Now that we’ve finally found and moved into a house that we love, everything is unpacked (for the most part), the old house is just about ready to lease out, and the weather is finally coming around to something more conducive to working outdoors; so what does this mean for me?  It’s time to start some DIYing projects.

With us acquiring a bigger home (more rooms, larger rooms), and the fact that we decided that some of our old furniture did not make the cut for the new home; there were a few items that we are working on replacing.  Unfortunately for me, my husband is not a big fan of refinishing furniture or seeing the diamond in the rough that I am.  He loves to see the diamond after it has gone through the process.  Me…I like to dig for the diamond and process it.  Do you see my dilemma?  I have been a good wife and went along with the purchase of a lot of new things that I KNOW in my heart of hearts that we could have found and with a little bit of work made something awesome.  Don’t get me wrong, I love buying new…it’s just that I’ve found that a lot of the newer items aren’t as well made as some of the older pieces.

What have I been doing to appease the DIY monster in me?  I’ve been working on my office and the Baby doll’s room.  My Baby doll wants her room to be in black, purple & white zebra print – with hints of pinks and LOTS of bling.  She has very specific ideas about what she needs to have in her room and it is up to me to execute her vision.  Did I mention she’s 7?  As I add to her room and make new and inventive ways to add bling and BLACK to a 7 year olds room.

As for my office/craft room…I’m taking it slow.  I’m purchasing a lot of accessories.  But one day while I was sitting in my chair reading, my knees started to hurt.  I have bad knees, trying everything I can to avoid knee replacement before I turn 55; so if something hurts my knees I must pay attention.  I need an ottoman.  After careful reflection I came up with the thought of transforming a small table into an ottoman.  After a stop at one of my local thrift stores I came home with a small table that is currently being transformed.

But I must show you a finished project.   I create a menu for the family EVERY week.  I usually post it on the frig for the family to look at so that they won’t have to ask me, “What’s for dinner?”  I really wanted a big chalk board, but had been unable to find something that would work for me.  I then started the search for a huge frame that I could make into a chalk board.  No go.  I did have a piece of MDF left over from making my Baby doll’s craft table just sitting in my laundry room.  Smooth surface, right size…I’m going for it.  I bought my chalkboard spray paint and got to spraying. 

I bought some blue acrylic paint (my kitchen will eventually be in shades of blue) and lettering stencils

and nearly two hours later this is what I ended with.

Now I just have to hang it….oh yeah and get some chalk.  BTW, you may be wondering why the bottom has a shortened (and offset) “F” & “S”….well usually we eat “whatever” on those days.  I’m either working late into the evening/night or we’re eating out (regardless of how much I plan meals and I plan meals for every Saturday).

So tell me, are you doing any DIY projects?  I’d love to hear all about them.