My Latest Obsession: Burn Tool

Waiting for this baby has made me a little stir crazy. I have a ton of crafts and projects that I want to tackle, but no energy (and lack of movement due to my ever growing belly) to do them. Finally I got my hands on one of these burning tools and it has been wonderful! I have gotten to do a couple signs and projects that I've been meaning to get to. 

This is what I used and I love it. It has several different attachments to create different looks and perform different tasks. It heats up quickly and has a great grip to make writing easy and comfortable. 

My husband and I found this awesome piece of drift wood several years ago at our favorite spot on the James River. It was our favorite hangout spot while we were dating and our kids have grown to love it now, too. I love finding pieces with such character that actually mean something to us. So I decided to use it as a sign for out front of our house! And with the burning tool, it turned out just like I'd hoped :)

{The finished product}

Now, I just have to find the perfect place to hang it out front!

 ~

I had a ton of wooden slabs that I used to decorate at my college graduation party. I use several of them around our home in different ways: a place to put bowls on, arranging vases and/or candles on, hot plates, etc.  With this tool, I transformed some of the slabs into beautiful, simple signs that can be hung on the wall or set on a shelf. 

The burning technique offers a different look than what painting the word on there would. It adds depth and a beautiful color. The imperfections of the wood match perfectly with the imperfections of using this tool--(I'm still getting used to it, so there are probably more imperfections than need be, but I do love it!) 

You can use this tool on wood, leather, fabric, almost anything! It is now a must have for my craft room!!

Enjoy!! 

Our Take on a Makeshift Nursery

This little in-between area has served my little family well! It lies between our master bedroom and kitchen and is where our stairs are located. In the year that we have lived here, it has been white, lime, green and now tan and white striped. It's been a "catch-all", an office, a craft room, and is now turning into our make shift nursery. This is what the area looked like when we first moved in.

This is looking from the kitchen into the room and on into our bedroom. They had a huge curtain hung up over the stairs to keep the heat down stairs. It actually was really nice fabric and I was able to save it and use it for some other projects :)

There is a closet and a an under the stairs closet. I love all the storage this little rambling house has to offer!

This is the view from our bedroom looking through into the kitchen.

This is what it looked like as my craft room. I loved having a space all to myself for my crafts, scrap booking, and sewing. It's a bit messy in this picture (and usually was), but it was a great space! 

This is the process of turning it into a nursery. I used "oops" paint that I bought at Wal-Mart a long time ago. It was less than $6!! Couldn't pass up a lovely color like it and it did come in handy! 

Figuring out what was most important to put in the space was the hard part. Since the space is limited, I had to decide between the dresser/changing table, crib, nursing chair, etc. 

The boys helped me get ready for the next boy to become a part of our family :) It was very sweet how much they wanted to help!

I had wanted to do our living room in stripes, but since we didn't do it right as we moved it, I knew it would probably never get done. Thankfully, we did it here and now I know how much I {love} it and can't WAIT to do it when we own our own home one day! Maybe something a little more subtle, but getting off track now. Back to the nursery...

I settled on the crib (obviously the most important) and a chair so that I can nurse there in the middle of the night instead of bringing the baby back in bed and risk falling asleep. Been there, done that...and with three other kids during the day, I know I'm going to have to nurse quick and get back to sleep to get some energy! 

This is an old salvaged wooden shutter that I just love. I love the shabby, rough finish contrasted with the crisp, clean walls. Also, I didn't even have to paint it and it matches the blue in the rug perfectly! Once we settle on a name, I will probably paint it on :) But for now I love the simple look of just the shutter.

No flash..

And with a flash...I can't decide which picture I like better so I thought I would just add both! Also, the chair will be re-upholstered one day. But for now, I love the little sanctuary that awaits our little guy to be born! It is still a work in progress and I will add more as we do more :) Enjoy!

Annie Sloan: My New Favorite Paint!

            I just recently fell in love with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I had been hearing so much about it, but not until I finally tried it did I really understand how much easier it makes my projects! Annie Sloan's goal was to be able to finish a "piece a day" and with the quick drying, forgiving paint, you really can! It really cut out the parts that I didn't quite enjoy about refinishing pieces (sanding, stripping, etc.). So here is a project (that with regular paint, I wasn't looking forward to) that took a couple hours one evening and helped transform my craft room!

           I have been putting off organizing my craft area...I wanted it done, but I didn't want to do it. Last night my husband took all the kids with him to the grocery store and I had the house to myself...what a beautiful thing! So I buckled down and thought, "chalk paint, no kids, and American Idol? I can totally knock out this craft room!" And so I did...and I am so thankful I did!

           My mom found these pieces of wood that were kind of "cheapy" looking and I wasn't really sure what the purpose of them were. But with some chalk paint, distressing, and a coat of clear wax they turned out to be awesome shelves! 

     
           I used AS's Aubusson Blue and finished it with Clear Soft Wax. I didn't have to sand or prime...just paint! I like the distressed look, so I did a quick couple quotes with a dry brush so that the wood would show through.  

           After I painted and waxed, I used a very fine grit sand paper to add the distress on the edges. Because I had waxed first, I was able to sand it right in my living room without making a mess.

           Here is what they look like all hung up! I keep my shipping and correspondence supplies in them as well as some decorative pieces. Always balance practicality with your decor. If it's easy, then you'll do it. Meaning, that if your organization is reachable, efficient, and easy to get to then you are more likely to stay organized. These are so easy and I love the way they look!  

I should have taken before pictures...but it would have just been embarrassing! I'm so thankful for nesting and energy to be able to finish some of my to-do-list before this baby comes in less than 5 weeks! I hope this inspires you to pick that one thing you've been meaning to organize and tackle it! Go for it! 

A Humble Home-made Holiday!

I was convinced this year to have that "Country Living" Christmas look with my decorations and I was convinced to do it on the smallest of budgets. With thrifty finds, handmade creations, and a mother cleaning out her Christmas decorations I was able to do it! (Well at least I think I was able to do it) I even got my favorite of compliments- "Your home is so homey"...! Sure, it might have been from my best friend, but hey I'll take it :) We have a little more space in our new home this year and I felt like the decorations I had were not enough to make it look "Christmasy"....so I got to work! I also had to be mindful because I have 6 little hands grabbing anything and everything so most of my decorations are incorporated above the waist height wise. Here are my finds and some ideas and I hope they give you some inspiration!

I used some ornaments and twisted jute twine to make an ornament garland to hang in our living room. I love the fanciness of gold and red paired with the rustic of the twine. And any decoration out of reach of the children is always good ;) 

It would also be cute with any other kind of ornaments or even snow flakes! 

I've saved a bunch of Christmas cards over the years so I punched some holes in them and they also make a beautiful garland! 

I loved the way it turned out and its nice when friends recognize their Christmas cards up there!

Of course I have to have my wooden signs :) My home wouldn't be complete without them.

The wreath was made by my sister-in-law last year for Christmas and is so simple and beautiful. I just love it!

I keep this bucket by the back door and change the contents for the season...this time I just cut some branches from a couple evergreens on our property. It adds a subtle fragrance as you walk in the door!

The wreath was a 50 cent thrift store find that I will probably add to and most of the other decorations were given to me from my mom or found at the Goodwill. I got a whole box of candle sticks for only $2! I've used some in my room and I was thankful that there were Christmas colors in there :) 

More cut branches to add a pop of green and a lovely scent in the kitchen :) Since I am not a fan of the wood stove portal cover, I am thinking about adding doiles or wrapping paper to the back of the window!

Our kitchen chalkboard all ready for Christmas! I love the change and it just makes me smile whenever I look at it! It's simple and the kids can't reach it...so it is the perfect decoration!

I have several other decorations that I still need to upload to the computer, but these are probably my favorite! Also, I will probably be adding more since we are going to be throwing a Christmas dessert party and I cannot wait! Plus...I need more glitter and Christmas is the perfect time to have a bunch in the home :) So this is just the start....decorating in this home is an ongoing process ;) 

{What is your favorite decoration that you or your family do at Christmas time??} 

Getting a Head Start on Christmas!

I absolutely love seasonal decorations...but I don't love the prices (and for some reason I love them one year and don't the next). So this is the first of many home-made Christmas decorations! :) 

Every year I say I will go out and shop the day after a holiday to snag all the deals and yet somehow I never do. So I have been keeping my eye open in stores for decorations that I love, but could easily make at home with my own twist. I saw something similar to this years ago in a Country Sampler Magazine at my mother-in-law's house. Of course they wanted an arm and a leg for them so I made my own for free! 

My Materials:

• Any fabric that you want to use
• Scissors to cut the fabric
• Christmas lights

I cut strips of fabric that I had just laying around. They varied in sizes from about 2 1/2 - 3 inches in length and 1/2 inch in width. I didn't measure or get all fancy, I just cut strips. Plus, I love the look it gives it at the end!

And cut a bunch! I used 3 strips in between every light bulb. Depending on how long your strand of lights are, will determine how much fabric you'll use. Also, if you want a more or less full look you can vary how many pieces of fabric you use between each light bulb. Completely preference!

Since I use jars for everything, I just stored the strips of fabric in a jar since I have 3 little kids running around and this project was a little time consuming. 

My before lights! I used white since I had very colorful fabric and I love the classic white anyway. You can use any lights that you love or have laying around. 

All I did was take the fabric and tie it around the strand of lights! It is lights and garland all mixed up into one! 

The more fabric you use, the fuller it will look. 

This is with just two strips of fabric in between the lights and gives it a less full look, but still looks awesome on the tree!

An up close shot of our newest addition for our Christmas tree this year! 

Depending on the type of fabric you use will affect the look of your tree. I used very country fabric and patterns. If I had burlap left, I probably would have used it. But you can use a fancier fabric if you like your Christmas tree to have a more elegant look! That is what is wonderful about DIY projects, you can make them all your own and add or take away anything! What ever is appealing to you will be perfect on your 

Christmas tree :) 

I love the outcome and I love what it will add to our Christmas tree. Since most of our ornaments are already handmade, this light garland will fit right in! I'm so excited to see it on our Christmas tree this year! 

~

This could also be made into a wreath or a little extra added to your other decorations!

Fall in a Box!

The past couple of years have been just a wee bit {crazy} with my family! Not only my little family growing into a much bigger one, but my sisters and parents as well. I have two older sisters who are my best friends. We grow, laugh, cry, plot, backslide, fight, encourage, listen, advise, joke, protect, love, and play together. So with them both moving way too far away, the thing they miss most besides family are the seasons. Sarah is loving the heat in Texas and Katie is somewhat enjoying the heat of Arizona, but craving the beautiful Fall colors and fragrant aromas of pumpkin floating around the house by breezes through open windows. So each year, I put together a little Fall for them and I call it....

Fall in a Box! 

It has everything that I love most about Fall! From candy to candles and a little extra :) This is what I included last year:

(This is when my sister Katie lived in Hawaii!) 

Although this is probably something kindergartners would do in class, it was such a great way to preserve the colors of the leaves and to keep them from breaking/crinkling. Plus it looks so pretty in the sunlight!

Candy corn is my sisters favorite candy and I know they can buy these things anywhere, but I thought a little home made candle and some goodies from back home might be a nicer gift then anything else I could have sent :) 

This year I will continue with my Fall in a Box, but change it up a bit. Maybe throw in some acorn garland or pine cones with glitter (Katie and I can't get enough glitter)! Gifts...especially little packages in the mail...are a great way to show someone you are thinking about them. And it often seems to come at just the right time when we need a little pick me up! God has a funny way of knowing exactly what we need, when we need it and He always provides! 

Go send someone a little something just to show them they are loved :) You will probably end up feeling just as blessed by it! Enjoy!!!