We moved Ammon to an upstairs bedroom to make his room a guest room, that meant the wallpaper border needed to come down. Now that we’re going to be moving it needed to be taken down even sooner. I thought it was going to be a lot harder than it turned out to be. It was actually very easy, especially with a friend helping.
The first thing I did was peel off the top layer (the printed layer). Since the top layer has a washable coating over it I needed to get to the next layer. The top layer was fairly easy to peel off in most places, but some areas took a little longer.
Once we were to the next layer we used a wet cloth and gently rubbed it over the paper to get it damp and so the water could soak through. After waiting just about a minute it was easy to peel off. Again, there were a few areas that were more difficult, which means it just took a little longer. It was kind of satisfying, peeling off really big pieces.
I’m not claiming that all wallpapers are this easy to take off, but it doesn’t hurt to try it this way before you take out the big guns. Once the paper was all off we used a TSP (copy cat) cleaner to clean the walls of any remaining residue. Then I used a magic eraser to erase the pencil line.
I also filled all the holes using Dap DryDex spackle. I love this spackle because it starts out pink and turns white when it’s ready to be sanded. Perfect for an impatient DIYer, like me. I usually use my finger to fill holes, it’s easier and I don’t have to look for a tool.
I don’t sand either, if you take a damp cloth and wipe off the excess spackle it works better and doesn’t make a mess. I can’t believe I’m finally getting this room to a clean slate again and now we’re moving. Oh well, the new owners will have a nice room to add their own personality too.
Today is Pioneer Day (a Utah state holiday) so I will be spending the day with my kiddos. I didn’t want to leave you hanging though so I’m sharing a little kit I made for my kids for back-to-school a few years ago. I’ve made a few different variations of the kit for back-to-school and other occasions since then. I thought I’d share with you this idea in case you wanted to make something for your kiddos before they head back to school this year.
Here’s a close up of the Survival Kit letter.
I gathered the supplies listed for the kit and placed them in a clear bag for each kid. Oops, the rubber band is missing from this picture.
I trimmed the printed letter and backed it with colored card stock, one for each kid.
I punched a hole in the letter and attached it to the bag with ribbon. It’s such a simple thing to mark the beginning of a new school year but my kids loved them.
Ammon’s been wanting to have a lemonade stand all Summer. I kept putting him off but told him during the yard sale would be the perfect time to have one. Only one problem, I was so busy getting the yard sale ready that I totally forgot. Well, he didn’t! So the night before the yard sale, at about 11:30 pm, I was frantically making the banner like he instructed me.
He said he wanted triangles cut out of the fabric I make curtains from. I cut them out of drop cloth using pinking shears. They measure 6″ x 8″.
Then he wanted blue letters painted on the pendants with the price of the lemonade on one. After that he was done with his instructions.
I secured the pendants to the rope with clothes pins.
It turned out exactly like he wanted.
The lemonade stand was a great success. He sold lemonade, bottled water, and cookies. Zach helped him for a bit too. People were lining up and it got pretty busy for a while.
We love corn on the cob and eat it a lot in the Summer. My kids won’t eat corn off the cob but give it to them on the cob and they can’t get enough. I grew up in Indiana in a small town so I was surrounded by corn fields. Can you guess my first job at the age of 14? I worked in the corn fields detasseling corn. I wore long pants, a long sleeve shirt, comfortable shoes, a scarf in my hair, and gloves in dreadfully hot and humid weather. It was hard work and I didn’t look fashionable but it paid well for a 14 year old. After all that I still love corn, especially with butter and salt.
Then just a couple weeks ago I was introduced to an even better way to eat corn on the cob. My son went on a mission to Mexico and my son-in-law went on a mission to California Spanish speaking where they learned to eat corn on the cob a new way. I had to try it and I have to say it was delicious! This isn’t as authentic as in Mexico where the corn is grilled but other than that it’s pretty close. You need miracle whip or mayo, parmesan cheese, chili powder, and a lime.
Slather the corn with mayo while it’s still hot. Squeeze lime juice over the corn then sprinkle with parmesan cheese and finish by sprinkling with chili powder. The flavor is amazing! Have you tried Mexican Corn on the Cob? Are you going to now?
I saw this awesome napkin on clearance at West Elm and knew I had to make it into a pillow. My only regret is that I didn’t get 2 of them. So if anyone has one of these napkins floating around I will kindly take it off your hands.
Don’t you just love the colors and design? And it’s perfect for my living room.
I started by folding the napkin in half. Since it’s a square it doesn’t matter which way you fold it. Then I stitched along the folded side to make a faux flange.
I stitched the rest of the pillow together following the finished stitches on the napkin, making a faux flange all the way around the pillow, leaving a 3″ opening to be able to add the batting.
I like to over stuff pillows filled with batting because they tend to flatten out a bit. Once it was filled I stitched up the rest of the pillow.
I really love the color and pattern it adds to the room. And the best part, it took under 15 minutes to make.
I am moving, there I said it! I guess that means it’s real now. There’s so much to do before a move so I will be sharing some tips on packing, moving, yard sales, and getting settled in a new place throughout the next few weeks.
I’m going to be at Cub Scout Camp all day today. I actually like going and there are a lot of fun things for the boys to experience. Our Scoutmaster had a great idea to make troop shirts so our boys didn’t have to wear their hot Scout shirts all day.
The boys started by using pieces of painters tape to make our troop number, initials or name, and anything else they wanted on their shirt.
I think they did pretty good with just painters tape.
I decided to take the easier route and use my Cricut.
Once you have your design taped off use a squirt bottle filled with half bleach/ half water to spray your shirt. It will start bleaching the color out in a few seconds. It works best on 100% cotton. You can spray both sides of your shirt. Adjust the spray nozzle to the type of spray flow you want.
Once your shirt is bleached how you like it, spray it with a bottle of vinegar to stop the bleaching process.
Rinse the shirt in water then take the tape off. Launder the shirt separately for the first wash.
I love how all the boys shirts turned out so differently and that we’ll be able to spot them in a sea of Scouts.
Now I’m ready to try this process on different colored shirts. What about you?
Disclaimer Added: This was only done outside with the supervision of adults. Do not do this inside a building or garage or without adult supervision. Also rinse the shirt outside with a hose as shown in the photos.
Do you want an easy banner you can make from just fabric scraps and rope or twine? It would be perfect for any outdoor party or celebration this Summer. And since you probably have the supplies on hand you can get started on it right away without any cost to you.
I originally made this for camp last year. There’s something calming about handmade banners blowing in the Summer wind. They also look so fun and festive hanging on a covered porch or between trees. It makes me want to have a party right now.
I chose 7 different fabrics for my banner, one is a vintage sheet. Can you guess which one? The fabric was torn in 12″ x 1″ strips and I had 12 pieces of each fabric.
I attached the strips to the rope using this method.
Really fast and simple . I love how the colors all work together.
Can you see the vintage sheet now? I think it’s so fun to mix colors, fabric and patterns.
I might have to make a smaller one to hang on the mantel now.
As an adult, the 4th of July has become my favorite holiday. I love celebrating the nation we live in and giving recognition to those who fight to keep our nation free. We’ve been lucky to celebrate the 4th of July in some awesome places throughout our great country. When we lived in Maryland we took a day trip to Washington DC where we watched the fireworks on the Mall. I can’t even express to you the gratitude I felt sitting there surrounded by thousands of people who felt the same way about my country as I do. We’ve watched fireworks over water in Baltimore and Jacksonville. I love fireworks over water! We’ve also walked with thousands of people over a bridge in Baltimore while Lee Greenwood sang God Bless The USA. I don’t think there was a dry eye anywhere. But my favorite thing about the 4th of July is being able to celebrate with my family and recognizing the freedoms we have been given and are blessed to enjoy. So I guess what it comes down to is that I feel blessed to live where I live and am grateful that I can be surrounded by those I love. Here’s a bit of our celebration this year.
Parade
Parade Watchers
In from the Heat
Food
Swimming
Family
Fireworks
I hope you had a memorable 4th of July and are having an enjoyable Summer!
I usually eat fruit au naturel but when there’s a party, holiday, or celebration I like to add something special to the fruit. This fruit dip is super easy and extra yummy. Even some of the guests couldn’t wait until I finished taking pictures.
Here’s all you need:
2 small containers yogurt (any flavor) I used strawberry
small container Cool Whip
4 oz. cream cheese (room temperature)
Beat ingredients until well blended.
Enjoy! It’s delicious!
