After a break for the horrid mono: The conclusion of WHAT I DID WITH THAT

Sorry, I have been gone and not up dated you on my project, but I had mono and wasn't really up to well anything. But that is not important now is the answer to the big question...

What did I do with those cool children's toys?
I made bookends because imagination should never end and books help keep it alive.

A little different right?

This is a really easy change to make a really cool set of bookends.

Supplies:

Large plastic animals of your choice

Spray paint your choice again

Wood blocks (I took the easy route and got them from the hobby store in town)

Black paint (spray paint or acrylic your choice)

E6000

How it is done:

1)Spray paint the animals

2)Paint the wood blocks

3)Glue animals down

4)Enjoy their awesomeness!

Introducing my new feature- "What's she going to do with that?"

So, I really like weird things. And I really love making things out of random things. And so, my new feature was born. A couple of times a month I will post a picture of something random that I am going craft with and a few days later I will post what I actually do. I am excited to hear what everyone thinks I am going to make!

My first project involves these guys:

To the comments!

A bookshelf redo

I have been slowly working at getting my new room into shape and one of my most important projects so far has been to redo my bookshelves. This meant I could get my boxes of books out of my closet so I could use my closet for closet things. Luckily my parents had two bookshelves they were glad to give me. But, me being me, I could not have them look just anyway. So, I did a little bit more than a paint job.

Achieving this look is very simple, but it does take a few days.

What you need:

A bookshelf or more than one

2 shades of paint

Paint brushes and whatever personal tools you need (drop cloth, painters tape, etc.)

Cool paper (wallpaper is an option, but I already had some cool scrap book paper)

Modpodge

Scissors 

Ruler

Sandpaper 

Step 1: Paint

The first step is really basic: paint the bookshelf. When deciding which color to paint where, consider the purpose of the shelves, if it is for display mainly put the darker in the back and use the lighter as the primary color, but if it is for books, which will take up more space, use the lighter in the back because it will show up more than the dark. 

(I have lots of books)

I started with the back, but realistically you could paint either first. 

Step 2: Paper topping

This was actually not something that I planned to do, but I am happy with how it turned out. After measuring the top, I cut the my paper to 4x4 pieces (you can change the size based on your preferances) and placed them on the top and messed around with the patterns until I liked the way it looked. Then, I glued them down. 

Step 3: Kinda continuation of step 2

When I was picking out my papers I found some beautiful small designs that were stand alone that I really liked, so I cut them free and placed them randomly on the shelves and then glued them down again. 

Step 4: Sanding

Even though I liked the look of my shelves as they were I wanted a little more of a rustic look to my bookshelves. So, I used the standard antiquing technic of sanding. I strategically sanded to make the shelves a little more my aesthetic. 

See simple. Now go and update something in your house. 

Love,

SK

since I have been home

I have been home for two weeks now. It is so hard to wrap my head around that thought. Since, I have been home I have slept A LOT, told tons of stories, and started on some new projects.

While in Europe I found my heart and eyes drawn towards flowers and gardens. So, a few days after my return to Nashvegas my mother and I went on a trip to the nursery and she helped me pick out some easy to grow flowers. I also decided I really wanted to grow succulents. These are what my pots look like:

Mom and I also went to an epic brownie making class for her birthday. We made treats like this:

 Peanut butter cheesecake brownies. 

 And these:

carmel macchiato mini brownie cupcakes. Yep...

 And this beauty:

A white chocolate raspberry blondies. The crowd favorite.

 We have also kicked up efforts to get the house back in shape. This is an amazing new island for the kitchen that the cats are testing for sittability.

Next post: my bookshelf rehab.

From Rome and Paris with love

After finishing the semester I went on a school trip to Paris. We had five days to explore the City of Lights, but two of my friends and I decided to cut the number of days to four and visit Rome for a day. I know a day in Rome is crazy, but it was amazing. We got to wander around the streets of Rome adn be astounded by the city's beauty.

It is so wonderful walking around a city that is so vibrante and historic. There are literally ruins everywhere. 

The next few days we wandered the streets of Paris. The three of us continued to explore together and we added two boys. I am not the biggest fan of Paris, but this was the best trip of the semester for me. We had so much fun. We did not push to do anything and just took the trip as it came. That is the way to travel. 

Next leg of the journey

So, I have been to London, lived in  a Manor, travelled to Edinburgh and Ireland, visited Cambridge, Stratford Upon Avon, Byron and D.H. Lawrence's homes, and spent time with some really cool and talented people over the last five weeks, am I exhausted? Yes. Am I ready to be home? Yes. Am I headed home? No.

Next, up is four days in Paris and a day in Rome. So, basically I am going to be exhausted and stuffed when I get home. I hope to have internet at my hotel so keep checking in for more updates.
SK

A London Weekend, or being a wizard with great travel difficulties

So, for my last weekend trip of the semester I returned to London. One of my friends from my writing class and I went to the Harry Potter Studio Tour, which words cannot describe how cool it is so pictures most.

Side note: Butterbeer is delicious.

After that lovely stop I was supposed to wait for my traveling companion (the girl I went to HPST with was going somewhere else, and other companion was not feeling HP) at one of the tube stops. I love the London Tube. It feels a little dangerous and super cool, like something James Dean would love, don't judge me. However, after 45 minutes of waiting I assumed my companion was at our next stop. He was not. At this point I was beyond annoyed and decided to head on the boyfriend's parents house. I know I should have waited more, but I didn't. Companion called me half through my ride and we eventually met up at the house. It all worked out fine and I had a relaxing day at boyfriend's house. 

And then it wasn't relaxing. After traveling back into London, I discovered I had booked my tickets for a completely different day and there were no more trains to Grantham. I panicked and for awhile we thought we would stay up all night in a McDonalds, then we thought better of it and called boyfriend's father who graciously let us stay another night at their house. The next morning he even drove us back to the manor.

So, when it comes down to it, it was still a great weekend.

Peace,

SK