Tag Archives: DIY

05.28.13

DIY Kate Spade kicks....

Posted by Christina // 13 Replies

I have been oogling the Kate Spade Keds for quite some time now.

There is one problem….I am cheap.  If I pay a pretty penny for shoes that cute then they are going on a shelf, not on my feet.  So I did what any cheap girl lusting after shoes does, I got another credit card.

Just kidding, I made my own.  In my favorite colors. DIY kicks I stayed on the lookout for a cute (and cheap) pair of white shoes.  Finally found a pair at Old Navy that were calling my name, in show tunes form.  How can I resist that? supplies Then I came home and got out Pantone’s color of the year paint, you may remember some handsome pots that got a makeover with the same paint.  The hardest part was finding something to make the polka dots with.  I ended up using a set of foam ear plugs that Tim keeps around so he can ignore my snoring.  What as if I actually snore, c’mon.

After about twenty minutes of dotting, I busted out the gold paint pen and glitzed up the toes.  Say ello to my new favorite shoes. DIY cute kate spade shoes I think they are fun and funky and perfect for all our summer shenanigans.

Even Asti approves. asti approved Have you ever made your own shoes?  When I was in eigth grade I took sharpies to a white backless pair, they were my favorite shoes for at least two months.

Written by Christina and Tim
05.21.13

We have been planting fools lately… polka dot planters Every chance we get we are throwing some plants in the ground.  New bushes in the front, herbs and flowers in the back like a landscaping mullet. planting fools I am really cautious about flowers in the backyard, because I have this thing with bees.  I am not afraid of them or anything, but if there is one within a twenty-foot radius…they feel the need to call my body their stomping grounds.  I have avoided planting anything that blooms until this year.

This year I am making a change, but a small one.  I am planting blooming flowers in pots, just in case they start calling all of their buzzing buddies.  Easily relocated, so they don’t wind up squished under a shovel later.

When I saw my friend Janelle’s cute terracotta planters, I started dreaming of a yard covered in overflowing pots full of sweet blooms.  Then I started dreaming of painted pots.  Then I bought pots, duh. paint your planters Painting them was unbelievably fast.  The terracotta soaked up that paint quicker than Lindsay checks out of rehab.  After just two coats of Pantone’s color of the year, these pots were ready for some spunk. making the planters polks dots I wanted these pots to be free-spirited since they would be outside getting filthy.  In other words, I didn’t want perfect polka dots that I would have to “spruce up” every time they got a little dirty.  To get that worn look I used the end of a foam roller.  You can find these in the paint section of your hardware stores, they usually say “for doors and cabinets” on them.  Soon they will say “for perfectly-imperfect polka dots”.

I let them dry overnight and then had a photo shoot of course. polka dot planters with no plants After my exhausting shoot with Giselle and Marissa, I told the pool boy to grab me a lemonade and got to planting.  Ahhhh sweet dreams, but I did plant. throw some dirt in your planter Thankfully, Tim de-wormed all the plants for me.  Kidding, but I didn’t find any so I’ll just tuck that panic attack away for later.

Once I had both plants comfy in their new little home I found a spot far, far away from anywhere I sit.  Come at me bees.  Just kidding, please stay away…save yourself. a pretty plante Aren’t they just the cutest?  I am so happy to be bringing oodles of bright summery color into our backyard.

Speaking of additions to our backyard, we got to dogsit this weekend.
Meet Whiskey. whiskey True Story:  When my dad “retired” he decided to go back to school, to dog school.  He spent a few months living away from home while training dogs to do things like track narcotics and run agility.  I’m super proud of him, and even prouder of that pup up there for being the most well-behaved dog in history.  I guess that’s what happens when you train a dog for hours upon hours.  Tim wants to steal him, and I wouldn’t be mad about it but my dad knows where we live.

Want to know what Whiskey was gawking at…. asti What a little prissy pants.

Have you been planting lately?
Deathly afraid of worms too?
Want to go to dog school?

Written by Christina and Tim
05.01.13

You know all those fabric scraps you have just lying around looking pretty?
I declare that we should show them off. double hoop wreath I had some Ikat fabric mocking me that had a calling as a superstar.
I love how fabrics can take on a whole new look when you wrap them. double hoop wreath supplies I scrounged around my craft stash and dug up two embroidery hoops.  I knew they would come in handy eventually, although I thought it would be for when I took the embroidery plunge.

I began by wrapping the fabric around the larger hoop, then found a complimentary fabric to wrap the smaller hoop.  Then I hit a wall.  Not a real one, although it wouldn’t surprise anyone thanks to my clutzy nature.  I wasn’t sure how to attach the two hoops.  The answer to all crafting problems is either Mod Podge or Hot Glue, can I get an Amen.

So from attaching the hoops together to bedazzling the wreath with fabric flowers my thumbs took a piping hot glue beating.

The whole thing took about an hour and now I have dreams of thousands of fabric covered wreaths hanging from our tree in the backyard.  Beckoning the birdies to perch for a minute.  That would be my happy place, until they pooped on my new Adirondack chairs.  Then I would bust the broom out and hop on the crazy train.  Choo Choo.

Have you been dreaming of bird heaven in your backyard?
DIY’d any fun projects?
What do you do with your fabric scraps?

Written by Christina and Tim
04.26.13

Aye party people…oh wait we are grown ups…hello peers.

This week has been one full of ideas and excitement.  You ever have those moments when ideas are popping into your head faster than you can write them down?  Then you start thinking of fundraising ideas and ways to create a time machine.  No, just me?

  I find a constant theme in our lives is not having enough time and money to do everything we want.  Oh you can relate, yea I bet 99.9% of you can relate.  To the other .01% you should move in with us and teach us your ways, I will even call you a “guru” if you like.  Or at least teach a class, or loan out your time machine.

The real problem is that in two weeks all those ideas will be drying up like Jay Leno’s career (not a hater, I want to squeeze that big ol’ chin).  Hence, the writing down.  For now I am ignoring all my list making and soaking in all the inspiration you can find in the blogosphere with our Friday favorites.

I have been really falling hard for water-color paintings lately.  I wish I could make something like this. favorite etsy - lanas art Lana’s Art Gallery is an Etsy shop that is overflowing with color and sweet themes.  That bicycle gets me so ready for Spring to get its butt in gear and warm this town up.  I am beyond ready for lovely blooms and sunshine.  The itchy eyes, not so much. favorite - nation art Ever since I found sweet Beth of Sawdust & Embryos she has impressed the heck outta me with her furniture redesigns.  Now she has really gone and done it, she opened an Etsy shop.  My wallet should run for the hills.  The best part is, even though she is selling these awesome pieces of art she also shows you how to make it yourself.  I think I will skip the sliced fingers and misshapen nation and just put it on my wish list. favorite - scratcher Did you realize Mothers Day is basically right around the corner.  Oh yea, you better get your plan on.  If your mama is anything like my mom all she really wants is a neck rub, which is why this is a perfect gift.  Without all the birthday mambo jambo, you don’t want to confuse her. favorite - seaglass It should come as no surprise that a carousel that tricks you into thinking you are underwater riding on dolphins is basically our dream come true.  Any little girl who has watched Little Mermaid has to be down with this right?  Looks like a trip to Staten Island is in the works…or building a carousel. favorite - tealights While I was cleaning out all of our closets last weekend I came across a huge bag of tealights.  Tim won’t let me throw them out because apparently they are perfect for summer nights outside but I am trying to find a way to pretty the basic-ness up.  We always have tons of cans laying around so I think this needs to happen, immediately.  Maybe I can pump a couple out while I am hosting our very first garage sale tomorrow.

What are your weekend plans?
Have you tried out YHL’s forums yet?
Any garage sale tips for us novices?

Written by Christina and Tim
04.25.13

You know, the renovation we announced here and updated you on here.
Well, we have walls.  Yup, you heard it here first…actual walls.

Check out all the things we can cross off our list now. bathroom renovation we are getting there The electrical and plumbing is all finished thanks to Tim’s oh-so-handy stepdad.  We also have the bench built, a shower floor, and the drywall is up and at em.  I was upset about losing my foyer closet, but my excitement for steaming on the bench has quickly overshadowed that old closet.  Asti is pretty pumped too. bathroom renovation

Now we are getting to the really fun parts, but like everything fun in life…it is also the most expensive.  The tile I picked out originally was a white glass ceramic tile, but after reading several reviews about the difficulty of keeping everything straight while also going through a little sticker shock has us considering other options.  Like selling our first born.  Kidding…kind of.

Have you seen any amazing tile lately?
Want to know how hard it is to go from your own bathroom to sharing?
Been doing any fun renovations of your own?

Written by Christina and Tim
04.23.13

Have you ever come across a project and thought, “yup I have to do that immediately”?

That is exactly how I felt when I saw Ashley’s coasters.

If you have ever done a DIY project you probably already have ninety percent of the supplies.  Painters tape, check.  Paint, check.  Some feisty gold spray paint, check.  If you have tiles, well then you are all set.  We had to go pick up that last one, but check this out. the cost You got it, this whole project cost us a whopping thirty cents.  That is a DIY deal if I have ever seen one.  A little paint, a little patience and you get these pretty little souvenirs. best diy ever Check out the full tutorial here.

While I had all the paint out I figured I ought to spruce up some boring household items, you may have caught sneak peeks if you follow us on Facebook.  If you don’t follow us on Facebook, you should get on that…because I love getting more than crickets when I ask questions like, “who is inviting us over for dinner?”

Enough shameless self promotion, while looking around the house for things to spruce I heard a whistle.  I looked around my kitchen and then heard a yelp.  Then there was some sort of crashing boom and the refrigerator caught my eye.  Well, what once was our fridge at least.  Lately, it has become a scrapbook of sorts. we still have christmas cards up Please don’t look too closely or you will see two-year old Christmas cards, I can’t help it my friends have cute kids.  I lovingly took all those sweet cards and announcements down and tucked them in a memory box.  I also made a resolution to take down Christmas cards before the Fourth of July.  To help keep the fridge looking classy I decided our magnets needed a little makeover, I mean I already had the paint out so why not.

I took our boring silver clasp magnets (because they hold like a boss) and gave them a rocker edge.  Tim likes them because he thinks they look like little nautical flags but I say Mick Jagger would be proud. the easiest magnets youll ever make A little Frogtape, a couple thin coats of color, and voila….a whole new look. and your announcements are safe in a scrapbook I promise to keep that fridge clean and whistle at it before it has to yelp at me.

Do you have matching magnets?
Is your fridge plastered in cards and momentos?
Got any crafts for all those announcements?

Written by Christina and Tim