Just a review of a few holiday goodies . . .

I wish I had more time for you people. My peeps. My voyeurs into my sawdust covered garage. But having kids is crazy, if you didn't know that already. So super busy with them and this awesome business, The Reclaimed Life, I've got no time to write.

Perhaps that can be the first of my New Year's resolutions . . . . ever. Like ever.

In the meantime, I'm bringing back a few of my holiday posts. I hope they are helpful.

Until the next time . . . . .

Debbie

Super Simple Holiday Display

and

String Your Lights Like Rockefeller

One Board Challenge - BOOM!

I follow blogs and one of my favorites is That's My Letter. Jamie is so super creative that I can't get enough of her! Recently she posted a One Board Challenge that is being hosted by a number of blogs.  Winning a chance at $1000 in Ryobi tools . . . . yup, I'm in.

The challenge was to take a 1 X 8 X 8 foot board and make something with it. Here's the guinea pig:

And here is the end product

:

I made our own wall hanging side table!

The challenge allowed you to embellish your piece, so I wanted lighting! I loved the look of this outside wall light. There will be a tutorial to follow in the future on how to make your own table and wire in your favorite light.

I wanted the wood to looked aged, so I "beat it up" using hammer, nails, and screw drivers. After applying the stain, those nicks really popped.

The only leftover wood was a small 3X21" piece.

We just love it. This works perfectly for those small spaces next to beds where you need somewhere to drop your phone, glasses or reading books.

Jamie and the other blogs will be announcing the winner on October 26th, so check her out to see who won! (**fingers crossed**)

Have a fabulous day,

Debbie

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From Rags to Riches

I love the Habitat for Humanity Re Store. If you don't live near one, I'm feeling kind of bad for you. Walking around there on rainy days and finding steals on hanging lamps and buying up shot glasses I didn't know I needed to have. And all the profits go to building houses in our local area. Love it.

Well, I went there with a purpose one afternoon. We were renovating the lower level to our chalet which included a new bathroom and I needed a vanity. I wanted something solid, but knew I could work magic with it if I had to.

And I had to.

It was a solid oak cabinet but pretty boring. And it had a hole in the side (as you can see), but that part was going against the wall, so it was not a bother.

Abracadabra . . . . . . . .

Trim. That's what made this baby pop. Oh, and paint with glaze too. That kind of helped.

I had scoured Houzz for some inspiration ideas. I came across a vanity with the lovely trim on the side. That's where I got the idea to beef up the cabinet. It is simply attached with glue and brad nails. To highlight the trim, I added glaze after painting. I think it really makes it pop.

I also gave it some new "feet". I wrapped the bottom with baseboard that I cut out in the front to make it kind of fancy.

I love this bathroom. I was going for the clean, in the woods, relaxed by the lake kind of feel. I also built the shelf, the bench, and the doggies decor (missing from pic). Will share on another post I get to in about 6 months! Ugh.

There is always a way to dress up plain Jane. :)

Have a great day,

Debbie

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 By Design

More and more signs

So sorry I've been MIA. I guess I can say that I've just been so busy. With lots and lots of custom work. Maybe it was this little piece on NH Chronicle that gave me a bit of exposure.

While I scramble to get my life together, here is a little bit of what has been keeping me away from you. :)

Made this and the following sign for a boy's room . . . . can you guess the theme? Inspiration pics were found from a friend on Interest. Gotta love that Interest.

This one was created with exact specifications from a customer for their store.

And this baby was massive and I had a lot of fun making it. I grew up on Cape Cod and can find connections to every town on this sign. Can't wait to get a photo of it hanging in the customer's house.

Who says you can't put your house number on a whale? Not me.

There you have it. My full excuse why I've been to busy to write. Promise (**fingers crossed**) that I won't stay away so long next time. 

Have a fabulous day,

Debbie

A Sign from the Heart

I have a friend who is running the Boston Marathon. That just seems crazy to me. I run . . . but it's a struggle to keep my mind off the fact that I'm slamming my feet into the ground, constantly thinking about how many more steps I have until I'm finished.

But this friend is running for a cause . . . kids who have cancer. That hits home for me since my son battled leukemia less than 2 years ago. No child and family should have to battle that horrible disease and the only way to combat it is research, research, research. And that takes money. John is doing his part. And now I'll do mine.

I created these signs, costing $26.20 each with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Program at Mass General Hospital for Children.

If interested in purchasing a sign for this charity, you can find them here on my Etsy page.

If you would like to donate directly to John's cause, please go to this link.

Thanks everyone and have a great day,

Debbie

Ping Pong Sign

After visiting my sister and her family, I got to see their new basement renovation, featuring a ping pong room. I had forgotten we had one in our basement as a kid. It was very nostalgic and thrilling to see these teenagers enjoy the game as much as I did at their age. They are an athletic family and talked about how cool it would be to have a hockey rink sign, with all it's warnings, but not for hockey, but ping pong. No such sign existed. Until now.

I framed it out and then distressed it a bit. I wanted the sign to look worn, like something you would see from the movie Ice Castles. Yup, I'll admit it right here. Loved that movie.

My niece and nephews are perfect little dorks.

Here they are in action (bet you didn't think I would post this Samantha):

Haley came back from the weekend obsessed with ping pong. We don't have the room for a full sized table, but they are happy with this one. :)

I not only need a sign for our room, but a helmet as well.

Have a fabulous day,

Debbie

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Gingersnap Crafts
DIY By Design
DIY Dreamer

Racing Bib holder on reclaimed wood

OMG. I just realized that I had no posts in November. Life just got away from me. Honestly, I thought by now, I could be posting 2-3 times a week. HA! I guess I (and you) will just have to be happy with the occasional monthly post. :)

I hate throwing away my running bibs. On down days, I could always look at them and say, "See, you did that." Then I'd have another cupcake. Anyway, they have been stored in between pages of my notebook for years and then I thought they would make a great display.

After deconstructing a pallet, I used some of the larger pieces of wood to make these displays. The hooks along the top left are obviously for holding the running bibs and the hooks along the bottom are for hanging medals (you've scored the jackpot if you get a medal AND a T-shirt).

After sanding down each piece very well, I just used paint and THIS technique for making the lettering.

I love this: I Did It. And I'll do it again. It's so bad ass.

This sign is one I have to keep reminding friends who worry about their times:

You don't need a Silhouette machine to cut out your fancy fonts either. You can just type it out in a word processing program, shade the back of the paper with pencil, then transfer it onto your board. If you want one for yourself or a friend, and just say the heck with making them on your own, you can purchase them here and here in my shop.

Well, off to sign up for more races to fill up my racing bib holder. Because . . . . you know . . . . I did it . . . . and I'll do it again. :)

Have a splendid day,

Debbie

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Not Just a Housewife
Gingersnap Crafts
Savvy Southern Style
Upcycled Treasures
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
DIY By Design
The DIY Dreamer
Coastal Charm
A Stroll Thru Life
Our Home Away From Home