Wooden Twine Holder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Christmas, I saw this wooden spool holding a roll of twine in a Crate and Barrel ad.  I thought it looked so neat!  I asked my husband if he could make some?  Yes!

 

 

 

He started with a walnut board. 

 

 

 

He planed it down till it was smooth.

 

 

 

 

 

He was able to cut the circles using his router and drill press. 

 

 

 

He used walnut dowels to keep everything looking consistent.

 

 

 

He used MinWax English Chestnut stain.

And MinWax Wipe on Poly to finish it.

 

 

I bought a roll of twine from Michael's and put it in there.  I am on the lookout for some neat old scissors too!

 

 

It cost about $5 each for the wood.  The twine was $3 with a coupon at Michael's for a total of  $8 each.   I think he did a great job!

 

Thank you for your visit!

 

Pam

 

 

 

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  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

 

Creating a Wooden Plank Wall--Guest Post

Today I am welcoming Peter Boucher with a Guest Post on Creating a Wooden Plank Wall.  I've always loved planked walls.  Thanks Peter for this information!

How to Create a Wooden Plank Wall

Wooden plank walls are a beautiful and unusual way to create an accent wall. Perfect for rooms with a natural theme, wood can be very versatile as it can be painted or varnished any way you want it to be.

Working It Out

There are lots of different ways to style a wood plank wall. Whether you go for thick or thin, horizontal or straight, painted one colour or three, it’s all doable. But figuring out exactly what you want is the easy bit. Take a look at Pinterest for endless hours of inspiration.

Prep and Paint

A wooden plank wall is a bit more work than your regular paint – or wallpaper job. However, the finished article is much more impressive.

First, you need to realise that this may be a job with a bit of to-ing and fro-ing. Start by measuring the wall so you know its dimensions. Then head out to the nearest hardware store and pick up some wood. The amount of wood that you’ll need will depend on its thickness and the size of your wall, so you might end up needing more wood than you first expected. You’ll also have to decide whether you want one plank as long as your wall or several planks to fit along one row.

Paint or varnish your wood to your desired finish, then cut if necessary.

Building the Wall

The method that you use to attach your planks to the wall will depend on the thickness of it. Whether you use wood adhesive, a nail gun or screws is up to you, the wood and the effect you want to achieve. If you want something reliable and permanent, it is advisable to use a drill, like this one from Elcocks, and screws or nails.

Start from the bottom, making sure that each plank you lay is straight. Add row upon row, and if you come to light switches or plug sockets, then you have two choices. Either start from the edge of the wall and work your way in, and cut the wood to shape when you get to the socket, or work your way out from the socket instead. The latter method is less hassle when it comes to cutting to shape, but it may not work for everything, like a sink, for example.

Once it’s finished, sit back and admire your beautiful wood plank wall.

 

My Chair was Featured at One Kings Lane!

I'm so excited that One Kings Lane has featured my $2 chair transformation! 

 

Here's my original post: 

 $2 Chair Transformation

 

 

 

 

 

Check this out!

Source: One Kings Lane

Meet the Bloggers Who Inspired Us!

There’s more to DIY than the ‘D’ and the ‘I’—and these brave bloggers showed us a thing or two about tackling tough projects. In sharing their favorite statement chairs, each of the following ladies proved that, with a little love (and elbow grease), any chair can go from drab to fab!

And the awards go to…
Chelsea, of Chelsea’s Garage, found this pretty country-style spin on a classic Sheraton chair sitting by the side of the road. With freshly upholstered interchangeable seat cushions, she turned it into this sweet little multitasker—a true “Roadside Rescue.”
Marie, of Interior Frugalista, went in for a quick refresh, but quickly realized this Victorian buckle-back chair was going to be a lot more work. After removing its original straw stuffing and adding new upholstery and a fresh finish, she accomplished what we can only call a “Radical Renewal.”
Interior design pro Kathleen Jennison has the art of transforming antique chairs into modern creations down to a science, and we love her vision! Her roster of statement chairs—all reupholstered with her magic touch—gives her the honor of “Antique Advocate” in our book.
We love how Judy, of Vintage Street Designs, knew the vibe she wanted for this French-inspired Colonial revival chair, and brought it to life. Her total transformation infuses a dose of Parisian elegance and French country charm to her “Inspired Romantic” DIY.
Holly, of House by Holly, found this Louis XVI seat on a curb, and defied the odds to bring it back to its former glory! We’ve dubbed her a “Passionate Preservationist” for her ability to see the potential of this regal seat.
Pam, of Our Adventures in Home Improvement, is a true “Garage Sale Visionary.” The heart and soul of this DIY was giving this tired Louis XV fauteuil a new lease on life—and we applaud her tireless efforts, and amazing results!

 

Thank you so much to One Kings Lane and thank you for your visit.

 

 

 

Pam

Improving Listed Properties and Period Homes--Guest Post

Today I am welcoming a Guest Post by Peter Boucher.  Thank you Peter!

 

 

 

A Top Tip for Improving Listed Properties and Period Homes

One of the best ways in which you can improve on your home is to make it more eco friendly, and this will allow you to save on energy and reduce your bills, whilst at the same time saving the environment. This is of course something that all home owners want to do, and on top of all this making your home eco friendly also makes it more attractive to buyers if you ever decide to sell. One of the best ways in which you can reduce your energy bills is through insulation, and this is a wise investment that could save you around £400 on your energy bills each year, so you can see why so many people are now looking at cavity and loft insulation.

 

Insulation is great because it keeps your house warm during the cold winter nights, and then during the summer it keeps it nice and cool. This is achieved because the tiny pockets of air minimise the amount of heat that passes through the layer, so in the winter the heat stays inside whilst in the summer it will be outside. There are a few different types of insulation, and the best kind for you will depend on the type of property you own. If you live in a listed property or one with special architectural features then options like external wall insulation and loft insulation will not work well for you, but there is one type which is perfect and will help to drastically reduce your energy bills.

 

Save a Huge Amount Each Year

This is known as internal wall insulation, and this is particularly good as it will not alter the outside of your property. This is the reason why lots of period properties and listed properties are opting for internal wall insulation, and with companies like Mark Group you could save around £460 each year. This is a huge amount, and this makes it the smart investment to make as it will not take too long to pay for itself, and you will of course be helping to save the planet too.

 

For any listed property looking to improve on their home then this is the best way as it will reduce your bills, save the environment, and make your home a pleasant place to be no matter if it is the middle of winter or on a hot summers day.

Placemat Pillow for $2.50

 

I was in HomeGoods yesterday and wandering...  Oh, I absolutely love wandering through that store! 

 

 

I found these placemats on clearance. 

 

 

 

Even though I thought they were great looking placemats, I decided they'd work even better as pillows.

 

I thought about pulling my sewing machine out, but decided to try them by hand.  I could always rip it out if it didn't look right. 

 

I turned the placemats right side facing each other, then just kept the edges really straight and stitched away. 

 

 

I left about 6" unstitched so I could fill it with batting. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once I filled it, I stitched up the last 6" and now have a great looking pillow.  I had the batting on-hand, so each pillow cost me $2.50.  I'd call it a success!  :)

 

  

 

 

 

Thank you for your visit!

 

Pam

 

 

 

 

 

I am linking to the following parties:

 

 

 



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  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Home Security--Guest Post

Today I am welcoming Vickie Bailey with a Guest Post on Home Security.  Thank you Vickie!

Improving Your Home’s Security in Winter

You would think in winter that burglars would be less active. The cold and inclement weather, the often treacherous pavements and roads – none of these things add up to a particular pleasant or easy experience for anyone outside in winter. But the fact that it gets dark so early is a major contributing factor towards crime levels rising in winter. In addition, the festive season, with its influx of presents and consumer items, means that residential areas can become prime picking grounds for determined individuals who are set upon making their way into your home.

It should then be clear that with the onset of winter should come an added incentive for assessing and improving your home’s security. Here are some simple measure which you can take to make sure you and your family have a safe and uneventful Christmas.

The Perimeter

Your home’s perimeter is the first point of entry, and should therefore be your first point of assessment. If you have a fence, make sure it’s sturdy, has no holes, and will stand up to the winter winds. If you have a hedge, use a stick to search for holes and other weak points where entry might be gained. If your hedge isn’t very high, it might be worth installing a fence as well. If you have a gate, make sure to replace your gate lock at suitable intervals in order to prevent rust, and to prevent repeat prowlers from figuring out how to get around it.

Many people also use lighting to protect their home’s perimeter. This is a great choice if your home as no fencing or hedge around it. Motion sensor lights are a great way to detect movement on your property, and most are sensitive enough so that they won’t pick up the movements of small animals and birds.

Inside Your Home

Perhaps the most important element of your home security is your alarm system. Schedule regular tests to make sure it’s working properly, and replace your system at least every two years. Having a warning light attached to the outside of your home can act as a deterrent to would-be intruders.

Double check all of the locks on your doors and windows, and make sure to never leave any valuables lying around. These can include car keys and electrical items, as well as jewelry and money. If you’ve put up your Christmas tree, make sure to pull your curtains at night and switch off the tree lights, as these can be easily identified through material. In addition, check all of the glass in your doors and windows to make sure that they’re secure and unlikely to crack.

Sucré King Cake Giveaway!

 

 

Have you ever tried a Sucré  King Cake?  Oh my goodness!  They are delicious!  I recently received one to try and was so delighted.  When it arrived, it looked glittery and festive.  It even came with Mardi Gras beads.  :)    I had never tried one before, so wasn't sure what to expect.  I took it to work so I could share it with a lot of people, and consequently, get lots of feedback.

 

 

King Cakes, sold each year from Kings' Day, January 6, to Mardi Gras Day – are a unique tradition in New Orleans, a city that embraces unique tradition.

It’s hard to speak of New Orleans without mentioning Mardi Gras and the Carnival season leading up to it. And every New Orleanian knows that you can’t truly experience Mardi Gras until you've savored a King Cake.

The king cake is enjoyed in many forms all over the world, but nothing compares to this authentic treat straight out of New Orleans. It’s a sweet, glazed cinnamon pastry designed in beautiful purple, green and gold tones – the official colors of Mardi Gras – best shared with friends and loved ones. Anyone who has spent any time in this great city will tell you, you just can’t get the real thing anywhere else.

 

New Orleanians love a good king cake, and will take every opportunity to partake – at parties, at the office, at parades, everywhere! Since they are only available for such a short period, these cakes are highly sought after during that time. Today, instead of looking for a bean, you’ll be searching for a small plastic baby trinket, which can be found under or in the kings cake.

If you find the baby, you’ll be crowned king – or queen – for the day. This not only ensures your fortune for a year, it also sometimes means you'll receive certain privileges. For example, if the cake is eaten at work, your coworkers might have to treat you to lunch.

In some traditions, being crowned king or queen also comes with responsibilities. It means it's your turn to buy the next cake!

 

I must say, this cake was delicious!  It's a light and buttery pastry with a sweet cream cheese filling.  There is cinnamon and sugar on top.  It was a huge hit at work.  People got quite a kick out of the 'baby' and beads.  One guy came back FOUR times for more cake!  He even asked if he could take the last two pieces home. 

 

 

Do you want to enjoy your own authentic Mardi Gras celebration? Then enter here to win a delicious Sucré King Cake!

 

Joanne is the Winner of the  Sucré King Cake! Thank you to everyone who entered.

 

To enter:

 

 

Please leave a comment on this post.

You must be a follower of my blog.

Open to the contiguous US only.

 

 

 

 

I will be choosing a winner on Thursday, January 23, 2014.

 

 

Thank you for your visit and good luck on the giveaway!

 

 

Pam

 

 

I received a Sucre King Cake to review.  All opinions are my own.