Pinterest Party: Lamp DIY

A few months ago, my mom gave me these literally butt ugly lamps that she was getting rid of and that I planned to give a little love and redo. I wanted them to replace the crappy Ikea lamps beside our bed that are awful and half broken. Well, life happened and the lamps sat in probably every room in the house waiting for new life. Finally, when I had no choice but to make the office into a nursery, the lamps ended up in my bedroom and I just couldn't look at them, so I started to refinish them.

I wanted something simple. I did some Pinterest searching but really didn't find anything I liked too much. I did see a cool lampshade using sisal rope, so I bought some of that and started in on the lamp shade. It took a lot more rope than I thought! Almost two rolls per shade! Then I painted the stand. I have to do a little touch up on the shade and I'm not sold on the stand. I think I might add a stripe or two of another color and maybe a gloss on top. This is only one of two, so once I get this one squared away the other should be smooth sailing.

I'll post an update once the lamp or both lamps are completely done.

Nursery Sneak Peak: Reading Wall

Here's a sneak peak at part of the nursery that I'm really proud of. This was pretty much a total DIY project that I pulled together from looking at multiple pictures on Pinterest. We don't really have a theme for the nursery but I wanted the books to be the focal point. You know me!

It was rather simple looking back. We painted some old shelves from my parents house for the books. I bought a few books from Half Price Books and pulled a few pages to frame. I painted the READ letters. I found the Dr. Seuss print in the Dollar Section at Target and added a ribbon to hang it. 

It was pretty affordable as well. The only items I had to buy were the paint for the shelves (which I'm also using for the dresser/changing table), the letters, books and frames. I love using books as art, so this is the perfect display. I kind of want it in other rooms too!

Below the book wall, we bought a cube shelf from Target to hold more books (are you really surprised), toys and blankets. It's working out pretty well for now. Baby Lane already has so many books and toys!

That's today's preview. Hopefully by next week I'll have the changing table done and the "gallery wall" completed. We built the crib last weekend, so progress is definitely being made and we are almost ready for Baby Lane's arrival.

Christmas DIY: Beer Cap Coasters

Do you ever find that you have multiple bottle caps in your beer area, especially after a picnic or holiday party? I keep them in a bowl in our bar area in the hopes that I will have enough if I every do one of those great Pinterest projects using beer caps or wine corks.

One of the ones I had pinned was beer cap coasters. I made them tonight for my sister's fiance. The coasters are incredibly easy. The only supplies you need are beer caps and a hot glue gun. You might also want to grab some cardboard to glue on.

Arrange the beer caps in an order that you like. Keep in mind that you will need 16. I guess you could do it with nine but I found it looked better with the larger number. With that being said though, I only made a set of two rather than hat I hoped would be four or six. 

Here's a picture of the coasters.

Happy Holidays!

A Few Pins I'd Like to Actually Try

What is your relationship with Pinterest? Is it a love-hate relationship like mine? I love Pinterest but sometimes it can be quite overwhelming. There is too much there. Too many pins to try. Too many pins to make you feel inadequate about what you are already doing in life. Too many distractions. I'd like to say I do a lot of what I pin but who am I kidding - I don't have the time for that. Here are a few pins though that if time permits in the next few months I would definitely like to try.

Bike Wreath

(Photo courtesy of REI.)

I make a wreath every year anyways, so this pin shouldn't be too hard to accomplish. I just need to find a bike wheel. The instructions seem pretty simple. If anyone wants to learn to make a wreath, let me know! It is one domestic skill I have!

Mail Art

(Photo courtesy of The Realistic Mama.)

I'm one of the few people that still sends snail mail. I love sending it and admit it - who doesn't love receiving mail that isn't a bill, ad or junk. Everyone should be shaking their head yes! Now, I just to actually remember to do this when I send mail. I have three cards currently waiting to go out, so maybe I'll start there. This blog has some great suggestions to make mail prettier in the mailbox.

Layered Picture Frames

(Photo courtesy of Beneath My Heart.)

I doubt that I would do this for the apartment but fingers crossed if we ever get to move into a house I love this photo arrangement. I'd want to use my own artwork and black and white photos from places that Dennis and I have been together. 

There are so many more pins I want to try but I'm limited by time, money, space and tools. I remember what planning a wedding was like with Pinterest, now I'm obsessed with home decor and all I have is an apartment where I can't paint and am running out of space. Sigh...

Happy Pinning!