flowers

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Staining the bathroom cabinets with General Finishes Gel Stain

THE DAY HAS COME!!!
 
I've literally been waiting days to get my General Finishes Gel Stain in Java!
Now Everyone say "ooooohhhhh aaahhhhhhh"
 
And now, it's here. I've gotta admit I'm a little nervous. My last staining project went eehhhh. So hopefully the gel idea works ALOT better. Wish me Irish luck!
 
Anyone else have any good reviews about this stuff? Everyone online seems to swear by it.

DIY window frosting for $1

Yo YO Yo!

Since my little salutations post yesterday I needed to get back on track with projects. Right now I'm literally in the middle of a bathroom re-vamp, and sitting here all day watching the # of people who looked at this rise, really isn't going to get anything done. Plus I don't know about you, but if I sit in the office too long Bentley goes WILD. So, I decided to use his skills.

I originally saw this on Pintrest @ ...okay well I'll have to get back to you b.c I just wasted 5 min trying to find the original one I found. So they used etching spray? Or some kind of product like that rather. Then theres stuff online you can buy for way too much $$. So I thought back to my grandma who uses contact paper for everything!!! BINGO! I found it at the dollar store. It says it's clear, it's not its frosted. And best of all it's $1!!!!
 
The window before the mayhem
ps not really sure why the quality came out that way. I'm still new lol.

So to get started I got my:

Quilting board (or anything you can use an exacto knife/razor on)
level (or a straight edge that won't get cut easily)
contact paper
credit card



Okay so I started thinking I wanted a diagonal line pattern. WRONGO. That wasn't going to happen. (I'm far to impatient for that) So vertical lines would work just fine =) I had Bentley hold the part that was rolling (aka that rest of the roll) while I unrolled some and put the level on it.
like my nails? =)

I decided I only wanted them the width of the level to make it much easier on myself and Bentley. This was the greatest idea since the whole frosting idea so I just put the level on the paper lined up the edge pressed down so the level wouldn't move and sliccceeeeeee. (like butter) They came out to be about 2-3 inches wide.

yes mom this is your board
 
We made 7 thinking that would work...it didn't. But since it was so easy to cut, it really wasn't a big deal. Then I simply peeled a tiny bit away from the top, basically just enough to get a grab on the window. Once your that far, use the credit card to just press down the entire thing bit by bit. (this was the slowest part and it wasn't even that slow) lol. This is just so you don't get any bubbles.



Keep repeating the process until your all done. We like it, and I think you'll love yours as well. For a buck?! If you don't like it, rip that shit down and try something else =) If you try a pattern let me know! I'd love to see someone else's patient pay off!!! Oh and if you're wondering how long it took, probably in total 20 minutes. Really not that long for a totally new look. =)

keep going =)
 
 
All done isn't she beautiful?
 
 
Think he's proud?

P.s like that roman shade? I made that too! =)_

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Howdy!!!

Hey Everyone!!!


My name is Ashley & I'm currently living in my hometown somewhere in South Jersey. Yes theres a huge different between South and North Jersey. (Just in case you didn't know) Anywho, I  have a 3 year old son (Bentley), a 5 year old Neo Mastiff (Georgia) and have already found the love of my life (Mikey). Throughout my years I always watched my crazy (I mean awesome) mama craft her ass off like  no other. I always sat in the car so embarassed of her trash picking and thrift shopping, and now I'm that person. Pulling over when I see a treasure, constantly thrift shopping for the next project, and the craft stores cashiers...well we know each others first names. Point being, I love what she's passed down to me, even though I may not tell her that. (Aw ma if your reading this, I love you<3)

But don't get it twisted, I am one bas ass, tattooed, rock loving, rebel that will rip your head off if you said something wrong to me or my family. That being said, I will do my best to be nice on here. Think of this as a therapy session. Hahahaha. Jk. Oh, and I coupon my butt off. So if you're into savings/free stuff, I'm your lady. Got questions as to how I do it? Ask me! I want you all to interact as much as you are willing!

Also, we're military.(Air Force, if you're wondering) Although I am not a huge gung-ho fan of picking up families and moving and deployments and all that, I gotta say it's a pretty cool life. You're kind of on the edge I guess, like all the time! And I've met some really awesome people along the way too. (Who doesn't like that?!) The only times I kick myself in the ass about it is when Mikey's gone. When he's gone everything hits the fan and all hell breaks loose. Fortunatly, I have my family here and a few close friends to guide me through it. (Thanks ya'll, you know who you are) Including Erica's bitch ass. My main roll dog in this new adventure of sorts. I found her at a Tupperware party and come to find out we're like sisters in another life. lol. We are constantly changing our houses, sharing pics of our creations, and bouncing ideas off of each others brains. It's awesome! If you don't have a crafting buddy, get one. It makes it all worth while!

In doing this "blogging adventure", as I like to call it. I'm hoping to help someone that is in their house bored out of their minds make it better. Look at those walls and not be scared to paint them. Know that it's just paint!!! And doing all the cool shit you see online, isn't that hard! Even though it may be rough at times and having a toddler pull at your leg while hanging a shelf is no fun, it's worth it! When someone new walks into your house and says holy shit I love that, your head swells to 5 times bigger and you feel like a god. Haha, okay that might just be me, shut it. 

Join me! Watch my house turn inside out, my hair change to 10 different colors, my son grow, and hopefully watch me marry the love of my life! All from your computer =) (lucky ass)

With love and lots of it,

Ashes.