"look for less" january challenge

It's that time again! We're having our January "look for less" design challenge! (If you missed the last one - you can check it out HERE)

The idea behind this challenge is to find a look you absolutely love but cost more than you're like to spend and then DIY it on a budget for much less than what you could buy it for. Since I am always looking for a bargain (and always DIYing something rather than buying it) this challenge is right up my alley!

Please meet the other girls participating in the challenge: Rachel | Like a Saturday

Kylie | Absolutely Arkansas

Sarah | Life on Virginia Street

Andrea | Life Love Larson

Gracie | Kitchen Table Art

Kayla | Home Coming

my January "look for less" project: diy bathtub caddy

I got my inspiration for this bathtub caddy from none other than Anthroplogie (it's only my favorite store). The shower caddy from Anthropologie cost $168. It's beautiful, rustic, has a little spot for a wine glass - absolutely perfect. The only thing not perfect for me was the price. Living on a budget makes you look at things differently. I looked at that beautiful shower caddy and thought "my husband could make me one of those!"... and so the project began.

Since Adam is the carpenter in our family, he took this project on as his own. I helped along the way with drawings, dimensions, etc. 
Here's how the process went:
1) I measured our new tub and came up with these basic dimensions. I knew I wanted it to be 4 boards wide (which put it around 11"-12") and the width from the wall to the edge of the tub was 29":

Doing the dimensions and drawings prior to any shopping gave us an idea of how much material we'd need to buy.
2) Next, Adam ran to Lowe's to pick up the wood we needed. If you're making your own, here's a list of what you'll need:
shopping list  two 2x4s (or at least 10' of board) one 1x2 for the "legs" (or at least 2' of board) water-based polyurethane foam brush for applying poly wood screws
(We used poplar because it is inexpensive, easy to work with and matches other things in our bathroom. You can use whatever type of wood you'd like - and stain it if you'd like a different look.)
3) After everything was purchased, it was time to cut the pieces down to size. Using his circular saw, Adam cut the 2x4s into 29" pieces (making sure the ends lined up perfectly). The 1x2 was cut into 2 pieces - both were 11" long.

4) Prior to assembly, everything was thoroughly sanded and coated 4-5 times with polyurethane to keep it safe from water. We did the poly before assembly because it would have been too hard to get into all the cracks afterward. Once everything had dried, Adam screwed the 1x2 pieces into the 2x4s to hold everything together.

I am absolutely in LOVE (with my husband ANNNDDD my new bathtub caddy).  I can't wait for many bubble baths, books & wine (or orange juice) this winter.

If you think my project is cool, make sure you check out the other projects done by the other design challenge ladies. They are so amazing - and they blow mine out of the water!!

build a focal wall headboard   

             designer inspired large-scale art & frame                         faux fur vanity stool

   glass bottle lamp                                           work bench

salon blowout

 

easy boot cuffs

Something that has been on my "to do" list for a while were a pair of boot cuffs. I wear boots ALL winter and love to have cuffs & leg warmers underneath. I knew I could easily make some to add to my collection so I searched through my stash of yarn and got started. Who wants to make a pair??
what you'll need

yarn of your choice coordinating crochet hook needle to stitch in loose ends
Pattern
CH 40 (or how ever many stitches it takes for your chain to wrap around your leg snuggly in multiples of 3 + 1)
row 1: CH 2, DC in first stitch and all stitches across, CH 2 & turn row 2-7: DC in all stitches, CH 2 & turn row 8: DC in all stitches, CH 1, turn row 9: SC in all stitches, CH 1, turn ...start of the lacey top... row 10: Starting with the first stitch *(DC, CH 2, DC) in same stitch, skip next 2, repeat from * around. End with a DC in last stitch. CH1 & turn row 11: Work 4 SC into each of the CH 2 spaces across.  Fold boot cuff in half and line up both short ends. SC the ends together, fasten off and weave in ends. Turn cuff right side out. Repeat all steps for second boot cuff.
TA-DA!

You now have a pair of adorable boot cuffs :) Put on your favorite pair of boots and enjoy showing them off. Easy peasy, right?

mustache stitches

Anyone else getting snowed in today? If you're anything like me, you don't mind being cooped up in your warm cozy home with an afternoon project. My projects all seem to revolve around the TV now... I've become obsessed with watching Dexter. OBSESSED. Any project that allows me to sit on the couch and watch Dexter at the same time is perfect :)

Anyway, this simple, fun DIY mustache cross stitch is a quick little project perfect for any afternoon at home. Grab your materials and get stitching!
materials you'll need: mustache pattern black and/or brown embroidery thread needle small frame cross stitch fabric
SIDE NOTE: After Christmas, my mom was cleaning out some of her decorations and was getting rid of these counted cross stitch window hangers. I wasn't too fond of the designs they had but thought the little frames could be reused (which is what inspired this project in the first place).

This fun little mustache design (that now hangs in my craft room) makes me smile every time I look at it. I think it's because it reminds me of our wedding.

Whatever this mustache cross stitch makes you think of,  I hope it helps add a little bit of fun into a room in your home. Happy stitching :)

mason jar candles

*** this project was originally shared as a guest post on cocktails with mom ***

I am a huge fan of small projects that can add a little fun to ordinary objects. Today I'll be sharing a few quick & easy ways to spruce up a couple of plain mason jars. Mason jars are so versatile that I find myself using them for everything. My newest obsession is candles. These floating candle holders are perfect for indoors or outdoors. You can use floating candles [like I did] or you could go one step further and fill your jars with scented wax & a wick for a true jar candle. Either way, you'll be left with a cute, functional way to brighten any occasion.

... what you'll need ...

mason jars

floating candles

burlap ribbon

yarn or cotton hemp

hot glue gun

other hemp, ribbons, etc.

... what I did ...

For Jar #1, I took an extra long piece of my blue cotton hemp (maybe 3-4 arm lengths) and started wrapping it around my narrow jar. Each time I wrapped it around I tied a basic knot and went back around the jar in the opposite direction. I wrapped & tied until I had a small band of hemp. I ended it at the top with a basic bow.

I removed the metal (flat) lid, filled my jar with water & placed a small floating candle inside.

For Jar #2, I wrapped my burlap ribbon around the jar twice & cut the length I needed. I marked a spot on the burlap at the "front" of the jar, slipped my burlap off and stamped a "B" with a rubber stamp. Using hot glue, I attached the burlap to the jar and finished it off with a hemp bow at the top.

I also removed the metal (flat) lid on this jar, filled it with water & placed a small floating candle inside.

These simple updates took me less than 15 minutes to complete, but they give my boring mason jars some fun flair. They'll be perfect for Summer cook outs - yes (despite the snow) I am already dreaming of Summer!

What low budget items have you spruced up lately? I'd love to know!

goodbye 2013, hello 2014!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday and rang in the new year with friends and family. I have been soaking up time with my husband and family over the past couple weeks but I'm excited to get back to a more regular blog posting schedule.
To kick things off, here are my top 10 posts from 2013. I want to thank you guys for stopping by to check out my projects & posts. I look forward to lots of fun in 2014 (click on the pictures below to visit the original post).

Also, I have so exciting news! Starting in January, I will be a monthly contributor at Remodelaholic! I am what they're calling their "Home Decor Q&A" girl - if you have a question about design, color schemes, paint, furniture, etc. you can submit a question & picture to me using this form and your question could be featured in my monthly post. I want to thank you ahead of time for supporting me in this fun new endeavor. My first post goes live on January 16th! You can check out more info and scout out who else will be contributing over at Remodelaholic this year in this post.

So... on that note: I hope everyone is excited for a fun & crafty 2014! I know I am :)