Wednesday, May 22, 2013

"E" is for End of Year Teacher Gift

Build: teacher chalkboard gift


Make your end of the school year teacher's gifts one they are sure to enjoy with this super fast build.

Monday, May 20, 2013

"T" is for Terry Towels Roundup

Sew: diy personalized terry towels


Easily make your own personalized towels to keep or give using terry cloth towels and nearly any cotton fabric.

Stay simple and go with the single letter in black:


Friday, May 17, 2013

"U" is for United House Wrecking

Stamford, CT


If you're looking for old architectural salvaged items that are truly unique and have tons of character this is the place.

Mantels and more mantels.



Stained glass:




 Tons of beautiful doors:




 Newel posts:



And lots of corbels:


I've seen many DIY projects using corbels.


Or go big with your own version of Restoration Hardware's corbel glass desk:


They always have a selection of plumbing fixtures:


And hardware of all sorts:



I've mentioned UHW before when I bought the solid brass hardware for this armoire makeover:


And this old type tray made into a Christmas countdown is also from UHW:


Of course I did have a purpose for my visit, these twisted spindles are now mine:


Stay tuned as they make their way into something similar to this:



And lastly the cutest vintage scooters right at the checkout counter:


Next time you're in the Stamford area definitely stop into United House Wrecking, it's worth a visit.

Disclaimer:  I was not compensated in any way by UHW for writing this post, I simply enjoy their shop and hope you do too!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

"C" is for Counter Stools

Bar stools become counter stools:


Head over to Pretty Handy Girl where I'm sharing how to cut down your standard wood bar stools to counter height:


And I'll also show you how to paint the star pattern on the seat:


Thanks to Pretty Handy Girl Brittany for allowing me to contribute.

I'm linking up to:

SAS @ Funky Junk
Nifty Thrifty Sunday @ Nifty Thrifty Things
That DIY Showoff @ The DIY Showoff
Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z
The Scoop @ Lolly Jane
Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage
Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue
Pretty Things Thursday @ Scissors & Spatulas
Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
SAS @ Just a Girl
Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic
inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming
Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity Now

Monday, May 13, 2013

"L" is for Lazy Susan (tabletop)

Build: divided lazy susan


Make a tabletop divided lazy susan for less than one-third the cost of the inspiration version.

Friday, May 10, 2013

"Z" is for Zippered Pouch Roundup (25+ ideas)

Sew: 25+ diy zippered pouch ideas


I finally pulled together most of the zippered pouches I have shared on the blog so readers have one easy reference page.

All the styles, fabrics and variations complete with links to the tutorials

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

"O" is for Ottoman Tray

Build: parquet pattern ottoman tray


Build your own parquet patterned ottoman tray with handles.

Monday, May 6, 2013

"C" is for Croquet Food Labels

Buid: mini croquet mallet food labels


Summer is just around the corner and these food labels or table placecards would be perfect for a backyard BBQ or special event.

Pie anyone?


Friday, May 3, 2013

"W" is for Wood Bead Necklace

Craft: wood bead necklace


Easy kids craft: painted wooden beads strung onto leather cording makes a great teacher appreciation gift or Mother's Day gift too!


I borrowed this idea from Laura Parke at A Girl Who Makes and did the craft with my son's Montessori class.  

His class has kids ranging in age from 3 to 6 and all the kids were able to complete the necklace with little or no help.
If you don't mind painting the beads ahead of time this project is great for a school class.

And it's even one necklace you just might be able to actually wear out in public!

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

"A" is for Armrest Pincushion

Sew: drop cloth armrest pincushion


A quick and easy gift made using drop cloth and blue gingham binding.

Monday, April 29, 2013

"S" is for Scripture Sign (and a winner)

Paint: scripture sign


A special request from Megan for her boys bedroom, a slightly modified version of a verse from Luke:

Thursday, April 25, 2013

"G" is for Giveaway #2: The Handbuilt Home

Giveaway #2: Ana White's The Handbuilt Home



Surprisingly Random House sent me another copy of Ana's book and since I already have a few copies I'm giving away one copy to a lucky reader.

This book is packed full of projects you can build yourself, for your home with your own hands.

I can attest as I have built a few pieces from the book myself and have many more pages earmarked.

The cutest kids step stool on page 92:


The kids adirondack chairs on page 179:


The Farmhouse headboard on page 136:



This giveaway will be open until April 29, 2013 at 12am and only shipping to a US or Canadian address.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, April 22, 2013

"B" is for Birch Log Votives

Craft: birch log votive holders


Create a simple, natural looking votive candle holder using birch logs and prefilled votives.

Or make 50:

Friday, April 19, 2013

"T" is for Teacher Appreciation Gift

Craft: teacher appreciation pencil holder gift


Make a teacher appreciation gift that's useful for both teachers and the students.

A wood pencil holder filled with pencils for students to borrow:

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

"K" is for Kids Bookend Kit

Build: kids bookend kit

Build with your kids and make a personalized bookend.

Pretty Handy Girl Blog

And when you're done building let the kids paint their new bookends: 


Or build the bookend then give it as a gift along with a set of acrylic paints and a few brushes:


Stop by Pretty Handy Girl for all the details and as always lots of diy projects.

I'm linking up to:


Sawdust Throwdown @ Sawdust Girl
SAS @ Funky Junk
Nifty Thrifty Sunday @ Nifty Thrifty Things
That DIY Showoff @ The DIY Showoff
Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z
The Scoop @ Lolly Jane
Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage
Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue
Pretty Things Thursday @ Scissors & Spatulas
Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
SAS @ Just a Girl
Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic
inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming
Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity Now