Back in August, Handy Hubby and I attended his grandmother’s funeral in Pennsylvania.  It was bittersweet.  Bitter because we were grieving the loss of a loved one but also sweet because we were able to bring home a part of his grandmother’s past.  You see, Handy Hubby’s grandmother had lived on a large farm for many years which was recently sold due to her husband’s death and her own deteriorating health. Many items were salvaged from the farm including old fence boards used to corral cattle.  After being asked several times if there was anything we’d like to have, Handy Hubby and I decided to give the worn fence boards a facelift.  So we loaded ‘em into our SUV and brought ‘em back to Ohio.  Let me tell you, that ride was interesting, dusty and uncomfortable.  The boards were long and extended all the way up through the front seats, in between Handy Hubby and me, and up onto the dashboard.  We couldn’t see each other.  The back gate barely shut. {And, no, the kiddos weren’t with us.}

We tried to cover up as much of the interior and luggage as we could with a tarp but nearly every surface was coated in a thick layer of dust by the time we got home.  As soon as we unloaded the boards, I cleaned and swept the whole car out.  It was disgusting!

We devised a plan to use the boards for custom artwork/a makeshift headboard in our master bedroom and for a sliding door {coming soon!} to our master bathroom.  You got a peek at the art/headboard last week.  How did I come up with that idea?  Well, I couldn’t decide on artwork, a headboard or both above our bed.  I thought both would be a little much for our simple taste…not to mention more expensive than just one.  So, I decided to make artwork that could double as a headboard.  **I’ve got a serious {maybe even scary} thing for multitasking home decor.**  Handy Hubby cut the boards to size.

He managed to avoid using damaged portions of the fence boards.  We still wanted them imperfect though.

Next, he sanded them {wearing a mask, of course} and wiped them down with tack cloth.  He attached them together using two 1″x4″ lumber strips vertically along the backside. {I didn’t want the edges lined up perfectly.}  That left me with this blank canvas…

I wrote out “love” onto the wooden headboard with a piece of chalk…

…and then painted over top of it…

May I point out the little hole above the “v”?  It was unintentional but it’s the best lil’ place to slip your hand into and haul the headboard around.  Funny how that worked out.

The only money doled out for this project was for paint.  {Hint:  We still have a gallon left over for the rest of the fence boards.}  But who cares how much it did/didn’t cost?  This art/headboard/whatever-you-want-to-call-it means so much to us.  First of all, it’s originally from a place that was a huge part of Handy Hubby’s childhood…the family farm.  It’s a daily reminder of his beloved grandparents who are no longer with us.  It’s also the perfect example of how Handy Hubby and I work together on DIY projects.  I come up with some random, off-the-wall idea…Handy Hubby breaks out the power tools and brings it to life…I add a dose of personality and creativity to the final product.  Really, that’s usually how things work over here.  And in the end, we are left with this meaningful, heartfelt piece to view day in and day out. It’s a good life, I tell ya.

Have you been tag-teaming a recent project?  I’d love to hear all about it.

images: all by Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

The ruffled pillow from my master bedroom sneak peek has gotten a lot of interest.

As I said, I purchased it from Etsy and today I’d like to share the seller with you.  Please welcome Jilly Bean Things.

Unlike all the other Etsy pillow products I’ve featured on H*T, I actually purchased this as a pillow {versus a pillow cover}.  The decorative cover is not removable.  So to wash it, the entire pillow must be washed…which I figure is just fine for a pillow in our master bedroom that doesn’t get much hands-on action from our lil’ kiddos.  {I probably wouldn’t have purchased it for our main living area.} It’s the perfect pop of color and femininity for our {hopefully} gender neutral bedroom.  I’m very pleased with the quality and density of this handmade pillow.  Wanna see more from Jilly Bean Things?  If so, see below.

Don’t you adore those pops of mustard, olive, eggplant and pimento? Mmm, I’m hungry.  And the ruffles?  My gosh, the ruffles.  They’re sweet without being childish.  You might notice a few handbags thrown into the mix.  I thought some of you may be tired of pillows.  {Me?  Never.}  If I didn’t need a larger purse {for extra toddler undies/pants/sippy cup}, you bet I’d have one of those handbags.  Maybe in a few years. And speaking of kids…the creator of Jilly Bean Things has recently welcomed another {third} child to her family and has several items available with FREE shipping.  Go check ‘em out and, you never know, you might just find that perfect Christmas gift for that perfect someone.

Happy Etsy browsing!

FYI – I was not compensated in any way for this post.  I just love sharing good stuff.

images:  1) Dana Miller  2) Jilly Bean Things via Etsy  3) collage by Dana Miller using Jilly Beans Things’ images via Etsy

What I’m appreciating today…

• physical and mental health…mine, Handy Hubby’s, my kids’…sometimes I feel like I take that for granted
• my testosterone-filled lil’ family…I always wanted boys and, boy, did I ever get them
• such a supportive husband…kudos to all the guys out there that let their women express themselves through home decor
• a place to call home
• homemade birthday cards from my lil’ guy…here’s the most recent one from my birthday earlier this week…

{isn’t it funny that he put “Dana” on it as opposed to “Mama”?!}

{I translated for you.  Notice the teal arrow…he made me a compass so I never get lost.}

• anyone who has ever read my blog
• good cameras that take great pictures
• white spray paint
• books
• all the inspiration I get from nature
• a financially stable {albeit painstakingly uncreative} part-time job
• Handy Hubby’s career
• my age…I’m older than I think I am
• the ability to just be present
• good sleep
• interior design blogs/websites that fuel a wildfire inside me
• a reliable computer
• vehicles that are paid off
• mortgage refinancing
• fun co-workers who make my painstakingly uncreative job bearable
• extended family near and far
• possibilities…of our house, this blog, future endeavors
• chocolate in any form
• me time
• the fun, family-oriented neighborhood that we live in
• a woman who makes my Dad happy and feeds my boys whatever they want
• organic products
• rain
• IBC cream soda on the rocks
• a good smelling candle
• rediscovering my love of writing
• the BYW {Blogging Your Way} e-course I recently finished up
• Layne’s love of reading and writing
• Everett’s love of flirting…watch out, he’s gonna be a lady-killer
• a clean kitchen
• the gene I inherited from my Dad that allows me to eat whatever I want without gaining an ounce…hey, it was attached to the adolescent severe acne gene so I had that to deal with
• people who are easy to be around
• my college girlfriends
• my Handy Hubby…I may have mentioned him already but, really, this guy deserves some more words…he encourages me to try new things, he doesn’t always tell me no when I tell him my ideas, he’s such a hands-on Dada, he’s lived gluten-free for the last 8 months {that’s not easy to do!}, talking to him always makes me feel better, he can operate a tool or two, and I’ve been told I should change his blog name from “Handy Hubby” to “Hunky Hubby”
• the one day per week that I get Layne to take a nap the same time as Everett…heaven on earth
• a big unfinished basement that hides all our DIY messes
• Etsy
• toys that don’t make noise
• the day I took my kids to the library and overheard some teenage boy refer to me as a “MILF”
• the ease of potty-training Everett…I guess I paid my dues with Layne
• neighbors who are excellent cooks and invite me over for dinner
• spirituality
• movies that take me to magical places
• …and all the readers who entered to win H*T’s first ever giveaway {hopefully, more to come!}

AND THE TILEShowroom WINNER IS…

…ERIN PEARCE!! who is thankful for her three-year-old son’s speech and occupational therapists.  What a wonderful thing to be thankful for.  {Erin, be on the lookout for an email from me and TILEShowroom!  Your $100 coupon code will be emailed to you after the holiday break.}

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!  Now, go eat some turkey.

FYI – The TILEShowroom winner was picked at random via Random.org.

images:  all by Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

In the spirit of online shopping, er, giving, I’ve been browsing through any and all catalogs that make their way into my mailbox.  A little over a week ago, the Uncommon Goods catalog caught my eye with its quirky, humorous and unique inventory.

Their motto, “find anything but ordinary”, fits them to a T.  I enjoyed searching through the one-of-a-kind items for possible gifts – and maybe even things just for my home.  Here are the items that I particularly like.

1)  These Paper Pots hold a stack of Kleenex tissues or a roll of toilet paper.  {Click on the link and view the You Tube video to see how they work.}  They’re a pretty clever alternative to the boring cardboard Kleenex box.

2)  One of my goals for the next year is to start composting.  {I know, I know.  I should be doing it already.  I’m awful.}  These cutesy Ceramic Countertop Compost Containers would make it easier and prettier.

3)  This bag o’ goodies may not seem like anything special but look again.  It’s actually an Unzipped Glass Zipper Bag.  What a creative way to display treats!

4)  I’m one of those people who must have their checkbook balanced to the penny.  This Lined Paper Checkbook Cover is simple and fun…in contrast to the act of balancing your checking account.

5)  Ok, so I totally want one of these Cardboard Animal Heads.  {Hear me, Santa?  The deer, I like the deer.}  They’re a great way to add some hunting lodge appeal to your home minus the hunting part.  Plus, they have cool names like Bucky, Fred and Eyan.  They just need an Earl and my family tree would be complete!  Handy Hubby thinks I’m crazy to want a paper deer hanging from the wall but not a stuffed one. Oh well.  It wouldn’t be the first time he thought I was crazy.

6)  I could see my boys manipulating this Evolutionary Dinosaur Puzzle Set into loud and scary beasts.  Roar!  The fact that they’re made of non-toxic wood and water-based paints is music to my ears.

7)  The Destruct 3 would be a great Family Friday game to play with all my boys {Handy Hubby included}.  You know how kids {and their fathers too} like to build things and then knock ‘em down?  Well, this game is meant just for that.  Players take turns building a block tower while their opponents try to demolish it with either a catapult, ramp or pendulum.  Now if that doesn’t mold my lil’ men into spittin’ engineer images of their Dada, I’m not sure what will.

So, that’s me window shopping, uh, maybe ‘web shopping.’  Do you like anything you saw?  If so, go to the Uncommon Goods website to find even more {and more unique!} gifts for everyone on your Christmas list.  And tell me…  Am I a Scrooge for avoiding the store bought hustle-and-bustle? Or maybe you already compost and could give me some tips?  Or, better yet, you’re with Handy Hubby and find paper animal heads just ridiculous?

Happy shopping!

FYI – I was not compensated in any way for featuring Uncommon Goods and their goods.  I just like sharing fun stuff.

images:  1) Uncommon Goods  2) collage by Dana Miller with Uncommon Goods images

My master bedroom makeover is still a few weeks away from being ‘finished.’  {That’s what I get for trying to do it in the midst of the holiday season!}  But I thought I’d share a little peek with you…unmade bed, unhung artwork and all.

I wanted to make the wall behind the bed a focal point, so I painted it Suitable Brown by Sherwin Williams.  The dark wall makes the white bedding feel so fresh and light.  {I love me some white bedding.} Handy Hubby and I hauled home a bunch of old fence boards from his family’s farm back in Pennsylvania.  A few I’ve used to create custom artwork/a makeshift headboard.  The rest will become a sliding barn door to the master bathroom.  The dark pillow was a Ballard Designs outlet find for less than $12.  {It was my inspiration for the wall color.}  The ruffled mustard pillow is from Etsy…big surprise there, huh?

In other news, Handy Hubby went through his massive clothing collection and got rid of a ton of stuff.  {I guess calling him out on the world wide web did the trick.}  I’m so proud of him.  Now, I can finally get that old white dresser out of the bedroom.  Just like anything that happens around here, this makeover is happening ever so slowly.  But the end is in sight!

Don’t forget to enter to win $100 worth of tile from TILEShowroom!  You can enter until tomorrow evening @ 8:00 p.m. EST.  Go here to enter.

images:  all Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

After last week’s post which discussed a few of my favorite Etsy shops that offer handmade pillow covers, I’ve decided it would be fun to feature Etsy sellers from time to time that offer affordable and stylish items for the home.  So, today I’d like to introduce you to The Home Centric.  I purchased the vintage ruffle pillow cover in my living room from this Etsy shop.

I was a little nervous about having a satin pillow cover in the house with 2 young kiddos, but I’m happy to say that it’s held up well against wrestling matches and pillow fights.  It’s just as sweet and feminine as the day it arrived.  In fact, it’s one of the rare sweet and feminine things in this house full o’ boys {and me}!

The Home Centric is based out of India and specializes in handcrafted pillow covers that add texture, color and even a bit of glitz to any room.  Just look at a few of the gor.ge.ous pillows below all bedazzled in The Home Centric’s best.

Crazy good, right?!  Ruffles and sequins and buttons, oh my!  Seriously, these pillow covers are like jewelry for your furniture.  Many of the covers are available for less than $30.  And if you purchase more than one cover per order, you only have to pay shipping charges for one pillow cover. Nervous about ordering online from an international seller?  Don’t be.  The Home Centric has over 1,000 feedback responses with nearly 100% of customers reporting a positive shopping experience.  {Did you know you can check all Etsy sellers’ feedback ratings?}

If you’re in the market for a fresh throw pillow or just want to kill some time looking at pretty things, click on over to The Home Centric and see what else it has to offer.  You won’t be disappointed. Pinky swear.

FYI – I was not compensated in any way for this post.  I just love sharing good stuff.

images:  1) Dana Miller  2) collage by Dana Miller using The Home Centric’s images

**This giveaway is now closed.**

I am so happy to {finally!} offer you guys a giveaway!  I’ve always wanted to show you readers how much I appreciate the time you set aside to tune into H*T each week.  And with Thanksgiving right around the corner, what better time than now?

Today’s giveaway comes from TILEShowroom, a fairly new online company that sells a variety of tile…from recycled glass to natural stone to stainless steel.  Whether you’re looking to install a colorful kitchen backsplash or to outfit a calming bathroom retreat, TILEShowroom has options galore.  Here are a few I’ve taken a liking to…

My selection is a little reminiscent of a modern, natural beach house, isn’t it?  Oh, if only I were in a beach house.  I’m not.  I’m {very reluctantly} anticipating the arrival of formidable winter weather here in the Midwest. And I’m being very resistant to it, leading my subconscious to pick these tiles.  Wow.  Sorry for the tangent.

TILEShowroom is dedicated to helping homeowners express themselves in creative ways.  From the moment you first browse their inventory to the minute you install your last tile, they want you to have a happy experience.  And today they’re offering up a $100 gift card {via a coupon code} to put a smile on your face and some tile in your place.  So, do you want to get in on the tile action? Great.  Let’s talk details.

• PRIZE:  one $100 coupon code to be redeemed at TILEShowroom
• RULES:  Must be at least 18 years old and live in one of the 50 United States.  One entry per email address.
• HOW TO ENTER:  Leave a comment on this post proclaiming “SMILE FOR TILE”
• DEADLINE:  Enter before Wednesday, November 24th @ 8:00pm EST.  The winner will be picked at random and announced on Thursday, November 25th.  {Due to the holiday schedule, the winner will receive their coupon code via email on Monday, November 29th.}
• WHILE YOU’RE AT IT:  Tell me what you’re most thankful for this year.

Good luck!

FYI – I’ve not been compensated for this giveaway.  I just love sharing good stuff.

images:  1) TILEShowroom  2) collage created by Dana Miller with TILEShowroom images

This is my powder room.

I hand painted the circles border for FREE during my kids’ naptime a few years back.  I just used a tape measure, level, pencil, painter’s tape, a few empty cardboard toilet paper tubes {paper towel tubes would work as well}, a teeny paint brush {fabric brushes are a good choice} and leftover matte paint.  Here’s how I did it:

**This is a reenactment of actual events.  Names of characters may have been changed.  If only I’d have known what a blog was when I originally took on this project, I could give you the real deal.**

I knew I wanted the border to run just above the sink and toilet.  I measured up from the floor to figure out where I wanted the bottom of border.  36″ looked good.

Starting at the door, I used a level and pencil to mark off the bottom of my border all the way around the room.  Then I taped if off with painter’s tape.

I practiced my painting technique on the back of a notebook before applying it to the wall.

I used the paint off the lid of some leftover trim paint that the builder gave us when we bought our spec home.

I pressed the wet tube firmly onto the paper.

Notice the circle isn’t perfect.  It’s okay.  {That’s what gives it texture in the end.}

I perfected my technique…

…and decided on a border that would be 4 circles high {5 circles was too high}.  I used the same painting technique to ‘paint’ circles on the powder room walls, following the 36″ high tape line.  I painted column-by-column – meaning I would make one circle right above the tape line and then add 3 more above it before moving on to the next column of circles.  When my cardboard tube would get soggy on one end, I’d just flip it over and use the opposite end.  When both ends were soggy, I threw it away and got a clean one.  {This is why you’ll need more than one paper tube.}

Now, let’s talk corners for a minute.  I was 1 for 4 in the corners.  Only 1 corner in the powder room didn’t have to be touched up in some way.  The way the circles fell, I was able to press a painted circle right at the corner and then go on to the next perpendicular wall.

In the other 3 corners, though, I had to hand paint the circles using a stiff fabric brush.  {Really, any small paint brush would work as long as you have a steady hand.}  I don’t think I did a great job, but no one notices unless I point it out to them.  It helps that I did my first ‘touch-up’ in the corner behind the door.

After the border was complete, I simply removed the painter’s tape and let the paint dry.  This DIY project took me about 45 minutes from start-to-finish and cost me $0.  This is definitely a good naptime project for moms…quick, easy and painless.  Everyone that visits our home and uses the first floor powder room complements the border and then asks how I did it.  They’re always surprised when I tell them I did it with a cardboard toilet paper tube for FREE.  It is a little ironic that I used an empty toilet paper roll to paint my bathroom, isn’t it?

images: all by Dana Miller taken in bad lighting

“Layne, for the last time, go put your clothes on.”

He only did as he was told.  Funny, isn’t he?  Goes along well with our chalkboard wall words…

Here’s hoping a child brings you some humor this week.

When I found a roll of deeply discounted {$15!!} designer trellis wallpaper at a Ballard Designs outlet this past summer, I didn’t know where I was going to use it.  But I knew I’d think of something.

And I did.  I got the idea to hang the wallpaper behind a trio of IKEA’s BILLY bookcases in our master bedroom.  I had never hung wallpaper before – except for some of that chintzy border stuff in my bedroom back in the early 90′s…if that counts.  I had this vision of me tackling this new project, documenting the successful process/results and sharing it all with you via a tutorial.  I would add wallpapering to my repertoire of DIY projects. Well, it wasn’t that easy.  Somewhere between reading online how-to’s and potty-training a toddler, I missed a few key points…about the wallpapering.  {Luckily, the potty-training thing went off without a hitch.} Because I have vowed to be honest about my {lack of} home improvement skills, I’m still sharing my wallpapering adventure with you.  If anything, maybe you’ll learn from my mistakes.

First, I placed my BILLY bookcases where I wanted them and patched 2 drywall holes where a mirror had previously hung.

I decided to forgo the cardboard backing on the bookcases and wallpaper directly onto the wall for fear that the cardboard would shrivel and wrinkle once it got wet with adhesive.  Using a tape measure, pencil and level, I marked off the portion of wall that I would cover.

Following my pencil lines as a guide, I taped off the wall with painter’s tape.  I noticed I’d be wallpapering around an electrical outlet, so I removed the cover.

I wiped down then primed the entire taped-off area with a Zinsser formula to promote a smooth surface and adhesion.  It rolls on just like paint but is clear.  {This step is NOT glue or adhesive.}

That’s when things started to get a little hairy.  I measured my wall space and PRE-cut {with a sharp utility knife} strips of my wallpaper to fit.  The problem?  I did not match up the pattern when I cut successive strips…I just cut them to length. Rookie mistake!  DO NOT PRE-CUT PATTERNED WALLPAPER WITHOUT MATCHING THE PATTERN UP STRIP-TO-STRIP! The bigger problem?  I had barely enough wallpaper to cover the square footage I had taped off.  In the infamous words of Tim Gunn, I had to ‘make it work.’  I applied wallpaper paste to the back of my wallpaper strip using a paint roller.  Here’s the paste I used…

Remembering at least one thing from the tutorials I had read, I folded the wallpaper’s ends onto itself – a process called ‘booking’.  Apparently, this helps the paper to absorb the adhesive and relax…whatever that means.

I was feeling pretty good about myself, conquering the ‘booking’ phase and all.  Then I made mistake #2.  I marked off where the left edge of my center strip should fall and hung it first.  Oops. {It’s better to work from left to right when hanging wallpaper.}

Not too long after, I realized my third wallpapering fault – going it alone.  It’s hard to hang wallpaper above your head.  Picture me standing with my belly to the wall, arms up and spread apart trying to smooth out my wet wallpaper.  The paper just kept falling down on my head.  I really should have had a helper, preferably someone taller than 40″.  But I didn’t, so I just kept plugging along hanging strip after strip and hoping I’d have enough wallpaper to finish the job.

Somehow, I did manage to cover the entire area with not-so-much as a few inches of wallpaper to spare.  {Divine intervention?}  Because I had pre-cut my strips incorrectly, I ended up having to patch a small piece of wallpaper down in the lower left-hand corner.  It’s awful.  The seam has no overlap because I had no more wallpaper.

In an effort to just be done, I wiped down all the hung wallpaper with a damp rag to remove any excess adhesive then put the bookcases back in place.

Once the adhesive dried several hours later and the seams flattened out a little, I decided the final product wasn’t too bad.  It was livable.  No wrinkles or bubbles.  Thank goodness!  At one point, I seriously thought I was going to have to rip it all down.  Luckily, the awful patch job {bottom left} will be disguised when our master bedroom makeover is complete.  And I must say I do love the pop of pattern behind the bookcases.  {I still have shelves and accessories to add.}

But let’s review what I did wrong just so you don’t make the same mistakes should you decide to hang wallpaper.

WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN HANGING WALLPAPER

• Do not work alone.  You especially need a helper if you’ll be wallpapering above your head.
• Do not forget to match up patterned wallpaper from strip-to-strip BEFORE you cut.
• Do not start in the center of a wall and work your way out.  Work left to right or right to left.

Even though I made these dire mistakes, I think a few things saved my DIY project.

WHAT TO DO WHEN HANGING WALLPAPER

• Do apply a wallpaper primer to the wall before hanging any paper.  I think this step helped my paper to dry smoothly in the end.
• Do use a level to mark vertical/horizontal lines on the wall guiding your wallpaper placement. This is the reason my pattern is centered and straight.
• Do use a new, sharp knife to get a clean wallpaper cut.  I bought a $2 knife just for this project.
• Do ‘book’ each strip of wallpaper to maximize adhesion.  My wallpaper is not coming down on its own.
• Do use a smoothing tool.  I used a vinyl smoothing tool to press out wrinkles and bubbles.
• Do remove any excess adhesive immediately after hanging the wallpaper.  I wiped mine down with a wet rag to avoid discoloration and dirt attraction.

I think I was being a little unrealistic when I decided to tackle my first wallpapering project alone.  I could see this project being so much easier with an extra pair of hands…and another brain to work out the logistics of measuring, cutting and matching up the pattern.  During the entire process, I kept telling myself I would never wallpaper again.  I was that frustrated.  Now that it’s done, I think I would wallpaper again.  I just wouldn’t wallpaper ALONE again.

FYI – In case you’re in need of a professional wallpapering tutorial, you can find one here.

Images: 1) Ballard Designs  6) Lowe’s  the rest are all via Dana Miller for House*Tweaking