Handmade Gift Exchange: Hand-Painted Tea Towels

I was so excited to take part in the Summer edition of the Handmade Gift Exchange. Twice a year, Linda from Craftaholics Anonymous, hosts a Handmade Gift Exchange where you give and get a handmade gift! So, what's my fascination?  I've always had a fondness for pen pals.  In high school I had a pen pal from England who I wrote for years and when I first met my husband, and still to this day, we write each other while he's fishing in Alaska.  There's something so exciting about getting something (other than bills) in the mail and something even more exciting about gifts in the mail.

My giftee was Rhonda from the amazing Mrs. Greene who hails from Michigan.  I totally failed at being super creative (especially as I see all the other gifts that were made), but I hope that I was at least a little creative in creating two Michigan inspired hand-painted tea towels.

Houzz: DIY Backyard Hanging Shelves

If you're anything like me, you don't bat an eye at adorning your interior walls with colorful accessories. So why does your fence remain a blank slate? Take advantage of the vertical space your fence provides by enhancing it with potted plants. This simple DIY hanging shelf adds visual interest and color to your outdoor space without taking up prime real estate.

Other design by Media And Blogs Meg Padgett

Other design by Media And Blogs Meg Padgett

Not only is this a simple way to add some style to your backyard but it's also incredibly inexpensive.  For the full tutorial, jump on over to my Houzz ideabook.



Disclaimer:  As a Contributor for Houzz, I have been compensated for any Ideabooks featured on Houzz, although I am not compensated for sharing Houzz Ideabooks on Revamp Homegoods.  All opinions expressed here are that of the writer and are in no way influenced by Houzz.

DIY // How To Install Vintage Glass-Paned Door

I'm sure Lewis & Clark would have made that exclamation if they were here to see our door transformation.  Remember our back door...or better yet, lack thereof?  Our mudroom has been open to the elements aside from a sheet of black plastic for quite awhile now while we've been working on the foundation and subfloor.  Luckily there's about a million doors in this house and the back of the house has two entry doors so security was never an issue, but it was still an eyesore.  I don't know about you, but I'm not too keen on plastic doorways.  They just don't have that "welcome" feel that I like to have at my home.  Little by little we've tackled each obstacle and finally we were at the point of putting the door back in and no way was that hideous old door returning.

In terms of picking a new door, you may think the choices are endless, right?  Not in our case. 

Houzz: DIY Pathway Puts Landscapes on the Right Track

I thought I'd take a short break from our hard work outdoors preparing for the hub's big send-off/30th bday party on Saturday (you'll see what I'm doing soon!) and share my second article as a Guest Contributor soon to be (hopefully!) "Contributor" on Houzz.com ~ it's a little more in-depth take on our pea gravel pathway.

DIY Pathway Puts Landscapes on the Right Track

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More »

Browse Storage And Organization on Houzz- For Example:

Baskets · Bookcases Cabinets And Computer Armoires · Closet Organizers · Clothes And Shoes Organizers · Medicine Cabinets · Shoeracks · Storage Boxes · Wall Shelves ·

We're still loving this pathway, but STILL waiting for the damn grass to grow in.  Can we please get some sunshine down here?!

To stay in the loop, consider following me on Houzz?  And, might I recommend browsing the inspiration photos, as well.  You'll definitely thank me for it!




Disclaimer:  As a Contributor for Houzz, I have been compensated for any Ideabooks featured on Houzz, although I am not compensated for sharing Houzz Ideabooks on Revamp Homegoods.  All opinions expressed here are that of the writer and are in no way influenced by Houzz.

In The Houzz!

So, remember when I posted a cryptic message on Facebook where I mentioned "a new development"?  Well...I'M CONTRIBUTING FOR Houzz!  {Picture me jumping up and down with a cheshire grin.}  Now, picture me pictured in the Contributors list.  Can't?  Okay, let me help you.  Okay I can't help you quite yet, as I'm on a trial period before I get the official "You're A Contributor" email.  Still, I'm excited to just be a part of this site {even if it ends up being only 4 weeks.}  My public profile will just have to suffice for now...

What's Houzz, you sheepishly ask?  Well to me, Houzz is my favorite place to look for design ideas for the home.  They have an amazing database of interior and exterior photos for every room & style in a

DIY Kid's Felt Board

I'm always trying to think of activities to keep my little man entertained.  He's at that age where he's starting to get into pretend play.  Something I remember from growing up was a felt board.  I thought this was the perfect way he could express his creativity and it could also be used for learning activities.

Not only is it pretty simple to make a felt board, but it is also pretty inexpensive too.

Supplies:

Father's Day BBQ Gift Basket {Tutorial}

While all of us Moms are still being treated like the queens we are {yeah right}, let's not forget those awesome Dads in our lives that help keep us sane.  With Father's Day only one week away, I made a gift basket that'll show that master behind the grill how much you care and put that tired tie of yesteryear to shame.  You might have first seen this when I was helping Allison out during her maternity leave by guest posting over at A Glimpse Inside.  Keep in mind, this one includes all the instructions to make this, so it's a bit of an epic!

So what's the lucky guy getting?

DIY // How-To Give Your Mantle A Fresh Update

While our son was napping, I took the opportunity to give our "little" mantle a fresh look.

Since the crash of the mirror that hung on our mantle, this area has been lacking some serious style. {who knew hanging it from yarn would be a bad idea?  Those quick fixes always seem to find a way to bite me in the ass.} I threw up the octopus painting but the scale just wasn't right, plus everything was too dark for my taste.  Not to mention, nothing went together.  The only thing they had in common was the fact they were all dark.

DIY // Homemade All-Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent

I've just used the last of my supply of powdered all-natural laundry detergent and it worked great.  Rather than just refilling, I thought I'd try out the liquid version and boy, do I like it!  First off, both the powdered and liquid detergents are HE safe.  Second, it makes so much more for about the same cost and Third, you can add scent to it.  {I added lavender essential oil}. I think I'm a homemade liquid detergent convert!

What You'll Need:

Guest Posting at A Glimpse Inside

Check me out over at A Glimpse Inside today.  I'm helping Allison out while she's on maternity leave and sharing this great Father's Day BBQ Gift Basket.  Check back here next week for the tutorial!

DIY // A Vintage Clock Update

I seriously love paint.  There's nothing easier than taking a "seen better days" piece and giving it a fresh update with a little paint.  And that's exactly what this project took.

You might have remembered this whimsical vintage mid-century modern Bill Miller Etc (Melrose Ave Los Angeles, Ca) clock from one of my past thrifting excursions.

It didn't need much, just a cleaning, a little sanding and a fresh coat of paint.  I taped off the glass on the front and the back panel to protect the label and then I started thinking paint.

June Sponsor Love

Happy June!  I have a great list of sponsors to share with you this month.

First up is Emily at Jones Design Company, a fellow DIY'er and amazingly talented artist with her own paper goods shop. Emily was featured in our June Featured Sponsor post.  Be sure to check it to learn all about Emily & JDC and enter the giveaway to win a $50 credit to Emily's online shop!

The next Featured Sponsor is BLEND Interior Design Studio.  BLEND I.D.S. is a full-service interior design firm out of Seattle, founded by the amazingly talented duo Felicia Farrar and Michelle Dirkse.  You might remember BLEND from my interview with Michelle Dirkse.  Plus, Michelle is the one and only face and mind behind Revamp's Ask Michelle series, where she helps readers tackle their design dilemmas. Have a dilemma of your own?  Be sure to send in your questions to have them answered in our next edition.

In addition to our two Featured sponsors above, I was stoked to get the opportunity to SWAP with Crystal from Homemaker in Heels and Melissa from The Life of A Not So Ordinary Wife.  I highly recommend checking out these ladies.  They both, respectively, have amazing DIY/Craft projects and online shops, plus I'm always sure to drop in for their Link Parties when I have a new project to share.

So that rounds out the sponsors for June.  I hope you'll check out each of them!

Interested in advertising?  Visit the Advertise page above, choose your desired size and click BUY and submit your ad through Passionfruit.  It's quick & painless, I promise!

June Featured Sponsor & Giveaway: Emily at Jones Design Company

*UPDATE:  This giveaway is closed.  Congrats to Entry #136 Melissa!*


Our featured sponsor this month is the one & only Emily at Jones Design Company.  I've been reading JDC for awhile now and have always been impressed with her sense of design and her DIY skills.

She's the inspiration for my painted wallpaper wall, which was somewhat of an undertaking in itself.  But you know what this wild & crazy girl did?  {Yes, I said that in the Festrunk brother's accent.} She painted an ENTIRE ROOM!  Like, I said...crazy.

Just look at how amazing her room turned out.  I am in love with this office and her painted wallpaper design.

There's this grain sack pillow lookalike how-to, the Rug Pillow.