Outdoor Sculpture Made From Trash

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! It was a half rainy, half sunny weekend in my neck of the woods, so I took the opportunity to do some thrifting with my mom on Saturday and then some major DIYing on Sunday. I actually worked on about 6 different DIY projects and am super psyched to share some of them over the next week or two.

One project in particular is a new outdoor sculpture that now sits in my garden that I made using, well trash. Its kinda crazy, but I love it!

Before the cleanout began for the sideyard makeover (which Ive mentioned here and there over the last few months), there was an old wood barrel planter sitting in the corner, falling apart, and in desperate need for the trash. When the time came for the barrel to hit the garbage, there was a DIY fairy that sat on my shoulder telling me to keep the corroded metal straps that once, long ago, kept the barrel together.

I had NO IDEA what I would do with them, but in the shed they went for about two months until the revelation hit me How about making them into a sculpture?? Hmmm That could work!

There was part of the garden on the sideyard that was bare and instead of planting more flowers, the vacant spot was perfect for my new-found idea.

This sculpture took minutes to make probably less than 10 minutes in all! Using a drill with a metal drill bit, the Mister and I worked together and drilled 2 holes in each ring. The holes were placed directly opposite of each other.

Once all the holes were drilled, we aligned the top and bottom holes of each ring. We secured the rings at the top with a nut and bolt, and for the bottom, we used a 6 tent stake which went into the ground.

And that was it! I rotated the rings until the positioning was just right, and then sat back to admire this trash to treasure.

Justin Timberlake Launches a New Home Collection, HomeMint

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of HomeMint. All opinions are 100% mine.

A few weeks ago on my Facebook page, I mentioned that I had just read an article that Justin Timberlake was about to debut a home decor line. Yes, the former boy band member of the N Sync has left the teeny-bopper era and is now breaking into the design world by showcasing his passion for Interior Design in his new home collection, HomeMint.

Internationally renowned artist, style icon and entrepreneur Justin Timberlake has teamed up with celebrity stylist and acclaimed interior designer, Estee Stanley. With her background of over 15 years of styling, and Justins iconic name and brand, the pair have collaborated to bring personalized selections that will bring your individual style into a space.

So the question is

Let me share my thoughts

Once I heard that the new home collection was ready for viewing, I had to take a look. I initially thought that this new home line would be similar to others where theyd piggyback with stores or online sources to showcase goods that have their name on the items, but were chosen by others. I was pleasantly surprised when I visited this new site, because that is nothing of what this new collection is about.

Justin and Estee want to bring consumers home items that fit their style. Once youre signed up (which Ill get to in a bit so keep reading), you take a quick FREE Home StyleProfile test which is used to pair you with the best and most appropriate pieces for your style and space.

Then each month, Justin and Estee select new home items from around the world to match your individual style

so you can style your space and turn your house into a home.

I think thats pretty cool dont you? So many of my clients say, I know what I like and I know what I dont like, but I have no idea how to put it together. Well now this site will do it for you and make suggestions that appeal to your liking.

BeachMint CEO Josh Berman commented, Were excited to bring our customers an affordable luxury home collection that combines Estees extraordinary design experience with Justins distinctive style. President Diego Berdakin added, HomeMint is a natural addition to our family of brands. BeachMints social commerce experience is about personalization and curation and there is no place thats more important than a customers home.

Of course because I was curious what my style would show up as being AND I wanted to give you an accurate review of the sites offerings, I signed up.

To start off, I was asked to look at pictures and answer these questions :

Which dinner party looks the most inviting?
Which space in your home do you most enjoy?
Which home magazine inspires your style?

A specific description of my style wasnt provided at the end (kind of a bummer), but some pieces were suggested upon the answers that I chose. Im not sure if they were right on, but it was fun to take a look at what they think my style is.

Either way, you can view all of the collections that they offer, no matter your suggested style. Most of the items are of a limited quantity, so its kind like you snooze, you lose. The other part of HomeMint that I briefly mentioned before is that there is a membership fee. To become a member, the fee is $9.99/month and is applied as a credit towards any purchase not bad. If you have no interest in laying out the monthly fee, then shoppers will still be able to grab their favorite finds, but at a higher, non-member pricetag. Thats a nice option if you dont want to commit. Members though, also get the perks of early access to limited edition products and personalized selections matched to their individual style.

You can see from this screenshot of the website, how there is a members price and the other price.

5 Minute Lamp Revamp with Spray Paint and Ribbon

For a while, I was on the hunt for a pair of lamps for the dining room buffet. They couldnt be overly large, but something that would be unique and add a soft glow. I had brought home a few options, but nothing was quite right. Then one day when randomly shopping at HomeGoods for another project, I spotted this treasure >

It wasnt perfect, but immediately I had an idea up my sleeve.

Could I ever just leave anything alone? NOPE!

My immediate idea was to spray paint the globe, but I wasnt sure what color. Should the lamp be subtle or dramatic? Since the lamps were a nice piece of change (around $30 x 2), I thought a quieter color would live longer. So, I hit up my favorite spot at my favorite home improvement store and chose a taupe color with a hint of gold. Interesting, right?

The color name is Caramel Latte sounds scrumptious (I must have missed my morning coffee that day and got my fix another way, hehe).

Before starting the exciting transformation, I covered all the areas of the lamp that I wanted to protect. So ONLY the basket-style globe was exposed and ready.

Now, I was armed and ready! I started off spraying my new fav color on the black globe area of the lamp. Nope, didnt work.

I wanted it to be lighter, so instead I first spray painted the globe white (basically as a primer)

THEN applied the Caramel Latte Color. Yes, thats what I wanted!

Perfection DONE! well maybe not?

You know me I can never leave well enough alone. I wanted to embellish the shades a little, so I decided to add two rows of ribbon in a taupe and burnt orange color.

In about 10 minutes (well, for me it was 20 because I had two), these lamps got a total makeover and are completely unique for my space!

Blogger Challenge: Monogrammed Chevron Pallet Tray

As a Blogger, finding support throughout the blogging community is important for blog growth, friendship, and creative inspiration. For the past several weeks, Ive joined forces with a few fabulous DIY bloggers and weve been helping each other with various aspects of blogging. Along with our helpful chats, we were given a Blogging Challenge by Beckie of Infarrantly Creative to create a DIY project using specific materials additional items could be added, but it was a must to use the required five.

What did I create you ask?

Well take a look (and then keep on reading for the details)

Included in our Blogging 2 Better group was Monica & Jess of East Coast Creative, Allison of House of Hepworths, Brook of Being Brook, and Kim of Sand & Sisal all incredibly talented and inspiring women and friends!

To begin, this is the list of items that we were required to use, and actually I pretty much just stuck to the list and didnt use many additional items.

Fun, but definitely challenging! I was quite nervous at first trying to think about what to create with these 5 items and then it came to me A tray that would be perfect to bring items in and out while BBQing (or even just to display on the coffee table you know I love trays).

Once I had the idea, my project was quickly underway, especially since I already had a stash of pallets in my garage for a few other projects.

Item 1 Pallet

To start off, I determined the size of the tray that I wanted to make (17 x 17), so the Mister and I measured (4) 17 long pallet pieces.

Using the reciprocating saw, we buzzed right through that wood :-/

Im always leary about using the BIG TOOLS (even though my friend Brittany has empowered me with the right skills), but I helped out and made a boo-boo when cutting. No problemo the Mister came to the rescue with his Band Saw and cleaned the edges right up. In no time the (4) pieces of pallet were ready to make into a box.

Lining up the corners of the pallet planks, we hammered 2 nails into each corner.

Onto the bottom of the tray

The only material used that wasnt on the list was a piece of 1/8 thick plywood that I used for the bottom of the tray. Once the pallet frame was made, we measured the distance to the outer edges and cut it using the Band Saw.

Once the plywood was cut to the right dimensions, we nailed it onto the bottom of the pallet frame.

I gave the overall tray a quick sanding, and within 20 minutes it was done!

Now onto the fun part Using my second and third required items, fabric and Mod Podge, I lined the bottom of the tray with a brown and white chevron fabric.

To start off, I spread a nice coat of Mod Podge along the entire bottom of the tray.

Item 2 Mod Podge

Then I added the fabric onto the glue-y surface and made sure to get it nicely in the corners as well. Make sure the fabric size is larger than the surface because in the next step, Ill show you how I trimmed it.

Item 3 Fabric

Once the fabric was well stuck to the Mod Podge, it was time to trim the fabric (this can be done before the glue underneath is dry). Using a very sharp blade, I dragged it along the edge of the tray to trim the excess fabric.

Once the fabric was cut, I add a layer of Mod Podge OVER the fabric no worries, it will dry clear!

Once the Mod Podge was dry (fully about 1 day later), it was time to add my last 2 items the stencil and the color coral.

Using a new Word Doc, I found a font I liked (credit valley) and printed a large letter B in lowercase for Burger (my last name). Then I cut it out with a scissor and traced the outline on the fabric.

Item 4 Stencil

Then filled in the stencil with a beautiful color coral (it needed about 4 coats, but it didnt take long).

Item 5 Coral

And here it is all complete! My Blogging 2 Better Challenge was done and I was quite happy with the result. What do you think? Perfect for the indoors or out!

And you of course have to check out the other B2B Challenge Projects using the same materials. Its truly amazing how theyre all SO DIFFERENT!

Rustic Industrial Storage Bins by Monica & Jess of East Coast Creative Blog

Dangle Earring Frame by Allison of House of Hepworths

Fabric Wall Art by Brook of Being Brook

Pallet Art Surfboard by Kim of Sand & Sisal