Snail Mail Pals

Tired of boring envelopes and cardboard boxes? Want to spice up your shipping? I love receiving cute snail mail, so I try and mail cute snail mail. This idea came to me one day after shopping in World Market once I found all these cute owl bags. I've blurred out the addresses in the photo for obvious reasons, but the paper I wrote and taped them on was from some scrapbooking paper I had laying around. All you have to do is cut the handles off of a gift bag, put your gift inside (make sure you use bubble wrap to keep your gift safe), and then fold over and staple or tape it shut! The people at the post office always smiled when they saw what I was bringing in to mail. Sorry for the crappy photo quality, these were taken with cell & laptop cameras.

If anyone wants to be present penpals, I'd love to start mailing little presents like this. Maybe like a small $5 or handmade present each month or something fun like that. Snail mail is fun! I know I love seeing something other than bills in my mailbox. Send me an email if you're interested and I will swap addresses with you!

Diy Chalkboard

I'm sure many of you have heard of chalkboard paint by now and probably thought of a million uses for it. I picked up these two boards from Ikea the other week when I was there for $3.99 each in the "as-is" section and thought they'd make cute, cheap, chalkboards! So I stopped by Lowes and picked up this chalkboard paint, which is a bit pricey...but it will last a long time since I only plan on using it for small projects. I would definitely suggest grabbing a can of this and making a few little chalkboard projects! The boards I made took two coats and need a few touch ups after taking off the painters tape - pretty quick and easy!

This is the back of the 1st board I made. 

You can pick up a picture hanger kit at Michaels or any hardware store.

The one below is the finished product for my parents kitchen, they wanted their chalkboard to hang vertically on the pantry door as a grocery list. 

Have you made anything using chalkboard paint? 

I'd love to hear other ideas for using it!

These Won't Kill a Moose

I saw some decorative arrows the other day while browsing online and now I can't seem to find the original post to link you back to where I got the idea from. Bummer. Anyway, I thought these would make a great addition to my room. I'm going to include a mini-tutorial on how to make them, so you can make your own. Believe me, it's super easy...I'm not sure a tutorial is even necessary - but I'm bored, so you're getting it anyway!

Supplies: 

• two (or more) wooden dowels
• painters tape
• paint colors of your choice & paint brush
• scissors
• paper (I used part of a brown paper bag)
• feathers
• thumb tacks or nails

Directions:

1. Cut a triangle shape out of your paper and tape it to the ends of the wooden dowels to make a point-like shape, like an arrow should have at the end. 
2. Gather a few feathers and tape them to the other end of the dowels.
3. Use your painters tape and cut it into strips and then place the strips on the dowel in whatever pattern you wish.
4. Paint the open areas with the colors of your choice and then allow to dry.
5. Remove the tape from the dowel (except the tape holding on the arrow and the feathers) and then paint the remaining areas. I painted mine in white to soften it up and match my room. Allow to dry.
6. You're finished! I used two clear thumb tacks to hang mine up above my window.

Project Remodel - Ottoman

As you guys know, I've been working on my room. Once I feel that the whole thing is photo-worthy, I'll let you see it. The wood flooring and paint scheme turned out awesome but for now, you just get this little project. 

We've had this ottoman around the house for while, it usually travels to whichever room Copper will be sleeping in, since he can't get into the bed without help since he's so little. Since I'm living here now, it's ended up in my room. I couldn't stand how it was a huge eye sore in my fresh new room so I finally decided to recover it. 

I've never re-upholstered anything in my life - so this thing is no where near perfection, but I think it turned out pretty decent! The corners were a challenge but Mom and I thought the little tuffs at the bottom made it look cute (it looks better in person, I promise). 

It only cost me about $20 at Hancock Fabric for the two yards because I had a 50% off coupon. The left over fabric is going to be used to re-cover a chair that goes with the desk. To my surprise, they had an awesome selection at the fabric store and I had a hard time choosing which one I thought would go best with the rest of the room.

(closer photo of the new fabric, mom helping, coordination with rest of room)

(click the photo for larger view)

What do you think?

Project Remodel - Desk

Since moving in with my parents, I have basically taken over the right half of the house. My brother recently moved out and I am slowly, but surely, moving into his old room. (Thanks, brother, for leaving so much CRAP in that room!!! & a big thanks to my parents for cleaning it out!) We are redoing the entire room from floor to ceiling. New ceiling fan, painting, hardwood floors, etc. I already have the entire room pictured in my head and can't wait to get it the way I want. Brother left behind this desk and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it & paint it. My mom found it at a yard sale a few years back and it'll go with my new room perfectly. I only took one before picture since I almost forgot that I was going to make a post about it but you'll get the idea. I thought a dusty pink color would fit right in with the gray walls and my white/gray/yellow bedding. Next, I think I'm going to make my own curtains for the room since I'm not too sure I'll find what I want in the store for a reasonable price. Then, eventually I hope to turn the room I'm currently in into a mini living room. Okay, here we go!