Jewlery Holder: What I learned

In my first Top 5 post I mentioned finishing my new necklace/jewelery rack. I had previously crafted a rack out of a frame and some eye hooks, and to be honest I outgrew it. So, when I came across the inspiration post I knew I was in. It didn't take me long to find this rack at a local antique "mall" for only $5!

For what it is, it was in good shape and had those 3 pegs at the bottom to hang mugs(?) from. But I knew those wouldn't be enough for my growing collection of neck lovelies. And I wanted to make sure I had some shelf space for bracelets, earrings and the like. So I popped those bad boys out and decided to turn it around.

Using wood putty I filled the holes from the pegs and a few little divots from nails and scratches so that I could get a nice even coat of paint over the whole thing. After letting it dry, I sanded over the entire piece.

I still have plenty of marshmallow white paint left, so using a small foam brush I began the process of painting. It took a couple of coats.

Some of those coats were a bit thick, and dripped so I sanded the back after it was dry.

I then started the process of screwing in a couple dozen hooks into the bottom and inside the top of the two longer sections.

I added some picture hangers on the back, and it was almost ready to go.

I put it up on the wall, but I didn't really like seeing the painted wall through the holder, so I added some scrapbook paper to the back of the frame. I liked the contrast of the dark purple against the lilac paint on the walls.

I hung up my necklaces and put away my bracelets and here's what she looks like now!

What I learned

1. I went a little crazy with the wood putty. It said over fill the spots, and I definitely did that. You can still see some "lumpy" parts where I didn't sand enough.

2. Paint the inside first! I didn't do that on the first coat, and it was hard for me to find a good position for my hand/brush when I went to do the more difficult inside.

3. The paint I used was interior wall paint. Not exactly the best paint for this job. Craft paint would have been much better. Maybe even spray paint. I've never used spray paint, and I think I'd like to give it a go on a future project.

4. I really love my necklaces.

30 before 30

I turn 30 this year. In about 114 days in fact. (That means you have 113 shopping days until Christmas!) With just 3 1/2 months left in my 20's, I have decided to come up with copy cooler people than me and write out 30 things that I need to do before the big day. There are tons of these lists out there, but most were written a few years out from the big day. I have about 3 months, so I  am setting up two rules for my 30: Realistic in the time frame and the item must really only depend on me to make it happen. (For example "Go to Australia" is not realistic in the next 3 months so it doesn't go on my list.)

1. Vegas with my hubby!
2. Finish another 1/2 Marathon
3. Sew something that I am not embarrassed of
4. Reupholster something... (I guess I need something to recover!)
5. Create a gallery wall
6. Frame & display wedding pictures
7. Lose some weight. (I hesitate to put a number on this. I want to be healthy and feel better about myself, and it has to be a realistic number. I'm thinking 15-20 lbs??)
8. Go vegan for a week
9. Cook a new recipe once a week
10. Let people know about this little blog and get some followers
11. Continue blogging 4-7 posts a week
12. Clean out the spare room (formally wedding room, now disaster room)
13. Paint the hall and bedroom
14. Get a make-over and buy some of those products
15. Send Christmas cards
16. No fast food for a month (Does Subway count? What about Dutch Bros/Starbucks??I will have to decide...)
17. Take a necklace I inherited from my gramma in to have some links added
18. Do something from my pinterest boards
19. Get a massage
20. Do a version of Stephanie O'Dea's Daily 7
21. Meal plan for three weeks straight and follow the plan!
22. Go see a movie by myself
23. Have my eyes checked.
24. Get a new work ID (with my married name)
25. Take a cooking class
26. Send birthday cards in the mail, even to people I see regularly
27. Stay a week ahead at work
28. Floss
29. Put 10% in savings from each paycheck
30. Roast a whole chicken

Top 5 Friday: Fair Edition!

It's State Fair Time! I love seeing the animals, the demonstrations, the artists and all the hand made goodies. BUT mostly I love the food! Here are my Top 5 Fair Foods!

1. Grilled Corn on the Cob

Yummy! This picture is almost making me drool right now. I usually only sprinkle a little season salt on it. So tasty! Bonus, its usually around $1 and NOT a billion calories!

2. Fresh Squeezed Lemonade:

So maybe it doesn't look this good from the fair, but can anything else taste like summer in a glass? So fresh and tangy, de-lish!

3. Ice Cream!!

This is a picture of where I will be standing in line for a kids cone at the Oregon Dairy Women's Red Barn. Me and like everyone else at the fair. There are other ice cream stands and frozen treats at the fair, but this one is by far my favorite!

4. Corn Dogs

Hee. The mustard face kills me. I don't usually go for a corn dog, but I've gotta craving right now for a hand dipped, freshly deep fried hot dog on a stick.

5. Elephant Ears

No, not these ones.

More like this! The only problem is that the size of these has gotten out of control! The Mister does not like elephant ears, and it is just too much for little old me. I had one at the St. Paul Rodeo in July and I ended up throwing part of it away. If I could find a kids sized elephant ear that would be perfect.

What I Learned: A little background

I love looking at before and after posts & how-to posts. I fully admit, I am a novice when it comes to these sorts of things, but I really do enjoy crafting. One thing I realized, is that I learn from each project I do, and I get better at it. In all honesty, I don't think I should be writing how-to posts. I look at how to posts as "experts" in that project, and I don't consider myself an expert in anything. But I still want to document my little hobby and maybe it can be some inspiration for someone else. So at the end of each post, I will write a few things that I learned from the project, and would do differently next time. My bathroom desk is already up, and I have another What I Learned post coming soon!