Kitchen Windows get framed!

Wow! I guess the fact that I said I can't do projects that cost money got me motivated to finish the framing in the kitchen since I already had the wood. 


I'm not going to give you a detailed tutorial on doing this, since everyone's windows will be different. 

But, what I will tell you is that I made the ledge first, then made the top and then the sides.  I did it like this to make sure the measurements were accurate.  All three windows were not exactly the same (of course). 

I also have to work around the rounded edges of the window.  That's why you'll see so much gapping.  This doesn't matter since it will be covered by the molding (when I am able to purchase some).

The framing is actually not nailed in yet, I still need to pick up some shims to level the ledges and square it all up.  I highly suggest not skipping this part, it will affect the square of your molding.

Obviously there is more to the project, but let me tell you, I feel such a sense of accomplishment since this project has been on my mind for about a year now (ok, maybe for 5 years, but I never thought I could do it until about a year ago)  Now, I at least know that it will get completed...eventually (:

Definition of Dog Sign

#2 was going to say "an animal kept for amusement or companion adj., to be playful, adorable, rambunctious, and loveable.

I ran out of room so I had to shorten it

There she is!

Who would you make one of these for?

Beautified Dollar Store Basket

Have you seen these at your Dollar Tree?  I instantly knew it had possibilities.  I needed a basket by the front door for my new puppy's leash and baggies. This color wasn't exactly what I wanted, so I experimented a little bit. 

This is my basket now!

How did I do it?

Step 1:   I took the basket and stained it with Minwax Dark Walnut.

(If you get the darker brown basket, you'll be able to skip this step...that color was gone when I went back to buy it)

The stain looked nice, but I wasn't done.

Step 2:   I took some black paint and brushed it on and then wiped it off.

Step 3:   I then took some light gray paint and watered it down. I brushed it into the crevasses and wiped it off.

Step 4:   For the liner, I honestly had dimensions and then had to adjust as I went.  So, unfortunately I don't have the exact dimensions for my finished liner. 
These were my original dimensions and all include a 1/4 inch seam allowance for either side.

Bottom rectangle (7 x 2.75 (includes 1/4 seam allowance)
Back ( 7 bottom x 8.75 top x 11 Height)
Rounded front (16 top x 11 bottom x 11 Height)

Step 5:  I sewed the Back and rounded front first and then sewed to the bottom.  Might not have been the best way, but it ended up working out just fine.

Step 6:  I cut a 4.75 slit on the back panel to fit over the handle and sewed it so it wouldn't fray.

Step 7:  I then painted a scrap wood rectangle and drilled 2 holes on either side and inserted wire to attach it to the basket (attach before putting the liner on)

My tag is blank because I can't decide if I should have it say "DOG" or have it say my pups name "CARLY".  What do you think?




Here it is hanging from my Headboard/Coat rack.

Little by little this wall is getting done (:

Thanks for stopping by!

(PS. CONSIDER PICKING UP THE GREEN BASKET FOR A CHRISTMAS PROJECT )



Framing clipart in a unique way

I found this small frame at Goodwill for $1 and it was already this burgandy color and a bit beat up.  I beat it up some more with some sand paper around the edges.

The butterfly clipart came from this great blog called The Graphics Fairy

You can find just about anything you are looking for, and if you don't see what you want you can contact her and she'll do her best to find it.

My friend and I had a yardsale in February and she had an old dictionary that didn't sell and I kept it, thinking I could do something with it.  Well, I did.  I turned to "B" for butterfly and ripped it out.  I taped it to a piece of printer paper and put it into my printer and printed my butterly on it. (I know you can't see the definition of "Butterfly", the graphic didn't print close enough to it to fit into this smaller frame...oops...oh well)

 I love how it turned out.  It will be on my headboard coatrack wall.  You'll still have to wait to see that wall until it's done, but you are getting to see bits and pieces of it as I add to it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Kids Craft: Tissue Paper Wreath

This is the easiest craft to do with your kids and it doesn't have to be perfect to look fabulous!  My daughter and I did this craft this morning and she's doing another project as we speak with the left over tissue paper (:

First, I cut out the tissue paper squares. Make life easy on yourself and fold the tissue paper over an inch and then again and again until you are at the end of your tissue paper sheet (you won't need a whole sheet if you are doing multiple colors).  Then just cut ALL the seams at the same time to make many strips of tissue paper.  Then cross cut to make 1x1 squares.  I hope I explained that good enough...if not tell me and I'll take pics of me doing it.

I used a cardboard circle that came in the packaging of my glass jars in my kitchen bookcase (Flour, Sugar, Pancake Jars)....SAVE and REUSE!

My daughter just balled up the tissue paper and stuck them on the glue (only put a little amount of glue at a time, so the glue doesn't dry on you)

I had a little wooden half egg that I painted purple and used ribbon to attach it to the wreath and to the picture stand. 

Now, to finish all the other parts of my spring decor....more to come

Trash to Treasure

I found the candle stick for $1 at a yard sale. It was originally pretty 70's looking. It was made of real wood and had some interesting holes burrowed into it (worms holes maybe).  I knew it could look better with a coat of black paint.  I sprayed it with black satin spray paint.  The Glass candle holder was the glass left over from a Febreeze candle.

It fit perfectly on top of the candle stick, I couldn't have planned it better.

The 4 slot frame was $2 at a yard sale and it was originally white.  I liked the little legs and the decorative metal pieces on it.

The 4 drawer cabinet was $2 at a yard sale and it was originally white with bright blue, yellow, green, and red drawers.

The frame stand was $1 at the Dollar tree and it was originally silver. I spray painted it black.

The two 5x7 frames I found yard sale-ing were identical and only cost $0.50 each! They were originally brown wood.

Some ideas for the frames (besides pictures):

The 4 slot frame:

N-O-E-L in each slot with pretty paper behind it.  Maybe some pine sprigs at the top for some decoration.

This is on my "to do" list.

Frames:

Printable subway art (Thanks, Its a Crafty Life!)

Printable Worship art HERE (Thanks, Serving Pink Lemonade!)
This is for an 11x14 frame, with an 8x10 mat or you can just use an 8x10 frame

Make a Silhouette of your kids head and frame, Tutorial HERE  (Thanks, the pampered mom!)

Button Christmas Tree (Thanks, Redheadcraftsmore!

Ornament art (Thanks, Craftily Ever After!)

Window Cling Art (Thanks, Crafily Ever After!)

I am going to be looking for these on clearance at the end of the season, my wheels are turning for the possibilites next year!



Spice Jars on the Cheap!

Look at what I found at the 99c store!  I was so excited, because I have been looking into little glass jars for my spices since my spice cabinet is spilling over.  I figured I was going to have to spend about $1 per jar, so I was jumping up and down (in my head) when I saw this three pack of GLASS jars that are the perfect size for spices.

I took my scalloped hole punch and printed out all of the spices I was going to put into the jars and cut them into little discs.  I put a glue dot on the back and put them on the jars.

I have two of these window ledges in my kitchen, so I bought 4 boxes to put 6 jars on each ledge.  All of my everyday spices are within reach and my spice cabinet is now organized with not used so often spices.

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These jars would also be great as quick gifts, just fill with some great treats; chocolates, candies, or whatever you find on sale or make yourself and cut little square clothes to put on top and tie with a ribbon.