I'm excited to share my latest project with you! I'm making some fun stuff out of wood for a local boutique this week. I've been so busy with all my craftiness that I haven't been able to update anything on my blog. In case you
are local to Utah and see this in time, the Wilson Avenue Boutique will start Thursday, May 3th and end on Saturday, May 5th. Here's the details:
 
 
I just saw this beautiful video made by the International Down Syndrom Coalition for Life celebrating the life of those with Down Syndrome.  I cried with reminiscent tears remembering the difficulty I had when I first realized that my sweet Miriam had Down Syndrome.  I love this video and will soon be sharing the message that I would tell myself back to those first days she was born.
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I just received this offer in my inbox this morning.  The True Friend True Beauty offer is going on now until March 31.  This offer is a-m-a-z-i-n-g at 68% off regular price.  If you want to learn more about Beauty Profiling check out my previous post and learn how you can watch the introduction course for FREE.  This is an amazing deal ladies.  I paid over $300 for this information and you can get it now for $99!
 
L is for... 03/13/2012
 
I had a lot of fun with this next project for St. Patrick's Day.  I was inspired to create a sign from recycled pallets after seeing this blog post from jaimescott.blogspot.com.  I had a "L" in my craft stash that I had previously purchased or otherwise I would have cut out one myself with my jigsaw. 
I made the background with four pieces of pallet wood screwed together in the back then spray painted green.  I had some little pieces of molding from another project that I cut for the frame and spray painted gold.  I painted the green "L" and cut out a bunch of "L" words with my Silhouette including "leprechaun" and "lucky" for St. Patrick's Day. 
 
 
Have you felt out of place and not quite sure how you fit in with other women, what your gifts and strengths really are?  Have you ever wondered why you have a closet full of clothes that never seem quite right?  Have you been searching for peace and self acceptance for you - just the way you are? 

I'm so excited to share this special offer with you.  You can learn what Beauty Type you are for FREE.  Normally the Beauty Profiling course is $39.00 but now it's being offered for free.  Go here to learn all about Beauty Profiling.  I'm a type three and learning this about myself has been so freeing.  Accepting that I'm a rich, dynamic, edgy woman has made all the difference and has been a lot of FUN!  I think my secondary type is a one so having fun is also very important for me.  Go watch the video and see for yourself how amazing this information is.  Knowledge is power!
I hope you take advantage of this great offer and I promise you won't be disappointed that you did.  I'd love for you to share what you've learned once you watch the video, so come back and leave a comment about what you discovered about your Beauty Type.
 
 
For the last 10+ years I've had my kitchen decorated in apples.  The last year or so I've been wanting to move from the apple decor into something different.  One of my favorite kitchen decor items was this apple tree that sat on my kitchen table as a centerpiece for years.  I realized how pathetic is was starting to look since it's been in the grasp of all my kiddos - torn off leaves and apples.  I was just going to send it to DI, but the thrifty me saw the potential underneath the dilapidated apple exterior!  I pulled off all the apples and leaves and was left with a very reusable foam cone base.  After much contemplation I decided to use these smooth rocks I found at the $ store as well as some moss. 
After tearing and pulling all the existing exterior from the base I simple used a hot glue gun and got to work.  As you can tell from the picture I laid the stones and then made sure I put moss in between.  It was rather simple, but took a little time. 
I am so proud of the end result.  Everytime I pass it in my living room I smile with thrifty pride knowing that I gave second life to my little tree.
 
Side Table Redo 03/04/2012
 
I bought this little table at DI for $8 and it was my first official redo project.  My husband bought me an electric sander so I was excited to start on something.  I bought this little table because it was sturdy and made of solid wood.  It came with both drawers although I knew I was only going to use one of them and put a basket where the bottom one was.  Here's a good before and after: 
I started by sanding down the entire piece.  Then after cleaning off all the sawdust I adhered some beadboard wallpaper from HD onto the the sides to add a little something extra.  Then I primed the entire piece then painted it with a can of oops paint from HD. 
After it was painted I distressed the entire surface with sandpaper then wiped on some Dark Walnut Stain.    I proteted the surface with two coats of polyurethane since we have lots of little kiddos and I wanted it to be protected. 
 I found the little basket at Ross to fit in the hole.   I store diapers and baby wipes in the basket for easy access during the day.  My hubby bought the knobs at WM and I just love how it all came together.   I love the end result, what do you think?
 
 
I bought a pack of burner covers at the $ store after reading about the projects made over at Brassy Apple.  I love this simple, inexpensive project and all the possibilities for cheap seasonal decor.  Here's my take on an easy St. Patty's Day sign.
The steps were simple - spray paint and adhere a vinyl circle and some "no pinching zone" lettering.  Easy peasy!
 
 
This wreath was easy and rather quick to make.  The wreath form was wrapped in torn pieces of canvas.  I made various flowers from tutorials I've seen online.  Add a few buttons, a little moss, a ribbon and you're done! 
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This little wreath makes me smile everytime we come home through the front door.  I love making wreaths and this one will make a nice addition to my growing St. Patrick's Day decor. 

 
 
I'm so happy with how this all turned out and to share it with you!  I finished the gate and knew at once it needed a wreath.  I save some twisted looking branches from our last house for a project just like this.  I think it's pretty self explanatory but I'll give a few more details on how I did it.  But first the final project.
The way I made the wreath is pretty simple.  I traced two bowls, differing sizes onto a piece of a cardboard box.  I cut the circle and hot glued some burlap around it.  This created the base to glue my twigs to.  I hot glued the twigs around the circle then started on the rosettes.  Here's a picture of the backside of the wreath.  The metal ring is to hang on the gate.  I just used a ton of hot glue and it's held in place just perfectly.  Kind ghetto, but hey, it works!
  I was going for a FREE project here so spending money on the perfect blue fabric was out of the question.  I was about to cut up a spare bed sheet but my hubby was resistant.  I asked him what else was made of blue fabric that I could cut up.  He told me he had a couple old work shirts that just happened to be the shade of blue I was looking for!  Yeah for recycling!  I followed directions from previous bloggers about making rosettes out of fabric and after making enough to cover where I glued my twigs I hot glued them on as well.  Here's a close up of the rosettes:
So simple, yet so fun, bright and cheery!  I love the end result and that this whole project cost me $0.