~Map Mod-Podged Monogram ~

I have been feeling particularily crafty these past weeks. It must be an avoidance tactic, avoiding finishing real projects around the house.

So....

Here is another simple (and cheap) project that is seen everywhere... 

but I like it. 

One of my favourite bloggers and friend, Alissa at 33 Shades of Green, made some decorative letters for her home and I decided to try it for my son's room.

Are you dying to make one? Here's how....

First you will need a wooden letter. I bought mine at Michaels.

Next, paint the edges using a colour of your choice and method of your choice. I used black craft paint but you could use spray paint, leftover wall paint, etc.

After a few coats of paint have dried, lay the letter on an old map, trace and cut it out. 

*Make sure you lay it right side up. I laid it wrong side down, and then when I wanted to glue the traced piece out and it was backwards - sheesh!

Using mod podge glue the paper piece onto the wooden letter, smoothing out bubbles. Then paint a thin coat of mod podge over the entire piece and let dry. Oops  - forgot to take photos of that step!

And then...

Voila!

One more week and the kids are back at school. Hopefully I can get into a routine again and finally finish my daughter's room (I have really procrastinated on that one!)

Also....

Thanks to Jen at Tatertots and Jello for featuring my subway/eyechart art that I made for my son's room!

Linking to:

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous

~A CSN Giveaway: Winner~

This the moment you have been waiting for with bated breath

 - the winner of the $40 gift certificate from CSN stores!

#28!!!

Meghan said...

I am a new follower...and excited about a contest that Canadians can win. :D

August 21, 2010 9:43 PM 

Congratulations Meghan!

~ a fellow Canadian!~

 Happy shopping!


Meghan, could you please contact me so I can give you your prize?

I have yet to spend my CSN win from decor happy because there is simply too much to choose from!

Thanks to all who entered. Hopefully CSN (or someone else) will offer another giveaway soon!

~Subway/Eyechart Art ~

My daughter and I had fun one evening with some plain canvasses I had laying around. While she worked on an art piece for her room, I created a piece for my son's room. 


Since subway and typography art is all the rage I thought I would jump on the bandwagon but add a little twist. I love the look of eye charts as well and mixed the two to create something unique. Using the quote" May the force be with you," I created an one-of-a-kind original for my Star Wars fan.

How-to:

Start with a canvas and paint it black (or leave it white to create a classic eye chart). 


Using the computer print up your quote, playing with the font size and arrangement. Classic Snellen eyecharts use the "Courrier" font, which is what I chose to use as well. You can create your own Snellen eyechart here or just play around on the computer until you achieve the look you want.

Next would be to arrange the lettering on your canvas.

Originally I was going to trace the outline of the letters and paint them in but wasn't confident in my detailing-with-paint skills so I highlighted the font with the computer to make the letters white.

Using scissors I cut out each letter and adhered it to the canvas using Mod Podge. I then gave the whole piece a thin coat of Mod Podge.

(hodge:podge does Mod Podge - has a nice rhyme :)

Source: Plaid Products

(This is where it was late, hence bad lighting, and I forgot to take more photos - sorry)

Voila!

I added the subway/eyechart art to a gallery wall I arranged in his room. My son is a collector of sorts and loves to hold onto things that are special, why not display them for all to see?

See the monogram "A"? Come back next week and I'll share how I made it!


I am slowy getting back into a more regular schedule as our summer holidays are winding down, 2 weeks left! My hope is to bring you more projects as I finish them. We are possibly re-arranging 3 bedrooms in our house, moving kids from one space into another to create a games/office room for the kids to hang out. 


Do you know what that means? More rooms to paint and re-design! Just when I thought my to-do list was getting smaller....

DON'T forget to enter my giveaway for a $40 gift certificate from CSN stores. You have until Wednesday, August 25th!

Click here to enter




Sharing at:

Frugal Friday@ Shabby Nest

Power of Paint @ Domestically Speaking

SNS @ Funky Junk

Weekend Wrap Up@Tater Tots and Jello
Frugalicious Friday@Finding Fabulous
Making Monday Marvelous@ C.R.A.F.T.

7 Retro designs for home and dining room

Retro look is so much fun and beautiful to create. I love the colors and quirkiness that it brings. Retro is the way to go if you have a love for design that is distinct, colors that add to dimension and style that is unparallel. A far cry from classic or understated, it is a design that has to loved totally before you recreate it in your home.

I have put together a set of ideas for home design, dining area is specially the soul of the home, with family enjoying meals together and entertaining friends and building memories. I specially adore the clean lines and curved shapes of dining chairs, while the simple table with  basic shape and color provides the perfect foil.

Retro white circular table with laminate chairs and vintage table ware. I love how unique and cheerful the whole look is.

The dining room is so full of memorabilia from past and put together with the distinct retro vintage panton chairs, the room is elevated to a testament from the 60s. Lucky ! 

Retro design and decor are know for its vibrant colors. The whole setting is so simple yet sophisticated. The design is interesting and keeps the atmosphere light and beautiful.

I love wire mesh chairs. They are stylish and so versatile. Not easy to come by an entire dining set, create your own. Mix match works wonderfully and what can be more and interesting than hunting for your perfect fit :)

Its all about keeping it unique and interesting. Retro is know for its fun and whimsical design. Use your imagination and create your very own space.

How elegant and stylish. Beautiful ikat print on the stylish chairs, with the absolutely stunning iron table base. I would love to snag this up any day. My favourite :D Retro is the way to be !

Lush colors and lots of it. Not for the faint hearted, enjoy the retro style that way it should be, wholeheartedly ! There is no place for toning down here and yet the energy and vibes are so positive.

~Giveaway Time: CSN Stores~

CSN stores is offering up a $40 gift certificate to one of my lucky followers or subscribers! 

How could you spend your prize money? 

How about a dutch oven, like my {dream} dutch oven by Le Creuset?

or a trendy globe?

or splurge on Dwell Studio bedding for kids {I love the wall colour!}

or why not a locker for the mudroom?

Here's how to enter:

{I just won a CSN gift certificate myself from decor happy, so good luck!}

Entry #1: Be a follower via Google Connect 

Entry #2: Subscribe to my blog, just enter your email in the "subscribe via email" widget {on the sidebar}

Entry #3:  Post about this giveaway on your sidebar

Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.

Also, if your email isn't connected to your profile, add it into your comment.

The winner will be chosen via random.org on Wednesday, August 25th!

This giveaway is open to all US and Canadian residents. Remember that you are responsible for any shipping costs that make incur.

~Silver Leaf Lamp's New Home~

Remember the thrift store lamp that went from this

to this using black spray paint and silver leaf? 

(Want to silver leaf? Read how I did it here)

Let me refresh your memory with a trip down memory lane.

 

This lamp, from now on referred to a "she" was not wanted in our bedroom by a certain husband. He loathed this lamp and sent her to the garage.

She has finally taken up residence on a Craigslist find in my daughter's soon to be finished bedroom. 

I think she goes well with this lamp I found at Homesense. 

They make such a nice pair...

What is icing on the cake is that I am spotting this style of lamp in decor magazines and on various sites. 

Like this one from the etsy seller from fabulousmess

or this one via decorpad

or these vintage lamps via design*sponge

Ahhh... great minds think alike.

~Renewed Energy~

After enjoying some wonderful R&R visiting Banff, Jasper and family at the farm, I am ready to tackle some projects that were left unfinished.

Mt. Robson (my husband took this amazing photo)

I have finished drafting the pattern for the upholstered headboards. Just need to sweet talk the husband into cutting out the shapes from some plywood and then I can FINALLY finish!

Here is a peak:

Hmm.. here are some projects I hope to tackle (if I write them down on my blog then I have no choice but to show you all the results!)

*Finish both girls' rooms

*Put together final touches on my son's room

*Paint sideboard and bookcases in living/dining room

*Sew slipcovers for dining room chairs

*Art wall up stairwell

*Art wall in family room

(Revamp bulletin board/message center in kitchen

Phew! 

  

6 lovely wall design ideas for kid's room

I have a special love for decorating kid's room. It is colorful and imaginative and a special place where lots of beautiful memories are created.

It is a space where there is happiness and laughter and the color scheme and design should reflect just that. A lot of fun and bright cheerful motifs. This set of designs are to help you get inspired to create some beautiful designs for your kids bedroom.

This is a simple yet stylish way to bring fun and cheer into your kid's room. Love how the motif can be used as picture frames to put in just any drawing or picture into it.

Pink and flowery! I am sure it would be some little girl's favourite room. The blank wall is a perfect foil for the somewhat large and loud flowery motifs. The room is visually grabbing and delightful.

Bring a little piece of sky inside. The beautiful color of blue and serenity of the decor is absolutely relaxing. No temper tantrums here I think ;) Love the polka dotted rug and simple furniture.

Trite as it maybe Teddy bears still rule a little of everyone's childhood. This room design in brown is different from conventional pink and blue and yet soothing and pleasant. The icon on the wall an absolute cutey!

 

Lots of pink hearts dancing on the wall. An unusual design for wall but brings a new dimension to the room. It is a perfect idea for smaller rooms to bring n the depth the design offers.

Blue and flowers together may not be a norm. But the design and color scheme does look great. Again the gorgeous design is offset by a white wall to bring balance. A beautiful idea to recreate.