How To Build a Mantel

The mantel tutorial I've been promising is finally here! Ya'll know I don't do too much wood working on this blog, and the real story is that Jesse built this mantel, while I watched and learned, and then I did what I do best: I painted it. However, I learned so much while watching helping Jesse, that it totally made me want to build stuff. That's the thing about stuff that scares you...once you try it, you realize it isn't that scary after all.

DIY Snowflake Books

Jesse and I just got back from a mini vacation visiting his sweet parents this week. It was a much needed few days of relaxation and I returned home in total Christmas-mode. I don't even know how it happened. I swear I was waving to trick or treaters on my way out of town. But resistance is futile. My Christmas wheels have been set in motion.

Faux Stacked Log Fireplace Tutorial

Ya'll, it's done. I'm so excited to finally get to share what I've been working on with you guys. I started my faux stacked log fireplace over a month and a half ago, and at times I thought I would never reach the finish line. So, saying I'm excited is a ridiculous understatement. 
Basically, all month long I've felt like a 5 year old waiting for Christmas morning.

How To Use Watercolor Pencils (aka my favorite new way to make art!)

Hey ya'll! Jesse left town for a few days for work and I spent my evenings in sweatpants, surrounded by sleepy animals, watching 90's sitcom reruns, and playing with craft supplies. Because my life is wildly fascinating.
If you were a fly on my wall, you would fly away. Because you would be bored.
Anyways, from all that excitement came one really awesome discovery...watercolor pencils! They are quite possibly my new favorite thing.

10 Budget Decorating Tips

As ya'll know, I've been working on our living room lately. Today, I thought I would show you some of the changes I've made and share some of my budget decorating tips I use when trying to max out my little budget.

I'm the first to admit that I make a lot of decorating mistakes, but one thing I am good at is stretching a dollar.
I will make that dollar do the SPLITS.

DIY Gold Leaf Art

Even though my silver leaf desk still haunts me in my dreams almost a month later, I decided to try gold leafing one more time. I'm not easily deterred, and was determined to conquer this elusive little leaf creature. This time, I thought it would be best to choose something smaller than a desk, and opted for art.
Good news. Turns out gold leafing isn't all that hard. 
As long as you gold leaf something the size of a pepperoni.

10 Painting Tips & Tricks You Never Knew (Part Three)

It's that time again! Welcome to 10 Paint Secrets Part Three! 
You can catch up on Part One and Part Two if you missed them earlier this year.

For part three, I'm sharing a few of my own trusty paint tips as well as a few new tips that were sent to me by readers (that I eventually tested and out loved). Enjoy!