Easy artwork

As mentioned in a previous post, the movers broke the ottoman I had made and unfortunately it was beyond repair.  I loved the fabric however and I knew I wanted to use it for something else.  I had some old frames and thought it would make great (and free) artwork for my guest room.

The Supplies:
Frame with glass in desired size
Fabric (to fit frames)

What I did:
First iron the fabric to remove all wrinkles.  If you leave wrinkles in the fabric they will be noticeable through the glass.  Cut fabric slightly larger than the frame.  Lay the fabric on the glass and place the back of the frame on.  No need to cut the fabric to size because you can fold it overt the back of the frame and tape it in place.  And that's it!  You can play around with a collage of different fabrics and frame sizes to make a great art wall.

Head band collection

I have an ENORMOUS amount of head bands.  I would blame it on my college Gossip Girl obsession, but the collection started before that.  I just love how you can instantly make your hair look more presentable by throwing on a cute headband.  The problem is storing them.  They used to find a home in a box under my bathroom sink, but out of sight out of mind.  So with the new move I wanted to figure out a way to display them and use them more often.

The Supplies:
1 curtain rod

What I did:
 I happened to have some old curtain rods that were too small for my new windows and I didn't want to just throw them away.  One day I thought it would make a great way to hold all of my headbands.  This project couldn't be easier!!  I found a convenient place to hang the curtain rod and once it was up I placed on the headbands on it.  I was worried that they would fall off but since the curtain rod is pretty close to the wall, it keeps them from rolling off.

I'm back in action!

I have FINALLY finished unpacking and decorating!!  I did like not having to rush to unpack like every other time I have moved but I am very thankful to be able to relax and not look at clutter.

First new project.....how to store all of those shoes.

I don't know if I have mentioned this but I moved into a 90 year old house.  This means closet space is very limited and there was no way I could store my shoe collection in there.  So I had to come up with an easy (and cheap) way to store them all.  Since I have been a student for so long I have several bookscases that I didn't know what to do with.  One night the idea hit me....use a bookcase for shoes.

Supples:
Any bookcase
Tension rods (2 for each "shelf")

What I did:
My bookshelf already had 3 shelves (one that is screwed into place and 2 that are moveable).  I evenly spaced those shelves.  I then purchased 6 tension rods based on the width of the bookcase to make 3 shelves.  Tighten the rods into place so that 2 rods are parallel about 3-4 inches apart.  Then places your shoes on the shelves.

Moving sucks.....most of the time

I have officially moved to Roanoke, VA.  My apartment is currently a disaster area with boxes at every turn.  I usually have a short timeline for unpacking but since I have 5 weeks until I have any obligations I am going to take my time to make my apartment perfect. 

On a negative note, the movers broke my beautiful coffee table turned ottoman.  It was a sad day but it meant that I could go shopping for an alternative.  I learned about this salvage yard in Roanoke that has everything from antiques to old iron gates.  Check out their website at http://www.blackdogsalvage.com/.  I honestly could have bought the entire store but I had to settle on a few pieces for now.  A large portion of the store is broken up into different vendors.  I am in love with the vendor Design Pickers that is run by a real estate stager/ DIYer.  All of her items are brightly colored with fun accessories.  I found a cute coffee table that with brighten up my space (excuse the mess in the background!!)

I will continue the slow process of unpacking and decorating and finding/making more great pieces for my new place.  Check back soon!!

Grandma's Dresser #2

As seen in mt previous post, I have inherited a bedroom set.  It took some time to convince my self to paint it but once I fixed up one piece, I was ready to start working on the rest.  This piece was a long dresser with an detachable mirror.  I thought it would make an EXCELLENT TV console.  It is the perfect size and I could still store things I don't use that often (perfect for winter items an accessories!).

Supplies
Paint
New handles and knobs
Drill

What I did
I started by sanding down the areas that needed some help and wiping everything down. I filled the previous holes from the knobs, then it was as simple as a couple coats of paint.   Once the paint was dry, I measured where I needed the new holes and drilled.  I attached the knobs and that was it. 

 

 

 

 

Before

After

What I'm working on next:
As I am moving in a few days, I will be taking a short break, but don't worry because there will be many more projects to come!!!

DIY Headboard

I have purchased a new bed for my new apartment and I was most excited about getting a new headboard!  I have been searching for the perfect upholstered headboard and after seeing the RIDICULOUS prices I finally decided to make my own.  The adventure started at Home Depot when I clearly didn't realize the size of my car and I drove the 6 miles to my apartment with wood strapped to the roof going 20mph on a very busy road.  Either way it was worth it!

Supplies
2 2x4s cut to the desired height
Plywood cut to dimensions based on bed size
Foam
Batting
Fabric
Staple gun
Buttons, upholstery needle, and upholstery thread (if desired)

What I did
First measure the width of your bed to determine the width of plywood needed.  A queen bed is a standard 60 inches wide.  Then decided how high you want your headboard to be.  I wanted my headboard to be 5 feet from the ground.  I bought my wood at Home Depot and they will cut wood for you in store.  I got 2 2x4s cut to 5 ft and my plywood cut down to 5 ft.  Standard plywood is 4ft x 8 ft so my final piece was 4ft x 5 ft.  (The 1 ft short in height is fine because it wont be seen either way).  Once I got home, I attached the wood with screws so that the 2x4s were attached to either side of the plywood.  At this point it you are planning on adding buttons, measure and drill holes into the plywood.

Headboard Frame

Next attach form to cover the plywood.  It is MUCH cheaper to use multiple square pieces over one large piece of foam.  I bought my foam on sale and they are 2 inches thick.  Once the foam is attached, use batting to covered the edges and staple to the back of the frame.  Lay out fabric on the floor and lay the frame on top.  Using your staple gun, pull the fabric tight and stapled to the back of the frame.  It is easiest to start in the center of one end and then go to the opposite side and pull tight.  Once you have completely attached the fabric, you can add buttons if desired.  To attach, screw the bottom of the 2x4s to your metal bed frame.

Completed Headboard

I will update with new pictures once I move in and attach it to my bed.

Important tip when choosing fabric!
Pay attention to the way the patten is laid out.  The original fabric I chose had a pattern that ran up and down when on the roll and it was not wide enough to use in that direction (i.e. if I used it the up and down would have run left to right and looked awkward). 


What I'm working on next:
Time to attach the 2nd matching dresser.  

My wine bar needs some love!

I have a wine bar and it is in desperate need of some accessories to pizazz it up.  Do you see those amazing wine cork projects? Whether wreaths or cork boards, I love the idea of recycling wine corks into great decor for your home.  I have been collecting corks for a year now and finally had a substantial size pile.  I decided that I would like to make some artwork for my new wine bar.  I began searching for the perfect wine quote.  It is amazing how many important famous people had a little something to say about wine (or any form of alcohol for that matter!)  I found the perfect quote by Alexander Fleming, credited with discovering penicillin.

Supplies
A piece of wood
Paint
Wine corks
Hot glue gun
Rope

What I did
First I painted a piece of wood that I had with a few coats of paint.  Once I found my quote, I printed it out in a font that I liked in a size large enough to see from a distance.  I placed the print outs on my wood and traced the letters with a pen which makes an indentation in the wood.  I then went back with black acrylic paint and hand painted the letters by following the lines I made from tracing.  This took 2 coats of paint to get a dark enough black.  After the paint was dry, I laid out my corks around the border.  I was short by 10 corks!!  Luckily I was going wine tasting with a friend and the owner graciously gave me a large bag of corks that was enough to do the entire project without the corks that I had collected.  I glued the corks in place.  I then decided that I wanted a little something extra and used rope that I had leftover and glued it around the border of the wood.

I love the sign!!  I am looking forward to using the rest of my corks for a great project in the future to compliment this.

After completing this, I still wanted a little more to add to the bar.  I have a lot of rope leftover from previous projects, and I was searching for ideas to use the rest.  I found great vases that were covered with colored yarn and thought why not do the same with rope?

Supplies
Glass vases--purchased form the Dollar Store
Rope
Glue gun

What I did
First make sure to clean and dry your vases.   I started at the top and glued the rope in place.  Continue to wrap the rope around the vase added glue every couple of inches until you get to the bottom.

This is a great and simple project you can do to jazz up a vase.  As mentioned before you can also use yarn.

What I'm working on next:
I have always wanted a unique headboard and now is the time to make one!