DIY ~ Framed Scrapbook Papers

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I have a confession...I don't Scrapbook! I know it's hard to believe, I'm a Mom who blogs and loves to decorate, but doesn't scrapbook! I'm actually not real crafty, but more of a roll up your sleeves, DIY kinda gal!

So I was amazed the other day when I passed by the Scrapbooking section at Walmart and saw the most bee-eautiful Scrapbooking papers ever! And at 100 sheets for just $9.99... they were an awesome deal!

So I was instantly inspired and scooped em' up for a project in kid 2's bedroom!


The problem: The space above my daughter's bed is a very large massive bare purple wall. And to make matters worse, her bed doesn't have a head board. As a result, the bed is looking bland, bare and well, low.

So Design Intervention was needed ASAP to help fill the space, mimic the shape of a headboard, and bring some heighth to the room! Ack...that's a tall order with one project!


The plan: Frame Scrapbooking papers with 4 old frames painted white!


Step 1: Paint frames. Kid 1 & 2 got in on the action too!


Step 2: Create a design. I chose 4 papers to compliment the color scheme in the room. Look at all these stunning designs, honestly, this was the hardest part!  I finally decided on two solid papers and two patterned papers in pink and green colors.




Step 3: Frame papers with fresh white mattes.



Step 4. Hang Frames.


Step 5: Change the bedding. After the frames were hung, I turned my attention to the bedding. I used pillows to add volume to the bed... and act as sort of a faux headboard.

So there it is...kid 2's bedroom makeover! Well, the room still isn't completely finished. Next, I'll be painting the bed side table a fresh white. Ugh...my work here is never done!  Wow...amazing what some old picture frames, scrapbooking paper and pillows can do? I think it's a big improvement...and that's why I love DIY projects!

DIY ~ Chalk Board Paint

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Here's my latest DIY project with a fun paint we all know and love...Chalk Board Paint!  If you haven't this stuff yet, chances are you've got a fun project in your house just waiting to be tackled.
In my case, we had an ugly breaker box right in the middle of our mud room. To say it was an eye sore is a total understatement! It was very large and very metal and looked like it should be in our garage instead of in the house.

Thankfully the previous owners did half the work by building a frame around this box and putting a unique piece of artwork inside. The only problem was...I didn't like the color of the frame or the artwork. It had a redwood frame and a French Bistro picture...it just wasn't my style.


So the solution was to paint the frame black, and paint the artwork inside the frame with Chalk Board paint!

And here it is! This Chalk Board (with the ugly breaker box inside) now points the way to our favorite little room in the house...our small Wine Room!

I love taking something uninspiring, and reinventing it into something fun and fabulous! What projects can you do around the house with Chalk Board Paint?

Project Rewind...Fun, Colorful Desk

This desk used to be in our Master bed room (pre kids) as a make-up table. It was very white, very plain and just Blah! And after sitting in our attic for several years it was ready for the Curb! Until I re-purposed it for my daughter's bed room as a fun and colorful desk!




Wow...what a difference a little color makes, or in this case a whole lotta color! Hard to see, but the lamp shade has a pale pink ric rac ribbon border. But wouldn't a hot pink grossgrain ribbon look better? Yet another project for my never ending to do list...ugh, my work here is never done!




And check out this chair from IKEA with it's adorable pink and green cushion...such a great find! I seriously have a love affair with IKEA...but that's another post for another day!



So a plain old make-up table gets a fresh new colorful look with simple spray paint!  Yup, ya gotta love spray painting projects.  They're easy, fun, and affordable, as well as the simplest way to add a pop of color!
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Beauty...not Clutter

Hello, my name is Jane and I HATE CLUTTER!

There I said it...phew, what a relief! I think growing up in the Midwest with old velvet covered furniture and little nick knack's everywhere pushed me over the edge. Sure I developed an appreciation for special Antiques and Family pieces, but I also learned to resent the clutter that so often filled our home. Let's face it... it just got in the way, both physically and emotionally!

Think how good you feel after donating your old things to Goodwill? It's like a weight lifted from your shoulders! For me, this is why regularly de-cluttering is so important.

So this got me thinking about Collecting the things we love, and still enjoying a clutter free spacious home! Does this combination really exist? Here's how the designer's do it...and don't they make it look easy?

Isn't this Art collection to die for? It's amazing how grouping LIKE items together can create a focal point and so much visual interest!

And check out these mirrors! Very Vintage, Shabby Chic! I just love all the different sizes and shapes!

Okay, this is a little overboard, but very cool indeed! Can you imagine building a wall of shelves just for your shell collection?

And finally, how fun and whimsical is this collection of plates and platters? I love how their colors pop against those bright yellow walls!

Think about what you collect, do you have Like items grouped together? This is the number one rule when collecting your favorite things. Because living with cherished collections should create beauty, not clutter.

Jane