DIY Hairclip Holding Art

I'm working on the art grouping in my kids Jack & Jill bathroom, when I realize that I've misplaced the glass to one of my frames. Aw bum. I am tearing the place up looking for this tall thin piece of glass, but to no avail! I am terrified one of the kids will "find it" by accidentally stepping on it or scraping their hand along whatever surface I left it on... my poor paranoid mom mind is having visions of a maimed child with a large shard of glass through a foot or hand. *grimace*   I "quarantine" the room I am working in and make all three kids sleep in one bedroom...you know, to keep them from being maimed. Two days later (yep two days) I give up in despair (telling the kids they will never be able to enter that room for the rest of their lives), swearing never to absentmindedly set anything down again (which lasted all of two seconds). Resigned, at least I know what I'm going to do with the glass-less frame...create a hair clip holder for all our fancy clips that can be displayed on the wall! 
Now, before you go call child services, I did find that missing piece of glass...after I completed my project! Get this, it was where I put it for safe-keeping, on the top of a high bookcase. *face palm* Sooooo how many years after having a child can you claim baby brain?? *wry grin*

The Perfect Frame
The perfect frame for this project might just be the ugliest frame you have around, or one that has mysteriously lost it's glass. I spray painted this frame gold, rubbed it with some dark gel stain, and gave a clear protective spray before it was ready for my little project.

Materials

• Glass-less frame
• Fabric of choice
• Ribbon
• Foam or batting
• Thin cork (optional)

Steps

1. Use the frame's matte (or the insert photo) to measure and cut your cork and foam (or batting) to size. Cork is only necessary if you plan to insert pins to hang items from. 

2. Lay foam/cork/batting on top of your fabric and cut giving an extra inch or so. You need to be able to easily wrap the foam/cork/batting in the fabric.

3. There are several styles you can go for with your ribbon: a simple straight down the middle approach (like mine), or you can create a criss-cross design with your ribbon. This is a little more tricky to hold in position while putting into the frame, but doable with an extra set of hands!

4. Set your frame face down, and position your fabric wrapped foam/cork/batting and ribbon in the empty frame. You are going to place the frame backing so that you can pull the fabric and ribbon taut around the outside of it. Once the frame back is secured it should hold the fabric and ribbon very snugly in place. If necessary, trim any excess fabric and ribbon leaving at least a half inch all the way around. Optionally duck tape the edges to the frame back...this will tidy it up a bit and help prevent fraying edges. 

Use this hanging storage to display your practical clips, your prettiest clips, or even your jewelry! I'll be storing my bobby pins...if I can ever find them! My little munchkins were playing princess yesterday, and somehow my pretty clips and all but these two bobby pins disappeared! Well, you'll just have to imagine how great pretty clips look displayed! *chuckle*

It fits well, nestled among the rest of the art grouping I finished a few days ago. In case you missed it, you have to go peak at how I created the art grouping on a total budget of $10! I even put some links to these prints for you... Perhaps there will be a few clever tips you hadn't thought of. *wink*

Bathroom Art On A $10 Budget

This bathroom makeover is on an extremely small budget, which means I'm going to need extremely small budget art. Sometimes you have to be a little clever and do a lot of mixing and matching to get your desired effect on a minimal budget.

Cheap Frames
I picked up some cheap frames from Walmart. Yep, let's call it what it is...cheap, not just inexpensive, cheap. The set of 3 identical gold frames aren't even painted wood, just some mdf wrapped in printed paper, and it didn't even come with glass or a backing. Of course, they came in the golden hue I was looking for, and I couldn't beat the price at a $1.97 each.
So how do you create an art arrangement without glass or backings? Well, I made a visit to my local Goodwill and picked up a few really ugly framed art for 50 cents each in the same general size as my Walmart frames! Sneaky huh? I now have glass, mattes, and backing for my new frames. It doesn't even need to fit exactly, see the tiny gap? It doesn't seem to make a difference once the tabs from the Walmart frames are pushed down.

I was pretty thrilled to find two other (much nicer) frames for 50 cents each (yay for half price day!)...I love Goodwill! 

Making It Pretty
Bring some quality to your art with the little things. Matte for one, a double matte always looks more professional than a single layer. I salvaged a few black and off white mattes to pair with the ones I got from the Goodwill pictures. 

Don't stop there! Thrifted frames can often use a little something-something, like spray paint, or super glued bling! *grin* I used a few braces to style the painted vanity in this bathroom, and I wanted to repeat it in another area of the room. I think it would have made an even greater impact with gold braces on a black frame...but since we are going for gold on gold in this bathroom...

With this frame, I sprayed it gold then rubbed it with some gel stain. A final coat of clear protective spray, it was ready for its debut! In the next post I'll share how I turned it into a hair clip holder!

Free Prints
Maybe it's just me, but I seem to have horrible luck when it comes to finding great art. I sift through Etsy, then get scared off by the idea of paying $20+ per print. Not that there aren't rooms I want high quality art in, but let's be realistic...when you crack open some pretty framed print you found for $50 at a home decor store, you might be surprised to find a flimsy piece of paper that has been printed on, and often a matte with a painted rim made to appear that it has been double matted! It gets me every time!
Sometimes you can find lovely prints that are public domain online. I decided for this project to only use prints from a great website called Vintage Printable. Here are links to all the prints I used (and a few I considered)!

• The Woodcut In England
• British Bridge
• Landscape - Irish 4
• Landscape -Irish 6
• Landscape - Irish 9
• Landscape - Irish 15
• London - Pancras Station
• Seascape - Couple Walking
• Insect - Butterfly

Home Printer vs. Professional Printers

You can easily print these pictures from home, but if you don't have a special photo quality printer, you might want to save your ink and take them to your local office store. Of course, it depends on the print... prints with a lot of black or dark colors seem to do better printed from a professional printer, as do prints of photos. However, if you like the muted colors and it is a print of a painting, you might prefer to save your pennies and print from home. I started by printing mine out at home, but took three prints to Staples to preserve the dark hues and get a smoother print.

Testing The Arrangement
I like to hang my frames before deciding which print will go where. Sometimes you get them up there and aren't thrilled with the compilation. Use a little painters tape (or regular tape at the very edge) to see the grouping and figure out what you like.

My first take... I really liked the butterfly, but it didn't make the cut after adding a matte. Two others were also cut, while others where simply moved around until they complimented each other properly.

Some people consider art the icing on the cake, the cherry on top, the finishing touch. Well, I may not be finished with my bathroom makeover, but sometimes the art helps set the style and tone of the space and needs to come just before extra decorative touches. 

Project Cost Breakdown

• Walmart frames: 3 @ 1.97 ea. = $5.91
• Goodwill pictures (frames, mattes, & glass): 5 @ 50 cents ea. = $2.50
• Staples prints: 3 @ 49 cents ea. = $1.47 (minus my Staples reward = $0)
• 3 extra mattes: Salvaged from old photos I already owned and hated = $0

Not too bad for an under $10 project right?

October Highlights & Happenings

Goodness, I blinked and October was over! I'm not sure I'm ready for the holiday season, I still have about 50 other projects I thought I'd have complete before the holiday guest rush! 

Last Little Bit Of Harvest
Well, if cold weather wasn't official before, it is now! Not only have the leaves turned gorgeous yellows and reds, but sunny days here in Northeast Ohio have had quite a nip to them. I rescued the last of my garden harvest before turning it over for my winter crops. I picked the last of my peppers, summer lettuce, and tomatoes right before the first snow hit! Can you believe it? It iced everything over before I realized it was expected. I'm getting ready to cover my raised deck beds with the tarp cover, mulch and cover my container garden for the winter.

I have been thinking about planting some bok choy, and a few other cold weather crops... it will be a first for me, so I'll have to do a bit of reading up! Do you winter sow? What are your favorite winter crops?

FAQ's
I've been getting a lot of emails asking for advice on organizing and DIY, so I thought I'd share a few of those Q & A's with you, perhaps it will answer a question you have. 
On a side note, you have all been so lovely and supportive in your comments and emails! You have encouraged me, and brought a smile to my face during the tough times! I just wanted to let you know.

Q. "I want to be organized and tidy, but I don't know where to start! I feel overwhelmed every time I look around my house. Help!"
A. Oh honey, I feel your pain! I have not yet "arrived" (whatever that is!), and I have often felt that way in the past. Rather than looking at the whole mess, and trying to tackle it all at once, take it one bite size at a time. I move through my house small space, by small space, and I don't organize a new space until I have figured out what works for me and the kids to keep it comfortably tidy (maybe not perfect, just tidy). Start with that one thing that makes you tick most. Maybe you sigh when the kids drop their coats on the floor by the front door after school and you hate that the pizza guy see's a messy entry. Buy a coat rack, tell the kids "we are no longer throwing coats on the floor, it goes on the rack", remind/practice/enforce/reward consistently until it becomes a habit for all. Then move to the next thing that makes you tick!

Q. "It seems like all these bloggers have a husbands to build stuff for them...I noticed you seem to build things yourself. I'm a single mom and I want a lovely home too! Is it even possible to DIY alone?"
A. Absolutely! I'm sure it is wonderful to have second pair of hands to help, but not everyone has that luxury. My darling husband is not in the least bit handy, so I opt to go it alone. It just means you have to be a little more creative about how you accomplish projects... I suggest good set of clamps. Oh, and if you ever feel like you're missing out, just remember that you don't have any unwanted input, you get to make all the design decisions yourself! *grin*

Q.  "I think I am ready for the big step [organizing]. The only concern I have is: will I still be able to live freely? ...I'm a bit afraid to live in a museum and to be too stiff".
A.  I am messy by nature. It is the reason I have to organize my spaces so carefully... I try to put things in such a way that it is easy for me to keep it that way. So no, I don't think organizing should make your life stiff, if anything it should make you more free, and happier with the outcome. If one way makes life difficult, try a different way that works with how you operate.

The Ongoing Projects
My bathroom projects are spilling over into the month of November, but that is because I'm determined to hit two bathrooms with one stone (or splash of paint). The powder room is pretty straight forward, but the real task is the girls bathroom. Here are a few projects I have already accomplished to that end...

HOW TO STAIN A BASKET
click here to read more

Can't find baskets in the shade you love? Stain it!

DIY GOLD PAINTED BOWLS
click here to read more

Add a little sparkle with DIY decorative painted bowls!

RECESSED BATHROOM STORAGE
click here to read more

See the before and after of this storage space!

The plan is to finish the bathrooms before the holiday rush, so look forward to some reveals in November! 

Recessed Bathroom Storage

I hate wasted space, so the idea of using the wall space behind the shower as recessed storage I find brilliant! The application of my particular space, not so brilliant. I'm afraid this space needed a little de-uglify-ing, and a quite bit of organization. What do you think?

While I was initially happy to have storage space behind closed doors, and I think the creative idea of using shutters as cabinet doors is fantastic, I'm afraid these doors aren't doing the job. Sadly they were not installed very well, so one cabinet door keeps banging against the bathroom door, while the other only occasionally stays closed. I think each and every member of this family has banged their head on that cabinet door at least twice. *wince* Time to remove these obnoxious things.

Some jobs are easier said than done... the doors are finally removed after many days of chipping paint off screws, then crying and gnashing of teeth trying to remove the stripped screws! I was not pleased with the condition of the wood trim, but I can't seem to remove the trim without causing cracks in the walls! Because of the way in which these shelves and trim have been installed, I've decided I can't risk damage by removal, and I will just have to make the best of it. I'm adding a little extra trim to the shelves, chipping and smoothing as much old paint as possible, and giving it a fresh coat.

I admit I am still not pleased with the trim, but a paint job will help freshen things up a bit. The blue-grey paint is the same used on the Painted Vanity to bring some continuity to the space. A few more coats of white paint on the trim, and I'll be ready to organize!

If you are going to have open storage, it has to be pretty as well as practical. In my opinion there is no prettier (or more practical) storage solution than baskets. I have quite a few items that I need to organize and stored in this bathroom, so I'm going to need a few good baskets.

Why are baskets so expensive? I'm seriously considering a weaving class. Thankfully I got a half decent deal on some large baskets at Kohls that fit perfectly....and just! You know how I am about coupons (it's a full-on love affair!), so you can't imagine my glee when I found one coupon for $5 off any Kohls purchase of $5 or more, and Kohls $10 off coupon!! Combining high value coupons with 70% off sales = 3 large baskets and a very happy me! 

I also wanted a few smaller baskets in a similar dark shade for the girls to store smaller easy grab items such as their hair brushes, soap, and wash cloths. I couldn't find any, but I did stain a few baskets which worked perfectly! These little baskets made the perfect 'easy grab' storage for hair brushes, soap, and wash rags. 

Of course, baskets don't hold the market on storage. I also love kitchen gear in just about any room used as storage. I've used jars, serving trays, cups, and now bowls as storage! These spray painted bowls hold hair bands and nail clippers in easy reach of the kids, and the higher up bowls hold cotton balls, nail & foot brushes, bath fizzers, and more!

I'm so happy everything fit back in this bathroom I could cry. A little dramatic? Yeahhh, I really hated the storage before. Now, I did store a few of these containers under the painted vanity, but other than that, everything fit perfectly (with room to spare) in the recessed storage area. As a matter of fact, I had so much room to spare, I didn't know what to do with the extra shelf space...well this is a first! 

So, what do you think of the open recessed storage now?

Linky Love:

Remodelaholics

The Golden Touch...Storage Bowls

I've always been a brushed chrome girl...until now! 
Deciding not to replace the pretty gold fixtures in our upstairs bathroom was the best decision I ever made for that space! Now I'm falling head over heels in love with gold, an affair I may not soon get over.

A month ago I purchased Krylon metallic gold spray paint with the idea to paint these awesome bowls I found at Goodwill for $1 each. I love the orange, but since I'm going for gold accessories for my upstairs bathroom, the orange has to go.

Well, lo' and behold I see the most beautiful image on Pinterest of gold sprayed mugs by Garland of Grace blog *swoon*. I literally yelled out loud "hey I did that too!". I don't usually read tutorials (what with my aversion to directions), but I couldn't peel my eyes away from that tutorial because of the gorgeous photos! I wish I had run across it before I completed my bowls, apparently I made the same set of mistakes she did *giggle*... great minds, and all that...

I have three medium bowls and three small bowls. The three large I taped off to paint the inside (with just a hint of the rim exposed), and the three small I created designs using painters tape before spraying. 

When I peeled the tape back after it dried, I got a little bit of a rough edge...so definitely peel it before it has dried completely. I find that I kind of like a little bit of "rough edge", but only slightly...  Here's a great little tip I stumbled on 5 bowls later. To get slightly blurred edges, remove the tape before it dries completely, then spray the clear sealant right away. The force of the clear spray causes the edges to "bleed" slightly if the gold paint is heavy and still wet. It makes for a neat effect! 

I am looking for pretty ways to store practical things in the bathroom, and I'd say these bowls are it! Nail clippers, hair bands, soap, floss, you name it...

Remember, once you spray the inside of these bowls, they become purely decorative.
Whether you use these decorative bowls as storage in a bathroom space, or in any other space in your home, every home needs a little golden touch!

How To Stain A Basket

Are you reading this title asking why in the world you would ever need to stain a basket? Yeah, I know, we typically look for that finished product that already matches all our criteria. Which means our baskets are already perfectly stained.
Well I have been looking for the perfect small basket that will match the large dark stained ones I found for my upstairs bathroom, but to no avail! Then it occurred to me, why limit my search by looking for the perfect shade when I can create that shade myself?

After my "oh duhh" moment I realized that I already owned the perfect baskets for the job...and while I love the beautiful bleach tint, I needed these baskets to blend with the dark shades I had already chosen for my bathroom space. 

So when you want to pinch those extra pennies, look around your house at what you already own, or perhaps feel more free to search the thrift stores and craft store deals for that perfect shape and texture, knowing that you may be able to tweak the stain. Look for baskets without a hardened enamel-like coating, and haven't already been painted...these are not ideal for staining (although not impossible). Consider painting these types of baskets, or giving them a good sanding before staining. Your ideal baskets are those with a textured or grass-like material, these absorb stain without any prep work. 

Materials

• Gel stain
• Small - medium paint brush
• Rag
• Disposable gloves
• Wipe-on polyurethane

Make sure you have adequate ventilation for this project. While the staining only took me 8 minutes per basket, this project takes several days for the stain and finish to set, so find a covered outdoor space or garage where you will have good ventilation, and you can leave your baskets to dry multiple nights. 

Step 1. Use a cheap stiff bristled paint brush to apply the stain. A rag won't do it...you will definitely need that paint brush to get in all the cross-over grooves, just use a dabbing action to punch stain into the grooves. Be sure to use a brush you can throw away when you are done. 

Step 2. Use a rag to wipe off the excess stain. Getting the desired tint or shade all depends on how much you apply, how long you leave it, and how much of the stain you wipe off. 
After applying and wiping off the excess stain on all sides (including the inside), and you are satisfied with the results, allow it to dry for 12 hours. 

Step 3. Finally seal your stain using a wipe on polyurethane. I used a thin coat of Minwax clear gloss wipe-on poly. You only need one thin coat of poly wiped on with a rag. Allow it to set for at least 72 hours before using it. Then enjoy your perfectly stained basket!