bedroom upgrades

Remember these free shutters I found at an estate sale? Well, they have finally been given a purpose.

 

With my grandmother's beautiful hopechest in mind...

and the following accessories...

we purchased a new quilt.

Then, I stained 3 of the 5 shutters with Cherry Watco Danish Oil. Then they looked like this:

 

We added picture-hanging brackets to the back of each shutter...

Then carefully hung them on the wall above our newly adorned bed.

Needless to say, we slept well last night.

DIY coaster tutorial

I have been wanting to make these for a while now, so here it is!

First, you will need the following:

However many tiles you would like to make (I bought eight) [.16 cents @ Lowe's]

Scrapbooking paper (or newspaper, maps, book pages. etc.) [5$ @ walmart for a zillion pages]

Sticky felt strips or dots [2$ @ walmart]

Mod Podge (matte or gloss style) [3$ on clearance @ walmart]

Acryclic paint (white, or any color you would like) [1.50 @ micheals]

Acrylic clear spray sealant [3.50$ @ walmart]

Scissors

2 paintbrushes (1 paintbrush/1 spongebrush would be better)

Sponge or smoothing tool

Pencil

Step 1. trace your squares onto the portion of the paper you would like to use, then cut

 

  Step 2. using smaller paintbrush, paint edges of tiles with acrylic paint, 2 coats

 (10 minutes between each coat) 

Step 3. trim paper to correct size according to top of tile

 [smaller is better than too big-you won't have to get the edges of the paper to roll over the edges of the tile]

Step 4. using larger brush/sponge brush, paint an even layer on Mod Podge onto top of tile

 Step 5. quickly place paper onto tile (you have a few seconds to adjust it)

 Step 6. Use sponge to even out paper, smooth out any air bubbles 

(make sure the edges are smoothed completely)

 Step 7. place another even layer of Mod Podge over top of paper and sides of tile 

(don't skimp on the amount you use, give it a good coating, also smooth out any air bubbles with finger)

 Step 8. let dry at least an hour

 Step 9. when you are sure they are dry, give tiles a very light sanding 

(you can sand off any brushstrokes, debris, or imperfections)

Step 10. spray paint the tiles with the acrylic clear sealer

(or get your fiance/significant other to do it, because he is a billion times better at spray-painting evenly)

 Step 11. let dry at least 10 minutes, and you can do more coats if you feel like it needs it
(I did 2 coats, just be sure to do a light sanding in between each coat)

Step 12. when completely dry, place your furniture protecting felt dots to the bottom

Step 13. wait an hour or two, then enjoy your handiwork!

 

 

 

Save them for yourself, or wrap them up in twine/ribbon/yarn and give as a gift!

Notes:

•  if you are feeling especially DIY, or can't find Mod Podge, or prefer to use something less expensive - try Margaret @ Pinspired's DIY Mod Podge tutorial
• I would have purchased a small sponge brush (had I remembered) so as not to have as many brushstrokes when using the Mod Podge (or just remember to sand lightly)
• You can use matte or gloss Mod Podge, it doesn't matter - but DO pay attention to what kind of clear spray paint you buy - I chose to get a "satin" finish as I am not a huge fan of glossy finishes
• I originally bought felt "strips," but they made the coasters too "tall," so instead I went back and bought the brown "dots" seen above (they aren't as thick)

Any other suggestions are welcome!

Happy crafting!

city maps

I am so excited to finally share these, as I have been working on them recently. The idea for these maps stems from a fellow blogger-and being that I was a geography major with map-making software at my fingertips, I just couldn't help but try and make my own.

 While I love many of the maps and other graphic prints at Jenna Sue Design Co., [I have ordered from her and she is wonderfully quick] I wanted to be able to choose how I depicted the streets (minor and major). I also wanted to choose my own scale, colors (although she has beautiful colors) and most importantly of all, city.

I have both a Chico map and a Pleasanton map framed in our new place, as both these cities mean so much to us and our relationship. Once I repaint that wall, I will post pictures. They are a great modern, but not too modern touch and they look wonderful in simple black or white frames.

 I can't wait to make more of the places that remind me of the people I love.

On another note, my always friend Margaret, who lives in a far far away land [Boston] has launched her new blog featuring projects, recipes, etc. she has undertaken while "pinspired." Love you Madgies!