Dining Room Hidden Storage

Before

After

Our home has limited storage space so we are always looking for creative ways to hide all our junk stuff. My wonderfully talented father-in-law built me these shelves complete with a desk and I am SO proud of them! They are just perfect and line one wall of our dining room. But they were need of a little concealment.

Any girl who is serious about doing work in the home needs to get one of these! And the drill is good to have also.

Hottie here can knock out a honey-do like no body's business but it has to be in his timing. I teased him that it only took 3 months...and 5 minutes to hang these IKEA curtain rods. They are pretty cool and cheap, too.

I didn't like the way they looked at first since they didn't go all the way across and well, they looked cheap. I remembered a white bed skirt I had been saving for such a time as this. I quickly cut it to make one long piece, dropped in a tea-filled sink, and then thumb tacked it to the ceiling. I wish it were a little longer, but it works.

I am still working on making the desk area more functional and cute, but happy with the progress so far. Somehow this project jumped ahead of the playroom, but it's soon to follow.

Do you love Christmas as much as me? Well then come to the party!

MacGyver Inspired Backdoor

You remember MacGyver? Yeah... Well, I was basically just like him when I made this little chicken wire basket arrangement. What happened was, last week during the Wreath Party, I fell absolutely head over heels in love with one of the party-goer's project. It was the Bullard Inspired Backdoor from Angélique at Six in One Hand...Madness in the Other. (Go look at it if you haven't yet--LOVE it!) When I saw it I just knew. I knew that I had to have one. So I busted out my MacGyver skills.

If you are confused, MacGyver was this show back in the 80's where a super cool guy would go around saving people, being a hero, etc. The interesting part is that he would do these heroic things like disconnect a bomb, or put out a fire using items that were just laying around or in his pocket like rubber bands, paper clips, or lint. This is absolutely NOT an exaggeration. It was awesomeness I tell ya, pure awesomeness.

I feel that I was like him in my crafting efforts because I was able to scrounge everything up for this decoration without spending any money. That really is heroic in a crafty sort of way. I was a total copycat of Angélique. I hope she doesn't mind! I just loved it SO much.

I got the chicken wire thing from my mom's closet. {Thanks Mom!} I didn't have any moss so I took a piece of scrapbook paper and shaped it to fit down in the basket. When I started adding the flowers I realized what a cool effect this was. Like a paper wrapped bouquet that someone would present to their beloved. {sigh}

The flowers were Dollar General (not to be confused with Dollar Tree where everything really is--just a dollar) flowers that I've had for years. I found two old frames that were in the back of drawers and sprayed them with Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint. I added the scrapbook paper and coffee stained words that I printed off and tore around the edges. I think it was supposed to be tea stained, but I was drinkin' coffee at the time so I just dipped them in there. MacGyver, remember?

Check out my wanna-be tassel:

I have no idea how to make one. There apparently IS a way and it ain't easy, soooo I just wrapped some fringe around itself until it resembled a tassel. Somewhat. And finally, my favorite part--the pearls and crystal. I clipped the pearls off one of my Christmas strands and the crystal came from an antique lamp of my grandmother's that bit the dust sometime back. I sold the lamp (ignorant of me: pre-craft blog enlightenment) in a garage sale but I somehow held onto this one crystal. It is the perfect touch, I think.



So...there you go. MacGyver Backdoor.

Oh, and I did another Dollar Tree transformation at the same time. I found these peculiar looking pears ...

Just hot glued twine around 'em.

I am linking up to Cheri's Knock Off Knock Out Monday, the DIY SHow Off's Fall Festival once again (love it)! and to Mom's the Word for Making Your Home Sing Monday...because I think this does just that!

Oh! And if you are a fan of Christmas--read about 12 Weeks of Christmas with Red Writing!

A Piece of Cake as Easy as Pie

This is a cake I made my sis-in-law for her birthday. M&Ms surrounded by almond slices makes for a very pretty cake, don't you think? And it cost me a fraction of what a bakery would charge.

This is a triple layer cake. I learned my lesson back in Home Economics 101. ALWAYS freeze the layers before icing and ALWAYS do a very thin preliminary layer of icing before doing the final, thick layer. These two steps will ensure a stable, crumb free cake.

The birthday girl is a fan of chocolate-covered strawberries so I thought I'd coordinate them with the cake. I love the way it all turned out. My daughter's birthday is this weekend and I am thinking of using the same idea but with green grape slices and pink M&M's on Strawberry cupcakes...

You can check out many other fabulous DIY projects at Kimba's!

Everyone's a Winner!

What a fun way to welcome FALL, ya'll! Thank you so much for coming to the Wreath Party--it was a blast! The wreaths and other door decor were so stunning and inspirational! I learned a lot, too.

I think we were all winners here, don't you? ;)

Door prizes. Drum roll, please......

Winner of this mock scarf (it is just a loop--like a headband)

is Courtney at The Good Life!

Winner of this hand-tied rag bag...

is Kristi at Kristi's Thoughts!

Winner of this baby wreath...

is Norma at Norma Jean's Journaling!

And the winner of this rag garland (just because it seems like many of us are already in the Christmas spirit)...

is Lindee at A Whole Bunch of Scrap!

Congratulations! Please email me with your mailing info if I don't know where you live already;) keeliesue@live.com

Again, thank you all so much! We will be doing more of this in the future. I just love Christmas parties...and giving gifts.

Let's Party!

*I am going to leave MckLinky up for a few more days in case anyone from Cheri's wants to join in. The cut-off for door prizes is still September 22nd at midnight.

Welcome to the Fall Wreath Party! I am so glad you could make it!

Yes, the party is beginning a few days early, but aren't we all just dying to show off our wreaths? I know I am and I am ready to see yours, too. Don't worry, you still have until midnight on the first day of fall, September 22nd, to visit the party and be entered to win a handcrafted door prize.

Now, here's the tricky part. If you want to win a door prize, you need to leave a comment with the number of entries to which you are entitled. I trust that we are all honest and can add, so the honor system it will be. The number you type in the comment section will be the number of times I write your name on a little piece of paper. I will then put those pieces of paper in a bowl and draw 4 lucky winners ( I added a super secret new door prize!). I will announce the winners on Wednesday.

These are the various ways you can enter:

1. Show us the goods-- If you are a blogger, then you need to create a post that shows us your wreath and hopefully tells us how to make one of our own. Then click on the MckLinky thing down there and link to your wreath related post. (Not your main page, but the specific wreath post, thanks.) If you are not a blogger but want to show off too, then please email me your pictures and info and I will share it on my blog. Email: keeliesue@live.com. (3 entries)

2. Invite your friends! You can use the button at the top of this post. Please make it a link back to this Red Writing post. This will get more people to come to the party! (2 entries)

3. Share somebody else's goods. Maybe you didn't get a chance to make your wreath yet, but you saw a great idea. You can share that by typing a link in the comments section (please only use MckLinky for your own posts). (1 entry)

4. Leave a comment. This needs to be a comment related to the wreaths, not just the comment that tells me how many entries you get. Although you can combine the two.(1 entry)

5. Follow Red Writing. If you become a follower, or if you already are a follower you automatically get an entry. *Note: You do NOT have to have a blog to follow, just register on Blogger.(1 entry)

Yes, I am aware that this extremely long and detailed list of ways to enter the door prize drawing is a bit indulgent, as Simon would say. As stated before, I got a little bit carried away with this wreath party. Just humor me, k?
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Pumpkin Pie Wreath

Here was the very sad :( wreath before...

...and the very happy :) wreath AFTER.

I enjoy making bows. This particular ribbon provided just the right amount of "poufiness" for my liking. You may also notice spray painted the entire wreath with a brighter green prior to stuffing stuff in it. That seemed to bring it back to life...and keep the brittle leaves from falling off.

I found this cute little sign and thought it the perfect finishing touch!

I think "pumpkin pie," whether painted or eaten, is always a good thing. Don't you?

One last tip: You can use some left-over ribbon to wrap around the gold wreath hangers for a softer look. You could also wrap twine around it for a neat look. I would also certainly not hesitate to throw some ORB on that puppy if you've got it!

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So there. Now it's your turn. Link your wreath post and then click on all the other links (going out on a limb that people are actually going to do this) and see the beautiful fall creations. Make sure to leave comments--give everybody some love.

I am also linked up to the DIY Show-Off's Fall Festival. You really need to go over there and check out the amazing fall projects! One of my fave blogs!!

AND the party is linked up to Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch! Check out the great stuff over there as well.

One more link-up at Twice Remembered for Make Your Monday!

Playroom Makeover

This is what our little playroom looks like. On a good day. It was one place in the house that didn't get completely finished before we moved in a couple years ago. "Well just have to finish it after we move in..."

Famous last words, right?



My goals are:

• reduce toys by 50%
• create more storage
• make "childproof" for Glory
• decor on walls
• install some type of window blinds or shade
• finish the toy box seat (which is actually used for Christmas decor)

Here is a close-up of the seat. Some of the ideas I have toyed with are:

• adding padding and fabric to the front to make it a cushiony back rest.
• painting it with magnetic paint so it is a big magnetic board.
• covering in felt for a felt board (does anyone ever use those anymore, though?)
• chalkboard paint, though I feel I am beginning to go a little over board with that.

I know I am going to make a seat cushion for the top of the bench. My challenge is to do all of this and limit purchases to fabric and one type of paint. Do you think I can do it?

I would really love to hear your great ideas! Bring 'em on!

Just look at that big, blank, beautifully blue wall. It is just asking for some stuff to be nailed to it...

Hopefully I can post this next Thursday! We'll see.

Multi-Media Scrap Boards

Like my title? It's a really fancy way of saying "using up junk I have to make cute stuff." I had some 12x12 boards cut for another project and several left over. I had also noticed that I was being taken over by a multitude of impulse craft purchases such as scrap book paper, paint, ribbon and fringe, sticky rhinestones, Modge Podge...get the idea?

So after contemplating it for a while, I came up with the concept of a scrapbook page on a board. I actually had to give up scrapbooking because I would spend so much time on just one page that I could never finish a book. This way I can focus on one page, then hang it on the wall and admire it all the time.

Alicia's Birthday Board

This is my favorite board so far. I took a sepia toned photo and printed it on copy paper. I cut it out and burned the edges with a lighter (Please no one get hurt doing that). I painted a scripture on two small pieces of scrap paper and then burned around the edges of them as well. (The verse reads: My lover is mine, and I am his. Song of Songs 2:16)I applied a full size piece of scrapbook paper, because that just happened to be the size of my board, using Modge Podge. I have not mastered the art of MP yet, but a few bubbles never hurt anyone, right? I just continued layering as you can see. When the MP dried, I painted the rough edges allowing a bit of paint to come onto the front because it helps with the whole aged look I was going for. I hot glued some fringe to the back corners which made a little hanger--you can sort of see it on the last image. I also added a real metal hanger on the back for more support.

Lindee Come and Get It Board

This one is mostly painted. I painted two rectangles that would provide a frame for the photos. Then I glued ribbon around each frame. I found some huge bags of fringe and cording remnants at Hobby Lobby for about $3. That is why I went a little crazy adding the black sequined elastic and huge pink furry stuff on the edges. I hot-glued magnetic clips to hold the photos. They were a little sad looking so I added a rhinestone to each for good measure. At the top I just glued a whole bunch of foo-foo stuff, all of which can be found at the crafters' mecca, Hobby Lobby.

Does Anyone Have a Room This Would Go In Board

There is no way I could put this in Sweetie's room, so I am not sure why I made it. The Sunflower is glued onto the metal clip. I used a huge coffee can to trace the circle. I painted the letters but could have easily cut them out of scrap book paper and Modge Podge'd 'em, or you could even use sticker letters.