Portable Changing Room

So remember when I told you about taking my son's senior pictures? Because we were "on site" and unable to go inside to change, I had to come up with a portable changing solution.

After I figured it out, I realized it would be a great option for the beach or anyplace else you need some privacy to change!

Since I knew we only needed our changing room for one morning, I made a temporary version by using safety pins to attach the long end of a twin sheet to an ordinary hula hoop (just fold the edge over the hoop and pin in place).

If you wanted a permanent version, whip stitch, glue or velcro along the edge to hold it in place. Easy Peasy!

Master Bedroom Wrap Up, Complete with Art!

Okay, it's time for the complete reveal along with some tips for recreating the artwork I made for my Master Bedroom Spruce Up.



I'm sure most of you figured out from my Junking Post that I chose the old tin ceiling tile (complete with bird poo) for my bedroom art. I purchased it at the building salvage store for $13 and hauled it home in my girlfriend's truck.

I took it outside and scrubbed it, then propped it up in my room and The Big Guy took one look at it and nearly fainted. He told me to get it OUT of the room, he was NOT sleeping under that thing! Geesh.



So, I took it outside and coated it with 3 coats of Heirloom White spray paint



And then my camera battery died...oops. Anyhoo, I moved onto my next step anyway, which I will describe now. Sorry.

Using a foam brush, I brushed on Folk Art Antiquing Polish in brown in 1 foot sections and simply wiped it off with a clean rag. I used a light hand with the wiping part to be sure lots of gunk stayed in the nooks and crannies.



I then used small finishing nails to attach the two short ends to a 1x2 strip of wood on each side to which I attached picture wire.



Then I hung it on an ordinary picture hanger on the wall (it's very lightweight).



And here is my new room! Guess what? No one has become diseased or died sleeping under my new junk turned treasure artwork either. Ha!



I love the crisp look of the white and tans, I love the new artwork, and I have sat on my slip covered love seat every day! Ah...sanctuary...all under $200.

Meet me back here tomorrow to link up your own tutorials - I want you to Teach Me Stuff! Grab a button now and you'll be all set:



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How to Make a Moss Terrarium

I started with a medium sized cookie jar that I found at Target, but any decorative glass container with a lid will work. I removed the rubber gasket so my little plants could get a bit of air. We used pint-sized wide mouth jars for the kids' projects.

Begin by layering gravel into the bottom of the container, we chose "pretty" gravel from the craft store. Layer the largest stones first and graduate to the finest gravel, this will keep the soil on top and not let it filter down into the stones.



Now, take a walk in the lovely forest nearest you and gather moss and small plants to use inside your jar. I chose a mixture of mosses, tiny ferns, and clusters of clovers.


Fill the jar 2/3's full of potting soil (don't use soil from the walk, it might have little buggies in it!) and arrange your plants. Take care to bury the roots into the soil.

Water with a spray bottle and replace lid. Keep your little terarrium in indirect light and spray with water once condensation disappears from the inside of the jar.

Leather Beaded Bracelet / Necklace Tutorial

The beaded bracelet we made yesterday is so fun and beachy to wear everyday.

We started with a 24 inch length of leather cord. The diameter of the strap or cord is determined by the size of the bead holes. I used the thinner one, but you can see here a thicker suede strap with wooden beads has a whole different look! The kids even joined in with hemp cord and plastic letter beads.

Begin by tying a knot about 3 inches from the end of your cord then slide on a bead.

Lock the bead in place with a knot on the other side.

Tie knots and beads at varying intervals down the cord. I placed beads every 1 1/2 - 3 inches of different sizes, shapes, and colors. I was going for a beach glass look.

Gather up both ends together and tie in a knot to finish. The bracelet can be wound around your wrist to for a stacked look or doubled and worn as a necklace.

These things we girls plan together are all inexpensive and fun. They are getting me through the long summer with three kids and giving me much needed adult interaction. The shot of estrogen doesn't hurt! Who said play dates are just for kids?

See the ring in the last photo? It's an Interchangeable Bead Ring that can coordinate with every outfit! Just change out the hand made bead to suit your mood! It's ingenious! Get one at Joy Beadworks!