Remember how I told you I have had this old window sitting in my garage for over a year? I am so excited that it has finally been put to good use!

I really liked the rustic look of the old window and how it was distressed, but for this particular project I decided to freshen it up by spray painting it. I taped around the window panes and then covered them with paper so they would not get painted. I sprayed primer first, then white satin spray paint.


Then I painted one of the window panes with chalkboard paint. Michaels carries a chalkboard spray paint that makes it super quick and easy!


I made over another pane into a corkboard. You can buy cork in different sizes at Michaels or you can buy a large roll of it and cut it to fit whatever size you need. Since the window pane was so large, that was the option I went for. I measured it and cut it with an x-acto knife (well actually my husband Kevin did it for me!) I did two layers of it onto the pane so the cork would be thick enough to tack items onto it. I adhered the cork onto the window with my trusty E6000 glue. I am sure you could also use a hot glue gun or different adhesive tapes.



I made the last pane into a faux whiteboard. I just stuck a piece of white posterboard to the back of the pane and so it has a white background and I can write with dry erase markers right on the glass!

I use this whiteboard section for remembering things that are going on during the week, or messages that I want to write to my family as reminders or love notes.


This project was such a fun project and I will get a lot of use of it in my home now. There are always so many things to keep track of in our family and with this message board I can stay on top of it all!

If you are looking for more ideas on how to re-purpose old windows, check out our altered window frame tutorial and our altered window message board.


Don't forget to check out the Michaels Lookbook for more inspiration for your own re-love and re-purpose projects!

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I am always amazed at how many clever things people come up with. Check out this awesome idea from our friend, Shelley.

Did you know you can use silverware to make drapery hooks? Yep. Here's my bathroom. It seriously needed some color and I found a bag of silverware at Goodwill for $4. I didn't even come close to using it all. Score!

First you'll need to choose the pieces you want. Then using a metal drill bit, drill holes that will fit your screws in the blade of the knife, or the handle of the spoon or fork. Bend them to make the hooks. Sorry there isn't any pictures of the drilling part. Kinda hard to take pictures and drill at the same time.

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We have a great tutorial that our sweet friend, Shelley was kind enough to share with us today. I love this skirt! So adorable that I wish one for myself! Take it away, Shelley...

So it's time for family pictures again and I wanted something super cute for my daughter to wear. I've been looking for a while and still didn't find anything. I decided I needed to make the skirt I wanted for her and it only took less than an hour and a half. Here's how.

I used a twin size bedsheet in tan. Trim the seamed edges off. I used 3 strips lengthwise. Cut a little at the end and tear the rest of the way. So quick and easy. Each strip was about 4 inches wide.
I tore another strip about 3 inches wide for the flower. Fold the 3 inch strip in half and gather. I love my gathering foot for my sewing machine!


Make a simple A-line skirt to fit your little girl. Sew the sides of the front and back together.

Next I pinned the ruffles in place. One goes all the way around the back and makes kind of a V in front.  I added a small piece of ruffle under the V.  Stitch the ruffles down.

After you have added all the ruffle, I used a cereal bowl to loosely mark a large circle to use as a guide for the flower.

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This is the first time we've had a real tree in 11 years. The first year we were married we had one, and it was such a disaster that we bought a fake one the next year to save our marriage. But this year we got a real one (out of necessity) and it has been so fun! I mentioned a while ago that I was making all the ornaments for my tree this year since my real ornaments are in storage. Well, except for a few glittery snowflakes from Hobby Lobby, I did it! Here are a bunch of quick and easy ornaments you can make to decorate a tree or use as gift tags, gift toppers, etc. this year, or pin them for next year! Read on!

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This is the first time in 5 years I've had a real mantel to decorate for Christmas, so I was determined to fill it! I've seen an idea or two like this on Pinterest and thought they looked pretty simple to make. Umm, hate to admit it, but it was more than simple. It was waaaay too easy for something so cute! Even though you probably don't need it, here's a quick tutorial on how to make a framed ornament for your holiday decor.
Framed Christmas Ornament TutorialPin It

Supplies
*Open frame (no glass or backing)
*Christmas ornament
*Wide ribbon

1. Here is my $7 thrift store frame. It was a really nice frame, but someone tried to enhance it by adding a blue stripe of paint. Not so nice. So I quickly spray painted it white.


Yep, that's it! Then I propped it up on my mantel. Fancy, huh?

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When I first moved to Seattle, I noticed there was a sort of "uniform" that locals subscribed to: jeans and a black North Face fleece jacket. Comfort is king there. And I loved that no one cares what you look like--they take you as you are, even if you show up at the Symphony in jeans and fleece. It was very freeing. My first week in Iowa City I noticed a different kind of local uniform: Iowa gear. Anything and everything that says Iowa, Hawkeyes, or Iowa Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes are like a religion here. No, more than that--a way of life. College kids, moms, babies, old men, it doesn't matter--they're all walking around proudly promoting their team. It's always appropriate, like the jeans and fleece in Seattle. I had to get in on it.

Saturday was a big day. The first game for the Iowa Hawkeyes football 2011 season. The first game in which I would be in attendance. Which means I had to get some Iowa gear, quick! Do you know how hard it is to find college team maternity wear? At least under $30? It's hard people, very hard. So I decided to make my own.

{Please try to forgive the awkward self-portraits. I'm home alone all day, okay? Just hoping the neighbors haven't noticed me out in the yard posing yet.}

Here are some simple steps to alter a men's t-shirt into a womens size, even if you're not looking for maternity. Just take in a little more than I did.

Alter A Mens T-Shirt Into Womens (and/or Maternity) Size Tutorial

Supplies:
*T-shirt 1-2 sizes larger than your size (for maternity), or your regular size for non-maternity
*1/4" elastic (about a yard will be plenty)
*Sewing machine, matching thread, scissors, ruler, sewing marking pencil

1. Get a t-shirt. If you're not going for maternity, a t-shirt that fits like a men's size should will be fine. You'll mostly be altering the neckline and sleeves. If you want some room for baby, go bigger, like 1-2 sizes up. I would normally wear a men's small, so I went with a large. Found this beauty at the consignment shop for $4.99.

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