Inspired Alphabet Wall

I was going through my ideabook at Houzz and wanted to share the Alphabet Wall idea. 
 If I my kids were younger or home schooled, I would definatley be doing this.

eclectic kids design by media and blogs A Few Things From My Life

kids design

kids design

A Time for Everything

Ohdeedoh

I am loving that Z!!!

Pottery Barn Kids

I think they are so much fun and whimsical!

Hope you get inspired!

Valspar Power In Color Giveaway!

VALSPAR ANNOUNCES 'POWER IN COLOR GIVEAWAY':

100,000 PAINT PROJECT STARTER KITS OFFERED FOR FREE

Discover the Transformative Power of Color with Fresh Paint and a Fresh Attitude for 2011

Select a Free Paint Sample from More than 3,000 Hues at Facebook.com/ValsparPaint

Valspar wants America to discover the transformative power of color, and to help consumers take the first step, the company today announced The Power in Color Giveaway: 100,000 Valspar paint samples will be offered for free via Valspar’s Facebook page to inspire people to bring color into their lives in 2011.

The 8-ounce samples will be accompanied by "Paint Project Starter Kits" that include a roller, a paint pan and coordinating paint chips—everything needed to make choosing the right colors easy—as well as a coupon for $5 off a gallon of Valspar at Lowe’s stores nationwide for when consumers are ready to start their paint projects.

Beginning Monday, January 17, at Facebook.com/ValsparPaint, one thousand of the free, postage-paid starter kits will be offered each day until all 100,000 have been given away. Consumers must simply click “like” for Valspar Paint to receive the free paint sample and kit.

Now Hop on over to Valspar Paint and get your free kit!

WARNING:  These go fast!!!  The store re-opens at 12:00 CST

Pottery Barn Finial Tutorial

Here is the tutorial for my Pottery Barn Decorative Objects that I featured yesterday. 

Getting this look for less is so simple,

it made me wonder why I didn't do this so much earlier??? 

 I had started putting the candlesticks together with the finials and started painting them and then just moved on to another project.  I purchased the smaller candlesticks for 29 cents each at Goodwill.  A few of the finals came from there as well. 

I had already started painting them when I remembered to take a before pic!

Lets get to the steps;

This is the base for the largest finial. 

It is metal and started out black.

The two pieces were attached with Gorilla Glue.

The cup of the base is so deep that this took a lot of glue!!

One end of these pieces had a screw and the other end had an opening.

I enlarged the small opening with my drill and screwed the two pieces together.

I did enforce the bond with Gorilla Glue.

Here it is with 3 pieces put together.

A untrained monkey could do this!

Tada!

The other finials were simply glued together!

Lets move on the the paint finish....

Each pieces was spray painted black. 

Once dry I went over it with a cream color spray paint.

Next, I hand painted each one with a latex semi gloss paint. 

My paint choice is Valspar Angels.

Once dry, I took 80 grit sand paper and distressed them until I liked how it looked.

Glazing is the final step. 

I slather the glaze all over the finial and wipe off slowly until I achieve the look I was after.

I hope you will take a stab at creating a cheaper version of the catalogs we all love!

I am not stopping here!

Go visit more before & afters with Kim at Southern Savvy Style

Enjoy!

Pottery Barn Inspired Decorative Accents

SThe Architectural collection featured by Pottery Barn speaks to me. 

 I love the old chippy paint, curvy and scroll shapes. 

The minute I saw it I knew I had to make a version of this collection.

I had purchased a bunch of unfinished wood candlesticks and finials from Goodwill a while back with plans of grouping them all together. 

 They have sat in a drawer for over a year.  They were perfect for this project.

Each cost no more than 75 cents to make (with one exception). 

 All of the paint was left over from other projects.

The first finial is the exception.  The base is was found at goodwill. 

The other 3 pieces that are connected were found at Lowes for $12.

This urn is turned out to be my favorite.

Here is a close up of the distressing:

This was a fun project.  My only problem will be where I want to put them!!

I will be searching for older chunkier pieces to play with. 

Click Here for the tutorial!

I am linking up with:

Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Mondays
Amaze Me Mondays at Dittle Dattle
DIY Showoff for DIY Project Parade
Masterpiece Mondays at the Boggieboard Cottage
House of Grace for Twice owned Tuesdays
A Stroll Thru Life  for Tabletop Tuesdays
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays  at Coastal Charm
Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking
Faded Charm for White Wednesdays
Trendy Treehouse for Creative Share Blog Hop
Show & Tell Fridays at My Romantic Home
Feathered Nest Fridays at French Country Cottage
Hodgepodge Friday at It's a Hodgepodge Life
Paint Party at Room Remix!

Architechtural Salvaged Collection

Ok, so I haven't been blogging much lately.  My first week of 2011 was not the best? 

 I had a stressed back and then I had to have a wisdom tooth pulled. 

 To top it off I got a dry socket that is really causing me a lot of pain. 

The good thing out of all of this is that I have had plenty of time to get inspired and excited about the projects I needed to be working on. 

 I got caught up on all of my magazines and books too!

Pottery Barn's new catalog really got me excited. 

 I love the architechural wood collection.

Acanthus Pillar Holders

Turned Wood Pillar Holders

Ashville Metal Candle Holders

My wheels started turning and I have a great knock off coming tomorrow!

Here is a sneak peak;

Varsity China

Attention all plate addicts, have you seen Varsity China? 

"Varsity China are purveyors of commemorative plates and dinnerware for colleges and universities.

Each university is depicted in a specially designed plate or series of plates."

Not only are they a great way to "be true to your school"

 but they are microwave & dishwasher safe!

Currently only 18 universities are available but requests are being taken.

I can't wait to see who gets a full set for a tablescape!

Happy Shopping!

My New Years Obsession!

Happy New Year! 

 I hope you had a great holiday!  Ours was filled with lots of traveling.  I am so ready to get our lives back on a somewhat normal schedule again.  I have so many projects planned and big goals for 2011.  Like most of you I am really motivated.  I hope this momentum stays!

I am in love with a new electronic device!  I got a Kindle for Christmas!

If you a an avid reader,

I must warn you, this baby is addictive.

I read alot, but I am

1.  To cheap to buy books.

2.  To lazy to go to the library. 

(Plus I never return books on time!)

The downsides are:

1. I have found is the ease of purchasing a book!

2.  I have read 9 books over the last two weeks!

(That may be one reason for not posting!!!!)

3.  I can't share these books with my mom or friends!

I love the built in dictionary. 

It also have a feature that allows

you to mark your favorite quotes.

I can also make notes while reading.

After having the Kindle for a week, I got a cover with the built in book light.

I can now read in the car at night and

in bed while hubby sleeps!

Yes, I am in love.

My goals this week is to put the Kindle down (Ughhh) and finish a few painting projects.

Happy Reading!