{How To} NOT make your own stencil

This post is going to start with a big fat FAIL.  I don't usually share all my craft failures, because really, who wants to read about it?

I *attempted* to make my own stencil....I thought I would be all thrifty and just do it myself.

I've been wanting to stencil my own drapes in Miss E's nursery, so I thought I could just make the perfect stencil.

I started with some stencil blanks from Hobby Lobby.  

Cheap, and there are 3 in a pack.

I printed off my design, laid it carefully underneath a stencil blank-

 and started tracing.

Then, I got out my exacto knife and started cutting.....and cutting....

A close up of how UGLY  this was looking!

I was frustrated, but decided not to give up.  I printed off the free quatrefoil design Jen offers, and made another stencil.

This one turned out MUCH better, but after spending an hour cutting it out, I realized the design was SO small that it would take me FOREVER and a day to stencil my curtains. 

I ended the day in craft defeat-almost!

I then emailed my sponsor Cutting Edge Stencils.  I told them about my disaster, and they offered to send me any stencil off their site for free!

Want to see how it all turned out?  Stay tuned!

Our {new} Home Office: A Tour

Do you have a room in your house that bugs you?  Well, mine was our home office.  It never looked the way I wanted it to!

I had a lot of autumn-ish colors going on.  I was sick of perpetual fall in our office.  

I wanted light and airy-more of a gray/yellow/white combo.  These fabrics were my inspiration:

Don't you looooove them?  I do! 

(from Hawthorne threads)

I started with paint.  Ahhhhh yes.  The easiest way to transform a room.   I decided to go with gray. 

If you've ever tried to choose the perfect gray, you feel my pain!

After several samples of paint on our wall, we finally chose the perfect gray.....or so I thought!

 I went with Valspar's Polar Star.

I painted mostly at night, when the kiddos were asleep...and I'm 7 months pregnant.  Imagine my surprise the next day when I wake up to discover that my perfect gray was gray-BLUE!  I almost started crying!

There was NO way I was going to re-paint the whole room, so I decided to live with it.  And you know what?  I love it now! 

I found the perfect rug that is gray-blue to accent the room. 

Here it is:

Modern, and not floral.  Those were my requirements.

(I loved the way this rug looked in Emily's room!)

 The area above our desk was looking a little bare after painting....

So I jazzed it up with black frames, my favorite B&W prints of our family, and some vinyl.

Much better, right?

 

I did the vinyl myself on my Cricut. 

It's the biggest project I've ever done with vinyl.  

The monogram measures about 36 inches across.

Next, I found some fun frames to add to the desk.

One of my fave pics of me and the hubster.

 

 I found this frame at Home Goods. 

I love the swirls...it's a good contrast to the stark black/white/gray in the room.

I found this little vase at IKEA, and thought it added a nice pop of yellow.

Found this lamp at Home Goods also.  We've had it for a few years, but I still really like it.

Here's the desk side of the room:

Opposite of the desk is the bookcase wall:

I love my little nook in between the bookcases-

The vases are all from IKEA.

The mirror is my FAVORITE part of the room.  I love it!!!

(from Home Goods)

I used some of my inspiration fabric to frame a quote:

We have really lovely bay windows in our office, and they let in tons of natural light.

Close up of vinyl above windows:

I realllllly wanted to do window treatments on these windows in a fun yellow/gray fabric, but the hubby says no.  He likes the uncluttered, minimalist look we have going on.  I must admit, it's growing on me.  So for now, bare windows :)

I think that's about it! Hope you enjoyed our home office tour!

Linking up here! 
and @ Under the Table and Dreaming

Easy {boutique} Burp Cloths

I have made many burp cloths over the years!  

This is the easiest kind for me to make for new mommies-to-be, and thought you might like my quick and easy tutorial!

(if you can sew a straight line, you can make these!)

Supplies Needed:

Fabric in two coordinating colors

Sewing machine

Scissors
Ruler

(told you this would be easy!)

Step 1.  Cut out your fabric into 11x16" rectangles.  (one of each fabric)

Step 2.  Pin RIGHT sides together.

Tip: when sewing with minky fabric, pin the heck out of it!  It will keep the fabric from moving, and will look great when done!

Step 3.  Sew all four sides, leaving a small opening to turn it right side out.

Step 4. Turn your burp cloth right side out.

Step 5. Top stitch all the way around your burp cloth, making sure to tuck in the "hole" you left for turning.

DONE!

Close up:

A few more cute burp cloths:

 

 Linking up here!

Brown Paper Packages

Have you ever been to Brown Paper Packages?  

If not, you are missing out on a seriously cute blog!  Kierste has so many original and fun ideas. 

I'm guest posting today-go check it out!

Want to know how to make an adorable burp cloth in five steps??
Seriously, five steps!

If you can sew a straight line, you can make these!

Check out the tutorial here!

Rainbow Cake {in a jar}

I had SO much fun making this that I had to share it with ya'll!

I have never tried making cake in a mason jar before, but it totally works, and is SO cute looking!

Go here for the recipe, and I'll give you my tips to make it turn out great!

Start with some yummmmmmy looking cake batter, divided into several bowls.

(I used neon food coloring for all my colors)

Spoon in one layer at a time, filling your jar about halfway with all your colors.  Like so:

TIP: the first time I tried "layering" my batter in the jars, it was WAYYYY too runny.  Add about 2 tsp. cornstarch, and 1-2 Tbs. of flour to each bowl.  It will thicken it up, and make it much easier to "layer".

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, and top with frosting and sprinkles when cool.

Love it!!

FYI: I used half pint mason jars.

(because I love stuff that is miniature!)

Linkin' up here
and Tidy Mom

{How to} Spray Paint Furniture

I've been promising you a "how to" post on spray painting.  

Here we go!

First off, most of the things I spray paint are small-like picture frames, random do-dahs, chandeliers etc.

 tutorial found here

chandy makeover found here

Sooo, the thought of spray painting actual furniture was a VERY scary thing for me.  

Here's what to do if you want your paint job to turn out great!

• The brand of spray paint you use MATTERS!  I have used lots of brands, and I honestly think that Krylon is the best.  Do not buy the $1 can of spray paint.  You will wind up using 4 cans of cheap-o paint to do what 2 cans of Krylon can do.  Experience speaking!!  

 (the "no cheap-o spray paint rule" applies to ALL spray paint projects.  Not just furniture!)

• I do not sand my furniture before priming.  I think it creates a huuuuuge mess, and if you use a good primer, it's not really a necessary step.

• Prime your furniture before spray painting!  DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!  I cannot emphasize enough how much it matters whether or not you prime.  If you don't prime, your spray paint will chip and look awful.

• I have tried lots of brands of primer, and the best by FAR is Kilz.  It covers a lot with one can, and it is just awesome.  For some reason, it leaves a fine "grainy" texture on your furniture after it dries.  Use 220 grit sand paper and lightly sand your furniture after you prime.  That grainy feel comes right off, and leaves your furniture feeling smooooooth!

•  Prime the heck out of whatever you are spray painting.  It will take a few coats, but will be worth it!  Prime until your furniture is a uniform white, with no splotchy patches.

• After you prime, it's time to spray paint!  No matter what color you choose, the rule is the same.  Light, even coats, with plenty of drying time in between.

• If you want to save your hands, use rubber/vinyl gloves when spraying/priming.  It is hard to get spray paint off your hands! 

(this is my favorite kind to use)

•  After you spray paint, it's time for the final step-Polycrylic.  This seals and protects your paint job.  I've read that polyurethane will yellow over time on furniture that is painted white, so polycrylic is a better way to go. 

• Other pros of polycrylic: it is way less odorous than polyurethane, you don't have to use mineral spirits with your brush, and it doesn't bubble.  I used the minwax brand, and I really like the results. It is easy to apply, and dries fairly quick.

•  I highly recommend sealing your furniture; it really is a step you shouldn't skip.  It will keep your primer/paint job from chipping!

• For those that will ask: I have tried brush painting furniture before, with latex paint, and I never get good results.  I always have brush strokes, and I just don't think it looks as professional.  I think that spray paint is usually a much better option.

Specifics on spray painting a crib

see the transformation here!

• All of the above tips apply.  

• I personally emailed several ladies in blogland who spray painted their cribs to ask how their spray paint job has held up.  They all said it has held up great, with no chipping, and that they wished they had done it sooner!

• Spray painting is going to be your fastest way to give your crib a face lift.  I can't imagine trying to get in between all those slats with a brush!

• Disassemble your crib as much as possible before spray painting.  It will make it easier to get in all the nooks and crannies.

• To give you a reference, my crib (which is a large crib) took 6 cans of primer, and 5 cans of spray paint.

Hope these tips help, and feel free to email me with questions!
alittleofthis.alittleofthat.blog@gmail.com 




Linking up here!
and Tidy Mom