"L" is for Little Elk

A handpainted sign: Little Elk Ranch

or more affectionately referred to as 'horse camp'.

I made this sign for my sister, a gift for Christmas.

We have fond memories of Little Elk Ranch (horse camp) made during our summers as young girls, sadly I don't think the camp is still around.

This sign not only fills the space on the wall in my sister's Family Room, it serves as a little reminder of those fond days gone by.

Here's how I made the sign:

1. Sand wood piece:

2. Paint two coats Behr cozy cottage.

Print out lettering to fit space, using a ballpoint pen trace letters to leave indent in wood:

3. Paint on and inside the indent, first coat dark red:

4. Paint second layer - brown:

5. Repeat process for bottom row of lettering:

6. Paint first layer brown, second layer black:

7. Use the same process for the stars:

8. Paint stars brown:

9. Paint on rope design lightly at first:

10. Then start filling in basic rope color and use darker brown to highlight twisting motion:

11. Ready to be sanded:

12. After sanding to distress, use black to highlight lettering:

13. Stain using Minwax Early American then seal with clear satin poly:

A fun keepsake and perfect decor for her wall.

I'm linking up to:

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello

Sundae Scoop @ I Heart Naptime

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Showoff

Made by You Mondays @ Skip to My Lou

Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Delightfully Inspiring @ Delightful Order

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Tickled Pink @ 504 Main

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework

"P" is for Polka Dots

Sewing: A monogrammed polka dot pouch

I made another variation on the pouch.

A perfect little Christmas gift for a school friend.

"O" is for Olivia

Here's how I made the pouch;

1. Supplies needed:

exterior fabric: 10" x 14"
lining: 2 @ 10" x 7"
medium weight fusible interfacing: 10" x 14"
1 - 9" zipper
monogram letter (backed with double sided fusible)
trim

2. Secure trim to monogram using zipper foot and straight stitch:

3. Press monogram in place.

Apply interfacing to wrong side of exterior fabric:

4. Zig zag stitch around letter:

5. Add zipper between top edge and one piece of lining.

** Top stitch lining down on right side to keep from catching in zipper.

6. Repeat for other side of zipper:

7. Right sides together stitch the side seams:

8. Miter the bottom corners and snip off the excess:

9. Turn right side out, press lining side seams open, then press in raw edges of lining bottom edge and straight stitch shut:

Press lining down into pouch and add ribbon to zipper pull:

I added a little token gift of assorted lip balms:

Wrapped in tissue to match:

Then wrapped the pouch in a cellophane bag for giving:

Who can resist those polka dots?

I'm linking up to:

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello

Sundae Scoop @ I Heart Naptime

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

DIY Fall Festival @ The DIY Showoff

Made by You Mondays @ Skip to My Lou

Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Delightfully Inspiring @ Delightful Order

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Tickled Pink @ 504 Main

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
Textiles @ Freckled Laundry

"T" is for Table

Kids table and chairs built for Lily

Finished in time for Christmas

I used Ana White's plans for the Clara table here and the chairs here.

I modified the chairs using 2x2 for the legs for a different look and more stability.

The distressed edges:

This table fits young kids perfectly.

Here's my 4 and 7 year old:

And here's Lily at 14 months old:

She won't outgrow this table for at least five more years.

Here's how I made the table and chairs:

1. Cut wood according to plans.

Use Ana White's Clara table plans here and chair plans here.

** I modified the chairs using 2x2 for the legs.

Pieces for one chair:

(minus the seat, I used one solid piece for seat)

Pieces for table:

** I used one solid piece for table top.

2. Construct, putty screws and sand.

** I used mostly #10 x 2 1/2" wood screws, no kreg jig here.

3. For the chair seat cut one solid piece, then mark the back leg corner cuts:

4. Cut corners with jig saw then attach:

5. Prime everything.

Paint chairs 2 coats Benjamin Moore summer shower.

Paint table 2 coats Behr swiss coffee.

** Sand between all coats.

6. Sand to distress then seal with Minwax clear satin poly.

Let the kids use and enjoy.

Merry Christmas Lily.

I'm linking up to:

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello

Sundae Scoop @ I Heart Naptime

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Showoff

Made by You Mondays @ Skip to My Lou

Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Delightfully Inspiring @ Delightful Order

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Tickled Pink @ 504 Main

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

All Things Furniture @ Perfectly Imperfect
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
POWW @ Primitive & Proper
inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
Build(hers) Club @ Sawdust & Paperscraps