33. DIY Wedding: Framed Table Numbers

Today I’ll be showing you an easy project I did for our May 2012 wedding: DIY framed table numbers!

Here are the incredibly simple instructions.

DIY Framed Table Numbers

 

Photo credit: Laura Zastrow (http://www.laurazastrow.com/)

Materials:

small picture frames
printer paper or card stock (your choice, I used card stock because I already had some lying around)
scissors
pencil
table number template
computer
printer

Directions:

1. Pick a template and design your table numbers.  I used a free template from Wedding Chicks (find it here).  I like the templates from Wedding Chicks because you can type in whatever you want and play with different color combinations.  I typed in the number of the table inside the scrolled frame, and spelled out each number below.  I chose to do this because some of the numbers in the provided font were a little weird.  Well, at least to my eyes.  However, I really loved the “feel” of this font since our wedding had small touches of art deco (even our venue was built in the 1920s).

2. Save each table number as a separate file.  I believe all of mine were jpegs.

3. Print out the numbers.  I used card stock because the printer paper I had on hand was thin and somewhat transparent.  The card stock took up the ink really nicely.  Allow the pages to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.  You don’t want anything to smear of you’ll have to reprint!

4. Most frames comes with some sort of paper insert.  I removed the paper insert and used it as a template to trace around each number lightly with pencil.

5. Cut out the printed table numbers and insert them into the frames.

6. Enjoy your handiwork!

Photo credit: Laura Zastrow (http://www.laurazastrow.com/)

Seriously such an easy project, and they’ll look sooooo good.

The only materials I had to buy for this project were the photo frames, which I found at Dollar Tree for (you guessed it) $1 each.  I already had the card stock and my printer had plenty of ink, so you’ll need to factor in those costs if you aren’t as prepared.

I initially made up 22 frames, but we ended up only needing 13.  I sold our numbers after the wedding and recouped the cost, so no biggie. 🙂  This is such a quick project I’m sure you could wait to put these together until you get in all of your RSVPs (that way you’ll know the exact number of tables).

Photo credit: Laura Zastrow (http://www.laurazastrow.com/)

I hope you enjoyed today’s post!  No worries, I still have a ton of wedding things to show you.  😉

XO,
Gabriella

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32. Sneak peak at our upholstered platform bed!

I’ve talked about it so much I’m sure you’re probably sick of it, but the majority of our upholstered bed is finished!  It’s the knockoff version of Restoration Hardware’s Alder Tufted Platform Bed.

Adler Tufted Platform 56″ Bed (Restoration Hardware)

Their model is 56″ tall and cost $2595…before shipping.  Yikes.  Ours will come out to 60″ tall, and if I’ve done my math correctly…$226.97!

That’s right, we built a similar bed for about 8% of the cost!  My original budget was $250; obviously I am super proud of myself for keeping things under my spending limit!

I finished the main part of the headboard last night, which definitely turned out to be the most labor-intensive part of the project.  My hands and fingers are still sore today!

Brace yourself for some awesomeness…

TADA!

The only thing I think I want to fix is the top…I’m not loving how tight I pulled the fabric.  I’d rather it be a more flat edge instead of scalloped.  Anyway, it’s by no means perfect, but I think this headboard came out AMAZING considering I’ve never done any tufting in my life.

I am patting myself on the back as we speak.

I can’t wait to show you the final product once we get everything assembled!!!

XO,
Gabriella

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31. Good news and bad news.

I hate that I don’t have a good post for today, but I promise there is a valid explanation!  This brings to me to the bad news, which I will discuss first to get it done and over with to leave you with a good, happy feeling.

A friend’s puppy chewed through the power adaptor for my Macbook, so my poor laptop is dead until I get a new charger.  Said friend has graciously bought me a new charger, but it won’t be here until Monday.  I have lots of project photos on my laptop, which, of course, I can’t access until then.  Sadness all around.

Also, Fabric.com cancelled yet ANOTHER one of the fabrics I ordered.  Luckily,  I was having second thoughts about my choice, and I had only ordered a yard of this one anyway.

Premier Prints Penmanship Denim Blue/Natural

Now for the good news: my orders from Foam Factory and Fabric.com are being delivered tomorrow!  Woohoo!  This means I’ll FINALLY be able to finish our platform bed and conjure up some projects for a few additonal posts. 

Here’s what’s coming up soon:

Made from Scratch: Upholstered Platform Bed (Restoration Hardware Knockoff)
Made from Scratch: White Shag Carpet Runners
Before and After: Framed Prints from Goodwill
Before and After: Ikea Expedit Hack

I’m really hoping to get all of these things up within the next week or so.  Super exciting!

XO,
Gabriella

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30. Sneak peek at my IKEA Expedit makeover!

I am doing something today that I rarely ever do…I’m showing you a project that I’m not finished with yet!

Gasp!  Shock!  Awe!  (I have to break out of my comfort zone sometime.)

I recently decided that I was no longer in love with our IKEA Expedit bookshelf.  We have the 4×4 version in black-brown.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great piece of furniture!  Really sturdy with plenty of storage space.  However, my decorating has recently veered towards lighter colored furniture, and the color of this shelving was (in my opinion, anyway) darkening the room.  It’s just…blah.  You know what I mean?  I originally planned to get rid of it, but then I had a bright idea:  why not just give it a fresh look?

I, of course, went looking through tons of inspiration photos.  I love this one.

Source: flickr.com

I will similarly be adding eight doors to the bookcase to make it more like a cabinet, but they’ll go on in a different layout (down the center two columns instead of across two non-adjacent rows).  I’ll hang the doors so they open out like a cabinet instead of opening in the same direction.  Genius idea, right?

Before that happens, though, this baby needed a new color.  I used some of the gray we had left over from painting the spare bedroom.  It’s Behr; I think it’s called “Dark Pewter”.

How pretty does she look now?!

I’m super happy with how it’s turning out.  I definitely don’t want to get rid of it now!

I also got in the hinges and door pulls I ordered from Home Depot.  They have an antique gold finish, and the pulls are lion’s heads.  Super quirky and fun!

I’ll hopefully get this cabinet completely finished by the end of the week, so make sure to stop back to feast your eyes upon the final product!  You know you wanna.

XO,
Gabriella

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29. Update on fabric order.

I’m super sad!

I got an email from fabric.com today telling me they no longer have enough of one of my fabric choices. 😦

This is the one I won’t be getting:

I needed 6.5 yards of this for a secret project I’m working on, but they only had 6 yards available…in two separate pieces!  I had two options: take what they had or cancel the item.  I opted to cancel because 6 yards would have barely been enough, and that’s if it was one continuous piece of fabric.  Now I have to pick out a new fabric and place another order.  First-world problems, I guess.

On a better note, tonight is my first class of the semester!  I’m teaching Analytical Chemistry at a local university.  I’ve been teaching there for almost three years, and I really love it!  It’s a lot of time and work, but very rewarding…and the extra chunk of change in my bank account every month doesn’t hurt either!

I hope you’re having a fabulous Monday. 🙂

XO,
Gabriella

 

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28. Three tips for scoring great finds at Goodwill.

Goodwill is probably one of my favorite places to shop.  I know some people would turn their nose up or rather die than walk into a thrift store.  You don’t know what you’re missing, my friend!  If you’ve never shopped at Goodwill, there are a few things you should know that will undoubtedly improve your shopping experience.

Large framed print, $7 @ Goodwill

1. If you shop at a Goodwill in a nice neighborhood, chances are the items they sell will be of better quality.

I mainly shop at one Goodwill that’s in a pretty well-to-do area, and I consistently find really nice things.  I’ve bought tons of clothes at this particular store, with labels from places like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft, GAP, Old Navy, J. Crew, and a bunch more.  Seriously!  Really good stuff, in good condition.  I’ve even found items that still had the tags attached.  The Goodwill I frequent also buys stuff from the local Target, which means brand new stuff at a great discount.  My Goodwill currently has a bunch of Halloween costumes and accessories for sale, a good majority of which is brand new and still in the packaging.

Fun Machine Organ, $30 @ Goodwill

2. Shopping at Goodwill is often hit or miss, and you have to be willing to sift through duds to find treasure.

There are plenty of times that I go to Goodwill ready to burn a hole in my pocket only to leave empty-handed.  It happens!  I also make sure I have the time to really look through the racks (if I’m shopping for clothes).  My store organizes clothes by type of item, then by size, and then by color.  I usually start with clothes that are my size, but I will often look through the next size up.  I normally wear a size S, but I often find things in a M that fit pretty well.  There will be a hoard of ugly, outdated garments in any thrift store, but if you’re willing to go through everything, I guarantee you’ll find good stuff!  Every once in a while I find superb vintage pieces as well.  Example: I own a fabulous vintage black velvet blazer I found at my favorite Goodwill, and it only cost me $6.  A piece like that would cost MUCH more in a vintage boutique or antiques shop.

Small milk glass vases, $1 @ Goodwill

3. Think outside the box and keep an open mind.  Just because it’s ugly now doesn’t mean it has to stay that way!

I’ve found a lot of great home items at Goodwill that I plan on tweaking to fit my decor style.  Like the piece of art, but hate the frame?  Paint it!  Pretty much anything can be improved with a little glue and paint.

Framed prints, $3 each @ Goodwill (I will be painting the frames to freshen these up!)

Items also need not be used for their intended purpose.  For example, I bought a very large wooden magazine rack yesterday, which I plan on painting and distressing for use as a blanket caddy.

Large magazine rack, $10 @ Goodwill

I also found a cute wire basket that I loved but didn’t immediately have any idea concerning its purpose in our home.  I realized I had no good storage for my belts, so I rolled them up and the basket is now their home.

Rose gold wire basket, $4 @ Goodwill

There you have it!  Those are my three tips for having a great experience while browsing the racks at your local Goodwill.

Happy shopping!

XO,
Gabriella

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27. New fabrics and foam are on the way!

Today is payday!  Woohoo!

I made a few purchases today that I’ve been putting off; I’m so excited for the packages to get here so I can finish the projects they belong to!

I ordered two pieces of foam from The Foam Factory.  I’ve priced out a bunch of different online retailers, as well as Joann Fabric, and this company was by far the cheapest…even compared to using a coupon at Joann Fabric!  The best part is you can order exactly the size foam you need for a project, which means I won’t have to cut it down myself.  I’ve done that once before…and it is painstakingly awful.  No thanks!  They also provide free shipping on order over $75.  [On a side note…why is foam so expensive???]

The first piece of foam, 2″x48″x63″, is for the headboard on the upholstered bed we’ve been working on.  It’s finally going to get finished!  The second piece of foam, 4″x24″x48″, will get used for the custom ottoman I’m making.  You know there will be a tutorial in the near future!

I also made a purchase from fabric.com.  I seriously love browsing through all the beautiful options, and I swear I haven’t found prices any better!  I’ve bought from them many times and I’m never disappointed.  Here are the beauties I picked out this time!

Braemore Henry Ikat Silver

Premier Prints Penmanship Denim Blue/Natural

Faux Fur Curly Mongolian White

Premier Prints Hayes Stripe Blue

Magnolia Home Fashions Bali Ikat Stone

I can’t wait to show you my plans for all this gorgeous fabric!  I’ll make sure to keep posting other cool things in the meantime.

Enjoy your weekend!

XO,
Gabriella

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26. DIY Wedding: Monogrammed Aisle Runner

I have a ton of projects “in the works” for our house, but none are completed.  I thought I’d take this opportunity to show you yet another project from our [almost] completely DIY wedding!  Today’s project: DIY Monogrammed Aisle Runner.

Let me start off by saying that I did not dream up this project on my own.  I found fantastic instructions over at Road to the Aisle.  I followed her instructions almost exactly, so I’m not going to waste time rehashing them here.  However, I will give you a list of the materials I used and the cost breakdown!

DIY Monogrammed Aisle Runner

Materials:

aisle runner (make use of that 50% off Joann coupon!)
large monogram printout (I used Photoshop to make ours)
pencil
acrylic paints
paintbrushes

Total cost: $20.33

I really enjoyed this project.  It was fairly easy, and the final results were gorgeous.

Even though the project turned out great, we didn’t actually end up using it as an aisle runner.  Our venue had hardwood floors, and I was too worried about the wedding party (especially me!) slipping or tripping in the aisle.

I didn’t want to just not use it and waste a good $20 (that I could have put towards something else), so we had to find another use for it.

And then it came to me.  There is a large staircase leading up to the ballroom, why not just hang it over the railing as a banner?  So that’s what we did.

Didn’t that work out well?

We ended up keep the monogram portion after the wedding (we just chopped it off the end).  I’m still trying to figure out something unique to do with it, but for now it’s in a box with other wedding keepsakes.

I’ve had fun sharing this project with you.  I hope you enjoyed it!

XO,
Gabriella

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25. A fresh face and social media links!

If you haven’t noticed, I gave the site a facelift by switching themes!  I like this layout much better…in fact, I love it.  Much more intuitive and user-friendly.  I’ve been updating the house, why not the blog?

I’ve also taken a big step and added some outlets in social media land.

That’s right, The Craft Queen now has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!  (Okay, so I already had the Twitter and Pinterest, but they are at least new to you!)

Click the logos below and follow, follow, follow.

I wish I had a more exciting post for today, but I guess this will have to do!  I’ll be back with a project post tomorrow…I just have to decide which one, ha.

XO,
Gabriella

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24. Made from Scratch: DIY Feather Wall Art

Happy Labor Day!

I’m at home today, but still working hard.  I’ll be teaching a lecture and lab at Carroll University this semester, and I still have a TON of prep work to do.  Even so, I thought I’d take a much needed break and show you some cool art work I made last week.  I’ll even give you instructions on how to paint these all by yourself!

DIY Feather Wall Art

Materials:

canvas
acrylic paint
2-3 paintbrushes
paper plate (to hold paint)
plastic drop cloth (I used a trash bag laid out flat)
measuring tape
level
hanging method of your choice (I used Command strips)

Directions:

1. Unwrap your canvas and place it in the middle of the plastic drop cloth (i.e. garbage bag).  This project would ideally go a lot smoother with an easel, but I don’t have one…so you do what ya gotta do.  I purchased my canvases from Joann on sale for $5/each.  Scoreeeeee.

8″ x 24″ canvas, $5 (sale price)

2. Using your acrylic paint color of choice and a wide paintbrush, coat the entire canvas.  Don’t forget about the sides!  This will be your background color, so pick anything your little heart desires.  I did three canvases in varying shades of blue: Spa Blue, Bahama Blue, and Desert Turquoise.

Americana acrylic paint, $1.39/each

3. Allow the canvas to dry completely.  Since we’re using acrylic paint, this will take about 30 minutes or so.

4. Now come the feathers.  It’s best to use three different shades in the same color family.  This will add dimension to your feathers and give them a realistic quality.  I used Cool White, Bleached Sand and Mississippi Mud.

I think the feathers would look great in varying shades of grays or blues as well.

The base of the feather comes first, and you’ll want to use the darkest of the three shades.  Using a small brush, create a line down the center of the canvas.  Don’t worry about trying to make the line straight; it will actually look much better if there is a slight curve.  Once you have the first line drawn, slightly thicken the bottom 2″ of the line (this will be the “stalk” of the feather).  Finish off the base by using short, quick strokes to fan out the line (see closeup, far right).  Feel free to add extra paint to your brush as needed.

5. Using the same brush, add in the medium color to the feather, starting near the center of the “stalk” and working your way out and up.  You want these strokes to be much longer, with a slight curve upwards.  I added the dark brown to my brush here and there to blend the colors and add depth.  You want both sides of the feather to ALMOST touch in the middle, making sure to let some of the darkest shade to peak through along the center line.

6. Finally, add in the lightest color of the bunch (Cool White in this case).  Use this color a bit more sparingly than the medium shade, but the stroke pattern is pretty much the same as the last step.  Again, I added the medium shade to my brush every now and then to blend the colors a bit.

7.  Let your canvas dry completely, and admire your work!  Feel free to sign your art. 🙂

Hang them using your method of choice.  I used Command strips since these were so lightweight…or should I say “light as a feather”?  Yuk yuk yuk.

All in all, this project cost me about $25.  It would have been closer to $20 if I already had the brushes.  Still a better deal than buying something similar from a big box store!

I love how they turned out, and they look so pretty hanging on our wall.

I hope I’ve inspired you to create some DIY wall art of your own!  Remember, it’s just paint…nothing to be afraid of!  If you don’t like the results or feel like you’ve made too many “mistakes”, you can always paint over them with your base color and start over.

XO,
Gabriella

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