Val Frania

Homemade Chalky Paint Recipes

I know, I know, it’s been a while since I’ve written anything. I have a good excuse – if you are on my mailing list and you’ve read my past two emails, you know what I’m up to! To make up for it, I’m going to share some of my research with you – It will save you some time if you are a DIY painter. I spent a couple of hours researching chalky paint recipes and put together a one page PDF that you can reference if you are interested in making your own chalky paint. As far as I’m concerned, Annie Sloan’s is the best – BUT if you can’t swing the price, you can always make your own. Jillian and I did and here is the result. We used the recipe that calls for baking soda. You can get the recipe here along with 3 others. Just … Read more

Kitchen Cabinet Door Chalkboard {Love My DIY Home}

Cabinet Door Chalkboard – EASY DIY

Peel & Stick! Here is the promised cabinet door chalkboard easy DIY from my fall porch. Seriously, this took me less than 5 minutes. Not everything you see is a difficult to achieve as it seems. Sometimes it’s crazy easy. This is one of those. Here it is on my porch: I started with a clearanced kitchen cabinet from Menards. I paid $3. I bought three of them all in different colors. I would have painted it using chalky paint, but it was already painted! I can deal with that… I pried out the little plastic hinge thingys and used that spot to hang it from my ladder by nails. I had planned to paint the inside part of the door with chalkboard paint like my friends did in their kitchen, but when I went to do it, I remembered I had some peel and stick vinyl chalkboard that I … Read more

Deck Railing to Ladder Upcycle 2015 {Love My DIY Home}

Deck Railing into Fall Porch Ladder Upcycle

I’ve got a quick how-to for you because many have asked about the ladder I have on my porch. It’s rather simple, mind you. Like 15 minute simple. Deck Railing into Fall Porch Ladder Upcycle While at my DD and SIL’s home renovation they ripped off their deck-ish type of backyard railing. Whether you’re upcycling a railing into a porch ladder or in need of professional-grade equipment, consider checking out a nationwide company that offers a wide range of scaffolding and ladder solutions. Order brazilian ipe wood Georgia materials if you plan to build a new deck. Instead of upcycling, you can also purchase scaffolding and ladder for your safety and construction needs. especially if you are going to use it for construction work. Also, make sure to comply with local regulations and safety standards when purchasing and using scaffolding equipment to ensure a secure and successful construction project. As … Read more

Desk Flip – September FFFC Geometric Design Contest

The Fab Furniture Flippin’ Contest challenges DIY bloggers to create a great piece of furniture following certain guidelines. #sponsored This contest is sponsored by General Finishes who donated a blogger’s choice product to finish the piece. The theme was “geometric design.” GEOMETRIC?!?! How do you incorporate geometric design on a piece of furniture, and in my case, a desk? Why, with Mod Podge, of course! Let’s start with a “before” picture. Brace yourself, it’s pretty sad… My DH and I found it alongside the road. It looked like a kid’s painting project gone bad but…it was sturdy and in decent shape. I picture a high school student sitting at this desk working through her (had to be a “her” with all the pink and purple paint) geometry homework. It is obvious she tried to create a stylish, fun desk to use but she missed the mark…just a bit. As you … Read more

9/11

"To Islamic Extremists: I know you're watching, so pay attention. You hate my freedom, my religion, and my country… Don't ever confuse me for my politicians or my media. I am an American, free born and free bred.. My freedom is more powerful than anything you can possibly do. I will say what I think, worship according to my beliefs, and raise my children how I see fit. And I defend it all with the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. I cower to no one." Marcus Luttrell – NAVY SEAL (Retired)

I Love Coffee – FREE Word Art

For all my fellow coffee lovers – here is a fall flavored FREE Word Art. Made by me, just for you. Blessings,

4 Alzheimer Friendly Home Modifications {Love My DIY Home}

4 DIY Alzheimer’s Friendly Home Modifications – Guest Post by Mike Good

As we grow older, we start to discover that our homes no longer meet our physical needs as smoothly as when we were younger. Climbing stairs becomes more challenging, we might trip on transitions that never impeded us before, or the lighting may seem dull, making it harder to read. This is where thoughtful home improvements, like the installation of Stair kits, can make a significant difference in enhancing both accessibility and safety. Stairs take on an elegant and inviting quality when adorned with stylish stair runners, adding both beauty and functionality to the home. Get inspired to do a new stair project by consulting experts. It becomes important to keep our changing needs in mind anytime we do a home modification. Also, many of us will find the need to move an older loved one into our home, some of whom may have Alzheimer’s or another dementia. The unique … Read more

Grief Makes One Hour Ten FREE Word Art {Love My DIY Home}

How Long Should Grief Last?

It’s been 243 days. That’s 5829 hours… exactly 349,768 minutes. How long should grief last? Should I be moving on by now? Is the past in the past? For those of you who will be experiencing grief in the future, or those of you in the throes of grief let me encourage you. Don’t put it off. Don’t avoid it. Don’t wish it away. It’s part of life. Does it hurt? Yes. Does it go away? Yes. Eventually. Sort of. If you allow yourself, you will eventually only focus on the good moments and let the painful ones fade. Just don’t dwell. If you dwell, you will get depressed and it will mess up your day. Think about it for a bit and then put it aside. Grief may not be a friend, but it doesn’t have to be an enemy either. Don’t feel guilty if you choose to … Read more

Do Great Things – FREE Word Art

Everyone can do great things, be it small or big, everything we do makes a difference. Here is a FREE word art created by me just for you. FREE downloadable full resolution 8×10 JPG of "Great Things"

Non-funeral Pepper Party {Love My DIY Home}

The Pepper Party – A {DIY} Non-Traditional Funeral

The Pepper Party – a Funeral Alternative Pepper Party: pep·per /ˈpepər/ par·ty /ˈpärdē/ n. 1. a. A ceremony or group of ceremonies held in honor of Pepper, a mom, grams, and meemaw. A non-funeral in celebration of life for the benefit of those left behind. Be a rebel with a cause – do things your way, do it yourself and thumb your nose at tradition – change the rules for your family. Sometimes DIYing is the best way to care for your family. Let me show you what we did, but first… Choose which photo warms your heart and gives you hope. This one… Or this one? Do you know anyone who found comfort in a traditional funeral? The thought of three days of standing around in a funeral parlor greeting visitors and then sitting through a funeral wasn't very appealing to our family. Have you … Read more