Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Porch Rugs

I know it's not Crafter's Friday but I still have a torn up kitchen, so cooking isn't realy an option! I'll have some snacks for you to try before the weekend hits, I promise!
Do you have one of the projects that you have been wanting to try for a long time but never seem to have all of the materials or the time…all at the same time?! 
This is one of those projects. And I’m happy to say, I can finally check it off of my list!

As you probably know, we are remodeling our kitchen. So…out came the old linoleum!
Which was perfect to make some Porch Rugs! 
Although, learn from my experience and make sure to make your intentions known, so the linoleum doesn’t end up ripped and torn….( I could’ve made several more rugs…oh well) Anyway,
Here’s what you’ll need:

Linoleum (old or new, that’s up to you)
Strong All purpose cleaner
Kilz primer
Deck or Floor paint
Clear sealant Spray
Painter’s tape and stencils
Paint Roller, Pan and Brush

I started with two pieces of Linoleum. Then I washed and scrubbed them with my Commercial Rubbermaid All Purpose cleaner.  The stronger it cleans, the better. One of the sites I was researching  said to use TSP…but I didn’t have that. And this project is all about using what you have! Also, If you have a particularly glossy finish linoleum, you may want to try using a wax remover kit; otherwise, your paint may not adhere. I attempted sanded my linoleum a little at this point, to dull the finish, but it didn’t feel any different, so I moved on  J

I let them dry out in the sun and went to find my paint.  Naturally, I have a million paints to choose from in my collection. So I chose Barn Red Exterior Deck Paint and a can of Rustoleum Glossy Black for Outdoor Finishes. 
Before painting you will need to prime your rugs with an oil-based primer. I prefer KILZ.
It’s pretty smelly, so you will want to be outdoors for this one.
                                           Once your primer is dried, you can get creative.

 I cut out two vinyl designs on my Cricut to use as stencils and decided to use painter’s tape to make a frame around the outside of the rug. You could get really detailed on this part if you want. I went with a simple outline mostly because I'm impatient and didn't want to take the time to make it really pretty!

I stuck the stencils down over the primer and then painted on my Barn Red. Be sure to pounce your brush when going over your stencils!  I put two coats over both rugs with the roller and let them dry overnight.  I was so excited when I woke up the next morning to find them dry and free of any paw prints! (we have four cats!)


 
Then it was time to do a little measuring to get my lines straight. I used the different widths of the painter’s tape to do the measuring for me! I love the glossy effect of the black!

I was surprised that the paint didn’t leak under the tape as much as it usually does! I have a horrible history with painter’s tape.
The final step was applying a clear gloss over both rugs to protect the finish.  I used a clear gloss exterior spray by Rustoleum. Some floor paints already have a sealer in them, so this step may not be necessary, depending on your paint choice.


Here they are in all their glory ~~ Already dusty from my kiddos!



See you back here on Friday!!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

So I’m on the second week of the 31 days to clean challenge and I’m doing pretty well, I think.  It’s basically just having a scheduled routine of the “every-once-in-awhile” chores.
This last week, I have:
Written and framed my mission statement,

cleaned my refrigerator
(isn’t it beautiful?! It’s okay to be jealous.),



Wiped down all of my cabinets
(which is quite a chore because we are still under construction over here!)

Cleaned the oven; which hadn’t been done since Thanksgiving,

Washed the kitchen windows,
(Picture me in a cute little maid’s uniform and high heels. What? Isn’t that how you do it??)

And organized all of my kitchen drawers.

 If you have been doing the challenge as well, you’re probably thinking that I have missed something…ya ya, I didn’t organize my cabinets and pantry…before you freak out, let give you my list of excuses:
I am still waiting on my pantry cabinets to come in, so my regular kitchen cabinets our housing EVERYTHING until they get here; at which point I will then do Day 6 and 7.
(That was one of the longest run-on sentences I have ever written!)

Anyway,
I’m still working on the WHY to cleaning…after everything else I have to do in a day, deep down cleaning just isn’t a priority.
In the book, it suggests asking your family what it is that you do (cleaning-wise) that they appreciate the most. One of my girls said,”When you clean my room”
My other daughter said,”When you do the chicken chores.” 
Well, duuuuuh! Of course that’s what they would say!
Anyone loves it when their work gets done for them…Oh well, I still have 24 more days to figure out the “Why”

And just to show you a little bit of the construction going on over here....my new floor!! My husband and dad did a great job installing (Even though apparently I picked the most difficult flooring in the world to put in!) and it looks great!
Hard At Work

Unsealed but still, I HAVE A FLOOR!

 
Have a great rest of the weekend, everyone! I’ll see you back here tomorrow!


Sunday, May 1, 2011

DAY 1

Today is the first day of the 31 Days to Clean book. 
The challenge today was to figure out WHY I want a clean house. Those of you who know me have probably heard me say that "I want my house to be clean enough so that you need to take off your shoes but dirty enough that you will stay awhile."

I love all of my friends and family dearly, So in my mission statement (which was our challenge for today)
I tried to reflect more of how I want our house to feel. Not so much how I intend to clean it.  

Our home should be a comfortable haven.
A place where visitors are welcome
And family is loved.
Not messy or cluttered
But filled with memories
And treasures of our times spent together.
Start each day with a prayer that
Our home will bring honor and glory to His name!

So what will your mission statement say??
Why do you clean and take care of your home??