some basic spring mantle ideas (using stuff you already have in your house).

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 i love changing my mantle with the seasons and even subtle changes can really change the feel of the room.  being a lover of spring, these little things just make me happy.i shopped my house and garage (and yard) for things that i already had and whipped this mantle together in just a few minutes (apparently, i didn't even take the time to … [Read more...]

patterned paint roller tutorial (Not Wallpaper).

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  i had the awesome privilege of working with Not Wallpaper (a shop that sells patterned paint rollers) to decorate my entrance wall.  i knew i wanted something that looked like wallpaper with a fun pattern but didn't really want to spend the money or time actually wallpapering it.  this was the perfect solution, because it is just … [Read more...]

antique sewing machine desk refurbish.

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  **the process of painting and staining this sewing machine desk is very similar to what i did to the tv stand.  read HERE for all the full details**   the clearance paint from Lowes or Home Depot is perfect for furniture redos!  So cheap! sand well and then paint the inserts.  i used a little art brush for the corners and … [Read more...]

DIY 30 minute wooden christmas tree tutorial.

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  yep, i put in my blog title, so it must be true---you can make this adorable wooden christmas tree decor thingy in 30 minutes (minus finding/buying the wood). i saw something a little bit like this awhile back on, where else, pinterest HERE & HERE, but basically just went out into my garage, found some leftover wood pieces from … [Read more...]

DIY furniture paint refurbish tutorial.

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you might remember, when i mentioned that i scored some amazing antique furniture while visiting my family in Indiana. well, today, you get to see the amazing transformation of my $25 tv stand/buffet/hutch thingy. thanks to my sister, Emily, and mom for mostly doing all of the work on this refurbish. i was busy unpacking and corralling kids … [Read more...]

transitions, shmansitions…. & a little bit of a house tour.

  i'm a myriad of emotions as we approach the closing date for selling our first home. transitions have always been hardest for me..   in college, i would dread leaving home each summer to move back on campus---yet, as soon as i was there and settled, i rarely went home and didn't even really miss it.  in the spring, when it was time … [Read more...]

antique bed to new chic bench.

oh happy day for me. for christmas, my mom (with the help of my grandpa and grandma) crafted this beautiful bench from an old antique bed.   they used the headboard of a full sized bed as the back. then, cut the foot-board in half and attached it to the back as the side rails.  the seat is removable slabs of wood with a hand sewn cushion … [Read more...]

diy winter wreath & a winner!

christmas decorating is in full swing around these parts. tree=check handmade doily ornaments=check staircase lights=check winter door wreath=check! here's how i made my own with just stuff i had around: materials 1. 2 FAKE boughs of evergreen (with bendable stems) 2.  leftover cuttings from our christmas tree (we got these for free just … [Read more...]

what a creative house looks like

hi friends!  i am spending the week at my parents' farm in Indiana and enjoying some great country air. while i am here, i decided to photograph my little sister's house and all it's creative glory.  it has so much to admire and my sister and her husband have done a lot of hard work to improve and build character in their cozy first … [Read more...]

small space craft room solutions

remember this "guest room" makeover?remember that the room is literally a little bigger than my sister's closet?no? don't remember that....well, it is! and by that, i mean, it's really small for a bedroom.....all this said, it wasn't getting much use.we have over-night guests about 2-3 times a year and the other 340 days it was just a place to … [Read more...]