Windy Mayes Photo

Home Improvement Project #12: Red Door

All my life I've wanted a red door. Not a pansy shade of red, a vibrant, firetruck, lipstick RED. Red that can't be mistaken for anything else. You know the kind of red I'm talking about.

From the first time we drove up to our house, I knew it would look fantastic with my kind of red door. I took a while, but I finally noticed the decorative gable shingles that were all but blending in with the siding.

Today I took matters into my own hands! Two quarts of paint, a wasps' nest, burned feet and a lot of sweat later, I have my red door! (Yes, I did do a coat on the roof but the millionaire took over for me despite his dislike of heights.)

Home Improvement Project #11: Presto change-o

So I've decided to do away with the art deco dining set and replace it with more period appropriate stuff. I found a dresser not long ago at one of my local thrift haunts for $25. It was pretty scuffed, but no major damage, so I brought it home thinking I would find some use for it.

Today the kids and I sanded, painted it and turned it into a buffet for the eating area. I love showing the kids, especially the girl, how to use the power tools. They loved using the sander and got to learn the difference between the power sander and hand sanding.  The paint was originally purchased for the front door, but we got into it for the family art project - $12.50. I think we did pretty good to get a buffet out of $40!

Once again, I don't have a good before photo. I could swear that I took one when I bought the dresser, but I mustafahgot.

Home Improvement Project #10: Inspired Art

The Millionaire and I have been searching for just the right art to fill up our two story stairwell walls. A while back I ran across this painting on Heather's website:

I saw it again more recently and recalled that I had about 20 sample paint pots, plus the paints we used in our kitchen, living room, entry and office.

This week the Millionaire took a whole day off to spend with the kids, so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to create our own version of the inspiration piece.

The project was inexpensive for us since we had so many paint colors already. We found objects round the house to use for our circles. The only materials we bought were the brushes and pre-cut 2 x 2 plywood panels- I think we spent $19.

I knew we could use up more of the wall space by having 4 separate panels. I also knew that it would be near impossible to get all four of us coordinated on one large piece of wood.

We aren't artists, nor am I a decorator, but we are all pretty damn proud of our art piece. Thanks especially to the artist of our inspiration. I don't know her name or I would credit her! 

WMI Ink

I've been thinking about getting a tattoo for many years. Until now, I never had an idea that appealed to me enough to want it permanently etched into my skin. Also, I wasn't sure if I would puss out when it came right down to it.

Yesterday was my second wedding anniversary with the Millionaire and we decided to start an anniversary tradition: tattoos. I've been imagining the one I want, in the spot I wanted it for a month or so, and felt pretty good about. I even went so far as to buy a pair of shoes specifically to accommodate my tattoo. Today, I sucked it up and my babe and I got matching tattoos (same image, different color/spot)

Some photos by the Millionaire, while I was writhing (but not crying!) on the table. Some photos by yours truly

Before (with specially selected shoes!)

 

outline

 

all done!

Home Improvement Project # 9 and Tutorial: Custom Family Photos

This here is my first ever tutorial. I have studied many a one in my various projects, but never put one together before.

This information may be commonplace, but if not, it may be helpful to another family on a budget.

Here's how I managed custom framed family photos on a budget. My total from start to finish for 3 custom framed family photos was approximately $90. If you have ever priced custom frames, you will need a minute to catch your breath. Good? Read on to see how I got such a great deal.