Today's Pinterest Project: DIY Cornice Boards!

So today my friend Ashleigh & I tackled a Pinterest DIY project! I have been wanting to make my own cornice boards for the living room window(s) for a while now and knew of the perfect fabric I wanted to use at Hobby Lobby.

FYI: In case you didn't know, Hobby Lobby is a Christian company {which I love!} and they offer *about* everything in the store 50% off every other week. So if you go in there & fall in love with something, come back next week & you can get it for 50% off! If you absolutely have to have something and it's not on sale that week, you can go to Hobby Lobby's website on your smartphone & show the cashier a 40% off {one non-sale item} coupon on your phone off their website {or print one off before you get there.} They always have one on their website & it's bound to help you on something. :)

I looked on Pinterest to find a tutorial on how to make my own cornice boards. I first found this one, which is great and practically the same thing my friends Becky & Randall did for their DIY cornice boards. The only difference was that they bought the wood at Lowe's {or wherever} and had them cut it in the correct dimensions there so no power tools were needed, except a drill to screw the brackets into the wall.

I was convinced "there was an easier/cheaper way" so I kept perusing on Pinterest and found this. I already had a hot glue gun, hammer, nails were only $1.30 at Lowe's {I got the tiniest "trim nails" I could find-- they come in different sizes}, & my fabric was 40% off at Hobby Lobby thanks to my trusty coupon!

I couldn't find the exact Styrofoam she used since I was at Lowe's and not Home Depot but they had something similar back where their lumber is. It was a huge piece!! The man at Lowe's cut it in two & I could barely fit it in the back of my SUV!

I tried to follow the directions to a T but had a couple "issues."

First, I have a double window instead of a single. I was afraid the inside would sink in so I had to put something in the middle to push against the middle window frame. I basically just made a frame/board like she did, and attached another top piece to the other side of one end and another end piece to that piece. {Gah, I'm sorry. I know that makes little to no sense.}

I also didn't think to cover the back as well as the front. This window is one that's in the front of our house and you can totally see the {currently} non-finished back when the blinds are open, and they usually stay open. So if you're going to do this, do back *and* the front!

We also didn't use a butter knife. Heck a butcher knife was difficult when you stood the thing up & tried to cut "down." The best way to cut the board is to lay it on the  ground, cut straight pieces one at a time {the slow but sure way} and when you're done, stand it up and fold the foam so it'll snap apart. One side will be crooked as all get out, but the other edge will be surprisingly super straight!

You can read the directions on the site yourself if you're super interested in how to do this project. But for now, I will leave you with an "after picture" of today's Pinterest project! I think Ashleigh & I did a GREAT job!! So what if it's not perfect? I love it!! {Just gotta fix the back...}

I figure this will be WAY easier with a single window and can't wait to try it in another room now that I think I've got the hang of it and some of the kinks worked out! 

I am just so tickled with it. I love me some DIY. I love me some chevron. And I love me some new home decor!! Especially cheap DIY chevron home decor! :)

Next I'll show you how we chevron'd my friend's wall in her future baby girl's nursery last weekend!! Now THAT was interesting... Stay tuned!!

♥,

Nicole

 

Monday "Morning" Blogging

The maintenance men are here replacing all the lights in my apartment so, I am trying to pass the time by catching up on some blogging! I really don't want to leave, and I can't shower, and I can't watch TV because they're loud, so.. on with the blogging! :)

So, like I said in my previous blog...last week was a busy one for me! I knew it would be a doozy so I spent as much time as possible at home on Sunday & Monday. There's just something that eases my mind being at home. I say my apartment is my temporary home because it's where my stuff is. But stuff isn't what makes a home...it's the people. Unfortunately, I like for my stuff and my people to be in the same place- and that's not the case right now and it won't be for at least the next 16 weeks...and I'm okay with that {for the next 16 weeks}. But I must say that I can not wait to graduate and move my stuff closer to my people. And I say that not only for the obvious reason(s), but also because any time I go home I seriously over-pack and it is SUCH a hassle to go anywhere overnight.

Now, I started my internship this week! Or, rather, I started my internship hours this week. I mainly spent the week proctoring EOC exams, which is a completely boring but necessary task so, I did it. :) I woke up at 5:30 every day but Monday this week and please let me tell you....it is kicking. my. butt! Y'all know me....I am NOT a morning person and I can't ever manage to get to sleep before midnight {at the least}. So, you can imagine what I've been like this week waking up at 5:30 and working until 11pm one night, class until 9:30 another, and the usual RD nightly shenanigans. I have been starting to take Melatonin to get me sleepy and keep me sleeping throughout the night {or, as I should more correctly say: throughout the 3-5 hours of sleep I've been getting.} But this week the students at Maiden High School will receive a needs assessment asking who wants to start seeing me for individual or group counseling and then the following week I will have to get a serious move on so I can complete my 150 direct hours before April 22nd. Eek! It'll be okay though...I love Maiden & interning there!

This week will be a lot less crazy of a week and I thank God for that. I get to sleep in again!! Monday & Tuesday were originally teacher workdays to prepare for the new semester starting this week so, I will not be interning Monday and Tuesday. I'll have to take this time to finally finish taking my Christmas decorations down, go to the gym, rest up, work on some school work, and hopefully schedule some Mary Kay facials. I am going to try to enjoy every minute of it!!

So long sweet holiday season...

It was a sad day in my apartment. I began taking my Christmas decorations down. I realized I forgot to post pics of my little Christmas decorations. There's only so much you can do in a dorm apartment! Oh but don't you worry, I racked up on clearance Christmas decorations so wherever I place my head next Christmas will be decked out for sure!! Until then...I will remember the scent of my Balsam & Cedarwood Christmas candle & these sweet little mementos :) I also will introduce you to my budget-friendly buys from the past! You know I don't buy anything unless it's on sale!

Kitchen table & chairs - $30 at Goodwill

$1 ceramic carolers & $1 glittered Christmas tree at The Dollar Tree

Red napkins found at Wal-Mart & red charger found at Goodwill for $3. The rest is my usual plate set with a yellow napkin.

Rite-Aid Christmas Clearance last year

My 1st ever (& only!) REAL Christmas tree. It was a baby tree! $17 at Wal-Mart, complete with tree stand and bowl. Lights & Santa hat also at Wally World!

Loved my "Abercrombie" Christmas lights!

^"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'" -Luke 2:10-11 {Plate found at the Southern Home Christmas Show!}

Rite-Aid Christmas Clearance light-up houses & trees

Lifeway Christian Bookstore Christmas Clearance for the PEACE decor & RB Cronland's in Lincolnton's Christmas Clearance for the pearl garland

Dollar Store

Charlie Brown Christmas Tree found for $7 at Ollie's!

$1 at the Dollar Tree

Rite-Aid Christmas Clearance

Lifeway Christian Bookstore Christmas Clearance

cute little ceramic nativity scene for $1 at the Dollar Tree

I can't wait to share with you next year what all fabulous finds I found this year!

Until then, there's only 348 days until next Christmas! ;) Until then, have a blessed 2011!

Cristina's Computerized Painting of Our Summer in Lincolnton

Cristina Leon was so incredibly bored one day in the summer of 2006 that she created this amazing masterpiece via Paint, yes.. the rinky dink accessory from Microsoft Office. A-MAZING! check out the detail, and the descriptions! hahaha. this is why i love her... (click the picture for more details!)