ONE HOUR PROJECTS Archives

5 MILK CAN MAKEOVER IDEAS

September 1, 2022

It was love at first sight when I found this milk can at a garage sale. I loved it so much that I stashed it in the garage for a year. I got stuck on questions like what color should I paint this should it go outside or inside? So I turned to Pinterest for a few milk can makeover ideas.

Oh, and if you are wondering where you can find a metal milk can I share a few ideas below?

MILK CAN MAKEOVER IDEAS FROM PINTEREST

So I turned to Pinterest to find milk can inspiration. I found 5 milk can makeover ideas and in the end created my own milk can. Do you want to take a look?

5-milk-can-makeover-ideas-everyday-edits

Milk Can Inspiration #1

I loved the paint color on this one. You can snag the vinyl decal at this Etsy shop.

Milk Can Inspiration #2

This black milk can looks so much better than mine (see above). You can snag personalized vinyl at this Etsy shop.

Milk Can Inspiration #3

I am not sure what I love more- this dairy graphic on the milk can or the girl (chick) behind Artsy Chicks Rule. If you visit her, please scroll to bottom to see my milk can makeover.

Milk Can Inspiration #4

Funny story with these vintage creamery cans. That was the description of these cans when I found this on Pinterest.

I guess Ma Ingalls would have called these metal cans creamery cans when she raised a family in the Little House on the Prairie.

I loved these creamery cans and then when I clicked on the link via Pinterest I discovered this was a photograph of creamery cans. Maybe I should order the print and skip the milk can makeover.

You can order a similar print I found on Etsy.

Milk Can Inspiration #5

Here is one more makeover idea. I love the greenery and the buffalo check ribbon.

Upcycled Milk Can Planter | — Source: DIY Projects

WHERE TO FIND METAL MILK CANS

antique stores
garage sales (tag sales)
flea markets
street or farmers’ markets
ask the question on a social media site
Somewhere someone wants to clean out their house!

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5 WAYS TO USE GRAPEVINE GARLAND

May 3, 2022

This past year I discovered the awesomeness of grapevine garland. If any of my kids are reading my blog this morning there is a collective eye roll and a group text.

I guarantee you my boys could not identify grapevine garland despite it being in just about every room in our house.

VERSATILITY

One could argue, that this woody, twig garland is one of the most universal decor staples.

It adds height, dimension, depth, character, warmth, and most importantly…

it hides dust.

Even the “scraps” are great for filler and small accessories. And it is not a space hog. Grapevine garland can be stored flat (which why would you ever need to store it?), but it stores easily.

In my house, it is a year-round staple.

Are you ready? Let’s take a look at ideas on how to add grapevine garland tojust about any space.

5 IDEAS TO USE GRAPEVINE GARLAND

PORCHES

I love garland in my planters.

Twig-like garland is perfect for planters. It is like a good bra- it elevates and lifts.

This twiggy garland has the power to add volume and height. You can see last year’s fall porch here.

The twiggy garland holds up well in wind, rain or snow. So it works well for all holidays and seasons.

THINK OF GARLAND LIKE A SCARF

Grapevine works like a scarf. It adds a bit of warmth and texture around the neck or in this case around the milk can.

If you have a bucket and it needs a little help add a bit of grapevine.

WREATHS

WREATHS + CENTERPIECES

Grapevine beefs up wreaths. It adds a little depth to just your everyday wreath. I love to pair this woody garland with my boxwood wreaths.

My centerpieces almost always have a ring of grapevine around the middle.

I love to add garland to fresh greens during Christmas. It just adds a little extra something to the fresh branches.

PLANTS

Adding grapevine to plants is one of my favorite ways to use this twiggy garland. It makes sense to pair a plant with a twig, right?

Grapevine garland is the workhorse for small accessories like pots and planters.

GRAPEVINE RESOURCES

I have purchased twiggy garland at Hobby Lobby, but on the weeks the garland is not on sale I I found this garland. .

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how to use grapevine garland in the decor

CHECK OUT THIS SPRING MILK CAN MAKEOVER

March 29, 2022

This milk can makeover works with planters or large baskets or buckets too!

I am so ready for spring which means the Denver metro area will have blizzard conditions in April. But until that happens I am excited to share this simple spring milk can idea. What’s that? You don’t have a milk can? Well this idea works just as well with a porch planter or basket.

Raise your hand if you are a milk can enthusiast? My parents had one years ago and I had zero interest. And now? I love my milk can. The options are endless and my personal challenge is to mix it up every season.

SPRING MILK CAN

I bought this milk can years ago at a garage sale. You must see the original to appreciate the love for this metal can in our home (or maybe just to me).

Sidenote: This was one of my first blog posts.

Milk cans are such a fun score if you are lucky enough to find one at a garage sale or Goodwill.

I found mine at a garage sale for less than a small latte. The endorphins are real when you hit a garage sale.

So this year I wanted to freshen up my metal milk can with something cheery for spring.

And simple. Well, it doesn’t get any easier than this milk can.

SIMPLE SPRING MILK CAN

Here is the milk can after the holidays last year. It was assigned the task of displaying plants and my thriving fern.

I decided to move the milk can out of the kitchen- to mix it up a bit.

how to decorate a milk can for spring with these easy idea!

I moved the can three feet from the kitchen corner to the family room under one of our windows.

And the fern loved the upgrade to the fireplace heath.

I was spring-cleaning the family room and had a sizable haul of stuff that needed to be sorted and relocated within my house.
Well in a random move I placed a wreath on top of the milk can. That’s my super simple spring milk can. Seriously, I am a serendipity home blogger.

And that is when makeover magic happened.

The key to seasonal tweaks for anything, not just milk cans, is to have a few go-to accessories or decor staples.

And beautiful things happened when I added a five-year-old Homegoods wreath.

DETAILS

You might have noticed I love a little grapevine. One of my favorite tips is to beef up a wreath is to add grapevine.

Yep, I keep at least one strand of grapevine for my go-to decor staple. I bought mine online because I found a two for one.

Some people like to monogram anything ( I do love a monogram) but I will add grapevine to my nativity scene to give it a boost.

SUPPLIES IF YOU NEED A LITTLE HELP

Grapevine. I found a 2-pack here.

I added a little vinyl but I just ordered this one.

That’s it! I love this spring milk can makeover. It is fresh and looks amazing in front of the Hale Navy wall.

how to decorate a metal milk can for spring

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DO THIS BEFORE YOU ORDER ENGINEER PRINTS

February 28, 2022

I may decorate my entire house with engineer prints. This is the nickname for the popular, oversized city planning-like city maps. It is a great space filler for blank walls.

The hardest part was finding where to print engineer prints. If you are not familiar with the fancy name just look at the images below. But first, here is what you need to know before you order engineer prints.

But first, let’s talk about this fun and may I say rewarding project that solves

the problem of finding affordable wall art.

WHY I LOVE ENGINEER PRINTS

what to know before you order engineer prints

After recently updating my boys’ bedrooms, my goal was to add inexpensive artwork.

Engineer prints were a format that matched the industrial, urban theme I wanted to accomplish for their bedrooms/occasional guest rooms.

You know, like when they come home for Thanksgiving and sleep four of the five days they are home.

WHY I LOVE ENGINEER PRINTS

These oversized prints solve a few problems when decorating for spaces that are not in use everyday, but you still want your kids to have their room when they return home.

Fill valuable real estate on a wall
Add meaning to the room with the city or state reference
Conversation starters for space

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WHERE TO PRINT ENGINEER PRINTS

I found several options for city and aerial maps at this Etsy shop. I choose two city maps to print- the city my middle child grew up in and the city where he attends college.

The Etsy images cost a few dollars and the seller-provided multiple sizes and formats in digital format. I ordered my black and white city maps from here to print the engineer prints.

how-to-print-engineer-prints-everyday-edits

STEPS TO PRINT

This is the point of the tutorial where I will save you ten minutes of aggravation.

To order engineer prints at Staples you have to create an account first.
Once an account is created upload your Etsy image on Staples website.
You can either pickup or pay to deliver. I paid to ship mine because I knew my prints would get trashed with dogs, kids and unidentified rolling objects.
Printing costs around $7.00-$10 depending on print size.
Staples print size options:
12″ x 18″, 18″ x 24″, 24″ x 36″ and 36″ x 48″.

While waiting for the prints to ship I purchased poster frames at Michael’s.

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SUGGESTIONS

I noticed there were big price jumps on poster frame sizes. And not all print sizes have corresponding frames at Michaels.

Knowing this in advance, you can decide if you need a 30″ width frame or if you can be just as happy with a 24″ size frame.

In hindsight, I wish I had upgraded my frames for my first two prints. For my boys, I bought the plastic frame and plastic front.

I upgraded the frame for our daughter’s room.

And, yes she has her own place in downtown Denver, but we still have a room of her own at home.

I love how these engineer prints turned out. The project was fun and added some much-needed character to the kids’ rooms. And, the best part the prints were inexpensive and the aerial maps were relevant to my kids and to us as a family.

Our hearts are now in three cities with our youngest now in college.

HOW TO MAKE THE CUTEST POM POM VALENTINE CRAFT

January 27, 2022

If you follow me here at Everyday Edits you know I love a Pom Pom. Usually, it’s positioned on the top of one of my many knit hats, but in this case, I created a pom pom Valentine craft.

If you know me for a minute you would not list crafty in my top 20 skill sets.

But once in a while magic happens over here at Everyday Edits.

Pom Pom Valentine craft using recycled jars and garland

POM POMS WITH A PURPOSE

When I found this pom pom garland I had no idea how I would use it, but I loved the shades of the pink, cream and purple felt pom poms.

I found it at Homegoods the same day I brought home this haul. Here is another version on Amazon.

So like most of my impulse purchases, I left the Valentine theme garland on the kitchen table.

At the same time, I was thinking about pom poms I had an ever-growing

stash of recycled glass jars. If only there was a way to marry the two?

And on a random evening in January, I introduced one of these recycled glass jars to the pink, cream and purple stand of pom-poms.

It was magical, thrifty and flexible for any season. And it gave my glass jars a sense of purpose.

how to make the cutest pom pom Valentine craft in minutes

POM POM VALENTINE CRAFT LIST

Glass jars (painted)
Strand of garland
Glue stick or glue dots
Pair of scissors

STEPS FOR THE POM POM VALENTINE CRAFT

Wipe the glass jar down so the glue adheres best
Cut the garland and pull the pom poms off the string. Depending on your design you might be able to use the remaining garland.
Eyeball the pattern and glue the pom pom to the glass jar
Hold the pom pom in place

I only had one pom pom fall off one of the jars.

EVERYDAY EDITS ON YOUTUBE

You can watch the 30 second video I made about this Valentine craft on my Youtube channel HERE. If you head over to my channel please check out my welcome video.

I need 100 followers to become “official.”

pom pom Valentine craft using pom pom garland, glue,

I had such a fun time making this Valentine craft I made a second one.

To mix it up this recycled glass jar has a pom hulu skirt.

This craft checks lots of boxes:

Simple

Inexpensive

Pretty

Short supply list that included repurposed glass jars. I have an entire category devoted to repuposed projects here.

HOW TO MAKE ECO-FRIENDLY PLACEMATS

August 26, 2021

Sharing how to make eco-friendly placemats.

My husband brought home a plastic tablecloth for a family backyard bbq. You know, the plastic sheet every team parent used for high school banquets to catch the queso dip with 18 rugby players?

I was like, “no, no, no you can’t put a plastic tablecloth on a kitchen or dining room table.

It was like we were speaking two different languages and using hand gestures to make my point.

So I found a way to make an eco-friendly placemat suitable for any table setting. Please keep reading to find out what happens when you repurpose everyday objects.

If you are a follower of Everyday Edits you may remember this super easy repurpose idea with packing material.

So as we bring back brunches and football I scored a Hail Mary when I figured out how to make eco-friendly placemats.

Ones that would be sturdy enough to catch the melted butter and cool enough to impress my kids.

Did I mention they are “free.” Or, that these placemats are made from cardboard and will decompose in the garden.

As an added bonus, the kids, nephews or grandkids could make them for the Thanksgiving table… in minutes.

And the supplies needed are likely arriving on your front porch in a matter of days.

HOW TO MAKE ECO-FRIENDLY PLACEMATS

Okay so if you have followed me for a minute you know I love to repurpose random things. Like what to do with empty toilet paper rolls.

So I guess I inherited the recycle gene from my parents too. Last year was the year of online orders and my guilty conscience got the best of me every time I tossed boxes and packing material into the recycle bin.

Yes, that’s a great step but there was so much packing material and cardboard in 2020.

Packing material varies which adds to the challenge. But most of it is biodegradable and easy to cut with scissors.

REPURPOSED

So now when I get a delivery I pay attention to the textures of the packing material. It is like a free gift with a purchase kind of excitement.

Oh and that little thing that happens when you repurpose? There is nothing more fun than hear your adulting children poking fun at mom’s recycled projects. #wink

As long as I am trending amongst my kids I will continue to find ways to repurpose the everyday objects that make a home.

Before you go would love if you pinned this or follow me on Instagram.

HOW TO CREATE SEASONAL DINNERWARE IN 3 STEPS

April 20, 2021

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How to create seasonal dinnerware for all those tablescape goals

It started with where to find navy plates for my summer tablescapes. The boys (men) in my life have no idea what I am talking about right now. One of them is Googling tablescapes. I wanted seasonal dinnerware that didn’t dip into my Nordstrom semi-annual sale fund. I wanted seasonal dinnerware for my tablescapes.

After Mother’s day, we are pretty much into summer. With three patriotic holidays between May and September, I wanted a dinnerware hack where I could set the dining room (or patio table) and celebrate the summer. My girlfriend keeps her tablescape simple with a red/white/blue table all summer.

Faced with a challenge to find blue plates and not spend Pottery Barn money I found a workaround that might just work for all of dish fanatics. t

HOW TO CREATE SEASONAL DINNERWARE IN 3 STEPS

Before we get to the steps let’s run through the supply list.

SUPPLY LIST

Glass plates. I bought these plates (Made in the USA) years ago. I may have bought them before Amazon. ;0) Or, take a girlfriend and look for glass dinnerware pieces at thrift stores.
Paint. I used Latex paint because I am not using this dinnerware to serve food, but to create seasonal dinnerware.
Foam brush. Do as I suggest not as I did. I used a paintbrush, but a foam brush would eliminate the streaks.

HOW TO CREATE SEASONAL DINNERWARE IN 3 STEPS

Clean the glass plates (obviously).
Paint the backside of the plate. This is to add fun dinnerware and layers to your tablescape. Please don’t serve a salad with a dollop of Hale Navy paint. #wink 3. Let dry. Repeat.

That’s it! Now I know you are probably asking why did Laura use latex paint and not oil-based paint? I used oil-based paint pens when I decorated these plates?

But I knew once I washed these plates the navy paint would wear off and I could either touch them up or paint them a different color.

Tip: Don’t run these in the dishwasher where the acrylic paint might clog your filter. Just wash with soap and water first.

I really had fun with this simple, thrifty idea to create seasonal dinnerware.

For me, it is not practical or budget-friendly to buy eight dinner or salad plates for every season, holiday or color scheme.

Tip: If you layer your plates you can save by my ordering the appetizer size glass plates.

Think of all the fun colors and designs you can create on the appetizer, salad or dinner plates.

This is a fun way to add color to the table and I am limited only by imagination (and skills). #wink

WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THIS DIY CANVAS FRAME KIT

April 6, 2021

Sharing a beautiful DIY canvas frame kit perfect for a girls night or Mother’s Day

I did not inherit the crafty gene. My sister took all of it and upstaged me with our painted Christmas village over our college winter breaks.

But over the past year discovered, with a little bit more free time, maybe I could find my crafty side. And then a serendipity invitation showed up in my inbox.

DIY CANVAS FRAME KIT BY PHOTOWALL

Photowall reached out to me to share my experience with their DIY canvas frame kit. With over 14oo0 options between their canvas prints and wallpaper options I thought I might get lost in the huge selection.

Until I landed on their floral canvas prints.

And between clicks and searches on Photowall’s website, I found the one.

It was the perfect print for my home office.

With navy walls and freshly stained floors, this was the perfect canvas print with pinks and greens. I found the one in a matter of minutes.

And you will too.

And then …

While waiting four days for my tulip DIY canvas frame kit to ship from Sweden I started to panic. What if I screw this up? What if I break the frame or ruin the canvas while trying to assemble it?

So when it arrived, with a mix of emotions of excitement and a wee bit of fear, I removed the contents from the narrow shipping box and perked up.

Could something so pretty really be this simple?

I shared a short video on my Youtube Channel to introduce this fun DIY craft in a box.

PHOTOTWALL DIY CANVAS FRAME KIT INCLUDES

canvas print of your choosing
unassembled frame with adhesive tape
4 brackets to reinforce the corners
the most practical screws ever for an assembled framed canvas
mounting wall bracket

The kit includes a simple instruction list that does not require a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering to assemble the frame to the canvas.

Even the supers-sized screws with ribbed edges made it easy. There was absolutely no hardware, scissors or glue needed.

My only suggestion for this DIY canvas print is to use a large flat surface to lay your canvas print (print side facing down) flat.

I removed all of the contents and made sure the four frame sections were aligned on the canvas correctly. And then it’s just a peel and stick step where the canvas adheres to each frame. Where the corners magically align.

I love it. The first thing I want to do is order one for my daughter and my sister for their birthdays. This would make a lovely Mother’s Day gift. You could even do it over a Zoom call with your friends or family.

I am going to have a Photowall canvas print party this summer where everyone pre-orders their canvas and we have a little girls’ craft night.

After this past year, I cannot think of a better way to reconnect in our homes with our girlfriends and family.

Photowall is offering a 25% discount with the discount code: everydayedits25.

This discount is valid for two months so forward to your friends or adult children to kick off the season of reconnecting with our friends and family!

Disclosure: Photowall provided me with a canvas framed print of my choice.

WEEKLY IDEAS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX

THIS LIGHT HACK TAKES SECONDS

February 12, 2021

this hack takes seconds to install and makes life a little easier… curious?

Am I the last person on the planet to discover this light hack? It takes seconds, SECONDS, to install and a screwdriver is optional for installation.

Once the sun sets I can’t see anything without lights. I have tripped over more shoes, dogs and tennis balls in a dark hall or staircase.

One day my family is going to find me sprawled out in a hallway with a tennis ball off to the side with Elliott and his side eye.

As a Realtor showing properties after 5 pm in the winter means stumbling to find the entry lights and hoping the lightbulbs in the stairwell work.

LIGHT HACK

Wait until you see this motion-activated light in action. I installed it in our entry hall closet after this closet hack. I made a short video below to demonstrate! Or, you can watch in my youtube channel. I am up to five followers ;0)

DETAILS

Not only does this bright light turn on with movement it also turns off after inactivity.

I found these motion-activated lights at Home Depot across from the cleaning supplies. You can also buy it from your kitchen table here.

I thought what a great idea for cabinets, crawl spaces or entry closets.

It can be installed with a screwdriver (it comes with screws and no drywall anchors needed).

I have since purchased several from Home Depot and was thrilled that if you don’t want a long-term commitment with a motion activate light it includes double-sided tape to install or tiny little screws.

This motion detector light is the coolest thing since light timers. And as a Realtor and home blogger, this is a great option for vacant homes, under kitchen sinks and hall closets.

I am going to purchase these for my sellers to install in closets (buyers always open closets … even if it’s with gloves & bleach wipes this year).

Have you seen these motion-activated lights? Where do you use them?

Embroidery Hoops for Pumpkins

November 3, 2020

embroidery hoops make the perfect accessory for pumpkins

I have a confession to make. I have no idea how to use an embroidery hoop. A few years ago, I jumped into a blog craft challenge and in a panic, I bought a “lot of” embroidery hoops on eBay.

Bt if you follow me on Everyday Edits you know I love to repurpose random objects.

Despite thoughts of donating these hoops, I waited for some idea in between random thoughts of Christmas lights and next spring’s pumpkin patch goals.

Somedays I am running on a dozen tangents. But after a few attempts to make a wreath, I decided sometimes a pumpkin needs a prop.

EMBROIDERY HOOPS FOR PUMPKINS

Because sometimes a pumpkin needs an accessory for Thanksgiving- the second half of the pumpkin season.

Let’s face it some of our pumpkins did not survive the squirrels’ pumpkin buffet on our porch.

Some of the smaller pumpkins started to sag from sun damage. Kind of like me face about now!

The embroidery hoop kind of props the pumpkin forward for the last miles of the pumpkin season.

Supply List

Embroidery Hoop of any size.
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Fall leaves

I used my stained embroidery hoops. To attach the leaves, I used a hot glue gun because it worked better with the leaves.

Finally, I used leftover leaf garland and orphan leaves that end up in the bottom of the fall decor tub.

Finally, I just went around the outside edge of the hoop attaching the leaves.

It ends up looking like a crown or a hula hoop for a pumpkin.

Either way, the hoop is a fun accessory for the pumpkin.

Before you go Martha Stewart shared a few of her own ideas for hoops.

WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THIS REPURPOSED PACKING MATERIAL

September 15, 2020

I need a directional sign to redirect deliveries to the side of the house. With my husband working from home, he sees the purchases from the easy button called Amazon and other favorite retailers. I am an open book with purchases, but even I noticed that Amazon is my shopping assistant for those must-have items. You know like a10-pound bag of baking soda from here.

This may be one of my favorite repurpose projects. Wait until you see how I repurposed the packing material inside all of those shipping boxes.

You know the packing material that is tucked between breakable items or the 2-pound bag of cotton balls shipped to your front door?

You know the brown paper my husband instinctively throws into the kitchen trash can (and not the recycling in the garage). When I see brown paper and cardboard packing material all I see are future blogs posts.

Like this one.

Or this paper bag idea.

I love this simple repurpose idea and the story behind how it happened.

Curious?

The first time my kids saw me tear the book jacket off of a book they thought I had officially gone mad or one of their siblings was in big trouble. #wink

Now they just say, ” Working on a blog project, mom?” #smartkids

When I hauled out my pumpkins this season I was in a mood.

I did not want to order and wait for the convenient adhesive-backed brown paper. But I wanted something a little different.

I wanted the stacked book look without any additional expense.

While breaking down a few delivery boxes to re-cycle I pulled out the familiar brown packing material. Except this packing material was different.

It had ridges and texture. I was so close to tossing it into our recycle bin but for some reason I saved it.

Not to sound like I took a turn to crazy town, but I think the textured packing paper just said, “Save me.”

So I did.

Yes my thoughts talk to me. Don’t yours?

STEPS TO REPURPOSE PACKING MATERIAL

Supplies: glue or adhesive spray, books (I used a hardback book) & scissors. I love this adhesive spray.

I used a hardback book and chose a dictionary because I love words and we don’t allow i-phones during a family game of Scrabble.

2. Cut packing material to size, spray book’s cover with adhesive or glue. Adjust quickly as the adhesive spray dries quickly.

Tip: If you have packing paper that is too short to cover the entire book cover the top and spine of the book.

No one will know if the bottom of the book is exposed.

You guys I love it. The ridged packing material adds a little texture and durability compared to a roll of brown wrapping paper.

Now if only there was a way to eliminate the bubble wrap in all of those shipping boxes.

What do you think? What is the craziest thing you have repurposed?

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Video:

HOW TO REPURPOSE SHIPPING BOXES FOR WALL ART

July 21, 2020

I am a sucker for a re-purpose project. So when I ordered my quarterly supply of Bath & Body Work’s Strawberry Tart foaming hand soaps I was more excited for the boxes. Because this quarter I planned to repurpose the shipping boxes into wall art. I can see my entire family doing a collective eye roll right about now.

how-to-re-purpose-shipping-boxes-into-wall-art

The incentive to order Bath & Body Works’ Fresh Strawberry Tart soaps or 3-wick candles online is the gingham pattern boxes. #noaffiliate

Over the year I shared how I used the fun Bath & Body shipping boxes for storage. I wish more retailers had a bit more fun with their shipping boxes. Girls like me would re-purpose them into a patriotic centerpiece.

The shades of gingham shipping boxes were perfect to create wall art for our daughter’s bedroom/guest room.

HOW TO REPURPOSE SHIPPING BOXES INTO WALL ART

Supplies

scissors or box cutters
packing tape
old frames, picture frames or wood trim pieces
shipping boxes, pizza boxes, retail boxes

That’s it!

This is the easiest project. I used a pair of scissors to cut along the “seams.” I used the packing tape to either attach the shipping box to the frame and/or tape two cardboard pieces together.

The gingham pattern is very forgiving when I needed to add two pieces together.

how-to-re-purpose-shipping-boxes-into-wall-art-everydayeditsblog

I strategically positioned the Homegoods plant along the edge of her headboard.

Tip to retailers: The pattern needs to be on the interior side of the box.

Did you spot the framed wall art on the mantel in the master bedroom here?

The white frames and gingham didn’t work against the planked wall, but I knew they would be perfect in our daughter’s room.

I love the pop of color!

What do you think? What type of box do you have your eye on to re-purpose? Here are a few popular up-cycle projects.

How to Paint Glass Jars

June 29, 2020

My dad repurposed pickle jars before there were blogs and Youtube. His parents and grandparents lived during/through the Depression. My dad will appreciate how to paint glass jars. After all, I am a third-generation repurpose enthusiast. Dad here is how to paint glass jars so you can take those pickle jars up a notch.

I know what you might be thinking: everyone knows how to paint glass jars.

That’s what my son told me.

I get it; this is not a faux paint finish back in the late 1990s. It is paint and a glass jar. I can hear my dad reading this right now and asking me, “Laura, you mean people actually NEED to read a story on how to paint glass jars?” #momblogger

How to Paint Glass Jars

Supplies Needed:

glass jars (clean + dry)
spray paint

This is pretty simple. I always use this one with a matte finish and a built-in primer. And, this spray paint finish is a new favorite after I used it on this project. It sells out quickly at Home Depot. Target carries it too, but limited selection and a few dollars more.

When I buy candles I always go for the shape of the candle jar over the scent. I loved this candle’s shape, but unfortunately, the candle did not smell tranquil.

how-to-upcycle-candle-jars-everyday-edits

I bought several because of the cute glass jars. If you zoom in it is a #madeintheusa find from here.

After removing the labels and the waxy film and wick using this technique I was ready to paint the glass jars.

Tip: When I whip out my spray paint I like to set up an assembly line of whatever I plan to paint. In this case, I had a 1/2 dozen glass jars ready to paint.

In the past I always spray painted the exterior of the jar in case I wanted to serve snacks or nibbles. And, until this project I never even thought about spraying the inside of a glass jar.

But on a whim I decided to go crazy and spray the inside of the glass jar.

You guys! It was life changing for this jar. Spraying the inside of the jar was night and day from the previous jars I sprayed on the exterior.

The finished glass jar looks professional grade smooth. The spray paint process is more forgiving when the drips or misses are on the inside of the jar too.

I tried to capture a side by side, but it was hard to show the exterior side version. But the interior spray technique gave the jar this smooth finish. The jar in the background was painted on the outside where you can see it has more of a flat finish.

The only issue is if you plan to use your repurposed painted glass jars for food. I don’t like the idea of my M&M’s next to spray paint.

Tip: If you plan to serve snacks or candy in your freshly painted glass jars add a cupcake liner or coffee filter. They work great and make for easy cleanup!

I love the look! Am I the last to know this technique?

SIMPLE TIP FOR FAUX PLANTS AND WREATHS

May 1, 2020

Faux plants do not know they are fake. They just think they are special and do not need water. That’s why this tip for faux plants and wreaths is a game changer at our house. If my faux plants were alive this tip might save them and make them look so good. So what’s the secret sauce, the tip to perk up our wreaths and greenery?

FAUX OR FAKE?

Sidenote: Do you say faux or fake? I say faux because fake always makes me think of something else.

If you prefer real plants here is a two minute read on ferns.

Okay, so this simple tip was a game-changer. And, it did not involve a chemistry equation.

I was wiping down random surfaces in the house and noticed my bright potted faux greenery was dull and tired looking. It never really occurred to me to clean my non-living plants.

Isn’t that why we buy fake plants-because they are low maintenance?

Do you remember when I had to clean this popular garage sale wreath?

But for $3 it came with a musty odor. That wreath essentially needed a bath before it came into the house.

So why wouldn’t I clean all my plants and wreaths? It never occurred to me.

Um… but that was way before words like contagion and virus crept into our cleaning conscious.

SIMPLE TIP FOR FAUX PLANTS AND WREATHS

My faux plants were not visibly dusty. But, then again you can’t see germs on surfaces.

I wondered what if something lingered on those leafy, plastic leaves.

STEPS TO CLEAN FAUX PLANTS AND WREATHS

ROUND UP POTTED FAKE PLANTS + WREATHS
PLACE 1-2 IN THE SINK
SPRITZ WITH CLEANER

I grabbed one of several potted artificial plants in our bedrooms and placed it in the sink. Okay, I almost just ran water over the fakeplant. But, I thought that might create bigger issues.

It was easier than that and less messy.

I just spritzed the faux leaves and stems with an all-purpose cleaner, just one of a dozen cleaners in my coat to storage closet.

And, immediately the plant looked fresher, brighter and maybe happier.

Yes, I just said that about my-living plants. But if real wreaths and greenery had feelings then our fake plants likely have faux feelings.

I regularly spritz my real plants when I found this little cutie in the dollar section at Target.

I found this one too.

Do you all already do this with your greenery and wreaths?

I must have been off my cleaning game! Then again, I clean more surfaces now in years past. But, the difference is impressive. Go ahead and try it and let me know what you think.

With those instant results, I went around the house and freshened up the faux plants. I will never ignore those waxy stems again.

Before you go here is one more tip for faux and real plants.

Shop:

Here is a cute spritzer bottle in case you need one.

5 Ways to Repurpose Dry Cleaning Bags

April 20, 2020

I had to find a way to repurpose dry cleaning bags because of my husband’s addiction to starch. Not the carb-loaded starch, but the industrial-strength starch in both the collars and the cuffs in his dress shirts.

Our first Sunday, as a married couple and back from a disastrous honeymoon that almost ended in divorce, I made an announcement; no not that one: I could not iron his shirts. Without going into the details; as a recent grad with career aspirations (interviews), I argued I could not be distracted by the iron.

I proposed two options: he could iron his own shirts or outsource the task. Since I am sharing 5 ways to repurpose dry cleaning bags you can guess which option he pursued.

And, now we have dry cleaning bags and wire hangers. Every time I collect the wire hangers in our closet I think of the cheesy 1980’s movie Mommy Dearest and Joan Crawford’s famous line; “No more wire hangers.” I always shove the wire hangers back into the dry cleaning bag and hope they get reused.

Sidenote: Has anyone thought to replace the wire hangers with cardboard hangers? Do they exist?

Here are a few ways to repurpose dry cleaning bags and other household plastic bags. I have three ideas to repurpose dry cleaning bags. All of these work using the same technique. This is a low tech project.

Start with the top of the dry cleaning bag; the top (end) that has an opening for the hangers. I tie this end together with a double knot to hold the bag together.

1. Cover Seasonal Wreaths:

Some of my wreaths drop their faux leaves just like the Aspen trees in our yard. They create a dusty mess in storage. Now, I cover my wreaths with dry cleaning bags. The clear plastic works great to see which wreath is in what bag.

This is one of my favorite wreaths I found at Homegoods.

2 . Line Small Trash Cans

This idea does not work for your kitchen size trash cans. I tried it and it was a fail. The kitchen trash was too heavy for the drycleaning bag.

However, the drycleaning bags worked great to line the trash can in the bathroom trashcans under the sink.

One of my top ten pre-listing suggestions explains why I advise my sellers to stash the bathroom trashcans.

3. Pack Clothing Donations:

The clear film makes it easier to sort items once they get to the donation center. Now that my kids are potty trained and in college, I am a little more organized with my donations.

4. Crafts + Paint

For quick crafts or paint projects use a dry cleaning bag. The drycleaning bags are lightweight and easy to cover a space before a glitter party or Mod Podge project. I used a dry cleaning bag to catch the drips when my ghost left while hanging out to dry. Made the drying process a breeze.

5. Packing Material

Drycleaning bags make a perfect packing material because the backs are pliable and lightweight. These bags are easy to fit into tight corners of a care package or storage boxes if you decided to do this project.

Thank you for stopping by today! I would love for you to sign up for my once a week (only) newsletter in the sidebar, leave me a comment, ask me a question or follow me via social media below.

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5 Ideas to Decorate the Back of the Front Door

April 7, 2020

-why should the front door get all the attentions-

This is the month for the back of the front door! Historically, the back of the front door is the Athleta brand to Lululemon. It is the Jan Brady to Marsha. It is just as pretty and resilient but always gets upstaged by the front door.

Let’s face it the front door gets the seasonal wreaths and Pinterest Board pins. And, the back door gets nothing! And, yet this month all eyes are on the back of the front. So maybe we need to show a little more love. I decided it was time to show a little love with 5 ideas to decorate the back of the front door.

And, the best part? Almost all of these ideas cost less than $40.00. And, right about now we are seeing the back the front door more than ever before. Amen!

5 IDEAS TO DECORATE THE BACK OF THE FRONT DOOR

ideas-to-decorate-the-back-of-front-door

1. Paint

One of my favorite projects ever was the day I painted the back of the front door. I went from the weathered stained interior door and sidelights to a crisp white paint.

2. Add a Wreath

I know right? We all add wreaths to the front of the door for the neighbors to see, but what about the interior side of the front door?

Here’s the trick: Make sure to line up the two wreaths. I have almost identical wreaths on both sides of the front door. But, when I originally hung the interior wreath it looked like it was sagging.

So I just adjusted both wreaths so they were almost mirror images of each other.

3. Add Bells

Okay, so many of us add bells around our house and doors at Christmas. Tell me I am not the only one who does this? It drives my family nuts because of the jingle jangle, but I love it.

I have not stopped singing “ring my bellllllllll; ring my bell” since this post.

So why remove them just because the calendar says it is April?

Bells add a little hello whenever the door opens. I buy at least one bell every year from this online decor shop.

I found these galvanized bells at the same shop for the back of the front door. I added a green and gingham navy ribbon from previous projects.

I found these brass-finished bells on Etsy.

4. Add a Rug

I added a new rug, but I am regretting the off-white for the entryway. I might have to pull out the previous rug to hide the dirt.

You can see my Christmas bells below minus the ribbon and garland. I switched them out for a larger bell.

5. Add New Hardware

We updated our door hardware a few years ago, but the door hardware looks a bit “rough” from my painting project.

I explained here why I did not remove the front door from the hinges when I painted it.

I bought a door knocker for this side of the door because I thought it would look great against the white door. I tried to explain to my husband why it would be fun to add a door knocker to the back of the door, but when I said, “because no one expects it” he just kind of made that face.

And, then I remembered he is a man and will likely not notice the door knocker. #wink Please weigh in on the comments.

These ideas are flexible during the seasons and holidays, but why not add a little color or bling to the other side of the front door?

Thank you for stopping by and if you have any ideas please leave them in the comments.

If you look in the background you will notice we updated these but forgot to change the ones on the front door. Oops