Celebration and Frustration

First for the good news...

This is the first thing that comes up in a Google image search for "celebration 500"

Thanks to you all, I've now had over 500 views on my blog!  This really means a lot to me that people find what I'm doing interesting enough to visit.  Thank you!!

Now the (not really that) bad news...

Ever since my last post, I've been suffering from a major case of creative block.  There are certainly opportunities around the apartment and I need your, my wonderful followers and readers, help! 

I'm taking suggestions for projects!  It can either be something for my home, or a project you have been putting off doing yourself!  

If you suggest the latter, I will make said item/project out of the goodness of my (bored) little heart.  Just keep in mind it has to be something that I can easily send to wherever you are from California.  And nothing too expensive!  I'm on a budget, remember?  If you choose the former, here are a couple photos of areas that are lacking for inspiration:

Guest room/office/craft room... there's only this one wall to work with, the rest are windows or taken up by shelving

No mantle fireplace.  Simplicity is bliss or could use a little pizazz?

I look forward to your ideas, suggestions and tips!  And if this idea works (aka people actually submit ideas), there may be a contest in the future with some amazing, possibly shiny, prize...

Nightstand Project

I eluded to a spray paint project awhile ago and here's what I was talking about.  I have a nightstand that was my mom's when she was little and that I've had since I was about 7.  There's nothing super awesome about it-- to be honest, it's not the greatest quality and it's lived life off-white.  The drawer is also missing(must be in a box in Minnesota?).  The back was not attractive as it was just a panel of cheap MDF or something similar.  It was time to give this puppy a face lift.

What I Used

Supplies

- Scrap of leftover pillow fabric
- Cardboard
- Batting
- Packing tape
- Upholstery tacks
- Spray paint
- Fabric pen/pencil
- Q-tip
- Ruler/measuring tape
- In the picture you'll see ribbon... I intended to use it around the boarder, but kinda forgot about it in all the excitement :)

Step 1: Look awesome

How the Heck Did I Do it?
1) Put on a super sexy outfit for painting(sweat shorts, calf-high socks and old sneakers didn't make it into the photo)

2) Make sure nightstand is clean and spray paint away, making sure to cover every last bit and add a second coat if necessary.  Let dry.

3) Cut cardboard to fit the area you want to cover.  Cut fabric and batting 2 inches longer and wider than cardboard.  Layer pieces.

4) Pull tight and secure with packing tape.  Check to make sure corners look nice and not bunchy.

5) Using the fabric pencil/marker and measuring tape, mark the lines around the boarder where you'd like the tacks to go.  Insert tacks, starting at the corners, then middle, making sure they are evenly spaced.  Use Q-tip dipped in water to gently rub away pencil marks.

6) Hammer into nightstand, starting with corners.  Go straight and not too hard!  The tacks aren't as durable as nails.

7) Admire your glorious work 



Ta-Da!

Post-paint but before panel is attached...

The only things I had to purchase for this project were the spray paint(a mere $3.50) and upholstery tacks, which are an affordable $1.49 for 24.  So for $5, this turned out pretty chic if I do say so myself!

All Done!

Now to dream up another project!

A Plethora of Pillows

Happy Monday, all!  Today is just a quick little post revealing what I've done with the two pillow projects I posted.

Ta-Da!
Instead of buying or making a headboard, I decided to beef up the amount of pillows so it looked a little more interesting and substantial.  The middle hounds tooth pillow is also a skirt from Goodwill and the patterned pillow was made using the same ruffle technique in Pillow #1 Project.

A more substantial post about my project this weekend either tomorrow or Wednesday!