Jewelry Organization

I have been trying to come up with a good way to organize and store my jewelry for a really long time! I have been through so many different jewelry boxes, in all shapes and sizes, but nothing was working for me.

My Dilemmas

- I was trying to store my jewelry in our master bedroom.
- Our bathroom is tiny, so I shower in our bathroom, throw on some clothes, and then head downstairs to do my hair and makeup in the bigger bathroom.
- Once I am downstairs, I never make it back upstairs.
- I usually end up taking my earrings and bracelets off at some point in the afternoon or early evening, so they end up scattered throughout the downstairs.

My Jewelry Storage Requirements

- Must to be able to hang up all of my necklaces
- Must to be able to store all jewelry in one place
- Must to be closed storage, not out in the open
- Must be in the downstairs bathroom


I was putting some things away in the down stairs bathroom the other day, and I realized that I had a lot of wasted space in the cabinets. It just kind of hit me, that with a little bit of rearranging, I had the perfect spot.

I picked out a shelf and then got to work. I knew I wanted something to hang my necklaces across the back of the cabinet. My first thought was to cut a piece of scrap wood and then add some type of hooks or nails. I waited a few days and realized that I could make it even simpler. I grabbed a piece foam core board that I had on hand and then covered it in a piece of scrap fabric from my stash using duck tape.

Once my board was all cute, I add clear pushpins across the back. I put the board in the cabinet and then put all of my jewelry in.

I had plenty of room to hang all of my necklaces. I added a few ceramic egg crates that I already had for earrings, and then a small jewelry box that I already had for bracelets. I just placed my watches on the shelf and then added a small tray for a few more earrings that didn't quite fit in the egg crates. The little white elephant (Roll Tide) hold my wedding rings when I am not wearing them.

I have been using this system since the first of the year, and it is working beautifully! I no longer have to hunt for wear I last put my gold hoops or my watch.

I should have taken the time to repaint the inside of this cabinet, but I just didn't have it in me. I did  clean out and organize the rest of the cabinet, so it really is a WIN!

Where to you store your jewelry?

Painted Project - Another Personalized Canvas

If you know me in "real life", or have been reading this blog since the early years, you may know that I used to paint frames, canvases, and letters on a regular basis. It was something that I enjoyed when I only had one little baby that slept all the time. I had a small etsy shop (that makes me cringe when I look back at the stuff I painted, and the terrible pictures I posted). Yikes. I mostly painted custom orders for people that were local to me. I eventually got busier than I could keep up with, so I just quit taking orders.

I don't paint all the time anymore, but sometimes I just get in the mood to paint. A friend of mine is expecting her first baby soon, so this seemed like the perfect time to get my paint brushes back out.

If you follow me on IG, you saw this sneak peek last week.

Here is the finished canvas. This sweet girl has been given such a beautiful name!

Here is a peek at the bedding set that this was painted to go with.

Now you know what I have been working on lately.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for What You Wish Wednesday to link-up all of your posts.

And then for this new 31 Day Series! I'm so excited! If you are participating in the Nester's 31 Day Series Challenge, please leave a comment here so that I can follow along. I can't wait to see everyone's topics.




Linking up to:
What You Wish Wednesday
Your Designs This Time - Little House of Four

How To Recover an Ugly Notebook

I have a super quick little craft project for you today.

A few weeks ago I decided that we should switch several rooms around in our house. It has been kind of crazy around here with all of the furniture moving, putting new furniture together, moving cables, getting rid of junk, and so on. We are making progress, but sometimes you just need to do a quick project just for fun.

This is that project.

I normally would probably not recover a notebook. I would just buy a pretty notebook to begin with. But this particular notebook is kind of special. I found it a few weeks ago at my parent's house while going through more of my Mom's stuff. She had tons of notebooks for lists, and recipes, and all kinds of things. When I opened this notebook it had a Thanksgiving Menu List and a few recipes. She had only written on a few pages, so I decided to keep it and use it. I know I'll enjoy seeing her handwriting when I flip through it. I also knew that I would enjoy the notebook more if I liked the cover.

Nothing a little scrapbook paper and Mod Podge can't fix!

Supplies Needed
Notebook
Scrapbook Paper
Paper Cutter or Ruler, Pencil, and Scissors
Mod Podge
Paint Brush

- Measure the cover of your notebook and cut the scrapbook paper 1" wider and 1/2" longer than the cover

 (sorry that this pic is a little blurry)

- Completely cover the front cover of the notebook with Mod Podge using a paint brush

- Attach the paper to the front of the cover. I have the best results by starting at the top (make sure it is centered), and then smoothing it out slowly working my way to the bottom.

- Turn the cover over and fold the paper that in towards the cover making a nice crease.
- Open it back up and then add Mod Podge to the extra and fold over on the notebook to make a nice clean edge. Do the 2 sides first.

 - Cut the little corners off of the bottom and then repeat the previous step for the bottom.
 

- You now have nice clean edges on your notebook.

I stop here, but you can apply Mod Podge to the front of the cover to make it a little more durable. I would suggest using the Matte finish if you do this step.

This is such an easy project. It took me less than 5 minutes from start to finish. It was nice to actually finish a project!

Have you ever recovered an ugly notebook?




Linking this project to:

What You Wish Wednesday

Painted Patio Sign

Every now and then, I feel like I must paint something. I had a few scrap pieces of plywood leftover from a project, so I decided to paint a sign for our back patio.

I knew I wanted something with stripes, and had colors picked out, but deciding what I wanted the sign to say was hard. It took me a long time to finally decide. I wanted something welcoming, but not formal. I finally ended up going with "Hey Y'all". I do living in South Alabama, so it seemed appropriate.

I had all of the supplies on hand, so this didn't cost me anything to make.

Supplies 
-scrap plywood
-paint
-various paint brushes
-drill to drill holes with
-a piece of scrap wire to make hanger

It felt good to get the paint brushes out for something fun.


I am linking this post to these blog parties. Please go check them out.
It's Overflowing
Liz Marie Blog
House of Rose
Blissfully Ever After
Love of Home and Family
Tatertots and Jello
Suburbs Mama
Making Home Base
Design, Dining + Diapers
Frugal Friday - The Shabby Nest 

Entryway Updates

Let's take a look back at where this entryway started.

When we moved in to this house about 3 years ago, the entryway looked like this. (This is after we painted the walls, tiled the floors, replaced the green shaggy carpet, and added a shade to the odd light fixture.) The interior side of the front doors started out white. The white was pretty dingy looking, so I painted them the same blackish, brown that I painted the exterior side. I was already painting, so I just went for it. It was a nice change, but it made this dark entryway even darker.

In December, I was finally ready for a change, so I decided to paint the doors a medium gray. I knew that a dark gray or black wouldn't help the the room feel any lighter, and I knew that I didn't want white or a bright color. I have to fess up, though. The doors still need a second coat of paint. The weather has been terrible for painting. I need a nice pretty day, on a day that I can actually stay home, so that I can finish this.

I don't know how this works at your house, but one change usually leads to a series of changes at our house.  I began feeling the need to move all of our artwork around, and when I say all, it really did end up being most of the artwork in the main areas of our house.

 This is a canvas that I initially painted to go above the love seat in the living room. I decided that this entryway needed a nice dose of color, so I moved it here. The artwork that was here got moved to the dining room.

Hopefully, you noticed the new light fixture. One of my friends was changing out some lights in her new house and passed this one on to me. I was pretty excited about it. It was exactly what I have been wanting to go in here. 

 I also added hooks and a framed print. You can read all about that change and find the free printable here.

What do you think about the changes? These updates cost me less than $2! I had the paint for the doors from another project, and everything else was stuff that I was given or already owned. I just had to print the "Home Sweet Home" print.

Have you done anything to brighten up a space in your home recently?


I am linking this post to these blog parties. Please go check them out.
A Bowl Full of Lemons
The Pearl Blog - All Things Pretty Part-ay
Liz Marie Blog
House of Rose
Blissfully Ever After
Love of Home and Family
Tatertots and Jello
I Heart Nap Time
Lil' Luna
Somewhat Simple
Today's Creative Blog
Suburbs Mama
Making Home Base
Design, Dining + Diapers
Frugal Friday - The Shabby Nest 
It's Overflowing

Henry Turns 3!

I am back from a much needed mini vacay with husband. It was long overdue considering we haven't been anywhere alone for fun since before I new I was pregnant with Henry. Now it is time to play catch up and I am gong to start with Henry's Birthday. It was a week and a half ago.

My BABY is THREE!
He is very into Jake and the Neverland Pirates and has been asking for a "PINK JAKE COOKIE CAKE" for about a month. I opted for chocolate icing instead of pink, so he picked pink candles. We kept his birthday party very low key this year and just invited the family over for grilled burgers and chips. It was nice and relaxed. It was nice to just enjoy Henry on his special day and not have a ton of projects to finish up.

I mentioned in a post last week that I got his birthday gift done just in time for his birthday. It was not a hard project, but I needed a nice day so that I could spray paint. I finally got a nice day 3 days before his birthday, and only his nap time to turn a faded second hand Cozy Coupe into a Batmobile. I saw one of these on Pinterest many months ago and knew that the next time I saw one posted for sale I was going to scoop it up and paint one for Henry. I used 2 cans of Krylon Fusion Paint in a black, satin finish and then had a friend make the Batman decals out of vinyl. The decals ended up being WAY too big, so I just traced the logo on the back of the vinyl, painted the front with some yellow acrylic paint that I had on hand (it was midnight the night before H's b-day), and then cut them out. I may do something else later on, but this was the quick fix I needed for the time being.

He was pretty excited, and I must say he looks pretty cool in this thing.

Linking up to these Blog Parties Tatertots and Jello - A Bowl Full of Lemons - The Bliss Diaries - Positely Splendid - Delightful Order - It's Overflowing - The Shabby Nest 
-House of Hepworths 

Dipped

 I am still really liking things with the dipped look these days. Especially in the form of accessories.

 I bought two unfinished wooden boxes from Hobby Lobby a while back, but had left them untouched for months. I have been waiting for inspiration to strike.

I was browsing Urban Outfitters on-line last week (and filling up my "stuff I'd like to have" board on Pinterest) and these Dipped Wood Boxes caught my attention. They were not the exact colors I was looking for, but how about they were the perfect look for the unfinished wooden boxes that I already had. And I could choose the paint colors.

I got out my boxes, painters tape and paint and had these done in about 15 minutes. It was super fast and easy.

I am hoping that next week I can show them to you in their home on the media center. If you follow me on instagram you know that I am currently giving it a makeover. It has been one of the most time consuming projects I have taken on lately, but I am sure that it will be worth it.

Linking up to these Blog Parties

A Bowl Full of Lemons - The Bliss Diaries - Positely Splendid - Delightful Order - It's Overflowing - The Shabby Nest

House of Hepworths