Call me Picasso!

I like Pinterest - and I actually do many of the pins that I re-pin.  This is where I got some of my homemade cleaners, laundry detergent, and organization tips (like putting folded sheet sets in one of the set's pillow cases to consolidate and keep together or putting magnetic strips in your bathroom door to collect your million spare bobby pins) that I use in my own house.

I also try out many of the recipes - some turn out great (like the Butterfinger pies I made for holiday gifts) and others have been gag-worthy (like the mac-n-cheese I made earlier this week).

But Pinterest can also lead down a spiral of pins and dreams that will only live on your online board (or they are out of your price range or above your skill level - read any of the hair styles or nail decorations).  Like recipes - there are several of my pins that I have a feeling that if I tried, I would fail.

But earlier this week, I took a chance.  I saw 2 separate pins on DIY painting using paint tape - so no drawing/painting skills were really needed.  I decided that I could use an old canvas that someone had given me - plus a bunch of acrylic paint and brushes from a time when I thought I was more artistic than I really was - to try this.  I went out and bought some painters tape (which I figure is good to have on hand anyway).

I took the canvas, randomly (although random is hard for me, since I like things to be symmetrical and even) put the paint tape lines on and started painting.  As it was almost dry - I removed the tape and... honestly, I was impressed with myself - the painting really worked!!

I am hanging it in my loft/den area (which is how I determined what colors to use).  I was really excited to have wall art in the right colors and size for this space - not to mention that it only cost me about $5 for the tape I needed since I had all of the other stuff laying around.  Oh, and it took less than 2 hours to paint!  I think I may do a few more...

A Good Stain

Parties and spilled drinks, rainy days and muddy shoes, flour on the floor from your latest cake, plates of sloppy spaghetti and a bit of wasted, splashed wine... a good life is often a messy one.  Mess in your house can often be cleaned - but sometimes a stain sets in.  If you are lucky, you can flip the couch cushion or angle the rug under the chair, or pre-treat the tablecloth.  Maybe just a quick wipe up or a little elbow grease.

But sometimes the sweating cup has done its damage or the spill has been concealed and the stain is set in.  I have quite a few in my house - from a cup ring that I hide under a box of tissues to towels that I have just dedicated as work or non-guest towels. 

Hey, stains happen.

My most recent project has been all about staining - on purpose. Like the people who spend too much time in the sun with no protection - they looked weathered and older than their age.  So, after enlisting the help from my dad (again) - we decided to stain and seal the fence and deck.

Now, the whole project could have gone the way of Tom Sawyer painting the fence - except I didn't have any friends that I could con into helping me - so we went country on the project.  Dad brought up a sprayer that we typically used to spraying weeds - we cleaned it out and filled it up with stain.

Dad sprayed - I smoothed it out.  We got my entire fence in less than 3 hours.  Then came the back deck.  While the floor could be sprayed - the railing and detail work had to be hand stained and sealed.  The deck took about 4 or so hours - I won't lie - it was painful.  But at the end of the project, I looked out into my backyard and I was proud of what I had accomplished.

In about 7 hours and less than $200 later, my back yard was transformed and protected.  The deck looks awesome and the fence has new life.  You can't tell much from the pictures as you can in real life.  I am just glad to have something other than weathered wood surrounding my house - and I know that it will last longer now that it is sealed.

Before:

After: