Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Zebra Nightstand Makeover


I'm sorry that it's been awhile since I posted a furniture project. It's difficult to find time for projects with our crazy schedule. This ugly nightstand, I found for $20, started off as a different project. I intended to makeover this table for resale until my daughter laid claim to it midway through the project. I don't think I could have found an uglier nightstand and my husband could not understand why on earth I'd bring this thing home lol.

My original vision was to paint it off white, paint the drawers black, and stencil a chevron pattern on the top. I have never stenciled on furniture before so this was a learning experience for me. 

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Quick & Cheap Christmas Gift Idea

Great for office parties, family gatherings or party favors for your guests!



This Christmas gift idea is inexpensive and super quick.

We did this last year for a local children's shelter and they were a hit! So, this year we made the same gifts. Mugs are easy enough to come by in dollar stores, consignment shops and yard sales. Since ours were for charity we had our mugs donated from the community.

I think it's important for my children to understand what the meaning of Christmas truly is and also learn how to help others. They have enjoyed putting these treats together and I'm sure we'll make it a yearly event.


You can add anything you want to your mugs. Since I'm filling approximately 25 mugs I try hard not to spend a fortune. I also have friends, family or co-workers who like to contribute to this cause. But what I do buy myself is Dollar Tree or Walmart. You can get Swiss Miss or Nestle hot chocolate from dollar stores, red and green plastic spoons. This year someone donated a variety of tea flavors so we added those to the mugs for the staff. Pick up a bag of candy, divide it up and wrap it up with colored plastic wrap and tie with Christmas ribbon.



I put the mugs full of treats inside a decorative Christmas treat bag. I add popcorn inside each treat bag since it's something the shelter likes to have for movie nights with the children. 


If you have suggestions on what treats you'd add please comment below! 




Saturday, December 6, 2014

Chevron Wooden Monogram Letter - Door Hanger



This is such a simple inexpensive craft to spruce up any interior or exterior door. I found this monogram letter E in a clearance bin at Michael's for just cents. It's made of MDF instead of real wood, but for this tiny project who cares?

My daughter is in love with the new craze for chevron patterns and just had to have this in pink and black to match her new Tween Zebra Room, slowly but surely "under construction". 

For this project I used a stencil I purchased from Amazon. Way easier than taping off a million zigzag lines! I got 2x 12" stencils for $6, so definitely a good deal and worth it.

I used Valspar spray paint in black and hot pink. 



I spray painted the monogram letter entirely in black. Remember to spray the edges as they will be seen. Always spray in a well ventilated area or outside.


Once fully dry position your stencil where you want it and spray your secondary color.


I bought some zebra wire ribbon at Michael's with a 50% off coupon and used a hot glue gun to glue both ends to the back of the letter. If you have a staple gun you could use that as well as long as you use a short staple, approximately 1/4 inch. Snip the ends at the top of the ribbon so you don't have a blunt straight edge. Nice!