new years resolutions

Not a very exciting New Years photo. We were all in bed at 9:30 last night. I had a long day at work and the boys were equally exhausted.

I had every intention on making a homemade veggie pizza while watching the festivities that were on tv.

Oh well. It’s very rare that I get a good nights rest for more than eight consecutive hours.

So, today we will be making the pizza and taking down Christmas decorations.

Oh, and we launched a new blog today! I’m so fricken excited!

http://fullyfocused365project.blogspot.com/

Be on the look out for more DIY projects, What’s On My Plate, dog stories, and a couple of new series will be starting soon. Yes, another series, because one/two or three just isn’t enough.

Have a great day!

Until the next word…

~Jennifer

LOVE IT! Something old with something new

This recycling project has been on my list for over 2 years, seriously! I picked up the IKEA towels during my first visit to their store after dropping off my sister at the airport in Chicago (Julie, you will know how long this has been).

And can you believe that it took us less than 30 minutes to complete from start to finish? When I say us I’m referring to my dad. I presented the idea to him and asked what tools he had available to help me out. I had the blueprint in my head, three vintage spoons, and three super cool cotton linens with hooks on them. The only piece I was missing was an old board. My mom suggested using beadboard. My dad found a piece in the basement and it was the perfect size. I used sandpaper to give it a distressed look.

Beadboard with three vintage spoons

I don’t have much experience with tools, especially those with power, so I left that part for my dad. Using a hammer he flattened the spoons. As you can see in the photo below it gave them an even more aged look.

Spoon on the right flattened with hammer

Using his vise tool he tightened the spoons in place and bent them back with a clamp to create the hook.

I eyeballed a location on the beadboard for each spoon to be attached. As with my handmade cards, I hate to measure. I just wing it!

Almost done…

He added the hardware to hang the finished piece. I asked him to sign the back. I suggested that he should make some more to sell in the Vintage shop in Galena, IL. I got the same smirk from when I asked him to sign the board. Perhaps I’ll just get some additional spoons and place them on the workbench.

I thought about hanging photos from the hooks as well. Making a frame out of transparency paper around a photo. Then adding a hook with fishing line. Lots of possibilities.

Total investment = $5.30.

$5. for the three IKEA linens and .30 cents for the spoons (antique store). The piece of board and hardware was given to me.

A BIG “thank you” to my dad for helping me with this project.

P.S.

I’m trying to convince him to help me build a sofa table. Just a few simple pieces of wood for the base and legs along with some nails. I’m sure there’s something out there I can recycle and create the table. I need it for in front of my picture window in the living room. My dogs love to jump into it every time there is movement outside. And the exercise bike and tv trays that I have there now don’t look attractive at all. I’ll keep you posted on what I find. Any suggestions? Please share in the comment section below.

P.S.S

Another goal off of my resolution list has been met!

Enjoy your evening.

~Jennifer

Happy New Year!

Recycled Beadboard DIY Project