Backyard Wall Planter

My back patio has a giant wall that was just SO big and SO plain.  I wanted to add visual interest, so I used up some credit I had at Ross and bought 2 metal plaques and this planter.

 I also got this little fern at half off at JoAnn's.

 I had to modify it so it would fit in the planter.  I found the "front" of the fern by turning it around slowly until I liked it best.  

I cut directly behind that.

 I used my serrated kitchen knife. ;o)  

Isn't that what you use your knives for?

 I sawed all the way through but the darn thing wouldn't separate!

 How was I supposed to know it was all held together by wires?  

I just cut through them and we were good.

 I stuffed the little piece down into the planter first then the plant.

 Here's what the back looks like.

 See wall sad. :o(

 See wall happy. :o)

 I'm so happy with how it turned out.

 It's simple, and adds the visual interest I was going for.

That's my kind of makeover!

What are you doing to spruce up your backyard this Summer?

Lots o' love,

Megan

Fleur de Lis Transformation

I picked this gold metal fleur de lis up at ross for only $8.  I loved that it was a fleur de lis, but I was not loving the color. 

 This is my new favorite color spray paint.  Its called ivory bisque and it's by Rust-oleum.  It's just the right shade of white for me.  Not too bright, but not too ivory either.

 I'm also LOVING the Painter's Touch Ultra Cover spray paint because it REALLY does cover well and is worth the little extra money because you'll have to buy more of the other stuff to even come close to it's quality.  I used to think that it didn't matter what kind of spray paint it was.  I ended up having to use tons of cans to get good coverage, when I could have used 1 or 2 with this great product! I've learned my lesson.

 First, I painted the whole thing really well.

 I wanted to try a technique I imagined in my head...with a paper towel, I lightly wiped off some of the spray paint while it was still wet to reveal the darker color underneath for a distressed look.

 I liked it, but wanted more.

So I grabbed my little Stampin' Spot in Chocolate Chip and rubbed it over the high parts.

 I rubbed over it with my finger to smudge it and blend it a little.

 Here it is all done with the ink.

 I even went back over it some more to smudge so the ink wouldn't contrast too much. 

And here it is all done on my wall in the guest room.

What are your thoughts on distressing?  What are some techniques you've tried?

Lots o' love,

Megan

Bathroom Vanity Spruce Up

When I told my friend that I started this blog, she told me about her sisters' blog.  I looked at every posting of hers and saw this one where she made her guest bathroom ready for company.  I kind of forgot about wanting to do this to my own guest bathroom, until a little while ago.  I searched all the blogs where I thought it would be to no avail.  Then I googled it and in google images, there it was!  I clicked on the picture and to my surprise it was my awesome friend's sisters' blog!  Ha!!!  So Melanie, if you ever see this...THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION!

Here's what I had to start with:

The nasty factor had to go, but I didn't want to break out drywall, mud, sand, paint, etc.

Enter CONTACT PAPER!

I have done amazing things with Contact Paper people.  This stuff is RAD!

 Yeah, there are a few bubbles but don't judge...no one is really going to see it, and I was working with year-old crumpled scraps I found from a while back.  Besides, it looks a TON better than what I started with!  No more hole!!! (just don't push on it 'cause your hand'll go right through!)

 Okay, so here's the milkbox and capri sun box organizer I hinted at in this post.  Were you able to guess it?

 See!  It really is a Capri Sun box!  I had to trim it down a little to make it fit in the Costco milk box and then I covered the rough edges with masking tape to smooth it a little.  I covered it with a heavy duty white wrapping paper.  You could use white contact paper, or another funky paper and just cover with clear contact paper, which would help waterproof it too.  I didn't just because I only wanted to use what I already had on hand.

 To identify what's inside the drawers for guests, I wanted to make labels.  I printed the words: LATHER, for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash; SMOOTH, for razors, lotions, and deodorants; and POLISH, for toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss.  I'm glad I finally have a place to put all those little travel size bottles.

 I had my old Stampin' Up! Hodgepodge Hardware kit so I pulled out 3 oval frames and 6 brads. I traced around it and cut it out just inside the line so it wouldn't show when it was all together.

 I put mini glue dots on the back.

 And put the paper label into the oval frame, being sure to match up the holes.

 I put more glue dots on the back and adhered it to the drawer front.

 I used a piercing tool to poke holes for the brads to go in.

 Here is what it looks like all together.

And here it is in the bathroom vanity.

I have some extra towels and washcloths, bathroom cleaner, and a bucket full of things woman may need occasionally, if  you get my point. ;o)

What kind of stuff do you come up with from things you have on hand?

Lots o' love,

Megan

Cake Pops

For my DS2's birthday in September I made these cake pops for his class at school.  

As you can see...I didn't have a good stand for them

Then for my DS1's birthday, he wanted cake pops too.  So I made these.  

I found a scrap of 1x6, drilled holes about 1/2" deep, painted
it black and it was PERFECT

For those of you who aren't familiar with cake pops, they are SUPER easy to make and so fun to eat!  You just make a 9x13 cake.  Once it's cool, you break it up and mix it with a can of frosting.  You roll it up into little balls and dip them in chocolate (for cake balls) or put a stick in em for cake pops!  LOVE!

I got the idea from Bakerella I LOVE all her cute ideas!

Since I'm team mom for T-ball this year, I'm thinking of making baseball ones for the end-of-season party...just don't know if I want to yet!  The red stitching might be tricky to pipe on.

Oooo, I just searched it and this is what I'd want to do! 

baseball cake pops

Have you made cake pops before?  What kind?

Lots o' love,

Megan

Ironing Board facelift

Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew!  Look how gross that ironing board cover is!!!  Okay, stop looking at the nasty part, I promise it'll get better!  So I laid the old gross cover on the fabric I had left over from my Ikea futon slipcover 'cause I I like the fabric and it was free. 

 I cut about an inch around it. 

(Oh my goodness...I'm so glad I ripped the carpet out and did hardwood)

 I took a good look at how the old cover was constructed.  I don't have a serger but a zig-zag stitch is just as good for this project.  First I did a zig-zag to kind of finish the raw edge of the new cover.

 Then I pulled the cord out of the old, and laid it on the new.  

 I set my machine on the widest width I could and an average length for my machine is a 2.  It worked out nicely.

 I zig-zagged over it all the way around, leaving a little space at the narrow end of the ironing board.

 I put it on, pulled it and cinched it in and tied it to keep it snug. And know I'm in love with my new ironing board!  Almost enough to iron more...maybe not...sorry honey!

The best thing about this project was that it was FREE and it only took about 20 minutes!  WOO-HOO!  I like free and fast! (and exclamation points apparently)

What quick fixes have you done around your house lately?

Lots o' love,

Megan

Don't let the door hit you...

After 7 years, it was finally time to replace the last 3 interior doors (of 8) that we bought when we moved in.  Here is the front closet in all it's plainness.

 Close up of the nasty knob...what to do about that without spending a ton to replace all the knobs?

PAINT THEM!!!  Don't you love paint?  It can transform anything!

 I used an oil based primer since I was using it on something that will be used heavily. Then I used this awesome paint, the color is Bronze...which totally fit the look I was going for.  I had this left over from  my ceiling fan makeover.

 While I removed all the door knobs and hardware from the old doors and painted them, my Awesome (yes he is awesome with a capital "a") honey was installing the new doors!!! Oh BABY!!!

 Here is the front closet with the new door all painted a bright, crisp white!

 And don't forget the "new" beautiful door knobs.  YES, that is the SAME knob!

These last two pictures didn't turn out so well...it was late when we were all done and I didn't want to wait until morning to take the pictures.  

I spent today painting EVERY door in my house that same bright white!  THAT'S 10 DOORS PEOPLE!!!

I SO love that all my doors are the same now, and all the knobs match too!!!

Lots o' love,

Megan