Yup...I moved!!!
Gotta move to a new blog address, just to be safe! So change your blog roll, change your bookmarks, change your blog lists....
And then come visit me at This Cozy Home!
XO!
Carrie
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Writing on the Wall
I've got lettering on my walls in three places.
Here:
and here:
and here:
..and more to come (obsessed much?)....but all my faithful friends (all two of you) want to know "How the heck do you do that???" Never fear...I'm here...and here's a tutorial! It's super easy!
Here's what you need:
a computer
PATIENCE
a printer
an exact-o knife
PATIENCE
cardboard or cutting board
PATIENCE
paint (acrylic or wall paint-both are forgiving if you wipe up mistakes when they happen)
paint brush or sponge brush
a leveler (for real! You don't want to paint a crooked saying-unless you mean for it to be crooked)
Did I mention that you'll need patience? A steady hand doesn't hurt either. Neither does having children that are napping while you do this.
1. Find the saying you want..."bon appetit!" or "Merci!" or any saying like "the family that plays together, stays together" for a game room, a monogram...but my favorites are Bible verses.
2. Spend hours fiddling with it in Word, searching for just the right font and sizes. Keep in mind here that you will be cutting it out, so the more intricate the lettering...the more time it takes to cut it out.You can download free fonts from dafont.com. Mine are 250 and 200 and 100 sized...just to give you an idea. This will mean that your saying will be printed over a number of pages. No biggie, but if you have words you want next to each other, tape the pages together before you cut any excess paper off so you can make sure they are even.
If you have excess paper on the back side (like I did) turn it over and cut it off. It's much easier to cut through one sheet of paper. If it is a stencil you'd like to use over and over again, use card stock when you print it. Regular paper is definitely a one-time job! Front side:
Back side:
3. Once you have your saying cut and pasted together how you want it, I recommend putting it up on your wall and living with it for a while before you do it. That way, you can tweak it and try it in many ways BEFORE you paint it and realize you wished you would have done something different.
4. Now that you know you love it just the way it is, take it down and carefully cut the lettering out. Pay special attention to letters with complete circles in them like "O" and lowercase '"g." You'll need to keep a piece of that letter still attached so that you don't lose it. You can fill in the empty line later by freehand. I stick tape underneath those circles when they are on the wall so that they don't flop down on me.
See how it's attached? That's what you'll need to add some tape to so it doesn't fall off the wall while you're painting:
When you put it up on your wall, please, please, please! level the letters! This looked level to me on the wall, but when I put the leveler up on the lettering, it was way off and I bet I would have noticed it as soon as the paper came off. Once it's level, tape it up there. QUICK! Before it's slips and you have to level it all over again!
5. Choose your paint...and then get to painting! Make sure you are painting with the brush or sponge by dabbing straight on the letter. Your brush should be perpindicular or somewhat close. Don't do brush strokes and don't load your brush with tooooo much paint or it will bleed underneath the paper.
6. Once you're done, peel it off. See where the "O" needs to be completed?
I just freehand that little area.
I recommend peeling it off right after you're done because there could be paint that has bled and you'll want to scratch or wipe it off while it's still somewhat wet. I always have to touch up my lettering because I have textured walls, but remember that no one is going to notice a small blemish in the lettering from where they will be looking at it.
See???? Bet you didn't even notice!!!
Wah-La! Beautiful lettering for WAY less than you would have paid for vinyl!
The possibilities really are endless with this! Imagine plates, memo boards, headboards, wall art, windows for holidays....even window treatments like my burlap kitchen valance!
Happy painting!!! And don't forget to show me what you've done!
Here:
and here:
and here:
..and more to come (obsessed much?)....but all my faithful friends (all two of you) want to know "How the heck do you do that???" Never fear...I'm here...and here's a tutorial! It's super easy!
Here's what you need:
a computer
PATIENCE
a printer
an exact-o knife
PATIENCE
cardboard or cutting board
PATIENCE
paint (acrylic or wall paint-both are forgiving if you wipe up mistakes when they happen)
paint brush or sponge brush
a leveler (for real! You don't want to paint a crooked saying-unless you mean for it to be crooked)
Did I mention that you'll need patience? A steady hand doesn't hurt either. Neither does having children that are napping while you do this.
1. Find the saying you want..."bon appetit!" or "Merci!" or any saying like "the family that plays together, stays together" for a game room, a monogram...but my favorites are Bible verses.
2. Spend hours fiddling with it in Word, searching for just the right font and sizes. Keep in mind here that you will be cutting it out, so the more intricate the lettering...the more time it takes to cut it out.You can download free fonts from dafont.com. Mine are 250 and 200 and 100 sized...just to give you an idea. This will mean that your saying will be printed over a number of pages. No biggie, but if you have words you want next to each other, tape the pages together before you cut any excess paper off so you can make sure they are even.
If you have excess paper on the back side (like I did) turn it over and cut it off. It's much easier to cut through one sheet of paper. If it is a stencil you'd like to use over and over again, use card stock when you print it. Regular paper is definitely a one-time job! Front side:
Back side:
3. Once you have your saying cut and pasted together how you want it, I recommend putting it up on your wall and living with it for a while before you do it. That way, you can tweak it and try it in many ways BEFORE you paint it and realize you wished you would have done something different.
4. Now that you know you love it just the way it is, take it down and carefully cut the lettering out. Pay special attention to letters with complete circles in them like "O" and lowercase '"g." You'll need to keep a piece of that letter still attached so that you don't lose it. You can fill in the empty line later by freehand. I stick tape underneath those circles when they are on the wall so that they don't flop down on me.
See how it's attached? That's what you'll need to add some tape to so it doesn't fall off the wall while you're painting:
When you put it up on your wall, please, please, please! level the letters! This looked level to me on the wall, but when I put the leveler up on the lettering, it was way off and I bet I would have noticed it as soon as the paper came off. Once it's level, tape it up there. QUICK! Before it's slips and you have to level it all over again!
5. Choose your paint...and then get to painting! Make sure you are painting with the brush or sponge by dabbing straight on the letter. Your brush should be perpindicular or somewhat close. Don't do brush strokes and don't load your brush with tooooo much paint or it will bleed underneath the paper.
6. Once you're done, peel it off. See where the "O" needs to be completed?
I just freehand that little area.
I recommend peeling it off right after you're done because there could be paint that has bled and you'll want to scratch or wipe it off while it's still somewhat wet. I always have to touch up my lettering because I have textured walls, but remember that no one is going to notice a small blemish in the lettering from where they will be looking at it.
See???? Bet you didn't even notice!!!
Wah-La! Beautiful lettering for WAY less than you would have paid for vinyl!
The possibilities really are endless with this! Imagine plates, memo boards, headboards, wall art, windows for holidays....even window treatments like my burlap kitchen valance!
Happy painting!!! And don't forget to show me what you've done!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Burlap???
(Pssst. It's DIY day at ASPTL! Click on the link to see some crafty goodness!)
Yup. Burlap. Yup, that stuff people wrap around their trees. Why do they do that?
Ok, so I know I got the green and black and white fabric for my curtains but then this happened in my kitchen:
...and all of the sudden, I'm thinkin'...I like the inclusion of of the outdoorsy, brownish, natural stuff. And then it hit me. Ton. Of. Bricks.
Burlap. What would burlap look like as curtains? Would I love it? Would I hate it? How much is burlap? Will hubs kill me if I buy it?
A quick joanns.com search told me that burlap was waaaaaay within our budget. Score. But how would I do it? And more importantly, would I like it?
No sewing. No curtain rod. Just some fabric glue and quilt binding.
Oh, and velcro.
You HEARD ME RIGHT! I used velcro to stick it to my wall. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! Hehe.
Did I like it?
Well.....at first, no. There was too much brown and frankly, it looked masculine. But I had plans...oh...the plans...
Fleur de lis. Do you love that saying? I say it: Flur deh leeeeeeee with a really thick french accent. Do you love that shape? It means 'flower of the lily." It's French. (Don't tell the hubs)
Well...let's just say that with all the damask fabric and black and white things I have been looking up online...a fleur de lis was bound to pop up.
And now, one has popped up on my burlap kitchen window mistreatment.
It's hard to see it in this picture, but it gives you the feel...see how clean my kitchen is? It never looks like that....'cept for when I was taking this picture...
I {heart} it. Hubs {hearts} that it was only $7 to do. SEVEN DOLLARS! You don't have to gasp...I'll gasp for you!
Oh...and I also did this (although, now it has a wicker box sitting up there, too):
And then...I think I'm going with this fabric for the back of my cabinets...although, I have yet to try out a harlequin pattern....
And just for good measure:
Ooohhhh.....SQUEEZ-A YOU FACE! (That's what my aunt says!)
I {heart} him too!
You know what I've learned from all of this? I {heart} French Country. And I didn't even know it. And that I {heart} too much. I gotta learn how to really heart a {heart}, you know?
Yup. Burlap. Yup, that stuff people wrap around their trees. Why do they do that?
Ok, so I know I got the green and black and white fabric for my curtains but then this happened in my kitchen:
...and all of the sudden, I'm thinkin'...I like the inclusion of of the outdoorsy, brownish, natural stuff. And then it hit me. Ton. Of. Bricks.Burlap. What would burlap look like as curtains? Would I love it? Would I hate it? How much is burlap? Will hubs kill me if I buy it?
A quick joanns.com search told me that burlap was waaaaaay within our budget. Score. But how would I do it? And more importantly, would I like it?
No sewing. No curtain rod. Just some fabric glue and quilt binding.
Oh, and velcro.
You HEARD ME RIGHT! I used velcro to stick it to my wall. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! Hehe.
Did I like it?
Well.....at first, no. There was too much brown and frankly, it looked masculine. But I had plans...oh...the plans...
Fleur de lis. Do you love that saying? I say it: Flur deh leeeeeeee with a really thick french accent. Do you love that shape? It means 'flower of the lily." It's French. (Don't tell the hubs)
Well...let's just say that with all the damask fabric and black and white things I have been looking up online...a fleur de lis was bound to pop up.
And now, one has popped up on my burlap kitchen window mistreatment.
It's hard to see it in this picture, but it gives you the feel...see how clean my kitchen is? It never looks like that....'cept for when I was taking this picture...
I {heart} it. Hubs {hearts} that it was only $7 to do. SEVEN DOLLARS! You don't have to gasp...I'll gasp for you!
Oh...and I also did this (although, now it has a wicker box sitting up there, too):
And then...I think I'm going with this fabric for the back of my cabinets...although, I have yet to try out a harlequin pattern....
And just for good measure:
Ooohhhh.....SQUEEZ-A YOU FACE! (That's what my aunt says!)I {heart} him too!
You know what I've learned from all of this? I {heart} French Country. And I didn't even know it. And that I {heart} too much. I gotta learn how to really heart a {heart}, you know?
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Will it make me WANT to do laundry?
So...hubs says no painting (for now) and even though I loathe white walls...Even I have to concede. I'm TIRED of painting. Especially since we ended up having to paint our kitchen and dining room in the rental because we couldn't get the exact same paint. Did I mention we found renters? Praise the Lord!
So...here's what I've done with my laundry room after stalking hers and realizing that they don't have to look so boring and, well, like a room where work gets done.
The shelf from the previous post got some black paint and with a little help from my computer and clip art, it's now lookin' like this:
Did I ever post the picture of the old washboard? I got it at a yard sale and the grandma there said it was her grandmother's. I couldn't believe she was getting rid of it, but knew exactly what I wanted to do with it!
Now, it looks like this:
I just lightly painted it so all the distress in the wood still shows through. The swirly thingies (technical term there) were still slightly ingrained in the wood so I tried to honor its original beauty (is there such a thing in something that helps you do laundry?) by painting them.
Except for painting the walls and cabinets, this room is DONE. Haha...isn't that the biggest part? Can you tell I'm dragging my feet? I have the paint for the cabinets....just lazy. Or, you know, the mother of four children. Take your pick. Anyway, it's done for now.
So...here's what I've done with my laundry room after stalking hers and realizing that they don't have to look so boring and, well, like a room where work gets done.
The shelf from the previous post got some black paint and with a little help from my computer and clip art, it's now lookin' like this:
Did I ever post the picture of the old washboard? I got it at a yard sale and the grandma there said it was her grandmother's. I couldn't believe she was getting rid of it, but knew exactly what I wanted to do with it!
Now, it looks like this:
I just lightly painted it so all the distress in the wood still shows through. The swirly thingies (technical term there) were still slightly ingrained in the wood so I tried to honor its original beauty (is there such a thing in something that helps you do laundry?) by painting them.Except for painting the walls and cabinets, this room is DONE. Haha...isn't that the biggest part? Can you tell I'm dragging my feet? I have the paint for the cabinets....just lazy. Or, you know, the mother of four children. Take your pick. Anyway, it's done for now.
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Mother Load...
at my mother's house!
I love when my mom does a little bit of cleaning...and then calls me over to pick through the things she is tired of. Thanks to the blog world and new found appreciation for spray paint, I look at things in a much different light. And there's no greater thrifty find when it's FREE.
Cute Southern Living Candle holder. Don't think I'll be painting this one....yet.
I'm planning on a healthy dose of black for this platter:
(Blogger picture up-loader-thingy, why is this cross on its side?) This is staying as is...and going in my guest bathroom.
And some things, you want just because they old sentimental value. Like this miniatures shelf thingy. Mom has all the miniatures that go in it and I remember it as a staple in my childhood home. And since Dad bought them for Mom...well, I'll probably display it just as I remember it.
Not sure what these things are...but I'm sure I can find a purpose for them! (and paint for that gold platter thingy.)
This picture is another memory for me. I always thought it was my Mom. It's not. But I can remember staring at that picture trying to figure out what she was thinking about. The trivet is getting painted...some color....not sure what yet. I loved the grooves in it, though. Eh, we'll see.
This mirror is about 5x5" but the frame is about six inches around it. Interesting. I think I can see my whole nose in the reflection, but that's about it.
This shelf I'm stalking for my laundry room....
Another memory here...but these, I have no problem changing. I just wanted the ovals around my house to soften the harsh lines I have all over of shelves and square or rectangular mirrors.
Love this wire tea pot. It's a candle holder...who knew?? Thinkin' of painting it green....
But my favorite find of the day is this lock. Yes, the lock. The other great thing about shopping at Mom's house is that you find little treasures like this and even though you have missing pieces, you take it anyway because, hey, it's Mom's house and she just. might. find. it.
And she did.
That lock has a small hook on the bottom to house a skeleton key. And she found the key.
I love that woman.
And here's something that I did have to buy, but it was in the $1.50 bin at Walmart. I'm thinkin' of these fabrics to make curtains for my kitchen. At two yards of fabric for under $5...hubby was proud. I even paid with cash....hehe. The color swatch (named Apple Green) is the color I'm going for in the kitchen and I didn't think this fabric was too far off.
Ok...I'm done...finally!
Head on over to Rhoda's place at Southern Hospitality to see what great things other people dug up!
I love when my mom does a little bit of cleaning...and then calls me over to pick through the things she is tired of. Thanks to the blog world and new found appreciation for spray paint, I look at things in a much different light. And there's no greater thrifty find when it's FREE.
Cute Southern Living Candle holder. Don't think I'll be painting this one....yet.
I'm planning on a healthy dose of black for this platter:
(Blogger picture up-loader-thingy, why is this cross on its side?) This is staying as is...and going in my guest bathroom.
And some things, you want just because they old sentimental value. Like this miniatures shelf thingy. Mom has all the miniatures that go in it and I remember it as a staple in my childhood home. And since Dad bought them for Mom...well, I'll probably display it just as I remember it.
Not sure what these things are...but I'm sure I can find a purpose for them! (and paint for that gold platter thingy.)
This picture is another memory for me. I always thought it was my Mom. It's not. But I can remember staring at that picture trying to figure out what she was thinking about. The trivet is getting painted...some color....not sure what yet. I loved the grooves in it, though. Eh, we'll see.
This mirror is about 5x5" but the frame is about six inches around it. Interesting. I think I can see my whole nose in the reflection, but that's about it.
This shelf I'm stalking for my laundry room....
Another memory here...but these, I have no problem changing. I just wanted the ovals around my house to soften the harsh lines I have all over of shelves and square or rectangular mirrors.
Love this wire tea pot. It's a candle holder...who knew?? Thinkin' of painting it green....But my favorite find of the day is this lock. Yes, the lock. The other great thing about shopping at Mom's house is that you find little treasures like this and even though you have missing pieces, you take it anyway because, hey, it's Mom's house and she just. might. find. it.
And she did.
That lock has a small hook on the bottom to house a skeleton key. And she found the key.
I love that woman.
And here's something that I did have to buy, but it was in the $1.50 bin at Walmart. I'm thinkin' of these fabrics to make curtains for my kitchen. At two yards of fabric for under $5...hubby was proud. I even paid with cash....hehe. The color swatch (named Apple Green) is the color I'm going for in the kitchen and I didn't think this fabric was too far off.
Ok...I'm done...finally!
Head on over to Rhoda's place at Southern Hospitality to see what great things other people dug up!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
I'm home. But not for long.
If you are reading my blog today...can you go visit my favorite blogger? Today is his birthday!!
Happy Birthday, Honey!!!!!!
I'm back from a four day stay at my parents house. You know, you never want to over-stay your welcome...and since we'll be back there at least by Saturday...gotta have a couple days of a break. Air conditioner is still broken. 101 today says the weatherman who is not always right but tends to be at least within a five degree marker. Hmph.
But we have a lot to be thankful for! We found renters, we are alive, well, and making do in heat that could DEFINITELY be worse in the Valley. I got married when it was 107, I'm sure I can handle this. At least, that's what I've been telling myself.
So, my day has consisted of:
Ice cream.
Water.
Ice.
Cold showers.
And a PROJECT! (You knew if I was back at home I was doing something, right?)
So, I'm sure if you have your nose ANYWHERE in blogworld, you've seen Uppercase Living or something like it. L.O.V.E. I.T. The great thing is, you can go on their website and get samples of quotes they sell...and then do.it.yourself. (With the help of a computer, printer, and exacto knife, of course.) And save yourself quite a bit of money!
The hubs has me on "spending lockdown" so this has forced my creative hand a bit. And with at least likeable results, I think:
How much do I love those windows next to my door? Go on, ask me how much...'cause I really, really love them. As in: XOXOXOXOXO love.
Here's a closer picture:
Anybody have wording around their house that they just love? I'm trying to think of something creative for the kitchen...that is in a language I can understand! :)
UPDATE: Pssst.....today(as in Thursday) is DIY day at A Soft Place to Land...go check her out!
Happy Birthday, Honey!!!!!!
I'm back from a four day stay at my parents house. You know, you never want to over-stay your welcome...and since we'll be back there at least by Saturday...gotta have a couple days of a break. Air conditioner is still broken. 101 today says the weatherman who is not always right but tends to be at least within a five degree marker. Hmph.
But we have a lot to be thankful for! We found renters, we are alive, well, and making do in heat that could DEFINITELY be worse in the Valley. I got married when it was 107, I'm sure I can handle this. At least, that's what I've been telling myself.
So, my day has consisted of:
Ice cream.
Water.
Ice.
Cold showers.
And a PROJECT! (You knew if I was back at home I was doing something, right?)
So, I'm sure if you have your nose ANYWHERE in blogworld, you've seen Uppercase Living or something like it. L.O.V.E. I.T. The great thing is, you can go on their website and get samples of quotes they sell...and then do.it.yourself. (With the help of a computer, printer, and exacto knife, of course.) And save yourself quite a bit of money!
The hubs has me on "spending lockdown" so this has forced my creative hand a bit. And with at least likeable results, I think:
How much do I love those windows next to my door? Go on, ask me how much...'cause I really, really love them. As in: XOXOXOXOXO love.Here's a closer picture:
Anybody have wording around their house that they just love? I'm trying to think of something creative for the kitchen...that is in a language I can understand! :)
UPDATE: Pssst.....today(as in Thursday) is DIY day at A Soft Place to Land...go check her out!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Easy-peasy crafts
So, I realized that with all these (alright, just two) "L's" around our house (staircase, plate in kitchen) that I didn't have anything signifying our faith up in our house and I was beginning to feel a bit narcissistic. It wasn't for a lack of trying, though. The perfect place for a cross or scripture hasn't made itself known to me, yet.
Until I was thinkin' about those black plates. You know...the ones in the previous post that you can't hardly see?
Well, I took me to Michael's (alright I took me, Big, Bigger, Little, and Shrimpy-otherwise known as my kids) and found this laser cut cross...painted it and hot-glued it to my other black plate. I love me some black plates.
That's better. My hubs graciously got some ink for our printer, so the wheels in my head are turning in regards to scripture. I take the scripture that says to write God's Word on your posts and lentils seriously, people.
Here's my other craft.
Don't let it's simplicity fool you....it really took me about an hour.
But it was well worth the effort!
Until I was thinkin' about those black plates. You know...the ones in the previous post that you can't hardly see?
Well, I took me to Michael's (alright I took me, Big, Bigger, Little, and Shrimpy-otherwise known as my kids) and found this laser cut cross...painted it and hot-glued it to my other black plate. I love me some black plates.
That's better. My hubs graciously got some ink for our printer, so the wheels in my head are turning in regards to scripture. I take the scripture that says to write God's Word on your posts and lentils seriously, people.Here's my other craft.
Don't let it's simplicity fool you....it really took me about an hour.But it was well worth the effort!
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