Final Kitchen Island Plans

Those Canadian Bloggers

<div> </div><div>The finalists in each category for the Made in Blog (MiB)  Best Canadian Blog awards  as determined by reader voting have been announced.  </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.mibawards.ca/en/2014/home-design/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="200" src="http://www.mibawards.ca/wp-content/uploads/mib-awards/images/1005.png" width="200" /></a></div><div>This is the first year I participated in the  awards process ( Home Design category).   Thanks to everyone who voted  for this blog because you helped Designing Home make it to the top ten.  A panel of judges will now decide the winners in each category.  Stay tuned for that big announcement. </div><div> </div><div>One of the advantages of my participation was an introduction to other Canadian blogs that I didn't know. Perhaps there's a blog or two in the list that you might like  to check out or follow.   Click  <a href="http://www.mibawards.ca/en/2014/home-design/">here</a> see the  top ten  list for home design.  You might also like to check in on  <a href="http://apopofpretty.com/">A Pop of Pretty</a>, another St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador  blog that's also in the top ten for home design. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAM97PBJv60g22cSY74pmzxWtFXm2Akp-sBUWBRGybrMmm5pFaaU3Dde0ADvcpDTHC8jERnvAQBWNOWDCj_wTgjV2PYy7U4uPSfpITGz614ucr4vst58J78wu-JY4zXqHqGH4h0i8sj2s/s1600/APopofPrettyCollagePicOption2-736x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAM97PBJv60g22cSY74pmzxWtFXm2Akp-sBUWBRGybrMmm5pFaaU3Dde0ADvcpDTHC8jERnvAQBWNOWDCj_wTgjV2PYy7U4uPSfpITGz614ucr4vst58J78wu-JY4zXqHqGH4h0i8sj2s/s1600/APopofPrettyCollagePicOption2-736x1024.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apopofpretty.com/">source</a></div> Kerri  of A Pop of Pretty is currently participating in a Canadian Blogger Christmas Home Tour.  There are loads of close up photos of all her decorating efforts for this year's French Inspired Christmas Theme.  As she says in her blog description she loves all things pretty and there's no doubt that comes through in her space.  If you'd like to see what other Canadian home owners are doing to get their homes ready for the festive season you can begin with Kerri and then link up to other open houses in blogland right across the country.  The link list is at the bottom of her post. </div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHQU5L8QXv8lxMiwB_RXPO1Ma0C8VniMjuh9q-U8OHEqIosJTC83oXO9DybTuEig1l2mjF62WkxQk25jJxNTJnViFPBi-zBuTQ5wxTwtJ6y1bo7RmIWGFcZsYKFq2x_SxezfoaNfG7rKQ/s1600/95f689e8-6a77-43fb-8bb7-1f1986fb198a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHQU5L8QXv8lxMiwB_RXPO1Ma0C8VniMjuh9q-U8OHEqIosJTC83oXO9DybTuEig1l2mjF62WkxQk25jJxNTJnViFPBi-zBuTQ5wxTwtJ6y1bo7RmIWGFcZsYKFq2x_SxezfoaNfG7rKQ/s1600/95f689e8-6a77-43fb-8bb7-1f1986fb198a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theuncommonlaw.ca/blog/scandinavian-inspired-modern-christmas">source</a></div> </div><div>As I followed the links myself,  I found another local blog <a href="http://www.theuncommonlaw.ca/blog/scandinavian-inspired-modern-christmas">Adventures of the Uncommon Common Law </a> from St. John's.  I thoroughly enjoyed  seeing Becki's take on a modern Scandinavian  inspired Christmas. And why wouldn't I?  Her space has lots of neutrals, textures, clean lines, and white- a graphic delight.  After visiting the homes of all these young energetic bloggers here's me- the grandmother blogger-   ill prepared right now for the festive season.  I have no home tour to offer, but  I will have a Christmas post or two when I get the hang of my fancy new camera.   My decorating efforts,  as you may know from past posts at Christmas, are  a bit understated and usually consist of recycling and rearranging what I currently have.  I've begun to pull things out, and I'm happy to report my husband made me a lovely trough box (from recycled wood, yet to be painted) for an arrangement. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQK7cCY9njKFqODtTMzkQovOhD1WiVKM1SXrgBEM_-AHTPTdqHc-OftvKzM-9Va6Bp_Ph0J5lwI0_2hkYTYmxyNoz_lQG9lqDQQCOIzpFDn6b-D6YTza5_khXgBzsohnZwXE-1W_5E7EED/s1600/Santas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQK7cCY9njKFqODtTMzkQovOhD1WiVKM1SXrgBEM_-AHTPTdqHc-OftvKzM-9Va6Bp_Ph0J5lwI0_2hkYTYmxyNoz_lQG9lqDQQCOIzpFDn6b-D6YTza5_khXgBzsohnZwXE-1W_5E7EED/s1600/Santas.JPG" width="296" /></a></div>  I'm feeling nostalgic this year and thought my granddaughters would enjoy seeing my collection of wooden Santas I've painted over the years. Until more exciting things happen here,  I'll leave you to enjoy the links above. Have fun. Am I the only one who needs to get moving on Christmas?</div>

Those Canadian Bloggers

The finalists in each category for the Made in Blog (MiB) Best Canadian Blog awards as determined by reader voting have been announced. This is the first year I participated in the awards process ( Home Design category). Thanks to everyone who voted for this blog because you helped Designing …

29Nov2014

Choosing a drapery colour

Ah, the dreaded question.  What colour draperies should I have? Part of being a decorator is making informed decisions about design.  Keeping current with trends  through reading and viewing is a must, but trend knowledge is not enough.  You have to understand what affect your choices will have on a space. I posted this picture on Designing Home Facebook Page as an example of a style board I create for clients.  I am not one for vivid colour, but I didn't have to live with the colour, a young lady who loves rich colours did.   Should I have argued with her and said you shouldn't have bright draperies. NO!  I have to balance my client's likes with the principles and elements of design. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6Ugf_U8BrHs2GgkOPWzXpAuleRiKlrTmBMHm2dkFVI__J0FgAKBmFgaeRDnvUZOe7K19lKiFQHqE68r6Yh-9raXlZn08oZ8_FRHQ2DOr53IXVnBiXSOtY6ot83P6GeJQJw2v1ygswarR/s1600/10801479_784548268251340_5666604175270465016_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="vibrant drapes, turquoise drapes, vibrant living room, Designing Home" border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6Ugf_U8BrHs2GgkOPWzXpAuleRiKlrTmBMHm2dkFVI__J0FgAKBmFgaeRDnvUZOe7K19lKiFQHqE68r6Yh-9raXlZn08oZ8_FRHQ2DOr53IXVnBiXSOtY6ot83P6GeJQJw2v1ygswarR/s1600/10801479_784548268251340_5666604175270465016_n.jpg" title="Designing Home: Choosing a drapery colour" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vibrant  draperies </td></tr></tbody></table> Let's look at what this colour choice  did for this room.  You can't ignore this window treatment, it's not only the vibrant colour, it's the placement and amount of it. That means a lot of colour jumping forward in the space. The draperies also serve to  frame the artwork and the sofa. The more muted sofa is anchored and held captive, and you need an equally vibrant art work to compete with the windows. When you look at this space blue is primary and everything else is secondary. The overall effect is focused and the room appears smaller than it actually is.  That's a great tip if you have a large space that you want to appear smaller/cosier.  Go for darker/brighter  window treatments that draw the eye.  I see this as a lively, energetic scheme that is equally matched to a sparkling, vivacious young lady. On to number two example.... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6z7tmXyuUHuAz1IkTo1BeIGa_GNFhbda910UAouXJeR76CxM3GLtveTS4kpmlW4CQmC-rUJ6yNdo3rUVnkX9_2HlD0EQ1KIE3t5-A76YWZVj3ubOkukhfHWv3zfpvUDScaXvIiiCiWW5I/s1600/OB-Green+and+Turquoise+Living+Room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="soft white drapes, roman shade, fresh living room scheme, Designing Home" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6z7tmXyuUHuAz1IkTo1BeIGa_GNFhbda910UAouXJeR76CxM3GLtveTS4kpmlW4CQmC-rUJ6yNdo3rUVnkX9_2HlD0EQ1KIE3t5-A76YWZVj3ubOkukhfHWv3zfpvUDScaXvIiiCiWW5I/s1600/OB-Green+and+Turquoise+Living+Room+2.jpg" title="Designing Home: Choosing a drapery colour" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I removed the vibrant draperies and choose something more in line with my personal taste.  I like my spaces to be expansive, and tone -on tone- window treatments  (keeping the colour of the drapes and the walls very similar) is  one way to achieve that look/feel especially in a smaller space.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now the sofa and artwork stand out as they didn't before.  Your eye connects the light colour in the chairs with the draperies and you visually wander the space. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On to example number three....  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzHNKQzN-qLnbRhWkYqV4avQTXZlhSJFyvvjuPLUAiSqvVGbiYtnwJC2f2kE65TIb9zs-ngEW33P44KMrx-vu6FjQhHiQkKdege0tJhR-TAd24h9gPC2oANQlKgV5X_fmEy5tzDGeV_30/s1600/OB-Green+and+Turquoise+Living+Room3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="fresh living room scheme, fresh green, turquoise " border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzHNKQzN-qLnbRhWkYqV4avQTXZlhSJFyvvjuPLUAiSqvVGbiYtnwJC2f2kE65TIb9zs-ngEW33P44KMrx-vu6FjQhHiQkKdege0tJhR-TAd24h9gPC2oANQlKgV5X_fmEy5tzDGeV_30/s1600/OB-Green+and+Turquoise+Living+Room3.jpg" title="Designing Home; Choosing a drapery colour" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Same window treatments, but I'm tweeking a few other things. Without the blue pillows on the chairs,  and the blue vase on the table, the space is even even more opened up.  The overall effect is fresh and inviting,  reminiscent of a summer garden - always a look I gravitate to.  The wooden tables help that feel too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So there is no right answer to the question "What colour draperies  should I have?"  It all depends on how you want your room to look/feel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you wan to find out more about current trends in window treatments check out this <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.ca/2014/01/current-trends-in-window-treatments.html">post</a> and several others in my side bar. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What's your preference when buying  window treatments ?  Are you a neutral or a colour lover?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>

Choosing a drapery colour

Ah, the dreaded question. What colour draperies should I have? Part of being a decorator is making informed decisions about design. Keeping current with trends through reading and viewing is a must, but trend knowledge is not enough. You have to understand what affect your choices will have on a…

27Nov2014

Cleaning out

Hello all and happy weekend! Anything fun planned? I have about 285 things on my list I’d like to get accomplished before Thanksgiving and instead the other day I spent hours cleaning up this mess out in the garage: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iDbZzKtw4PY/VG9k0StkosI/AAAAAAAAtCQ/Lt6M5Tf5OiM/s1600-h/unnamed%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w-6Qhptcumg/VG9k1bDcvpI/AAAAAAAAtCY/4282pxGVrmI/unnamed_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a> It needed to be done, obviously. But it is not on the list. ;) Food and cleaning this house are, however. But noooo…I focus on things like this. In my defense, it’s been driving me crazy for months. ALL of that wood is trim from the renovation. It was way bigger than this – we saved a ton of trim when we took down the wall so I used a lot to do the board and batten in the family room. There’s still a good amount I’ll use in the kitchen – on the crown, base and board and batten. Some of the pieces I gave away and the rest I’m keeping for future projects. I hoard scrap wood – it’s my thing. ;) Anyhoo, I finally got most of that area organized and then I kept going in the garage. Usually this time of year is when I organize our garage but usually this time of year isn’t 12 degrees with snow. So I’m doing bits and pieces and I’ll just have to wait till spring for the rest of it. While I was organizing I realized the truly insane amount of painter’s tape I have. It’s from working with the lovely FrogTape folks – but there’s no way I can use all this tape myself. I LOVE this tape and have worked with them for years but a few months back I pulled out -- I couldn't think of worthwhile projects to do anymore. If I can’t make it worthwhile for you I don’t feel right doing it. So I definitely don’t need all the tape I have and decided instead of dropping it at Goodwill, I’d pass it along to you guys! I have nearly 20 rolls to give away. I have three rolls of the chevron shape tape: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dVqIW1nSX54/VG9k16qHBvI/AAAAAAAAtCg/o6jMLDNUQ-c/s1600-h/IMG_0622%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chevron painter's tape" border="0" height="418" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iQh_Mu7Pmno/VG9k2pUoXVI/AAAAAAAAtCo/Z3K7a_3MxMk/IMG_0622_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="chevron painter's tape" width="500" /></a> I’m not a huge fan of chevron but I did use this in a different way to get a <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/11/chevron-take-two.html">unique look</a>: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hnHpgycbSjQ/VG9k3TDlWcI/AAAAAAAAtCw/xUZGZ_GaUFQ/s1600-h/ft2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chevron painters tape design" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7vaTnZiC-eI/VG9k4K-HOnI/AAAAAAAAtC4/L49vKTShBLc/ft2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="chevron painters tape design" width="500" /></a> So even if you’re not a big Chevron person, it still can be used to make different designs! I have three wave tapes available as well: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rVKOjLxJuAU/VG9k4_2ZWGI/AAAAAAAAtDA/HFRr43EuqDE/s1600-h/IMG_0632%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wave painter's tape" border="0" height="385" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pi3IClUJNtY/VG9k5ld1xrI/AAAAAAAAtDI/wLp7t9eVf-Y/IMG_0632_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="wave painter's tape" width="500" /></a> I think this stuff is super cute, especially for a bathroom. :) I made <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/05/making-waves.html">this art</a> for my son’s bathroom and still love it!: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ji4m8WvuQao/VG9k6Wi1EkI/AAAAAAAAtDQ/sWY79FDLaic/s1600-h/IMG_8982%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nautical art wave painter's tape" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pXifUoIyVa4/VG9k7FZDDWI/AAAAAAAAtDY/QZG8lEOvSgo/IMG_8982_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="nautical art wave painter's tape" width="500" /></a> I think the scallop tape is pretty too. I have four of these to give away: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2ILbpCssx_4/VG9k71a1MSI/AAAAAAAAtDg/3FUEgUJEVNI/s1600-h/IMG_0623%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0623" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SU39-4WpCdg/VG9k8p0St9I/AAAAAAAAtDo/GQ8m7jeJgis/IMG_0623_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_0623" width="500" /></a> I used this on my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/10/candy-corn-crafting.html">candy corn bunting</a> last year: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h1qp6VtV7XY/VG9k9a1V_GI/AAAAAAAAtDw/Sg2nAnmhJL8/s1600-h/IMG_7043%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="candy corn bunting" border="0" height="780" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EMybSjqwOY8/VG9k-GRgmrI/AAAAAAAAtD4/3TpGeBJmSls/IMG_7043_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="candy corn bunting" width="477" /></a> So cute!! I’m clearing out some of my regular tape as well – I have six of these available: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d05gSd08l74/VG9k-zZJnoI/AAAAAAAAtEA/KK_TFSmXLBA/s1600-h/IMG_0620%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="frogtape painter's tape" border="0" height="487" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FzJeS30bpcA/VG9k_aSD0iI/AAAAAAAAtEI/H6_EZQdV4tY/IMG_0620_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="frogtape painter's tape" width="500" /></a> This is truly my favorite painter’s tape. The crisp lines can’t be beat. I used it to make this <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/an-ombre-wall-guest-room-progress.html">pretty ombre wall</a> in our guest room: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Limi_liuU-g/VG9lAa8F8dI/AAAAAAAAtEQ/ym1LDTvkSjk/s1600-h/ombre-wall%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ombre wall with squares" border="0" height="759" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-etezzKgO6EQ/VG9lBDkwH7I/AAAAAAAAtEY/A2JBJnBxzVY/ombre-wall_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="ombre wall with squares" width="500" /></a> I’ve mastered the art of cutting in so I just don’t use painter’s tape as much as I used to. And this stuff I’m really excited about – it’s FrogTape for textured surfaces: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K1EY6RkTna0/VG9lBy8LedI/AAAAAAAAtEg/nvS-DGGVHJE/s1600-h/IMG_0621%25255B2%25255D.jpg"></a> <img alt="painter's tape for textured walls" border="0" height="454" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9QfG5Ou1L-E/VG9lCb4RwDI/AAAAAAAAtEo/oQLVhfJywug/IMG_0621_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="painter's tape for textured walls" width="500" /> I’ve never used this so I can’t speak to how well it works, but it’s worth a try! I have three of these to give away. Here are the deets: This giveaway is now closed! :) I will be taking most of next week off to spend with my family. I may be back with a post next Friday but that will most likely be it. I’ll be back with CHRISTMAS when I return though. :) I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am so thankful you follow along with my escapades every week!

Cleaning out

Hello all and happy weekend! Anything fun planned? I have about 285 things on my list I’d like to get accomplished before Thanksgiving and instead the other day I spent hours cleaning up this mess out in the garage: It needed to be done, obviously. But it is not on the list. ;) Food and cleani…

21Nov2014

The new back door

Happy Thursday friends, one of my favorite days of the week! I’m SO happy to share this final addition to our renovation with you today! It’s not done, so bear with me because there’s a lot left to do. But I’m excited about how it’s looking and that we’re done with this reno! So if you’re new here – this past summer we <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/07/tearing-down-wall.html">took a wall down</a> between my office and our family room to give us more space. You can see the completed space <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/10/family-room-reveal.html">here</a>. :) What we didn’t realize till we knocked down the wall was how much this was going to completely transform our kitchen as well. So part of the plan was to tweak the bay window area a bit, where our back door used to be: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TQoobmIZuWJNk3Y71H1hmBaDxmjai5K1FGeSIveJ7zs8Kdc569IlD1qiTgC2GzWn7z-nelS9yAh_kH74Gt8PEpiAnZwv00XPim0sb_Fc7gZJS9MiJ5qgiiha5H1d2LE4SBBB6NAw-6M/s1600-h/IMG_0485%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0485" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurxQkXb52I_9s0IvcehPo9dEZf2CeIjoRWovLwDfTcMUpmVkQsopAUBmYUWRAHwbTX88HV7lvA9jg8xYRP_RsQKSDRbWIec0q2ax-op46TkqMOAzucGfzMkWgfbFhgDJ6ynTVote0O5w/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0485" width="500" /></a> It’s now all windows and ready for me to build <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-window-seat-in-kitchen.html">the window seat</a>. Yum. We decided to move the back door over to where the double windows in the room are: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62HeTCzB0mqyTPL5kmeeBOLyDsGFjKWU-FkRpFxEJNW818j1nQP0YXtDVwKnQB4leBMMquSgJACqxai5vQ23AvmN_DQBWaCQJO8gpcizU4t_fHPKex1EmK99awldop6Aifc1gG0TO7EE/s1600-h/IMG_0446%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0446" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWTxJHlLBjDy7xMEQcBjwgxlwKeL1RwnWc_KQHezAhao5Ya_juOaHeOpSodM4wp93pREQUMMxMouYxsDaoQERiQ4JJLi0Hbd8IGT2zffMm_4C8rGLrNP3Nyi1_Iu1TtjyM474KLfizXM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0446" width="500" /></a> It just made more sense overall – that window just felt like the logical spot for the door when everything shifted. Here’s an idea of how where that window was in the old space: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH4G5s92bOiPHh9dTRtIndYSBIa1fnIFSLq4-8v8O5EAyn_ot54q6U8JF6ReZ386pvAe7qiB4Kys6d6fDTJsPXVAqDrDVYZ3O5FIGx0ds1LBa_0NYy83oWh4IksRPCsgn-fWIn1l_NSE/s1600-h/IMG_76764%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_76764" border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtiHxNoRPDBRg765nyyADWTyLQQWcSRPVRExS8jPCYgTfk9Scj_wkQCkVsU4vOb0fp6XD0DOxDPlxcFqN7xKNvFRfUv-vk55Iyd50rANnyF-QBP9rXiMcCQkcYzwTwdROCQ6ibp4R3oY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_76764" width="500" /></a> (OH my goodness, look how little my baby was there!!) The sectional sat up against it, which I didn’t mind too much but try to avoid if I can. So here’s the thing – we ordered the windows for the bay area and the new door at the same time from Lowe’s. The windows were coming in in a couple weeks. The door was going to take 28 days. I never expected either one of them to come in on time, just because I’m no spring chicken. ;) Well the windows came in on time but they never called to tell us, so on the fourth week I stopped by to check on the status of things. They told me the door was scheduled to be delivered that week, exactly on time. Whoot! I was so excited, so we picked up the windows and went ahead and had those installed. Before they replaced our back door with the third window I called Lowe’s again – and they told me that the door would be in that day. So I had the guys go ahead, knowing it would only be a day or two before the new door went in. We never got a call so I called again later and they told me again in was in…but it wasn’t. ;) It was delayed a little over a week, which was annoying but fine, not a biggie, #firstworldproblems. But a week turned into two, three…four. :) Finally this week it came in. It took the guys just over half a day to get it in and when I walked into the room I LOVED it!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheib0k-tkKLljiMpSMkCltq-jhExq_s72AmshvV8hyphenhyphenAmNha6m1gW__bbLDi0rBwmitetzzfYKJQCzuZ3pdBoLMnAzFXoxRA07aYXJ3okXHKnUsXHAfAC6wwX91Ml0KnAFmxbHEdytIO7A/s1600-h/IMG_0614%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0614" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoGtfRg2XfZaNIyumTEzUNioBrIZB2SrnZvkKlvSzyQDxZQviLagl2QEBErD1heMrWAxIjjWK8lCacx_wsH9Sk_JVXklQ_QO4sQXz6J7PpWRf4c3FtPCinoUFks27p87sUgHziYoTpqQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0614" width="500" /></a> It was worth the wait. :) It is exactly how I envisioned it – it makes total sense in that spot. Only one side of the door opens – the other is stationary. I just felt like this way would be more secure. I had dreams of having two doors opened up to the deck and having the warm breeze waft in…and then I woke up and realized we have four animals that we’d never see again. Ha! You can see in that pic how much work I have left to do – they are framing out the door today in my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/10/black-and-white-and-awesome-all-over.html">Craftsman style trim</a> and then I’ll paint. I also have to finish that wall to the right with the base and board and batten that goes throughout the rest of the room. That speaker isn’t being used anymore so I need to patch that drywall as well. I think it’s going to look so beautiful when it’s all done! I can’t wait! Our main floor windows are super tall, 72 inches. Because of that we had a big space to fill – instead of having them fill in the area above the door with drywall I had it made with a transom. It adds a nice detail: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7eT_2E_JwlfcrQ7ox73t3VTdwH-bSgItDYecUCZtF97sNXonkkiT_Ow-MYR2BfMqQj_6eouxgY45NAgCxk8FYY_L9kxJLY_9tOkHaNvt67i2j5i3oHvcTQEyjUkCOjt6651sZqepQJc/s1600-h/IMG_0615%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0615" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10-IiAV-aUxLvdnHhG6SWWzDC_Jgrl7bRGmTCJIP8vypCDsRZ_4jJHK-y7qTJofalkOlSEd47JqOkw1UwIUyqKWQAussTauZLeD8GHFeEz6ErZvwo7mFMJtRYHtHtKqV9vP76E4atuKo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0615" width="500" /></a> Here’s how this area looked a few weeks ago: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9i3iVlck1b8OdtLRRu9DEi3WjbqFA38O7mMGRaKHcn9TeTCqOAUbSJASf-fYKZH4AkD8ICtqQp80YvJe1LmwwYYiO9enCsnFweqoaGlzTkCrYNpUFHOcsno7CQZTlwHN-N7WvkJ_doRc/s1600-h/IMG_9878%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9878" border="0" height="752" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-fAdNLjJ5XwkP0S_bxvWYLnXZtrDKpGpqLoT2fHBrWCLdoTIGnDEMTyflsBP2O_E8cRqrmyCupzVglMqEo3mZfrG3-IjdnzBHfC_Kt7H4_5Yqi6x1aoFKyUy4o33uLKr72q-gMn04Hs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_9878" width="500" /></a> And here it is now: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjGItvd7xkUL6Wkz4JR21uUJ9ubZSS5BMBC1_I4O1A9ZmuoESrbK5as-cRwx3wZZRUgYDGzRvFarS5hdMNsPkOWocQkmw6Vju8r_r73BmFOzIwItal2lG43uJE4UB_vtGgMtsmPVeQ5E/s1600-h/IMG_0605%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0605" border="0" height="780" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5MhqYLITWUx7RGqLIieTiDeA9YTv61RChRAOcW_VRNij1hATjTy6Wn4U5LaeMl8uheQYZ5TmR7tBUloPIVlFChpIAFVQvtduvHeDRckti6lDVEHgn3mZPL7z5UacHVeOxDjwn79YHXY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0605" width="476" /></a> Sorry about light – I had to take the pics in morning (bright) light before the guys got here to work. Although I think my favorite before and after is this one from a couple years ago: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRaBmKkFMLyUTRbWtR8kzXwV_WcSouUPwy4gPMWZt1-KWKP9KXwU62DS7CNgPgwsHJTrqBoaVc3unAmlSLbeag68V-7fw_42BVCHeD1yj3qgbBoHwsxhkdwMqF0-5_9QX__r2umIGXys/s1600-h/IMG_76793%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_76793" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQ27Atbqk_KrQaQ9pZxPSMxp-Vh1VZmiagRiomrA7zPKFHTyl0EkVbjinZoE8o6aQ4N7NQe7Lf0Io_aekEVPpdxIFNRXJFkVShlfuaqvFtzZNc5K75sxxqOVScXK7r9ntjk2fHrFsJK0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_76793" width="320" /></a> It still is crazy to me how far our family room used to sit in what is now kitchen space for us: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5bGzP-pXZhd-199N9xcpDsKJyh96EDdd1V58AG2Tvu8KL2itvlnCw51-6M2kRnKVwzn15T-HoizWvRNdVuRKiYCJ93xESkyguvfUcJIO3fe8IoniMedZT74JoUxRhsxZzPRXJ5uORro/s1600-h/IMG_0607%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0607" border="0" height="760" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICl2AfUL0bdY0tzP8xkTqTYzm8Ts0zkX72oQzQYVjAx1aISt6zfRDJ3juJT0QPrn5XS3j6pLjeKv2WC0qknZjTu9pPpWbXS_MvE5J84ASt5qWM0qFKmxa6azGCeyTikFN_FbNxqOTs_A/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0607" width="500" /></a> Goodness, I’m so excited to finish this up and make it look pretty and I’m so excited that after today there will be no one working in our house for a very long time. Well, other than me. ;) I have big plans for the outside as well: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCX5iJxswMqCa2hRBxemcH-RK6wtAQAn6F4NkzHY0R1C3VXu4t1PZJ1hYwLemsL7C_7oAZMcszhfsu0kAiXnnff_-aw4CCMzPsw13Eh6V9otdCbjkjC5GH6CkJs2IU6KQyLM6z7rPG6A/s1600-h/IMG_0616%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0616" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjkkXWLWdlsf0sxiq71lxyLHPr9TLqM0Mi5t1HGNGubSgHDeBxuYoNvy5v0BtWf4wsOt6JzjnfHLPxkNFZoOfhNRHkHO0PcrTkdY-173tMNEADLse1pkbUv5lprIuG3ApBeMgyt9uvbg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0616" width="500" /></a> The siding will go back up today when it warms up a bit. I want to build some kind of decorative cover over the door since the door opens out instead of in. I knew it would take up valuable floor space to have it open in. We didn’t have any coverage over the old door and it was fine but I think it would be nice. I don’t want to block the sun though, that’s the only thing. I see this spot with big beautiful planters on either side next summer too. Can’t wait! We are also having a new porch light installed to the left of the doors. So overall we’ve added two additional lights to the back of the house and more light is always nice. Of COURSE I plan on painting the doors black on the inside. ;) All of our interior doors (at least on the main floor) are and I know it will look stunning. The only problem is the panes on the transom are inside the window – but I think I have a solution for that. Stay tuned. :) I can’t wait to get this finished up and start on the rest of the kitchen next year! Whoo!! Oh, and by the way, the windows were ordered were Pella and they came in right on time. This door is Jeld-Wen and I’m not thrilled so far. Not only because of the delay (it was an issue on their end, not Lowe’s). It’s a good solid door but they really cut corners on things like the trim. You can kind of tell in the pic above that the exterior trim is a mess – it’s all getting redone. Thankfully Lowe’s covered the cost of all the new trim. At least we didn’t have a big <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/06/when-diy-goes-oh-so-wrong.html">hole in the house</a>! Living without a back door for a month wasn’t a big deal. Have you ever had a reno mishap that you didn’t plan for? I knew this whole thing went way too well. ;)

The new back door

Happy Thursday friends, one of my favorite days of the week! I’m SO happy to share this final addition to our renovation with you today! It’s not done, so bear with me because there’s a lot left to do. But I’m excited about how it’s looking and that we’re done with this reno! So if you’re new here …

20Nov2014

EASY image transfer method

Hello my friends! I’m back today with a REALLY simple way to transfer words or images onto basically anything! I was so excited to find this tutorial because I used to do this <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-i-stencil.html">by stenciling it</a> – so I would use an X acto knife to cut out each letter and then use it as a stencil and paint. This method is SO so so much easier, and much quicker. Whoot! I did a little holiday message on our chalkboard to show how this is done. I found this tutorial on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv7VNNoL8xo">this YouTube page</a> so if you want a visual be sure to check that out. I started by figuring out what font I wanted for my words. I just use Word – easy is my key word here. :) For <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/11/knock-off-pottery-barn-advent.html">the advent calendar</a> I showed you yesterday I used a sharpie for the letters, but I knew I was using chalk for this one so I wanted the letters nice and fat: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FkhC1H8Drq7PUXW-FnVHNZC9ny7SP2_72PoqchaN63h86enimKQVGQBz0wDqidhRbzinhho0x07PvmVjkSDXIaNQYJYDj5m3GCWN6rrX8kVOQRiek9YZKwUqarT6qiNWys5ESDE3eFc/s1600-h/IMG_0572%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="transferring letters to wood " border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i_nwu60cZHHwJPzcl8j2SLEYmsK5uP6tClUAn3iM5D-hOeki_7niVHZJutuhr8tMJK8m4rLq987lP4zo3lEFucv60Wj2kjdBHBp0K8yDKM23v2LxX_DkjXk2g15vFimSWvBiFCv-VAg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="transferring letters to wood " width="500" /></a> Obviously because they were so big the words were broken up on the page. You’ll want to cut them down so they’ll fit together on your surface. The only problem with that is matching them up when you tape them to the wall or whatever else you’re transferring to: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOV-oNZOTAay26RLqB6rxJCUds2cmS1mh8hwYuti82xgvVuTllTkLETUqm4pVvqPOU6fI0gYJZwft80-3dUv16llfRgtc-c1CWYm75QBYV_jo4JXnhDM4flsqX9GSFYc2RzIrz6rJ2HLE/s1600-h/IMG_0575%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="transferring image to chalkboard" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcPXT3P8-tVDIFjj6B3ltgkRDQxjd3JTzWnUI2GebpQU60wf24lcPBC3ev5w8FvCGVbQo2ltKndwsKsxcwlVdV5slI2GXdIrl1gReNbq8vxGfG2Q5_rF6ak1R06wg2PiXx22elswwAxg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="transferring image to chalkboard" width="500" /></a> I just eyeball it. The lettering on my advent is not perfectly straight but it adds to the charm. Or something. :) So this where the easy comes in – grab some chalk. If you’re transferring to a light surface you can use colored chalk. For a darker surface white is perfect. Just flip up your image and “color” the back: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJya5GCprWV4j2qp73MiY_fAZr55cL0lvzAGQgdqc4n-XTFJ5YrMK-t6XLOksrLBOk2ectbseMwqnEYw8Bh_fbM5eDTcGsG-Q1LNLk9My8OOCoqgO6Uj0lp49AEeKm3VIvFqV0ZpcL4ok/s1600-h/IMG_0578%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="transferring image to chalkboard" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_nJ6l4wiK5fucKltyiy5iW20f6WMeIK6XxMmss3AkPuauonphkhZZX9ED7dxSxk-Kmdv7rfgqtR4vk1KG4FMmwsIhtCiOTGcdHXYuEvze8ff03UoGF0E6nTHHzEdbMTpYdF88HCjT50/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="transferring image to chalkboard" width="500" /></a> You don’t need to do the whole thing, just cover the letters. Here’s how it looks after you’re done coloring with the chalk: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVUZlmzlcfWjo63sFR6OpPPQ9WD_RUWjzurJiqhWvnTHaM91_TOhxt6zYevNVukgvfFi2CkMPyhjyGsmro5RREHC2IpczM2JcCdNa39kP_CDp_Gq6h8chqOgVcugO2rGabDrui67ZOPU/s1600-h/IMG_0588%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="easy way to transfer image to chalkboard" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgzhFM0wtFO-asE1d_Uci6y2ycpCpQf0-sIPwfpBw-Yoi4C9acS8eCBUpo8BDV6v1mvMp6AfdoJgJ-xHYAtLaIIhot1ci62wGesEFcRmK8HzKn906I7ekd4eXRrEyaxhPrCU-r3cWeXA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="easy way to transfer image to chalkboard" width="500" /></a> You can blow the excess off – you’ll still have enough to transfer. Then flip it back down (I tape the other side so it stays put) and then just trace your letters or image with a ball point pen: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SdbrOOcJWyNhpG2G2gBMgo4eW19dTPWVEMuCOMCqbgSRMrLByU4XVKv2iz4d446E6GDuvKBDcdoTf7Jb3DtewUvb7iGmwcBQLNFh_p3Hk9zK5mmA2l9MHqe1qKDy0BvO4pK1TNv2OT4/s1600-h/IMG_0581%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="transferring image to chalkboard" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAmlYKARnaGfYk-5KRvXspOeuTI9aWHuVVETIna6J2CoG-tUkmQZmcQybQBMQro-ynJrHvLYbivjxQgB2sGS4QCjHCtR2K7y9IUdGJ6phrohHwadIbJxlhjty01HUIy2rL9e2VISyC64/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="transferring image to chalkboard" width="500" /></a> That’s IT! SO much easier! My surfaces were a little bumpy but the great thing is you don’t have to be exact. You can fix it later if you are tracing over it again. :) Here’s a better shot of how I traced: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMv5F0Z6ZTho1wVeM4ymSh6EpiiFugpH8x2K4lxGp14tqaN3SCPJDItqaVhQPfCb8ZBDz4jO1WxeHY_Gs5QEZQt-lBVphgVLfWEHAPruxDStbJp_IbZGm-ABwUiSuYOGCYWXi5D_DKXpM/s1600-h/IMG_0595%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="transferring image to chalkboard" border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXn9eKGh65bwI3_E4NjHmj3gxCcvvPJ1ywK5c4vwkKHAEgN-pSind3-a-kyYQIFH7aoCYQQBQ0AAeceWoAEm-l1MoC0TvOY7A3Xpeaa6PQLwylAQ8YaMLq8blvrkD-EKzjgVsFPgKqes/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="transferring image to chalkboard" width="500" /></a> Again, if you mess up, not a big deal. When you pull up the paper you will have an outline: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbCpvul46AZjkB0lYb3Rx4YBE3UeEolcP7P2L1MciZpitC4UC8HvpgW1p0S4cVEaIWF-hOPcnqEL3EgaQ3ddbTF0uPdZ3MiAU7Aax4RrTAR7M2xaYv3bdAefW-ggQXojR6ImNyXZtgwc/s1600-h/IMG_0582%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY image to chalkboard" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZpmWmOA2oDFF6TTwRyS2YJXND0HTg4AxIkJz9guTM871VOGutN9VHqiDmAx95phx5bfEmv4QU3dJLgjgFDcEa7OWMjJGaF5TaWi6xThvwmak-rXF6STWwEzAHrA4eKMNlteRTAUnaI0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY image to chalkboard" width="500" /></a> Brilliant. I was afraid all that chalky dust would be all over but it doesn’t transfer – just where you trace. Awesome!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjA_yHhsPM1OBa_J8CJfIajCKdd1B8wgL5MQIEUGyA14yB_YBAlC69s_ZvHFQ9zKrnykLJ90SxSMzhNZMWw0vkZMj3EcQwJoP6y6SYFPxtBLaFlV3mbh_B2dUMy7xYKn02rMM27hDF08/s1600-h/IMG_0592%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="transferring image to chalkboard" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpM2aeOkgOgCIxSUtKVKKqEc5IKSz3aiOht59SvtHMCo_cqKv9JE43uyFhQRZ9Ok1Ys0PVqB6MIGALdgTNyv74X3bGAx5UcGp5PypqEeiJ80KmPvFfOqX_Gu9PanAwqGE8e_amHVUqDQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="transferring image to chalkboard" width="500" /></a> So you can leave it as is – I actually love that lighter look. I wanted something that would stand out a little more for our chalkboard so I traced with a chalk pen: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfJhqOzlJ-vW6OC3HWPyYEYCzj4DNknMQ_aZ63zIvDu5iD9IvI4_x7DZn1buBS-Ujo-fTttVNyB28C3thJC7JA2TUt2KImVtEIVROq4Fu43VamwiNoMLPj2FuXSpAJJWhdGhRTt61p28/s1600-h/IMG_0585%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="transferring image to chalkboard" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWN6FXCD-YlIZbdeNrixqbzSluSvMacE4pXFwjIkzAhylFxgeD__cpZmy8VVyLbYwo8VQmnXFZNYE7N9Km3qH5wOWCshLgW7fK9Cm0aiKwL6pkXjinjgiWyNCNO6_hxOD1Ms88lSnzZm0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="transferring image to chalkboard" width="500" /></a> Then I filled it in with real chalk to get that look. I have a couple different types of these pens – the Chalk Ink are my favorite and I am pretty sure you can only get those online. Anyone know if they are in stores now? The Bistro version is at most craft stores and they are OK, I just don’t love them as much: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxUyvHrHlY8jOkU49zA2EjiQt1UG6Rf9DSxC0SdypgFBhg0V3E6Wt4XuIbM_74YD9SZq3Rxd1ArH-8aHy0J9AaPM0jfCFKFdiq6gHemGya7DdMWN2Ukhb6GuU6-Q4LMeVrPWOV0bAPbA/s1600-h/IMG_0593%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chalk markers" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCOQfDX60-6g2X1yrzdiY-CIGaoIhyphenhyphenzMu1t1ZTVdMeqN6vAMRZU9um7kL0gmlZWyPiDOjh7Omrd8R_l7dJ0zTBSnS-NzvX86N9R3fPxsWOEWj0n5gDV166Pgl9Ycp-mOYFYxWwQs2W2c/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="chalk markers" width="500" /></a> It still takes some time but it’s nothing compared to cutting out the stencil like I used to do. It took me maybe 30 minutes to do this one? Now that I know how to do this I may actually put some cute stuff on my chalkboard from time to time!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD7ySgd7BmPezC938DKtwDINeeqXCxjWo_epnmg8-_3-u45vkr58yH9Sj4tMausMaQeg_EKZHbXcor3repdI-WukZfV1ytdzzIm9ikVHzOLsjT8Ezc_Wdm1G99UsGnKZP64qSTmQ5BVI/s1600-h/IMG_0599%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="transferring letters or images onto chalkboard" border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasq7psfX1h4u1Oid0VdgAbzBX5yHCylGvuSft1-J_AYkNJzPEG5Gn09avkR3yl6vLu1-MwLNEeCt3WO30QCugkvXqcfzXrgZ4itwMxj1XsmNLfOqVbag-emobB7HAdpUd6jckll6ScxE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="transferring letters or images onto chalkboard" width="500" /></a>Side note – since that year I spelled Christmas as “Chirstmas” on our cards that went out to everyone we know I’m always looking at it 15 times to make sure it’s right. Haha!!  I love it! What a fun way to add some seasonal fun to your chalkboard! I’m not great at free handing that stuff so this is great to know. And of course the possibilities are endless with wood – you could go crazy with fonts and do fun signs or art. And it’s practically free! Here’s how the letters on the advent came out with the sharpie marker: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlMQd55NJFp2WKSK9AOE4wQSHOAEEdx5ekIHg2JbyH4nh1dCaZCXr_a_FBKTMqQG0TUz61k3pdQ0ZqFBlZEKAXXvcK7zy0P5RXJEP1Us-ABFei-raXc9aH9Me01JWK6dCwJkZQw-PkN8/s1600-h/IMG_0548%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="easy transferring of letters onto wood" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IEZbRfq3UtlZiO69fYAB0vPRvp6AqZMifRiO3YoI074y7c7v0te_U8OeSkd9YuC8KfTtef4nYlW7a9KZlen2Vdp0k-BT34gzbxO_AjXys0znWO1ccIvCEr6LfRA53s8ZM7IGMVttnu0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="easy transferring of letters onto wood" width="500" /></a> There you go! An easy and cheap way to transfer just about anything to just about anything. :) I hope this all made sense! Have you tried this method on anything? Have you done this any other way? Do tell!

EASY image transfer method

Hello my friends! I’m back today with a REALLY simple way to transfer words or images onto basically anything! I was so excited to find this tutorial because I used to do this by stenciling it – so I would use an X acto knife to cut out each letter and then use it as a stencil and paint. This meth…

18Nov2014

Knock off Pottery Barn advent

Hey all! Sooo…it snowed so much we need to shovel the driveway today…what. in. the?? I don’t mind winter but this is CRAY. Putting up the Christmas lights is going to stink. :) If it’s this cold already I’m really worried about the winter. Yikes. Anyway, we spent most of the day cuddled inside yesterday and I worked on a project that I am SO pleased with! I told you I was going to to do it when I shared the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-cutest-countdowns.html">advent calendar ideas</a> a couple weeks ago. This was the one that really got me: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7q2OoijaT4v2Xvqj80EF7xwMn4TapKgWk3VY09VDM9KX6hyMLWeaZXXN2FUTzx9Crq6d3hNsWfOcozZO3T3HuJvgRhw00uF4GWqhXpg_9IGMpL6d9QhyphenhyphenswmPeK7PeFpzhEjmHiOxdz0/s1600-h/img33c%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="img33c" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HpJ0DJsqQPtcS9Vj3vqB1gX9YFdSZotkoj5cafLc40cZWTCdwOXj6_Cx_hWMD_pCr9boOvdXfeuQz2ItNl1-pTjp1s8e3zRBeAUQ7qHlZK7EuVj1x_o385-USfHjIGI3sltjwtR7rTA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="img33c" width="551" /></a> I thought it was pretty cute, but what really got me was the price. It’s $150, on sale for $119 right now. For a piece of wood. Wood. And listen, if you aren’t a DIYer (or even if you are), I totally get it! Buy it! Sometimes I buy too – it’s nice not to do everything yourself. But I am a DIYer and that price hurt me a little because I knew I could make this for a fraction of that. The bonus was that I had most of the supplies already – but even if you don’t this is easily a less than $25 project, probably less. We have a TON of wood in our garage from the family room renovation. It’s a good thing I haven’t started Christmas decorating yet because I can’t even get to the bins. :) I need to get it all cleaned out but…COLD. That’s going to be a fun project. But anyway, when we took down the old fireplace I kept all the scraps – it was nice wood and it pains me to get rid of wood. This long scrap used to be our mantel: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnmzlm6TwY_8OzYQOLATA1JY7Gq9A7kef74wDn7_uy2GxNUPkLb7qQFH8zQCk_Phj6qsduQysdaRBvsXz1qRGKD84eNcLGhdareXUJse7lL8xQpB0mpmxJOVEqb3HCLd8Uxw8xfonv4U/s1600-h/IMG_0527%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="knock off pottery barn advent" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiou568aPFpyIom179TKGe6a-ckvwhlBWHK-kHnQn2D8jHFqNs8f5GUgtLGY0a5LG6CbqUDYcL5Rbwzb6IpdqdnBDtYdrgtYQm7ngfkmFRDd9cJcUEuTH5bc8SnSJQ4nmnGv1UDXx2PTX8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off pottery barn advent" width="500" /></a> Helpers…always helping. I cleaned it up a bit – pulled some nails and scraped some caulk off, then painted it. The PB advent is white but I wanted to do something a little different: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_Jm1DZijC1Mcl39NYOlOFA7BUvz2enh8A664MhYcqGGDdO07o_Hm7mCjgHIf-Du9p9f0RQPsVKsJ5wg2FLRUM9hAsugUelimuiffdxwJcSXEUP1GAqY3ZWRwtyCqCSa8zeZA9NPqDRE/s1600-h/chalkboard%252520paint%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chalkboard paint" border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHNtAiD2K7gkkuavbmtJqyvty-SC45J_mahvvmBgax0wdCryed4stn4xWz_TUnNMK62tfpMU-sUtJimMwpU_FRyOftpvjPtRxpCTGXC8nQIQdGf2Wib6CZohx3brXQtZJboVD_bhzdVM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="chalkboard paint" width="400" /></a> Aww yeah. Chalkboard paint! I did two coats and then “seasoned” the board: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHiCfl3IYd2tP_1GKxji-SY3xIiC_-LvdIo6Ot0Ym_HQE5FRhvDqqXNb5nMfpdRDiiZiSPwfwGRK30E-_p7PplKU85q-O1GHmiB_2oQfQzwYYcwAXP_BczYfDhE_YpECUL_CErkQfpa4/s1600-h/IMG_0532%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="seasoning chalkboard" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXC-kH5cpewKSIQr7JvuTGzll2NhniISymWV49pqK1eug9WQsn8K7ad6Ugif3L9O-FVJiuBSErF5ZwZtpIjG1fZZiiSI6w3Da1neHxKtdwcxz5Ooauoqu69Lv-1o0dI8zJMpHaVCZJnXE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="seasoning chalkboard" width="500" /></a> You do this so the chalk (supposedly) will wipe off easier when you write on it. I only did it because I wanted that chalkboard look – not a perfect black. I won’t be writing on this, but we could! I already had the clothespins for another project, but if you need them they’re cheap: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HFT_nLItexpV5UBlwyxAVKG3IZhSoL0HTQpPMmFV8XD3fhsZxf_iN9PcHjxjpTZ9M69aKlwL11VV28MMgTZRUX773SkR3_yHcbUG-EAKfu3FPvo7F-7YshxOzWM62oxlgCdK9STRFWw/s1600-h/IMG_0535%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY advent Pottery Barn " border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDJc96olEuxjugNUizP7zZqJ1cEMVLnr2ULGPGS7r7qMp7NYNRmmGlT87gkXfHaQE1RjSVf_-PTjg0QQsHWOCI-J3VXa8Jv66mAmOUaKBWbUHJRPouaT_vB0UWbC_0nwE1-VAWQIq_MU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY advent Pottery Barn " width="500" /></a> I just used a bit of wood glue on the backs of each one. I thought I may have to nail them in as well to make them really secure but they aren’t going anywhere as they are. For the numbers I totally lucked out and found these at Hobby Lobby: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX15fwDqi3qoA8SwHyLdTUXV8LFiioRL8dhXuK_DaB-ET09HgLvLIvhh89EQpmvL6JPwAbGTpIK6V_fkvrrCIsSlf5fvHUnELEbBFAs_-1MarU-w6h4tjN_Y5a4yViL2ZNaMtelg2Oz4/s1600-h/IMG_0536%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="advent calendar stickers" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWX-6vJviDK-KMHac6YJbuZR_HrwsdJEWEBGdz5N4oz960TqvI5D_943MESwUZnFU9KvNPSZLU-qnM0oEf8Dg_2dXsMM7OIcztP4N6fAazbVmxd3z7h4By1ltFEyonBaLx1CDxi0_eL9c/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="advent calendar stickers" width="400" /></a> Hello…perfect! You’d probably have to stamp or stencil them if you can’t find a set like this. I was looking at other scrapbook numbers but you’d need a ton of 1’s and 2’s to make this work – that would get expensive. These were $5 and I got them for $3 with a coupon. Next up was the part I was most excited about – the lettering. I found a tutorial online on how to do this SO easily: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFW5BunctP-Ah74Z1IkBl1hvNTmIFXU0G_YEzgh6pXvKKjbCT71ajpvAJ5tP_BXaucTvXpNrh1kN9Cp-hlYw2zKmi1DCW9ug4vJAH938WrlkFRQGxU3zA0bBwdFiqpw_SCaKG5P4l7RiY/s1600-h/IMG_0537%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="transfering lettering onto wood" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeRJdqXaPYlZh630pzaFkCkraC_SJlhs5gPPq5G9RyTWLZ81ZEF2vQO0Q_4VPrdvpNu9o-l8E06AdLIAe8dozXMguCIvoWM13Djq3KDat13uEywvYQ3iQdh4sUKz1SYRf5-eI639N8gY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="transfering lettering onto wood" width="500" /></a> I’m going to share the how to tomorrow because I want to take better pics – this part was done at night. It’s worthy of it’s own post anyway.  I thought it needed a little bit of Christmas color so I used the same technique to do the holly on each side: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUlkutoy7uRfdW2UoywEepUEmGQxieTDwG8COpA4vf8d_-XzPoWH2O6sd6Ttd3Hvub20YCb0kI7-L6nEj60L_vfnV0M8f7a9v7KTaCzrL8tn3PrmTCjlnJa8vGi0zCU2KiFP0AMAiskE/s1600-h/IMG_0548%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY advent calendar Pottery Barn knock off" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdN78zedEQpK2IBL5XM_3IKJX3oxhQMVu6h3P5StM4bQxE16OQk76CvBjiiqBixDdRvRpkCGUeFfirztJ0lZ4ZqOP13-30LQ18N1GJ8a7ErErCHwG5pehukW5sRlSsvW-Xknv1qf4iKb4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY advent calendar Pottery Barn knock off" width="500" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMeKDqwvieQQ1bBXjMgZ9t7mgAMp7NG4ZriaM0O-yUUyppSQWgIPURX0shM4SxZKLfnu7WuM83ZRzokUKCKpAgotCJV3gYngYu6aUzamfl6Hk6GEpAVgn53UOVfkIk80gWtpTmwxC_Jg/s1600-h/IMG_0568%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chalkboard advent calendar" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3hylVBLL9z1Dw1UTeKIx0sd6Jw9teTWH13lYx2NLK7XgNJUzmlcC3uRRjxXLbs9ODUxUEI_qYIhvkmQgCIzHxlTZ_68ogMA-xAAR7Ah15-1sIi1TRW6XZx0vYY2Y-yUReXQtGJhGx7Y/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="chalkboard advent calendar" width="500" /></a> I just filled those in with green paint and then used some sparkly stickers for the berries. I absolutely LOVE how it all came together!!<img alt="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" border="0" height="661" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5N7sl72ccfFP2vvGLvQUMZVbF3__9yG4evPqzvwUX81UZZ76CejazPCCqeXDF3Q-EHJZ5zJzcULXxsdOD4I2uWWReweSJpNYaZY9K8QEBXCokq3Esnlm1C7wpxSw4Nz6ydwYeGj-RttE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" width="500" /> It will actually hang in the mud room but this area has better light to show it off. ;) I LOVE the chalkboard look – I think it’s a fun twist instead of the white advent like Pottery Barn: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1OtzIB0pg_cJcrbF3vV2KPtUM2xAUZBCPQ0dMCqDFhi4S_dxH787KUEDbs4svwwS72_4zNefYsUtQxDhJVJrb7IFVWRbOiZDL1o-bx3TQJySYwzd3eNv1_RSUmeSW-cI15OEVHsxaFM/s1600-h/IMG_0542%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="do it yourself pottery barn advent at @thriftydecorchick" border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYzecIIzl9D2CeQdTITSqPLqB182U_APZIY9ndbI5t7xO3JGrU876yboOl_EhmOnK_ZA6N9udMm5H_rrKVviOTUq5CXIBJpA3Y8MlCrKt8c-qxO-uVuQT1oQUS9I4ojG1-NyK7Wqcniw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="do it yourself pottery barn advent at @thriftydecorchick" width="575" /></a> I grabbed a couple of my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-quick-and-easy-holiday-project.html">holiday placemat pillows</a> and the golds look great together:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtnG902QQX4Z1WPlMmU3pfWOfPFqloEbCVBB2Yf8-KEyUFhRVmfnEikh6dZUJZzp_CRmZiNjrt1wJYrG4X890A3is2rtvfnSN-mx6v05m2th0CjyrWX5Kcl_PI6h6oQNTI3FWM80nA-Y/s1600-h/IMG_0552%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgqwIOKNS-N-6uDG9I_sYVEeUP5H9EOOxp_uoeMRjUm_9TpoEco5tTOw0fkG0vE6BCJU3c5DgS_HTk-VfaXI5FFarfpHGS7ir-ouX67qyAzyrjmIQjp2S5Y-3BosslABVgQZk6SVts2Q/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" width="500" /></a> I loved the look of the little drawstring bags like on the original, but they were more than I wanted to spend. I found these simple brown paper bags instead and I actually love the look with the black: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9oWX5nqxgWdi1vmkIXVT_RJ46TmTOotk2wcWqgVV6BGGaJd7PwqUFDyBECeDX_M-lOQu_rdree02WoTV55uYBHwjlUNLH6p3blTMhzfFp-LL1AkDTGsbxCiHOluvV1ziozNls5UlAp4/s1600-h/IMG_0562%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSCSMb43ZgwDpYdeumyNidaB5fb4RmOLLfO3mYaYRKY2nx-eGSb5TquHmozrtKVsTYYgiYqW40o2YurhlN-OpQ3yvHx4TNv7gRAM7yw75YwSN1Y1o9f7eS7ly_9ZuhbJwahZF8c6rWlg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" width="500" /></a> I realized later (after I figured out how to do the letter transfer) that I could have just done the same with the letters – that would save a little bit of money as well. But I do love the gold accent. I think they add a little bling: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfWBC4a1QiJJzWzGMhbwe-Jpo_-zZs1Ag7GWRu0jrQcO1LUixU9jOAWA750gIjNS6ix88gtynZGNDC5kwbSLUAnDphARHQfZirSoxV0YU0T-48WKSMchAGRnpzU23BUdwJVOtRppqouw/s1600-h/pin%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuN6GaIATMXVgoIXluDkfnuL4IttXqC5b_NUrS-42f8izTUcl6DzICoe9r2UzNauiN1agEsYbFz-I4IDsnsKwprmmeQ0DnWuoXhITJAvqqoMplna0mXRhKXjciPK2m1YG89FG5NRu65w/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" width="500" /></a> The bags are filled with little trinkets and some candy – I grab little things for the advent calendar after the holiday on clearance. The Bub saw it without the bags so I can’t wait for him to get home and see it now. :) My total cost for this project was $8. A savings of more than $140 baby!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TYKNLDnf-V31x-UJqrnt34XSWsQq-ADSZ6tB1LP9ISQOprX6aAQpidlT1sgnt2KAo9shcdAzt0mhyphenhyphenvwSObya1Bzb-SjO9QzGScJIXpulk8VzA4L8lXSwbVhcpt8zjmZhFBKoQMAt3b0/s1600-h/IMG_0555%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pottery barn wood advent knock off" border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGN4b4Gpc4zLSXMI6Li_uJdMXfn5b-ZY8FnKqizviBFHNMQQQbqGQ-gy9a9O5hAHxxx84fUmjVllGCePbI-FgYGPVSYPm9Lj2ZDOhthp10OJyt3SvjkQtt4hTiK0DtXN-KyaVhvaI53Vo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pottery barn wood advent knock off" width="560" /></a> I only had to buy the numbers and the bags (the bags came 24 to a pack so I had to buy two to get to 25, argh!). If you did this a pine board would be less than $10. Of course the color can be anything you want – that’s the fun of it. Red would be super cool too! So there you go, yet again my wood hoarding pays off! :) I just love this – and I love that I saved so much money too! By the way, the Pottery Barn version is 10 inches by 67. Mine is 12 inches by 62. I think you could go long with this too – I almost did it vertical instead of horizontal since it’s so big. The point is to make it work for what you want – the best part of DIY!

Knock off Pottery Barn advent

Hey all! Sooo…it snowed so much we need to shovel the driveway today…what. in. the?? I don’t mind winter but this is CRAY. Putting up the Christmas lights is going to stink. :) If it’s this cold already I’m really worried about the winter. Yikes. Anyway, we spent most of the day cuddled inside yes…

17Nov2014