Framed Flower Power

So last 4th of July, my pre-fiancé left me
to go camping with his friends.

It was sad.

When he returned he presented me with 6 wild flowers
he had found that he kept safe in a handkerchief. 

This is what I thought about his gift:

And you can too. 

Ingredients:

- Pressed Flowers

- Photo Frame

- Plastic Glue (I only used this glue because I already owned it and I know it dries clear.)

- Cardstock paper (optional)

Step1

Press your flowers in a heavy book. I first folded tissue around it to keep it safe from when I remove it from the book. I ended up pressing my flowers for MONTHS, as it's now September, and he gave them to me in July. I think you'd be good with two to three weeks, but it depends on the flower. Just wait until it seems completely dry.

Step2

Remove the flower from the book

Step3

I purchased two sheets of card stock from the local printers because I don't have a sketch pad or any artist paper, but you could use printer paper, I just had a few heavier flowers and didn't want them to pull the paper down over time. Cut the paper to fit your frame (you also have the option of using the back of the paper that comes with your frame). Also be careful during the entire process not to fingerprint the glass. 

Step4

If your frame came with a precut mat, remove it from the frame and line it up with the paper so you have a frame of reference for placement. 

Step5

Glue. I glued in several places, depending on the flower. I know that sometimes if you just glue the petals, over time the stem can fall off in the frame.

Step6

I chose to write the place the flowers came from and the date, since I have an awful memory. I wrote it in with a pencil. 

Step7

Carefully reassemble. 

Cut flower alternative

I love having fresh cut flowers in my house, but I don't want to splurge on buying them! 

I'm in the middle of creating a garden that I can cut my own flowers from, but until they're ready, I have another solution. 

Display your groceries! I always put my herbs and greens in vases. It helps them keep longer (herbs like basil will actually start to grow from their cuttings) and it makes your house look and smell amazing in the process. 

Remember to change the water when it gets muddy and to keep it out of direct sunlight. :)

Put Your Alcoholic Junk In My Trunk!

so... i made a minibar... out of an old trunk.

ingredients:
1. old trunk
2. wallpaper
3. wood for shelves
4. "L" brackets to hold shelves
5. wood glue
6. things to attach wallpaper
7. casters (aka wheels)
8. misc fastening hardware: screws, nails
9. wine glass holder

step 1:
remove old wallpaper. i didn't follow this video for instructions because i am stubborn. it all comes off in the end anyway. i just soaked the hail out of the wallpaper, then i put my steamer in the trunk and let it sit, and still struggled to get it all off. you should probably follow the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvBdijrPSGA

step 2:
hang new wallpaper.
i did follow this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0Wee-CcS9w

step 3:
begin the shelving process. the frame you see in the photo came with the trunk, so i was using it as a template (i love me some templates). i wanted a hanging shelf look, so i made the door shelf smaller than the door, and used L brackets to attach it to the door. this also helps to CLOSE the door. keep that in mind.

step 4:
put shtuff in. i would flip this image if i knew how.  for the shelves i used birch veneer on plywood purchased at Lowes, also cut there. lovely people. you can see in the image, that in the main body of the trunk i have three boards that measure 18''x 22.5'' and four that measure 18''x 9''. in order to make the wine rack i cut halfway down the boards, in the thickness of the board and inserted them together. if that doesn't make sense, sorry. i can't seem to find a link that explains it and didn't take pictures of that process.

step 5:
i wanted individual spaces for all of my pre-fiance's thangs, so i laid them on the ground and placed each item that would need a shelf so i could see where everything would fit. three or four simple straight across shelves would also do the trick. 

step 6:
add casters, shelf stops (i just added a little piece of wood to the ends of the shelves to keep all of my glassware from falling out), and wine glass holders: http://www.amazon.com/Fox-Run-Wine-Glass-Holder/dp/B004E2H4DQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1375915194&sr=1-3&keywords=undercabinet+wine+glass+rack

step 7:
set dress that ish and give your friends something to be jealous of. OLD FASHION, PLEASE!

Making a template for attaching a TV mount.

So, I purchased this TV mount from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0086027J8/ref=oh_details_o06_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Come on this journey as I attach it to my wall.

 1. Open the package... 😝

 

2. If your TV mount didn't come with a  template to help with placement, MAKE ONE. I took the cardboard box that it came with and cut it to size.

3. This is what a homemade, cardboard template looks like. You're welcome.

4. Next use a pen to mark the drill holes.

5. TADAAAAA!

6. Use electric tape to tape on level (I was told not to trust the level on the mount by the many reviewers on Amazon.)

7. Then use packing tape to attach to wall to determine placement of mount.

8. Drill through cardboard. 

Then invite your friend, Charlie Layton, to come over and have him tell you that the tv's hung uneven. 

Hope this helped! Otherwise u can download this app called HelloTech who will come and install it for u. 

That's all folks.

In the timeless words of Myq Kaplan:

"I don't like the word 'boobies' -- disrespectful to women. Boobies? They should be called 'yaybies.' How about that, everybody? Why is 'boo' in it when they're awesome? They should be yaybies or hooraybies or standing ovabies. If they're not perfect, they're still OKabies. They are not great persabies, but I'll touch them maybes."

I just want to turn your boobies into yaybies. Help me help you.

More to follow...