A couple of Trays...

 I was out and about the other day and found these dated, yet useful looking trays. I thought with a little bit of work, I could sell them in my booth.

 They've got nice handles, quite sizable, but came with a...I'm guessing 90's...quilted fabric lining.

 Once I decided to update the fabric, I realized that the wooden bottom would take chalkboard paint very well. With a small brush I carefully went around the edge...

 ...then rolled in the rest of the bottom

 For the "new" fabric, I used a couple of napkins that I've had for a while from Target.

 I used the lining as a pattern and cut the napkin. I sewed the new fabric to the old lining (I don't trust my sewing skills to make a completely new lining), threw them in the wash hoping to make it look like a rag quilt (after snipping all the way around).

 It didn't quite fray like I wanted, but I think a couple more washing will do the trick.

While I had the chalkboard paint out, I painted an old vase and let Logan draw whatever he wanted on it. Are you like me, once the chalkboard paint is out, you're on the hunt to see what all can be painted like a mad dog?

 He drew every family member, which I thought was really cute.

 So with or without the lining, I think they are definitely updated. I could see them hung on the wall with the dinner menu too! A twofer!

***

 I'm suppose to be going back to Houston for 3 days next week to start the trial. I am excited, but really upset that it happens to fall on the same day school starts. So I won't see my baby's first day of second grade or watch Keegan drive off to start his Junior year. No pictures or hugs which I insist on every year. Even last year, even though I had chemo, at least we got pictures. Is that dumb that I'm bummed about this? Probably. I'm to start a drug that could potentially save my life, but I will miss the kids first day of school....I know, I'm a nut case.

 I'll let you know how it goes when I get back. Talk to you later.

DIY Junk Sign

 Man, It's been a while since I've done a project! I felt pretty good this past couple of days and decided to make this little sign as a gift for a dear friend (don't we all need a reminder to keep dreaming??) I've always admired the 'altered' signs, I just think they look really cool...and it was really easy once I gathered everything I needed. Lucky for me, we went to the Joplin Vintage Market this past weekend and there was a fantastic vendor that had practically anything you could need in salvaged goods (most of them did). Letters, old license plates, chandy crystals, marquee signs, toys, books....all sorts of things. I spent some time picking out letters to spell 'Dream'. The 'D' is not old, I picked it up at Hobby Lobby to mix it up even more and add a little dimension.

So a few things you'll need...although you can completely customize and change it to fit what you find, or the word you chose.

-A mix of letters spelling your choice of word

-A piece of pallet wood or salvaged wood that is big enough for your word

-2 New or old knobs (optional)

-Jute twine (optional)

-E6000 (or your choice of glue)

 

 Letters:

 Pallet wood:

 Place the letters fairly centered  and straight on the board (or slanted would be neat too) and glue them in place.

 The license plate letter I picked out was a little too big, but a a pair of pliers bent it around the board and it worked out pretty good.

 I found the glass knobs at Hobby Lobby and used them as a means to hang the sign. This is completely up to you though, a saw tooth hanger on the back works just as well. Measure enough jute twine to hang the sign and tie around the knobs.

 Was that easy or what? :)

 I think the only thing that would present a challenge is finding a variety of letters.

 I hope she likes it.

 ***

 I want to thank you all for the love and support in light of my recent news...as far as how I've been feeling, I've had some good days and bad days (don't we all?!). Shortness of breath and general abdomen pain is a constant...but that is where the tumors are, so it's to be expected. The trial at MD Anderson will hopefully be starting soon. I learned last week that they have temporarily put it on hold, but I'm praying whatever problems they are having that it works out before I am suppose to go back. Again, thanks for the thoughts and prayers, it means a lot to me.

In kitchen news, the cabinets are all purchased and Justin will be putting them in soon and then I'll be painting them....it's going slower than expected, but that's ok. 

I've also started thinking about Fall for my booth space and really excited about the plans I've got scheming! It is crazy to be thinking of Fall in 90+ degree weather, but I absolutely have to plan ahead. I found a book shelf (about 5' high) that I can't decide whether to paint or not and I'm revamping the armoire that  use to be in Logan's room when he was a baby. Lots of little things happening all at once, some things never change.

DIY Starfish Art

Since Summer is quickly approaching, this project would be a great way to add a beachy feel to your decor. A really easy technique that can be accomplished with any variety of starfish and of course any size frame. Also, I chose burlap for the background, but you could use any cloth you like.

This frame was a steal at the thrift store and I grabbed it up because 1.) It is a great size, 2.) Came with matting, and 3.) Has a great paintable frame in a style I like.

I found this bad of starfish at TJ Maxx and I grabbed it up thinking I would use them for bowl fillers, but then this art project came to mind-luckily, they was enough left over to do both.

First, I spray painted the frame in a glossy black, then proceeded to do a dry run with the starfish. Keep in mind to use starfish close in size for a nice uniform look.

I decided to use burlap in the background, so after finding the perfect starfish, I used Mod Podge to adhere the burlap to the foam core that came with the frame. You can also use spray adhesive......

...just remember to cut your cloth bigger than the matting.

Finally, with a glue gun, glue down the starfish. It will depend on the size frame you find or have, but 6 is what I used and it wasn't too crowded. I tucked a couple of vintage postcards under the matting, but you can use pictures, or leave it without...since the glass isn't there, why not stick some extra memorabilia in there! Completely optional.

I figure I will use the glass in a different project, the glass that came in the frame isn't used with this project-unless you use a shadow box style frame, which would look great too.

Such an easy project! You can have this done under an hour...depending on the spray paint you use. ;)

I am getting chemo this morning, so I will talk to you much later. Hope you will give this project a try! Happy Summer!

DIY Photo Canvas (Great Gift For Mother's Day)

 I wanted to share this project with you well in advance, because this would make PERFECT Mother's Day Gifts. Actually, I think they would make a perfect gift for anytime. The beauty of this project is you can make it your own and do all sorts of embellishing...or none at all....with any kind of picture...B&W like I've done or color. Anything is a go. 
The basic materials you absolutely need: Home Inkjet Printer, Pre-stretched canvas 8X10 or smaller via Michael's on sale (I did several different sizes and depths), 8 1/2" X 11 Canvas Cloths (Office Depot-Under $20 for 10 sheets), Paper Trimmer, Mod Podge, Black Craft Paint (paint brush).

 First, after opening each canvas, paint the edges black. Don't worry about the front, the photo will cover that.

 While the paint is drying, print your selected pictures out on the canvas cloth. It runs through the printer just as good as paper. Tip: I did one print at a time to avoid jams in the printer. I know you can't tell in the picture, but the photos have the great texture of canvas vs. smooth/shiny like photo paper.

 Cut pictures down to the size of each canvas using the paper trimmer. Next, use Mod Podge to attach the photo to the canvas. Just spread a thin coat on the front (the part you didn't paint), it doesn't take much and be sure to smooth it out with your hands to avoid air bubbles.

 This next step is completely optional, but I think it gives the canvas a nice finished edge. I took a black ink pad (the type used for rubber stamping) and ran it along the edge of each canvas...it gives it a nice soft, slightly distressed edge. Compare the edge above with the ones below....

 Once everything is dry, do a coat of Mod Podge over everything. This will seal and protect the paint, ink and canvas cloth.

 Another optional step is the embellishing. I did some subtle embellishing (especially for the boys) using supplies out of the craft closet to personalize each canvas...I used an initial on everyone's.

 You can do as little or as much as you'd like, completely up to you. The thicker ones are great shelf sitters or they can be hung too.

 I think the embellishing depends on the picture...if I were doing pictures of flowers, I probably would not embellish.

 I also did a little extra girly embellishing on my nieces canvas.

Whatever you decide to do, the recipient will be thrilled!

***

I will talk to you when I get back from NC!

Logan's Map Wall

 It all started with an atlas that I found at a yard sale for a dollar. I've had it for a while thinking that I would use it in some craft or another, but I have been working on Logan's room (read: cleaning, editing, getting ready for when school starts next month, etc.) and one thing lead to another and the atlas came to mind to do a 'feature' wall. In his room there is a small recessed wall that is just over 7 feet, which is perfect to do a project like this.....an obvious beginning and ending which I think is so important in a feature wall. It recesses about two feet and has the door on one side and the closet door on the other:

 The atlas is circa 1984 so I did not have any of that I'm-about-to-tear-up-a-book guilt

 First things first, I painted the door casing white (I still have to do the baseboards)...trying to do that after the maps, or later would have been a pain.  I used regular wallpaper paste (bought at Walmart for around 5 bucks) and a chipboard brush. I started randomly on the edge and started going out from there...

 I kept going with the random look, making sure to mix large states (two page spreads) and small states (one page spread)

 A few tricks that I learned along the way...because this is not a normal 'wallpaper' application.....1) pasting the back of each paper resulted in a smoother finish (vs. pasting the wall). 2) A dry towel works great to smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles. 3) Don't be afraid to get messy. This is a messy project and when I embraced that, it went a lot faster...

 It took me about 4 hours to do, but I had to take a lot of breaks (chemo was last week)...I primed the door to get it ready for chalkboard paint and let everything dry over night.

 By the next day, the map wall was sheer perfection. I couldn't believe how well it adhered...it turned out better than I thought. I painted the door with three coats of chalkboard paint and let that dry....it dries super quick.

 I did make sure some of my favorite states are prominent....Missouri, North Carolina, Colorado, Oregon, Florida....places we've been and lived or want to visit. I think it would be fun to get pins and mark all the towns we want to travel to....but Logan is only six and I could see that getting a little dangerous! :) Maybe when he is a little older!

 I even covered the light switch plate in map, which was really easy to do.

 I seasoned the chalkboard and wrote a fun quote....Logan will definitely love this, he already loves the one in the kitchen.

 I really love how it turned out and most importantly, Logan loves it. Not too bad for a project under six dollars and a little labor. I've been doing some other projects around his room...a new (to us) dresser, a twin spindle bed that was a curb-side find and a new rug....can't wait to show you!