Knock off wood art, take 2

<p>Hello there! First of all, thank you all for the suggestions on the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/07/kitchen-table-to-move-or-not-to.html" target="_blank">kitchen post</a> last week – I’m still reading through all of them but have a few ideas in mind from what I’ve seen so far. Also, thanks for the ideas on the family vacation spots in my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/07/family-getaway.html" target="_blank">last post</a> – I’ll be checking them all out! </p> <p>So I’m not a big art-from-the-store kind of girl. I love having pieces in our home that are one of a kind and better yet, reflect us personally. I’ve purchased plenty from stores so it’s not like I’m an art snob, I just prefer to create pieces that are just right for certain spots in our home. </p> <p>There was a spot in the “old” family room that needed large artwork so I decided to knock off some <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/09/diy-wood-art-another-pb-knock-off.html" target="_blank">wood plank art</a> I saw on the Pottery Barn website: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57yRzozKI-1Tx5NQKQEMFvuPnjME_iPxMqPHNV8tQSEgx2D75zQ6IcNIID8CzF0dkQRYVew3Q9aqcGMQ7j2uQCgFsF9mlxIbzKSD4T0_GcQdLgEEYk681vD1EHefRpWPVZv1XiJIVIvw/s1600-h/Potterybarnartknockoff3.jpg"><img alt="Pottery barn art knock off" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7_vFYYaj_MDu6zS3scWrFSIaK3xP8UixMyAfQRcLZRXD6tIWGghYXdf9paWGPwISl4IfipVLNFSVTdCsJGXyCdsjmmcg2gvyjo9uXupOqRZwPHcXz9pqXM9LlGDuu9J90CzkwpETIBk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Pottery barn art knock off" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Back then (I can’t believe that was two years ago already!) I was using a lot of blue tones and some pops of red in the family room, but I’ve gone to a more neutral pallet since. </p> <p>I’ve had that art hanging in the room even with the softer colors in the room and it’s stuck out like sore thumb to me. The red and aqua colors were too much, and I wasn’t a big fan of the dark wax look anymore. I wanted something simpler and cleaner, but loved the look of the wood planks. </p> <p>So. I decided to repaint the whole thing, but to do that took some time (more time than I imagined). I started by sanding the whole thing down <em>really</em> well: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu3PFkc_na27BNjkpyFSCIXILuGjiNYOwMVQGmED9d_kVntxRHuZHtV5gcoyaWvhkGJ8YloVyjSMg1BuLXguFPzlvERgjFGnPg_VxqdEb-XHQwYlv_yW_2zXAsDtkE0qDVmCDyfrOhVI/s1600-h/IMG_95032.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoep4sZpNbvqH2I7tjUUQaEYKGcpPhWeNUF6Yz_gCWDIff-_zwJ-dNZXXhNDObe3WeEwZdovftDi1ssR4iwJ9qZ_Lg58GtEYiMRnCU92tgBbCIY6drI5XKHKuEBZeh-DA1DxEWPqS83js/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The dark wax I used won’t take on new latex paint well so I tried my best to get every surface as sanded down as possible. </p> <p>The wax gummed up my sanding pads quite a bit so it was a job to get it prepped: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zjc3cVUe4TejkZJSJvM4uZfqCnunJ0R8BrIDgyqwr0gRu_yJQaMDnKI_6cHNiLHluUtabZvTdLra1I5LrpP6LH98QP3yEkncLIOe_OAm9pZGLaTYqQtIPOVEFY76o8vuTiH7WmFSrEw/s1600-h/IMG_95052.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8liC77vrcG9KUpN6CHXMAvzQcfUNcxvoGjFI-8Pozbx0ZuNWF3qNjaEp_D10xXgUxjGolWh2vIGrf9GiLsBKfnRCfbQmcmO9t_qsL1MzFsuSrAM5ds-eW8YdmFhDbkLmxxcgjNFps-1E/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I wiped it down really well with a wet cloth before I started taping off the strips. I used painter’s tape to tape off each board: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhASBx8HVruIJ2705UX1Qc0vDsjRXi7q4XpWJg3OAkSRHST0dHRftVk8-tfL5GoSF8VwqhaMmbT4JN3cAuVhwy7-JEwAEuTHpNU33g35F3KTa_ywES-KOQOzi71UcYCleFwjFi94WsdtM/s1600-h/IMG_95062.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYXxGwaBqkJ3X7ZCE8tz5uBUV4d4kWVFMYJdxDD4FRxIggmzgErAKNX5kuVh1h0OY1767Ng4GM8pWxAt5KFZ7DKydJq9tCw46H4SqQ8gyYe9mGBTDLgHGLuXZzJEtuN9BePGMHybQawY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Taping them off really doesn’t take that long, especially the first couple of colors. If you don’t get the line perfect early on it’s easy to paint over down the line with a later color. </p> <p>The time in this process came in the sheer number of those little bitty wood pieces and the drying time. Gah. SO. many. pieces. I don’t remember this taking this long when I first made this thing! </p> <p>Once you get the first color done you’ll want to be careful taping over what you’ve already painted. For the next couple of colors I used a mix of regular green FrogTape and their yellow delicate tape: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMt8Wbbvl0hcy45iGMPuQL4URYeAQyhm_iRaqDQUP-X7zv6KrSYO4vz2HUGz9b6HOE_3rbDD7pA-bTaECamqGpQ-sK8YZWQEeiUiAUWHxsITcWtusRcC7dOU9EsyD4DJWMUhB8WejJCM/s1600-h/IMG_95082.jpg"><img alt="taping off planks" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0SYPcQEe4ia6-lrlMwpeLAKfLdOsmgnAzZEpM0prPEZMSjPJHQS6G3rGheUQv93jNWQx2jbHwEiQvpvGUsseIOLwXhXNJJBuFnamjPKpZRFjWBrYotFYWxpaXpBi0z39Zd7aP1FBqnc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="taping off planks" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Both work great – I actually use the delicate more than the regular over all because it works so well. I know I don’t have to worry about it pulling up any paint. </p> <p>I did have a few spots lift up but those were areas where I hadn’t sanded well enough and there was still wax. I had a few of those. ;) </p> <p>A couple hours later (that drying time dragged this project out longer than I thought it would take) and five colors later and I had finished artwork in much more soothing tones: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcOCi4P0EHY94ckigaOXlvm-IswpgnYBO5MeV2AGnl46Jww4P8Y7CAaqDpG3wR-qxMAhgxpBKBoYd8s0tDySxWB5Kw5hFlgqoRJVzFNd9fk4emAkmaFjyDZ8OuunaW_-exV_Vd0eKXQ8/s1600-h/IMG_95173.jpg"><img alt="DIY wood strip artwork" border="0" height="635" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfkQ8mbaC2mWL1rNOBFDDpU1VQ2aC2vGNg8v-5uPfOUz9Dv2ucO8455mHMnYwghvHKBJzuC-aLwNKiHK7aNEqlXyoTh_VkhVB2spfoIn_8wK6TjdK6ncUjvklqpWbNpUL1mx8s4JbwPs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY wood strip artwork" width="536" /></a></p> <p>I used paint colors I had from previous projects for the whole thing – hoarding paint pays off folks! ;) </p> <p>The colors are Agreeable Gray (from the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/06/powder-room-redo-complete.html" target="_blank">powder room</a>) for the light beige boards, Rhinestone (lightened 50 percent) for the nearly white ones, Whitestone (from the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/master%20bedroom" target="_blank">master bedroom</a>) for the light gray, Marina Gray (from the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/basement" target="_blank">basement</a>, lightened 25 percent) for the mid-gray and Storm Cloud for the darkest one. I’ve had that color so long I have no idea what I first used it on. I just grabbed what I had and I love how they look together! </p> <p>I plan to hang this in the family room again but with the trimwork it may not work vertical like that. I actually like it better horizontal anyway: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Guer_lrmfeWP7t8IbnpHbArLEkrDOEmc-CK6DTjjsF8URMVBc553XqYoNhUjFtx9TcsMEiP2H80aZvMwqHJFfvyMR0KPf6TChpmWNRDdRwKlm4lJiwvaL7Pvkh51SMr27Sj74BlHw_Q/s1600-h/IMG_95112.jpg"><img alt="DIY wood artwork" border="0" height="780" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsPd7nqn8WZm2lEGvkednK8hCAYGcxwESDKCB_qkEdTDi3jjoEvwXffwDHkoyJvcxzT-ktzcZzNuP08RENVK5ZChvd1X4FuUCDIUVHXJ5eCsn1bioVvDGsrqm40de2qGJ5xLgBAtUp24/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY wood artwork" width="486" /></a></p> <p>I left the nail holes on purpose – I kind of dig them. I plan to take a toothpick between some of the boards to get a more even look…but I couldn’t get to the toothpicks in the kitchen. ;) More on that in a minute. </p> <p>Here it is hanging horizontal just to show how it looks – I LOVE the colors! It went from country looking to a lot more updated: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQzSAn5rbIT6P2lXMjFBnwq523JJ8yo8lKuwoxbRtXee2MyOyAq2LP0Pe11yh2q_3x1pS6f02kds0r344l3DhpAkgcFbCrlfeUIb_EwJ9HGG95DF84VOe-Tr52B2rIOSqMQ38ebv_OD0/s1600-h/IMG_95162.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="DIY wood plank artwork" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0HDkFw3v9nOsnNVHTr886sjDkk2cdASdkmwDzj0qszNqEGmaZ_7HUjf2JoFe3pbgsgAv7diPGPft3NWK6XSNLcXgRnLxHrlFCcXlIhK813u-5xL0kBKOST9VrWyWkrqopZFrSltCUho/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY wood plank artwork" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It’s hanging too high in this spot, but it’s the only open wall I could get to today – our house is a total disaster. I’m not like, oh, ha ha, our house is a disaster! I’m like, seriously, never before has it been like this ever EVER disaster. The reno is coming to a close this week!! </p> <p>Over the past week the floors in the family room and kitchen were patched, sanded down and then restained. </p> <p>This is what’s really like behind the photo: </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRons6eHaUH5koB2H9EdrpNYsH-2gXPFovBgNaOrJOxFW7a0OJXgN8kh4fIn4pvBV1mcCGEMqR3TB1Xf9TA6mK45syGillqzmKNcEHrj-oJlpf7XagDN7kS9jsIOfq7whr_O54Zs7354/s1600-h/IMG_95192.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARSStJhI0uBBNi8SmJdh2KXAJfk32D1cxWZnYHSOtNKVbbArki6wXwWfbz_D-NV1_oBYHgQZ28fJe0B9CEke3BCDw9-Lj2KcC-3jHvrB0xdyTtfCU8AQ6jfl3I4K3aAuYDL8vg2OmKIc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>That isn’t even the half of it. :) Tonight we can start moving things back into the room and by the end of this week all the contractors will be DONE. Whoohoo!! I’m hoping to paint a fireplace this weekend!!</p> <p>So there’s how I reworked one of my DIY art pieces – it took longer than I thought but the result was worth it! It looks totally different! </p>

Knock off wood art, take 2

Hello there! First of all, thank you all for the suggestions on the kitchen post last week – I’m still reading through all of them but have a few ideas in mind from what I’ve seen so far. Also, thanks for the ideas on the family vacation spots in my last post – I’ll be checking them all out! So I’…

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River Rock Tea Lights

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EWxXww4jYWfanK_Qshwtj7MEGymNFcWVec4d-Svo_le0OtWKhPqgutPlNcLNXTNBaz0YvqmQafNbFSci-9hdkTm_eLyY4sjVsQVjaRQlYquc40EhnIyV-ZLyPB_pQ7F4__4wv586tgI/s1600/river+rock+candles+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="tea lights, river rock craft, make tea lights" border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EWxXww4jYWfanK_Qshwtj7MEGymNFcWVec4d-Svo_le0OtWKhPqgutPlNcLNXTNBaz0YvqmQafNbFSci-9hdkTm_eLyY4sjVsQVjaRQlYquc40EhnIyV-ZLyPB_pQ7F4__4wv586tgI/s1600/river+rock+candles+1.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You ready? This is some grueling DIY right here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Grab two glass dishes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Fill with river rocks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Poke tea lights into river rocks</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZCK7AATufhwluMO58pahqgD5a3ICBFpXSYVHScQWnceMELAiXXCaOJRGW-t_d5RPdLFK006VQrOTF92egjUbOiSrwITg_TYieYBwIbaoZr1Q3iXU7uQxPew_1NHgVrJzWRlZ1H19v3Y/s1600/River+rocks+and+tea+lights+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="tea lights, river rock craft, make tea lights" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZCK7AATufhwluMO58pahqgD5a3ICBFpXSYVHScQWnceMELAiXXCaOJRGW-t_d5RPdLFK006VQrOTF92egjUbOiSrwITg_TYieYBwIbaoZr1Q3iXU7uQxPew_1NHgVrJzWRlZ1H19v3Y/s1600/River+rocks+and+tea+lights+2.jpg" title="" width="538" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;">(For the elevated cutting board click <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/2014/06/diy-elevated-cutting-board.html">here</a>) </i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 17.24799919128418px;"><i><span style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 17.24799919128418px;"><i><span style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 17.24799919128418px;"><i><span style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter! (Above) </span></b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 17.24799919128418px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 17.24799919128418px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red;">If you would like to join in some fun link parties, </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 17.24799919128418px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red;">head on over <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/p/where-to-party.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>!  </span></i><i><span style="color: red;">So much inspiration! </span></i></div><br />

River Rock Tea Lights

You ready? This is some grueling DIY right here. 1. Grab two glass dishes2. Fill with river rocks3. Poke tea lights into river rocks(For the elevated cutting board click here) Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter! (Above) If you would like to join in some fun link parties, head on over HERE!  …

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Family getaway

<p>Hello my friends! I hope you had a lovely weekend! </p> <p>We were away with family this weekend and it was wonderful. One weekend a year my entire family -- parents (my dad and stepmom), the kids and all the grandkids get together. It’s a treat from our parents and it’s turned into a wonderful tradition for us. </p> <p>The problem is finding a location that can fit us all. I’ve mentioned before that I’m one of seven kids – there are full, half and step and I’m the oldest of them all. I was an only child for ten years too, the oldest and only is a dangerous combination. ;)</p> <p>This time there were about 20 of us – you can see why it’s hard to find a place to fit everyone. Usually we go to southern Indiana in the fall but this year we took a trip down to Kentucky to a spot our parents love. </p> <p>It’s called Mountain Laurel Lake in Harned, KY and there aren’t any mountains and the lake is really more like a pond, but the name is pretty, yes? We were truly in the middle of nowhere: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jVrJWY-eTZPQau5yNF_f1VvD5_P02PVw0XiVzGizySEC6DFOUGz7xGoL-2NU8i_tKeTZBNB-VE9qTcqG8BjxijgUAQwI1l3WbEL5NM3tt6q4kDPgcilrADE1K3WBEBueS10Kti6DDCpN/s1600-h/20140724_161114%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kentucky fields" border="0" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHgQwy3hKXKOR1JWMuUkUkhDH3AWksvspXibtGWWdVwcukhULnB4XNo0VWKKoPMwTtfkghHOxcENMrE8lBUcdIWFiYf1wWjpJP8b8YVyi1P4CRR1Xm4q90ICaYF_6jb97HZ3jmlKgFc2F/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="kentucky fields" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It was SO quiet. And a welcome change from all the activity at our house over the past few weeks. </p> <p>The main cabin was the biggest so it’s where we ate dinners. The kids (OK, and the adults) loved the horses: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMyapGHDYjuAYGQE8rRyugy3o-JtH_Ssu9m6neDpPUnGz1UtKNCjS0CU6CgQR3Ln-f5hEXlwTlbz1QwpwH1FWLbXKc0OmF1Kgx6nsfvorRfpKZp6gCdHOdmCWIfAfNlA0etWOgTGx74M5/s1600-h/20140724_160431%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3tRmor2frjB0qiM4K0k27t_H-PdWrwe0_ydP7gzVYXtoQvtxBZ_YvmLX7dgX1nUKg0C6kaGajIlh7h9v-lNUT32Vn7zjPTAg3nfx7v999Kk8u81Vtx5OMFAKrWT8CuL1rHPhF2lsE80k/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>And there was a fenced in area for all the dogs (we are an animal loving family) and plenty of places to sit and swing:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqTISsMs5Fp-XYEZwb0pr9LHKLxQM6u6tYF5jWoPRLrSaM-etJ6Eo-ryZhH5fdXrFEbj0s0XV98AgQf-PVNKDTk5gM0Mb9bnNvK22sWaUwsniXIwrcezYe6Q5TQLooZtNur3GRIk50SiF/s1600-h/20140724_160716%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kentucky cabins" border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsACLgYUuo5YzK_zsAgrjEc908F-10rZybvoKtv2S4608EQrZJpNPcN27fEUGwO26ggUO49YC5efjhEPF1woVc6RtzM4cOWFz6VcBoSqXYUXvnVjHx13Cip4XSqM66qxCo6p2H1HJP3z8m/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="kentucky cabins" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Down some steep roads were the rest of the cabins off the lake. We couldn’t swim in it but the view was lovely off our deck:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLJdq45n8A3M62O8S3g4fM7t-vKz3pCMhxoA1enauhEGEWr3mZR_EBgTyEpGNp9zA1-QSxLIbP-u-Gxmr70b8VzEltcAnTFYB2S0AyWpnvcAmyqNmFFrzAYEP7XccLr1mhrSndHla1i1M/s1600-h/lake2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mountain laurel lake" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6omQm44oh_dfKQ54-a6HuwVD3vznxWq4sTg4-f4xdsx-0-5NudsJ0vngYjQpmkepyy4ODqeFs97IeoWVdr10sMJfA6YarT52YPqMFFuJT-qMpejjsT77Bs0KAxC3Q_CbK_50MuY7eKfxY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="mountain laurel lake" width="500" /></a></p> <p>We sat on the deck during a massive storm the last night and it was spectacular! Actually, we were out on that deck about 90 percent of the time, day and night. </p> <p>They had little boats we used to just tool around in or get to the other cabins: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJ1ba1hpQco4B7b657kz8Kl48PoNs45p2a50m7a-yVUCwwLkKmy3-U8ligFkG6hbHtOEURKQlL8kPEhpHveOHm8_GdIaWBP7AsiFDb6YsatL3XfjxOzGECs5kzacDvKoUq7vAM1u8L_yi/s1600-h/lake1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kentucky cabin" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYK9-sEQFZQHnIGyIuxrSR3h7CaRkUrUEYaR84rSoj54hyOdm7pMxtFOBjmsWpQlahaKIKY6W9cHcyxuSwGukA-g-a5e54ZrVyJa00rdpg5xF5W8opd1pEXEnGhuG6YpJkUXrQ_ZvVSPic/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="kentucky cabin" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The kids (OK, and the adults) loved them! Since there were so many of us we were in three different cabins and this made it easy to get to each other. </p> <p>My favorite part was the hike my Dad kept telling us about. I’ve never seen so many mossy rocks!: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8THGmjVBdCucPH77_57OSgDxbQpjSdr2tAZZICZRu_esLI9x63TCAmShIKTZPEPYAtTrcYfeB6MBgH_a6_EkVySNjpXsnMRts3qhdVj1V8sydv1Gj6CmSKhXDOMPyjDBWNj-2ukhSpHGP/s1600-h/20140726_144942%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mossy rock" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgT8e1lYctvEGCzhFpmktkO0GJisPhnTfrRjHWozNzsJGiSzUEHxDhA2aqu_EDe4je5pl7Yehcg1SfkWpSRgPBCtyzAm82psgiPy_LG6xHY7ayyVIAWB1uzd88uH9fdZFM0rRy-dPti-9h/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="mossy rock" width="500" /></a></p> <p>They were absolutely everywhere! </p> <p>Big ones too: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Rg4RAsBP1uSA4B0cxDhv2nduxUTkaeld_rrQNsJ5RymeTKEg6OCL7jrBimgVjz7f_VT9ahe-qJq75PukhS_o9cXhRt6PsxkasWIrx5Novazg952ka6EWx7yhFhqLia3MPjhKrYysp-lR/s1600-h/20140726_145027%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGf7l1OrbArUr-T0C3CpZvBMTp1Pblz1gDfpsDB29ai0kH3OM_EU7AykDM_W5IpX50l-oKoFEruy57iMItlXKB_kiuhZaCSjV_J5vB0MIsgnfPVLgR-6En6ze9EUHZGjrzuEhDeFQmKYR/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It was really, really beautiful. I eat this stuff up – just love it: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1q76-7hzfso/U9ZrzMryFaI/AAAAAAAAph8/2l-fEQxCQyw/s1600-h/20140726_145344%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4Wg_CCutJYk/U9ZrzxTLRnI/AAAAAAAApiE/HKu8YR1AeVA/20140726_145344_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The bugs…not so much. I think Dad was a little over his five girls and our fear of ticks and GINORMOUS spiders on this trip. But seriously Dad. GINORMOUS. </p> <p>The scenery was just gorgeous though. Dad said there are usually waterfalls coming down but it hadn’t rained much before we went on the hike: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-472iCVWKWY8/U9Zr08vbmgI/AAAAAAAApiM/gg6lF7J-KiM/s1600-h/20140726_145353%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Kentucky hiking" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fwcazvjnMcQ/U9Zr1n6_UlI/AAAAAAAApiU/O0lU-HzgGvc/20140726_145353_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Kentucky hiking" width="500" /></a></p> <p>A few of us climbed to the top: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZTGufDgw9lk/U9Zr2nfWskI/AAAAAAAApic/q1ECidwaMm0/s1600-h/20140726_150237%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bH4bQZCoMhc/U9Zr33O5DWI/AAAAAAAApik/vhQZHAHygDQ/20140726_150237_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>That’s me up there. :) </p> <p>And we got a hiking selfie while we were at it: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SqZUUWK1Y74/U9Zr47Epd1I/AAAAAAAApis/S9NHIgZh7Ik/s1600-h/2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Oo8wzqqNn30/U9Zr51YOa7I/AAAAAAAApi0/A38yDyVxNoI/2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It was another wonderful weekend with some of the people I love most in this world. The only one missing was my husband – he’s been away on a work trip to Singapore for 11 days and is on his way back as I type. We can’t WAIT to see him!!</p> <p>Did I mention there wasn’t any Internet or cell phone service? Well, we would get spotty service up at the main cabin, but we weren’t there much. So we were forced to bond and the cousins had a ball together. It was nice to get away with my boy too: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AS2fpBj6SVs/U9Zr6rL3KJI/AAAAAAAApi8/TmWHbTixArU/s1600-h/lake4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="family cabin weekend" border="0" height="395" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_EXOLrnqt_Q/U9Zr7tpLpMI/AAAAAAAApjE/4mExO2g8Obs/lake4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="family cabin weekend" width="500" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The heart and soul needs weekends like this sometimes. I love our parents for making it happen for the whole family. </p> <p>Do you ever get away with your extended family like this? Any favorite spots? Anyone know of a a cabin big enough for all of us within three to four hours of Indy? We’re considering Lake Michigan sometime – that would be spectacular. </p>

Family getaway

Hello my friends! I hope you had a lovely weekend! We were away with family this weekend and it was wonderful. One weekend a year my entire family -- parents (my dad and stepmom), the kids and all the grandkids get together. It’s a treat from our parents and it’s turned into a wonderful tradition …

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Merry Monday Linky Party #13

<h2 align="center"><span style="color: green;"><strong>Welcome to Merry Monday Linky Party #13!</strong></span></h2><strong>Whoo hoo! We're so excited and honored to have all of you link-up with us each week. This past week, you all helped us reach our goal of 200 link-ups! As a special thank you, we're giving away one $50 Visa gift card!</strong><br /><strong><br /></strong><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3a05fa0/" id="rc-3a05fa0" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you'll join us again this week, and every week, to share your creativity! We all share on our social media, and truly love seeing what you've been up to! This week I'm camping with my family on Lake Ontario. You can read all of my camping tips (below), and for that pleasure, please send good thoughts for NO RAIN for us! :-) I hope you're all having a great week!<br /><br />Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway! What would you buy with $50?<br /><br />Julia </div><ul><li><strong>This week's new party guest hosts are Annette from <a href="http://fiberartsy.com/" target="_blank">Fiber Artsy</a> and<span style="color: red;"> Amanda from <a href="http://thekolbcorner.com/" target="_blank">The Kolb Corner</a>.</span></strong></li><li><strong>All features will be pinned to the<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pinterventures/merry-monday-linky-party-features/"> Merry Monday Linky Party Pinterest board</a>, so follow along to see the top features of the party.</strong></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/New-July-Party-Button.png"><img alt="linky party, Merry Monday Linky Party, link party, blog party" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5472" height="500" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/New-July-Party-Button.png" title="" width="500" /></a></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: green;">On to the Merry Monday Linky Party #13!</span></h1><h2 style="text-align: center;">Meet the hosts of this party</h2><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>*We would appreciate a follow in at least one of our social media platforms. Let us know you followed via Merry Monday so we can follow back!*</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/New-July-Hosts.jpg"><img alt="July Hosts" class="alignnone wp-image-5473" height="160" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/New-July-Hosts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><ul><li><strong>Host Erlene @<a href="http://mypinterventures.com/" style="color: #589ba4; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">My </a>Pinterventures ~Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google+ Instagram Hometalk Bloglovin</strong></li><li><strong>Co-host Julia @<a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/" style="color: #589ba4; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" target="_blank">Happy House and Home</a><span style="color: #589ba4; font-style: inherit;"> ~ </span><span style="color: black; font-style: inherit;"><a href="https://twitter.com/julesklimek2011" style="color: #589ba4; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" target="_blank">Twitter</a> </span><span style="color: black; font-style: inherit;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/happyhouseandhome?ref=hl" style="color: #589ba4; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </span><span style="color: black; font-style: inherit;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/juliaklimek/" style="color: #589ba4; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> </span><span style="color: black; font-style: inherit;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JuliaKlimek/posts" style="color: #589ba4; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" target="_blank">Google+</a> </span><a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/7257423" style="color: #589ba4; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" target="_blank">Bloglovin</a><br /> </strong></li><li><strong>Co-host Misty @<a href="http://theladyprefers2save.com/" target="_blank">The Lady Prefers 2 Save </a></strong>~ <b><a href="https://twitter.com/LDYPrefers2Save" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Theladyprefers2save" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/LDYPrefers2Save/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/+mistyoverstreetprefers2save" target="_blank">Google+</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/theladyprefers2save" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38I5WlAHgr8RWwSSel_dtw" target="_blank">Youtube</a></b></li><li><strong>Co-host Nicole @Or Whatever You Do ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/orwhateveryoudo" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Nicole.at.orwhateveryoudo" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/orwhateveryoudo" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/+NicoleJohnsonatOWYD/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/orwhateveryoudo" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <a href="http://www.foodie.com/profiles/nicole-johnson-1" target="_blank">Foodie</a> </strong></li></ul><h2 style="text-align: center;">On the Host's Blogs</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://mypinterventures.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: green;"><strong>My Pinterventures</strong></span></a></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wp.me/p3UxXD-1ri" target="_blank"><img alt="Bacon Wrapped BBQ Meatballs" class="alignnone wp-image-5518 size-medium" height="300" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Bacon-Wrapped-BBQ-Meatballs-226x300.jpg" width="226" /></a> <a href="http://wp.me/p3UxXD-1rL" target="_blank"><img alt="Soda Bottle Fairy Garden" class="alignnone wp-image-5571" height="298" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Soda-Bottle-Fairy-Garden.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://wp.me/p3UxXD-1ri" target="_blank">Easy Bacon Wrapped BBQ Meatballs</a> ~ <a href="http://wp.me/p3UxXD-1rL" target="_blank">Soda Bottle Fairy Garden</a></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: red;">Calling all bloggers</span> - If you'd like to participate in a Back to School Blog Group Giveaway Palooza, you can still sign up to participate until August 8th. <a href="http://wp.me/p3UxXD-1lp" target="_blank">Back-to-school Giveaway Palooza</a></strong> - sign up and help giveaway a Kindle Fire, $100 Target GC, and more</div><h2 style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: green;">Happy House and Home</span></a></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/2014/07/hard-core-camping-advice-can-you-hear.html" target="_blank"><img alt="quotes-about-camping-funny-1-300x210" class="alignnone wp-image-5572 size-full" height="210" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/quotes-about-camping-funny-1-300x210.png" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/2014/07/hard-core-camping-advice-can-you-hear.html" target="_blank">Hard-core Camping Advice (Can you hear the sarcasm?)</a></strong></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theladyprefers2save.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: green; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Lady Prefers 2 Save</strong></span></a></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/PicMonkey-Collage1.jpg"><img alt="PicMonkey Collage" class="alignnone wp-image-5586" height="400" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/PicMonkey-Collage1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://theladyprefers2save.com/?p=6330" target="_blank">Homemade Puffy Paint</a> ~ <a href="http://theladyprefers2save.com/?p=6248" target="_blank">Homemade Customized Chalkboard Paint</a></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://theladyprefers2save.com/?p=6243" target="_blank">MYO Miracle Grow Potting Mix</a></strong> ~<strong><a href="http://theladyprefers2save.com/?p=5924" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://theladyprefers2save.com/?p=6243" target="_blank">How I'm Saving $1,344 by Cutting Cable</a></strong></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://orwhateveryoudo.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: green;">Or Whatever You Do</span></a></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.orwhateveryoudo.com/2014/07/easy-chicken-fried-rice.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Chicken-Fried-Rice-4-210x210" class="alignnone wp-image-5573 size-full" height="210" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Chicken-Fried-Rice-4-210x210.jpg" width="210" /></a> <a href="http://www.orwhateveryoudo.com/2014/07/g-growing-circles-hop-2.html"><img alt="GooglePlusHopHashtag" class="alignnone wp-image-5574" height="208" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/GooglePlusHopHashtag-300x260.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.orwhateveryoudo.com/2014/07/easy-chicken-fried-rice.html" target="_blank"><strong>Easy Chicken Fried Rice</strong></a> ~ <a href="http://www.orwhateveryoudo.com/2014/07/g-growing-circles-hop-2.html" target="_blank"><strong>G+ Growing Circles Hop</strong></a></div><hr /><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="color: black;">Meet Your Guest Co-host</span></span></h1><strong><span style="color: red; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: black;"> If you're interested in being a featured co-hosts for the party,</span> <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1izcftZi5ORNN2ABUJbzUuOQyvNPkIxWEXZ43GQeq8EU/viewform">please sign up!</a></span> We have opened up party spots in the month of September.</strong><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: green;"><a href="http://fiberartsy.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: green;">Fiber Artsy</span></a></span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fiberartsy.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Annette Browning-250" class="aligncenter wp-image-5497" height="281" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Annette-Browning-250-245x300.jpg" width="230" /></a>   </div><strong>Guest co-host Annette @<a href="http://fiberartsy.com/" target="_blank">Fiber Artsy</a> ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/fiber_artsy" target="_blank">Twitter </a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kentuckybluefiber" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/FiberArtsy1/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/KentuckyBlueFiber" target="_blank">Etsy</a> <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/11620759" target="_blank">Bloglovin</a></strong><br /><ul><li>My name Annette Browning, I’m the wife of a wonderful husband, mother to two amazing girls, living on a little patch of paradise in beautiful Kentucky. I’m a feltmaker, fiber artist, hand dyer, avid crafter, occasional knitter, computer geek. Fiberartsy is my baby….my pet.</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: green;"><a href="http://thekolbcorner.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: green;">The Kolb Corner</span></a></span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thekolbcorner.com/"><img alt="self" class="alignnone wp-image-5577" height="230" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/self.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><strong>Guest Co-host Amanda @<a href="http://thekolbcorner.com/" target="_blank">The Kolb Corner</a> ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/Thekolbcorner" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thekolbcorner" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/thekolbcorner/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/+AmandaKolbthekolbcorner/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/thekolbcorner" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/12445561" target="_blank">Bloglovin</a></strong><br /><ul><li>Hi! I'm Amanda! Welcome to my corner of the web! I'm a foodie, wife and DIYer that loves to share recipes, crafts and DIY projects, real food eating, and stories of my 4 crazy fur babies.</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beingcontentwhereweare.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: green;">Being Content Where We Are</span></a></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beingcontentwhereweare.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="headshot selfie" class="alignnone wp-image-5596 size-medium" height="225" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/headshot-selfie-300x225.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><strong>Guest co-host Sandy @<a href="http://beingcontentwhereweare.com/" target="_blank">Being Content Where We Are</a> ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/contentwherewer" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/beingcontentwhereweare" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/contentwherewer/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/117877646954841648510/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a> <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11576211" target="_blank"> Bloglovin</a></strong><br /><ul><li>Hi! I’m Sandy – the wife to a hard working farmer man and mommy to a 5 year old super boy. My little corner on the blogsphere is Being Content Where We Are where you will find frugal, time saving tips and encouragement for busy moms.</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: center;">On The Co-host's Blogs</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fiberartsy.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: green;">Fiber Artsy</span></a></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fiberartsy.com/crafts-diy/tie-dyeing-shirts-with-bleach/" target="_blank"><img alt="a-final-title-500" class="alignnone wp-image-5580" height="209" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/a-final-title-500-300x250.jpg" width="250" /></a> <a href="http://www.fiberartsy.com/deals-n-steals/up-to-75-off-at-craftsys-summer-supplies-clearance/"><img alt="Craftsy-summer-clearance-sale" class="alignnone wp-image-5581" height="206" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Craftsy-summer-clearance-sale.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.fiberartsy.com/crafts-diy/tie-dyeing-shirts-with-bleach/" target="_blank">Tie Dyeing Shirts with Bleach</a> ~<a href="http://www.fiberartsy.com/deals-n-steals/up-to-75-off-at-craftsys-summer-supplies-clearance/" target="_blank">Craftsy Summer Supply Clearance</a></strong></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thekolbcorner.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: green;">The Kolb Corner</span></a></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thekolbcorner.com/real-food-budget-update-2/" target="_blank"><img alt="Real-Food-on-a-Budget-1024x1024" class="alignnone wp-image-5578" height="200" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Real-Food-on-a-Budget-1024x1024-300x300.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://thekolbcorner.com/real-food-budget-update-2/" target="_blank"><img alt="Authentic-Chicken-Enchiladas" class="alignnone wp-image-5579" height="200" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Authentic-Chicken-Enchiladas-300x300.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://thekolbcorner.com/real-food-budget-update-2/" target="_blank">Real Food on a Budget</a> ~ <a href="http://thekolbcorner.com/authentic-chicken-enchiladas/" target="_blank">Authentic Chicken Enchilada</a></strong></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beingcontentwhereweare.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: green;">Being Content Where We Are</span></a></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beingcontentwhereweare.com/2014/07/22/nothing-more-to-give/" target="_blank"><img alt="nothing-left-200x300" class="alignnone wp-image-5600" height="208" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/nothing-left-200x300.jpg" width="139" /></a> <a href="http://beingcontentwhereweare.com/2014/07/25/craftsys-summer-supply-clearance/" target="_blank"><img alt="Craftsy-summer-clearance-sale" class="alignnone wp-image-5581" height="206" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Craftsy-summer-clearance-sale.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://beingcontentwhereweare.com/2014/07/22/nothing-more-to-give/" target="_blank">When You have Nothing Left To Give</a> ~ <a href="http://beingcontentwhereweare.com/2014/07/25/craftsys-summer-supply-clearance/" target="_blank">Craftsy's Summer Supply Clearance</a></strong></div><hr /><h2 style="text-align: center;">Feature Posts</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: green;">Most Clicked</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Most-Clicked-July-wk-4.jpg"><img alt="Most Clicked July wk 4" class="alignnone wp-image-5585" height="450" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Most-Clicked-July-wk-4-300x300.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://redoityourselfinspirations.blogspot.com/2014/07/junk-yard-step-chair-upcycle.html" target="_blank">Junk Yard Step Chair Redo</a> @Redo It Yourself Inspirations</strong> <strong> </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.gingerlymade.com/2014/07/why-we-dont-make-our-kids-share.html" target="_blank">Why We Don't Make Our Kids Share</a> @Gingerly Made</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.spitandsparkles.com/2014/07/im-stay-at-home-mom-but-sometimes-i.html" target="_blank">I'm A Stay-at-home mom, but sometimes I want more</a> @Spits and Sparkles</strong></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: green;">My Feature Pick</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Storage Containers (Duct Tape Crafts) ~ Easily recycle empty cans and tubs by using Duct Tape to decorate #DuctTape #Crafts #StorageContainers #Storage #DIY #Organizing" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbAVkP_ntwaNJ56Cs-l0UUvof-jsv3MdcOVcpjNPWLyH7S3QiiR9KRHVurX2PCACQl3TSummml80nbsi-TRw7Ula4FCCKmXqxWx3Tu2vHUxzYEP8QmG-F_vUZPKJ7gwvotFqDapoUWXY6/s640/DIY+Storage+Containers+(Duct+Tape+Crafts)P1.jpg" width="440" /></div><div><span style="color: green;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: green;">Linda at <a href="http://withablast.blogspot.com/">With a Blast</a> shared these adorable <a href="http://withablast.blogspot.com/2014/07/storage-containers-duct-tape-crafts.html">storage containers </a>last week. Aren't they cute?! Please go and visit her awesome blog for lots of creative ideas and tons of delicous recipes!! </span></div><div><span style="color: green;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>*Don't forget to visit the other hosts to view their feature picks too.*</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><hr /><h2 style="text-align: center;">Features will be pinned to the <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pinterventures/merry-monday-linky-party-features/">Merry Monday Linky Party Board</a></h2><a data-pin-do="embedBoard" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pinterventures/merry-monday-linky-party-features/">Follow Erlene Amat | My Pinterventures's board Merry Monday Linky Party Features on Pinterest.</a><br /><h2 style="color: black; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #339966; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">If you were featured, grab the Merry Monday Linky Party feature button and display it on your blog, feature page, or sidebar</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red;"></span></strong><br /><div align="center" style="padding: 5px;"><strong><span style="color: red;"><img alt="Happy House and Home" src="http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/ErleneA/Co-hostFeatureButton_zps013324ef.png" title="Happy House and Home" /></span></strong></div><pre style="background: none; border: none; padding: 0;"><textarea style="background: #f0f0f0; border: solid 1px #cccccc; color: #777777; display: block; font-size: 100%; height: 50px; margin: auto; padding: 7px 0 2px 5px; text-align: left; width: 90%;"><div align="center"><br /><a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.62" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">href</span>="http://www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.63" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">happyhouseandhome</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.64" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">blogspot</span>.com" title="Happy House and Home"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.65" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.66" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">src</span>="http://i845.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.67" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/ab20/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.68" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">ErleneA</span>/Co-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.69" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">hostFeatureButton</span>_zps013324ef.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.70" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">png</span>" alt="Happy House and Home" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Hard-Core Camping Advice (Can you hear the sarcasm?)

<div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvjlIMk9culoUArLKMARebNr8tq0Dk5rvItwV0I-8D0s9WTHutCOD20ddt-EUoU9GQ8xJZ4J_jjhR7qwSpg8uRpB5CLdUJC5UlUnySSN1obUPNEtJ_majOX3szwzNSQi-m8RhNBxUo5s/s1600/quotes-about-camping-funny-1-300x210.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="camping tips, camping advice" border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvjlIMk9culoUArLKMARebNr8tq0Dk5rvItwV0I-8D0s9WTHutCOD20ddt-EUoU9GQ8xJZ4J_jjhR7qwSpg8uRpB5CLdUJC5UlUnySSN1obUPNEtJ_majOX3szwzNSQi-m8RhNBxUo5s/s1600/quotes-about-camping-funny-1-300x210.png" title="" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Every summer we go camping.  We have a camper, so I can't really claim to be a "hard-core" camper I guess. <br /><br />Regardless of my camping mastery, I do have some tips to surviving the whole camping experience, and I feel that in any event, one should be prepared. <i>Camping </i>certainly requires one to be prepared.<br /><br /><i>(Disclaimer: this isn't going to be a list of essential items to take with you, or survival skills you may need, or even what kind of tent to buy - it's some common-sense, "been there, done that" kind of advice.)</i><br /><br /><strong>Before you go:</strong><br /><br /><strong></strong><em>There are a few things you should do long before you even go camping. A little preparation will help you in the long run.</em><br /><br />-  Fox Urine.   Before you go out on any adventures, be sure to spray Fox Urine around your camper.  Mice will not set up camp if they smell Fox Urine.  (It smells delightful to humans, so be sure to put a dab behind your ears. <i>That's a joke - don't do that.</i>)<br /><br />- Bounce Dryer Sheets.  Nothing says "comfort", like a camper full of spiders.  Avoid them by placing dryer sheets liberally throughout the camper when it isn't in use.<br /><br />- Packing. Bring <em>LOTS</em> of clothes.  Clothes you don't mind throwing away.  Because you will never wear your camping clothes again.  They will be impregnated with campfire smoke and bug spray for <i>EVER</i>.<br /><br /><strong>To bring:</strong><br /><br />- Pull ups for potty trained toddlers.  No matter how long your child has gone without wetting the bed, inevitably they will pee in their sleeping bag, and you won't have a washing machine.  Don't be a Hero, bring pull ups.<br /><br />- Dog.  To make your camping trip <i>complete </i>bring your dog.  They generally have to be on a leash and/or tied up in campgrounds.  Hours of amusement can be had, endlessly untangling your dog from around trees or the picnic tables.<br /><br />- And don't forget your plastic grocery bags.  Picking up dog poop seems like a chore - <i>but why not turn it into a treasure hunt! </i> Fun!<br /><br />- Clorox wipes.  Trust me, you're gonna want to disinfect the public bathrooms if you're staying at a campground.<br /><br />- Hair straightener. <em> Just joking!!! </em> It will either be so hot and humid, or so cold and damp, you will <em>NEVER</em> be able to straighten your hair.<br /><br />- Tweezers.  After several days, your eyebrows will look like caterpillars on your forehead.  Or maybe those <i>ARE </i>caterpillars... Regardless, you're going to need the tweezers to remove ticks.  I don't care how many layers you wear, ticks will find a way to nestle right up!  It's quite sweet really.<br /><br />- Hot dogs.  They are the easiest thing to cook over a campfire.  Don't try to expand your cooking repertoire for the kids while camping...  There's no need, because your kids will love you when you serve them hot dogs for 10 straight days.<br /><br />- Bug spray.  Why is it that no matter how much bug spray you have on, or how careful you are to shut the door, you always end up with that high-pitched "ZzzzzzZzzzzz" in yourcamper at 3 a.m. ?<br /><br /><strong>When you get home:</strong><br /><br />- Apply Calamine Lotion.  Works on poison ivy and bug bites.  It's always fun to spot who just got back from camping ~ their entire body will be covered in pink splotches from the calamine application.<br /><br />- Eat.  By the time you arrive home, you will have had nothing but hot dogs, marshmallows, and beer.<br /><br />(Now, go google "camping tips" and find some camping information that might actually be useful to you!)<br /><br />Even with the mention of fox urine and dog poop, talk of camping is making me hungry for camp food. So here are a couple more quick snacks to make when you're camping.<br /><br /><strong>Camp Fire Nachos</strong><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Campfire Nachos " class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11338 imageSix" data-id="11338" height="400" src="http://myhoneysplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Campfire-Nachos.jpg" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://cocopreme.hubpages.com/hub/vegetarian-camping-recipes">source</a>)</div><br />Ingredients:<br /><br />Tortilla Chips<br />Can of beans or chili<br />Cheese - Use bagged Mexican style grated cheese for ease<br />Any other nacho topping you may want to add after heated - salsa, sour cream, black olives, shredded lettuce, chopped fresh tomatoes.<br /><br />The best way to fix nachos on the grill is to use aluminum foil. Pull off a long piece of foil. Fold up the edges on all sides so that the nachos will stay in place.<br />If you are going to use beans or chili, you may want to heat them in a pot first. If you don’t have a pot, the beans will warm up when you melt the nachos.<br />Spread the chips on the foil. Pour the beans or chili on top. Sprinkle on the cheese. Add any other ingredients you desire on top. Remember to bring a can opener for the beans and a knife to cut any toppings.<br />Place the nachos on the grill. When the cheese is melted and the other ingredients are warm, remove the nachos. Allow them to cool a few minutes before eating. Add any of your cold ingredients (salsa, etc.)<br /><br /><strong>Hot Dog Octopus</strong><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="hot dog octopus recipe frankfurter weiner receipt franks sausages" class="photo" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/homecooking/1/5/9/9/1/hotdogoctopus5.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://homecooking.about.com/od/beef/ss/hdoctopussbs_5.htm">source</a>)</div><br />Simply cut 8 "legs" in your hot dog as above. Cut a large piece of tin foil and put it on the grill over a medium flame. Put your dogs on the foil, and the legs will curl up as the hot dog heats.<br /><br /><div align="center"><img alt="" class="image pinImage" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/b7/ef/a1/b7efa1f5495d757f1ba37da764c61b8b.jpg" style="height: 605px; margin: 0px auto; padding: 40px 0px; width: 460px;" /></div><br />If for no other reason, you should go camping so that you can make the following recipe around the campfire - it's from the <a href="http://www.chiquitabananas.com/banana-recipes/Camping-Bananas-recipe.aspx">Chiquita Banana</a> website, and is possibly one of the cutest camping ideas I have ever seen!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="easy Chiquita Camping Bananas Recipe" class="recipe_img photo" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_imgRecipeImage" src="http://www.chiquitabananas.com/RecipeManager/Uploads/RecipeThumbImage/camping-bananas.jpg" style="border-width: 0px;" /></div><br />Leaving the peel on the banana, slice the fruit twice lengthwise to create a 1/4-inch wedge. Remove the wedge. Fill each banana with half of the chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and marshmallows. Fold peel over top and wrap tightly with 2 pieces of foil. Lay bananas in coals, and cook for 10 minutes, turning once half way through. Remove from fire and let them cool before eating.  Eat with a spoon.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 17.24799919128418px;"><i><span style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter! 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Hard-Core Camping Advice (Can you hear the sarcasm?)

Every summer we go camping.  We have a camper, so I can't really claim to be a "hard-core" camper I guess. Regardless of my camping mastery, I do have some tips to surviving the whole camping experience, and I feel that in any event, one should be prepared. Camping certainly requires one to be prepa…

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Wood planked coffee table

<p>Hey hey all! It’s about time to get some DIY going up in here! With the family room under construction, our blogging conference a couple weeks ago and just basic summer slug-ness, I haven’t done much lately. </p> <p>I’ll have plenty to do starting later this week – the big stuff is almost done in the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/07/tearing-down-wall.html" target="_blank">family room</a>. Then it’s my turn. :) </p> <p>We haven’t had a coffee table in that room for a while – I took out our square one about a year ago and loved how open it felt, so it stayed that way. (It now lives at my sister’s.) </p> <p>When I moved the furniture around to the way I’ll have it when all the construction is done I realized I really wanted one again. But I needed it to be long and skinny. I don’t have any long and skinny so I’ve kept my eye out for something that might work. </p> <p>A few weeks back I found this at a local antique/thrift shop and it had me at WHEELS:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFaYnV8d03lI4rw96ipNqvVH8hAaZkVSLz_fQWZqHCD6f2gEob_1uTSmMcwAzE7liLdwWA-gnAx64xgRSxi3j5WPgPLEo7xc9A9aBSxKssehOu_2ELs54vHi8Eo1gNL1VSOgTRjwXdP4/s1600-h/unnamed%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="leather top table" border="0" height="666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkqVz53r5H_cal_tmeEilWFm1sYF0Wt5kT5vsmkrbRHaGSETFSd4eDIJiHMS77-oJlpJJMgGzhe1K102FdoT7H23PdPAajq5nv0i6OmjO9LmNdvUwvOl7vKfzOS5flM89O8wKxpOPiMc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="leather top table" width="500" /></a></p> <p>You know how <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/11/put-wheel-on-it.html" target="_blank">I love wheels</a>. They are my jam. </p> <p>The top of the table was a mess though, and I couldn’t figure out what to do with it as I stood there, so I left it. (No returns so I had to make sure it would work.)</p> <p>Fast forward a few weeks and I couldn’t get that table out of my head. I went back, it was still there and it came home with me. I still didn’t know what I was going to do with the top but I had to have it. </p> <p>Initially I was thinking of sanding it down lightly and restaining the damaged parts, but when I got it home and took a closer look I realized it was a real mess: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk3W6kbp3HSe1RH7oTemk8CHvfAfymYtQG602fv2DTsciwPFTWpIzqJs9k0lqighvH1iqVsv3MW7bq_LbUuEnMfE6CXE9zerDXRCCTsPt255tYTcRIREd5Pxfbj3HZ_MK4qG9q8CM5PE/s1600-h/IMG_9431%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-YKFTaY8J8jQorTB112Ledf1Kp5WnLWTvL_jMHjMry-ZMhaMex1qa9TQyQ1Ua1Wn-bJkU6QFlE4TiNuco2agFo_1kXZpznjSpKEPk45S7mQfNe351BVKHPCQa9xp-SkR5Z2V2rbEg7g/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a>  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBKqiZuiIs4XH8dBWBsFoJrFPgl3M8zlESSj75L8eBFLl6g72o9dVWxz7UKZ9VhipUcHyDmSze_ui5RWjXpeANVTAVSu2k8iItRJKh_cMDJirakrz2IsQQULYbIcgQSQ-cvX7ZEBH3-I/s1600-h/IMG_9433%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQV8c5qUnqCL-Lqq-C4DrQiMN2ohFnWqjzyPLv-IVFUnYmIt4Cg_KocAflFGWCyTrnhpfrDdAGz0wYthDsSVDjjmTzGgNrNaL4vgweNfmsn6ONUfUlK82oIokhQyd1grBzwraehNZEQQs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> </p> <p>I thought about keeping the leather top – for a minute. Then I got it cleaned off and saw it was beyond repair. The leather was cracked, which didn’t really bother me. But it also had paint and what looked like burn marks on it as well. And when I got it cleaned off I realized it was a very unattractive puke-brown color. Not so sad I couldn’t salvage it after that. :) </p> <p>We have enough natural wood in the family room anyway, so my next plan was to paint it. I turned it over and realized I could take the top off: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxoQSk0Iz-mKFh4-ulwb1NbtijgME8w-vUQm3NdD85T5TjooE8hoNRt1lNcgEOCaPY8SaaZV3c3SqP_P_Zd_Du-Nvists7eVQS9j-1A2aRGfAmb2Mv1OuyryKIviq8cD4slxLm8v_au4/s1600-h/IMG_9432%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="removing top of coffee table" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXqOLMGh8Uu8Xz-2dr35BAlCJ4CAqD9fUKyonBc4h75ZbaCAA_CQn0xqvu62y8F7f4o6p0vFsG2STjbl0YUg_lJAiSnVwnetzBtBub27eak5vykj30MAjmT0l1v09Vq5bAaBsR-rTmQQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="removing top of coffee table" width="500" /></a>Then I cleaned the heck out of the thing:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJGRz29wRTQnDM2_rBQlOo1Z8UMooV3ZzqI2cjdCIzXHUtTZ3LOsG9qf_YHXdSfEF44W2JbK0jAbvIqbKh5-lYUiAkPtOy3OKs_xKkjC4qi-vK46sXDcDH1WJ8y0WUcBTdlivFdH1eig/s1600-h/IMG_9434%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cleaning before paint" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc4kKZVOgWPC40LqS-LjTAliC_rocZgt0HFDVG0ZJxPILvzbOMBbYqQonJRbmhJMw9fD4CvdNPvSnXhRQN0TXW39UcEtATMsdDNSXn30yGjM2FcemPVWCX97UrD3t5AqGFey9xU572t0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cleaning before paint" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Grody. I lightly sanded it to get more grime off: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUC35kdI9fWXREbWwCi_iHWmL5l_btYlOA9ZpJVAbf1uo-aM5ihbKP8Slmj-htxloq_cs86ruJyGPcWZm2nFcHIRKm83B6Jx81o6v6xgLs_42K_tAipACek0OyM3Y8cwiU1KQSd6FUyU/s1600-h/IMG_9435%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sanding furniture for paint" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSnlPek9BgZeFoHe3t6J0SIe9_H1tsHupUBx5n95f_CXgHZgYo6I_Ab2xoityh2aCAf4Bfky0gs_ngiNLbM3a0lTZppKZyNMdB6KcgD4e7ekq4uQERvxEJR2r-9q_iZYZe_OvPM2NFeE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="sanding furniture for paint" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Then took it outside to spray prime it -- I just used a basic gray primer. By the way, I mention this a lot but it’s worth saying again – make sure to clean any piece you’re going to spray paint! If you don’t you’ll get the dreaded crackle. </p> <p>I picked up another gray spray paint called silver fox by Valspar for the main color – I figured it would be easiest with the detail on the table. </p> <p>Outside it looked decent, but when I brought it in I realized it was BLUE. Like, baby blue. What the??: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDeYJOBq-t-DQoM5k0muT_RuhUKs6WUGS_c2bUgN4My6AMgqp4iJL_VaU9Ngzb5KRVFN5fISUurLLpAtfBlds5TEwH5u4sIK42L-EtSjtGsAJeSfwOquCoptyjjI8iGsxIBmihcBms38/s1600-h/IMG_9440%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9440" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwW4tvkDzI_IPGgtO2u6fU5fllAFgkEwjkd7yF9ID_vhiAptpi6cDirRK3P8UyHUG4VGjAlnLXTRaXomBLQmlxyLni55xM1MEn6VT9KBbiolPLPhhyphenhyphen29qo_UYZcchj1O2er2HIvhRP2Y/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_9440" width="500" /></a></p> <p>ARGH. Spray paint lids not matching the color are quickly becoming one of my biggest pet peeves. DIYer probs. </p> <p>So I grabbed some chalk paint, which is what I should have done from the start. (But I still would have primed – these reddish stains can bleed through.) I used my CeCe Caldwell gray that I already had: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi9bHVqlf9_-FPpkf-IKNQcmNZrt69vhrXveTd1hbI_B3JZc_1zPiS6w_ZbVcl2u6YJOrdP009WEeP7OlnGvWA1yY_jWqnMRW9q9AYxgdh3lx0p6NbuEILqjoTJ1bSdaQFqGXmCew3T4/s1600-h/pittsburgh_gray%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CeCe Caldwell pittsburgh gray" border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGX1mkjagT-DKOgvYv2qSkiMwhD67oywJFXT4-TTXqhsVMXj5rALSnhWMS35BvmACohS9HH6NpyjD7qdohlLGnG_FebVIO4ozQ7-Pch5IA_kyNiHcPTReNs2N0z8FEs5LTNx34Y1LCyU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CeCe Caldwell pittsburgh gray" width="480" /></a></p> <p>I shared my thoughts on this paint and how to apply it <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthriftydecorchick.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F11%2Fredo-with-cece-caldwell-paint.html&ei=ZDfNU8f_HMebyATsnoKADA&usg=AFQjCNGiB2Pihy9oTwYqjbi3y2_VlJrauw&sig2=JiwuOxjqjz-iz2ZAS5LiAQ&bvm=bv.71198958,d.aWw" target="_blank">here</a> – I really love these paints. It dries much lighter:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMD0nfxwyTZT9E2GwP9VbMeTgE2Apqtl2sCw9Oc_qusZxF5eOlmStW0pyPYCrRqxjRjh49L94ARta0HNNnSD8EcJuWRdUNwM6yMx2oJor4VNj1xrX1ZAtRFmiiVxRqOtuPydIWlMXuig/s1600-h/IMG_9443%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CeCe Caldwell paint" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihC1DN-kiUIsS7Uw5pJDTp1J8LvK7J9naEv5cXE-KwTZKBfTBvnVoVBJF77how4_Ds1kKvzQUv4en8EAw9IohxKRfsw4aM_SXWHzqj5K8aaTprVyw-rhZ2_XTxufQ89PU-t4J5ETBkKpI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CeCe Caldwell paint" width="500" /></a></p> <p>But when you apply the wax it gets richer and darker. I did have issues with the wax this time though, more on that in a minute. </p> <p>I came up with a plan for the new tabletop – first I grabbed some scrap luan and cut it size with my jigsaw. I stained it just in case you’d see it under the new tabletop: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eTyI_fA84jEvCqN2m_Z4bE02tiYLLonI7t2C1-I3Ye7sIauKuKGLmz5FWy4zr7nNQT1OfEnJXf6dZeAqZqClKSQmXieS1aCiGDvCambF4InzZwHmyINvKfP4CLiMn35Ec-ISofAmwKA/s1600-h/IMG_9445%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="replacing top of coffee table" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS15GiCWEavUULIO6yVS-j7Gyi3l5tANhMuRXdThvbD78s4uWBYYfeCe2wrUIKwDg6ZQSLtGHOGGiShz01K_mJNZR_GBfDvF6iXcRVdD2dXHn9s8G9sGqPKwKDLZgpfsgy4UdfWPLrA-I/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="replacing top of coffee table" width="500" /></a>I used my nail gun to nail it into the edges where the old top sat. You can see there how much darker the chalk paint gets when you apply the wax by the way. </p> <p>Then I used some very thin boards from Lowe’s (they are called craft boards) that I stained dark walnut by Minwax (one of my favorite colors): </p> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-66sfewHeOrvmzKu9laOPFZtYqCsAZPGKhVDB2fEPzpM4XQl_z7CZKOEgiehCNhQxEEvLU5a9LhCBSIJhMbB7Rl-vD_613xzC4aDWdgp1baddIxzX9WxvOui0E3hflNlXZ4oIGKSoBA/s1600-h/8dc1b379-92ae-4163-8520-16c7ce1cfcf2_400%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dark walnut stain" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PsO6LD0vwhgj6G9D2hc5rSLIu_WdZbOTfAUNW5u0UCNLt5x7DRHjY9RAFhx3tC8b39rE3wRqqJYRfI78szxUs_GpQxn51Nohaak0fniegcHPCMogWbAsMl27SKWBIluz1oL0QQs-kZw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dark walnut stain" width="300" /></a> </p> <p>The boards were more than I planned to spend but I needed a very specific thickness and they also had to be decent, stainable wood. </p> <p>I put a little bit of glue down on the luan and then laid the craft boards down: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VTBk2JDAhATGDwHPKnI9HR4Ri9KhiBmIj6iPVvy4sSaBKizpFprLfDMXZn3zEpHggD4J6vQ5-8eVjACm1Zr30vfbevMhQlo0v7Bl4Y0EtMQ_IPvJmMhiZ3A7qECEqjzBdaZModUV204/s1600-h/IMG_9446%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood planks on table top" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrQmZ6bsBakZUfHIWlTmjKFOPGMooPAIOYFoJPYXK7D4qclqElTUo4co41ykppRYnkdz4P5A7fi4sZQkFKRoNUVaD5J_1j8P1Vqo6deDxSbbacE25_5TNkD8ST0bJ6jB09r-nSl2Hn40/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood planks on table top" width="500" /></a></p> <p>And nailed them in as well: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB73MlNfa8Ngw7rfU8bRPIgPAerXAN94MIhhOhMhTRcx0c3OtoPmdWfJM_leehK9fjGWbyuy1t2vfwX7g0KMWObZ9vaPNqqRoxbbyKMIIlkTq0h4c3dJPTWqg_eKo2W17RkuZyDH1pRg/s1600-h/IMG_9448%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood planked table top" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAiGetvUN2wmMKrTvd5Bk-XVhL-wWzI91jW-mnM-JoOWjvJcQ8u4BlhNx-SPGlBKp-lQFUQO_JhitkKnG8zVREUmJhFmS-jDqT_MqD_olKVuxjX68mdEnAUs05dHkbeQjq3EGNadPOPU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood planked table top" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I took the old tabletop with me to the hardware store so I was able to find a combination of boards that fit the top almost perfectly. These boards aren’t all the same size – two are the same, the other two are different sizes. It didn’t bother me and I actually like that they aren’t all the same: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXVKBc6KDf5gPQl1HW_7xF9ZjCX7DcaSRIlsKRCagw257oyoNWbMUIyM1g9Sgzf-7tV0QrbTmPeDao9WeBWEjUClufndfdSepVp1kdOsoTl8gqPwqBFgru7okKOdaqOVAzarKaie9qwE/s1600-h/IMG_9453%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood planked coffee table" border="0" height="695" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oyGt4fUqRr9O6rpIDb1nyJdBOJCdZBLzDqUTtrtB810G0fIfLZpSksycPD-QuV_AP8xFiFc-N1sVyQFnWG02ZjbOPKf5oz4XfDrIXykCqumTfcZ3iT-JPD_YQP6oKW3oojYeVwNOI0s/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood planked coffee table" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I’m not thrilled with how that skinny board stained up – I used conditioner on all of them and that one doesn’t look as good as the others. But it looks rustic…that’s what I’m going with for anyway. If it bugs me I’ll replace it. Or live with it. :) </p> <p>The top is super smooth – I stood back when I was done and was SO happy with how it turned out: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmizU8U-BIyU3mtEQsLLGKtr2-wIC9L23GOtuKWL6KM4pkPHeZqkbBNrfmFFOl9HbvvyexldpxDVjTs7I3ElBSF_fH94-xV9Zu46MylB8vK0dxIpZW4VBlabNzcnpJ3dZ4GjRMcWZrsA/s1600-h/IMG_9469%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood to replace leather top" border="0" height="621" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQf7zQgUmC0jzv0dVdEPraz6pCkeTsLHNMEtTZepSPeWHpzOwfen9kL4zMEVs3WJGy8keThz4jDl5xAUOVoG7IjB0pVtSResz5O_QMyLAo3BaIr58Jw9NKQQozOO0kfPeQ8qTYctUoGNI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood to replace leather top" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I LOVE it: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcWleLhh8qnGE80UB8zO-rDmZd-tiRLDz-dUlq2TOwl_P3bCK2_gfaoS_QZdu3lYMZLIkA7BrBHYTQjIEDtx45MOdxlBIhRlY_mrTU95pHUGBm_9JkB7yK7S5PBkyxZCGW0FnkbNuMyA/s1600-h/IMG_9459%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gray table wood top" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqJp7DFQTMJTVxkvPHdMKAWvWDa5aFG8KJRICghe4PlXL8CxAI-ZPyh2J9i-YVPZLnSRVKp_7nZYQCRa73_8TmBRoNBAHjDOIeTD-kPYVaUgh4Z7Xae17kv_jGswXspiMwgNSz1jA_r8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="gray table wood top" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The sectional will be moved soon so ignore the rug placement and all – this will get flipped to face the fireplace when the TV can be moved over. Hoping this week! </p> <p><strong>WHEELS</strong>:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4drBcOifw5vN7LSfs2dy_MKpmxUsEUjkJD5Aq7r-IKbh90rrKgxYj-wsRGmwjKJz3ruLAKrEFvbeqRWhHBHtiH3WeyYrFviHLLEde_X-PjvjhyphenhyphenZCrKgDAOWZNtmrdGN2VdXXqfzNxLw/s1600-h/IMG_9454%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="coffee table on wheels" border="0" height="780" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE4Vuxu2AYDbV1_ajM5dk7CKVvdKk8FkfBRAyPXtdzjxjhj6gV_XInqrNe1uTZl1330IVcLWDvngeUP11YAEsVLlaXAJHTjYv6GE6kQoDJjTZPn-zhzIMqL5ergrOWCV2EQHYxh0nF6g/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="coffee table on wheels" width="480" /></a></p> <p>I’m bugged out by the wax this time – this wax has done this the past two times I’ve used it. It gets blotchy and doesn’t dry well in some spots. Most of it looks great – it’s just certain areas. Usually this happens when you use too much, but I wiped this sucker well so I know it’s not that. </p> <p>It’s frustrating because I’m going to have to sand down a couple spots and do another coat of paint and wax to correct it. But I LOVE the look – the dark wood combined with the gray is luscious. So it will be worth it. :) </p> <p>There were a few issues along the way but I ended up with a coffee table I love in just the right size. The table was $20 and I spent about $25 on wood (those smaller pieces get expensive!) – not bad at all! Don’t overlook those pieces that are a mess – they can be turned into beauties! </p> <p>Have you made over any messes lately? </p>

Wood planked coffee table

Hey hey all! It’s about time to get some DIY going up in here! With the family room under construction, our blogging conference a couple weeks ago and just basic summer slug-ness, I haven’t done much lately. I’ll have plenty to do starting later this week – the big stuff is almost done in the fami…

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