"I just wanna be the pretty one!"

I have some adorable nieces. Two of them are sisters. The oldest is five and is often complimented on how smart she is (it's true...she is VERY smart). The youngest is four and is often complimented on how pretty she is (also true). After hearing these sentiments from family and strangers alike, my oldest niece told her mom one day:

 "I'm tired of being the smart one, I just wanna be the pretty one!"

I totally feel her struggle! (well, this chair does, anyway...)

This little pretty is sitting in the corner of my half-bath, right off the entryway. My husband said it's totally not practical or functional (aka: "smart") in the bathroom, but since when does a chair have to be functional...can't it just look pretty?

By the way, that window valance is a totally cheap & easy DIY project. My friend, Alyssa, hooked me up with this tutorial from Budget Wise Home. 

Those turquoise vases were bought from Goodwill (originally Pier 1) and spray painted. You could do that with any type of vase (even glass, like this tutorial) and pop a few flowers in for a really easy way to tie in your color scheme.

Also, I bought that pillow form from Joann Fabrics and covered it using a you-tube tutorial from The Crafty Gemini. 

Oh, and one more thing (i promise, gosh!).... that poster was my own creation using a 20" x 30" poster print from walmart and a foam board from Dollar Tree. You can download my print for free below....

...and for what it's worth, both of my nieces are smart AND pretty! And I wish they'd come visit me in Texas so I can show them the bathroom decor inspired by them! But, if they can't come anytime soon, it's okay, 'cuz "every little thing is gonna be alright...."

Burlap, Brads and Black & White

I was born and raised in the country and although the country-girl in me is being smothered by years of living in the city, there's something about burlap that brings me back to my roots, even IF it's just that any burlap decor in my house smells like a barn. Yup. just for a little while though until the stench of smog, sewer, etc. get to it. Kidding! only kidding. 

Okay, on to my featured project....

I found this ugly little dandy at Goodwill for cheap:

 I ripped the ribbon off the wood pieces to make this photo ensemble on an entryway wall.

 I cut burlap to cover the front of each board and then borrowed my jute-wrapped "C"  to complete the collage. The nice thing about this is that I can easily change those pictures. They are held in place just by scrapbooking mini brads that are pushed into the burlap spaces. 

Now when I walk in, I get a whiff of that fresh, country barn smell. oh yes. That'll wear off in a few days, right? ....right?   

Put Your Feet Up & Stay A While....

Let me tell you a story about a boy and girl who went for a leisurely bike ride one evening... They came upon a neighborhood whose trash was on the curb for the next day. When they found this little dandy, they thought, "This would be PERFECT in our living room"

Beautiful, ain't she? What's the matter.. can't you catch the vision?! :)  Really, you shoulda seen it BEFORE I took all the cotton crud off that was all over it. Gross. 

Anyway, it sparked a much needed mini-makeover for our living room (which was pretty much just thrown together when we moved in a couple of months ago):

It's amazing how just a few things can brighten up the room!

A fresh dose of color with a new ottoman and pillows to match (I recovered them with this vibrant "duck fabric" from Hancock Fabrics for $26 total, woohoo!), a fluffy new rug (walmart.com), a funky little lamp (T.J. Maxx), and some simple decor accents for the fireplace mantle and on the end tables to match.

That's the end of that story. Thanks for listening so intently. Now, it's time for me to go sit back and put my feet up [on my new ottoman]. 

Hippity Hoppity Burlap Bunny Decor

I love Easter! 

..and if I didn't have a cat who would devour it, I'd have a bunny rabbit of my own. So, I just decorate with them instead. Less messy, anyway. ;)

I was feeling a little crafty last weekend and after browsing Uncommon Designs, I put these little numbers together (2 projects in one! yeah!) 

strung with "Jute" and hot glue.

I couldn't find this bunny shape online to download so I had to photoshop it using a photo. It's a rough sketch, but it works! Feel free to download the template below:

*You'll have  to insert the image into Word or Photoshop to size it however you'd like.

After I cut out the bunny shape for the garland, I used the remaining piece of paper as a stencil to paint a bunny silhouette on a 4x6 piece of burlap. (I taped it down on the burlap to make sure I had a clean edge.)

Ca-uuute! Glad I found those projects....love how they bring a taste of spring into my small apartment!

Framed Lyrics Print - {Custom Design}

Thought I'd show off my newest bedroom decor addition...

These are lyrics from our wedding song, Amazed, by Lonestar. It'll be special to have this on our bedroom's night stand to remind us more often of just how amazed we are with each other.

I am also now offering this as a custom design for you!

This would make such a memorable and unique Anniversary gift... something you can't buy in stores.... something that's made just for the two of you!

...of course, it doesn't have to be your wedding song...any love song will do!

Here are some other examples, but remember... your print will be made especially for you with your requests as my guide.

To order, simply email me at lifedesigncraft@live.com

I'll email you back a simple options request form.

Can't wait to create YOUR lyrics print!

Tiny Space = Big Creativity

I knew living in Boston would come with limited space. We love our apartment, but our bedroom and closet space is lacking for sure. We have room for only one dresser in the bedroom so that leaves our boxy closet to hold everything else.... we had to do a little thinking inside the box to fit it all in!

There's a lot in there, but we've tried to make the most of the space we have...

Here's how:

- There was only one shelf. We added a top shelf for clothing (we keep a small step ladder in the closet so we can reach)

-We added a shoe rack with hangers:

I had M bend these hangers for me using Epbot.com as a guide! What a genius idea!
(That is just a tension rod from Walmart and a string in the middle tied to the rack above for extra support.)

- My tank tops (which believe it or not) actually take up a lot of space so I found they hang perfectly on a Tie Hanger (from Walmart). My belts also hang conveniently from a Tie Hanger...

- My necklaces are hung on the wall with not-very-fancy command hooks (but they work great) and my other jewelry fits inside a double-sided fabric & plastic jewelry holder (from Charming Charlie) My scarves hang right behind that. - My earrings go in these magnetic canisters (also from....you guessed it...Walmart). There's no order inside the canisters, but it's not hard to pull out the set I want.

Our closet is packed to the brim...and although it certainly isn't glamorous, it's very functional. and I like it.

Confession of a Failed Project

Have you seen this amazing makeup holder from Laura Thoughts?

When I found it, it went to the top of my To-Do list.

I made it, hung it up on the door in my bathroom closet and within 30 seconds I had broken makeup ALL over my floor. Brilliant. Yes, I had failed.

Maybe stronger magnets would have been better...? Whatever. I cut my losses and just turned it into a magnet board that matched by bathroom decor.

Now, among the photos, there are quotes or scriptures to ponder (reading material, you know?) on there that change from time-to-time... So, it's both Decorative AND Functional. {win win.}

A Glimpse into Our Home: the Hallway

Every now and then I just itch for change. That usually manifests itself in some sort of home decor redo. When I was a little girl, I would rearrange my room about every month or so just to change it up. Anyone else do that?

That desire has persisted with age, but I'm a little more limited now. In our 950 square foot apartment, rearranging our furniture just isn't as easy. So, I settle by changing the little bits that I can (with as little expense as possible).

So here's the third of "A Glimpse into Our Home" post series:

When I wanted change in my hallway, I took down the huge mirror that filled the whole wall (although a nice mirror, it was just a little boring!) and replaced it with this!

100% IKEA, right there. (well, minus the photos).

I put little switch-on lights by the plant and behind each photo to emit just enough light to keep the photo display visible at night. I, of course, change the photos periodically to keep current.

This added a nice dimension to the wall that it was lacking before.
Oh, and I killed that plant. I'm currently looking for a replacement.

You can find the other posts in this series:
the Bathroom
the Bedroom

A Glimpse Into Our Home: the Bedroom

Every now and then I just itch for change. That usually manifests itself in some sort of home decor redo. When I was a little girl, I would rearrange my room about every month or so just to change it up. Anyone else do that?

That desire has persisted with age, but I'm a little more limited now. In our 950 square foot apartment, rearranging our furniture just isn't as easy. So, I settle by changing the little bits that I can (with as little expense as possible).

This is the second of "A Glimpse into Our Home" post series:

When I wanted a change in my bedroom, I got creative.

My "my-mom-would-be-SO-proud" moment was after finishing these pillows!

I bought two plain accent pillows from Joanne's and then covered them with pillow covers that I sewed myself! My neighbors may or may not have heard squeals coming from my apartment after I admired my handiwork.

Okay...so, it wasn't like I didn't have help. The CraftyGemini on YouTube taught me how to sew those pillow covers. She couldn't have made it any easier!

Oh, and FYI: The framed word art on the bedside stand, that's from eighteen25, one of my favorite blogs! You can download that wordart in a variety of colors.

This commentary isn't necessary, but I just have to:

"oh! ...ahem! Riley...pssst! Those pillows are not for you to lay on..."

"okay, okay.. take it easy. On second thought.... I'm glad your comfortable.."


You can find the other posts in this series:
the Bathroom
the Hallway

A Glimpse into Our Home: the Bathroom

Every now and then I just itch for change. That usually manifests itself in some sort of home decor redo. When I was a little girl, I would rearrange my room about every month or so just to change it up. Anyone else do that?

That desire has persisted with age, but I'm a little more limited now. In our 950 square foot apartment, rearranging our furniture just isn't as easy. So, I settle by changing the little bits that I can (with as little expense as possible).

So here's the first of "A Glimpse into Our Home" post series:

When I wanted change in my bathroom, out with the old....

and in with the new....

The wood mats took a little getting use to...but the earthy tones were a nice change!

And, I added a little of my own bathroom wordart...

You can download it below if you have a purpose for it.

You can find the other posts in this series:
the Bedroom
the Hallway

Peppermint Tree Forest

A reindeer wearing a coat of tinsel was prancing through a snowy forest of peppermint trees...

....wait, wait, wait.... isn't that a line from a children's Christmas book? No? Oh, well it should be! okay, maybe not, BUT, it did make for a pretty cute Christmas party centerpiece theme!

I created this for our ward Christmas party this weekend. Then, I brought them home to use as a decoration on a window sill. I love crafts with multiple uses!

I just love this little red frame I found at Michael's in the dollar section! The reindeer came from Michael's, too.

If you decide to make a peppermint forest, here's a few tips:

...buy more mints/candy than you think you'll need. you can always return unopened bags, but I was shocked at how many pieces each tree required!

...use cardboard/paper cones, NOT styrofoam. Paint the cones white then glue the candies on. The glue tends to melt styrofoam and the candies don't stay on as well.

...cones that are hollow work best if you're going to be moving the trees from one place to another because you can put your hand inside to hold it while you carry it. (I found mine at Michael's.)

DIY Temple Canvas

I love going back to visit Utah...mainly because we have family there, but also for the crafty boutiques and fun stores. Last time I was there, we hit up a few boutiques in American Fork.

My favorite was Crafters Boutique where I picked up this Salt Lake Temple Metal Art thingy...(what would you call it?)

And then.... I made this:

I bought a small canvas from Walmart, covered it with white fabric (I only hot glue gunned the fabric to the back of the canvas frame. No modge-podging or anything. I put a few dabs of hot-glue on the back of the Temple Metal and then placed on my fabric.

I tied ribbons around the Temple Canvas in colors that were our wedding colors. (Fall: brown, orange and red), which coordinate with my couch's throw pillows. I know...matchy matchy. :)

And when I was finished, I placed it on the window ledge....

....and the heavens shone down in approval!

Craft: Monogrammed Jute Letter

Confession: I'm a pinterest-er. pinner. whatever.

One day while pinning, I came across this cute little pin from etsy. I knew for sure I could make it for less than $35 though.

A friend and I sat down with our letters from the craft store, rolls of jute, and our hot glue guns. ...and before you knew it, voila!

There's a nice little tutorial over on two twenty one if you're interested. My advice though, just use one roll of jute.

This is a quick and inexpensive craft which works awesome as a personalized gift. My sister-in-law and mother-in-law both will be receiving their family's letter this year for Christmas!