Nautical Rope Rod Curtains

 M Plaque can be found here

I wish I could say I have this amazing step by step on how you too can have Nautical Rope Rod curtains.

The truth of the matter is I'm very lucky this project even happened.  It took three trips to two different hardware stores.  It took much patience on my husband's part to continue trying new methods because let's be real here, I'm the idea girl.  I come up with the ideas but I don't always know what the best materials will be to execute my idea.

What I can do is show you some pictures of the finished product and explain what we have and how we got there.

The inspiration that started my wheels turning on how to hang the curtains in my son's Tween room was a boat cleat.  Once I figured out how to use that, the rest just came together.

The rope was bought at Home Depot and we chose this rope based on it being able to fit through the eye bolts, the curtain pocket, and around the boat cleat.

We used three eye bolts with washers-one on each end and one in the middle.  They are screwed into a heavy duty anchor in the wall.  The hardware came in shiny silver and I spray painted them black.

So the way these curtains are hung is like this--First, tie a knot in one end of your rope.  Thread it through one end eye bolt and then through one of the curtains.  Again through an eye bolt and through the other curtain.  Finally through the last eye bolt and down and around the boat cleat until the curtains are hung at the tautness that you prefer.

Really not that difficult but I think it makes a statement.  It's fun and nautical.  What do you think?

Linking to:
Project Inspire{d} at Artsy Chicks Rule, Cupcakes and Crinoline, Dukes and Duchesses, Setting for Four. and Madigan Made
Home Stories A to Z Tips and Tutorials
Sugar Bee Crafts Take a Look Tuesday
Today’s Creative Blog Get Your Craft On
Tasteful Tuesdays at Nap Time Creations
Share It Link Party at The Winthrop Chronicles
Assets and Efforts Linky Party at Hickory Trail

Pallet and Burlap Monogrammed Wall Plaque Tutorial

So today I'm going to share with you a little tutorial on how I made my Pallet and Burlap Monogrammed Wall Plaque.

Pallet boards are everywhere.  You can find them advertised on craigslist or at any local company.  Stop in and ask them what they do with their pallets.  Chances are they throw them out and would be happy to share with you.  I started with some of the top pieces of a pallet that I had removed from the pallet.  I cut them down to 18 inches.  You can cut them to the length of the plaque you would like.

I used Liquid Nails Adhesive for Small Projects.  You can find that at your local hardware store.  It comes in a small tube and I would guess it's around $5.  I've had mine for a while and can't remember the exact price. 

I like this adhesive because it's thick and sticky.  This helps in this project because you can lay a bead on the length of a board and stick another board on top and they stick.  Continue to do this until all the boards are connected. 

If you have clamps big enough I would recommend using them.  I did not. 

Wait 24 hours for the adhesive to completely cure.

Give your boards a rough sand and then it's time to stain.  I used Dark Walnut.  Just wipe it on with a rag.  No need to be careful.  This stain will soak right in because the grain of the pallet is so open.  After a few hours of drying time, go ahead and give your boards another rough sand.

Yikes!  Sometimes I just get on a roll with a project and forget to take pictures of each step.  Well, I guess I'll just have to describe to you what I did. 

I cut a piece of burlap to fit on the board.  You can use a stencil or free hand to put your letter on the burlap.  I used chalk to draw the "M" on the burlap. 

I used just a regular craft paint to paint the letter on the burlap. 

I used the same adhesive to attach the burlap to the boards.  Just put a dab at each corner.  Use some rope to make some cute knots and use the adhesive to place those knots at the four corners. 

And there you have it.  A short tutorial on how you can make a rustic plaque with your families last initial to have by your front door or hang in the family room.  Ours is for my son and his new room.  I think he will love it!

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Side Table

Annie Sloan paint can literally step in and save a rainy day.

You wake up.  It's raining cats and dogs.  You have a headache and your stomach doesn't feel right.  You are so crazy sore from Insanity and you just want to crawl back in bed.

Twin Monogrammed Dressers

Seems twins are a thing around here lately.  Double the work.  No wonder I'm not getting many other projects done.

After posting pictures on Facebook of some furniture I was working on, a friend contacted me about making over his daughters dressers.  The girls had moved into a room together and he wanted the dressers to match the new room.

I was so excited to work with a color I wouldn't normally use.  Lavendar is such a pretty color for a little girls room.  I immediately got to thinking about how I could make these special.  Anyone can slap a couple coats of paint on a dresser and call it done.  He didn't ask me to do these dressers because he can't paint.  He wanted something special for his two special girls.

Twin Antique Typewriter Desks

I was strolling around a local antique marketplace with two friends when one of them mentioned that they would love to have desks for her boys to do homework at. 

Fast forward to the next weekend.  I'm driving home from picking up these two cute antique typewriter desks from a seller on Craigslist.  The statement my friend had made about wanting desks pops into my head.  I let her know immediately I found these two great desks and she should come take a look to see if she is interested in them.

Catching Up

Gah!  The days fly by and fly by and fly by.  Before I know it the week is over and nothing has been blogged about.

Not to say nothing has been accomplished.  No worries there.  I'm getting plenty of laundry folded and bathrooms clean.  I joke.  The bathrooms in this house-not clean.

But all joking aside, I am getting work done.  Some of these projects are just taking much longer than I would hope they would take.

Nautical Tablescape from Tin Cans

Oh my word.  It seems to be impossible for me to go away and resume my normal life when I return.  I've been working hard on getting my act together in my fitness life, my blogging life, my project life.  My only life that has gotten back on track is my get the kids up and out the door to school and then try and get all of our stuff back in it's place life.  Please tell me that happens to everyone out there.  Please tell me I'm not alone in this.