Going Vertical

Guess what I'm going to get started on this weekend! I'll give you a hint in the form of a photoshopped image:

Yup, my living room is going vertical!  With stripes that is.  It probably will end up much more subtle than my 5 minute Photoshop example here, though.

At first, I was planning to do just a satin tone-on-tone stripe which we had in our music room at the apartment.  Although we LOVED it in the apartment, people only took note if I pointed it out because it was so subtle.  Call me vein, but if I'm going to put that much effort in, I want it to be noticed!

.....So I was toying with the idea to mix in some lighter paint with the glaze to make the treatment pop a bit more.  For weeks I've been waffling about which to do and finally decided to let Photoshop help me decide.  Once I put in the stripes (although I'm fully aware they aren't perfect here- this took me 5 minutes people!) I was 100% convinced.

Here's what I'm hoping the stripes will accomplish:

• adding an element of verticallity that the room is severely lacking
• create some architectural interest
• brighten and lighten the room up a bit.  With the large scale furniture (that we are currently living with), the space feels heavy.

I've already got all the supplies I need to get started, I just have to bite the bullet and do it!  I know it's totally going to be worth it in the end.

Objects at Rest

I'm blown away by the amazing response I got from my Pinterest Challenge project! You guys are seriously awesome! I've been keeping myself so busy in the past few months that I can't believe the summer's almost over!  I refuse to believe it, especially considering it didn't feel like summer until late June.

After my Pinterest Challenge project and the projects leading up to it, I was in desperate need of a break, so last weekend, for the first time in my recent memory, I decided I was going to sleep in (till 9), not go tag-saling and have a weekend to do NOTHING.  Of course by nothing I mean all the laundry, grocery shopping and doing a jewelry party (through my less than part time Lia Sophia business), but for me that's a lazy weekend.

And since objects at rest tend to stay at rest, I'm just now getting to you.

So, it's time for a project tease!

Fact: Organizing is fun.  For me at least.  Most likely because disorganization makes me twitch.  With that being said, I've been severely neglecting my organizational responsibilities.  In a small house, organization is paramount... and I currently have overflowing closets and a basement mess I wouldn't wish on my enemies.  So I have to enjoy the pieces of organization that I've accomplished so far.

Remember when I mentioned my intentions of a fabulously organized shed here?  Well, it's half-way there!

Here is where my embarrassment shed started:

There maaaay be more junk in there now too after our latest yard projects.  Just maybe.

But, on the plus side here's what part of it is currently looking like:

Woo Hoo!  On the right track and beyond easy to put up.  The hardest part of this project was FINDING the pegboard at Home Depot.  They hide the board with decorative moulding, but the pegs and hooks with the organizational items.  Totally logical, right?

The other side of the shed is going to be getting shelves leftover from my childhood bedroom (and still painted accordingly) as well as a few more organizational fixtures.  I can't wait to be able to walk in there again!  Seeing the floor would be a nice bonus, too.

Don't you love organizing?  Or is it just me?

Challenge Completed!

When I got home from the 9to5 yesterday, I went into 'mission mode." Must...get...project...done...

And I did!

I decided to join a group of my favorite bloggers in their Pinterest Challenge.  It started last Tuesday evening and the challenge was to do a DIY project inspired by an image found on Pinterest.  And complete the project by today.  After a busy weekend, I was severely doubting my time management abilities.  Luckily, yesterday I was uber productive and finished my project and I'm super excited about it!!

As a reminder, here was my Pinterest Inspiration:

My challenge to myself was to take an piece of metal wall art that we already had...

..and rework it and refresh it, so I'm not bored of it anymore.

Cutting apart those *%$#* darn plates was the toughest and most time consuming part of this.  And of course once I separated them, I needed to remove the stand-offs and all the rough edges.  I used wire cutters, a hack saw, and a metal file for this whole process.

In addition to just reconfiguring their layout, I introduced some paint to change it up a bit.  I'm actually relatively new to spray paint, so I decided to take this opportunity to experiment with a few things (some more successful than others).

I was able to make-up try a few paint techniques.  The shot in the dark was taking Vaseline and applying it to the raised portion of the design before painting.  After it dried, I wiped where the Vaseline was a prayed that it worked.  It didn't.  Luckily I had more than enough plates so I could afford to mess up a few.  If my Vaseline had maybe been less messy, it might have worked out.  The technique did work in theory, but the end product was too much of a mess.  Seeing how well (or not well) the spray paint was sticking to the plates did inspire me into another technique that did end up on the wall.  After painting, when it was try to the touch but still tacky, I took a piece of sand paper and wiped/scraped away pieces of paint in one direction.  The outcome was imperfect and a little quirky- somehow it worked.

As I mentioned yesterday, I had also purchased 5 plates to potentially add into the mix.  4 made it to the wall, and only 1 will be returned.  I'm really excited to show you the outcome, so without further ado.

Drumroll please.....

Here's my project breakdown:

Existing metal plate art: $0

Plate hangers: $20

4 new plates: $15

Spray paint: $12

PROJECT TOTAL: $47

I think that's pretty good price for art of that size.  What I find super exciting about my new plate art is that it isn't a stagnant piece.  I can interchange plates if I find some at tag sales, or by season, or by my mood, or to match my outfit.

Did you do a DIY project for the Pinterest Challenge?  I'd love to see it!  Link to it in my comments.

I've also linked this project on these link parties:

Young House Love: Pinterest Challenge Projects

Joey & Lana Make a House a Home: Pinterest Challenge Time!

Bower Power Blog: Pinterest Challenge

Creative Blog: Get Your Craft On

Savvy Southern Style: Wow us Wednesday