DIY

If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to “frame” a poster, art, or large photograph, I have the solution for you!  This DIY Plywood Picture Frame is not only the easiest thing to make, but it’s super inexpensive, too!     
I made this plywood picture frame so that I could hang an awesome vintage wrapping paper map of Chicago in my basement. It prettied up a wall down there as part of my Basement Makeover that I just finished!  I thought that guests who are staying down there might enjoy checking out the lay of the land!

Also, it was totally inexpensive and a very simple project – just how I like it.  

Supplies Needed for a Plywood Picture Frame

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• 1/4″ birch plywood, cut to desired size (approximately 3-4″ wider and taller than the poster to be framed)
• Wood stain (I used Minwax Dark Walnut – my fave), or paint
• Spray adhesive
• Decorative furniture tacks
• 3M Command Large Picture Hanging Strips

How to Make a DIY Plywood Picture Frame

Now, guys, I have to apologize here for a MAJOR BLOGGER FAIL.  I recently started a new photo organization system and somehow I am completely DISorganized as a result.  I have searched everywhere and I cannot find my tutorial photos for this project!  I think I may have accidentally deleted them; they are nowhere to be found.  So I’m really sorry, but I don’t have step-by-step photos. I think it’s OK though because it is seriously SO simple! 

Step One: Cut the Plywood to Size

First, go to Home Depot’s precut wood aisle (sometimes called “project panels”), and find the 1/4″ thick birch plywood.  This wood is thin, but sturdier than other types of plywood.  Then have one of their employees cut it to the desired size for you.  Alternatively, cut if yourself if you are skilled with the saw!

Step Two: Sand and Stain the Plywood

Sand down the rough edges and stain it or paint it.

Step Three: Apply Spray Adhesive

Once it’s fully dry, apply spray adhesive to the back of the picture or poster you want to display.  Also carefully apply a thin layer of spray adhesive to the plywood, but be careful not to spray it on the edges of the plywood that will not be covered with the poster.  Press the poster into place, making sure to gently smooth out any wrinkles.

Step Four: Add Pushpins or Tacks

For a decorative touch, add furniture tacks or push pins to the corners of the poster.  I used furniture tacks, which were longer than the depth of the plywood.  Because of that, I let them stick out so that they wouldn’t push through the back of the wood.  

Step Five: Hang the Plywood Picture Frame

Finally, I hung the plywood poster frame with Command Large Picture Hanging Strips. They work perfectly for this type of project! Since the wood is so thin, it would have been difficult to hang the frame with regular picture hangers.

That’s it!  So easy, right?  Almost as easy as popping a picture into a real frame, but a little more unique!  

I love copper accents for home accessories, but I don’t love the price tag.  That stuff is expensive, man!  We put copper gutters on the front of our house last year and let me tell you – ouch.  

So it came as no surprise to me that real copper planters for my front porch were out of the question.  I was going to have to use my plain black urns again this year.  That is until I found out about copper patina paint, and made some DIY Faux Copper Planters!

I.AM.OBSESSED.  

This was such a fun project, and I am going to “copperize” everything because, well, I can!

Supplies Needed to Make DIY Faux Copper Planters 

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• Terracotta pots
• Paintbrush
• Modern Masters Metal Effects Copper Paint and Green Patina Kit

How to Make DIY Faux Copper Planters with Copper Patina Paint

First I wiped down my terracotta pots to remove dirt and dust.  

Next, I applied two coats of Modern Masters Metal Effects Primer, which came in the copper patina paint kit, per the instructions on the bottle.  

I primed the inner rim of the pots because I knew that some of the inner rim would be visible even after I planted flowers.

After allowing the primer to thoroughly dry, I applied a coat of the Copper Reactive Metallic Paint, which also came in the kit.   

My pots were so shiny!

Then a crazy storm decided to move in, so I had to transfer this operation to the messy garage. (It WILL be cleaned out this summer. Public accountability.)

I added a second coat of Copper Reactive Metallic Paint, and while it was still wet, I sprayed on the Green Patina Aging Solution (again, this came in the copper patina paint kit).  In this photo you can kind of see the spots where it was sprayed.  

The Activator started working immediately, and it was super exciting to see the green patina appearing right before my eyes.

Within about ten minutes, the pot looked like this!  I felt like a science geek because this was making me so happy.

I let my pots sit in the garage overnight, and I filled them with flowers the next afternoon while I pretended my children were not throwing dirt at one another.

The copper patina looks realistic enough to pass inspection – in my opinion at least!

Can you believe what kind of copper patina you can achieve with a paint set?

My little guy likes them, too. Or so he says.

I’m so happy spring is finally here and I have some color near my front door. The fact that I got the copper look for less also makes me ecstatic! I am so thankful for this copper paint! 

– Bre

Once upon a time I purchased the Spontan Magnetic Board from IKEA.  Why?  I don’t know other than that when I step into IKEA, I suddenly feel the urge to purchase lots of things that I have no need for.

I ultimately decided to incorporate it into my son’s “vintage aviation bedroom.”  To add to the theme, I customized the magnetic board, and am happy to share this Painted IKEA Spontan Magnetic Board with you! (2021 UPDATE: IKEA magnetic boards are now sold as Svensas Memo Boards).  

Supplies Needed to Customize an IKEA Magnet Board

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• Electronic cutting machine (I LOVE my Cricut Joy) *See the tutorial below if you don’t have or don’t want a cutting machine! You can still do this!
• Chalk paint in color(s) of your choice
• Varnish
• Paint Brush

How to Paint an IKEA Spontan or IKEA Svensas

To get this look, I cut airplane stencils on my cutting machine.  (At the time I had a Silhouette Portrait – now I use a Cricut Joy).

If you don’t have an electronic cutting machine, you could easily print clip art from your computer and trace the design onto contact paper to make a sticky stencil, or use stickers in the size and shape you desire.

Once my stencils were ready, I placed them onto the IKEA Spontan board.  

Next, I used a small foam roller to apply two coats of chalk paint over the entire board – including over the contact paper stencils.

I used DecoArt’s Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint in white.  Again, you can pick any color you like!  (Don’t you think the washing machine is the PERFECT work surface?)

Once the paint was totally dry, I removed my contact paper stencils to reveal the vintage airplane design! I was SO happy to see that they turned out well!

I then painted a coat of varnish over the entire magnet board just to make sure the finish stayed on well.

Since I will be using magnets on there and rotating my son’s artwork, I wanted to make sure the finish is durable.  

This was a fun project because I had no idea if it would actually turn out well.  I love that I finally used my random IKEA purchase, and my son is pumped to have a place to display his artwork from school!  

Next up in the room is painting the bookshelf to match the gray chalk painted dresser that I finished late last year. I can’t wait to get the room finished!  

– Bre

Wood slices are all the rage amongst crafters these days, so it’s no surprise that I had to make some type of wood slice craft!

I turned mine into a rustic wood slice serving tray with wood burned detailing.  Tres chic!  (Or should I say “tray” chic in this case?)

Wood Slice Serving Tray Supplies

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I loved this project because it allowed me to work with materials I’d never used before, and to create something that I actually have a need for!  The supplies I used were the following:

• Walnut Hollow Basswood Country Plank
• Creative Woodburner Value Pen
• Watco Butcher Block Oil & Finish
• Stencil (and pencil)
• Drawer pulls (and drill)

How to Make a DIY Serving Tray

Step One:

Once I had my supplies together, I started by lightly sanding my wood slice and then taping a stencil to it.

Step Two:

I traced the design onto my wood slice in pencil.

Step Three:

I plugged in my woodburning tool and anxiously waited for it to heat up.

I had never used one of these so I was a little nervous about starting something on fire.  (If you know me at all, you know this is a legitimate concern.  For real.)

DIY Serving Tray Step Four:

Once I got started burning my design into the wood slice, I found that it was really easy to do!  The tool does get hot to hold, however, so I had to take little breaks here and there.

It didn’t take long and the smell wasn’t too bad – thank goodness! I did NOT want to set off the fire alarm during my son’s naptime!

Step Five:

After I finished burning the entire design, I let the wood slice sit for a while. Then I drilled holes into the piece so that I could screw in the drawer pulls for handles.

Step Six:

Next, I coated the entire wood slice with butcher block oil to help seal the piece. Butcher block oil is completely food safe and FDA approved, so I was confident using it on something that I knew I’d be putting food on.

As with the previous step, I forgot to take a picture of the butcher block oil application, but trust me, it’s nothing exciting. It tints the wood ever so slightly, but it doesn’t change the color in any dramatic way.

Wood Slice Serving Tray Step Seven:

Once the butcher block oil dried, I went to screw in my hardware. At that point, I noticed that the pulls I’d purchased were two different finishes. ANNOYING!

Since I didn’t have the receipt, I decided to spray paint them so they’d look the same.

Step Eight:

After the hardware dried, I screwed the handles onto the wood slice and admired my rustic wood slice serving tray!
Then I served my kids a “fancy snack” of cheese and crackers.  (Trust me – this is way nicer than the animal crackers or raisins I usually toss into a bowl for them every afternoon.)  
I think this is a perfect DIY gift, and one that can easily be personalized with a monogram, quote, or other meaningful design.

You could also add some cool hardware for handles to really make your wood slice serving tray unique!

Wooden crates are everywhere: the craft store, home improvement stores, and even big box stores!  They’re super accessible, and because of that, perfect for a wide variety of DIY projects.  Today I’ll show you how to turn a crate into a rolling firewood caddy! 

I am in love with my little firewood caddy.  It has opened up my entire fireplace (I used to have a fireplace screen covering the firebox), and added a personal touch to my living room.

It was also really, really easy to put together.  Score!

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I started with a plain wooden crate.  (Although I linked to one online, if you get a 40% off coupon for Michaels, you can get them much cheaper there.)   

After the paint dried, I lightly sanded in areas to give a further distressed look.

Next, I decided to add some text on the front of my crate.  I wanted it to look like a vintage crate I picked up at a flea market or something.  Since this was going in my fireplace, I decided to make up a fake timber company bearing my last name.

(Sidenote: I bet I would have been an awesome lumberjack if I had taken that career path.  I look really good in flannel.)

I downloaded some free rustic-looking fonts and a pine tree image, typed out my text using the Word Art function in Word, reversed the text, and printed it out on freezer paper so that I could do an image transfer.  I followed a freezer paper image transfer tutorial, and it worked really well.