September 30, 2014

Outside the Box Link Party No4

I took the week off trying to get things ready for a boutique shop that my shop, Sawyer Leigh Boutique was participating on and also because I caught the bug but my blogging friend are surely staying busy. You need to check out their fabulous post and once again looking forward to checking out your awesome projects.


Carissa  |  Carissa Miss
Blog // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram //  Google+
Trisha | Black and White Obsession
Elisha  |  Pneumatic Addict
Brandy  |  BD Design
Megan  |  Splendid Design
Niki  |  365 Days of Craft



Witches Soiree| Halloween Tassel Garland | Easy Frozen Costumes


Skunk Mask| Spider Cupcakes | Shibori Hand Dyed Indigo Scarf


 Love this weeks features! Those candles are awesome and perfect for fall! The pipe bookcase is great industrial piece and so easy to make, and who doesn't love personal mugs and easy artwork?


  1. Follow each of our hosts, socially, in some way and add us to your rockin’ link party page!
  2. Link up to three direct linked posts not already shared here previously (no home pages, please).  No recipes, giveaways, Etsy shop promotions, sales or other linky parties.
  3. To be featured, please pin the featured pin’s post (do so by clicking through and pinning from the originators site)!
**By linking up you give us permission to send a weekly link party reminder AND showcase your work (ie. your submitted photo) on our blogs or social media pages. Proper credit will always be with a link back.

Throughout the week, our SIX hosts will be sharing our favorite features via Google+ and other social medias. Spread the word using our Hashtag: #outsidetheboxparty








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DIY Giant Chalkboard

Ever since we started working on the playroom, the girls and I have been spending so much time in that room. It feels so good to have furniture and color in a room that previously only had simple beige walls with just a daybed in there. In case you were wondering I am yet to finish that side of the room and show you photos. I am thinking I should be done by Christmas. Winking smile

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I have always wanted to have a giant chalkboard but felt intimidated by this project (not sure why).  So one day on one of our random Home Depot shopping trip we decided to just go with it and make one.

After I posted about the playroom progress I had a couple of people approach me on how we made the giant chalkboard. Well, it is very easy and inexpensive! The whole project costs us less than $100.

 

Here is what you need:

* a sheet on MDF, the smooth surface is the best for the chalkboard paint

* 2 - 4”x8’ pine boards , one board to be put in half

* chalkboard paint

* wood glue and nails

* paint or stain for the frame of the chalkboard

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The How to:

1. My MDF board was 8’1” x 4’1”. I didn’t find that out until this until later. So measure and decide if you want the board to be  flushed with the frame or a little longer.

2. Paint the MDF with the chalkboard paint. This will take about three to four coats. Please read the instructions on the paint can.

3. Paint/Stain the pine boards.

4.  After you have waited the allotted time put wood glue on the pine board and the glue it onto the MDF. Then nail in the nails. Mine are spaced 12” apart.

5. Mount it on the wall. I used French Cleat for mine.

You are done! An easy weekend project!

If you do make one please share your photos with me. I would love to see them!

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playroom collage

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September 23, 2014

Outside the Box Link Party No3

Happy First Day of Fall everyone! Although it is still pretty hot here in Southern California and I am dreaming of cooler weather welcome to another week of Outside the Box Party! So glad you stopped by!

It was a busy week for me with doing a huge progress on the playroom area for the kids, making simple crafts for our fall mantle and trying to get ready for a boutique show. My co-hosts have been busy as well so go and say Hi to them!


Carissa  |  Carissa Miss
Blog // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram //  Google+
Trisha | Black and White Obsession
Elisha  |  Pneumatic Addict
Brandy  |  BD Design
Megan  |  Splendid Design
Niki  |  365 Days of Craft


DIY Leather Sleeve Dress | Easy Frozen Party Decor | DIY Game Day Bow
Sock Monkey| Fall Button Wall Art | Make a bracelet with repurposed earrings


 Love this weeks features! Those candles are awesome and perfect for fall! The pipe bookcase is great industrial piece and so easy to make, and who doesn't love personal mugs and easy artwork?

  1. Follow each of our hosts, socially, in some way and add us to your rockin’ link party page!
  2. Link up to three direct linked posts not already shared here previously (no home pages, please).  No recipes, giveaways, Etsy shop promotions, sales or other linky parties.
  3. To be featured, please pin the featured pin’s post (do so by clicking through and pinning from the originators site)!
**By linking up you give us permission to send a weekly link party reminder AND showcase your work (ie. your submitted photo) on our blogs or social media pages. Proper credit will always be with a link back.

Throughout the week, our SIX hosts will be sharing our favorite features via Google+ and other social medias. Spread the word using our Hashtag: #outsidetheboxparty







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September 20, 2014

Easy Leaf Artwork

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It is not a secret that fall comes to Southern California a lot later than the other states, but the heat has been very unbearable in the past few weeks. As I had mentioned a couple of days ago I am in the process of gathering and making items for my fall mantle. I have already done the rag banner and I am now adding an easy leaf artwork to the mix.

When I received my polka star stencil from Royal Studio’s for the playroom,  I also received a small leaf stencil that I knew I wanted to use. As I had mentioned before I love their stencils but you can always print a left onto a paper and trace it onto the wood or get a similar stencil from the craft store.

For this project I used a scrap wood that I had from home. The size of the piece is 7.5” x 7.5”.  I used some of my fall inspired colors for the sign and of course you can use colors that inspire you too. Below are the instructions.

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PicMonkey Collage

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September 18, 2014

Playroom Progress and Royal Design Studio Review

You might remember my post last week about the playroom, well the first thing I knew that needed to get done was address the wall. As I had mentioned before the kids playroom is open to the main hallway and due to the size of the room and the overall space painting more than one wall was not going to be an option at this time.

Since painting was out and wall covering costs close to an arm and a leg, the idea of stenciling the wall made the most sense. I first learned about Royal Design Studio while at SNAP Conference a couple of years ago.  Although I have used a couple of their stenciling since then I was thrilled when Royal Design Studio kindly offered to let me review one of their stencils.

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stencil wall

One thing that I love about Royal Design Studio’s stencils is that they are heavy, as in very sturdy.  I was able to stencil the whole wall with just a little bit of blue painters tape holding the stencil. No bleeds!  The trick of course is to not use too much paint. You will be surprises that little paints goes a long way.

Royal Design Studio provides instructions with their stencils (see above photo) as well as lots of great tips online. They have an amazing selection of stencils online and it’s very reasonable priced.  I think it took me longer to pick a stencil out than to stencil the wall itself. Finally I settled with the Polka Star Stencil. A fun pattern for the girls’ playroom. The best part once I am done with the stenciling that wall I can always reuse the stencil to create artwork or other fun projects like stenciling kraft paper for wrapping gifts.

Here are my two tips if you are going to stencil a wall:

1. Make sure you start from the middle of the wall, rather than a corner. I made that mistake and now one corner is a little off. The sad part, a whole star will not fit there and I will have to either live with it like that or just place the stars close together.

2. A little paint goes a long way. Do not over saturate your brush/roller with paint. It’s better to do two coats of less paint, then one coast with too much paint and have it bleed.

 

Here is the update on the playroom. Keep in mind, it’s not done yet. I love how the stenciled wall turned out! It changed things dramatically. It provides an added fun pattern to the mix.  I am thinking of continuing the star pattern to the left, where the wood signs are to make it flow a little more and add the stars in the corner even it they would be too close. As for the rest of the playroom, you will have to come back and see.

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playroom collage

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September 17, 2014

Fall Rag Banner

 

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You might remember my patriotic rag banner, if not you can see it here. For the past year I have been really loving the rag banner. It just gives that texture and added character to the mantle or the party table or even a room decoration, depending on where you use it.  I am in the process of decorating my mantle for fall before switching it to Halloween in a couple of weeks, and decided to do another rag banner.

As I had said before what I love most about this project is that I can have it done in less than an hour. It’s a project that can be done while watching TV at night, watching the kids play, heck, they can even help you. 

The instructions are easy: 1) Gather your fabric of choosing. 2) Cut it into strips in the width desired. 3) Fold the fabric strips and loop into the twine 4) Repeat with all the fabric strips in the pattern, fullness, and length of the banner desired.  You are done!

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September 16, 2014

Outside The Box Link Party No2

Happy Tuesday! Thank you for everyone for linking up to our first "Outside the Box" party! Loved seeing so much talent in one place. We really wanted to create a space in the Internet where everyone can show off their projects and share it with others.



Carissa  |  Carissa Miss
Blog // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram //  Google+
Trisha | Black and White Obsession
Blog // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram // Google+
Elisha  |  Pneumatic Addict
Blog // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram // Google+
Brandy  |  BD Design
Blog // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram // Google+
Megan  |  Splendid Design
Niki  |  365 Days of Craft
Blog // Facebook // Pinterest // Instagram //  Google+








Relaxing Master Bath | Sweet and Charming Coral Desk | Vintage Apples Sign








  1. Follow each of our hosts, socially, in some way and add us to your rockin’ link party page!
  2. Link up to three direct linked posts not already shared here previously (no home pages, please).  No recipes, giveaways, Etsy shop promotions, sales or other linky parties.
  3. To be featured, please pin the featured pin’s post (do so by clicking through and pinning from the originators site)!
**By linking up you give us permission to send a weekly link party reminder AND showcase your work (ie. your submitted photo) on our blogs or social media pages. Proper credit will always be with a link back.

Throughout the week, our SIX hosts will be sharing our favorite features via Google+ and other social medias. Spread the word using our Hashtag: #outsidetheboxparty













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