Happy Monday!!
This morning I decided that I wanted to share my newest DIY!!
My kitchen is ALMOST done (probably not, are we ever done upgrading?)
Walls are put back up, recessed lighting in, fan installed, baseboards, bench and sconces to name a few :)
My new wall in my kitchen was rather bare....
Thus, this weeks DIY was born!
<3
My goal is to start some thrifting and get some vintage frames and have pictures of friends, family and of course…my beloved animals!
Wooden Letters are so fun to decorate because the options are limitless.
Below is how I made mine and who knows, you might learn something new, or spark some ideas of your own!
I did each letter differently.
Remember, I live on a ranch so my decor is very....mismatched : )
F
You will need:
1. Mod Podge
2. A brush
3. Fabric
4. Wooden Letter
For the F, I picked out a fabric that had clocks on it.
First, you flip the fabric over so the print side is facing down.
Then, place the letter on the fabric also face down.
Trace the letter, but be sure to leave a little room so you can completely cover the sides of the letter.
Cut the traced shape out.
On the front side of the letter, paint on the Mod Podge.
Since I wanted the sides covered with fabric as well, I also put Mod Podge on the sides.
The piece of fabric was a little shorter then my letter.
NO WORRIES!
I just used a piece of left over fabric and some burlap to cover the connecting line and you can't even tell!
I dressed the letter up with a "vintage" flower and vintage buttons.
A
You will need:
1. Two different colors of acrylic paint
2. Vaseline
3. 80 grit sand paper
4. Wooden letter
5. Paint Brush
I decided to go with a more distressed look for my A.
First, you paint the areas that you would like the second color to show.
This is really optional, but makes the sanding ALOT easier...put Vaseline on the areas of the letter you want the top color to show through.
A very very light amount of Vaseline, or the top coat will not stick at all and just get all over the place.
Then paint the entire letter with your lighter top coat.
Once completely dried, start sanding in the areas that the Vaseline was put, or any where you painted till the bottom coat comes through.
Keep sanding until you get your desired look!
M
1. Elmer's Glue
2. Top and bottom paint colors (acrylic)
3. Paint brush
4. Wooden Letters
I love the way the M turned out.
I did a crackle effect for this one, and I really LOVE it!
First, paint the letter with your desired bottom color (what will come through the cracks)
Then completely cover the letter with Elmer's glue (using a paint brush)
I did mine kind of thick hoping it would show up in the pictures.
Now, here's the tricky part....
Don't paint too soon or it will not work at all, the glue will get all over and it will be a mess; don't paint too late or it will hardly crack.
Patience.
Wait until it is "tacky" or super sticky
I waited about 5 min or so and then would lightly touch areas and if it didn't feel sticky, then I would wait until it did.
Once the glue feels pretty sticky, go ahead and paint your second color right on top of it.
Now this part is fun!
You really get to see your work come alive!
As the glue dries, your top coat will begin to "crack"
Cool huh?!
I
The I is very similar to the F, but instead of using a fabric, I used a piece of scrap book paper.
What you will need:
1. Scrap book paper
2. Mod Podge
3. Sand Paper
4. Wooden Letter
The I by far was the easiest.
So I started off the same way as I did with the F.
Flip the scrap book paper face down and place the wooden letter face down on the fabric.
Then trace the letter.
I traced exactly along the I instead of leaving room for the edges (paper wouldn't wrap as nicely as the fabric would).
I then used an exact-o blade and cut along the traced letter.
On the front of the letter, paint on a thin layer of mod podge and place the cut out on top
Once the paper and letter are COMPLETELY dry, lightly sand the edges of the letter to give a more "finished" look.
I also dressed this letter up with burlap and a flower.
L
The L by far took the longest, but it ended up being my FAVORITE!
What you will need:
1. Twin
2. Glue gun and LOTS of glue sticks
3. Wooden Letter
First things first.... When doing this project, I did ALL my lines horizontal.
So since I knew all the main wraps would be going in one direction, I first had to cover the parts that wouldn't be able to be covered by the horizontal wraps.
Start cutting a bunch of little pieces of twin and let the gluing begin!!
Once all the areas that don't make the horizontal line cut are covered, glue an uncut piece of twine at the VERY top of the letter (on the BACK) and begin to wrap, and wrap and wrap!
I would put hot glue across the back of the letter every third wrap or so.
This part takes some time!
Make sure the twin is tight and as close together as you can get it!
Almost done!
If there are areas that you can see the letter, just cut a piece of twin and fit it right in!
Once I got all my visible white areas covered, I wanted to dress this letter up too!
I used some lace flowers I had left over from my wedding crafts.
Now you see why this one is my favorite ;)
Y
The Y I did the same way as the M
I did crackle paint.
Except I used a pastel pink and yellow as my colors
I decided to add some purls, lace and butterfly's to give it a different look then the M
Again, I like mismatched!
Sorry the actual wall pictures came out so DARK!
I took them this morning on my way to work at 4:30 in the MORNING!
A few blogs back I wanted to share someone's personal success story.
I knew who I wanted to write about, but I want her to come to me ;)
Well she did.
She gave me the "ok" to share her story some time ago.
I have been busy and wanted to make sure I could really write something heart felt about this wonderful woman.
I met this heck of a mom, Shelby, a few years ago in college.
She is a military wife, accounting college grad, and the mother of two BEAUTIFUL children.
I just found out some news from Shelby yesterday, and I will talk about that in a few.
Here is what she sent me.
She is so humble so read what I have to say after what she wrote :)
. . . .
When I started my journey back in 06-07, I didn't know about Crossfit or Paleo. As a matter of fact, I didn't know a whole lot about eating right or exercise. I didn’t want to go to an actual gym because I was self-conscious. So I bought some regular gym equipment for my house. However, 3 years ago my husband stumbled upon Crossfit, got his level one cert and started slowly easing me into it. Then we found the zone diet and then moved on to Paleo. Paleo is easy because you know what you CAN'T eat. Paleo is difficult because of the things you can't eat. Preparation is key for successful Paleo. I still cheat, probably more then I should, but for the most part I stick to meat, veggies, fruit, seeds & nuts. Anyhow, when I started, I weighed 270lbs size 26 and now I am 160lbs size 10-12 at 38 years old. I feel better then I ever have. I still have my ups and downs of eating bad and some weeks I don't get workouts in like I should, but I'm an Air Force Wife of 17 years, and a working mom of two. Sometimes life just happens :) I will never go back to the way I was. If I can do this then anyone can do this…I promise!
. . . .
Doesn't she look AMAZING!
Look at those arms!
Okay now I want to share a bit more about her, we all know how I LOVE to get sentimental : )
When I met Shelby, we were in Accounting 201, and then tried to take the same accounting courses together (and any other) each semester on.
Her husband is in the Air force and had to travel while she was still going to college and taking care of their kids.
Can you say super mom??!
She moved to Florida for her husband’s work, but she has a forever Vegas friend :)
Yesterday, I found out some devastating news.
Shelby has been diagnosed with lymphoma.
(I'm starting to get a lump in my throat)
What do you say to someone when you find something like that out?
Pray.
Pray.
Pray.
After seeing Shelby's amazing transformation, and being the super mom/wife that I know she is, I know she can get through this.
She has touched more lives than just the ones in her home.
Especially mine.
Knowing Shelby had a whole house hold to take care of and was still showing up to class every day, studied every night, and never missed a deadline, that taught me no excuses and pure dedication.
She always has a smile on her face, is hard working and is a fighter.
With that being said I KNOW she will beat this.
There is so much love for this women and I know everyone will come together for support and care for her and her family.
I know God will make sure this wonder mom and family will be taken care of.
We are all praying for you Shelby, you will beat this!
If you can get through McAllister's accounting course you can get through anything.
So much love headed your way friend.
May God bless you and your family.
I dont' need to say it, I know you know where this is going...
yes I cheated.
With what...pizza, what else.
ugh!
Do I feel bad?
A little (not really)
Life has really gotten the best of me.
I can honestly say that I cracked under pressure.
The project that I had planned for me and Matt was going great, but broken this and that happened and over budget (VERY over budget), well....just life.
. . . .
Due to a horrible event last night, we probably will not be doing grass in the time frame we had planned. Let alone yard clean up.
In the mean time, I am getting back on track by starting my evening with Insanity (SOOO addicted)...and even maybe two videos. We'll see ; )
I will be busy trying to get my clean eating back on track and playing nurse till my hubs to be is better again.
I would share what happened, but got a big fat NO from the man of the house.
. . . .
Life is an amazing thing. You grow up, you grow old, you find love, you loose love, you find THE love, you have children, your children grow up, you loose pets, you make new friends, you cry, you laugh, you get angry, you smile, you live. As quick as a blink of an eye it can change. So enjoy every single moment doing everything with everyone, appreciate them being in your life and remind them why you WANT them in your life. You never realize how precious something is to you until it isn't there any more. Don't take a single person, moment or second for granted.
xo
