've always picky about what I leave on the counter tops.  I use these two cleaners so many times a day it was just more convenient  for me to leave them out.   But I couldn't stand that they stuck out like a sore thumb.  
So yes, I did cover my disinfecting wipes and glass cleaner with Con-tact paper just to match my kitchen.
And, YES I did spray paint the blue cover from the spray cleaner black so it would match too.  (I told you my obsessions were weird)  I keep the black cover and just reuse it on the new can.  I do have to recover it  every time I replace it, but it's worth it to me. (It's the OCD in me)    As for the wipes, I did buy the Target Up & Up brand only because the top was white, I refill it with what ever is on sale, Lysol or Clorox.  

But it doesn't stop there. When I went to take a picture of the corner in my kitchen to show how everything matched,  I realized something wasn't right.

Did you notice it?.... The rooster container on the shelf above my paper towel holder all of a sudden seemed yucky to me.  I keep scissors, pens, pencils and candle lighters in that, so it needs to stay.  It's been there for so long I can't believe it didn't bother me sooner. I do have roosters in other place in the kitchen, but I figured why not just cover it.

Ok, that's better.  (Sorry for the bad shot and glare)  It's all nice, neat and matchy-matchy, just how I like it!

I also used the Con-tact paper to cover some recycled soup cans, that I used as a utensil holder.  

(It was Christmas time when I did this project.  I was planning on gluing the snowflakes to each can for decoration, but decided not to after I was done) 

See Con-tact paper isn't just for lining your shelves.  You can use it to cover just about anything!  I did!

Just so you know I didn't get paid by Con-tact or anyone else for writing this post.  I do love it, use it and am happy to share my obsession with all of you!  

Tackle It Tuesday

Can you believe it's Tuesday again already?   Well it is and that means it's time for another Tackle It Tuesday  task.    This week the challenge is to clean out and organize a bathroom drawer.
My bathroom vanity doesn't have drawers.  I use baskets on a shelf above the mirror for toiletries and stuff.   I had just cleaned out and organized those a couple weeks ago, so I choose to do under the sink.  


                                    BEFORE                                          AFTER

I have to say it is kinda weird sharing pictures of my bathroom stuff, but these Tackle Tuesday tasks  have really kept me motivated.    

Do you want to join in on the Clean Home Challenge?   Check out the Facebook group and start whenever you can.  Katrina keeps each week easy to handle so you feel accomplished.  

"Bud Buddies".. The Gift Of Beer

I know it's been a while since Christmas, but I wanted to share with you one of the gifts I made for my brother and brother-in-law.   These are perfect to give to a guy for any occasion.   Although, I wouldn't mind if I got beer as a gift!  Just sayin'
    
My brother, sister and I had stopped officially exchanging gifts with each other years ago, I don't pay attention to that stuff and always get them a "little something" anyway.  
My mom and sister Suzanne are easy, I usually either make or buy some sort of Christmas decoration for their houses.   But it's always harder to come up with an idea for the guys. (Aka. my brother James and my brother-in-law Ralph)

Then it came to me scrolling through Pinterest (I know, isn't Pinterest the BEST?)   It was a six pack of beer made to look like reindeer.   Genius, I tell ya.. just genius!

I ran out to Walmart and the liquor store to get everything I needed.  When I get an idea, and a good one at that, I can't wait to get started.

I know, those aren't reindeer.  Once I started gluing on the googly-eyes I thought they looked cute and funny without everything else.    That is why I wound up calling them "Bud Buddies."  They are like little buddies to drink with.    Needless to say they were a big hit!  

Are you on Pinterest too?  Follow me and I'll follow ya back!

   

 

Tackle It Tuesday

One of my goals for 2013 is to be more organized and sticking to somewhat of a schedule for myself.

Last week my friend Cheryl sent me a link to a  Facebook group 52 Week Clean House Challenge.   Each week we tackle an area in our houses to clean and organize.   I think it's manageable, Katrina makes it so you don't feel totally overwhelmed.   I wouldn't be able to keep up with it if I felt like there was no way I could finish the task in a day or two. 

So, I jumped in this week (Week #3) to clean out a kitchen cabinet.  That's the great thing, you can jump in at any time, and that tasks are so easy you could probably catch up on a few in one week.   

I choose the cabinet under my coffee makers (yes, we have two.. I'm an old fashioned-kinda-girl and like to make a pot of coffee and Chris loves to make all sorts of coffee, tea, cappuccinos and hot cocoas with the Keurig)  We have a bit of a hoarding problem when it comes to travel coffee mugs, as you will see in my "before" picture below.

I have old, old base cabinets that have been in our house for probably 30 years.  About 10 years ago Chris made all new doors with beadboard and I love them, so I never felt the need to buy all new cabinets. 

Ok, like I said we have an issue with buying and keeping travel mugs and cups, so that was the first cabinet I wanted to tackle this week.     

BEFORE 

EVEN PUT NEW CONTACT PAPER DOWN

AFTER

                            BEFORE (ewwww)                                                  AFTER (ahhhh) 

Yay for me!  I can't wait to do all my other cabinets.   I've given myself until next Tuesday to finish all the kitchen cabinets.      

Do you have an cleaning/organizing schedule?  I'd love to hear how you tackle your household chores.  

Don't forget if you want to join the 52 Week Clean Home Challenge, join the Facebook group and start at anytime!  

My First Craft Show

Saturday I went to my hometown for my first ever craft show!

Let me take you back to the beginning.   Growing up in Somers, NY there was a huge craft show at my elementary school every year called Holiday Happiness.   I remember going as a little girl, a teenager in high school and even a couple times when Nicholas was little.  It is put on by the school's PTA as it's biggest fundraiser of the year.

Over the last 5 years I have thought about getting a table and selling some of my small crafts.   I never had the nerve, until this year!    I was super excited, went on the website printed out the registration form and sent in the money for my spot.
I had an idea of what I wanted to sell.   I knew I wanted to gear the majority of my crafts as "teacher gift ideas."   I thought everyone would enjoy getting something different for those poor teachers who get the same old mug every year!      I also would sell my burlap Christmas wreaths.  

All of last week I was busy crafting my little heart out.  (Yes, I waited til the last possible second)
I was a big ball of stress, nervousness and excitement that I was actually going to go through with something that scared the crap out of me.    

Somers, NY is about an hour and 15 minutes from my house.  So, the night before I went down and stayed at mom's house.  We had to be there bright and early, registration started at 7:30am.

This was my set up.  Can I tell you, sitting there in that chair next to my stuff, I felt like I was naked.
I wasn't expecting to have such an overwhelming feeling of being vulnerable.

I thought I had a good variety of gifts.  

• Decorated Square Glass Candle Holders (filled with rocks or marbles with a tea light) 
• Decorated Mason Jar (with matches inside and sandpaper on top to light them.) 
• Cork Mouse Pads (in 4 different fabrics) 
• Decorated Hand Soap Bottles 
• Decorated Purel Bottles
• Peppermint Foot Scrub
• Over-Sized Metal Snowflake Ornament/Decoration (could be personalized with stickers) 
• "Notes" Dry Erase Boards 
• Burlap Christmas Wreaths

Unfortunately, I only sold 2 of my wreaths and one of my friends stopped by to buy a few of the smaller things.  The show just doesn't get the crowd it used to.   I heard from some of the other vendors that it was set up a lot different then the previous years.       

It was a disappointment, I can't lie. I guess I just have to look at like, I have Christmas gifts all ready to give and that I put myself out there!  

DIY Reusable Weekly Menu Board With #TBCcrafters

Hello everyone, it's another Thursday and that means another great round of "Thrilling Thursday Crafts" with The Blogger Connection Crafter Group.  (#TBCcrafters). Last week I had so much fun going around and seeing everyone else's projects.  It put a new found fire under my butt to get the ideas I have out of my head and actually create them.

This week I'm going to share how I made this Weekly Dinner Menu Board.

Lately I've been trying to be very good about planning out my weekly dinner menu by the sales at my local grocery stores.     I've always either written out the menu in notebook or on some sort of printable I've found searching the web.    I don't know about you, but I'm so overwhelmed with paper everywhere and no where to store it, display it or organize it.   My "desk" is my coffee table in the living room.  It does make it hard for me to be organized and productive.     I'm working on a solution to that.

So, when I was thinking about what project I could do for this week, it came to me to make a pretty, reusable menu board.  One that I could display in the kitchen without having a piece of paper taped to my fridge. (pet peeve of mine, BIG TIME)    

My kitchen is mainly blacks, whites and neutral colors so I knew I wanted it to match all that.
Damask is my favorite pattern right now so I took a clip from a picture I had on my computer and created the "Dinner Menu" as a Word Document, then printed it out.  

In my travels to Goodwill I found this frame with a tag on it for $4 but it was my lucky day because they had just changed the half price color to red and scored it for only $2.

Next I carefully took the frame apart, it was tricky separating the picture from the mat (it was professionally done)  Then I painted the mat black with regular spray paint.

 I waited for that to dry and put the whole thing back together cleaning both sides of the glass while it was all apart.   All that was left to do was to tie a ribbon around a dry erase marker and attach it to the frame so it's handy and always where I can find it.

There it is... I think it came out cute and it looks perfect in my kitchen!  

Do you have a Thrilling Thursday craft you'd like to share?   All you have to do is put the link to your blog post in the linky below AFTER commenting on this post.  Then make sure you add the button somewhere in your post.  

<div class="#TBCcrafters" style="width: 125px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://www.thebloggerconnection.com/"> <img src="http://www.thebloggerconnection.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/TBC_Crafters_hop_button.jpg" alt="#TBCcrafters" width="125" height="125" /> </a> </div> <!--end button code box-->

Personalizing Fake Pumpkin For Fall Decorating #TBCcrafters

I was so excited to hear that The Blogger Connection was doing this awesome weekly Blog Hop for craft lovers.    I'm not what you would call a "hard core" crafter at all.   I love to putz around with small, easy home decor kinda things.    So for the first week of this blog hop we are going with all of the above.   

I'm not going to get into some long tutorial because as you can tell it's super simple to do.   

First I started with  fake foam pumpkins from Walmart, Mambi Stickers from Michaels, polka dot ribbon and raffia.   For my bigger pumpkin I used the numbers for my home address and put the pumpkin outside in the flower box with some mums.   

For my next project I used the littler pumpkins as personalized place settings at a brunch with my high school girlfriends.  I even found black and white polka dot napkins to complete the whole look.  If I really wanted to be O.C.D., I could have brought a matching tablecloth with me too.  All the girls were excited to take home their little personalized pumpkins.    I figured they would be cute on their desks at work.        

See, I don't think cute crafts and home decor projects need to be involved to make a big impact.   

Do you have a Thrilling Thursday craft you'd like to share?   All you have to do is put the link to your blog post in the linky below AFTER commenting on this post.  Then make sure you add the button somewhere in your post.  

<div class="#TBCcrafters" style="width: 125px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://www.thebloggerconnection.com/"> <img src="http://www.thebloggerconnection.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/TBC_Crafters_hop_button.jpg" alt="#TBCcrafters" width="125" height="125" /> </a> </div> <!--end button code box-->

Making Fabric and Cork Mousepads

Original Pin from ModernDayMoms.com

It's a good ol' Pinterest inspired project again.  I love me my Pinterest!

I've had this pinned on my DIY Inspiration board for a while now.  I really pinned because I liked the shape of it.  I actually don't even use a mousepad.

Today I'm going to lunch with my girlfriends to celebrate my birthday.   I always like to bring them a little something when we get together.  It's just what I do.
I knew they would love these mousepads and I knew they would be easy to make quickly!

I had everything already except the fabric, so I ran to Walmart to grab some.

Mousepad Prep

First I cut the cork into my shape using an X-Acto knife.  Then cut the fabric to the same shape just a little smaller (shrunk the template I used for the cork on my printer)  I used adhesive spray to glue the fabric to cork.   That's it, DONE!  It's as easy as that!