Tag Archives: Paint

July 13, 2018 · 2:53 pm

5 Things You Can Do To Improve The Look of Your House

It is important to work on the aesthetics of your home. A well-kept home not only makes a great impression, it can also help make you feel more relaxed and happy. We all want our homes to look good, but not all of us know where to start to achieve that perfect look. Do not be fooled into thinking that decorating or updating your home is not possible without the help of an interior designer.

If you have the right eye, you can create some small changes on your own to change the look of your house, and make it appear more attractive. To help you with this, check out these five things you can do to improve the look of your house:

Paint your house

You can have a mansion worth millions of dollars, but if the walls are covered in scuffed, stained paint, the whole look would be compromised. If your house has old, dingy paint, consider freshening it up with new paint as soon as possible. Nothing adds value and transforms your house better than fresh paint. It can make your house look more attractive, and also allows you to fix issues such as cracks in the walls.

Update your kitchen

Your kitchen is truly the heart of your home, so make sure to keep it updated, organized and clean. Some of the ways to update your kitchen game without breaking the bank include:

Resurfacing or painting cabinets
Updating your lighting fixtures
Installing new countertops

These additions can make your kitchens more useful and also increase the worth of your house as they bring a ROI as high as 60%.

Spruce up your Living Room

If you want to make a good impression on guests and make your house look better, than you might want to consider updating your living room. You can make your living room more inviting in the following ways:

Installing new curtains and blinds from a company like Select Blinds Canada.
Buying new furniture for the living room or updating the old furniture with new paint or upholstery.
Getting rid of excess clutter to make the room appear larger and more organized.

Keep It Clean

Now, this is an area where you need to invest your time not your money. Go through your house, purge excess clutter and clean rooms from top to bottom. A cluttered, dusty home looks unattractive and can be depressing to yourself and your guests.

Install new lighting

Ditch those ordinary or basic lighting fixtures that add no pizzazz or style. Spice up the lighting in your home and make it look more elegant. Try looking for chandeliers, table lamps and floor lamps that have style and flair. The right use of lighting will not only brighten up your house but also make it look more lavish.

If you follow these tips you can add new life into your home and make it feel welcoming and stylish.

This is a collaborative guest post. The views and ideals expressed are not necessarily those of Mommy Ramblings.

4 Comments

Filed under Home & Garden, sponsored guest post

Tagged as decor, garden, Guest Post, home, Paint

October 8, 2017 · 8:24 pm

Candy Corn Painted Rocks-DIY Craft Tutorial

It seems that rock painting is all the rage now. I certainly was ahead of my time and ahead of this craze. I love painting rocks, river rocks are my favorite. Gathering them is a fun family adventure we all look forward to.

Sometimes I know exactly what size and shape rocks I want. This is due to the fact, that I have a specific project in mind. Other times, I try to find rocks that inspire me. You might not think rocks can inspire people, but they can! I see them as a blank canvas and they speak to me…well, some of them do.

A few rocks I made for my daughter.

I can clearly visualize the masterpiece they can become. Sometimes it is a fish, ladybug or owl, and other times it is a heart. One of my favorite projects was making rock candy corn.

The one that started it.

It was so much fun to find the shapes I needed. Since I wanted to make a candy corn family that represented ours, when I found the especially tall and thin triangular river rock, I literally squealed with delight. That rock clearly represented my son Michael, it was so easy to see. I asked my youngest sons, who were gathering rocks with me, and they wholeheartedly agreed. It was definitely Michael, no doubt about it.

A Trip to find triangular rocks.

All you need is some acrylic craft paint, paint brushes, paint markers for detail painting and ModPodge sealer. If you want you can paint your rocks white on both sides first. It will take at least 2 coats of paint to get nice coverage.

When the tri color rocks are dry, you can then add personality with the paint markers.

He reminds me of Bozo!

Use ModPodge to seal and protect your creations.

This guy makes me laugh!

Please let me know if you try this project, I would love to hear about your results.

They needed personality, so I gave them some!!!

3 Comments

Filed under Crafts, DIY, Halloween, Tutorial

Tagged as Candy Corn, Crafts, DIY, Fall, halloween, ModPodge, Paint, Painting Rocks, River Rocks, Rock Painting, thanksgiving, tutorial

February 21, 2016 · 2:32 am

A Smart Way To Inspire Creativity In You Child! #SocialBttrflyCo

I guess I would consider myself a pretty creative person. I love trying my hand at new things, enjoy art projects, crafts, DIY and more. I would say it has rubbed off on just about all of my 5 kids in some way, shape or form. We love painting river rocks, making ornaments, tackling a new DIY project together and making all kids of things. My daughter is a champion knitter as well. My husband joins in too and so I think all 7 of us are a creative bunch.

If you have a creative child or maybe you want to do your best to inspire some creativity, I have something great to share. Smart Art Box is a month subscription art box. Every month it arrives filled with the instruments and supplies to inspire the artist in us all!

Each month, your box will feature a range of top-shelf FULL SIZED art supplies – from acrylic paint to polymer clay – plus a project to go along with it to help teach and inspire your inner artist.

PROJECTS FOR EVERYONE

The project’s are unique and cultural. We create projects that give a quick step by step to help those who are new, and guide those that are seasoned. We also provide tips to help new and old artists gain invaluable new skills.

THE TOOLS YOU NEED

With each medium come the tools to manipulate it and bring out the strength that each style can achieve.

Smart Art was created by a small group of friends, driven by the desire to see the world and experience the culture created by historical visionaries. Along the way, they found inspiration in the many mediums found everywhere, from the poorest of villages, to the most prestigious of cities. Each medium expressed the artist’s individual communities, heritage and personality. For this reason, inspired by the passion portrayed in their art, a new determination was born to pursue and discover the many exciting art mediums across the world.

Together, they are committed to ensuring artists understand art and it’s many mediums throughout time in order to create a better understanding of the world around us. Their mission is to deliver products that kindle creativity, stimulate exciting new techniques and establish a deeper connection with art for everyone.

We received our Smart Art Box and were so impressed with everything inside, full size products, everything we need and instruction to guide and inspire us. I will be updating very soon with our masterpieces. This is certainly “Happy Mail“ for a family like ours and I would bet it would be for yours too!

You can visit Smart Art on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Let me know if you do try Smart Art Box of if you are already receiving monthly creativity delivered to your doorstep.

I was provided with a Smart Art Box to facilitate this post as a blogger working with @SocialBttrflyCo. As always my words and views are always 100% my own.

Easter Burlap Bunnies Craft Ideas Even Young Children Can Help With

My kids are on spring break this week and we are still experiencing single digit temperatures at night! It sure doesn’t feel anything close to spring. Believe me when I say, we’re looking for all of the spring crafts we can do to hopefully bring spring our way. Easter is next Sunday and I want to share some cute burlap bunny crafts you can sew and your kids can help decorate and paint. Below is a supply list of what you need to make the bunnies.

Burlap Bunnies Supply List

Let me share what we have made so far.

I purchased a roll of burlap, cut two pieces and folded them in half

The pieces are folded in half and look deceivingly smaller in these photos than the actual size.

Next you cut a V in the middle.

Then I trimmed the tops to look more like rabbit ears.

Next, I just took it to my sewing machine and sewed each side up to right under the ear.

Turned it right side out.

Then I stuffed it with fiberfill. If you want you could also used dried beans.

Off to the sewing machine where I sewed around the ears and in between to securely hold the filling.

You then tie with a ribbon of your choice. Next, you can paint, color with markers or paint pens the inside of the ears and make a face. I added buttons for cuteness, you can really have fun here and the kids love to help! You can add a white cotton ball tail to the back side of the bunnies. These make adorable country inspired decorations or you can make one for everyone with their name as place holders for dinner. There are so many great ways to use them and they are simple to make.

Next, I wanted to make a bunny to hang on the door. This nearly turned to a Pinterest Fail but I turned it around. I just found a basic bunny template online and printed it out. I had to extend it because it was too large for the paper. I pinned and cut the pattern out of the burlap.

Then off to the sewing machine to sew around the bunny. Leave a part open so you stuff it.

After you stuff it, just sew the opening close and trim your threads.

Here is the almost Pinterest fail. We had wanted to put polka dots on the natural burlap with the spouncer brushes but it did not go as planned. LOL

Back to the drawing board and we painted the bunny purple, leaving the edge natural and adding pink polka dots.

Then you want to find a ribbon to hang it with.

We decided to continue the polka dot theme.

I attached the ends of the ribbon to the bunny some machine stitches.

You can add a ribbon around the neck or other embellishments. I chose to keep ours plain country simple for the side door. Let me know if you try some burlap bunnies and how they turn out. If you want to make things really easy they have burlap already printed with polka dots or you could make egg shapes and use with multi color burlap or chevron stripe. Happy Easter! Please if you are in a warm part of the country would you send some spring our way! Let me know what you think and if you tried any of these crafts.

Our Painted River Rock Creations!!! Rock Painting Tutorial

If you have been reading out blog for a while you know that I love painting river rocks that we “hunt” for along the Delaware and Beaverkill Rivers. This year I also started picking up truck loads of huge river rocks for a landscaping project I am working on. More on that soon. I wanted to share some of what I have been working on so far this summer.

The Boys Have Loved Our Rock Collecting Trips!!!

Rock Painting_edited-1

Rock Painting 1_edited-1

Did not want to get his shirt full of paint, lol.

A few rocks I made for my daughter.

The one that started it.

Yep, it was the start of…

A Trip to find triangular rocks.

And that led to this:

They needed personality, so I gave them some!!!

He reminds me of Bozo!

This guy makes me laugh!

I have a neat project I am almost done with and will show you soon, it’s a great idea for someone who loves plants but has a brown thumb.

If you want to try this, it’s easy. Just collect your rocks, paint and seal them with Mod Podge. I just use craft paint you can find in any craft store or even Walmart. Also, for details you can use the Elmer’s Painter Pens. Share with me if you try this, I would love to see your creations!

3 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as Candy Corn, Crafts, Fall, Festive, Fish, fun, Ladybug, Mod Podge, Mommy Ramblings, Owl, Paint, Painted, Painting, River Rocks, summer

July 31, 2014 · 1:54 pm

Finn + Emma® Made For Organically Grown Babies!!! Exclusive 20% Off Discount Code In Post!!!

Do you have a little one? Maybe you have a new grandchild or just searching for a great baby gift. Whatever the reason, if you are looking for quality, organic, safe clothing and accessories for baby, you will want to check out Finn + Emma®. Have you heard that 1/3 pound of chemicals including pesticides, chlorine bleach, formaldehyde, ammonia, lead and phthalates go into the production of a single conventional tee-shirt. These toxins have a negative impact on the environment, the workers in the fields and factories and of course the little one wearing the shirt. Considering the skin is the largest organ of the body, these chemicals that are worn directly on the skin are easily absorbed and that’s really scary!

Finn + Emma® believe in the balance of stylish and sustainable, whimsical and sophisticated, classic and contemporary. With fresh prints, modern colors,and heirloom quality construction, they are creating a new world for the organically grown baby. One where boring designs and toxic chemicals are a thing of the past, and adorable, wearable, remarkable organic cotton is abundant!

Finn-Emma-Gym

All Finn + Emma® products are designed and tested according to applicable rules and regulations. In the U.S., this includes acts enforced by the Consumer Products Safety Commission, and those defined by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). As per CPSIA, Finn + Emma® tests post-production samples of all regulated products, using certified third-party laboratories. These products are labeled with tracking information to identify the manufacturing date and location of each product. This is something that gives parents, grandparents and let’s face it anyone that is concerned about chemicals and toxins peace of mind.

I recently reviewed the Long Bodysuit in the Word design. The long sleeves of this 100% G.O.T.S. certified organic cotton bodysuit keep little ones warm and protected. The bodysuit features lead and nickel free snaps with coconut inserts that make it easy to dress squirmy babies and toddlers. The super soft, organic cotton is so comfy and this versatile bodysuit can be worn alone or pairs so well with pants. This bodysuit is an essential piece to have in any little one’s wardrobe. This bodysuit is made using low-impact inks and dyes.

Finn and Emma

Finn and Emma 1

Finn-Emma-Bodysuit-Snaps

Another Finn + Emma® product I had the chance to review was the adorable Piper the Elephant organic Teething Ring. Lots of textures for little ones cutting teeth on this teething toy. The hand knit teething ring features and uncoated hardwood that is finished with a bit of beeswax, no harsh chemicals here! The ring is soft, smooth and safe to bite to help ease the pain of growing those pearly whites. Toy is made with 100% G.O.T.S. certified organic cotton and is eco-friendly using non-toxic dyes and sheep’s wool stuffing. The toy is fair trade and is hand knit by artisans in Peru.

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Finn-Emma-Teething-Ring-Piper-Elephant-Pic

Exclusive 20% Savings For Mommy Ramblings’ Readers:

I have great news, Finn + Emma® have provided Mommy Ramblings’ Blog readers with an exclusive 20% Off Promo Code. This code is valid starting today thru August 13th. When checking out on FinnandEmma.com use the code VFOFW to redeem the discount. Stay in the know with Finn + Emma® by following them on Facebook and Twitter.

Lakeshore, 3-Way Tabletop Easel Review & Giveaway To Celebrate National Crafts Month!!!

March is National Crafts Month and we love crafts all year in our family so we really thing giving them some recognition is so cool. My children are all very creative and artistic and so you will find tons of craft supplies, markers, colored pencils, paints, chalks, paper and much more in our home. My little ones really love to draw and so since they are so close in age and want to do everything together. The 3-Way Tabletop Easel from Lakeshore was the perfect choice for a great art center where they can paint, color and create their own masterpieces together!

Lakeshore Easel

Right out of the box this easel is a cinch to get set up and you only need to do a quick 2 screw attachment on the tray with the alyn wrench included. One side features a high quality chalk board that erases completely. It is a real pet peeve of mine when chalk boards are hard to erase or do not erase completely without a great deal of elbow grease.

Lakeshore 3 Way Tabletop Easel

The other side is a dry erase white board and there is a tray underneath that extends out so each side has a place to hold paint, markers, chalk and other supplies.

Lakeshore 3 Way Tabletop Easel Pic 2

Two blue clips are included to hold paper. This easel has been used daily since I opened it. I like that it is lightweight and portable yet sturdy. It is so easy to take it out on the deck on a nice day and let the kids paint or color outside and then just bring it back in when they are finished without having to lug something big around.

If you are looking for a great creative easel for your kids, check out

Easy Assembly

Easel2

easel1

easel3

easel4

Ethan’s Muscle Man!!!

Lakeshore is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a 3-Way Tabletop Easel of their own! Thank you Lakeshore for the review easel and for sponsoring this creative giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Lakeshore 3-Way Tabletop Easel Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

Continue reading →

17 Comments

Filed under Crafts, Giveaway, Reviews, Toys

Tagged as 3-Way Tabletop Easel, Arts and Crafts Month, Chalk, Crafts, Creative, giveaway, Lakeside, March, Markers, Mommy Ramblings, Paint, play, toys

December 1, 2013 · 11:37 pm

Sherwin-Williams Announces The Color Of The Year 2014!!! #CurbAppeal

Exciting news from Sherwin-Williams!!! The 2014 Color of the Year is Exclusive Plum!!!

Sherman Williams Color of the Year

Exclusive Plum (SW 6263), a sophisticated violet, is Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year 2014. The hue, a balance of cool blue and feisty red with a splash of gray, pairs well with a variety of styles to create color schemes suitable for any room.

“This dusky, filtered violet is refined without being stuffy, elegant yet easy, and layered with romantic potential.”
Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-Williams director of color marketing.

Exclusive Plum has an amazing quality and can be adapted for nearly any space, whether used as an accent or for an entire room. Here are some design ideas for Exclusive Plum:

For a cozy, masculine look, they recommend pairing this color with accents of copper and well-worn leather.
Exclusive Plum can also be layered with gold, gray and white for an elegant, dreamy space.
It’s great highlighted against white subway tile and chrome fixtures for a statement space.
Pops of magenta and chartreuse can liven up Exclusive Plum for a more energetic space and when paired with creamy whites or other neutrals, the mellow yet purposeful purple can turn any space into a refreshing retreat.

Check out Exclusive Plum (SW 6263) before picking up a brush with their Color Visualizer.

Inspiration Pairings for Exclusive Plum: Dynamo, Sassy Green, Relic Bronze and Sealskin.

We will be receiving a gallon of Exclusive Plum from Sherwin Williams so stay tuned to see what we do to showcase the color of the year!!!

1 Comment

Filed under Curb Appeal, DIY

Tagged as 2014, Color of the Year, Curb Appeal, curbappeal, Exclusive Plum, Mommy Ramblings, Paint, Sherwin Williams

May 6, 2013 · 11:37 pm

Vintage School Desk Make Over, Before & After!!!

Well, I finished another project today. I finished what I showed you the before of last week, the big school desk. It was one that I had as a child, but had been sitting in a basement for years and years and needed love and vision. I really wish I had all of the school desks we had but lucky that I have a small one that I refinished and if you missed it you can check that out HERE, and this one. I also bought another that I should have done before the week is over and that desk is a different style entirely. Cannot wait to share it with you.

For this desk, I started by sanding everything, starting with the metal which I did with a special wire brush tool that goes on the end of a drill and makes easy work of microderm abrasion as I like to call it. After that, I sanded all the wood and then needed to do some filling, gluing and clamping. After that it was time to prime the metal and I used Rustoleum Painter’s Touch Gray Primer and then I used a Rustoleum Green Gloss Protective Enamel Spray Paint for the final coats. I did the detail painting and the accent strip on the seat and pencil holder on the desk with the same green protective enamel by Rustoleum in the can so I could brush it on. I stained the wood with Minwax Special Walnut, sanding between coats and then used Minwax Satin Polyurethane, sanding between coats. I really like it and so do my kids. What do you think?