Stories Not Stuff....A Very Merry Christmas Story!

This year for Christmas, I was torn for what to do for my darling kids. We have enough "stuff"...really I think most people do these days.  With college not too far off for my oldest and home, I decided to do something extra special for her and her sister to commemorate this last full calendar year before she heads off to her very own adventure.  But I did it with a special story, and of course, a craft.

So my kiddos are Disney freaks.  Really.  They love love love the magic that Disney creates from parks to movies to music and beyond.  Mia's favorite movie is "Up", as it reminds her of my dad, and the importance of finding and truly living your adventure.  As I thought and thought...and searched for my signature magic, I had an aha moment!

What if under the tree this year there was adventure, instead of the things that are so quickly forgotten?  What if we instead of another "thing" to keep time occupied and away from each other, we decided to give the gift of time instead?  I mean, in 5 or 10 years, who is really going to keep track of trinkets that were wrapped in sparkly paper anyway?

So...I went to work on magic.  I wanted to create an adventure, which means I needed a book to keep track of it all.  THE "Adventure" book from Up was it!  I called my son, the biggest Disney fan of all and he checked the official World of Disney store for such thing.  It didn't exist.  Then I went searching online.  I found a few here and there.  One on Ebay, a few of Etsy.  But they were expensive!  Some nearly $300!  No way will that do for me.

I reached in my magic bag of resources and found a few contacts, visited an art store, found paper and leather twine...and my thought transformed from idea to reality.

Then, I searched out activities we could do that are different from normal things we do.  Museums, special discount passes for a Visit Salt Lake pass, a swim in a crater, a scuba class, a ghost hunt....any thing I could find.  I printed a letter that explained the purpose of our adventure and why their time with me was far more valuable than any shiny, high tech object.  And I know, in years to come, this silly little craft project of mine will bring tears, giggles and wonderful memories about the year I did Christmas very differently.

Happy Holidays, everyone.  May you always find magic and your adventure!

XOXO,

The Redo Redhead

Poinsettas and Painting....

Well...let me start of by qualifying "Poinsettias"...it is basically a Mimosa with cranberry juice.  And that started off our day!

Ms. Karen, as always had great ideas for what we were going to do.  She had been looking out for cool canvases.  I found these 2 long, thin ones at DI for $1.50 a piece.  They had already been painted over so I was trying to decide what to do.  After the 2nd Poinsettia and visiting the paint in her garage, I decided I could use what was there.

First, I completely forgot to take before pics.  Way to go me!  Second, I painted over the cursive words of motivation someone else had made.  Not that it wasn't lovely.  Just not what I needed.

Next, I cut my original template.  I know, I know.  Ruining things.  But that is ok.  Our magical way makes it easy to replace.

And then I painted.  First, a wine bottle on the chevron canvas.  As I looked at it, I knew I would have to switch the hardware, being that it went sideways instead of up and down.  NP...a screwdriving and ....WAIT!  SIDEWAYS?  Isn't that a cool movie about wine?  I remember it. Perfect!  And what a perfect saying!!

So next, I took the second canvas and my cool stencil technique and voila!  The best, most creative wine saying since, well, 2004 when the movie was released!

And a cute little canvas pair was born!  LOVE!!!

When in doubt don't throw it out. Ok maybe..

So Sunday (well last week really) I was inspired by one friend to help with some makeover touch ups for a party.  One of the things she talked about was a certain piece of artwork for over her fireplace.  I knew of an UBER creative from Facebook that can transform old wood pallets into anything ***Insert props for Pallet Luv here*** and thought that might be super cool.  But then I remembered a friend I met earlier this year.  He owns a craft supply business that specializes in stencil masks.  Basically a positive of a stencil.  So, my most brilliant crafting friend, Karen, invited me over to play.  Using her digital cutter, we experimented with some cool lay outs and found a way to make an effective mask of our own.  Don't get me wrong.  Hazel and Ruby's masks are first on my list and now that I know this is possible, I will be hoping for a Santa sleigh delivery of all of their cool products.  In the meantime, though, we managed to come up with a process that worked, added to it a $3 pre-printed canvas from Savers and my love of chalk paint and VOILA!  A new technique was born!!!  And although not the right shape or size for above the fireplace, the inspiration has me moving in that direction!

Basically this:

Turned into THIS!!!

So, the moral of this story?  There is almost something good in everything we don't want anymore.  I'm guessing the donor of this little canvas might think differently of it now (unless he/she doesn't love wine nearly as much as I do).  And this isn't an invite to horde our crap either.  In fact, I find the more I let go of old stuff, the more wonderful things come to me.  Just a reminder to look at things a little differently.

So here's to friends and inspiration and wickedly awesome craft nights.  And of course, a good year!

Now I'll drink to that!

XOXO,

The Redo Rehead!

Yep...It's Been A While...

So I haven't posted in ages.  Not that I stopped creating, but momentum of life changed a bit and I began to forget the value of creation.  At least for me.  A wise friend of mine told me once that she observed such a change in me when I created.  She said it acted much like therapy.  Rather than disappearing, being mean, or becoming introverted when I needed a time out, I would simply put that energy into creating.  And oh boy did I create....I've lost count on the things I've redone.

Well here it is, almost 2 years, actually since my last post.  My life is changed.  My kiddos have gotten older.  My work is much much different than it was, less passionate than in years past for sure.  I have learned to settle in being solo....not an easy task for me!  But the constant rhythm, heartbeat if you will, is my need to make.  I have helped countless friends with decor. I have decoupaged my way to Dixie and I have visited more thrift shops for makeshift pallets than most people visit the park.  All on a quest to find passion. Love. Motivation. Peace. Direction. ME!

So, I will write again.  Because the only thing that makes me feel better than MAKING stuff...is talking about it.  It reminds me of value and hope and that when I set my mind to a goal, I can do anything.  Challenge me.  Call me out.  Give me a design problem that seems unsolvable.

But most importantly, welcome me back.  I've missed you!

XOXO,

The Redo Redhead

The passed few days I have been using my spare minutes to find accessories for the ROOM (yet to be named).  I have gone to Homegoods, Tuesday Morning, Pier 1, World Market, even Target and all of my local haunts and NOTHING.  I mean...NOTHING.  I found a throw pillow, but only one and I need to give it company in a bad way, as pillows and other accessories will bring color to the room.  So tonight Mia said...let's go out for a bit.  And where did she suggest?  The DI.  I don't go there as often I as used to and when I have...I leave less than inspired, but I did it anyway.  GUESS WHAT?  It was perfect timing.  Tonight, they had modern looking mercury glass lamp.....ohhhhhhhhhh!  I couldn't believe it.  I will probably change the shade to bring color, but I love love love it.  In fact, I love it so much, I almost bought another one like it online for $75.  Today's DI price? $10.  But most importantly, the style it gives the un-revealed room?  PRICELESS!

I am hoping this lamp and the deal it represented means my luck is about to turn around.  I am SOOOO enjoying this creative process.  Btw, stay tuned.  I just redid a chandelier that I will do a little tutorial on and I am thinking of doing a contest to name my new "lounge" room.

TTFN...SO Excited!

So doing my best to keep up with my budget so I know where I am, I decided that I am gonna take a minute and jot it all down:

• Started with my $100 in birthday cash
• Added $250 for sold table and wine barstools
• Spent $180 for new table, 6 new stools and ottoman for the lounge
• Sold 2 of the 6 new stools (the ones I wasn't sure about) for a profit of $40
• Sold my old bedroom chair $75
• Bought $10 in misc stuff at Home Depot (Metallic paint and bulbs)
• Just barely sold my glass bookshelf for $100
• Looking like now I have a whole bunch of new things AND $375 still to spend
• Still have vintage desk to be sold, 2 bookshelves, a vintage door and HUGE silk plants since I am going fresh and probably lots of misc stuff I can't think about right now!

The best part of all of this is that I am cleaning house, purging and really getting to some of the projects I have been procrastinating for a long time.  My spirit has been held down and this has really taken a huge weight off me and allowed me to FLY!  

Well, I have to say I am totally loving my mojo.  I had a little help today and with $180 of the $250 extra budget I got from selling the old diggs, I got ALL of this:

• New to me PERFECT table for my kitchen
• 2 new bar height stools for the island
• 4 new counter height stools for the lounge room (I couldn't decide what color, so I bought both)
• A cute little ottoman/table thing to accommodate for my guests when needed.

So I still have my original $100 and $70 leftover moola and the BEST part?  I have 4 old bar stools to sell (very cute ones, but no longer needed), 2 bookshelves and some vintage goodies to sell.  So I will have the budget I need for the BEST part...Decor.  Throw pillows, lamps (you all know I'm addicted) mirrors, artwork.  All the fun stuff needed to really personalize my space.  

Now for you, the time is to wait.   We are probably a week or so from at least a partial reveal.  Depends on what I can find for the right price.  But everything is looking amazing!  I am very excited and SUPER pumped to prove that you really can change your space on a super limited budget!