How to Make Architectural Letters

Sometime last spring I was busy working on a few holiday DIY tutorials for HGTV.com. How fun to finally be able to share these projects with you! Even earlier, when working on the Master Bedroom Redesign, I had such a great time making the "M" and "I" Architectural Letters for the art wall that I thought this could become a fun holiday project as well, using letters to spell a word fitting of the season.

Here are the steps to create your own...it couldn't be more easy!
{paper mache letters available at JoAnn Fabrics}

Materials Needed:

• paper mache letters
• tinted primer
• silver metallic paint

• rust-colored acrylic paint
• foam and bristle brushes
• rag

Gather Supplies

Select letters, gather paint, brushes and rag.

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Apply Primer

Brush a layer of primer over letter surfaces, leaving noticeable brush strokes in varying directions. Let dry to the touch.

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Apply Metallic Paint

Brush a layer of metallic paint over letter surfaces, leaving noticeable brush strokes in varying directions.

Wipe Letters

Wipe away excess metallic paint with rag.

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Add Rust Accents

Mix or use rust-colored paint to brush highlights over letter edges and any rough or raised areas.

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Wipe Letters

Wipe away excess rust-colored paint.

Apply Second Coat of Metallic Paint

Brush on second layer of metallic paint to diffuse rust accents.

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Rub In and Wipe Away

Using rag, rub in metallic paint and wipe away any excess.

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Display the Letters

Spell out the season's greetings on a table, mantel or location of your choice to spread a little holiday joy.

To see this and other holiday decorating ideas, visit HGTV.com

Fun Halloween Projects!

Have you prepped your house for Halloween?

I haven't. But I plan to get to it this weekend and will surely be pulling out a few projects I worked on last winter for HGTV. Here are a couple below, and visit here for many more ideas!

Spider Napkin Rings

{tutorial here @ HGTV.com}


Chalkboard Serving Tray

{tutorial here @ HGTV.com}

Happy Decorating!

31 Days / day 5 - new vignettes with my top 5 photo tips

I have the chance to do a little creating for HGTV.com. They gave me a theme to work with, so I've been playing in my spare time to whip up something new for them.

And because this is a Blog to Biz series, I'll confess I'm not compensated for this. 

So why do it?

Because one day I hope to be compensated somehow someway, so I consider this my resume. :) And I love working with them!

HGTV.com does call me from time to time when they spot something on my blog they desire to feature and I love the relationship we have.

There's never even a guarantee something will be used, but some generally are so it's worth it to try.  So off we go!

Staging is one of my fav things to do. I love creating brand new takes on traditional ideas.

I liken it to pulling out all your toys and playing. :)

Playing playing playing... love how these hydrangeas dried the perfect tone for the aqua jars.

Can you guess what the theme is?

So anyway, let's learn something while we're at it.

My top 5 photo tips

1. Photo Edit

I like using Picasa the most for the blog, but will at times play in Photoshop Elements if submitting for mags. Elements is a price efficient and easier to use version of Photoshop so it's a very worthwhile investment if you're newish at all this.

In Picasa, I generally:

sharpen

lighten

play with the saturation feature (indoors I generally remove, outdoors I increase)

deepen

add a slight blue gradient to outdoor sky photos

2. Take LOTS of shots

Taking various angles of any given angle offers you more chances for the perfect shot. Just keep working that camera until you've exhausted all ideas possible.

And know... I delete MANY. It takes oodles of shots to land just a few good ones so don't be camera shy on this one. Digital is free to process so no holding back!

before

after


3. Slightly airbrush skin

Whenever I take a closeup skin shot, I ever so gently airbrush it in Picnik (found inside Picasa). Just know when to stop otherwise it'll look like... someone airbrushed you. :)

Now know, it's not that I'm trying to be super vane or anythingl. If you submit online or to mags, you want the potential 'blow ups' to look nice, not all... whatever. Ya know?

 Others add lemons to their vases... so I added some clothespins and raffia into the water just for a fun twist. :)

4. A covered patio offers awesome diffused light

Taking shots on my covered patio offers the best light. It's diffused and generally always weather safe. However I'll totally admit if it were sunny the day I took these photos, they'd turn out a little crisper. (you'll see a sample below) Weather plays a huge part when you shoot on (ahem) automatic it seems. :)

5. A brighter day makes for better pics

Well look who joined me...

Take a look at this photo. It's taken on that somewhat gloomy overcast day. 

FYI: I didn't add a blue sky gradient to this one because of the patio roof being present, otherwise I would have. White skies tend to wash out a photo.

Here's a shot on a slightly brighter day. There are more highlights on Teddy's fur and the image is also sharper.

But my kitten always looks good in my eyes regardless. :)

Days with better light ALWAYS translate to better photos, even if outdoors. The trick is to ensure the light is diffused and not direct.

Anyway, I'll be doing more vignettes over the next couple weeks so I'll be sure to share some unique ideas when they're done. Cuz I wanna add to this list. :)

My own HGTV features to date:

 trash to treasure features headboard features Christmas tree features

And on Day 6... I'm going to brave up and make a BIG announcement. Well, it's BIG for me anyway. And I'm putting this in here tonite so I don't chicken out and let you down therefore letting myself down.

See you tomorrow.... unless I run back into hiding again... :)

This just in! Wanna hint? Go read my instalment on Brooke's blog today. Her topic is about making money on one's blog. Way perfect.... You can read that HERE.

All 31 Day posts to date are HERE.

Visit Day One for each listing HERE.

Time For Fall Wreaths!

While I'm fighting it at every step, it is indeed fall! And with its arrival comes fall decor, and what says fall better than a Fall Felt Wreath. Throw in a black crow, and you are ready for Halloween as well!

The below is a tutorial I wrote for HGTV.com, oh, sometime around New Years Eve of last year. These fall projects weren't nearly as confusing to my state of mind as the Christmas projects were in March however! Those will come later, but until then...

How to Make a Fall Felt Leaf Wreath

Complete these steps to create a cute felt wreath with a Halloween twist.

Materials Needed:

• 24" grapevine wreath
• wreath hanger
• 1/4 yard felt in assorted fall colors
• 1 yard double-sided iron-on fusing
• 1/4 yard craft paper

• black crow
• fabric glue
• invisible fabric pen
• scissors
• iron

Cut Templates

Gather supplies and cut various leaf-shaped templates from craft paper. 

Tip: Gather leaves from your backyard for inspiration or search for free templates online.

Cut Felt and Iron-On Fusing

Cut assorted autumnal felt colors and fusing into 10" x 12" sheets. 

Set aside remaining felt to be used in a later step.

Iron Felt

Iron 10" x 12" sheets of felt and fusible material together.

Cut Leaf

Trace leaf shape onto fused felt sheet using invisible fabric pen. 

Following traced lines, cut out leaf and then fold in half to create cut-outs within shape.

Remove Paper Backing

Peel fusible paper backing from leaf and place on contrasting color felt sheet without fusible backing.

Fuse Felt Sheets

Iron leaf to contrasting felt sheet, a different color is now visible through patterns cut into leaf in previous step.

Cut Out Leaf

Trim approximately 1/8 inch around leaf, leaving a contrasting felt border on all sides to create a two-toned leaf. Repeat steps four through seven, making 20 to 25 leaves in a range of felt color combinations.

Attach Leaves to Wreath

Weave grapevine branches around leaves, attaching leaf backs to wreath with fabric glue as needed.

Thanks for having me HGTV.com! 

Repurposing Furniture

I was running short on time yesterday and didn't want to rush completing the drop cloth slipcovers...so one more day and I should be done. In the meantime, I was just sent a link to a new article at HGTV.com which includes a couple of my projects, along with projects from some of my favorite bloggers!

12 Ways to Repurpose Home Furnishings

"Check out these easy ways to repurpose old home furnishings before you decide to toss them out. From a ladder display shelf to cabinet mantel decor, you will find a way to repurpose many forgotten household items."  By Farima Alavi

Salvaged Home Office

This home office is filled with items from the junkyard. Sawhorses make up the legs of the desk, a wood pallet works as the desktop and an old ladder provides the framework. Donna (of Funky Junk Interiors) used wood pallets to create an industrial-style shelving unit to maximize storage space. Fill the shelves with vintage-inspired objects to finish the rustic look.

Practical Antique

A piece of old, unused furniture can become functional again with a little creativity. This Hoosier cupboard, popular in the early 20th century, was sitting in a woodshop for years. With some refinishing and paint, it was turned into a practical home office desk. The crisp white cupboard against the chalkboard walls makes it the focal point of the room. The cupboard drawers allow for an abundance of storage space, and the size of the cupboard provides plenty of room for office equipment. The piece not only adds to the design of the room but holds great memories as well...hang framed memorabilia to add to the timeworn look. (To see the entire room click here.)

Bright, Bold Focal Point

Sometimes a fresh coat of paint is all a piece of furniture needs to breathe new life into a space. Melissa Michaels (of The Inspired Room) painted this once-dull coffee table into an eye-catching royal blue color. "The unexpected pop of color is a fun contrast to its otherwise traditional lines," she says. The bold color makes the table the focal point in this mostly neutral living room.

Playful Kid's Dresser

If you don't like the look of an old dresser, update it with a bright color. Here a forgotten dresser was painted with bright pinkish-red chalkboard paint for a playful look that works perfectly in a kid's room. The dresser allows kids to use their imaginations by drawing or writing anything they want on it, keeping the walls safe from any unexpected drawing. (See my step-by-step tutorial here.)

No Damage Here

Damaged furniture doesn't have to be thrown away. Marian Parsons (of Miss Mustard Seed) suggests hiding imperfections on furniture with decoupage. She used aged sheets of music to hide imperfections on this neglected dresser, while also giving the all-white bedroom a shabby chic look. Other items great for decoupaging furniture are maps, book pages, letters and postcards. "The treatment will hide gouges, water marks, missing veneer and other signs of abuse on furniture," she says. Decoupaging furniture will also add dimension and distinct style to a room.

To see more ideas, visit HGTV.com to read the entire article.

On blogging, voting, features... and self inflicted fame.

Ready for a little this and that today?

On blogging

Wow. Your comments on the blog tips post really blew me away. And your feedback told me something about our blogging habits. We all love to blog, however it's really tricky finding the perfect balance.

While you may have found the post encouraging, I also wish to highlight, it's ok to not blog too! What's most important is that we're happy with whatever we choose to do. I think I was most impressed when a commenter stated she proudly cut down on her posting. Excellent! Do what works for YOU.

Benches wins!

Looks like benches is our next themed topic for this weekend's SNS. I've always desired to make a bench but goodness... I'm still trying to wrap up my farm table photo shoot! Not sure if a bench is in the horizon for me yet, however if you can get one done up, go for it!

I'll also be poking down the list for abit with the top votes, so here's the lineup.

And here's what your suggestions brought. Some great ones in there, so I'll also be picking and choosing some of these as well. Thanks!!

And what else? Oh right... this!

HGTV Feature

Well, look who's first up in line over at HGTV.com HERE.

This was by far a category made for me so I submitted a few of my projects. You'll also see some well known blog superstars in the mix so I challenge you to 'name that photoshoot!' when you glance through them. :)

Thanks Farima at HGTV! I'm thrilled to be a part of this!

Let's see... what else... big agenda today...

Flea Market Style

 

I was going to wait until I received a copy to tell you. However many of you are already holding one in your hands, you lucky ducks! Well, I'm in here! And not only me. There's many blogland features in this one as well.

So what was that again... you wanna quit blogging you say? Don't you even think about it! If I can get in these features, so can you. :)

Nice picture, huh? Well, whatever. Just wait till I get my hands on this thing. Better yet, go pick one up! I was selected as best to visit for power tools! What a total honor!

Update: Ahhh... much better. :)

And just maybe if I can hunt one down myself, I'll throw on some movie star sunglasses, sign a copy and send it to one of you...

"Well, these are taken! Keep lookin'!"

(This is my friend Sonny btw. And you don't want to see the rest of this pic. )

 And just maybe I'll do that every time I'm IN a magazine from now on to celebrate it!

Word has it that the mag article is making quite a stir.

 "Oh my stars.... I must try this!"

And just when I thought my demographic was mostly women...

"HAHAHAAA! NO WAY! Who IS this girl? I need to go find her. Because I'm awesomely single, cute, I build, I made a coffee table out of rusty gears, and I have a killer plaid jacket collection! Oh. I love cats and love cat hair even MORE.  And I'd cook and have the coffee pot on all the time for her so she could just create. Dumpster diver too?!? Well rust my bucket! Wait, she says that too!"

But word is getting out to the famous as well....

"Woaa baby... Momma! Takalookatthis!"

"THIS...  is DEEP."

"*SOB*... I can't hold it together! Nate, call this girl to NYC! She can crate up MY stairs!"

"Thanks for the tweet, Liberty! I'm on it! This is outstanding junk! Can someone ring up a limo suitable for a Canadian junkin' sign fanatic?"

"This'll do, eh boss?"

"Nate! I loved the limo!"

"FJ Donna, I can't believe you're really here! Hot new perm by the way..."

"Do a little junkin' and coffee later?"

"Wouldn't miss it!"

And then this!

I know. I can barely believe it myself. Thanks Val!

"Do a little junkin' and coffee later?"

"Wouldn't miss it!"

I know. How silly. :) And for the record? I have the highest respect for the stars above. For they are displaying a talent and status most could only dream of.

But I hope this feeling of humble elation never leaves, even with the smallest features somehow, somewhere.

Thank-you Flea Market Style and HGTV! I'm so honored!

Which only proves...