Last weekend, I posted this picture on Instagram, leading my followers to wonder what I’m up to.
I’m going to go ahead and tell you that this project will take several posts, and I’ll be talking about it for the next few weeks…but I’m happy to scratch the surface today.
This absolutely lovely antique mantle has been in my garage for almost two years. I knew what I wanted to do with it but just couldn’t find the time. Story of my life. I knew I wanted it done by December so I felt compelled to stop dragging my feet and just do it.
Then, there was a whole lotta strippin’ going on, and not the sexy kind. At least this kind of stripper doesn’t smell bad. Just brush it on with a paintbrush and wait thirty minutes. Then, scrape that paint right off. You may have to repeat the process, if there are several layers of paint to remove. I had to do this three times.
Plus, the stripper gives everything a pinkish hue, which is also lots of fun.
I used low grit sandpaper and a plastic putty knife to scrape away the paint. I’ve almost got all the paint off.
And if you’ll tune in next week, I’ll show you the second installment. Come see us next Tuesday to see what I’m doing with this mantle.
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! This time of year is always a busy one for teachers, so I never seem to post as many blog posts as I’d like. Today, I’d like to share some super cute farmhouse projects with you all.
You can make this one with just a stencil, some scrap wood, some paint and some wood stain. You can even freehand it if you’re more artistically talented than I am. There are so many things I want to put on a sign like this one! I can’t wait to make a few more.
I made this box from some mis-measured wood pieces from another project, and some walnut wood stain. I have used this box for Christmas, for spring, for fall, and for winter. It’s so much fun to decorate with!
These super cute, very farmhouse candlesticks are made from wood-turned chair legs, terra-cota flower pot saucers, and chalk paint. I ended up with three really nice candlesticks for around $20.
This rustic wood coat rack is made from a plank of scrap wood, some walnut stain, and some Hobby Lobby drawer pulls. It adds a unique touch to our room and was super easy to make too!
Well, what are you waiting for? Grab some scrap wood and some walnut stain and get to creating! I can’t wait to see what you make.
This week, my daughter and I were trying to think of the perfect sign to hang behind our piano. I knew I wanted something “music-themed” and I wanted to try to make something. We went through our scrap wood pile and found this:
We measured it around another long, thin board we found and painted the back board white.
We then pulled the framing pieces off and cut them to the correct size. I chose to make it easier on us and not miter them. We then stained the framing pieces.
We reattached the framing pieces.
When we were thinking of something to put on the sign, we decided on a quote from one of our favorite hymns, “How Great Thou Art.” We quickly created a stencil on our Silhouette Cameo.
We cut out the stencil and placed it on the sign. We then traced the stencil.
And then we filled in the traced stencil.
We then attached D-ring hanging hardware to the back of the frame and called it finished.
I was really pleased with how this turned out. I can’t wait to get our family room painted so we can hang it up! I’ll surely show it to you when we do.
Have a wonderful week! Join us again Wednesday for a look at our newly organized bathroom vanity.
I tried a thing, and it didn’t work. I tried to build some box shelves for my bathroom, but I really wasn’t getting the desired result. So instead of wasting $40 I spent on lumber, I decided to repurpose it. I used two boards to make pipe shelves in our bathrooms (which I will show you soon), but then I had all these other boards.
I have been crushing on those simple stained wood planters that people use as centerpieces, and fill with all sorts of seasonal goodies. So I decided to give it a go.
To make a planter box, you will need:
1 1X6 board, at 34 inches long
2 1X4 boards, at 36 inches long
2 1×4 boards cut at 6 inches long
Wood screws
Drill bits and drill
Screwdriver/ phillips drill head for power drill
Wood glue
Wood stain in your desired color. I chose Minwax Dark Walnut
My first step was to lay out my materials and make sure I had everything I needed.
I then began attaching my 36 inch 1X4s to the sides of the 1X6 board. This will create a box with open sides.
Next, I closed in the open sides with the two six-inch 1×4 boards.
If you have any nicks, holes, or splits, you can fill them in with wood filler. I wanted a rustic look, so I didn’t fill in a lot of the holes. I wanted it to be a little beat up.
Next, I stained my little planter box. I used Minwax Dark Walnut and I applied two coats, with 24 hours drying time between the coats of stain.
After letting my box dry completely, I discovered it was the perfect length and width for my dining table.
I filled it with boxwood plants, green hydrangeas, boxwood spheres and green apples.
And then I hit up Pinterest to drool over all the pretty ways people decorate these wooden planter boxes.
