DIY Farm Table

We got tired and outgrew our four-seater dining table that we had have for almost 8 years, so we decided we needed a new and bigger one. I was ready to sell our table on a yard sale for a low price of $50--- but then decided against it... So we figured out a way to expand the table to  make it a seven-seater table. My husband used the original legs, and made a bigger skirt.

I revived this old oak chair that originally came with the table. I sand the white paint lightly, covered it with gray paint , and when it dried up, i lightly sand it again --- my version of gray-white wash.  I changed the color of the stain to dark espresso and polished it with clear polyurethane.

College Boy Bedroom DIY

Excited to share with you the bed that my husband built for my son...

An oversized bed  for a college boy , it offers more

space for their stuffs --books and gadgets that they'd like

to just lay around their bed...

                                  Made with 1x6 common lumber.. this is a queen bed.. there's pull out under for                                      visitor 's use or just for extra storage...

DIY Patio Furnitures

After 10 years of longing, wanting to have a patio, at last our patio was built! Not magically, lol, but with some financial maneuvering along the way....Yes, dreams do come true!!! The next step is making it beautiful!! Providing the patio furniture can get so expensive....My husband and I were shopping around, looking for the perfect patio furniture that will fit our budget... guess what, we didn't find any , one that's beautiful and cheap, lol!!! So I ended up resourcing to my strength--- convincing my husband that he really can build a beautiful patio furniture at the price perhaps quarter of what we will pay for one.... that motivational piece of   " we will save a lot" and "I know you can do it", coupled with months of convincing and showing beautiful patio furnitures!!!

So here's the result:

The final finish--- using Min Wax Wood Finish  gray stain finish and polished with clear polyurethane-- 

the natural grain of the wood showed up so beautifully!

I was going to make cushion and cover but I decided I didn't want to cover the beauty of the wood.

Got some inspiration from Ana White, and others from Pinterest,

but the actual plan was created by my husband. Message me 

for plan and actual measurements....

He used 2X4 white wood.

Working doubletime during the
winter on sanding process...

Just waiting to finish our patio screen door, which will be
our next big project together!

A beautiful rustic table where the kids can 

do homework and other fun activities!

My husband  used 1X4 common board for the table.

I stained it with a  MinWax dark espresso finish , 

then painted it with a Behr satin paint after the

stain dried up. Waited 24 hours before lightly

sanding the paint to bring out this natural

rustic design. Applying dark wax or clear polyurethane 

gives the final gloss and protects the wood.

More scrap wood project ideas! Wall Decor

In order not to cover the natural wood  grain,
I diluted the black acrylic paint with water.
I printed this picture using  laser printer
(I go to Office Max/ Office Depot, it cost
around 35-50 cents per page to print)
I mount the picture unto the wood using
Mod Podge , and when it dries up, I apply
another layer of Mod Podge on top.

 Create a gallery wall using  these diy wood frames.

The family picture on the right is an actual photo
transfer to wood. I printed  the picture using laser

printer ( 11 by 18 size from Office Depot) .
Transferred the photo using Mod Podge technique:
1. Cover the wood with generous amount of Mod
Podge
2. Lay the laser printed photo upside down. Flatten and
smoothen all the bubbles. Let it dry for 24 hours.
3. Once it is fully dried, wet the surface with water
until the paper is completely soak. Rub or peel off
the paper, and see the picture transfers to the wood!

                                               A comic portrait of my daughter. I scanned and printed
                                        it bigger and  mounted into a wood  using  Mod Podge.
                                        Smoothen all the bubbles, let it dry, and apply  one more coat
                                        of Mod Podge on top.

old picture frames when my kids were little were used
in here.... cant throw away memories....

                     Sometimes, all you need to have is  an old piece of wood, left over brown acrylic paint from your kid's school project,  Mod Podge glue to put a gloss on top....and old pictures/ memorabilia of your kids to make good wall project!!!

Scrap Wood Projects

         Creative but cheap gift or decorative materials! Scrap wood   that can readily be thrown away and wasted can turn into special , personalized gifts for your special someone.... Your imagination and creativity is the limit... here are some of my scrap wood projects....

  

Apply a thick layer of mod podge over the wood,
position the picture and smooth it out.
Once it dry up , apply another layer of mod podge
for gloss and protection.

I painted the wood and sand lightly for rustic
effect

Use any kind of paint available, even
acrylic paint just like this...

Peel off stickers are easy to use to decorate or use a stencil to create
phrases or words.

My five babies....

A childhood memory  with Grandpa....

Personalized party give aways .... these are my daughter's
drawing that i scanned and re-printed.

It all starts with pieces of scrap woods....

Wood block Project -- Organize those Medals

School Medals Wood Pallet  Display

I have been too busy that I haven't updated my blogsite. But I am excited to share my old project that showcase my kids' hardworks and achievements, I am sure that so many parents feel the same way, but have no   idea of how to display the medals that their kids have earned over the years.
                       This wood block project will  solve your dilemma....

                      Made from a old wood blocks   or  wood pallet.  Sand and stain the wood.

Glue them together and wait until it is dry. Apply  polyurethane or mod podge glue for gloss and protection.

Material used:

eye screw

wood pallet

polyurethane

                                      

                                               

Wood stain and glue

Child's Precious Memory Books

 

Our kids' childhood memories remain in our hearts forever! Yes, the best time of our life as  parents is the time that our kids were young and we we're taking care of them full time! When they were so dependent on us for everything and can't stay away from us, even when it annoys us , because there's no "me" time!  So precious are those memories , that we want to preserve it for forever!
           But they are not kids forever, and time fly away too fast. We get caught up in the everyday stress  of this life that sometimes we don't realize  that they are grown  and are  trying to live independently  from us....
          I wanted to keep all my kids memories in my heart, but better , if I can keep a physical record of the things that reminds me of their childhood. Sometimes moms are caught between throwing away all the papers that our kids brought from school or have doodled on ( as when they first start to write letters), but time will come that those papers will become very precious part of their lives if we have  kept and compiled it. I used to think that I don't have the money and the time to print and organize all their pictures and artworks. But with a little effort, I was able to set aside the excuse of being "busy" , and did it! You can also do it, all you need is time, effort and a little bit of money. It doesn't have to be expensive. Here's how I did it....

        Does your kids love to draw? Almost all kids love to draw when they're young! Don't waste those artworks, turn it into their memory books!

This is laminated using a 12x12 in
laminating sheets and  pad paper

laminating machine does not have to be too expensive. check the ratings.

   


        You may laminate them ( you will need a laminating machine and laminating sheets). Amazon has a cheap but really good one, I got mine for $20, and I buy the laminating sheets in packs of 100's.
On this , I lightly glued his drawings in a 12x12 cardstock paper, and laminated it. I punch holes and used a chain like the one used to make necklace ( available in Joann's or Michael's in the jewelry section).

My son loved to draw map of places he knew... our house, community
malls and market place. I really thought he would be a civil engineer!

Get a binder at it's cheapest price of the season, just like Target have their binders 70-90% off about a month  ago ( September), and Office Max, Office Depot will soon have it's  school supplies clearance, usually around November to December. I should know I only shop when its clearance! If you don't want to buy a new binder, you can use an old , used binder from previous school year and cover it with cardstock just like what I used here.

The flowers I used here are taken out from the stems,
if you buy flowers that are purposedly packed for
scrapbooking, it is more expensive . You can buy
$1 alphabet stamp pads from Walmart or Michael's.

Ariella loves to write stories since she was young.

Alia 's drawing has a uniquely sweet character to it!

Stock cards are usually on sale , $2 per pack of 50's from Joann's or Michael's.

I have five kids, and each one of them , I made their memory book , and will continue to make  one for the youngest one , she is turning 4 this November, and she will make more memories too. Each one of them too has a very unique imprint so it's so precious to keep these memories alive!

Adriel is the athletic one!