June 2, 2011

Acute How-To: Gallery Wall

A gallery wall of pictures is a fantastic and inexpensive way to brighten up a blank wall in your home.

If you are like me, then you probably have stacks of photos and prints that you have been meaning to frame for years. 

When we moved into our new house last summer {can you tell I am a little behind??} I planned to create a gallery of photos and prints in our boring, white-walled hallway.  I decided to do all black and white photos in white frames to give the wall a coherent look.   

What you will need:

  • framed photos and prints {I was able to find a lot of super cheap frames at my local thrift store.  Since I wanted all white, I just spray painted them.  I love how most of the frames are different, yet the white color ties them all together.}
  • blue painter’s tape
  • measuring tape
  • nails or hooks for hanging {I used 3M removable hooks for the smaller frames.}

Step One:

Measure and tape off a section of the wall.

Step Two:

Measure the frames and mark with tape where each will go on the wall.

{If you are a picture hanging pro, you can skip this step, but I wanted to get a good idea of what the wall would look like before I started adding the hooks and nails.}

Step Three:

Hang your framed photos and prints. 

I created this simple picture hanging helper by hammering a long nail through a stick of wood.  Then I hung the frame off the front of the nail and marked on the wall just where each nail should go.  This little trick definitely helped cut down on my mistakes!

That’s it – super easy and versatile.  As the seasons change or you get new pictures and prints, you can easily swap them into the gallery wall. 

 

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May 13, 2011

Acute How-To: Refrigerator Pickles

I love pickles.  I put them on every sandwich I make and snack on them daily.   This pickle recipe is one I inherited from my grandmother.

Someday I would love to attempt pickling and canning cucumbers, but for now this super simple refrigerator method works just fine.

What you will need:

  • 4 cucumbers           
  • 1 medium onion
  • ½ of a green pepper
  • 1 cup of white vinegar
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ tablespoon celery seed
  • ½ tablespoon mustard seed
  • ½ tablespoon dried dill
  • 2 tablespoons of salt

Step One:

Slice the cucumber, onion, and green pepper and put on a large bowl.  Sprinkle the salt over the veggies and toss all together.

Set the bowl aside for three hours so that the salt draws out the moisture in the vegetables.

Step Two:

Drain the vegetables in a colander to remove all the excess water and return them to the bowl 

Step Three:

Mix together the vinegar, sugar, and spices and pour it over the vegetables. Toss all together.

Step Four:

Transfer the vegetables to mason jars or plastic container {this recipe will make about 4 pints of pickles.  Feel free to halve or double it}. 

Step Five:

Set the jars in the refrigerator with the tops loosely on them for three days – shaking here and there to make sure the spices are well distributed.

After three days, completely close the lids and enjoy your homemade pickles!  These will last for about 8 weeks in the refrigerator.

Enjoy!

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May 5, 2011

Acute How-To: Tissue Paper Flowers

This might just be the perfect Mother’s Day gift {especially if you live far from your mom like me} – simple, thoughtful, and would be much easier to ship than real flowers.

What you need:

  • Tissue paper {in any color you prefer}
  • Scissors
  • Fabric coated flower wire {you can find this at the craft store}

 

Step One:

Fold one piece of tissue paper in half, then in half again, and again… until you have a small rectangle.  If you are using a standard piece of tissue paper this will be four folds.  Open the folded piece of tissue paper and cut along the lines in order to get 16 equal sized rectangles {they will measure about 6”x4”}. 

 

Step Two:

Take 8 of the rectangles and stack them on top of each other.  Fold accordion style up the length of the stack of paper.

 

Step Three:

Take one piece of flower wire and securely twist around the center of the folded paper.

 

Step Four:

Cut each end of the paper so that it is curved.  If you prefer a more ruffled look, rather than a pompom look, do not round off the ends of the tissue paper stack.

 

Step Five:

Slowly pull apart the layers of tissue paper.  This step takes a little patience.  If you do it too quickly, you will rip the paper.  Fluff the layers so that you have a full bodied flower. 

 

Make several in various colors for a full bouquet – such a lovely Mother’s Day Gift!

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April 7, 2011

Acute How-To: Monogrammed Burlap + Lace Table Runner

I am a huge fan of monograms in home décor. 

Not only do they give an otherwise basic item a personalized touch, they are also extremely simple to achieve. All you need is a stencil, a little paint, and some creativity.

For this monogrammed project, I decided to go with burlap and lace.  Burlap is a fabric made from natural fibers that has a fantastic texture and rustic feel to it.  The contrast of the rough burlap against the soft, delicate lace is fantastic.

Not only do I love the rustic feel of the burlap, it is also so inexpensive.  This whole project cost me less than $20.  Easy and affordable?  Now that is my kind of how-to project!

What you will need:

  • 2-3 feet of burlap, depending on the length of your table  {two feet was long enough for my table}
  • A stencil {these can be bought at your local craft store or you can make one by printing large letters in your favorite font on cardstock }
  • Fabric paint and sponge brush
  • 2-3 feet of lace trim
  • craft glue

Step one:

Determine the length and width you would your table runner to be.  A standard table runner will be about 15” wide and the length should be the length of your table +  about 20 inches {you want about 10 inches to hang down on each side}.

Step two:

Cut the burlap to the decided upon dimensions and fray each end.  If you prefer a clean look, you can sew a hem all around the edges, but I like the frayed look with this natural fabric.

Step three:

Dot a little craft glue down the long side of the table runner and gently press down the lace.  Repeat on the other side and allow to dry for about an hour.

Step four:

Once the glue has dried, flip the table runner over and stencil your monogram on one or both ends.  If a simple monogram isn’t enough for you – add an additional stencil.  There are lots of free and inexpensive printable stencils online and at any craft store.

Such a simple and gorgeous project to dress up your table for spring!

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March 31, 2011

Acute How-To: Faux Milk Glass

 

I love milk glass.  It is so simple and beautiful.  Unfortunately for my budget, everyone else seems to love milk glass too, which often gives it a high price tag.

Every once in a while, I come across a piece at a thrift store for a decent price, but this has become more and more rare in the past few years.  My budget friendly, diy solution?  Faux milk glass!

Yes, the real thing is fantastic, but the faux version is so fun and it gives you freedom to create a unique piece.

What you will need:

  • various glass vases, bowls, and containers {my local thrift store sells these by the by the truck load for super cheap}
  • semi-gloss white spray paint
  • a drop cloth or old cardboard box to paint on

This how-to project is so simple, yet it produces big results.

Simply take any glass vases or bowls you wish to faux-up and wash them thoroughly, making sure no dirt or dust remains.

Next, set the glass pieces on their sides on a drop cloth or old cardboard box and evenly coat with white spray paint.  There is no need to coat the inside of the vessels, just the sides and tops.

Wait a few hours for the paint to dry and go back for a second coat.  If you are a skilled spray painter, two coats will be enough.  If you are not the most skilled spray painter {such as me} you will need three and maybe even four coats.

Once the paint dries completely {give it a day} fill with fresh flowers and enjoy your simple, yet stunning project.

A few tips:

  • Spray paint is messy and gloves are a good idea.
  • Spray paint also seems to get everywhere, so painting outside is preferable.
  • When thrifting glass vases for this project, look for ones with texture, they seem to look the most “authentic” when complete.
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