Patching a HOLE in the wall- TUTORIAL

If you have kids, particularly boys, you may have a wall or two that looks like this-

I found this lovely hole hiding behind a bookshelf in my boy's room. I'm guessing someone took their tantrum out on the wall with his foot. Haha! No problem, it's an easy fix!

The first thing you do is scuff it up a little with sandpaper or a sanding brick.

Can you see the layers of color? Haha! I see lime green! This room used to be the dragon fly room before I re-painted the whole thing a creamy sage a couple years later.

 Okay, so go buy one of these metal wall patches. I bought mine at Home Depot for like $4 or $5. Literally just peel and stick. Make sure the mesh side is facing you.

Next, you'll need some joint compound. I usually have a big bucket of this stuff handy (it's way cheaper to buy a large amount), but you can buy these little ones for about $5. It's enough to patch quite a few big holes.

This part's like frosting a cake. Just take your joint knife and spread a thin, even layer across the metal plate. Let each layer dry before sanding and applying the next coat. I did 3 coats. You can't tell in this picture (because I cropped it), but my finished patch is about 3 inches bigger all the way around than the metal plate itself. Let it dry and sand it smooth.

If you're patching orange peel-textured walls, buy a can of spray texture. I set the dial somewhere in the middle. It sprays a little chunkier than you expect, but it's ok. Practice outside on a box or something until you get the right texture. Once it's dry, lightly buff over it using your sandpaper. Not enough to where you're taking the texture off, just soften it a little. Finish with a couple coats of paint. That's it! Good as new! Except now, you can stick a magnet to the wall in that spot! Cool! :)

Happy Patching!

Easter Wreath

I've been wanting a new Easter Wreath. Especially after seeing the cutest idea from Pinterest. I had a spare morning today, so I decided to make a new Easter wreath. I was inspired by my daughter's birthday party color scheme from the weekend. I loved her colors so much, I decided I definitely wanted them on my door. ;)
Tutorial-

Step 1

 I gathered old plastic eggs from last year

and ribbon that fit the colors I was going for.

Then I made a wreath using a pool noodle

(Got the idea HERE- it's so smart.)

Step 2

 I grabbed some flannel and tore it into 3" strips.

Starting at an angle, I hot-glued the end and

wrapped it around. I ended up using 4 pieces.

No bigs--you can't tell when you're done.

 Step 3

 Next, I wrapped it with thin ribbon on a diagonal one

way, then did it again the opposite way making sure

they cross on the front. Then I glued ribbon on the eggs. 

Step 4- THE BOW

 Make a loop- pinching between your thumb and pointer finger.

Make another loop toward you, pinching in the center (or base)

of the bow. Add another, making the bow evenly balanced.

*THE SECRET TO A NICE BOW IS KEEPING YOUR

THUMB FIRMLY AT THE BASE THE ENTIRE TIME.*

While keeping your thumb in place, the under-side will be held

alternately by your pointer and middle finger (the strongest fingers).

As you accept a new loop, use the finger you didn't use in the last

and trade off for every other loop. Keep practicing...you'll get it.

Step 5

 Make as many loops as you'd like. I made these ones bigger than

I usually do. If you'd like tails, take the end and coil it onto itself.

I looped it twice here so I could have 4 tails. Secure with wire.

Pipe cleaners or string work, too. Fluff/arrange the loops of bow.

Step 6-ADDING TO THE BOW

 I sometimes like to add loops to my bows using different ribbon.

Make bunny ears, securing in the center with wire, then fold up.

Lift original bow's loops and add new loops to the base w/ wire.

Repeat as many times as you'd like. I added 4 "bunny ear" sets.

Step 7

 Decide where you want the bow, add a dab of glue, and place it.

Wrap around the back with wire. Trim tails and fluff your bow.

I know it looks like a WAY HUGE bow, but it trust me-

It needs to be so we have room to nestle all the cute eggs.

Step 8

 Now you're ready to add the eggs. Really, just glue and place.

If you're placing them on the sides of the bow, it's best to make

sure the egg's secured to the wreath itself, too. Otherwise, just

spread loops apart, and glue close to base. This is the fun part.

 Here it is finished. Look how different the colors look inside my
house as opposed to outside on my door. I prefer the sun-
kissed version--looks more "Easter-y"! I so love these colors!

Have fun with it! If you decide to make this wreath,

send me a link to your blog and show me!

I'd love to see your variation!

I'm linking up to-

Topsy Turvy Tuesday at I'm Topsy Turvy

Get Your Craft On at TCB
Take a Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee
Sew Cute Tuesday at Creative Itch
Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife
Tuesday Tutorials at The Kurtz Corner
Turning the Daunting into Do-Able at The Project Queen

My $.97 Purse Reno

Note: Cute, yet shabby purse.

 Very shabby.

Again.

 I've used and loved it so much! I really didn't want get rid of it! It has the cutest matching wallet, too! And it's my favorite color!

I was at JoAnn's looking for a way to salvage it and found these wooden handles in the clearance bin. They were marked down to $3.97 (which I was thrilled with), but when I checked out, they ended up being only $.97!!! Score! I took them home and painted them to match!

 Cheap, acrylic paint. I mixed these three colors to get the perfect shade.

 I used the same paint, only a metalic brown to dab on the spot where the leather came off. 

 A little satin finish clear coat, and voila!

 My cute purse has been given a second life for $.97 plus a little paint I already had!

 I'm a happy girl again!