Photo Collage August 30, 2007

I finally decided that I need to finish at least 1 project around here, so I decided to tackle a photo collage. I have a ton of photos that are just sitting on my computer. What better opportunity to use them than a large blank wall? I chose some of my favorites (fall photos, and pictures of my cats [we have no kids, what else did you expect?]) and had them printed. I chose two of my most favorite pictures and had them blown up to 8×10 size. The rest are 4×6.  **edited to add, the wall color will change, but I wanted to put something up in the meantime**

How I did it:

Tools you will need – hammer, nails, paper, pencil, tape, tape measure, and level.

Step 1: First, select a large blank wall and decide how much of the space you want to use for your collage. At this stage, I just eyeballed it.

Step 2: Then arrange your photos in their frames on the floor. (Sorry, I don’t have a picture of this stage.) This might take you several tries until you find an arrangement that you like.

Step 3: Take several sheets of computer paper and cut them to fit your frames. Lay them on your frames and mark where nail hole will be. This step is crucial if you want your collage spacing to be even.

Step 4: Tape the pieces of paper that represent your first row to the wall. Remember, this represents your final pictures, so you want it to hang straight. This is where the level comes in really handy.

Step 5: From your first row, measure next row spacing (and all other rows) and hang them. Again, use the level. If something doesn’t look right, don’t be afraid to just eyeball the placement. Its your eye that has to be pleased, because no one is going to go up to your arrangement with a tape measure.

Step 6: Hammer a nail where you have marked your nail holes to be. Remove paper.

Step 7: Hang your photos. Viola! Pretty photo collage!

I promise, this project isn’t as difficult as you might think.

Project… finished! June 28, 2007

I completed a relatively small project last night, but it gave me immense satisfaction. I replaced the ugly/dirty lace curtain that was hanging by the front door.

Materials:

• 3 yrds sheer fabric from JoAnn’s (50% off) = $3.49 per yard
• 1 sewing machine
• 1 spool thread
• 1 cranky husband to help measure the window

Time spent: 15 min

Outcome: Priceless

Storage, how I love thee June 4, 2007

Oh storage, how I love thee
Let me count the ways…

Our kitchen is nice, with a lot of cabinets and storage space for all my baking “stuff” (as the H calls it). However, there was no storage space for the pantry items. None, nada, zilch. The H suggested that I pare down my baking items. Yeah, that didn’t go over well.

The solution was simple. We had space on the side of the fridge to add a pantry. After visiting our newest favorite store (not really, I’m starting to hate the place), Home Depot, the solution was at hand. Ta-da! Room for all the pantry items, plus a little extra space to buy new baking goodies. p Have I told you yet that I’m a baking nut?

The bathroom May 22, 2007

We knew when we bought the place that the bathroom would need to be replaced, but we didn’t know just how bad it would be. We ripped out the tile and drywall (yes, drywall in the shower) and found everything to be soggy and moldy. I can’t tell you how many times I gagged pulling it off the wall. Once we finish cleaning up the tile I’ll post the final pictures. Its so much nicer now!