Picture Frame Lantern

The weather is cooling down, it is dark before 6:30 and I am in bed before 9pm. It must be Fall!

Fall is very exciting in Southern California. It is when you start wearing long sleeve shirts and possibly shut your windows at night. Since we don't get typical fall weather here I try and find other ways to get in the spirit.


Lanterns have been very popular for a while now, I decided to shamelessly jump on the bandwagon with this tutorial.

Materials:

*4 wooden frames with glass. I used 8 1/2 x 11 ($1 each a the dollar store) 

*1 old recess light (I bought mine from Habitat for Humanity)

*Nails

*Hammer

*Spray paint

 

How much do the recess lights look like lantern tops?

Instructions:

1. Remove the glass from your frames.

2. Nail/Screw all 4 picture frames together to make a box. I used tiny wire nails.

3. Cut two squares, one for the base and one for the top. I made my cube and then decided how big I wanted the base/top. I made the base and the top the same size.

4. Attach your picture frame cube to the base. *Do not attach the top yet*

5. At this point I decided I wanted one more layer to the top. I cut another square that was 2" smaller on each side and nailed it to the top layer.
6. Attach the recess light to your top. I predrilled two holes and used screws to attach.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 Optional Steps

Freak out a little lot because it looks bad.

Decide it doesn't look *bad*, per se, but it looks like picture frames with a recess light on top.

Reaffirm that a picture frame with a light on top is not the look you are going for.

Run inside to answer your work phone. Don't they know you are crafting? Do they expect you to just stay by the phone from 9am-4pm?

Return to your project invigorated because nothing can go as bad as that work phone call!

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

7. Sand the entire thing to smooth wood and soften edges.

8. Wipe all dust from the lantern and proceed to spray painting!

Tralah! I love spray painting. I get all happy, excited and feel like the rest of the project is downhill from here......... Maybe it is the paint fumes. It probably is now that I think about it. I blew my nose the other day there was a little "Oil Rubbed Bronze" on the tissue. Huh. *makes mental note to check into spray paint poisoning symptoms*

9. Put the panes of glass back in, add an electric candle and enjoy the ambiance.

I love the lantern. I plan on going back to the dollar store to get frames in different sizes. My original plan was to place this lantern on the porch but it has found a home on my hearth.

You can customize this tutorial by adding frosting to the glass panes, changing the size and also adding more layers of wood to the base and top. Stacking flat pieces gives the item depth and makes it look more expensive.

If you are not inclined to using power tools I am selling these at my Etsy Shop. Mentioned you were referred from my blog for a 10% discount.

Show me lanterns, ladies!

Check me out on Knockoff Decor!

I like Knockoff Decor.

I am inspired by Knockoff Decor.

I just love Knockoff Decor.

I am unhealthily *obsessed* with Knockoff Decor.

Truth betold, I danced around to the Ghostbuster's song (in my head) and squealed a little when I received the email informing me that I was going to be featured on Knockoff Decor.

I think that everyone should be able to have fabulous things, not just the people that spend $500 on a throw pillow; Knockoff Decor helps that happen.

Also, everyone should also be able to experience the manic fear that they are ruining the home they just bought with some crazy project ;)

Follow this link to see my feature on Knockoff Decor. I HIGHLY recommend you subscribe to their site, it is fantastic.

Here is a sneak peek of tomorrow's tutorial.... Did someone say lanterns?

Guest Posting on DIY Showoff

Check out my guest post on DIY Showoff!

(how is my hair? This is big time for me...)

The DIY Showoff

Serendipitous Cutting Board- Tutorial

Who likes wine and cheese? THIS LADY! I have been a wine supporter for many years now but recently delved into the world of cheese. Wine is kind of "our thing" because we live by vineyards; people come to visit and we serve wine, cheese, salami, etc. I don't know anything about cheese. I know more about defusing bombs than I know about cheese and let me tell you, I know very little about defusing bombs.

This is where serendipity comes into play. 

I first saw this cutting board at William and Sonoma, LOVE. 

After finding this tutorial for DIY cutting boards on Centsational Girl and I knew I could do this.

AND THEN.....

I went to a winemaker's class on Saturday with my father and husband and the topic was wine and cheese pairing! (The class is at Callaway Winery and is awesome, I highly recommend it)

Which lead me to this lovely conclusion:

 

A monogrammed cheese board.

 

Materials:

• A section of untreated wood, also called "green". (I used 1-3/4" thick Douglas Fir, it is a softer wood but has worked great so far) 
• Jigsaw or scroll saw
• Sand paper, 80 & 220 Grit
• Template (I printed mine on the computer)
• Wood burner (I bought mine at Michael's Crafts, $13.99 and I used a 50% off coupon= $7)
• Mineral Oil

Instructions:

1. Choose a shape for your cutting board, I chose a standard shape from Microsoft Word.   Print the template, cut it out and trace onto your wood. Square is good too!

2. Use your jigsaw or scroll saw to cut the wood.

3. Sand the wood with 80 grit sandpaper, then move to 220. Make sure you sand all sides.

4. Wipe your cutting board down to remove all dust.

5. I printed my monogram on the computer and used an ancient secret for transferring it to the wood. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 Ancient Secret

Print your monogram (you can also use simple clipart).

Flip your monogram over and use a pencil to shade the back of your picture, cover the entire monogram.

Flip picture back over and place on your cutting board, tape down to prevent it from slipping.

Trace the right side of the monogram completely using a ballpoint pen.

Remove the paper and admire your work! The lead on the back of your picture was transferred to the wood when you traced the right side.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

6. Now you are ready to burn the monogram into your wood. I don't have any tips for this, just be careful, take your time and follow the manufacturer instructions. Also, practice on a piece of scrap wood before attempting to burn your cutting board.

This is the cutting board before the application of mineral oil.

7. Once you have the monogram burned in to your satisfaction rub the mineral oil into the wood and enjoy! You need 2-3 coats of mineral oil properly coat your cutting board.

Invite some people over (or none at all) and serve some cheese and wine!

If you are not inclined to using power tools I am selling these at my Etsy Shop. Mentioned you were referred from my blog for a 10% discount.

 I *highly* recommend blue cheese with a white dessert wine. I don't like either but the combination was magical. 

Just for fun, here are the combinations we tried in wine class:

First Course

Wine: Callaway Winemaker's Reserve 2008 Bella Blanch (Sparkling)

Cheese: Le Delice des Cremiers

Second Course 

Wine: Winemaker's Reserve 2008 Sangiovese

Cheese: Brebis Ossau-Iraty

Third Course

Wine: Winemaker's Reserve 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

Cheese: Extra Sharp Canadian Cheddar

Fourth Course

Wine: Winemaker's Reserve 2010 Late Harvest Chardonnay

Cheese: Castello Blue Cheese

Luxe curtains for $30

These might be the cutest curtains ever made by human hands. I also might be prone to exaggerating, you be the judge.

I woke up at 6am intending to go to hot yoga. Let me tell you, this is not a motivator to get out of bed. I hit the road to my friend's house (I wasn't about to pass out like a fool alone) and quickly went nowhere. *sitting*  *waiting* . Thirty minutes passed and I hadn't made it on to the freeway yet, DAMN YOU rush hour traffic. At this point I decided to head back home.

Or so I thought.

I decided to stop at Home Depot and get another can of grey paint (elephant skin) to finish my room. You guys, it took me THREE cans to paint my bedroom. Now before you can ask, NO, I do not live in a palace. I live in a standard house with standard sized rooms. I have no idea why it took so much paint was probably doing something wrong.

After getting the paint I decided to hit Walmart (What else is open at 6:30am?) to get supplies for a long planned project:

These curtains make my heart pitter patter.

Materials:

2-  Twin size flat sheets from Walmart (This will be the liner)- $5 each

2- 3 yard sections of medium weight apparel fabric from Walmart (this will be the curtain)-$1.50 a yard

3   spools of 3/4" pompom trim ($2.97 each)

    Thread in coordinating colors

Instructions:

This project took me 90 minutes from start to finish

1. Iron/dry your liners, I threw mine in the dryer on refresh.

2. Trim your liner to fit the curtain.

Note: Your curtain will be longer than the liner, you

can leave the extra length and let it pool on the ground or trim it to size. I like the length.

3.  Fold all the edges over and sew a hem, leaving the top for last.

                                                                                                                                                                     

 Optional Steps

• Scream at your dogs because they are playing Spartan Warrior all over your fabric.
• Lock them outside with no toys.
• Let them back in because they are tormenting the neighbor's dog
• Wonder why your neighbors are such jerks.

                                                                                                                                                                  

 MOVING ON

4.  Fold the top edge over and create a pocket approx. 3" wide. You will use this pocket to hang the curtains.

5.  Attach your trim! I chose little black pompoms. Make sure you sew the trim on opposing sides as shown in the picture, I didn't want to trim the entire curtain.

6. You are done, hang them up and enjoy.

The trick is to line the cheap fabric. It gives the curtains weight and makes them look expensive.

I am so happy with the way they turned out.

So, you tell me. Are the curtains adorable or am I prone to exaggerating?

Upcycled Shower Curtains

Me and Scarlett O'Hara- Upcycling curtains since the civil war.

I have been on the hunt for cute curtains FOREVER. My criteria was: cute, not too expensive, maybe have some green accents. Pretty basic, yes? Yet I found NOTHING. While browsing at Marshalls the other day I saw a couple cute Valerie Bertinelli shower curtains. They had a modern-ish pattern and were green, DONE!

This was so easy. I added 24" of material to the bottom of the curtain and 12" to the top to achieve the desired length. I then added a drapery liner which really makes them look like Curtains and not Sheets I Hung on My Window.

I used this tutorial to make the curtain rods, it is such a good idea. Plain curtains are so expensive! Especially if you need them as long as I did. Instead of using the L brackets to hang the rod I drilled a 1" hole through the middle of a shelf bracket and slid the rod through.

Great minds think alike

I have this picture saved on Pinterest. I want to make them SO bad but have failed mightily at cutting wine bottles using nail polish remover, yarn and cold water.

My mom just sent me this picture on Pinterest

I don't know why everyone sends me ideas for wine bottles. I think I am starting to develop a reputation...... and I think I like it.

My newest and slightly ironic obsession

Peacock Print.

I love it. I love the rich colors, the interesting shapes and the modern graphic prints that it inspires. The irony is that I hate birds. I just don't dislike birds but actively hate them. We will see how this love/hate relationship works out.

Directions for this pillow can be found here

I need to make that pillow.... I think I would switch the colors around but that pillow is fantastic. HOWEVER, my dogs have a deep-seeded hunger for felt and have destroyed every felt pillow I've made.