DIY Wooden Signs

There are so many tutorials on pinterest now about how to make vintage looking wooden signs. So I decided I would be adventurous and combine a few ideas and try my own.

What you will need:

• Poplar boards cut to whatever size you want your signs
• Grey and White Paint
• Paint brush
• Black Sharpie Marker
• Printed words in whatever size and font you want.
• Sandpaper, scissors, twine, glue gun.

I started out by spray painting the boards grey, you don’t have to use spray paint I just had some on hand. Then I white washed the boards. Pick and print the words and style you want I used words related to the bathroom but I have seen some really cute kitchen signs as well.

Poplar is pretty soft so I wrapped the printed paper word around the board and took a pen applied pressure to trace the word onto the board.

There will be a faint indent of the word on the board when you remove the piece of paper. Then take your sharpie and trace the indented word and fill in with black marker.

After all the signs have been filled in I sanded each one giving them a unique weathered appearance. Then measure three equal length pieces of twine and glue them to the back

That’s It! Then you hang and admire your hard (crafty) work :).

A Christmas Gift Makeover

I hope everyone had a Happy Holidays and are gearing up to ring in the New Year! I just wanted to quickly share a Christmas gift make over. This is not really a DIY or tutorial just an example of how taking old personal objects and giving them mini makeovers can make a huge impact.

Last year my parents moved over 800 miles away, and in the midst of the stress of moving my dad went and threw out an old Western Electric crank phone that was his grandfathers. After moving this year myself I can understand towards the end just wanting to get rid of everything! I felt like he would regret this rash decision so I exonerated the phone from its fate of the local dump and brought it home.

It sure had seen better days, and was in some dire need of a little TLC. So that is exactly what it got, a little sanding, polishing, painting and staining. Finally it was all ready for Christmas day to be shown off and given back to my dad. Here is the refurbished after shot.

Much better, don’t you think? I love sentimental gifts! I would love to hear about your favorite gift this year!

Twine Wine Bottles

I am slowly but surely becoming addicted to Craigslist. I search it all the time and get way too excited when I think I have scored a good deal. The other day I found someone selling these old vintage bottles, for a buck a bottle. I was like a kid on Christmas morning!

Now I know what you are thinking, she is crazy they are dirty and just old. I knew with a little TLC these bottles could be collectively a great accent piece. All they needed was a little love, like Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree. So I cleaned them up and spray painted them with valspar cream.

Next I had three different types of twine which I hot glued around the bottles.

I continued this with the rest of the bottles, seven in total. Here is the final product.

I am really happy with how they turned out! You don’t have to be addicted to Craigslist to recreate these.  Simply use bottles you would normally recycle like wine bottles, jam jars, or sparkling water bottles.

Shabby Chic Window Frame

I had an epic find the other day at a local thrift store!  A four dollar window frame, oh yes, four dollars!! I mean, just on principle alone I had to buy it. I will be the first to admit it I am horrible taking the before picture of anything so you will just have to bare with me and my description. It was really dirty and faded white but I knew right away there was some serious potential in it.

First, I sanded it down and gave it a good wash. At this time I still really had no idea what I was going to do with the window frame but I knew something would come to me. I sanded it down then painted it a light blue/grey.

I finally decided that I was going to turn this old frame into a chalk board key hook.

Next, I sanded down the painted frame to give it a distressed look.

Then I applied chalk-board paint to the outer panes leaving the middle one clear.

Next step is to add the hooks.

Finally I hung this right as you walk into the kitchen from our garage, so it’s easy to hang your keys, write a grocery list, and what have you. I think it’s a pretty good deal for four dollars!

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Vintage WWII Party

Happy Tuesday everyone! In my search for sensational party ideas I came across a Vintage World War II fourth of July party. Of course it was love at first sight! I found these pictures on simply stunning, and I have to say the party truly is stunning. It incorporates my love of vintage themes and it’s a unique idea.

A Personal Post- Looking Back

It was just a little over a year ago when my amazing friends and family threw me a wonderful bridal shower. The whole experience was new to me since I am always the one throwing the parties.  You have no idea how hard it was to let go! They were all very secretive about the whole affair and wanted to make sure everything was a surprise. The day couldn’t have been more perfect, and I wanted to share their great ideas with you.

The theme was a vintage tea party. The china that was used was passed down from my family and my husband’s family giving it a personal touch. The sterling silver teapots were my good friends grandmothers, which made it more special. I want to also take this moment to thank everyone involved, even though it was a year ago it seems like just yesterday and I still remember every perfect detail!

Dreamy Bridal Affair

I am sure most of you have noticed my recent obsession with anything vintage and shabby chic. The San Diego bridal vendor exhibition had all the elements I love about bridal decor, chic, girly with a flair of vintage. I love the rough exposed walls contrasting with the soft feminine touches. I found these pictures so inspiring, and I hope you do too! If you want to see more about the vendors that pu on this gorgeuous event, head over to Luxefinds!