Average But Inspired

Inspiring creativity at home.

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Santa’s Stationery {Free Printable}

Last month my mom found an old letter that Santa had left me when I was very young.  (You may have seen this picture of it that I posted on Instagram.)  It was beautifully written in red calligraphy and was made to look as though it were on aged paper.  I had no memory of receiving it when I was little, but it made me SO happy to see it now as an adult.

And of course it made me want to have Santa leave my children a special note.  Problem is I don’t know calligraphy and there’s no way I’m going to successfully dye paper to look like it’s old (trust me on that one.).  So I hopped onto the computer one night and made up some letterhead and a thank you note from the big man in red.  (Hey – when you’re important, you definitely have custom stationery.)  You can download it later in this post!

I think this set of Santa’s stationery turned out pretty cute and will lend some authenticity to any note Santa might leave your little one(s) – even if you don’t know calligraphy!  Kids will LOVE receiving a note from the big man himself on his custom stationery! Download this free set of Santa's Stationery and print at home! Write a special note on the letterhead or check the right boxes on the thank you note. It will be a great memory maker! [Read more…]

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Pegboard Creation Station for Kids – Monthly DIY Challenge

It’s the second Wednesday of the month, so that means it’s time for the Monthly DIY Challenge! ::And the crowd goes wild:: You know the drill – each month some blogger friends and I team up to create different projects that revolve around the same product or theme. This month we’re all about the utilitarian favorite, PEGBOARD!  Stumped on what to do with pegboard? Here are 8 great ideas for you! #MonthlyDIYChallenge

All of the projects are conveniently linked up at the bottom of this post, but first I can’t wait to show you my Pegboard Creation Station for Kids! Turn an empty wall into a pegboard creation station for kids! Neatly store art supplies on pegboard up top, and create a chalkboard wall beneath for hours of fun!
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DIY Flower Girl and Ring Bearer T-Shirts

Last weekend my brother got married!  It was a totally gorgeous wedding out in Laramie, Wyoming, and we had the best time celebrating with family and friends.  The best part of it all is that I now have another sister, whom I adore.  I was a bridesmaid, and my kids were the flower girl and ring bearer.

And because I like to make a lot of extra work for myself and create unnecessary stress, the day before we left town, I decided to make my kids some totally cute t-shirts to help notify everyone they were part of the wedding party.  SO adorable! Learn how to make these DIY flower girl and ring bearer t-shirts for the littlest ones in the wedding party. They're easy and so cute!
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Vintage Airplane Bedroom Reveal

You know how good it feels to finish something you’ve been working on (edit: dragging your heels on) forever?  Like you’re on cloud nine, right?  I am TOTALLY up there right now because I finally finished (like yesterday – no joke), my son’s nursery to big boy room makeover, and I am ecstatic to finally be showing you his vintage airplane bedroom reveal!  This vintage airplane bedroom is filled with easy and budget-friendly DIY details that will grow with the little boy who lives here!

It was a total budget re-do and it is chock FULL of DIY projects that I’ll be spilling the details on over the next few weeks.  It’s also full of hand-me-downs and thrift shop finds, but that adds to the vintage look of it all!   [Read more…]

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DIY Mini Sombrero Piñatas

Hola, amigos y amigas!  (Are you impressed that I’m bilingual?)  Earlier this week I promised to share a Mother’s Day project today, but life interfered with my plans and I have no such post.  I’m hoping I will have it ready for next week, but in the meantime, I have a SUPER fun project to share that is just perfect for Cinco de Mayo next week!  These DIY mini sombrero piñatas will be a hit with anyone, young or old, and are a snap to put together.  Make these fun mini sombrero pinatas for your next fiesta! They're a quick project and inexpensive, too!
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Stenciled Chair Seats – A Thrifty and Fun Kitchen Chair Makeover

Thank you to Cutting Edge Stencils for providing the stencil used in this project and the prize to be awarded in the giveaway.  The project and opinions are all my own. One thing I love is giving a plain object new life and personality with a simple change.  Stenciling the seats of my beat up kitchen […]

5 Furniture Makeover Mistakes to Avoid {Lessons From a Failed Furniture Flip}

One hot summer night I sat in front of the TV, watching reruns of an intellectually stimulating show (most likely Real Housewives of Dallas or some other random city), while mindlessly scrolling through Facebook.  Suddenly, a post showed up in my newsfeed of someone selling a gorgeous and antique roll top desk in my local resale group . . . […]

DIY Modern Desk – A Beginner Woodworking Project {Monthly DIY Challenge}

Thank you to Kreg Tool Company for sponsoring this post.  The project and opinions are all my own!  Also, this post contains affiliate links.  Please see my full disclosure policy here. Years ago when the ladies of the Monthly DIY Challenge and I started up this whole thing, I knew there would be times that […]

Mid-Century Dining Chairs Makeover

In a strange turn of events, Chicago has had absolutely amazing weather over the past week or so.  It is FEBRUARY and we have had temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s for multiple days in a row.  I am beyond thrilled with this taste of spring in the dead of winter, and have been using it to […]