Week #2

Hello!  Welcome to week two of the Redesign project.  Rollers and Brushes this week for the the wall in the kitchen.  I'll have a photo update next week about the kitchen.  If you missed week one read this article first.  It explains the whole plan.

What I'd like to talk about this week is more of a share.  As some of you may know I'm a bit obsessed with rugs and different ways to make rugs.  I just love them and more than anything I just love that if you are willing to put the time in, you can make one of your own!  Last night while surfing I found a fantastic site!  I am so drooling over how simple and fun their process is, and it wouldn't take long at all to make one of these beauties.  Check out Vecco and all of their awesomeness!

Another way to make your own rug with little investment and easy to find tools is to crochet a rug. Check out these beauties on Etsy.  All you need to crochet your own rug is strips of material, cut or torn into 1" strips (sheets work very well) and an extra large crochet hook.  Sugar Bee Crafts breaks it down for you.

As the redesign as I have the time project continues check back to see what kind of rugs I make for my own home.  Will I Vecco?  Crochet?  Toothbrush Rug?  Needlepoint?  Locker Hook?  Punch needle? So many to try!

Next week a tutorial on Needlepointing a basket with yarn and plastic canvas.

MBU House - Week #1

Here is the plan - Redesign as I have the time.  

I am a stay at home mom of three, with a home that is a bit homely if you will.  Don't get me wrong, I love my house, but I'd love it more with a fresh coat of paint and a chance to craft something for every room. Made By U - DIY Craft Studio becomes the MBU - DIY House!  So with a wicked laugh I have brewed up a plan that will take a long time but, in the end I will have something I love.  I invite you to join me.  

Here's the skinny:

• Redesign my house one wall at a time.
• Each week take $20 and put it towards a wall and it's projects.
• If a project or a wall will cost more than $20 to complete, then I will buy as many materials as I can each week, until all the materials are assembled. ( Cause let's face it paint is more than $20 a can)
• To avoid being overwhelmed each project will be chosen one wall at a time
• No moving on from the wall until it is complete.
• Finish every room in my house by the time my 21 month old is in school. ( 3 years - told you it was going to take a long time)

I know, I know the math is a bit scary.  Redesigning my whole house, wall by wall, for just $20 a week, with three kids, and a husband, and a dog!  Bananas!  But I'm crafty what can I say.  

This week I chose a simple project and also a very short wall, we will call it W#1.  W#1 is a wall in my kitchen that I painted with primer almost two years ago and never painted it a final color because I could never choose one I liked.  Until today!  My inspiration and motivation was the large cork board that has hung in my kitchen since the day we moved in.  As cork boards do - it has changed many times over the years but most recently I had it plastered with photos of my kids and nephews.  Not that they aren't cute to look at - but I always needed a place to tack up odds and ends, and the fridge is a no go in my house because as you may know, toddlers love to steal anything from the fridge.  So down came the photos and I was left with a very boring old cork board

I was convinced that I had nothing around to put towards the project but I decided to pick through my fabric stash instead of doing dishes.  Boy am I glad I did, a square of fabric that never seemed interesting suddenly was perfect.  Tea Pots!  Now, what I did with my cork board we have all seen before, but it is just so cute and I just had to do it.  Now I have a color palette for my kitchen to boot.

A quick material list for those of you who haven't made or seen one of these bad boys up close.

• Cork board
• material large enough to cover the area
• pins
• ribbon

Simply cut, pin, cut, pin.  TA - DA!

Next week I will buy rollers and tape, so I can work towards painting the wall behind my lovely cork board.  Check back for updates on the "redesign as I have the time" project continues. Week #1 down 155 weeks to go.  Total money spent $0.00