Rapid Fire DIY Projects Part 1

Welcome friends to my rapid fire DIY project recap. I've had the pleasure of having the last four days off and I've been knocking off my HUGE to do list as fast as I can. The weather has been pretty cooperative here, at least during the best part of the day. So, let me show you what quick and easy stuff I've been having fun with.

Project #1

 First up is a super simple and functional clipboard chalkboard. I've seen this pinned on Pinterest
many different ways, but this version has a little bit of vintage appeal. You will need a generic clipboard (mine had a natural look to it), old ruler or yardstick, black spray paint, chalkboard paint, foam brush, and stain. Although, in my case I didn't have any stain so I just used what I had on hand with the brown shoe polish to age my clipboard top and ruler.

Cover about 4" of the top edge of the clipboard with the brown shoe polish (or stain); also apply shoe polish to the ruler. This gives the wood a bit of an aged look. When it has dried, mask off the board with masking tape and paper and spray the metal clip with the black spray paint.

After a couple of coats of the black spray paint, remove the paper and draw a horizontal pencil line about 4" down from the top of the clipboard. This is where you will start your chalkboard painting.

When the chalkboard paint dried, I cut the ruler to the width of the board and applied it to the clipboard at the division line between the paint and the brown upper portion. I used Liquid Nails to adhere the ruler. Super Easy Peasy! Done in no time at all. I think I may "age" a Scrabble tile holder and adhere it to the bottom edge of the clipboard to hold a piece of chalk.Here's the finished project.

Now all I have to do is wait 3 days to condition the board with chalk and then I'll have a cool new "To Do" clipboard. Yay!! I love chalkboard paint!

Project #2

Here's what I did while waiting for paint to dry.

I found this cute plant holder at TJMaxx the other day and figured the front yard needed another boost of color. The French looking clay pots came from the place that I work at.

BOOM!! Instant color with those adorable clay pots and irresistible Pansy faces!  

Since I still had 2 more of the Frenchy clay pots left over, I planted a couple of extra Pansies and put them on my old wooden bench to keep company with the cast metal kettle.

Pansies seem to have JOY written all over

their faces!!

Project #3
On to the next super quick instant gratification job. 

Here's one of those things that has been around for maybe the ...say....(gulp) last 12 years.

 Now, doesn't everybody have a nekked birdbath/fountain thing sitting in their front yard for over a decade?? Time to remedy that folks!! And it only took minutes to create.

  Well, that is, after I found this beauty at a local antique shop in their back shed. It had a small hole rusted through so I fixed that right up with non-toxic caulking.

 TA DA!!! Mere minutes, I'm tellin' ya. After 12 years.

Sheesh! Welcome all you thirsty birdies. Hope my project manager doesn't mind.

The Great Ferdinand

 Tomorrow, I'll show you part 2 of:

The Rapid Fire DIY Projects

Until then,
I'm linking up to:
Savvy Southern Wow Us Wednesday 

 City Farmhouse Inspiration Exchange

 

Sunday Sunshine Inspirations

Yesterday proved to be one of those glorious sunny mornings that made me come alive with all kinds of inspirational musings. I also had the luxury of having four days off from my regular work week. My morning started before the sun came up 'cause that's just how this girl rolls on a perfect day off. No siree! No sleeping in when there is a list of TO DO's to get started on.

First of all, I had to whip up a batch of cupcakes to bring to church. Our high school graduates were being honored and that meant an after-service meal.

Cupcakes were pretty quick and easy to make before the rest of the family got up. And who could resist breakfast cupcakes!

Especially when accompanied by beautiful peonies.

 Nothing better than to sit outside on a lovely morning than with a cup of coffee, enjoying the view of the ranch lands, and thinking of all of the possibilities that the day could bring.

And by the way, we did not have cupcakes for breakfast. But, I did have fun dressing up the little bistro set with the bicycle tea towel and matching mugs.

And what else could add to the joys of the morning than "drive by" deer out for an early stroll along with the joggers, walkers, and cyclists.

And then they were on their way, stopping here and there to nibble a little greenery in the neighbor's front yard.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing a few of my knock-'em-off- my-big-fat-TO-DO list. Here's a sneak preview of one of my many quickie yard art pieces.

Hope your Sunday was sunny and relaxing, too!


 

A " Little Birdie Told Me" Tote

A while back I got tired of carrying around the paper shopping bag with my small knitting projects in them. You know the ones I'm talking about, nice paper bag with the handles and shop logo on the front. Now, while not altogether unattractive I knew that with the huge amount of fabric I have stashed away, I could do much better. So I got busy and found a tutorial I could follow.

 I found the tutorial by the fabulous Jeni here

I gathered 3 fun and coordinating fabrics 

and stitched them together

with the cute little birdie as the main focus

here is the back re-enforced with iron on 

fusible interfacing

before adding the drawstring ties, I used a purple disappearing marker to mark the stitch lines. Purple markers are a seamstress's best friend.

And here's my cute little birdie knitting tote!

This tote goes with me to work everyday when I have a small project on the needles.

Try this quick and easy project to proudly carry your 

knitting in public.

It's the perfect size for your WIP socks!

 I'm linking to these parties:
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday
Common Ground Be Inspired

In The Summertime...

 "In the Summertime when the weather's high,

you can stretch right up and touch the sky..."

"...have a drink, have a drive, go out and see

 what you can find..."

"...When the weather's fine we go fishing

or go swimming in the sea..."

 "We're always happy, life's for living,

yeah, that's our philosophy..."

(lyrics from In The Summertime by Mungo Jerry, 1970)

Yes, I know it's not technically summer yet, but when school lets out for the year and we have such glorious weather like we did here on Sunday, I say

it's Summertime! And what better way to enjoy the day than to take a bike ride on Petal and experience this...

  I am really blessed to live about 2 minutes from our local State Park! 

 One of Montana's Treasures

It's great to see a boy celebrating his birthday with his best buds at the park...

 ...and all the picnics and the wonderful waft of BBQing steaks on the outdoor grills. 

What's your kickoff to Summer fun? 

Gardening? 

Fun time with your kids?

Camping?

 Come Alive with the Summertime!

Nurture your Passion!

  (Caution: this video is definitely a blast from the past, but it's a great catchy tune)