3 things that I’m a total sucker for around the home:
1. Vintage books.
Especially vintage books in fun colors, that also coordinate in volumes. I mean, it’s like the queen supreme ruler megafind of books when you stumble across such amazingness. I don’t peruse/shop much {especially with an impending move on the horizon}, but we were at a local rehab store the other day when these guys flew in my face for a few bucks.
It was like that scene from The Birds where they’re attacking the lady and she keeps swatting them away. When they finally stop I’m left standing there in my green tweed dress suit I wore for three days, and my disheveled chignon… bewildered and looking for Mitch.
I had to give the rehab store moolah just so they would stop assaulting my face with their awesomeness. And then they followed me home.
2. Fun ways to store my jewelry.
{how to make pinch pots}
With a borderline creepy glove hand I’ve had for a few years – it’s the perfect little display for necklaces I don’t want to get tangly {along with borderline creepy glass lady bust}. One’s watching me, and the other may strangle me. No, I’m not paranoid by nature. Why would you ask?
I would the creepy hand glove mold for rings, but I have freakishly tiny fingers – kind of like my freakishly long finger toes, except we end the phrase with fingers because they’re not toes. Fun fact: I wear a 3.75 ring size. And my mom and I are freakishly tiny finger twins. When our kids were born, they looked like little tiny {adorable} aliens because they also inherited the freakishly tiny and long fingers/toes thing. How many times can I write freakishly in different combinations? The world will never know.
I guess it’s genetic.
3. Handmade gifts
There’s just something about them. I diverged for a while with the whole handmade mantra when it came to gifts because it got crazy with us, but I’ve slowly come back to it. When you have time, I just feel like they mean more.
We whipped up this little gem for my dad for father’s day… It’s his childhood home and a little handmade frame to go with it to brighten up his desk at work. And today, we thought we’d share how we made it…
And what goes better with a handmade gift tutorial other than our books? You know… in case you didn’t really want to make the frame, but would like our books instead to gift – stay tuned at the bottom!
Bonus round: This bossy little brass lady was found with said flying books at the rehab store. She now resides in our kitchen. I’ve trained the kids to come running when I ring her, because they never know when they’ll be rewarded with a Hershey’s Kiss.
Kind of like dogs, but with kids.
I ring the bell and they come bounding ’round the corner, expecting a reward. Surprise – it’s school time! No more repeated calling. No more disobeying. It may be chocolate or it may be jumping jacks! You just never know, but it’s worth the risk. And the excitement.
I’m not yelling in the house anymore, so there’s that. No judging. I’m brilliant.
It will probably last like, one more day. A mom can dream.
So without further ado…
How to build a frame + a handmade home book giveaway
What you’ll need: • 1 x 6 x 6 • 3/4 inch quarter round • glass • wood glue • mirror glue • band clamp
The lengths you cut your boards will vary depending on the size picture you are framing. Just remember to double the width of your board and add it on to your cut length. This is because the top of the 45 degree angle runs all the way out to the edge of the perpendicular board.
We were framing a 10 x 7 picture so we cut (2) 21 inch pieces and (2) 18 inch pieces.
Both were cut on a 45 degree angle with our RYOBI miter saw. Then we used some wood glue and out band clamp to set them in place. (The frame was set face down during this process.)
Next, we cut and measured our quarter round to fit the inside of the frame, again cutting it on 45 degree angles.
Once we knew that fit snugly, we reinforced the frame with staples with our our RYOBI narrow crown stapler.
We flipped the frame over after the glue had dried and stained it with Minwax Early American and painted the quarter round with Benjamin Moore’s Varsity Blues.
To create some stripes, we simply used painters tape at a 1 inch width, and re-stained the exposed wood.
Stain always absorbs into the wood, but this one actually bled a little more than usual on the stripes, so we just rolled with it.
Then we sanded it with an orbit sander to make it look like we meant to do that give it a great, aged look.
Next, once dry, simply flip the frame on it’s face and glue in the quarter round with wood glue.
You want to make sure it’s flush with the face of the frame.
Once that was dry, we used a little bit of mirror glue and glued in our piece of glass.
Finally, we added in a picture. Either use a couple dabs of hot glue, or tape one in for easy removal. You can also add in some brackets, and a piece of cardboard to hold it secure.
But you might want to us 1/2 quarter round for this option.
And to the good part: Wanna win our books?
Handmade Walls, filled to the brim with fun tutorials like the one we just shared, along with our curated art collection in three more books from up and coming fabulous artists.
Give them as a gift or keep them for yourself… we won’t judge.
Enter the rafflecopter giveaway below – Giveaway ends Friday!
May the luckiest of ducks win!
Vivian says
I would use the books for inspiration in my home here in Norway. We are trying to make order in our chaos, and trying to do so without spending too much money;o)
By the way; I tried to pin the picture in Pinterest, but I got the message that the photo wasn´t really a photo? I will try again;o)
Best wishes, Vivian;o)
Sylvia says
i would keep some and share some as gifts!
Tracy Washburn says
just bought a house that needs a bit of love – these books would really help. Thank you!
Alison S says
We do not have any pictures on our walls, so we would finally have some artwork!
Regina says
I’ve been wanting your books since the first time I saw them! I would use them for my own walls, I think I’d be too selfish to give them away as a gift. đ thanks for the giveaway!
Queen Lisa says
I would display them so I could brag to my friends that I own them!
Jenni says
I love your style! I need inspiration to use color in my life, which is something you do so well and make look so easy!
Linda Castro says
Thanks for the fabulous giveaway!!!
Sherri says
I have many pictures of grandchildren to frame!!!
Sherri says
Sorry…misunderstood the question! . I would use the books to do some redecorating. I’m not a decorator and so would love the help!
Brittney says
Thanks for the giveaway!! I own Art for the Traditional Home so if i won I would gift it to someone, but I have been dying to own the rest so I can decorate my home (specifically living room, playroom and craft room) with the lovely artwork.
Brittany S says
I would use them to help decorate my walls. And to make gifts for people.
Tiffany says
Gifts and for myself!
Heike says
Let’s be real – I’d keep them for myself to help me decorate my new house!
julie says
I’ve been wanting these books since before time…pls pick me! I will likely swoon through each picture and then eventually frame some of the art for my office and home!
Teri says
Great frame!
Brittany M says
I’m always on the look out for ways to fill our walls… even after 2 years, it feels like I still need some art work! I’d use these to inspire me to do something about it!
Jacqueline says
These books would be used to add new color and the beauty of nature to our home.
Erin Cessac says
I recently stumbled upon your blog from Pinterest via the teepee/playroom post. I’ve been stalking this site ever since. Thanks for the fun inspiration!
Kristen H says
I have been slowly trying to fill and update all the frames in our gallery wall, these would be a perfect addition!
kristin says
The books look just beautiful. I would love to incorporate some of the art into my house.
Amy L. says
I check your blog everyday. Love it!
I’d love to leaf through these books.
stacy grogan says
I absolutely love your blog, thank you for the opportunity to win your amazing books, they’ve been on my wish list forever!
Rebecca Musser says
I have one of these books already and have used many of the photos in my home, so I would give that one away, but keep all the rest for me!!
Ashleigh Hall says
I would make them and fill my our family photos to give to my parents and grandparents as gifts!
Gevay says
Great tutorial! Thanks you guys!
Meg says
Love this frame! I cant find frames I like for a series of prints in my play room. This may be the solution!
Gloria says
I love your blog and you are so very talented!! Love, love the colors in your home!!
Gloria says
Love your blog and colors in your home!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Virginia says
I’d use the books for inspiration for my ‘plain’ home, and to make things instead of spending the $$ on things!
Shannon B. says
Okay not the comment you asked for but I thought I had crazy little fingers with a 4.75 ring size! Your rings must be extra tiny! My class ring was a 4.25 and it was wider (old skool style) on the top than it was big!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Yay! Freakishly tiny fingers unite!
DJ says
I would use them to help me decorate my new house. I am in need of some inspiration.
Patty Page says
I would love to make a gallery wall.
Talitha says
I am in the midst of redoing our home that we’ve been in for a year now…I’d love your books for inspiration! Plus my sisters would love to borrow them đ
Liesel says
I’ve entered every giveaway for these books obsessively!! I hope I win this time! I will fill frames in my home, and probably share with friends đ
Jody P. says
We have a big blank wall over our couch that needs something fun. I love these books!
Carla says
I buy what I like but don’t know how to pull it all together. I would use these books for how I use the website which is as a home project manager from inspiration all the way to design and execution.
Jami says
I would use these amazing books for myself. I’m selfish.:) love this blog.
Sue says
Hi, I just started following your blog. I love your style of decorating. Where did you find that beautiful painting of blue eggs that is hanging in your living room?
Jolene says
I would use them all for myself! đ {No shame!}
eva scott says
I just moved into my grandparents old home……how wouldn’t I use these books with all the work that needs to be done!!!
Bon says
Crafting is my passion! I so need and would use your books everyday!!!
Thank you for this opportunity!
DeeAnna says
My family does a pass the books along so everyone can read them but after the rotation I’d keep them for myself!
DeeAnna says
And I have to say that I’m a sucker for vintage books, too! I think it comes from looking through my grandma’s collectionof old storybooks, love them!
MARTHAIA says
I would enjoy reading all of the books ,getting great ideas and artwork to display all over my house.Also would leave them out so company could enjoy them..TY
Beth M. says
Would love the books to make a fun gallery wall!
Alina says
I’d place them on display on my coffee table in my living room.
Sean says
I need art work in my guest bedroom so this would be great!
Danielle says
After more than a year, our sad apartment is still mostly bare. I need some guidance and inspiration!
Allison says
I love your ideas and know the books would inspire me to finally make personalized art for our home!
Ashley says
Decorating our new to us house!
Marian@CMShawStudios says
Girl, you are the funniest! Flying books and all. I totally relate though. I was a vendor at Luckett’s for a couple of years, but had to stop because it was taking over my life. So my kids and I went thrifting the other day and every where I looked was awesome used furniture just begging for a makeover. I almost died from sheer opportunity….except I’m not doing that anymore. So it all stayed and a bunch of great CDs came home with me instead. Whew, made it. At least until the next day when I found a hand carved English reproduction of a Louis chair for $26. We all have our thresh hold. đ and my kid needed a new desk chair.
Have a happy day.
The Other Marian