My version of Target's wall art

Recently, I saw these really neat pieces of wall art in Tar-jay.

They were, unfortunately, on the small size, measuring only 20" x 8".

They were, also, $20 each.

But, I really liked the pictures and so an idea was born.

I knew that in order to withstand my family, we would have to make these tough kid-proof.

I also wanted to make these a lot larger, yet be affordable.

Larger, affordable and tougher. I'm not asking that much, right?

I purchased a sheet of 1/2" MDF at our local hardware store. The sheet was 4 ft x 8 ft and I had it cut in 1 foot strips.

So, for $20, I had enough for not only this project but one other one (that I'm working on) as well.

I painted the edges with my American Accents spray paint in Espresso.

I used my cricut to cut out words that we had decided on.

I know that you can buy vinyl sheets and cut your lettering out on that, but since I was planning on Modpodging over the whole thing anyway, I simply bought a roll of black contact paper ($7 for 24 ft.) and cut my words out of that.

The paper came from a book of scrapbooking paper that I bought at Michaels. The book was called "Old World Stack" and after my coupon, I ended up spending $10. I just chose papers out of the book that I liked and laid them all out on the wood.

I then took the words and stuck them on the paper. The nice thing about the contact paper words is that, if they aren't exactly where you want them, you can pull them up and move them around.

The next step was to apply a thin layer of modpodge to both the board and the back of the paper. Do one paper at a time so you can work the bubbles out.

Do not spray glue the papers on. Because, when you add the modpodge, the paper will absorb the moisture and expand, creating air pockets underneath. If you have spray glued the paper down, you will not be able to work the air bubbles out.

You will then get very ticked, rip the paper off and go sulk in your closet.

Ahem...

After adding the modpodge to both the board and the paper, lay the paper down where you want it on the board.

Bubbles will appear and you will need to work them to the edges. This will take several minutes per section but the end result will be worth your patience.

If you don't get all the bubbles out, your paper will dry all "bubbly".

I ran my palm over the paper and was able to hear a crinkly that is a technical term, by the way sound when encountering an air pocket. I then gently worked the bubble over to the edge so the paper would lay flat.

I also found it easier to use a cheap paint brush and a paper bowl when working with the modpodge.

After all the papers were on, I applied (with my paintbrush) a thin layer of modpodge over the entire thing, one section at a time.

I then stole borrowed my son's chunky, cheap Kindergarten paintbrush and swirled it through the modpodge, creating texture to look like an oil painting.

You can hang these bad boys with wire hanger, I suppose, but we wanted these to withstand the test of time so we screwed ours directly into the wall.

We did this before adding the final papers. I realize that when we go to remove them, it will ruin them. Unless the kids ruin them first. I'm resigned to their eventual destruction, either way.

After screwing them to the wall, we added the final sections, using the same sequence of modpodging events as above.

Here is Corey, modpodging on sections, after they have been screwed to the wall.

Here is the finished product-

Each section is 12" wide by 4 feet long.

The total cost for this project was under $40 and I have enough supplies left over for another project that we are doing with the kid's names for the family room.

That's the same cost as the two, teeny tiny, pieces of art at Target!

Love it!

Easy to make earring holder

My daughter and her mother loves earrings.

But, a large amount of earrings = digging through a large heap of earrings, trying to find ones that match.

This is an easy and cheap solution!

We made several of these out of frames that I picked up cheap at Goodwill.

I took the glass and backing out and then Corey painted the frames the colors that I wanted.

I bought some wire screen mesh in a roll at Walmart and cut it to fit.

After the frames are dry, simply staple the screen on, pulling it as tight as you can.

Here is a completed one, ready for earrings.

These are hung using those "alligator teeth" looking hangers, nailed into the back.

The ribbon is only for a decorative touch.

Love the way these turned out and love the way all the earrings are now organized!

I'm completely somewhat behind...

This is totally how I feel too...

We had so much going on in the six week period before Christmas that I still am finding it hard to catch my breath.

So...I am just getting around to posting Christmas pictures.

I guess because we were so busy, I just had a really hard time getting into the Christmas spirit.

We didn't put up any lights outside this year again, the tree didn't get decorated until the 23rd and I felt guilty for not being excited.

I guess what doesn't help is that we were getting ready to tear apart the front room, are currently in the middle of a bathroom remodel and are awaiting the delivery of our siding. Whew...

Here are a few random Christmas pictures for your viewing amusement pleasure.

Each year a different kiddo gets the privilege of putting the angel on top of the tree.

If you get more then two turns in your lifetime, you are living at home too long are lucky.

This year, it was Levi's turn.

This was the tree on the night of the 23rd.

24 short hours later...

It looks like a bomb has gone off.

Hope you too have a wonderful Christmas!

Quote of the Day

Levi, who is three, was standing next to Lily.

She tooted loudly which is highly unlady-like and she sooo does not get that from me.

About 15 seconds go by and then we are all surrounded by a lovely smell.

Levi then exclaims,

"Mom! I smell that sound!"

Funny...and yet, not so much.

Hannah Banana is 4!

Hannah is still teeny tiny.

And super shy.

And very girly.



Happy Birthday Hannah!

We love you!

Eagle Before and After

Our four older boys have man caves bedrooms in the 3rd story.

That way I can't see them or smell them and they will have a harder time sneaking out.

I thought this through, ya see?

Anywhoo,

In between their doors was a large, blank wall, begging to be decorated.

Because the twins are already Eagle Scouts and the other two are well on their way, we thought that a patriotic, eagle theme, on the wall and in the stairwell would do nicely.

I came across the coolest eagle picture ever at the local Goodwill.

I loved the detailing...the way the eagle was 3-D...the large picture size...the heavy duty frame.

It was a quality piece.

Unfortunately...the colors screamed, "I was made in the 80's!"

But, then it went 1/2 off.

So, I picked it up for a measly $7.50.

Now we're talkin.

We took it "down to the studs" and repainted each piece with vibrant colors.

We used American Accent colors for the background and eagle pieces.

For the rock piece we picked out a really cool spray paint by Rust-o-leum that actually looks like stone with the texture and everything. I love that stuff!

It was very easy to put back together, which usually means that we did something wrong, but not this time. Thankfully.

What an improvement!

Me likey!

Not what it seems

This belongs to my son.

One might call it a ordinary, basic duffel bag, right?

Wrong.

"Bag of Death" is now the name that I will use in reference to the above gem.

A sealed up, sweaty, stinky, dirty basketball uniform left in the "bag" for three days, fermenting, is not a good thing.

When unzipping the "bag", a pssssssstttttt sound, like pressure releasing, will be heard.

The smell that climbs out of the "bag" will be akin to food poisoning for the nostrils and make you wish you could pass out to avoid it.

Don't ask me how I know.

Ugh.