Spicing it up

Is it me? Or do we all gravitate toward the $1 rack at stores? Is it the inner sense of wanting to find a good deal? I think for me it is. I love saying, "Oh thank you...I got that for a dollar at..."
So I was at Target a couple days ago when I saw these totally awesome $1 tin buckets.

 I wanted to buy 25 of them because I saw a very cute advent calander using small buckets in the pottery barn catalog last year. But I digress, I only ended up getting 6 white buckets. You can google tin bucket ideas and find hundreds of things to do with these fun little nothings.
I decided to use them to start up my at home spice garden. At my local Walmart they are selling Better Homes and Gardens living spices for $2 a plant. I bought Rosemary, Chives, and Cilantro. Chives and cilantro I think I will use often and the rosemary just smelled yummy.
I brought them home and transplanted them into the buckets. 

And then I hapilly placed the bucket on my salvaged bookshelves. Quick and easy and renewable. Oh, oh, oh, and I forgot to mention CHEAP!!!!

Chalk it up...for less than $12

This was the first project I was ask to do for someone else. We will see what kind of flood gates open up here. My Sister-in-law brought laundry over the other day. Little did I know she brought a few other things as well. She says to me, "Erin?"
She brought an old picture that she has never cared for, but that hung above her bed because she is a grown up now. NOTE to all, just because you are a grown up, DOES NOT mean you must own lame pieces of art.

If you own this piece, I mean no offence.



We started by punching out the art. I wish we had taken a picture of this, but you will have to use your imagination. We measured for the deminsions of the inside of the frame. then set out to Lowes for our supplies. We bought a large piece of wood paneling (smooth) for $7.70 a piece. Chalk paint for $13 for the can. And last but not least we purchased a can of valspar primer spray paint for $3.36. I would have had to buy black satin spray paint if I didn't already keep an extra at home. I know what you are thinking. I am at about $24 right now. I am saying this project is around $12 because I still have enough hard board for three more projects and enought chalk paint for about twelve more projects. If you need a chalk board come see me. 

Now for the actual making the project:

Step 1: Prime the frame with Valspar Primer

Step 2: Cut the hard board to the deminsions of the frame. This was my first opportunity to use the saw so I am posting a picture of it.

Step 3: Paint on the chalk paint. Now this calls for 2-3 coats for the best results. It also calls for 24 hours wait in between each coat. I used 2 coats and I DID wait the 24 hours between the applications. For those of you that know me, you obviously know how hard this must have been.

    

Step 4: Spray the black satin spray paint on the frame. Spary paint dries fast, usually within 10 mins. Check by lightly touching an out sight spot. I used 2 coats of the spray paint.

Step 5: Place the painted hardboard into the frame and nail into place. I use small finishing nails for this job. I stagger the nails and hammer into place on the back side.

Wow! Great job Erin! Way to dress your best for your readers. Nobody sees the backside of your picture, so don't worry about what you use as long as you feel confidant your project will not fall apart.

Step 6: The last step in this project is to write something on the board and hang it in place.

And lastly here it is hanging in Corrina's bedroom. She is a grown up, but I told her she's not too grown up. Have fun with it. She chose to place her wall hanging back above her bed. I think for a college chick this is perfectly acceptable.

Country Charm

My daughter Tatum just loves horses. What 4 yr old little girl doesn't? When we decided to build our new house, I decided to decorate Tatum's room in horses. I had no real idea as to where to start, but an idea none the less.
At Tate's 4 birthday party, my husbands Aunt Deb brought Tatum an old saddle she had won as a younger girl. It was old and not in good riding condition, but in PERFECT decorating condition. I searched all over for the perfect something to put in her room to help display the saddle. I had almost settled on a wooden saw horse (which would have been fine) when I found this beauty in a lost corner of my in-laws shed.





The First thing I had to do was paint this baby. For about have a second I had this idea that I would paint a wall in Tatum's room hot pink. So I had a can of Valspar Rose Dust.

Not as dull as it sounds. See for yourself. I painted the barrel horse...NOT the room.

 

I would have been in utter shock to see this on a wall in her bedroom.

As Soon as I placed the painted barrel and saddle in her room together, I saw my little girls eyes light up.

I should have taken a picture of her riding the horse. I am not sure how I missed her in this picture. She only gets off to eat and sleep.

Re-purposed paint brushes

Ok, I am reading through the March '11 issue of Country Living magazine. I come across this article about transforming a plain vase into a fun piece. I really love this because it has a natural element to it that will fit perfect in my new house.

So my friends, here it is step by step just for you...

Step1: Gather you supplies. I am using a simple glass vase. 2 rubber bands, an assortment of wooden paint brushes ((I didn't have any, so I bought some at autozone. 2 pkgs for $5.) This was much cheaper than my craft stores).

Step 2: Place the rubber bands around the vase and start inserting the paintbrushes.

Step 3: Insert Flowers of your choice...My husband didn't bring home the hydrangeas that I never asked for, so I am using some wildflowers (or weeds) from my back yard.

There you have it my friends. This was the easiest DIY ave taken on so far. I am quite fond of my vase and I cannot wait until I find the perfect tables for my bedroom so I can put it on top. If you make one, I want to see your version of this fun and EASY craft.

Magetic Fun

So I saw this done at Sewmanyways.blogspot.com, she put together a fun magnetic board. I decided to as well. I bought this ugly picture at a garage sale the other day. I am sorry I have no before pics. This is the second project I have done now where I forgot to take before pics. (I am new to this and will learn.)
1. I punched out the ungly art and was left with a gold frame. I thought the gold was good-looking, but not the look overall in the playroom.
2. I sprayed on some Killz primer...one coat was sufficiant. The I started in on the Black spray paint. I used Krylon high gloss black.
3. I measured the space of my frame for the sheet metal. I got REALLY lucky here, in that the sheet metal was the exact size I needed.
4. I used finishing nails to put the metal into place
5. Add magnetic letters and kids and you have magnetic fun.

This was a complete naptime project.
Thanks for stopping by!


Erin