Table of Contents

• Surface to Work With
• Prepping The Surface
• Tips and Tricks
• Applying the Contact Paper
• Finishing Up

Creating a Surface to Work With

I will be applying my contact paper on top of the drawers I am making inside my new closet. The goal is to make the plywood look like stone! I am starting by placing 3/4 inch thick plywood on the top of the drawers where I want my counter to be. In addition, I am adding a lip along the front. I am using a brad nailer to attach a 1/4 inch thick strip of wood onto the front of the counter to bulk up the thickness of the counter. This step is done to make it look more convincing because a real stone counter is usually about 1 inch thick.

Preparing the Surface for the Contact Paper

Peel-and-stick contact paper sticks best to non-porous surfaces. If you are trying to put it on raw material like raw drywall or raw plywood, you need to seal it first. To do this, I am priming the top and the front of my plywood. Once the primer is dry, you are ready to apply the contact paper!

How to Apply Contact Paper: Tips and Tricks

• Avoid seams by using contact paper that is wider than the surface you are putting it on. This is the contact paper I used! Most rolls come in the depth of a standard counter, but that is not the greatest because you want a little bit of wiggle room on both sides. I like to work with a roll that is 2-4 inches wider than what I am covering.
• Make sure you have enough space to start applying your contact paper for a smooth finish. Because my ceiling is slanted, it was hard for me to get started and get the roll of contact paper back into the corner. I am pulling my plywood out a little bit to help me get started.
• Pull off the backing slowly to avoid wrinkles or creases.
• Work in sections. This allows you to ensure that there are no imperfections before rolling out the rest of the paper
• When pushing down the contact paper, start in the center. This allows you to push out in both directions towards the edges, where the bubbles can escape, rather than allowing the bubbles to congregate in the middle.
• Use a blow dryer to help with tricky edges. This will help to mold the paper to any corners or edges you might be applying contact paper to.

Applying the Contact Paper

I am starting the application by lining up the contact paper roll, with most of the excess across the front and a little bit of excess across the back that I can just fold down. As you apply this you are going to pull your roll out and then slowly pull the backing off. I am pulling this backing off very slowly to avoid wrinkling and creasing. As I move down my counter, I am working in small square sections, so I can make sure that there are no bubbles. To press my contact paper down, I use a credit card. I move all of the air bubbles out and press the paper down to the plywood towards me and then away from me until everything is super smooth. Not only is the contact paper I am using wide enough, it is also super long. This means there are no seams, which is exactly what I want! Whenever you need to cut contact paper you can just use a utility knife, so at the end I cut it to be flush with my wall.

Finishing Up

At first, I thought I would be able to cover the front of the counter by just pulling the contact paper super tight, but that did not work well. It created so many wrinkles, and it just did not look good. I am switching gears and pushing the slab back into place, tight against the slanted ceiling. From here, I am moving forward with caulking. Running a bead of caulk along all of the seams and edges helps to create a convincing look because that is what you would do if you had installed a real stone slab.

Once the caulking is done, I am revisiting the edge of the counter. I am going to use my blow dryer on a low heat setting to help mold the paper to the edge. This works so well, it is giving me the edge finish that I am looking for! Once my edge is fully wrapped, I am going in with my utility knife and cutting off any excess.

This countertop turned out so well! It was affordable and looks so smooth. I hope these tips and tricks for how to apply contact paper help you with your next project!

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Why Buy Faux?

Nearly Natural provides several options for artificial trees, plants, and flowers, as well as seasonal items and accessories. I loved the 30″ Sorghum Harvest Artificial Flower I ordered, which came in a set of twelve. The flowers added just the right touch to our front step. The plants are so convenient because they are maintenance free, just a light dusting every so often is all they need! Another bonus over real plants is that faux are pet friendly, so there is no need to worry about harming your furry animals.

When Nearly Natural’s products first arrive they are compressed in the packaging. Each item requires a bit of fluffing to look their best. This is a before/after of the 82″ Artificial Olive Tree I received. Spreading the branches and adding a larger base made all the difference!

Nearly Natural’s products are made from high quality materials that look and feel life-like. I’ve purchased faux plants throughout my home from other brands and none compare. Nearly Natural really is the best!

I really love how this olive tree gives height and visual interest to my living room design. It’s a year-round decorative accent, but it looks just as stunning outside featured in my autumn fall decor.

Autumn Fall Decor Selection

One of the first things I do once a new season hits is begin looking for decorations. Nearly Natural has a huge selection from wreaths to stems to plants to trees! Nearly Natural also provides a Holiday selection where you will find the most beautiful decorations for the upcoming season.

Nearly Natural‘s website is so easy to browse through to find exactly what you are looking for and I can’t wait to shop more for the holidays! I hope you loved my front entrance autumn fall decor and the way I decorated my living room. It’s so fun to share my favorite stores with all of you!

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Table of Contents

• Cutting the Boards
• Installation
• The Final Reveal

Cutting the Boards

To start, I cut the 2×4 board with my table saw into skinnier slats. I cut my pieces 1/2 inch thick and the board gave me six slats. I decided to get a 10 foot long 2×4 because my ceilings are eight feet tall and the angle of the design would be 45 degrees. I wanted the wood length to be long enough when I put them up on the wall. When picking out my 2×4 at the lumber yard, I took my time finding one with minimal blemishes.

The next step after slicing all the pieces on my table saw was to sort them out and sand them. I made sure to lay the side with the least amount of blemishes on top and then sanded it with my Random Orbital Sander. Then I primed all of the slats and prepared my bedroom for the install.

Installation of the Geometric Accent Wall

I took down the wall decor and moved furniture out of the way so I could mark the studs on the wall. I use this magnetic stud finder and it works so well, I totally recommend it! I nailed the slats in with my Ridgid cordless brad nailer where the studs were so they would be tight against the wall.

On all but one of the slats, I cut a 45 degree angle on one of the edges. For the remaining slat that went across the entire wall, I cut the angle on both sides. Some people like to plan out a design for their wall before they start, but I just winged it and I love how it turned out. After all of the slats were up, I caulked all of the edges so there wouldn’t be gaps showing. I then sanded down all of the slats and wall so everything would look great for me to paint over. The next step before painting the wall was to wipe everything down with a damp wash cloth. Then it was time to paint! I used a brush against all of the edges and rolled the flat parts with Dutchboy paint in the color Sandbar White.

For additional renovations to my room, I added some new blackout curtains. We also got a new Tuft and Needle hybrid mattress that is so comfortable and soft to lay on. It also does a great job of keeping your temperature regulated when you sleep. I definitely recommend this company if you are in the market for a new mattress! The last thing I did was install some lights over our bedside tables to finish the look.

The Final Reveal

The final turnout of the geometric accent wall was better than what I could have imagined. Especially since I didn’t plan or measure anything out beforehand. I just cut and went! It’s a beautifully modern and minimalistic design that adds so much subtle interest to the room.

Don’t forget to pin this image to inspire you to make a geometric accent wall of your own!

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Table of Contents

• Preparing the Branches
• Standing the Tree Up
• Shaping the Tree
• Project Reveal

Preparing the Branches for the Tree

My idea was to transform this trashed Christmas tree into many reusable artificial trees to decorate my house. This process is very easy to do and is great to repurpose your tree instead of adding it to the landfill. This tree has six branches with hooks that hook into the tree stand. I decided to put two of these branches together and put the hooks at the bottom. I did this by wiring the two branches together with a florist wire by cutting it about six to eight inches long, then twisting it and wrapping it around both of the branches.

Standing up the Tree

I initially thought of using a canvas bag to put the reusable artificial tree in, however, the tree had a hard time staying up. Instead, I decided to use a planter and filled it with rocks. You could even add dirt to help it stay secure against the wind. For my second tree, I decided to fill the planters with landscape rocks. This was very easy to work with because it packed in there tightly and made the tree very sturdy.

Shaping in order to Reuse the Artificial Tree

Once I got my branches to stand, the tree looked very misshaped because the longer branches were at the top while the shorter branches were at the base since the hooks were in the planter. To fix this, I pulled the bottom branches out as far as they would go, twisted the top branches around the center, and pointed them inward so it looks more coned-shaped. After a couple of minutes of shaping, the trees looked great and were ready to go!

The Recycled Artificial Christmas Tree Reveal

I loved this craft and I hope you do too. When you reuse an artificial Christmas tree it not only turns out beautiful, but it helps to reduce, reuse, and recycle. I am so excited to see what else to add to this quick and easy recycled artificial Christmas tree. If you would like to see another Christmas tree DIY check one out here!

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Table of Contents

• Cutting the Glass
• Cutting the Frame
• Spray Paint and Assembly
• Shining Brass Candlesticks
• Final Product

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Cutting the Glass

With the style that I went with, I only had enough space for one mirror since I wanted more of an arch style. I am using the Glass Cutter by Red Devil, which can be found on Amazon. I traced a bowl about the same width as the mirror to get that perfect arch. Originally, I had read online that oiling the mirror can help get a smoother cut, however, I found that it was just easier to oil the wheel in the cutter.

After tracing a semi-circle, I placed the mirror above the bowl to break off the cut-off pieces. Unfortunately, none of the pieces broke off in a clean line, but I was able to remove bits and pieces that I could break off close to the cut line using a pair of pliers. I also ended up cutting off the base of the mirror as well, because it was too long for the type of mirror I wanted. I did this by cutting the same way as when I traced the bowl, just cutting a straight line rather than a semi-circle.

Cutting the Frame

For the frame, I used a half-inch thick plywood and traced the mirror as an outline. Using a 1 1/2 inch block that I cut out, I traced it along the bowl that I set on the outline to get the smoothest line for the frame. Cutting off the outside of the frame, I rounded the edges for a more curved look. Then using the jigsaw, I drilled a hole on the inside of the plywood, carving out the inner part of the frame, also giving it more of a curve. To smooth the ends of the frame, I added edge banding and then sanded down the ends. (I found that a curling iron really helped stick the edge banding to the inner curves of the frame!)

Spray Painting and Assembling the Frame

For the spray paint, I used Rust-Oleum’s gold mirror finish, which is one of my favorite brands to work with especially for spray paint. I evenly sprayed the paint throughout the frame, as well as two other frames from the different mirrors that I had found and decided to repaint. Around the frame, I used Loctite’s All-Purpose caulk, which held the mirror perfectly in place on the frame.

Shining the Brass Candlesticks

Since I bought some secondhand candlesticks, I had to clean them up because they were horribly tarnished and discolored. I found a recipe online on how to shine the brass. It called for one teaspoon of salt, half a cup of vinegar, and as much flour as needed to make it a paste. Covering each candlestick in the paste, I let it sit in a plastic bag for hours. However, I let mine sit for too long, as they started to turn pink, so I would suggest letting them sit for only an hour or less! Buffing them with steel wool did bring back some of the undertones to make it look more brassy.

Christmas Mantel Decor

Putting the three mirrors on the mantel, I staggered the candles on each side of the mantel. I also screwed little hooks onto the sides of the mantel to hang up some frosted garland to give it more color. I love how this mantel turned out, with the gold mirrors and candlesticks to add more character to the fireplace. This project was easy to do and the perfect decor to get you into the spirits for the holidays!

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Today I’m excited to share an easy DIY spring project to get you thinking outside the box about planters. I am going to upcycle two different planters with Rust-Oleum’s Imagine Stone Effects Spray Paint. One is a ceramic planter I picked up on sale from Michael’s craft store. The other is actually a popcorn tin!! Enjoy this planter spring craft and let me know if you give it a try.

DIY Popcorn Tin Planter

This popcorn tin first needed a base coat so I used Rust-Oleum Imagine Chalk spray paint in White Linen. This spray paint had an extremely matte sheen which felt just like chalk paint to the touch! After about five light coats, the whole popcorn tin was opaque.

When this paint had dried fully, I taped off where I wanted my stone texture spray paint to give the effect of a cement-dipped look. For the popcorn tin planter I used the color Pebble and for the black planter I sprayed the color Gray. The Rust-Oleum Imagine Stone Texture spray paints are available at Joann craft stores if you’re interested to try them yourself! Watch the video above for a full tutorial on how to successfully use them.

DIY Spring Planters

When the multiple coats of stone texture spray paint had dried a few hours, the tape and plastic could be removed to reveal my beautiful design! I love how the black one looks dipped in cement and the pebble stone effect adds texture to the popcorn tin. I put a plastic insert inside the black planter for drainage. The popcorn tin planter I drilled holes in the bottom and then used the lid as a drain tray for excess water. After filling with plants and potting soil the next day, this is what I ended with!

Planter Spring Craft

This planter spring craft is so easy anyone can do it! I hope I inspired you to customize planters in your home and think outside the box for items that can become planters with a bit of spray paint. Until next time!

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Hi everyone! Today I am here to share my most recent Christmas crafts with you. I made all of these using Rust-Oleum’s Imagine glass effects spray paint in frosted glass and sea glass. I’ll show you three different frosted glass Christmas crafts and then you can pin your favorite!

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Frosted Glass Christmas Ornaments

The first craft I hope to inspire you with are these personalized bulb ornaments. I got the cheap plastic bulbs on after Christmas clearance for pennies on the dollar and transformed them into high-end looking decor. Simply use stickers for your writing and spray paint with Rust-Oleum’s frosted glass spray paint!

When the spray paint was dry, I removed the stickers and applied glitter to the tops. Once reassembled, they were beautiful!

Sea Glass Hurricane Vases

The next decor piece I upcycled were these plain glass hurricane vases. Here I used the sea glass spray paint and styled them with beachy items for more of a Coastal Christmas vibe. I created the lines of plain glass by placing rubber bands around the vases before painting. This negative space is an area candle light flickers through brighter when the vases are lit up!

Deer Silhouette Mason Jar Luminary

Last but not least, I created a snowy scene inside a jar by frosting the glass, adding faux snow and glitter, and adding embellishments. Then I placed a cut-out silhouette of a deer as well as some pine trees in black paper. This looks perfect during the day as well as shadowy cool lit up at night!

Frosted Glass Christmas Crafts

I hope you enjoyed these ideas and they got your creative juices flowing as you begin crafting for Christmas! Happy holidays everyone!
Learn more about Rust-Oleum Imagine Glass Effects spray paint here and buy it here!

Affiliate links to products seen in these crafts:
Spray paint handles
Jute
Mod Podge
Faux snow
Glitter
White multi-surface paint
Hot Glue gun

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Table of Contents

• Inspiration
• Cutting Numbers on a Scroll Saw
• Finished Numbers

Inspiration

My inspiration for this project comes from this sign I found on Pinterest made from concrete. I did use a different font, though. I searched for a modern font I liked and ended up downloading something custom. 1001fonts.com is my go-to website for custom fonts and the one I chose for my numbers is called Carrinady.

DIY House Address On Scroll Saw

The other thing I didn’t like about the modern house numbers sign I found from AllModern (besides the price tag!) was that the numbers were a standard 6″ size. If I was going to DIY, I wanted to make my numbers large and very visible! To make my own house numbers, I cut 1/2 inch thick plywood on my scroll saw in the shape of 7, 1, and 0 that are 8 inches tall! With patience and control, the numbers turned out great! After they got painted black, no one would ever guess they aren’t metal.

Be sure to watch the video at the beginning of this blog post to get all the details on how to make a sign like this! The front elevation of our home is shaping up to be quite attractive! I am planning to begin work on updating the porch this month – look for that in the future. Now if I could only get some grass to grow!

A Look at the Finished Numbers

I hope you’ll notice the hearts in our upstairs windows. I would be remiss if I didn’t call attention to the social isolation many in the world are experiencing right now due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Our hearts exemplify solidarity with our community and hope for the future when this crisis is over! As you can see, I’ve got a long list of projects to keep me busy. I hope you’re finding a stride staying at home, too.

Thank you for reading and I hope I’ve inspired you to pin my modern house numbers sign!

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Easy Cheap Spring Crafts

Lately I’ve been busy making lots of fun crafts to hopefully inspire you to DIY this spring! These easy, cheap spring crafts are projects you can do in just an hour or less. Don’t forget to pin if you want to make one or more of these!

Robin’s Egg Craft Made of Plaster

The first craft I have to share is probably my favorite of the list. These adorable robin’s eggs are made from a versatile craft material: plaster of paris. You can mix up the plaster to be thick and then work with it like clay. Once dry, it is easy to sand to a round shape and paint.

Spray Painted Plastic Easter Eggs

An easy way to get faux eggs to decorate with is spray painting the cheap plastic ones people use for Easter egg hunts. I already went over this craft quickly years ago in this post, but you can watch how to do it in the video below.

Egg Candles DIY Craft

This unique way to celebrate Easter uses real egg shells as a mold for candle wax. Stick a simple birthday candle in the middle and you’re done! These are easy and adorable for an Easter or spring table centerpiece.

Faux Carrots Made of Plaster

Again I used plaster to create a carrot shape that looked so realistic! I formed the plaster around greenery I had at my house that looked just like a carrot top. These faux carrots have a fooled a few people already!

DIY Sock Bunny Craft

This easy way to make a sock bunny is the perfect craft to make with kids or grandkids. Filling the rabbit with rice gives it a substantial weight and an easy way to manipulate the shape of the bunny’s body. You can get creative with ribbon colors or facial features to customize your sock bunny!

Easy Cheap Spring Faux Flowers

For this easy and cheap spring craft, I wanted to give an alternative way to make faux flower petals other than expensive crepe paper. I adhered tissue paper to wax paper (both items I had already in my house) to make a malleable, yet somewhat see-through medium to cut petals from! With more paint and imagination and hot glue, these faux flowers turned out so great! Watch how to make them below.

Thanks for watching and viewing what I made to celebrate spring this year! If I inspired you, you can thank me by pinning your favorite easy cheap spring craft to Pinterest. If you’re looking for more, go check out the beautiful spring crafts my friend Christina has been sharing at thediymommy.com. Until next time!

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Table of Contents

• The Tree Before
• How to Make Flocking
• How to Flock the Tree
• Our Main Tree

What the Tree Looked Like Before

My friend Maureen gave me this demented old tree because she never used it anymore. It was missing lots of its needles, had outdated multi-colored lights, and really had seen better days.

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How to Make Flocking

I’ve always liked the look of flocked trees, but sometimes they can be expensive. I don’t like to buy anything new that I can make myself for cheap. I simply used mod podge, corn starch, and shaving cream to transform this tree into a flocked beauty!

DIY Flocked Christmas Tree

A couple touches that make this tree extra special are the tin wash barrel the tree is placed in and wooden sled next to the tree. I got both antiques from my parent’s farm. You might remember me hand painting this sled and a couple others in previous years.

The before and after is impressive! Don’t forget to pin this idea in case you need it for your future Christmas decor!

This is my tree lit up at night. I love the reflection in the patio door!

Our Main Tree

Although the flocked tree turned out great, I don’t consider it our “main tree” because it’s not very big. In our living room/foyer area, you will find this beauty I decorated in a similar color scheme and more natural elements.

The white branches are real fir boughs I spray painted and the deep red you see are sumac berries. I love foraging in nature for free decor!

When you look through to the dining room you can see both trees and it’s magical lit up at night!

In the future I will show you how I made this buffalo check ribbon for our gift wrapping and the adorable Ho, Ho, Ho sign hanging up behind the tree. Make sure you are following my Facebook page to stay up to date and my Instagram to get behind the scenes info.

Now that you’ve seen my two Christmas trees, go forth and explore the other inspiring ideas from my blogging friends. They’ve all worked so hard to get their trees ready for the blog hop and they want you to enjoy!

Leave a comment below and tell me which of my two trees is your favorite? See you soon!

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