"B" is for Beach

Paint: beach sign

life is good at the beach sign

Handpainted white letters on 3/4" plywood:

A reader wrote and asked if I could make this sign, she was inspired by this version available here:

Unfortunately this version only comes 4" x 6" and she wanted something bigger for her porch to coordinate with this striped doormat:

I suggested 12" x 18" and she agreed.

The true background color is hard to tell in all these pictures but this one below of the edge is the most accurate:

(I used mixture of a couple blues from my stock so I don't have a paint color, sorry.)

And a close up of the lettering, here the blue is way off it's true color:

 Here's how I made the sign:


1. Cut 3/4" plywood at 12" x 18.
Prime and paint two coats ocean blue.

2. Print out words and line up on board:
I used Universal Accreditation font at 425 point.

3. Using ball point pen trace outline of letters:

4. Using white acrylic paint on and inside indent left behind by pen:

5. Sand to distress:

6. Apply Minwax weathered oak stain:

7. For OUTDOOR use apply Minwax Helmsman spar urethane clear semi-gloss.

(This definitely has a yellow tint and I highly recommend the spray version versus the brush on.)

8. For INDOOR use seal with Minwax Polycrylic clear satin.

(This is my go to sealant, it goes on smooth with a matte finish and easy water clean up.)

Here you can see the slight difference:

"L" is for Lockers

Build: mudroom locker and bench unit

My friend has four young kids who need designated, individual spaces to store their coats, shoes and all kinds of stuff kids collect.

And she lives in a very old house built way before 'mudrooms' were invented.

We drew up plans and I constructed what is now her new mudroom space just inside the door:

This transformation went from 6 hooks on the wall in the BEFORE picture

TO

 15 hooks inside 5 lockers, 5 large shoe baskets and 10 cubby shelves 

which all takes up just about the same amount of floor space.

Each locker has lots of hooks for backpacks, coats, umbrellas, sports gear, etc:

And these bottom baskets go WAY back, 22" deep, so there's plenty of room for multiple pairs of shoes and boots:

I drew up the plans by modifying a few of Ana White's plans to meet our size requirements.

I used Ana's small locker cabinet:

and Ana's Mimi's hall tree hutch:

and Ana's easy three cube bench:

Ultimately my plans looked like this:

The locker portion is 81"w x 68"h x 14"d and the bench is 80"w x 18"h x 24"d

Here's how I made the locker and bench units:

1. Construct bench box and add dividers:

2. Add face frame with 1x2s and back footer is a 1x4:

3. Prime and paint three coats Benjamin Moore high gloss white enamel:

4. Construct locker unit using 1x4s for shelf and base cross supports:

5. Prime and paint same as bench:

6. Prime and paint backing prior to attaching.

Secure lockers to bench with mending plates in back and L brackets in front sides.

Add hardware.

I'm linking up to:

Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots and Jello

SAS @ Funky Junk

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
All Things Furniture @ Perfectly Imperfect
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
POWW @ Primitive & Proper

"B" is for Baby Stats

Paint: baby stats wall art

Handpainted baby announcement stats made into wall art for this new baby girl:

Painted on 3/4" plywood and framed with 7/8" flat molding:

Here's how I painted the baby stats wall art:

1. Cut 3/4" plywood 10" x 10".

Using MS Word print out letters, I used Gloucester MT Extra Condensed font at 100-150 point:

2. Prime and paint plywood.

Layout words and using ballpoint pen trace letters with heavy pressure:

3. Paint on and inside indent left behind my pen using white acrylic:

4. Add dot detail with end of paintbrush:

5. Stain 45" of 7/8" flat molding with Minwax Early American.

Cut molding to fit one side - should be 10":

6. Attach molding using wood glue and #18 5/8" finish nails:

Keep molding flush with back edge of plywood.

7. Seal with Minwax clear semi-gloss:

The molding creates a finished edge peeking out slightly above the main plywood piece, a great frame option.

"B" is for Baby Shower

Sew: monogrammed seersucker pouches

Party favors for a boy baby shower.

Light blue seersucker on the exterior with navy lining and monograms:

For more seersucker versions see these:

Or these light pink versions:

Or these too:

Here's how I made the pouches:

1. Supplies:

1 - light blue seersucker fabric @ 10" x 14"

1 - med. fusible interfacing @ 10" x 14"

2 -Kona nightfall navy fabric @ 10" x 7"

1 - 9" white zipper

navy letters

5/8" navy grosgrain ribbon

2. Fuse interfacing to wrong side of seersucker.

3. Pin letter centered on one half, zigzag stitch in place.

4. Place zipper face down on one end then one piece of lining, stitch:

5. Repeat for other side with other lining piece.

Top stitch lining down on interior to prevent from getting caught in zipper:

6. Right sides together sew side seams and miter corners:

7. Clip miters off to alleviate bulk:

8. Turn right side out, press raw edge of lining in 1/2" and straight stitch closed:

9. Push lining down into pouch and press smooth.

I'm linking up to:

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

DIY Fall Festival @ The DIY Showoff

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Pretty Things Thursday @ Scissors & Spatulas

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework

Textiles @ Freckled Laundry
Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming