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Showing posts with label Living Room. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Living Room. Show all posts

Friday, February 18, 2011

How To: Chunky Distressed Frames (cardboard)


How To: Chunky Distressed Frames

Made from....CARDBOARD

cost = FREE

Supplies needed:
  • cardboard boxes
  • tape measure/ruler
  • tape
  • box cutter (if needed to adjust box size)
  • mod podge/school glue
  • newspaper
  • paint brush (preferably foam)
  • acrylic paint
  • screw
  • screw driver/drill
  • Velcro

This is a Mac and Cheese box I got from Walmart. 
I cut it in half.
1. I cut up the sides to create flaps. 
I measured it so that when I folded and tucked in the flaps it would create a box.
I taped the flaps on the inside of the box.
(you might get lucky and find boxes that are exactly the size you want...I wasn't so lucky.
If you can't find it...make it!)


2. Then I used my home made mod podge to apply one layer of newspaper onto the outside of the box.
(I like to do this because the newspaper absorbs the paint better then the cardboard box.  Sometimes cardboard has a thin water resistant layer and doesn't absorb paint well.)

(home made mod podge recipe:
school glue watered down with a little water)

3. After drying the box, I painted the edges of the box (see the picture above) with a cream color.  That is the color that will show when you distress the edges. 
You don't have to paint the edges cream.  You can do it without the cream under layer and it will be fine (I've done it before without painting an under layer).




4. When the cream paint was dry I painted it black (using acrylic paint).
5. Then I sanded the edges to give it a distressed look.


6. I cut off the end of a capri sun box.  This will be your frame hanger.
(measure it so that it will fit inside of your frame.  If you don't cut it enough your frame will stick out from the wall and not make contact/sit flush against the wall. 
If you cut it too much then there is less of a surface area for your frame to sit on).
You don't have to use a capri sun box.  This is just what I had on hand.  You can use any box.
& screw it to the wall.  You could nail it if you wanted to.  I prefer a screw for this project because I think it holds the frame hanger to the wall more securely (if I choose to turn the frame the other direction-if my picture is landscape instead of portrait direction). 

7. I attached a small piece of velcro to the top (to hold the box frame on).
Then I screwed the capri sun box to the wall.

(NOTE: I chose a capri sun box because it is sturdy.  You will want to use a sturdy box.  Your cardboard frame will be sitting on this box.  It is what will hold your frame up. 




8. I put the other side of the velcro on the inside of the frame.  This is what holds the frame to the hanger.


9. Getting all of the boxes lined up on the wall can be a little tricky (not necessarily hard...it just takes time and a little patience).  I recommend: measure twice, check twice, hang once:) 

10. I put a piece of packing tape in the center of the frames.  This is where the double sided tape will go to attach the picture to the frame.  This will protect the frame when pictures are removed.


 Tada...
Faux Chunky Wooden Distressed Frames

cost = FREE
(I already had everything I needed)

mileka:)


Take A Tour: The Front Living Room (Chunky Frames)

I love cardboard!!!

Why?

Cuz it's FREE!!!

My favorite place to get cardboard is at Walmart...although you can find it practically anywhere.  Craig's List often has listings for FREE cardboard boxes.  A favorite pick-up story of mine is...we (Brandi & I) were on our way to Michael's and we saw a new store setting up with tons of boxes outside.  What did we do?  We stopped, went in, and asked if we could have the boxes.  We totally scored that day!

I'm not too much of a picture person...but I want to be (baby steps).
I don't really take too many pictures and I don't really display them (don't ask...long story). 
But...I want to be.  So I do a little here and there. 
I've started to scan some old pictures into my computer and I have a plan. 

The plan:
1. Display pictures, 2. rotate them, 3. store them.

1. This is how I display them...

 Don't you just love the pictures?  I do.
 Guess who took them...Brandi.  U Rock!
These are 2 years old.  Scroll down to see an updated group picture.


These frames are awesome!
They look like chunky distressed wood....but...





...these are cardboard boxes.

Can you believe it?

cost = FREE

2. My plan is to rotate out the pictures.


3. The shelf below is where I plan to store their photo albums. 
When each picture is removed it will go into their individual photo albums.


Listen to this...

I'm not that great with taking pictures (or even remembering to take them in the first place).  My plan was to take Valentines pictures of my kids and put them in the frames as holiday decor.  Well...I took the pictures and then I never got them printed (in time)...I still plan on printing them and hanging them.

I don't have a fancy dancy camera...and felt that if I didn't have one my pictures wouldn't turn out perfect.  I decided to be thankful for what I have (the camera in my cell phone) and make do.

I've always felt that I was a pretty sucky photographer (if I even dare try to call myself that).  I decided that I needed to put my foot in my mouth and JUST DO IT!  So that is what I did...

I have to toot my horn a little (toot, toot)...I think it came out pretty good. 

This picture was taken with my (Nokia Neruon) phone camera. 
It only has 2 mp.  I did edit the picture a little. 

All the kids:)

mileka:)

What do you think?

Sunday, January 23, 2011

How To: Faux Vinyl (made from clear contact paper)

Introducing...(drum roll please)...
Faux Vinyl

Want vinyl?

Don't want to pay full price for it?  ...Yes.

(keep reading)

Did you know that you can use contact paper to save money?  ...Yes/NO.

(keep reading)

People use contact paper as vinyl in their vinyl cutting machines all the time (it's cheaper).

What if you don't have a vinyl cutting machine?
(cricket, silhouette,etc.)

(keep reading)

Did you know you can use contact paper and cut your own vinyl (without a machine)?...No.

Yes!!!!!  Yes you can!!!!!

I DID!!!


IF I CAN, YOU CAN!!!


I wanted our last name up on the wall in our living room.  I wanted it large and beautiful...
but, as you know I don't want to pay full price.  I knew that I could do it.  I just needed to figure out how.

I don't have a vinyl cutter (so sad). 
I love vinyl as much as the next person but just can't get myself to buy one. 
So...I set out to do it on my own.

Here is how I did it...


1.  I bought clear contact paper (I wanted black contact paper but couldn't find any in my area).  I didn't want to buy it online.  If you know me, I won't buy something "special" if I can figure out how to make it myself.   FYI-clear contact paper is cheaper than black.

Contact Paper = $1 (Dollar Tree)


I tested the contact paper using acrylic and spray paint.  
I sanded to prep the surface (one sample for each type of paint) and the other I didn't.   

One hour later I did a scratch test.  They weren't fully dry so they scratched.
I left them to dry over night and scratch tested them again.  They all held up well (no scratch marks).
I decided to use the NO PREP SPRAY PAINT method...the easiest method (of course).




2.  I laid the contact paper out on newspaper and used tape and rocks to hold it open.  I sprayed it using our good old trusty Walmart brand $1 spray paint.  I did 2 light coats to prevent dripping, letting it dry overnight between each coat.  I ran out of spray paint so I actually had to buy some:(

Spray Paint = $1 (Walmart)





(depending on the quality of your screen you may not be able to see the font in the pictures)











3.  I went on the computer to find a font I liked and got it hubby approved (I changed the font to outline style).  Then I traced a horizontal line along the bottom of the lettering, along the top and through the middle (at the top of the lower case letters).    I folded the paper in half (vertically and horizontally), and again and again until I got a
grid of squares and then traced the folds.




4. I taped your basic computer printing paper together to match the size of the contact paper (to be used as my pattern).



5. I created a grid on the computer paper to match the grids on my font paper.  This is a technique used by artists to take a smaller image and enlarge it.  I'm sure you probably remember doing this back in school in art class.
Here you can see where I went back and made a grid on my font paper to make it easier to see the grids
(just for you...cuz I love ya). 


6. I used the boxes on the font paper to help me enlarge the image.  I copied the picture in each box from the font paper onto the larger paper (drawing it the same just bigger).   When I was done copying the boxes I went back and smoothed out the image (connecting the lines smoother, checked spacing, etc.)  When I liked what it looked like I colored it in with a marker to make it easier to see.



Here we are checking it out.  Love it!

7. I trimmed the pattern and taped it onto the sprayed contact paper. 

8.  I cut out the pattern and the contact paper using a utility knife/exact knife/box cutter with a cardboard underneath (and it cuts right through)-which isn't necessarily a problem.  I also cut part of it without a backing (cutting directly onto the cement). Each technique gives you different results.

Cardboard behind-cuts through the pattern, contact paper, and backing of the contact paper.
Nothing behind-cuts through the pattern and contact paper but not the backing of the contact paper.
But...of course all of this varies based on the amount of pressure you use when cutting.  You may want to practice before doing a giant sized one (like me).
FYI-I didn't practice or try it out on anything. 
I just did it...that's how I am. 
I like to do it and learn along the way. 
I think it's fun.



Getting it up on the wall is the tricky part.  Why is it tricky?  Because you need to take your time and go slowly.  I was running behind schedule for a meeting but wanted to get it up (because I was so excited)...so I totally forgot to take pictures along the way.  I know that pictures are worth a thousand words.  Bare with me as I try to explain.


9.  Prep the wall.  I marked my living room wall marking the center and where I wanted the bottom of the lettering to go.  We decided we wanted the top of the lettering to be one foot from the ceiling.  I drew a horizontal line marking where the bottom of the lettering would go.

10.  I removed the pattern from the contact paper and drew a horizontal under line under each of the letters (stretching beyond the letter to the left and right).  This is the line that I use to line up to the line on the wall (the line that I made in step #9).

11.  I checked the backing of the contact paper. 
Some of the areas had cut through the backing so I taped it together.

12.  I taped the contact paper to the wall using the under line of the lettering to match up to the line I drew on the wall.

13.  I slowly peeled the back of the contact paper (from behind) one section at a time and adhered it to the wall.  As I finished a section I would remove the outer area surrounding the letter before moving on to the next section.  This took time and patience.  There were areas that didn't cut all the way through.  I did have to use my box cutter/scissors here and there.  I did it with all the kids around...so I lost my patience a few times and a couple of kids got a good yelling at....thus no pictures.  Maybe next time I'll have the kids take the pictures?  That might be a good idea.  You never know.

14.  I took a step back and looked for areas that needed a little tweaking.  Remember this is hand cut and not perfect...but I love it!  I just peeled the small area off the wall, gave it a good trim with my handy dandy scissors and stuck it back on. 


Tada...
Faux vinyl (4 feet by 1.5 feet)

Time = FREE
Patience = um....FREE
Contact Paper = $1
Spray Paint = $1

Grand Total = $2

I got an estimate from someone in our community who does vinyl.   It would cost about $22.
I saved $20.
How awesome is that?

TOTALLY AWESOME!!!

Mileka:)

wishing you luck on your next faux vinyl project

How To: Handpainted Mirror


This is the hand painted mirror...
as seen in "Take a Tour: The Front Room.
Once again...this is a project I did a while ago so I don't have all the steps in picture form...

BUT...

the GREAT NEWS is...

 it is SUPER EASY!


You don't need anything special!

Supply List:
  • measuring tape (to center it)
  • masking tape (to mark your painting area)
  • paint brush
  • paint (nothing special-I used acrylic paint-bought at Walmart)
  • a mirror (or something else) to paint on...DUH!








Quick Steps:
  1. measure
  2. tape
  3. paint
Detailed info:
(I recreated the steps on a board painted black for easier viewing...which I will be using for a future project):
  1. I measured the mirror to find the center (both ways). I taped across the mirror.


  
    2. I used the masking tape to mark off my area (measuring the same distance away from the center mark).


     3. I went back and ripped the tape away from the center mark where I would be painting.
    

4. Paint the lettering. 
I painted over the masking tape when making the "g". 
Paint carefully and slowly.  You need to keep the mirror flat or the paint will run/spread out.
But, if you make a mistake...wipe it away and try again. 
Thank goodness it's glass and easy to clean up for a redo.
     5. I removed the masking tape guide lines and filled in the missing spots
(in the letter "g" where I had painted over the masking tape).
     6. Let it dry fully. 
I painted over my first layer (because I didn't like the effect of a single layer.  I felt it was too thin).


Tada! 
Custom painted mirror

FREE


That's it!
measure, tape, paint

(p.s. I use this technique on all of my hand painted items. 
I used tape on the mirror because I couldn't draw lines)

Yes, I did it free hand...and as you can see it's not perfect (which doesn't really bother me)...although my husband always teases me that the "g" is crooked. 
I asked him if he wanted to do it and of course he said no (duh). 
It's special because it can't be bought anywhere. 
No one else has it...which makes it one of a kind...and...I made it all by my self!!! 

I think that too many times, too many people run to the store to buy pre-made items. 
They have no attachment to it and it has little to no personal meaning to them.
Just imagine...a home filled with items handmade by YOU. 
Every day you would look around and see all the beautiful things YOU made and feel a deep sense of joy and accomplishment.

Mileka :)

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Take a Tour: The Front Living Room


Total = $2
(I'm not lying!!!)

I guess this is my "formal room." 
I'm not one for formalities...
...so we call it the Front "Living" Room
because it's in the front and we "live" in it (to some extent).


Let's Begin...



Piano = FREE
(how? read below)

OK...I know you are wondering how I got a free piano so...
I'll take some time to give you a quick run down of how I got it.

I wanted a piano pretty bad.  I played as a kid and wanted to teach my kids the basics. 
So, I set out on Craig's List. 
At first, I was willing to pay $200
(but I really wanted one for free
-keep this thought in mind as you continue to read).
 I looked around and didn't see what I wanted
or it was out of my price range. 
I found a few free ones
but it was either too far or in need of repair.
I heard from a friend who said that her friend (did I lose you yet?) had gotten one for $50 on Craig's list.
That was it!  If someone else can do it, I CAN DO IT!!!!!
I was determined to get one for $50.
I continued looking (on and off) for about 6 more months.
I found one (on CL) that looked decent and it was located near to where I live.
It stated "make an offer."  So, that's what I did.
What was my price? $50 (remember...stick to your budget).
The seller did not respond and I figured that someone else got to it before I did.
A few months later I got a random e-mail (the seller had been out of town caring for her sick mother).
She said I could have it for $40.  I was pumped!!!  I gave her a big fat YES (via email).
Then once again I got no reply. 
A couple of months later
(yes, again...but remember I know about patience
she got back to me.
She said that if I picked up the piano before 3pm I could have it for free!!!!!!! YES, FREE!!!!!!!
I called a friend and they were able to help me.
That is another totally awesome story in and of itself (maybe I'll tell about it later on another post).
We arrived at the house at 2:15 to pick it up.  After chit chat and loading, we pulled away at 2:58 (yes, I remember the exact time.  Only because it was such an awesome experience).

Piano book = free
(I rescued a broken binder headed for the trash).
I found a website that has simplified piano music
It's free, so of course I love it!
I use it to teach the kids piano.
I use the songs to introduce concepts
and they learn real songs right away.
It's not the traditional method but it works for us and the kids love it because they learn to play "real" songs instead of those made up and watered down songs usually found in how to piano books.




Above Piano Grouping

Mirror = Free
Candles and candle holders = FREE
1 frame and all the pictures = FREE
2 frames = $2 (dollar store)
Total  for Above Piano Grouping = $2

A friend of mine was moving and gave me the stuff she no longer wanted (thanks C! you rock!).
She gave me the mirror (which was in her trash), candles and holders.
I had the center picture-it was a wedding present from a friend.
I bought the two smaller frames from the dollar store.
I repainted the frames and mirror.
I hand painted the wording on the mirror.
I painted it gold because that was a main color in the room
(and I had beautiful gold curtains).
I'm going to redo the room
because of a few changes in furniture (later on).



Let's recap...

Piano = FREE
Piano book = FREE
Mirror = Free
Candles and candle holders = FREE
1 frame and all the pictures/documents = FREE
2 frames = $2 (dollar store)
GRAND TOTAL = $2

Mileka:)

I'm doing the happy dance right now...because I'm so awesome!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

How To: Dresser & Lampshade

Here's how I rescued the old dresser and lampshade from my other post "Take a tour: My Livingroom".

Dresser instructions



  1. removed all the drawer pulls and sanded the entire thing.
  2. I filled the old "drawer pull holes" with wood filler and made sure the "drawer pull rings" in the wood were sanded away (if they aren't sanded well enough, it'll show when you paint it).
  3. I liked the "antique" look of the drawer pulls so I decided to keep those. I figured out where I wanted the pulls and drilled new holes in the drawers. 
  4. I painted. No, I didn't prime and paint and seal with all the expensive stuff. . .I spray painted it! I used about 2-3 cans of black spray paint (about 98 cents each @ Walmart) and gave it about 2 good coats.
  5. When it was dry, I replaced the drawer pulls, put the drawers in and brought it inside.

The entire project took about 3 hours (including rests in between). I love the look of the finished dresser and I also love that I have tons of hidden storage!

Lampshade Instructions

If you think about it, no one is going to go and look into your lamp shade and say "Hey, this was broken and you fixed it! how ugly!" That just does not happen. So it did not matter how I fixed it up inside, no one would be able to see it anyway! So this is what I did:



  1. I bent one of the white wires up so the two wires intersected.
  2. Then I used some craft wire that I had to bind it together.
  3. Then I added a "ring" using the craft wire. I sat that ring on the top of the lamp's harp
  4. I secured the lampshade ring to the harp using the lamp's finial (round, black thing. The part used to secure the lampshade to the lamp).
BAM! Easy as pie! and just as sweet!

Brandi-Lee

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Take a Tour: My Livingroom

I wanted to share some of the things that I've done in my home using very  little or no money. There are so many things I could share so I think I'll take it slowly. I chose to showcase a major piece of furniture that I have in my living room and the accessories I decided to use with it. It started life out as a plain old dresser but is spending its later years in wonderful retirement in my home.





 After rescuing it from a friend that was going to throw it out, the piece sat outside on my patio for over a year and a half. You should have seen the state of the dresser before I redid it! (unfortunately, I don't have a picture) It was dark brown, had deep "scratch rings" in the wood from the drawer pulls and it was also missing several drawer pulls (it was supposed to have 10 but only came with 6). I think it came out nice! (How I made it here)


Ok, Accessories. These are the things I happened across that I used to decorate my dresser.


Found this beautiful "FREE" lamp (minus shade) that someone put out while driving in the neighborhood. Lovely! If my decor were white instead of black, I would've spray painted the lamp white.

The chocolate brown lampshade was just the thing I was looking for to match the decor in my livingroom. I spied the shade in a friend's open garage. I opened my mouth (yes, you too can learn to do this) and asked her what she was doing with it and if I could give it a good home. Is it any surprise that she was gonna chuck it! (it was absolutely no surprise to me!)
The shade was broken on the inside and unusable but I saw great potential in it. (How I fixed the lampshade here) I loved the fact that the outside was in such great shape! The lampshade turned out great and the best thing about it? It was FREE!


I love, love, love picture frames! Every trip to the dollar store, every garage/yard sale I visit, I never pass up looking at the frames. You never know when there will be a beautiful frame at an as free as can be price! Here are some frames that I got at several different yard sales. They ranged in price from 10 cents to 75 cents. I don't think I paid more than $3 for all these frames.







Dresser=FREE
3 cans black spray paint=$3
Lamp+Lampshade=FREE
Assorted Picture Frames=$3
Grand Total=$6


I used whatever I had around the house and spent no more than $6 on the entire thing! Yay me!

Brandi-Lee
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