Projects & Printables |

Announcements and Entertainment Center Remake

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Amy

Hello! First of all, what a week last week. Christy completely surprised me with her sweet post on my birthday. I was at Terry’s enjoying the champagne breakfast she hosted for me when I saw a facebook comment about it on my phone. My husband and I read it together a bit later, I was definitely crying and he was, well, happy to be included in the love fest! What a birthday it was, I am the luckiest girl to have these friends :) and your sweet comments made my day!

Well today I am going to get back to what we try to do best, talking about furniture and home stuff. Before I do that though I have a few quick things to mention. First, upon hearing that Google Reader was ending, I started using BlogLovin’ and I LOVE it. I just wanted to throw it out there, and I know that there are many ways to keep in touch with your favorite blogs but if you haven’t tried it, click HERE. You can search by blog name and add it to your feed, then when you visit the site you have a nice list of all recent posts. They also send you a nice neat email everyday with everything. It just makes my life easier (and more inspired!) so I wanted to share it with you all. Thoughts?

Second, we are CRAZY excited to be a part of BlogHer’s review team for Mary Kay Andrews new book–she just writes such fun ‘chick lit’–and this book is written about a DIY/Home Blogger! { you can pre-order it HERE if you are interested} Without giving anything away just yet, the book is called “Ladies Night” and so, of course, Terry and I decided we needed to host another Ladies Night in the book’s honor. Our fabulous friend Janet offered to have it at her lovely store The Empty Nest so we hope anyone in the area will come out and share in the fun. We’ll have lots of drinks, yummy eats and a super creative craft project, all essentials for a Ladies Night, right? Its scheduled soon at The Empty Nest in Warrenton. Stay tuned for more details via our facebook page or email us at 11magnolialane@gmail.com and we’ll put you on the VIP invitation list {just kidding, no list, all welcome!}.

OK, NOW back to our regularly scheduled programming! I am slowing making some changes around my new house, because we are still “renters” here I am taking my time about making many changes to the house. So, in order to make my home feel more like me, I figured it was a good time to work on some of our current furniture.

The “Before”…

Even though the colors in our family room here are very different then our last very white, house, my furniture seems to still work OK with the darker walls in this house. Since this is a two-story room, so we won’t be painting it anytime soon even if we buy it. I had planned to refinish our TV entertainment center to a Restoration-like gray in our last home, but never did and once we got here the obvious color choice was cream. So, I picked up some Annie Sloan Old White from Janet last week and got to painting.

The internet doesn’t need another “I painted with chalk paint” so I will skip right to the “Afters”…I still haven’t waxed it, but it brightens up the whole room. Its amazing what a bit of paint and a few hours of time does, isn’t it?

Here is the real reason the room works better now, not to give you vertigo, but this is the shot from our open hallway above. The room is now balanced with the cream colored couch and directly across the cream colored console. I feel much better and as with most projects, I wonder why I didn’t do it sooner?

Have you painted anything recently?

Thanks for stopping by~

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Posted in DIY, Furniture, Home Inspiration, Projects & Printables | Tagged chalk paint makeover, console makeover, cream, diy, entertainment center, furniture makeover, paint, white | 1 Comment

From the Archives–Mother’s Day Printable

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Christy

I wanted to share another one of our “oldies but goodies,” from the archives here at 11 Magnolia Lane. Mother’s Day is on May 12th this year, so it’s time to get your acts together! This printable quote that Amy designed would look gorgeous in a thrift store frame, and would be perfect for your mom! Thanks for stopping by–Christy

Helen Keller Quote

Mother’s Day always seems to sneak up on me, its always SO busy the first week of May. I thought I would offer a little help to all of you in the same position. I have loved this small sign my Mother has had in her house for years. I decided to re-create it and post it as a quick printable. So, all you need to do is just print it (I use light colored scrapbook paper) and slide into a pretty frame.

Helen Keller free printable quote

To me, this quote exemplifies the true meaning of “Motherhood.”

Click here {helen keller quote} for a printable. (This is sized for a 5×7″ frame)

Enjoy!

XO,

Posted in Projects & Printables | Tagged Helen Keller, mother's day, printable, quote | Leave a comment

DIY Vintage Sign

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Amy

I have wanted a vintage “Groceries” sign to hang over my pantry just like Christy had over her wall calendar but haven’t been able to find one. So, I decided to make one. This actually was a part of the chalkboard paint projects we recently posted about on Tatertots and Jello, but I never actually included it in that post so the project debuts here today!

This is a very easy way to make a sign, I know there are lots of other ways–stencils, vinyl etc. but this is a way I came up with since I don’t have a vinyl machine nor did I have the right size stencil.

I used this exact same technique to make this “Easter” sign last year for my mantel.

My technique is SO simple. First, I used either a ready made plaque (from Michael’s) or just a scrap board (from Home Depot) and painted it. The black paint on the groceries sign is actually black chalkboard paint, my daughter painted this scrap piece of wood while I painted the board for my DIY Huge Giant Chalkboard last summer as her keep-her-occupied “project” so it just needed lettering.

I used these simple paper die-cut letters, I got these at Michael’s several years ago and have used them for tons of projects and they are the perfect size for a 3 to 4″ board. You just place them on the board, spacing as equally as you can.

Then just trace around each letter with a pencil.

After that, I just painted the letters using a small paint brush. Even though I used chalkboard paint, I used regular white craft paint to fill in the letters on the “groceries” sign. I did two coats of paint for this one because the white looked a little thin.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, if you go slowly its not too difficult to stay in the lines. As you can see, I used a very fancy paintbrush–I think this one came out of my daughter’s $1 watercolor set?

I would like to finish this sign off to make it look more “vintage”, maybe with some light stain or some dark wax to tone down the white letters a bit, but that won’t happen until the boxes with those items are unearthed. If I do, I will be sure to update and let you all know if it worked.

In the meantime, this little sign is now just hanging there over my pantry. Easy!

Is anyone doing anything fun this weekend? I have more painting to do in our new home but can’t seem to motivate!

XO,

Sharing this at Serenity Now.

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Posted in Crafts, DIY, Projects & Printables | Tagged diy vintage sign, groceries sign, kitchen, make a sign, no vinyl sign, painted sign, pantry | 2 Comments

How to build a {DIY} Giant \ Huge \ Wall Chalkboard

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Amy

This is hands down my most favorite project in my house.

Maybe ever.

It wasn’t hard, nor expensive and it provides not only organization for me but fun for my kids. And it’s most certainly a “conversation” piece.

Last summer I built this giant chalkboard for my wall between my dining room and kitchen, across from my butler’s pantry. I had to hold off showing it on this blog thanks to the interest of a lovely magazine scout, but since our house will likely sell before we could fit in a photoshoot {sniff sniff}, today I am revealing it in all its glory!

I think the hardest thing about this project is finding a large empty wall to use.

This space wasn’t large enough for any shelving so putting up a giant chalkboard was the next logical choice, right?

{Maybe not if you had asked my husband!?}

Obviously there are easier ways to do this project then the route I went. If you are lucky enough to have flat walls, you could tape, prime and paint chalkboard paint on the walls and then just trim the space out. I had to go the extra step and prime, paint and tack up a smooth chalkboard-painted piece of wood thanks to my ultra-textured walls which there is no way you could write on. It’s also good in that I can pull it down in case the next owners of my house don’t want a giant, huge chalkboard. I don’t really know why they wouldn’t though?

So, I used a very thin, lightweight plywood board {cut to size at Home Depot}, primed with spray primer then covered it using a foam roller with multiple coats of chalkboard paint.

There was one obvious issue with the space I had in mind. The lovely thermostat right in the middle of the wall.

I used a jigsaw to cut the hole in the board, I measured several times to make sure everything would line up correctly. School was out, so I had a great helper.

I then primed and cut to size some lightweight molding to trim around it. If you are intimidated by a power saw I can tell you that I used a miter box to cut the trim. Its a bit of an arm workout, but anyone can do this, no power tools (or gym trips that day) necessary.

My plan was to cut trim to build a frame around the thermostat, but in an effort to save myself anymore sawing, I decided to search my attic for a frame that might fit instead. Luckily, I had one that worked perfectly–it fit like a glove, it’s not even glued on–and it probably looks more polished than one I would have built.

We make great use of this space: for coloring, for lists of things to do, or inspirational quotes. I am refining my “chalk art” skills and while, of course, I aspire to have lovely works of pinterest-inspired chalk art on it, in actuality, it’s a great space for the kids to color and receive gentle reminders for them from me.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Tutorials & Tips at Home Stories A to Z, Tuesday’s Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Wow Us Wednesdays at Saavy Southern Style.

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Posted in Children's Activities, DIY, Home Inspiration, Organization, Projects & Printables, Real Spaces | Tagged chalk paint, chalkboard for textured walls, diy, diy chalkboard, frame a thermostat, giant chalkboard, hallway decor | 12 Comments

Moving Tips & Tricks and How to Stay Sane!

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Amy

***OK FUN STUFF FIRST—the Shabby Apple $50 gift certificate giveaway ends tomorrow, if you haven’t entered click HERE to be entered to win some fresh spring fashion!***

Well, OK the staying sane part while moving might be a stretch but I am going to try my best this time. I am getting ready to move, and Christy is also getting ready to move so I thought it would be a good time for us to try to come up with a post of tips and tricks.

source image

Ya’ll kicked in your suggestions via facebook and email and it was great! I am already making use of so many of your tips. On this topic, I know that our military spouse (a crown Christy wears as well) readers know that of which they speak. Thanks for the input, everyone!

In case you missed it, we’re packing up our current home and moving “home” in a few weeks. Being that this move is our choice as well as long-distance, we don’t have the budget for a crew of trained packers to come in and wave their magic wands and leave me with all our belongings nicely in boxes. I am that magic fairy, and I am going to be working hard these next few weeks! So, again, any way possible to make it easier will be a HUGE help.

So here is all the great advice you all gave me when I asked, such great tips!

Take everything off the walls and keep together. Label boxes with each room. Live off paper plates and paper products. Pack up the kids room leave out only a few toys. Pack and stack boxes in your garage while kids are at school. Pack suitcase of clothes for each kid and yourself and live out of and wash only that. Pack the rest. Use towels to pack breakable vases and such. ~Megan (9 military moves)

Pack your bedding in the dresser that goes in that bedroom.~Suzanne

I put all our clean clothes into those giant ziplock bags with dryer sheets, that way they stay reasonably folded and clean and don’t have that cardboard box smell. The movers just put the bags into boxes and also strange men aren’t pawing all the clothes. This has made unpacking the clothing of a family of 5 way easier on the other side. Good luck, we are up this summer, moving to Germany! ~ Allison {Thanks Allison, Good Luck to YOU!}

Go around the house now, open every drawer and closet and photograph- will really help if your whole shipment disappears or, more likely, you have a few missing or damaged items.~Mary (11 military moves)

Pack silverware and kitchen utensils in gallon ziplock bags and they stay clean….just empty into the new drawer at your destination.~Kate

Give the house a good cleaning before you start packing or packers and movers show up! Everywhere should be exactly where it’s “supposed” to be before you start packing (even if it hasn’t been in the right spot in years lol) It will keep you motivated and bring your stress level down when everything seems a little more organized and clean to start.~Tianna

Put all your breakables that are treasures in one spot, like on the dining room table. Have the packers pack them first when they are fresh for the day.~Lezlie

One of the best helps I’ve come up with is having 2 boxes. ONE for bedding and any household supplies, packed and ready to use upon arrival AND a box that I mark “PARTS”. Every top of a lampshade, every screw, every key, plug, wire etc etc etc goes into that box. Both boxes are LAST on the truck and first to come off. ~Kathleen

Christy gave me her tips {below}, these from the girl that if you visit her two weeks after she moves in, will already have her house perfectly squared away and probably be painting her cabinets. Trust me, I know.

I always try to pack and LABEL a box that has a hammer, nails, drill, picture hanging hooks, drywall anchors, doublestick tape and Command hooks, spackle and putty knife, etc. so that I can start hanging stuff as soon as I unpack it. And last, but definitely most important, keep your corkscrew, shaker, and coffee maker out because alcohol (and caffeine) consumption spikes sharply during a move! ~Christy {11Magnolialane, her 8th military move is coming up}

I am going to add in a few more tips, believe it or not we’ve moved nine times and we’re not even military. The first tip I always utilize originally came from my cousin-in-law, Mary, who was a military spouse. She said to put all the contents from each linen closet in a clear garbage bag, then pack it in a box. Then, when you unpack you can just drop the garbage bag in the closet and toss the box, that way you can unpack at your convenience but everything for the closet is already where it needs to go. Brilliant!

Here is my number one moving tip: prior to all of my moves, I take the kitchen layout, pour a cup of tea and sit down with a pencil, I plot and plan where my kitchen items will go. It saves a ton of time when you actually are unpacking not to have to think on the spot what cabinets to put the glasses in, what drawer for the silverware etc. My Mom was sweet enough to help with my last move and she could also reference my plan instead of asking me over and over where to put things, it was a great help.

Above is my diagram I did prior to moving into my current home, sorry, I know it’s hard to see as I wrote in pencil so I could adjust things accordingly. I used my cabinet layout provided by our builder, but this time I will work off a picture of the kitchen and just draw it out, then label where I think things should go.

I am a huge fan of the moving supplies at Home Depot {though no they aren’t sponsoring this post } but they have boxes super cheap, and I have found this green plastic shrink wrap works wonders. I shrink wrap what I can together, like these glass plates, and it keeps things from moving as much during the process and seems to help.

Also, I found these adorable labels {Via Pinterest} from onlinelabels.com to use on you boxes. I may not quite get as far with the “cute” factor this time, but had to share them none the less!

OK! I am off to pack boxes now…but thank you so much to those who shared tips, and for any tips we’ve missed please leave them in the comments section so that this will continue to be a great resource for all facing the FUN task of a move.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Posted in Organization, Projects & Printables, Tips & Tricks | Tagged military movinng tricks, move organization, moving, organization, packing, tips | 6 Comments

Ruler Growth Chart

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Amy

While I am slowly starting the purging, organizing and packing process that proceeds a move, one project I had to complete prior to leaving our home was to make a portable growth chart.

Soon after we moved in–it must have been all these plain white walls just calling out to me–we started marking our kids height on the wall next to our refrigerator. They have grown a TON this year, we’ve really gotten a kick out of looking back on how little they were when we first moved in this house not even two years ago.

So, not wanting to leave that precious little snapshot of their childhood behind, I had to move making a ruler growth chart from the “when I get to it” pile to the “today” pile. These abound on the internet, I think Pottery Barn might have originally introduced them but who can keep track these days?

My neighbor Ani has the most fabulous one. I pretty much knocked her version off because it already seemed perfect. Though when I went by to photograph it I realized hers is all cool and muted and distressed…of course it is, she is cool like that! This is hers below…

But for my version, I did this project fast, cheap and easy–the best kind, right? After all, I have boxes to get to packin’! Home Depot sells these boards already cut to size. I went with a 6′ board since my son is already the tallest kid in 2nd grade, so better to be safe then sorry, right?

I spray painted the board with heirloom white, giving it just a few quick coats so a little of the wood grain would still show through. Then, after measuring out the numbers, I used stencils to mark the numbers along the edge. I just used a black sharpie to color inside the stencil, and it worked perfectly.

Because my baseboards take up about the first 4 to 5 inches, I started my 1 foot closer then 12″ from the bottom, that way I could hang it slightly above the baseboard and be 12″ off the ground.

I just marked in pencil my kid’s height and age, matching what is on my {soon to be former} wall and I know we’ll keep going with it once we’re in our new home. They grow so fast, don’t they?

Thanks for stopping by!

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Posted in Children's Activities, DIY, Projects & Printables | Tagged diy, Kids, Kids crafts, project, ruler growth chart, spray paint | 1 Comment

“You Warm My Heart” Valentine

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Amy

I find holidays so much easier now that there are inspiration sources like Pinterest and the abundance of blogs in general to provide cute ideas. I tend to have a great idea for say– Halloween– in April, then have nothing but a complete blank two days actually before Halloween! So, I love being able to scout around to help jump start my creativity. I don’t know exactly where I saw this idea, but I knew I wanted to put together a ‘kit’ of something with my daughter for her Valentine’s treats and this is what we came up with.

Long ago, I saw Paula Deen make these chocolate covered stirring spoons with her cute grandson {not that it was likely her original idea either} but I thought it would be a fun way to involve my four-year old in her Valentine goodies for her preschool class.

sloane helper

So we spent a cold, rainy day {thus the poor pictures} yesterday putting together her special treats. Here is what I used:

ingredients better

We dipped the red spoons in the {melted} candy melts then covered them with sprinkles–her job, and a very messy one at that!

spoons2

Then we put together small bags of mini marshmallows together with some hot chocolate in a larger cello bag. {You can find these bags at craft stores and sometimes even Target, etc.}.

bags

While the spoons were in the fridge to harden, we made up the printable for the top.

I just printed it out on regular cardstock, folded it and taped it to the top of the bag. To embellish it further I used a little twine on the top, because colored baker’s twine just makes things better, don’t you think?

So here they are….all set for preschool Thursday!

bags done

tags side

So, if you are still looking for a last minute project, just click here: You Warm my Heart Valentine Printable and it will take you to a printable .pdf for the top of the bags.

You Warm my Heart Valentine Printable

Happy Valentine’s Day!

XO,

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Posted in Children's Activities, Projects & Printables, Valentine's Day | Tagged hot chocolate, Printables, Sweets, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Treats | Leave a comment

Easy DIY Frames/Wall Decor

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Amy

DIY Frames Marked

Today I have a quick and easy way to fill up a blank wall in your home. These frames are similar to my Easy Decoupaged Monogrammed Frames, just slightly more involved. I just love how they turned out!

The supplies you will need are:

(1) wood 12×12 board {I got mine at Michael’s}

(1) 12×12 sheet of scrapbook paper

(1) piece of decorative trim/molding {also available at Michael’s, I also bought one at AC Moore}

craft paint in your choice of color {ideally to compliment the scrapbook paper}

a photo {you will need the size before you cut the trim so select this before you begin}

hot glue

sandpaper

double-sided tape

mod podge/foam brush

picture hanger

Start by painting the sides of your wood and the trim with craft paint. Don’t discard the paint, you will want to touch up the trim after you cut it.

step 1 paper and boards Next, using mod podge glue you will paint all over the wood, then attach your sheet of scrapbook paper {make sure it is cut exactly the size of the board}. I put a thin extra layer around the top edge of the paper to seal it but didn’t paint over the top of the paper.

side of board painted with paper

After it dries, tape your photo to the center of the paper. I used double-sided tape for mine.

taping picture on

Once you know the size of the photo, you need to cut your molding. I used a mitre box/saw because the wood is so thin it cuts easily. To measure for the cuts, I found it easiest to lay the molding on the photo then make a mark where the cut would start, knowing it would be a 45 degree cut. Then I cut a second piece in the exact same size so the trim pieces would be equal and square. Do the same for the shorter side of the photo and you are done.

frame molding cut

molding

Once they were cut, I sanded the insides down very well and gave them another quick coat of paint. Then I hot glued them right to the photo on the frame.

gluing molding

glue on molding

I tacked a picture hanger on the back and that was it!

frame hanger on back

done music pic

sideview done

finished 1 tall

I may make a third one for the top, I can’t decide if there is room?But in the meantime, I love how they came out. I will be back soon with a post on this room since these were the finishing touch to the space!

full view

XO,

Sharing at~

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Posted in Crafts, DIY, Projects & Printables | Tagged decoupage, diy frames, frame, living room, mod podge, monogrammed, project, scrapbook paper, wall decor | 1 Comment

Valentine’s Printables

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Amy

I am starting to set my mind on Valentine’s Day. With three little ones all needing to show up at school with something for each classmate, I have learned the hard way to NOT try to do it ALL the night before!

Here is a sampling of some of our past projects. The printable file is under the image. Enjoy!

jar valentine printable

{Click HERE for a collection of printable tags}

Red Valentines Gift Tags

valentine bag printable subway art valentines day printable

{Click HERE for sign printable}

The printable below I originally designed for Mother’s Day, but I saw it going around Pinterest for Valentine’s Day. It would be a lovely and easy gift for someone special. I just printed it right on scrapbook paper with a light pattern, trimmed it down and framed it.

{Click HERE for post with printable link}

framed HK quote

helen keller printable

So, are you ready for Valentine’s yet?

XO,

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Posted in Holidays, Projects & Printables, Valentine's Day | Tagged Helen Keller quote, printable, subway art, Valentine's Day, valentine's printables | 2 Comments

DIY Moss Sphere

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Amy

First off, I have seen this idea and can’t remember where so I don’t want to pass this off as exclusively my idea. Thanks to Pinterest there really aren’t original ideas anymore, right? Regardless, I am so pleased by the results of this easy project I had to share it.

I have had this little concrete urn for awhile now. If I recall correctly, it was a Homegoods find that Christy graciously let me claim as my own {or maybe I snatched it from her hands? I can’t exactly remember… } .

I use it in various ways in my decor…like with this tablescape…{the best cupcake recipe ever is in that post, just FYI}

Or in various decor on my mantel…

But recently it occurred to me that it would be the perfect base for a rustic but yet natural moss sphere. It seems very Restoration Hardware to me {maybe that is where I saw something similar?}.

Here are the simple steps I used to make this.

I purchased a styrofoam ball in the right diameter to rest in the urn from Michaels. I didn’t do this, but you may want to paint the styrofoam green first so the white doesn’t show through if you are a true perfectionist, obviously I am not!

I used this moss, the kind in sheets, to cover the foam. I actually think using regular loose faux moss would have been easier, though probably even messier. I would suggest laying out a trash bag underneath your work area as the moss gets everywhere!

Start by wrapping the ball with a large piece of the moss. A hot glue gun is key to this project, I used a lot of glue and it didn’t, as I feared, melt the styrofoam. The moss adhered very quickly. I used a few pins and tacks to hold it on while it was drying just to help it hold.

The only tricky part was adjusting the flat moss to the round ball as you work your way around. I did this by cutting slits in the moss, and sometimes even needed to remove triangular shaped pieces so it would wrap over the ball.

And, then I just used some loose moss to patch up any empty spots left when I was working my way around the ball.

Here it is…all done in our hallway. I like that the greenery helps fills in the empty look that the house has now that the holiday decorations are all packed away.

After trying it several places, its now gracing our front hallway with its little bit of {faux} nature. I am on the lookout for a smaller urn to make a small one to go with it next.

{You can find the instructions to make the initial frame HERE}.

Also, Congratulations to Jessica, Comment #47 who won our latest organizing giveaway for chevron shelf paper and chalkboard vinyls. Jessica said:

Thanks for the awesome giveaway opportunity! Loving the chevron paper and the labels would be perfect for a pantry re-do I have been waiting to start. I follow your blog via email. Love the laundry room makeover and want to paint mine now!

Good luck with the pantry makeover Jessica and make sure to send us some pictures when its done! Thanks to everyone who entered.

XO,

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