Jeanette

Cheap decorating idea for animal crates

May 252012

A cheap decorating idea for animal crates.

Those precious animals that have the good fortune to live in our homes as members of our family, come with some unsightly accessories.

{We can no longer remember that this toy was, but it’s Homer’s fav-o-rite!}

Homer is a very large, very sweet 120 lb. German Shepherd {he’s a German German Shepherd, usually taller without the large chest of American German Shepherds.} He was crate trained and loves his crate…a large crate, very large crate, monster of a crate. Well you get the picture. I figured out a simple and cheap way to hide the huge plastic monster. On top I placed a large board {MDF would work fine} which is painted on top and sides. I used a dark brown paint. Can’t say the color because I’ve mixed in black at one point to make it darker.

I bought four yards of canvas fabric for under $10. Placing the board on top I measured from the top to the floor and added 2″. I also measured around all four sides adding 2″. Next I sewed a 1/2 inch hem around all four sides. Glue or sewing tape would work if you didn’t want to sew.

Then using the trusty hot glue gun {trusty until I burnt my thumb!} I hot glued a long strip of hook and loop tape {okay Velcro} along the top edge of the canvas. This crate makes a table large enough to be a small dining table. Smaller crates would make great side tables and tiny crates could work as foot stools. Homer’s crate is large so the board just sits on top, but if I did smaller crates I would use Velcro to secure the board to the crate.

Next I hot glued the other side of the Velcro all around the bottom edge of the wood top.

The front can be gathered into the Velcro to give Homer a draped effect for the front. We usually keep the draped effect…makes it open and easier for him to get inside, and he feels “fancy”!

I spend ten dollars for fabric, fourteen for Velcro, and the wood board I had.

I made a new sign for the front, after all he’s learning to read.

To help you uncover the beauty in your home, click here

New Ebooks

Click on books for more info!

Hog Rings in the Garden

May 222012

Hog Rings are invaluable around the house and for do it yourself people.

Yes they really do use rings in farm animals. I however, have found other uses for hog rings. They are a “C” shaped piece of metal that comes in different sizes and types of metal. You can buy hog rings and the pliers at most hardware stores.

The pliers are specially made with indents to hold the rings in place.

Below is how I used the hog rings today. I braided rope and then used the rings to hold the braids together to create a wide band of braided rope.

Here’s what the wide braided band is for…as an accent to the trellis I made for our garden.

Not sure if I can rightly say our garden. My guy is the gardener around here. But I can made a trellis!

Leave a comment below on how hog rings could be useful in your projects.

To help you uncover the beauty in your home, click here

New Ebooks

Click on books for more info!

Decorating by Disney

May 212012

Decorating by Disney…you might have notice I haven’t posted in a week and a half. We went to Walt Disney World.

If you want to go back to being a kid again…and who doesn’t?? I recommend spending time in the funnest place in the world.

Of course I gathered some design inspiration…after my head stopped spinning from the rock and roll roller coaster. Wow!

Now for some candy, and pink, and cream, and mirrors, and lighting. This would be an incredible display on a mantle or on the dresser in a little girls room. I would replace the pink candy for pink seashells or rocks or anything pink, just to save the dentist bill.

Molding, trims and onlays…oh my! The architecture in the Magical Kingdom is truly magical. I love it. I imagine getting out the scrol saw and adding molding everywhere. Below I took a bit of trim from a building and photoed {is that a word?} it onto the doorway into our home office. I like the idea but since we live in a cabin it could be a bit over the top. Something simpler would work…watch for this in future posts. If you like molding, trims and onlays too, check out the movie Bewitched. I know the movie is not great but the cottage is sweet!

I love the paint effect on this steel bridge and the caged lights. Watch for the future post on how to get this technique down…as soon as I figure it out. The green is exceptional.

Abundance. One way I use to keep design and decorating simple is an abundance of one thing. Imagine a centerpiece overflowing with simple greenery, or a shelf filled with glass candlesticks. Beautiful simplicity.

Simple fixes. This is great. Sticks were used to fit the lighting securely to the tree. Sometime we can over do design and decorating. Keep it simple.

Now off to find my scrol saw!

To help you uncover the beauty in your home, click here

New Ebooks

Click on books for more info!

Photo Do Over ~ Do Over

May 102012

I love photo do overs…love them so much I did a photo do over do over of my son’s new apartment. Did that make sense??

Anyway…since I’m stupefied by tv, and the kids thought the first one had too much color. See all the color here. I did another one, this time using my fav Ballard Designs.

Here is the office nook. Notice the black plaque {the kids have something like it already, I made a blackboard for them that I added white designs around the top and edge with paint.}

The dining area, in earthy tones.

The view into the living room from the hallway.

Calm and peaceful!

To help you uncover the beauty in your home, click here

New Ebooks

Click on books for more info!

Transformation of the TV, is your sofa ready?

May 042012

Transformation of the TV, is your sofa ready?

The future of TV will change our view of the sofa. An article on Houzz stated Steve Jobs took 8 years to pick a sofa.

The sofa will become important because people will be able to peer into your living room. Instead of telling Siri to call your boss, you would tell the TV. Then your boss would come on the screen peering into your living room…

and see Homer laying on the sofa.

Could have been worse!

Try this, hold your camera up to your TV and take a picture. Make sure to get the angle into the living room. My first two shots were of the ceiling! Do you like what the TV sees? Coffee table okay? Not too messy? Wait…is that a dust bunny?

Is your sofa ready for the transformation of the TV?

To help you uncover the beauty in your home, click here

New Ebooks

Click on books for more info!

How to use a jigsaw

May 032012

How to use a jigsaw for the handy ladies in the crafting world. Things the manual may not include….but please take the time and read the manual too.

Number 1 ~ Don’t leave the store without trying the jigsaws on for size. Hand size. Most hand tools are made for larger man hands and not for the small delicate hands of us girls.

Number 2 ~ When you get your jigsaw home {exciting isn’t it} plug it in, grasp firmly and turn it on. This will show you how loud it is and the amount it can vibrate. It will be louder and vibrate more when cutting. Plus helps to feel turning off the jigsaw.

Number 3 ~ Again turn on the jigsaw and hold it as you would while cutting. Again get the feel of the buttons to turn off and on while holding the jigsaw at cutting angle.

Number 4 ~ When cutting circles and curves, it helps me to also feel going around the curve from the back of the jigsaw as well as the blade front. It took me years to feel and understand this {I am a bit slow.} You will need to practice and get the feel of the need of the back turning along with the front.

Number 5 ~ Use the correct type of blade and a sharp blade. I think there are more types of blades than material to cut. Plus there are smooth cut, fast cut, rough cut, etcetera.

Number 6 ~ A jigsaw is not the best choice for straight cuts. I still have trouble staying on a straight line with a jigsaw. That’s why I love the new Dremel saw.

Number 7 ~ Don’t try and cut too fast. I’m still guilty of this one. Let the saw do the cutting.

Number 8 ~ A jigsaw is good for cutting MDF {medium density fiberboard} which I like because it’s cheap and I feel I’m being green. Just change your blades often because and MDF seems to dull blades faster than wood.

Number 9 ~ This maybe hard to explain, but here it goes. Some jigsaws will cut at an angle, say 45 degree. My saw does this, but I would rather use a miter saw. Occasionally I’ve noticed the blade gets a bit off and doesn’t not cut straight up and down. This is due to either number 7 or cutting too many circles with the same blade. When I cut circles I always cut counterclockwise. I think this causes the blade to curve. To avoid this cut slower and change blades often.

Number 10 ~ Secure your project well. I use more clamps than really necessary, but sometimes we just need more hands.

Number 11 ~ This will be in the manual…but use eye protection.

Number 12 ~ Enjoy the creativity a jigsaw brings into your life. Remember to share your projects with Homa Style

To help you uncover the beauty in your home, click here

New Ebooks

Click on books for more info!

Paper Flowers

May 012012

The truth is…my fresh flowers on the mantle were looking a bit sad.

Time for something different and maybe a bit longer lasting. Especially since these have been on the mantle for hum…about 3 weeks. Oophs!

Since I’m so happy with the big flowers I cut out with the cameo, and I didn’t cut out extra small flowers I though I would try paper flowers in my mermaid vase.

Using various stain colors {and making a huge mess} the flower petals were wet with stain and wrinkled up to hold a “flower” shape.

I poked a hole in the middle of each flower with an ice pick. Cut 8″ of floral wire, bent a loop in one end.

Then threaded two flower sizes together. A touch of hot glue on the back side and…

Voile! And I don’t have to add water.

To help you uncover the beauty in your home, click here

New Ebooks

Click on books for more info!

Photo Do Over

Apr 272012

My son, daughter~in~law, and grandson moved to Denver. We are a bit sad and a bit happy. Denver is an awesome city and they will have incredible opportunities and develop a great life in Colorado.

Last night they texted pictures of their new apartment. As you can see below…no furniture yet. They’ll move furniture in over the weekend.

I decided to have some fun this morning and do a “Photo Do Over” to help save backs with where to place the furniture and added some ideas on color and decorating.

*Dining Area Now*

Here’s the dining area looking into the kitchen. My son standing in the kitchen…hi Jason! Notice the blow up mattress on the floor. I’m a proud Mama, looks like they made their bed!

*Dining Area Photo Do Over*

Here’s the Photo Do Over of the dining area. Everything I added came from Home Decorator. They have good quality and prices, especially if you’re beginning all over again.

I added a bakers rack {I know they have one and kitchen storage is teensy.} They also have a dining table, but not sure of the color or size. I know I will surprise them with the color, but I think a turquoisey blue would brighten things. A couple of small bar stools might fit at the bar area.

*Office Nook Now*

This area is across from the dining table and will be the office nook.

*Office Nook Photo Do Over*

Here it is all dressed and ready for business…and homework! I know the chair is unusual, but the color is fun! This wall is what you see when you walk into the apartment. That shot of color would draw you right in. I think they have a desk {could be the one Jason did his homework on!} If so, a bit of paint would freshen that old desk up and a bright fabric on the old chair would help it along. Hanging a shelf above the desk would give vertical storage.

*Living Room Now*

The only living room picture is one looking from the hall with the kitchen on the right.

*Living Room Photo Do Over*

So I dressed this picture up with more turquoisey blue. I realize I have four different area rugs that might not match and make the space feel choppy and small, but I was having fun:) They have a beautiful dark brown camel back sofa and chair with rolled arms. They also have a dark tall narrow bookcase that might fit next to the front door. I added curtains over the vertical blinds to warm the room, plus colorful accessories.

Money for decorating will not be big for this apartment. Simple ideas to add color with paint and fabric, using what they have and adding as they can, will give them a nice place and a nice savings for a house in the future. Jason grew up with me always redoing and redecorating, and has developed a good eye for design. He will add his touch.

I think they will enjoy the photo do over. I know they will enjoy Denver. Can’t wait to see it in person.

To help you uncover the beauty in your home, click here

New Ebooks

Click on books for more info!

Wooden Signs

Apr 262012

A quick post to show what I have been busy with lately.

Making wooden signs for our local Humane Society’s new Thrift Shop.

Lots of signs for the different departments.

Lots of signs. The lettering was all cut out with the silhouette cameo. Then simply glue on the painted and distress boards.

Easy Peezy!

To help you uncover the beauty in your home, click here

New Ebooks

Click on books for more info!

Large Scrapbook Flowers

Apr 252012

You know when you see something in a magazine or catalog and love it? I usually pick the one thing that’s not being advertised or available for sale.

I was flipping through the Pottery Barn catalog and saw how they displayed an old scale with coral.

*Photo of Pottery Barn Catalog*

Sorry for the picture…I couldn’t find the scale on the Pottery Barn website!

Anywho…I loved how the coral fit on the scale, the texture and colors. How can I get the look? Hum!

I grabbed five 12 x 12 scrapbook papers.

Sorry too for the spots on this photo?!?

Measured the top of my old scales.

Planned and cut out eight flowers on the silhouette cameo from 9″ down to 4″.

Here’s my stack of flowers.

I used a bit of stain in white and walnut to darken two flowers from a white paper.

While the paper is wet, start winkling up the petals and folding the middle. Set aside wrinkled up to dry.

I didn’t want a bunch of dark stain on all the flowers, so instead I let water from the sink run over the paper. Then folded the petals and let dry.

While they dried, I cut two eight inches circles from MDF {medium density fiberboard.}

I started to use a router to give a decorative edge, but decided to sand around the top edge instead {more primitive look.} I then painted the circles dark brown then two coats of creamy white. I sanded the circles to highlight the primitive edge.

I used a “circle” maker?? Not sure that it’s really called but an ice pick would put a circle in the center of each dried flower.

I planned to have one flower go from dark to light and the other light to dark. I simply put a nail through each layer of flower and into the middle of the circle.

Here they are on the old scales.

These were fun to make, simple and cheap. Could also look great with different patterned scrapbook papers and could be cut out by hand.

Linking to DIY Project Parade & DIY Highlight.

To help you uncover the beauty in your home, click here

New Ebooks

Click on books for more info!

Older Entries