PB Knock Off - Ocean Pier sign

I love Pottery Barn, oh yes I do, but I don’t love their prices. When I saw their Ocean Pier sign, I thought, hey, I can make my own version.

I knew that not in a million years would I be able to replicate the fish, so opted for a crab.



I was determined not to buy anything, so I used what I had; an old frame, some tongue and groove wood and acrylic craft paints.

Here is how I put it together

I applied the boards to a piece of plywood that fit the frame.  Painted the boards and then the frame. Yay, it fits.

I used my Sure cuts a lot software to make the design, cut it out of vinyl with my Cricut and applied it to the wood.

I painted the design in and that’s that.  It did take a lot of time and the lettering is not really crisp. Hopefully that makes it look authentic

Sharing this project at the following parties, take a look for lots of wonderful and awesome diy projects.

Thank you for the features, I'm honoured.

repurposed bread box

I was inspired by Tracy at Tracy’s Trinkets and Treasure to make over this old bread box. Well, that was many months ago and it just sat, and sat.

I came up with my version of the medicine box, but with a twist.

My kids were always asking where the cords are to charge their phones, so I decided to put all of the chargers in one spot.

The top holds the medicine that we use most often (which isn’t much)

I was able to solve two issues in one fell swoop

Ric Rac trim and the dining room is done.

Quite possibly the most fun trim out there, I wanted to add some to my dining room; make it a little less stuffy.
I added it to my shade and to my diy roman shade from mini blinds.

  
So that’s it for my dining room makeover. I’ll add or change it as I go, but I’m really pleased with it. This room has had many updates, and I didn’t love any of them, this one I do.

Here is a walk through of it’s various looks over the last two years. It’s a good reminder to me of how my tastes have changed, for the better I might add :)  The credit goes to all of you, that continually inspire me to create a space that is truly me.
  

and finally

Sharing at

Thank you for the feature Stephanie Lynn

Pleated semi-fitted tablecloth

I would like to refinish my table top, but since I am using it as my craft table, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to put all of that work into it just now.

I had to come up with a way to disguise the ugly, yellowed pine.

With my stash of white twill fabric I came up with this.

I started out by tracing the outside rim of the table with a piece of chalk.



I trimmed it down to one inch from the line and cut it out.



I the cut strips of fabric 9” wide, folded them in half, then started making the pleats, lots of them.



Right sides together, I pinned the pleats to the top, then ran it through my sewing machine.



Ta Da ! I think it looks perky and fresh.

I’ve been tagged – getting to know me

Beatrice from A Crafty Bee has tagged me in a game of getting to know you.

In an effort to make my blog a little more personal, this couldn’t have come at a better time.

 

Here are the 11 questions I was asked.

1.If you were on a deserted island, what three things would you take with you?

1. yummy food

2. internet access 

3. wine (see question 9)

2. What is a book that you have read this past year?

I’m currently reading The Hunger Games and can’t wait for the movie release.

3. Which design or decorating magazine do you love reading?

Style at Home – It’s Canadian, and it’s design within reach.

4. Do you collect anything?

No. I used to collect clown related items, but ended up receiving way too much ugly stuff from well meaning family and friends. Lesson learned.

5. What is your favourite piece of furniture from Ikea?

Hands down, the Ektorp series. Affordable, changeable and comfy.

6. What best decorating advice do you have for someone on a budget?

Do it yourself. Find a way to do it on a budget, if it is not how you envisioned it, you haven’t lost a fortune.

7. Favourite flower?

4 O’clocks, also known as Marvel of Peru. It’s really a shrub/bush, but the flowers are plenty, they smell heavenly and remain open all night.

8. What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?

Be yourself, everyone else is taken.

9. Red or white wine?

Either (hic), thank you.

10. Favourite pizza?

Thin crust, whole wheat, with sun dried tomato, tons of cheese, green olives and onion.

11. What is the project that you are most proud of?

My bathroom reno that I did all by myself.

So now I have to tag (it’s supposed to be 11, but I see that most people have already done it) others and ask 11 different questions. 

Lora at My Indulgences

Bambi at Crafting Occurs

Anne at Design Dreams by Anne

Heather at Our Life in a Click

Tracy at A Comfy Little Place of my Own

Megan at 1 Funky Woman

 

Here are my 11 questions.

1. You have been handed $1000.00, what will you spend it on?

2. Do you have brothers and sisters?

3. Is your glass half full or half empty?

4. Do you snore? tell the truth :)

5. Introvert or extrovert?

6. What do you like to do to relax?

7. You are in an empty room for one hour, what are you going to do with that time?

8. Who was your first best friend?

9. Have you had your heart broken?

10. If you are invisible, where would you go?

11. What time do you usually wake up?

 

I will not be offended if you don’t want to participate.

The reviews are in – What I like about your blog

I am taking some things to heart and making some changes.

I have added my photo and a little about me since both reviewers said they would like to see the writer. This is a difficult thing for me to do, because I don’t share a lot about myself, to anyone :)

I have removed the QR code, ‘cause yeah, it’s a little useless, especially since I don’t even have a cell phone .lol

My photo skills are lacking and I was told that I should learn Photoshop! Yep, I will, just as soon as I have time. One reviewer wrote that I posted the same images over and over, saying it was monotonous – wow, that one stung a little.

Overall, I am pleased with the recommendations and it was great to hear the positive feedback too.

It has given me reason to re-evaluate why I blog.

- I blog for me

- I have no interest in searching for a large following, opening a business, or seeking sponsors

- I’ve connected with some very nice, like minded people

- I would rather spend my time doing projects, than spending hours writing a post

- If I inspire someone, that is the icing on the cake.

Thank you Heather, for the opportunity to grow. Thank you to the reviewers for your constructive feedback.

birthday/St. Pat’s centerpieces

On St. Patty’s day we will be celebrating my dad’s 80th birthday.

I have been assigned the task of creating centerpieces for the tables. Since I have to make 10 of them, I tried to keep the cost to a minimum.  Thank goodness for the dollar store :)

I filled a derby with some kitty litter, stuffed it with tissue paper, added some foam shamrocks, and cut out some numbers to make it fit with the 80th birthday theme.

A little over $2.00 each. One down, nine to go.