Hanging children’s art

The idea for this came from Anna at Knock Off Wood.
My daughter’s sense of “art” is much different than mine :)
This is in her bedroom. Simple to make and she can keep all of her favourite drawings in one place, instead of strewn around the house.

Hiding computer cables and cords

My computer nook recently had a mini update, but I had no idea what to do about all of those darn cords and cables. 
Before the mini makeover:
One of the green boxes above was not being used and it dawned on me that I could use it to hide the cords.
First I had to make the opening larger. Not only to get the cords through, but also to provide more ventilation.

In went the router, modem and electric cords.

After, much better. I also added some trim to the two shelves above.



I'm linking up to the trash to treasure party at Reinvented and was posted on Ikea Hacker (I love that place, the store and the blog)

An update for you negative nessie's:   This has been in place for over a year and it has not caught fire, over heated or fried my components.  The vent in the back is large as well as the vent in the front, providing adequate cross ventilation.

If you have something negative to say, it's best if you don't hide behind anonymous comments.  Or just go away. This is a drama free zone.

Kitchen, almost done

I have some trim work to do, but it’s mostly done. It was a lot of work. Warning, don’t remove drywall unless you are up for hours and hours of work.
Drywall and ceramic back splash removed. New vapour barrier and drywall and lots and lots and lots of mudd.

I knew that I definitely did not want ceramic again and mosaic tile was cost prohibitive. I decided on bead board wall paper.

I needed a change from the green walls and fell in love with Whalley Abbey by Debbie Travis.  It was a good choice as bead board is very country and that’s not the look I wanted. The grey/green (it’s hard to tell it has green in it, but it does) helps to make the kitchen look more contemporary. It brought together the flooring and counter tops (yucky laminate, but I’m stuck with them for now). I put new casing around the window. My first time and it turned out pretty good. A friend installed new electrical outlets for me.


Here is a before of the fugly ceramic tile.
Since we have had so much fun with our chalkboard, I decided to do an entire wall, I love it.  I’m waiting on it curing before I start drawing on it.


Still to do: install two new shelves above the bead board here

This is what I’m thinking of (sorry, I don’t remember the source of the photo)

I will trim out the pantry door and the door into the kitchen with new casing too.
As I said, it was a lot of work but I am loving the changes.

I'm linking up to Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch. So many talented bloggers out there, go see for yourself.

Ugly back splash, be gone!

I have ALWAYS hated the ugly back splash in my kitchen. I inherited it with the house.  In fact, I’m not a fan of tiled backsplash, period!  It looks good today, but 5 years down the road, it’s totally outdated. And let me tell you, it’s a lot of work to change it.

Yesterday I  borrowed a husband (since I don’t have one), and he set me to work. Ceramic backsplash, be gone! First I put up and taped new vapour barrier.

Then with some instruction, I set out to put up new drywall.  It took several attempts at cutting out the outlets.

Finally it’s all up and my borrowed husband came back for another lesson, this time in taping and mudding.

I am off for a hike early tomorrow morning, but I already know how the rest of my day will be spent; mudding!

Stay tuned for the reveal. No tile will be involved.

Updated directors chair

I have to touch up the paint. I tried to do it today, but it bubbled because of the humidity. If it ever stops raining I will give those spots a quick sand and paint touch up.  I used the old covers as a template to make these covers and I already had the fabric that I purchased from Ikea in the liquidation bin.  Two cans of spray paint $10, chair $7, total $17 for a new to me fantastic chair.  One down, Six to go.
Before:

I'm linking up to Thrifty Thursday's at Bloggeritaville. and Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors and Mustard Seed Creations Furniture Feature Friday.

Easter cloche

I found this today at the GW. It stands about 14 inches high, one of the largest of these types of clocks I’ve seen. It was $5.00 and it’s glass, not plastic. The twirly thing at the bottom was missing. (edited to add, I've since learned that these are called anniversary clocks, who knew?)

I spray primed then a couple of coats of satin black, add cute ceramic bunnies holding giant carrot candles? Ha ha.  The bunnies I bought quite a while ago at the GW.  I can change it out with the seasons.



I’ve done a lot around the house this weekend, and worked a couple of hours OT too :)  I am working on one more project, which I will reveal later this week. It involves moulding and bedroom doors :)

I'm linking to Susan's Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch and at Southern Hospitality

Butterfly art for my daughter

I used an Ikea Ribba frame, some foam core to make it more of a shadow box, sparkly letters and colour chip samples from the paint store. I made this for her for her upcoming 12th birthday. Her bedroom is black, white and red.
The two red butterflies represent her an I. She is the lone butterfly, flying in a different direction. I am in the pack, amongst her family and friends, who will always be there for her as she journeys through life.

Although this is an older project, I’m linking up to Fireflies and Jellybean’s Iron Crafter party. The theme is paint chips and this one fits the theme perfectly.

Crown moulding and baseboards are finally done

It took me weeks to finally get around to caulking and touch up painting.
The bulkhead was previously green

and now it’s painted out to match the cupboards. I think it looks so much nicer and gives the appearance of taller cabinets (sort of kind of)
Then I tackled the baseboards. I purchased a big sheet of mdf and had the store cut it down to 4” strips. I painted it out and then added chair rail, upside down.

I don’t know about you, but I have such a hard time getting to the final touch ups. I’m glad it’s completed.
Next I am going to install beadboard on the backsplash.

Computer nook update

Before

I mod podged the counter with wall paper, used scrap book paper to cover cereal boxes and a coffee can, moved the bulletin board to cover the phone outlet and moved the broken down pc.  It’s not perfect but it’s a whole lot better.
After

Spring refreshing

A jute rug will replace the existing rug.

Knock Off Art - Paper Butterflies

I was inspired by Catherine Swan at Paper Butterfly to create something new, fresh and exciting for my space. I don't get crafty very often, but this captured me. Alas the price is way above anything that I could afford, so I used mostly what I had to make it.

I used a frame that I had previously purchased, Amy Butler scrapbook paper that I already had. I did have to buy a mat board for $8.00. I had the art supply store cut it to the correct size. I also had to buy the foam glue dots for mounting the butterflies. The hardest part was cutting each one out  and getting them aligned on the mat board. The size is deceiving in the photo. The frame is 33" X 27", so it is substantial.

I'm linking up to Between Naps on the Porch and The DIY Show Off

new lamps

I got these yesterday at the G.W. Boutique. $6.99 each, and it was 50% off day, so two for the price of one.
I love the shape and the wood.

The wonders of steel wool

Remember the 30's art deco sailboat?  A co-worker suggested that I use fine (0000) steel wool to shine it up, as this is what he uses on his drums.  It works like a dream. Then he suggested that it can also be used on taps and sinks; I think he was implying that I should clean mine, that's when I shut down :)

Kitchen tile is done

I chose a porcelain tile with some texture and matched the grout to make it appear to have little contrast. Of course one thing leads to another and the walls now have to be painted. The backsplash will be replaced and my ultimate goal is new SS appliances.

Bedroom Makeover

The CSI project is having a pantone party. Who knew that when I updated my bedroom that I had already predicted the 2011 colour of the year; honeysuckle!

Ok, I didn't know, I just loved the colour :)



I have some tweaking to do: beef up the baseboards, cover the tv/cable cords, iron drapes, find finials, replace cover plates, but overall it’s done and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I love it!
New flooring, fresh paint – cream, brown and blue, diy upholstered headboard, new to me lamps.
Before


During

After


 

It was a lot of work, but the results are fantastic.
I’m linking up to the 53rd Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
and The DIY showoff Show and Tell

This project was featured on Better After