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Check(er) Book

Published on August 9, 2013August 9, 2013 by Our Humble Abode12 Comments

After sharing the tic tac toe board I got a crazy idea to make a checkerboard. Out of a book. While out looking for more bathroom stuff (tile and lights) I picked up a large hardcover book for a buck fifty.

Checker boards are 8 squares wide and lucky for me, my book was just a little wider than 8 inches. So I taped off the edges and marked my grid, using a pencil to draw right on the book.

Then I used craft paint to fill in every other box until I had a checker board. Twelve white rocks and twelve gray rocks from our yard serve as mini game pieces. At least for now. Maybe I’ll get glass pebble vase filler. Beach glass or seashells could be neat, too.

V still doesn’t completely understand how to play, but we’re having fun.

And when we’re done playing, we can stash the pieces, er rocks, inside. That’s right, I made a game board book box following these same steps. Yes, I realize I’m completely crazy.

Now we have a discreet checker board that looks completely at home on a stack of books.

And we can easily flip it over to play a game.

Who’s up for a game of checkers? And what are your weekend plans?

Tic Tac Toe

Published on August 7, 2013August 7, 2013 by Our Humble Abode2 Comments

You know who uses my phone almost more than I do? My kids. To play games. V recently found Where’s My Water and has been obsessed with it. While I can’t buy or make a real version, I can make some of the other games they like. Tic tac toe being one of them. I actually got the idea when I walked through Michael’s wooden craft department and saw two for 99 cents letters.

A scrap of 1/8 inch craft plywood (excess from this silhouette art) to make the base and a piece of 3/8 inch square trim from Home Depot.

With the front already stained, I pre painted the square trim before using wood glue to attach it along the outer edges. Then I painted both sides of the letters and taped off the grid to paint.

I found a few wooden nickels in my craft stash so I glued those to the bottom to act as feet.

We’ve already had a few tic tac toe lessons and tournaments.

V is learning to play checkers so I want a cute checker board, too. I’m thinking the new table base would make a great game spot, so I filled a few bowls with game pieces and metal puzzles.

Now to get that top cut and ready. What are your family’s favorite games?

Three Thrifts Under 45

Published on August 5, 2013August 5, 2013 by Our Humble Abode21 Comments

Thrifting, obviously, is a game of luck. Often, usually when looking for something, I strike out. But sometimes, sometimes, I hit gold. And that’s what happened last week. While running around town sourcing the perfect tile for the impending master bathroom remodel, the boys and I stopped in Goodwill. Just as I was about to leave, I saw a folded wooden…thing.

Curious, I opened it. Turns out, it was a funky little table. With all legs hinging at a center point. I’ve never seen a base quite like this.

The table base (no top in sight) was priced at $17.99. I liked the lines and unique design, so I brought it to the check out counter and asked if they could give a discount because it was just the base. The nice gal lowered the price to $9.99 without a return. Sold!

Tip: when thrifting, pointing out the problems of a piece might get you a lowered price.

I’m nearly certain this neat base will live in the family room. On Facebook, a few people suggested a remnant marble top. While I really, really love that idea, I don’t think this base could support that much weight. Boo!

Instead, I think I’ll cut a piece of MDF to size, paint it a poppy color, and call it a day. Light weight, affordable, easy to change.

On Friday, we shopped for a countertop and stopped in another thrift store along the way. And that’s where I found a chrome X base and glass top dining table. For 30 bucks! I had to get it. On my way to pay for it, I saw a sign for 25% off all furniture. Even better, I had a $5 off coupon, so I got this beaut for $17.49.

Eventually I think this will be an outdoor table. Until then, it’s replacing the ugly but functional folding table we had in the dining room. Sure, this is smaller (way too small for the room) but it looks so much better.

After our countertop search, we popped in ReStore where I found a lovely brass and wood light fixture.

This too was marked at $30.00, but is missing a few pieces. Using my ‘point out what’s wrong’ method, I asked about a discount. How ’bout half off? You bet.

I had high hopes for this one, but now I’m not so sure. To use it in the dining room, I’d have to get a 13 inch longer down rod. Which would also require a new, longer wire. Is it worth it? Also, we’re 98% sure the bulbs are halogen, which isn’t ideal for a dining light. So, what do I do with this guy?

Gimme a Giveaway: Juneberry Stitches

Published on August 2, 2013September 27, 2013 by Our Humble Abode130 Comments

This giveaway is closed. Thanks for entering! See who won here.

Happy first Friday in August! We’re got a lovely giveaway from a wonderful shop, Juneberry Stitches.

Juneberry Stitches is a sweet shop packed with beautiful burlap linen goodies. Beautiful bags, like the Linen Burlap Hobo Bag:

Fun, beach-perfect totes like the Green Striped Linen Burlap Tote:

Cute clutches (a perfect size to double as a make up bag) in a variety of colors like this Emerald Green Burlap Ruffle Zipper Clutch:

Store a laptop or iPad in this Oversized Linen Burlap Zipper Clutch with Vintage Doily:

Heck, store mail in a fabric bin like the Burlap Basket Vintage Doily Medium:

What are you waiting for? Start commenting for your chance to win!

The Goods: One $60 shop credit good for or toward anything in the Juneberry Stitches shop.

To Enter: Leave a comment, which can (but doesn’t have to) include our Just for Fun question.

Just for Fun: Tell us your favorite vintage item. Something passed down from a relative? An awesome flee market or thrift find?

For additional entries:

1. Add Juneberry Stitches to your Etsy Favs and leave a second comment.

2. Like Juneberry Stitches on Facebook, leaving a separate comment.

3. Like Our Humble Abode on Facebook, and comment again to increase your chances of winning.

Contest Closes: Thursday, August 29th, 2013.

Number of Winners: One lucky guy or gal.

Ships: Globally, so you international folks, comment away!

Other Info: We will select the winners using random.org and announce on Friday, August 30th. Seacrest, out!

Do the Polka

Published on July 31, 2013July 31, 2013 by Our Humble Abode13 Comments

Dots, that is, thanks to Ikea. The boys and I made a somewhat impromptu trip to Minnesota to visit family and friends. Trips back always include an Ikea run, this time looking for pillow inserts and a rug. The lovely as ever Shavonda super sweetly sent me two Lappljung Ruta covers, so I bought two inserts.

While I’m super impressed with the cover quality (especially for ten bucks!), I’m not as happy with the Inner inserts. I guess for $2.99 I can’t really complain. Unfortunately, I bought two thinking they’d nicely fill each pillow. Wrong. I had to use both for one plump pillow. Now I’m wishing I hadn’t been in such a hurry, because the Fjädrar down inserts are only $6.99. Oh well, I can always make an insert.

As for rug shopping, I checked out the Magical Thinking Triangle Chain Rug, but didn’t love it for 89 bucks. When I stumbled on the Ullgump Dot Rug for only $19.99, I had to get it.

Polka dots are fun, but don’t clash with the striped curtains.

Orange isn’t a prominent color in our house, but it’s slowly growing on me. Just like the orange background of the Green Eggs and Ham painting.

Rather than spending more money on a large (8 by 10 or larger) rug, I decided to get something smaller to fit between the beds. I don’t think I’d be willing to put any more of this bold color on the floor.

My other option was a 5 by 8 blue and cream flat weave chevron rug from Home Goods for $69. It was super tempting, but I wasn’t thrilled with how thin it was. Even hanging, the corners and edges had begun to curl.

Aside from three zoo trips, a Mall of America day (with a quick Ikea stop before), mini golf, and a few beach days, I helped my sister with a few projects. This two tone dresser is hers:

While visiting with my interior designer cousin, she told me about a product, Wall Flats that she just used in a house.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t stop thinking of these light weight panels. Ready to paint and much lower commitment than tile, tack to the wall in each corner and you’re done.