Birds In The Tavern

Did I attract you with my title?

No, this isn't really a story about birds in a bar. 

It's a story about a chair makeover.

The story starts with a chair that had been discarded.

 It wasn't a bad chair. Just a little boring. It sat in a corner unnoticed.

A little makeup and a new outfit would bring her to life and make her stand out in a crowd. Makeup being milk paint. The color, Tavern Green. The new outfit, a pretty fabric covered in watercolor birds.

 I know that you should pick the fabric, then find a color paint to go with it. But, I have been wanting to use Tavern Green from The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company for a long time. So, I went on the hunt for a fabric that would work with this beautiful shade of green. The sweet birds were perfect!

 Now this beauty sits proudly, front and center in her new home!

Linking To:

  Someday Crafts, Sew Much A Do, Ginger Snap Crafts,  Creations By Kara,  Rae Gun Ramblings, Ivy & Elephants,   Seven Thirty Three,  The Shabby Creek Cottage, Seven Alive,  Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts, Made In A Day, Katherine's Corner, Redoux, Chic On a Shoestring,  Simply Sweet Home, The Shabby Nest,  Momnivore's Dilema, Somewhat Simple,   Live Laugh Rowe, Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs Olson, Simply Designing, Truly Lovely,  The Cottage Market,  Funky Junk Interiors, Bowdabra,  Tatertots & Jello,   Blissful & Domestic, A Vision To Remember, Boogieboard Cottage, Lovely Crafty Home, DIY Showoff, Craft-O-Maniac,  DIY Home Sweet Home, Under The Table and Dreaming, Keeping It Simple, Homemaker On A Dime, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, The Dedicated House,  Lines Across, Coastal Charm, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Sugar Bee Crafts, Chef In Training, Nifty Thrifty Things, Cherished Bliss, A Bowl Full Of Lemons, Me & My Boys, Mad In Crafts, Flour Me With Love, Not Just A Housewife,  Today's Creative Blog, Tip Junkie,  Homework, Kammy's Korner,  I Gotta Create,  Thrifty 101,  Lamb Around,  Domestically Speaking,  The Kurtz Corner,     C.R.A.F.T.,  Finding Fabulous, The Answer Is Chocolate, Skip To My Lou, Sumos Sweet Stuff, The Thrifty Home, Or So She Says, Diana Rambles, Adorned From Above,  Cedar Hill Ranch, Classy Clutter, Flutter Buster, Crafty Texas Girls, Twelve O Eight, Nap Time Creations, The Shady Porch, JoJo And Eloise, Hope In Every Season, The Foley Fam,  House Of Hoff,  Our Home Away From Home, Living Well Spending Less, Remodelaholic, A Lived In Home, Flamingo Toes,  VMG206,  Finding Silver Pennies, Mad Cap Frenzy,  Gingerly Made,  Pink When,  Minnette's Maze,  Made To Be A Momma,  Start At Home,  Lil Mrs Tori,  Homecoming,  The Vintage Farmhouse,  Pink Recipe Box,  Sweet Haute,  Table For Seven,  Be Betsy,  It Happens In A Blink,  One Dog Woof, 4 You With Love, A Stroll Thru Life,  A Bright And Beautiful Life,  Crafty Goodies,  Live Love Create,  The Koenigs Create,  Bloom Designs,French Country Cottage, Daisy Cottage Designs, Orchard Girls, Elizabeth Joan Designs, The Scoop, Stone Gable, Knick Of Time, Lou Lou Girls, 

DIY School Picture Collage

When I was a child, school started the week after Labor Day and we got out by Memorial Day. Summer seemed to last forever. And, I loved it! Now, school seems to start earlier every year. I don't know about the rest of the country, but the kids here in Georgia are already back in school. In my county, they already have a week of school under their belt!

Plus, when I was in school, there was only one picture day a year. Now there's a Fall picture day and a Spring picture day. So before you know it the kids will be fretting over what to wear for picture day! This project is a fun way to make those posed school pictures a little more unique.

Start by printing out the school picture. If you have an ink jet printer, the color may be altered. For this project, I don't mind that. If you don't want the color altered, have a copy made at an office supply store using a laser printer. If there is writing in the picture, print it out in reverse or the writing will end up backwards.

Generously cover a wooden panel with gel medium. You can find the wooden panels next to the canvas at your art supply store.

Lay the printed picture ink side down on the gel covered panel. Gently rub the paper to make sure it adheres to the panel.

Now...walk away!

This is the hardest part of the project. Allow the paper to cure for 24 hours. Once the waiting game is over, use a damp rag and gently start to rub the paper away from the panel.

Use a damp rag and wash on acrylic paint to the front of the panel around the picture.

I added wood stain to the sides of the panel. You could use the same paint you added to the front or use another color.

Now for the embellishments! Glue Scrabble tiles onto a Scrabble tile tray to spell out the child's name.

Glue the tray onto the panel.

You could center the tray but I glued the tray off center because I planned to add pencils to the right side of the panel.

I added a broken ruler across the top.

I filled the gap with a pretty cardboard flower with beads that I got at the craft store.

This is a fun project that the kids can get involved with. Start a gallery wall and see how their artwork changes as they change!

Linking To:

  Someday Crafts, Sew Much A Do, Ginger Snap Crafts,  Creations By Kara,  Rae Gun Ramblings, Ivy & Elephants,   Seven Thirty Three,  The Shabby Creek Cottage, Seven Alive,  Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts, Made In A Day, Katherine's Corner, Redoux, Chic On a Shoestring,  Simply Sweet Home, The Shabby Nest,  Momnivore's Dilema, Somewhat Simple,   Live Laugh Rowe, Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs Olson, Simply Designing, Truly Lovely,  The Cottage Market,  Funky Junk Interiors, Bowdabra,  Tatertots & Jello,   Blissful & Domestic, A Vision To Remember, Boogieboard Cottage, Lovely Crafty Home, DIY Showoff, Craft-O-Maniac,  DIY Home Sweet Home, Under The Table and Dreaming, Keeping It Simple, Homemaker On A Dime, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, The Dedicated House,  Lines Across, Coastal Charm, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Sugar Bee Crafts, Chef In Training, Nifty Thrifty Things, Cherished Bliss, A Bowl Full Of Lemons, Me & My Boys, Mad In Crafts, Flour Me With Love, Not Just A Housewife,  Today's Creative Blog, Tip Junkie,  Homework, Kammy's Korner,  I Gotta Create,  Thrifty 101,  Lamb Around,  Domestically Speaking,  The Kurtz Corner,     C.R.A.F.T.,  Finding Fabulous, The Answer Is Chocolate, Skip To My Lou, Sumos Sweet Stuff, The Thrifty Home, Or So She Says, Diana Rambles, Adorned From Above,  Cedar Hill Ranch, Classy Clutter, Flutter Buster, Crafty Texas Girls, Twelve O Eight, Nap Time Creations, The Shady Porch, JoJo And Eloise, Hope In Every Season, The Foley Fam,  House Of Hoff,  Our Home Away From Home, Living Well Spending Less, Remodelaholic, A Lived In Home, Flamingo Toes,  VMG206,  Finding Silver Pennies, Mad Cap Frenzy,  Gingerly Made,  Pink When,  Minnette's Maze,  Made To Be A Momma,  Start At Home,  Lil Mrs Tori,  Homecoming,  The Vintage Farmhouse,  Pink Recipe Box,  Sweet Haute,  Table For Seven,  Be Betsy,  It Happens In A Blink,  One Dog Woof, 4 You With Love, A Stroll Thru Life,  A Bright And Beautiful Life,  Crafty Goodies,  Live Love Create,  The Koenigs Create,  Bloom Designs,French Country Cottage, Daisy Cottage Designs, Orchard Girls, Elizabeth Joan Designs, The Scoop, Stone Gable, Knick Of Time, Lou Lou Girls, 

Next Stop On The Blogland Tour

Have you been following along with the Blogland Tour? It has been so much fun learning more about some of my favorite bloggers and discovering some new ones along the way.

My blog pal, Kathleen, from Charm Bracelet Diva (at Home), asked me to participate in the tour and I was thrilled. 

Kathleen is a very talented jewelry artist. She uses vintage pieces in her jewelry which makes each piece stunning. You can check out more of her pieces in her ETSY shop.

 

Kathleen also shares some amazing DIY projects on her blog.

One of my favorites is this Bath Storage Ladder Pottery Barn knock off.  She made it using monkey bars that were being thrown out!

 

She also shares some wonderful DIY craft projects like 

 stamped candles...

 

and this hand stamped ribbon she made using a drop cloth!!!

 

Head over to Kathleen's blog for some wonderful inspiration. You might want to pack a lunch because you'll probably be there awhile!!!

You can also follow Kathleen on Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest.

As part of the blog tour, I am supposed to answer 4 questions. 

So here goes...

1. What am I working on right now?

It would probably be easier to answer what am I NOT working on. At any given time I have multiple projects going on at once. The most recent project that I've completed is this hand painted sign...

And I've had a lot of requests lately for custom map pendants...

2. How does my work differ from others in its genre?

Well, that's hard to answer because I don't have a particular genre. I'm all over the place with what I do, from art projects, to jewelry making, to painting furniture, to building things, to craft projects, to decorating, to painting murals. The list goes on and on.

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

I write because I started my blog as a way to keep a record of all my projects. To be honest, I didn't really understand what a blog was when I started. I never dreamed it would turn into such a great way to express myself, share so many projects, and meet so many wonderful people. I create because I have to. It's just how my mind works. I get antsy if I'm not being creative. When I say, "I get excited and make stuff," I mean it!!!

4. How does my writing/creative process work?

That's another hard one to answer! It kind of just happens. The process for each project evolves as I work. The plan doesn't always work out but sometimes that's a good thing and I end up with something better than I imagined. As far as the writing portion, I never considered myself a writer, which is kind of funny since I not only write for my blog, I also write for a local magazine. I have to reread what I write a lot! I try hard to make sure that what is in my brain translates in print. And I guess it does because I don't get too many people asking me to explain myself better and I still have a job writing my article for Fayette Woman Magazine!

Now the fun part!

It's my pleasure to introduce you to my friend, 

Danni, from Silo Hill Farm. Danni's blog tour will take place next Monday, August 11. Make sure you go to Silo Hill Farm and take the tour!

Danni is crafter/DIY girl who grew up in Chicago, then moved to a cabin in Montana where she spent a lot of long winters developing her creative side.  After living on a farm in the MidWest for several years, she recently renovated and moved into a house in town with a craft room to-die-for where she creates some marvelous and original fun stuff.

 

Linking To:

  Someday Crafts, Sew Much A Do, Ginger Snap Crafts,  Creations By Kara,  Rae Gun Ramblings, Ivy & Elephants,   Seven Thirty Three,  The Shabby Creek Cottage, Seven Alive,  Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts, Made In A Day, Katherine's Corner, Redoux, Chic On a Shoestring,  Simply Sweet Home, The Shabby Nest,  Momnivore's Dilema, Somewhat Simple,   Live Laugh Rowe, Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs Olson, Simply Designing, Truly Lovely,  The Cottage Market,  Funky Junk Interiors, Bowdabra,  Tatertots & Jello,   Blissful & Domestic, A Vision To Remember, Boogieboard Cottage, Lovely Crafty Home, DIY Showoff, Craft-O-Maniac,  DIY Home Sweet Home, Under The Table and Dreaming, Keeping It Simple, Homemaker On A Dime, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, The Dedicated House,  Lines Across, Coastal Charm, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Sugar Bee Crafts, Chef In Training, Nifty Thrifty Things, Cherished Bliss, A Bowl Full Of Lemons, Me & My Boys, Mad In Crafts, Flour Me With Love, Not Just A Housewife,  Today's Creative Blog, Tip Junkie,  Homework, Kammy's Korner,  I Gotta Create,  Thrifty 101,  Lamb Around,  Domestically Speaking,  The Kurtz Corner,     C.R.A.F.T.,  Finding Fabulous, The Answer Is Chocolate, Skip To My Lou, Sumos Sweet Stuff, The Thrifty Home, Or So She Says, Diana Rambles, Adorned From Above,  Cedar Hill Ranch, Classy Clutter, Flutter Buster, Crafty Texas Girls, Twelve O Eight, Nap Time Creations, The Shady Porch, JoJo And Eloise, Hope In Every Season, The Foley Fam,  House Of Hoff,  Our Home Away From Home, Living Well Spending Less, Remodelaholic, A Lived In Home, Flamingo Toes,  VMG206,  Finding Silver Pennies, Mad Cap Frenzy,  Gingerly Made,  Pink When,  Minnette's Maze,  Made To Be A Momma,  Start At Home,  Lil Mrs Tori,  Homecoming,  The Vintage Farmhouse,  Pink Recipe Box,  Sweet Haute,  Table For Seven,  Be Betsy,  It Happens In A Blink,  One Dog Woof, 4 You With Love, A Stroll Thru Life,  A Bright And Beautiful Life,  Crafty Goodies,  Live Love Create,  The Koenigs Create,  Bloom Designs,French Country Cottage, Daisy Cottage Designs, Orchard Girls, Elizabeth Joan Designs, The Scoop, Stone Gable, Knick Of Time, Lou Lou Girls, 

DIY Wine Cabinets/Hometalk

Are you part of the Hometalk community? 

 Hometalk is the largest home and garden social network on the web. Millions of people are using Hometalk to share and also gain knowledge of home improvement projects and gardening.

I have curated a board of DIY wine cabinets at Hometalk.

Remember the china cabinet that my son and I

 turned into a wine cabinet?

My board contains lots of other do it yourself wine cabinets I'd like to make. Look at this incredible piano makeover by Gypsy Barn...
 

This buffet turned wine cabinet by Vintique Junktion is gorgeous!


 
Head over to Hometalk to see more great projects and see the full posts of all these incredible makeovers!