{31 Days} Chalkboard Wine Glasses

Note:  Due to some unforeseen family illnesses, I am having to play catch-up on my 31 days challenge! Thank you for reading!

Day 13: Chalkboard Wine Glasses

Speaking of chalkboard, while I was working on my chalkboard coffee mugs, I decided to finally get around to another DIY pin of mine- chalkboard wine glasses!

When David and I registered for our wedding, we must have planned on having large dinner parties with lots of wine. We registered for two of the box sets of not expensive but still good wine glasses.  I decided to dress up our "extra" set with the chalkboard paint! I first tried the dip method but ran in to problems when I turned them upside down to dry. The paint was very thick and even after tapping and twisting, the excess paint ran down the stem of the glass. I was able to clean them up and decided that I would just sponge brush on a couple of thin layers of paint to eliminate this problem. I set the glasses upside down to dry.

I let the paint dry for a full 24 hours and then tested them out. The glasses are great but it seems my chalk might be a little tough to write with!!

I can't wait to have our next dinner party and use our new glasses! I just need to find a good piece of chalk!

13 down! 18 to go!!

{31 Days} Chalkboard Coffee Mugs

Note:  Due to some unforeseen family illnesses, I am having to play catch-up on my 31 days challenge! Thank you for reading!

Day 12: Chalkboard Coffee Mugs

These chalkboard mugs have been a favorite pin of mine for a while. Earlier this year one of the local thrift stores had a moving sale and I stocked up on a few white coffee mugs (some that I used for this project) for only 10 cents each- including these four Crate and Barrel coffee mugs that looked so similar to my inspiration mugs!

I cheated a little bit for my chalkboard mugs. I didn't want to take a trip to the store for the "porcelain" chalkboard paint. I had a can of chalkboard paint made for furniture and walls- so that is what I used. I taped off the top half of the mugs and brushed on three coats of the chalkboard paint on the bottom half.

After I removed the tape, I let the chalkboard paint dry a full 24 hours before writing on the mugs. Because I did not use the porcelain paint, I did not bake the mugs. I didn't know what might happen so I decided it was best to just not do it!

I plan to use these mugs occasionally and only hand wash them. I hope they hold up well. So far so good!!

12 down! 19 to go!!

Where in the World?

Earlier this year, I let you, my sweet followers, in on a little secret! It was back in January when I shared my Word of the Year- Trust and my little hint was this....

"David and I have a big year ahead of us! We will be making a BIG move (and by big, I mean like over an ocean big). Well... the big move won't be until this time next year but the preparations and all that leading up to it will take a lot of trusting and leaning on God."

Now that we have shared it with family, friends, and bosses and know that it is for sure going to happen- I thought I would let you in on where it is that we are moving! 

But you have to guess first!! : )

My husband will frequently visit this place..... 

And I hope to do a lot of this.... 

 

Any guesses? I will post links to the images here soon!! 

{31 Days} Glitter Pumpkins and Fall Mantel

Note:  Due to some unforeseen family illnesses, I am having to play catch-up on my 31 days challenge! Thank you for reading!

Day 11: Glitter Pumpkins and Fall Mantel

I love fall! We are still feeling some summer heat but we're getting there. To help give Texas a hint, I did a little fall decorating here in our home.

 I decided this year to use brighter and cooler colors than the typical warm fall colors. I created a yarn wrapped leaf wreath, painted a chevron pumpkin and added a little bling with colorful glitter pumpkins.

These pumpkins are easy! I started by sponge brushing on some modge podge on the top of the pumpkin, leaving the stem clean.

Then I sprinkled on some glitter out of my stash from my sorority days.

I love the color and sparkle that these pumpkins add to our bright fall mantel.

11 down! 20 to go!!

{31 Days} Family Tree

Note:  Due to some unforeseen family illnesses, I am having to play catch-up on my 31 days challenge! Thank you for reading!

Day 10: Family Tree

For each of my grandmothers' birthdays this year, I created a sweet family tree. I found this cute idea on Pinterest and decided I could recreate it using Microsoft Word like I have on other word art projects here and here. By downloading a new font and playing around with word art, I was able to create three different trees with each of my grandmothers' kids and grand kids. They all loved this sentimental gift!!

Word art makes such a simple and sweet gift.

10 down! 21 to go!!

Just a Quick Heads Up!

Hopefully no one (but me) is counting.... but I realize I am 6 days behind on my 31 days challenge! I have been battling a two week cold and my husband's grandmother has been in the hospital since last Wednesday! I fully plan on playing catch up but things have been a bit hectic these past few days!!

See you soon with more fun projects!!

{31 Days} Initial Mugs

 

Day 9: Initial Mugs

I'm running a little late on this Tuesday so I needed a quick DIY for my 31 days challenge.  I found this tutorial on Pinterest over a year ago and also picked up the white mugs from the thrift store not long after! They had the mugs on sale for 10 cents each so I stocked up! I thought these initial mugs would make great gifts with some homemade hot chocolate this Christmas.

 I started with my three white mugs and washed each one so they were good and clean.

 Next, I sketched on the initial and name with a plain Sharpie marker.

Then I baked the mugs in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Let the mugs completely cool and then you are good to go. These mugs are hand-wash only and not dishwasher safe! Great simple gift and easy DIY!!

I am behind on my schedule for this 31 days! Last week I had each post written at least a day if not two in advance. But I have been feeling a bit sickly and falling down on my job! I will get better at this!!

9 down! 22 to go!

{31 Days} Wine Bottle Tiki Torches

Day 8: Wine Bottle Tiki Torches

Back in June, I made a few wine bottle tiki torches for the couples shower we hosted for my sister and brother-in-law. They were a hit and I have since made some for my dad for father's day and a few for our lake house. My dad has a party at his house here in a few weeks. He called the other day and placed an order for 10 more tiki torches! I thought this would be a great opportunity to share the tutorial.

For this project, I used:

Empty Wine Bottle (I removed the labels by letting the bottles soak in the bathtub with shampoo-y water)
Tiki Torch Fuel
Water
Funnel
Tiki Torch Replacement Wicks
1/2" x 3/8" Copper Coupling
1/2" Copper Cap (both copper pieces can be found in the plumbing area in the hardware store)
Electrical Tape

Since my wicks don't reach the bottom of the bottle, I filled the bottom third part of the bottle with water. I then poured the tiki torch fuel on top. Since oil and water don't mix, this works out perfectly!

Next, I wrapped the 1/2" inch side of the copper coupling with electrical tape about three times. This gives the extra width needed so the wick, coupling and cap don't fall through.

Then I slide the wick through the bottom of the coupling until it came out the top and squeezed the tape in towards the wick just to give it a little extra hold.

Next just place the wick in the bottle and you are good to go. I would give the wick some time to soak up the fuel so it burns well. The copper top is used when you are not using the tiki torch to keep the wick from getting wet.

The best part about these wine bottle tiki torches is that they fit in Dad's old tiki torch stands. His old cans had rusted so we will just replace the cans with these bottles for a great, unique tiki torch!

Anyone have a great use for old wine bottles?

8 down! 23 to go!!

{31 Days} Big Things Baby Gift

Day 7: Big Things Baby Gift

On this lazy Sunday afternoon, I needed a simple DIY project to complete for today. Baby Rhett celebrated his first birthday this past week and we are heading up to see him and his parents this weekend. I wanted to create something for the little man and after seeing this quote on Pinterest, I knew what it was that I was going to make.

I thought it was a great saying for a nursery. I grabbed an old sketch book from my college days and had fun doodling this fun little print.

I had a frame at home so this was a simple project I completed in about 15 minutes!

Anyone have any cute gift ideas for baby Rhett to go with this print?

7 down! 24 to go!

{31 Days} Do Whatcha Gotta Do

Day 6: Do Whatcha Gotta Do

Just getting this post in in the nick of time! The reason- David and I had a garage sale and are completely worn out! We pulled a late night last night- later than this old married couple ever see- and then worked from sun up til sun down today!

Sometimes, as a DIY hoarder, you do what you got to do to make space in the junk room and keep the husband happy!! I sadly had to part with some of my projects at today's sale. I had a small business dream a little over a year ago that I would hunt down great deals on furniture and bring it home to fix up and sale for a profit- but that dream didn't get too far past a collection of chairs, a few tables, and one large dinning set before I soon realized that these projects take time and that is time I didn't really have. So I sadly said goodbye to quite a few today but... I saved just a couple to hopefully get to soon!! We'll see!

Sorry there is no fun DIY project today! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

6 down! 25 to go!!