High School Graduate DIY Survival Kit {diy, craft, gift}

In college I learned I could get by on $30 a month for groceries.  In college I learned I could work more, study more, and have more fun with friends than I thought possible.  In college I learned that I should think before acting b/c the consequences can be painful and long lasting.  In college I learned that even the hardest classes still only last 4 months and you just have to hang on.  

College, and those early working years as an elementary school teacher, provided a lot of lessons learned.  I loved those years of learning more about myself and what I was capable of.  I truly hope the high school kids I interact with at school or at church can make fewer mistakes than I did and learn who they are and what they are capable of. 

When I was 17 I had a teacher at church that gave me this small Survival Kit.  It was similar to the kit shown above.  I don't remember all the items and lessons those items taught, but I remember looking back at the survival kit for many years after I received it.  

I teach junior and seniors in high school at church.  Many of the kids are graduating this week, and moving onto bigger and better things.  I gave them my version of a High School Graduate Survival Kit.  I also gave a little info or story to go with why that lesson is important to surviving the storms of life.  

When I scoured Pinterest I found some okay ideas for Survival Kits, but nothing I felt was really good to go like I was hoping.  Therefore, I made what I consider to be the best survival kit for high school graduates moving onto the next phase.  This kit has some candy and all of the items are easy to find and not expensive.  This kit has some fun reminders as well as deep and meaningful lessons.  I'm telling you, this kit has it all and it is good to go.    

You can print off the bag label/descriptions here; it is a document you can edit if there is something you want to remove, add, or edit.  

In regards to the Survival Kit, I placed all of the items in a sandwich bag, and handed a bag to each of the kids as we had a great lesson.

May this Survival Kit be helpful, and may it make your life a little easier b/c it is already done.  

Happy Do It Yourself Survival Kit Making and Teenage Influencing!

$5 DIY Father's Day Gift- A Personalized Finger Painting

Father's Day is coming up.  I swear it sneaks up on me faster and faster each year, or maybe it's the more kids you have the quicker time goes.  How do people with more than 3 kids do anything at all?

This Father's Day I decided a personalized finger painted picture by the kids would be the best gift.  I didn't have a lot of time, and I'm running short on funds. 
  
This $5 DIY Father's Day Gift is easy to make, takes only a few supplies, clean up is a snap, and the kids love finger painting.  In only a few minutes and a few bucks you'll have a personalized handmade gift this year.

Here's the quick tutorial/how to:

What You Need:

• Blank Canvas Picture: You can get any canvas size.  I found a 12x12 inch canvas at JoAnns, and I could use a coupon making it less than $5. 
• Finger Paint: Any colored paint you want.  I used some Crayola Finger Paint I had on hand b/c it is washable and ideal for a 4, 3, and 7 month old to paint with.  However, you can use whatever paint you want.
• Painters Blue Tape: you won't need a lot of tape, but enough to make the design you want.  

 DIY Personalized Father's Day Painting How To:

1. Take your blank canvas and use the blue tape to make your desired design.  Put the blue tape where ever you want white to appear  
2. I did at times cut the blue tape in half or even fourths to get the desired width.
3. Lay the canvas on a trash bag, and place some finger paint on paper plates. 
4. Let your kids start painting; be sure they cover the entire canvas.  A lesson I learned while my kids painted is to have a lot of baby wipes on hand.  Seven month olds like to put their hands everywhere.   
5. When done painting let the picture dry completely before removing blue tape.

That's all.  This is a crafty/artsy gift even non crafty or artistic people can do.  Trust me.  You are now done with a perfect handmade Father's Day gift.

Holler with questions, otherwise... 

Happy inexpensive DIY Father's Day Finger Painting Gift  making and enjoying!  

Happy Father's Day! 

Cold Summer Bean Salad w/ a Kick {Gluten Free}

In less than a week we'll be celebrating one of my favorite holidays.  I love Memorial Dayfor so many reasons.  It's usually the end of the school year, it's warming up and becoming time to play outside, and in Denver there is a huge 10k race (Boulder Boulder) that was an absolute blast to run.  If you are near Denver, you should plan on running this race.  The people watching alone makes it worth it, but the crowds often times provide some interesting refreshments ("Magic Brownies" and Beer they say to help you carb load) throughout the race. 

I love this holiday, and I love this Cold Summer Bean Salad w/ a Kick.  I love the BBQ's and fun that go on to kick the summer off right.  I love that this easy bean salad is diet friendly, flavorful, can be made ahead, and the perfect compliment to any summer meal.  

I love healthy no-bake salads, and I love how quick and easy it is to whip this salad up. 

Happy almost summer time, and happy Memorial Day! 

Cold Summer Bean Salad w/ a Kick
Recipe: Alohamora slightly adapted from Allrecipes
Active Time: 15 minutes
Inactive Time: 1 hour
Servings: About 6 cups

Ingredients: 
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 c. roasted corn (frozen from Trader Joes, fresh, or 1 can of corn drained)
1 can (10 oz) Rotel or diced tomatoes with green chili or cilantro w/ lime
1/2 c. bell pepper (orange or yellow), diced
1/4 c. red onion, diced
3 Tbsp white vinegar
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp ground cumin (more or less depending on desired spiciness)
Salt/pepper to taste

Directions: 

1. In a medium bowl mix the first five ingredients together. 
2. In a mug or small measuring cup mix/whisk the remaining ingredients together until the sugar is dissolved. 
3. Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and stir to combine everything. 
4. Cover the bowl, and place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or longer if needed.  Feel free to make this a day or so ahead of time. 
5. Enjoy! 
6. Store leftovers in the fridge. 

Happy Cold Summer Bean Salad eating!

Quick & Healthy Bean Tacos

These Quick and Healthy Bean Tacos are the best.  They are perfect for a weeknight meal, and it can be made in less than 30 minutes. Winner!

These tacos are full of healthy good ingredients aka clean eating, and they are delicious! Another winner! 

We, including my husband, who is a definite meat eater, and my kids, love this meatless vegetarian dinner.  You can dip chips, use this bean filling in a salad, or make tacos with it (our favorite way to eat it).  It's versatility is another bonus. 

I LOVE healthy eating, and I love quick and easy meals to make!

This one is a winner!

Quick and Healthy Bean Tacos
Recipe: Alohamora slightly adapted from Annie's Eats
Active Time: 20 minutes
Inactive Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:
1 tsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp chili powder 
1/2 chipotle pepper minced in adobo sauce 
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained1/3 c. water
6 Tbsp salsa

Optional ingredients for Serving:
6-10 corn tortillas, warmed.
Cheese, shredded
Tomatoes, diced
Romaine lettuce, chopped
Green onions, diced
Low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt

Directions:

1. Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  You can use a healthy serving of olive oil cooking spray instead. 
2. Add the garlic chili powder, chipotle, cumin, salt, and cayenne to the pan and stir for 30 seconds. 
3. Add the beans and water to the pan, and bring the mixture to a boil. 
4. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer the bean mixture for 10 minutes.
5. Remove the pan from the stove and pour the bean mixture into a small to medium bowl. 
6. Add the salsa to the bean mixture in the bowl and mash the mixture using a potato masher.  You can use a fork or spoon to mash it but that is more difficult in my opinion.  You can also use an immersion blender, but be careful not to blend the bean mixture too much.
7. For serving, spoon a 1/4 cup or so of bean mixture to the center of each corn tortilla and top with whichever toppings you desire.  You can dip chips into this, or enjoy this with a salad. 
8. Enjoy! 
9. Store leftovers in the refrigerator/fridge. 

Happy Quick and Healthy Bean Tacos or salad or dip eating! 

DIY Magnetic Picture Board

I've been working on my entry area of my home for awhile.  I didn't want to just put something there and not love it, and I always want functional items that are fun and feel like my personality.   

I eventually found a bench with drawers underneath at a garage sale and painted it yellow.  I love the fun bright color, and the useful drawers to hide backpacks and tutoring materials.

I also found a round side table on Craigslist and of course painted it, and then a basket to hold shoes.  The only thing I was missing on my entry area was something great on the wall.  I knew I wanted a mirror, and to somehow showcase pictures easily.  I wanted those pictures to be easily rotated and switched around.  

Eventually, I came up with a DIY Magnetic Picture Board that can be made in 10 minutes for less than $20.  It's easy, fun, and functional.  I'm a big fan.  

Our entry wall was made with items on sale and/or refurbished, and I absolutely love it all!   

I did tell you, this DIY Magnetic Picture Board is incredibly fast and easy to make.  GIve it a go; you'll love it too!

Here's the quick tutorial.

What You Need:

• Picture Frame: you want to get a frame the same size as the sheet metal.  I found 12x12 inch frames at JoAnns, and there were two different coupons I could use (they take competitor coupons in case you didn't know) making them $10 each. 
• Sheet Metal: you want to get sheet metal that is the same size as your picture frame.  I found 12x12 sheet metal at Home Depot, and overall any home improvement store will have what you need.  Though, I found the best selection at Home Depot.  They had a variety to choose from, and it was only $6.  You can also go to a local metal shop and get sheet metal cut to a specific size. 
• Picture Prints: have a few pictures printed out that you want to display. 
• Magnets: used to hold your pictures up.  

 DIY Magnetic Picture Board How To:

1. Take your picture frame and remove the glass insert.
2. Place your sheet metal into the frame where the glass once was. 
3. Place the backing of the picture onto the back of the sheet metal. 
4. Hang the Magnetic Picture Board where ever your heart desires. 
5. Place your pictures and magnets in whatever fashion. I printed pictures at Costco and had my little Instagram magnetic pictures printed from Sticky9.

Seriously, that's all.  Buy a picture frame, insert sheet metal, hang your frame, place your pictures on it. It's all easy peasy fabulous, fun, and functional. 

Holler with questions, otherwise... 

Happy DIY Magnetic Picture Board making and enjoying!  

Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos, Nachos, or Salad

Let me just say, you absolutely need this easy to throw in the Crock-Pot/Slow-Cooker, healthy, flavorful, super tasty, and so incredibly flexible chicken recipe.  You can make this Slow-Cooker Chicken for Tacos, Nachos, Salad, Dip and so much more.

I love it, and I am sure you will too!  

Life gets busy sometimes pretty much all of the time.  This meal is perfect for those busy days, and it makes our dinner menu on a weekly basis b/c of it's flexibility and how fast it is to throw together.  Kids love it, the hubs loves it, and I love it... b/c really what's not to love.    

You know, Cinco de Mayo is coming up.  If you are looking for an easy meal for the night... look no further.  However, I'm sure once you have this chicken once you won't be able to wait for special occasions like Cinco de Mayo to enjoy it again.  

Slow-Cooker Chicken Tacos
Recipe: Alohamora
Active Time: 15 minutes 
Inactive Time: 4+ hours

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients: 

2 chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
2 Tbsp taco seasoning (1/2 package)
1 c. salsa
3/4 c. plain Greek yogurt
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained

Directions: 

1. Place the chicken, frozen or thawed, into the bottom of the crock-pot. 
2. Put the taco seasoning on top of the chicken. 
3. Finally, pour the salsa over the top of it all.  You can use fruit or veggie salsa; both kinds are delicious. 
4. Close the lid and cook it in the crock-pot on low for 4-6 hours.  If the chicken is frozen lean more to 6 hours of cook time. 
5. When chicken is cooked, use two forks and shred the chicken right in the crock-pot. 
6. Stir the Greek yogurt and the black beans into the shredded chicken and let it cook in the crock-pot for another 10 minutes or so.  It really is just to warm it all together.  
7. Enjoy your chicken!  
8. If you are making tacos serve it with warm tortillas, lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, green onions, and shredded cheese.  You could take out the warm tortillas from the previous list and make an awesome chicken taco salad.  As a dip serve the chicken with tortilla chips.  Really, the possibilities are endless... quesadillas, burritos, nachos, and more.  
9. Refrigerate leftover chicken.  

Easy peasy meal.  Enjoy!     

DIY the Perfect Tablecloth

I love tablecloths.  They keep the table looking nice, the toddlers can "accidentally" make a mess on them, and I can just toss them in the washer with no harm done.  Green smoothies seem to be the biggest culprit for a tablecloth change in our house.  

I have come to really love the convenience of a tablecloth, but to be honest there was a time where I couldn't find a tablecloth I liked in the size I needed.  It was kind of ridiculous.

I feel there were/are way too many old lady, way too nice lacy/frilly, tablecloths out in the world when really I just wanted something that looked nice, young, fun, fit my table, and did the job.  If I did find an okay tablecloth they were ridiculously expensive and usually not quite the size I needed.  It was kind of frustrating.   

Eventually I came to the conclusion that I was not going to find a tablecloth I liked for a price I liked, so I should just make one.  

I've made several tablecloths since that decision, and I couldn't be happier with them.  They are easy to make and very affordable... aka easy on the wallet so I can buy other fun baking items.  

First step in The Perfect Tablecloth is to buy the fabric.  

You'll have to measure your table and then add the hangover amount you would like.  The ideal hangover amount is anywhere between 8 and 10 inches on each side.  However, you can go longer depending on the look you are going for.  The longer the hangover the more formal a table can look.  With my young kids I didn't want too long of a hangover so I went with 8 inches.  

For the quick math, measure your table length and width.  Add 16 inches (b/c you want 8 on each side) to the length, and then add 2 inches for seam allowance.  That should give you the length/amount of fabric to buy.  Be sure to add a little extra to allow for shrinkage when you wash and dry the fabric.  

Don't worry if you end up with extra fabric.  I'm going to show you some fun things to do with that extra fabric.        

Now as far as type of fabric to get, you don't want a flimsy fabric but instead need something with a little weight so it keeps it's place a bit on the table and has a bit of durability to it.  Heavier fabric is pretty expensive at JoAnns even with a coupon, but Ikea actually has the most perfect tablecloth fabric.  Their fabric is super cheap, pretty decent quality, it's the heavier fabric you need/want, and they have some crazy to more toned down fabric prints to satisfy whatever your heart desires.  Seriously, head to Ikea for your fabric and you'll end up getting a tablecloth for about $7 a yard.  That's pretty darn awesome!

Second step is to wash, dry, and iron your fabric.  This is a must for any sewing project.

Third, you will want to square your fabric off.       

If you see in the picture below the fabric is shorter on one side/edge.  When you buy fabric and then wash it it doesn't end up squared and ready to sew.  Therefore you need to cut it so it is all even.   

You can do this a couple of ways, but it depends on the fabric pattern you bought.   If you bought a fabric with stripes or dots and there is a set line of sort with that pattern you can lay your fabric out flat and on one end see what line or dot you want to cut up too.  For example, on my polka dot tablecloth I found a the first row of dots that was complete and used the bottom of that dot to cut my fabric aka square my fabric off.  

If your fabric doesn't have a set pattern with distinct rows you can use the string method shown below.  On the shortest part of your fabric begin to gently pull a piece of string.  You will see this string pull across the width of your fabric.  That string will give you a squared or even "line" to cut across.   

Fourth, cut the length. 

I found it easiest to lay my fabric in fourth lengthwise (like a hotdog).  It allows me to work with the fabric a bit better.  Since my fabric is squared on one end I measured down one side the length that I need (94 inches for me) and mark that with a pin.  

Then I would measure down the other side the same amount and mark it with a pin. Finally, I would use my cutting ruler (b/c it is long enough to go from one side to the other) and cut the fabric.  

Now, you should have squared fabric on both ends.  You can do the same process with the width.  I am lucky that on the width I don't even have to cut the Ikea fabric so I just leave the selvage edges.

Fifth, iron the seams of the tablecloth. 

Using an iron and a ruler you need to iron and pin your seams.  Earlier I accounted for 2 inch seam allowances on the length.  I like to first press/iron up 3/4 of an inch, then I measure up 1 1/4 inches more and press that.  That fold prevents the fabric from fraying over time.  

I press and pin the entire seams.  As I stated earlier I don't have to cut the selvage off of the width of the tablecloth.  Therefore, I fold it up about an inch (depending on the selvage and any Ikea printing) and press the seam there.  The selvage will not fray so you don't have to worry about that edge showing.  

Sixth, pin/miter the corners.

The picture below shows the four steps to miter the corner.  First, fold up the corner about a 1/2 an inch and cut a triangle off of the top so it looks like the top left picture.  Second, fold each side in until they meet in the middle.  It should look like the bottom left picture.  Finally, pin the mitered corner.    

Seventh, sew a straight stitch around your entire tablecloth removing pins as you go. 

You do not need a fancy sewing machine or even a fancy stitch for this tablecloth.  All you need to do is sew a simple straight stitch about 1/8- 1/4 inch from the inside folded edge like you see below. 

When you get to the corner you will make a simple triangle to secure your mitered corner down.  In the top left box you will see I continued past the mitered corner line and sewed an extra 5 to 10 stitches onto the other seam.  Place your needle down into the fabric, raise your foot (but your needle is still in the fabric), turn your fabric 45 degrees like you see in top middle box, and then lower your foot.  Next, holding your reverse down sew backwards until you are about 5 or 10 stitches past the mitered line again.  Place your needle down into the fabric again, raise your foot, turn your fabric another 45 degrees (so now your have turned 90 degrees total in the same direction), and lower your foot.  Your fabric and table cloth should look like the top right picture.  Now you will be facing forward on the next side of your fabric and you can proceed to sew a simple straight stitch along the edge of the fabric.  

When complete you will now be able to see a stitch line of a triangle in your mitered corner as shown below.    

Finish sewing around your tablecloth created that triangle in each of the four mitered corners. 

Eighth, you can now enjoy your completed tablecloth that was cheap and is the perfect size for your table.  

  

To be honest, the cutting and ironing/pressing of the seams takes the longest.  For a beginner sewer like myself this tablecloth takes me no longer than 2 hours from start to finish.

PS, my kiddos love this new tablecloth fabric with all of the butterflies, bees, and ladybugs to find.   

Sweet & Simple Peanut Butter Brownies

I ran a Ragnar Relay this past weekend.  It was fun and exhausting.  I didn't mind the running; personally, the lack of sleep was the most difficult aspect of it all.  Though, I did get to enjoy a great audiobook while running.

The benefit of running so many miles in a 24 hour time period left me feeling completely justified in eating a big old piece of my No Fail Sweet & Simple Peanut Butter Brownies with ice cream and a peanut butter drizzle of course.  I mean I earned it, right?!  Or, I at least burned enough calories to counter balance it.  

As a result of being so tired from the Ragnar fun I didn't have the energy or the time, the 8pm bedtime and the 2 hour Sunday afternoon nap really limit baking time, to bake some delicious cookies I have been dreaming and thinking about this past week.

Therefore,my  no fail easy peasy delicious peanut butter brownies were the ticket.  Plus, I LOVE the peanut butter/chocolate combination.  These brownies take maybe 5 minutes to whip up, spends less than 30 minutes in the oven, and are full of fudgy peanut butter goodness that almost everyone loves.

I use these brownies for all of those days that I need a quick dessert for company or need to fill a sugar craving.  They also come in handy when I need to thank a neighbor or friend for something b/c they look fancier than normal brownies, taste delicious, and a pb chocolate combo is a winner.  I have had more than one neighbor comment that these are the best brownies they've ever had.  If they knew how easy these are to make, would it make my gratitude for their help appear less?  I sure hope not.    

All you need to make these bad boy brownies is peanut butter (creamy or crunchy) and a box brownie mix (and the ingredients that the box calls for).

I personally like the simple fudge brownies best; you can usually find them on sale for $1 at times so it makes them extra fabulous. 

Make the brownies according to the directions/ingredients on the box. However, I always use a 9x9 pan  so the brownies are thicker and more delicious.

After putting them in a sprayed pan I melt peanut butter in the microwave and then do dollops of pb on top of the brownie batter as shown below.  I have used both creamy and crunchy peanut butter.  They are both delicious; it really just depends if you are in a crunchy (peanut action in your brownies) mood or creamy mood.  Honestly, I switch and rotate often between both; it all depends on my mood for the day.     

After dolloping it up, I use the spoon I just dolloped with and swirl the peanut butter gently.  You don't want to swirl it too much to avoid mixing the peanut butter into the brownies.  The goal is to get a cool swirl design on top of the brownies.  

Finally, throw it in the oven, for much shorter than the box says and enjoy with milk, ice cream, or as a quick pre-workout snack.  Please say I am not the only one to eat brownies in the morning for a snack?

Peanut Butter Brownies

Recipe: Alohamora
Active Time: 5 minutes
Inactive Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6-8



Ingredients: 

1 box fudge brownie mix
brownie box ingredients (oil, water, and eggs)
1/4 c. peanut butter



Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 325. Grease or spray a 9x9 inch pan.  
2. Make the brownies according to the directions on the box.  Basically, mix the brownie mix, oil, water, and eggs.  If your brownie box gives two different amounts for cake or fudge like brownies always choose the fudge amounts.
3. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan. 
4. Put the peanut butter in a small bowl or ramekin.  Melt the peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds.  After pulling the peanut butter out of the microwave stir it to evenly combine everything. 
5. Place big dollops of peanut butter around the pan, and then using the same spoon gently swirl the peanut butter around the brownie batter.  You are just swirling, not mixing the peanut butter into the brownie batter.  
6. Bake at 325 for 27-32 minutes or just until the edges being to pull away from the pan and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.  
7. Let cool slightly so they come out of the pan easily and then enjoy!

DIY Striped Picture Frame

I have had the thought and idea of a gallery wall for awhile.  Once I had the idea in my head I started to look for picture frames that I thought would work in that space, with the style and colors I wanted.

I never found the perfect frames.

Then I saw plain wood frames ready to be painted or stained or whatever one desires at JoAnns.  Using a 40% off coupon on my phone from Hobby Lobby (b/c they take competitors) and a 50% off JoAnns coupon I was able to get 2 thick simple and contemporary looking frames for a 5x7 picture for less than $10 all together including tax.  Awesome!  I love cheap affordable!

My gallery wall is going to be a mix of framed and canvas pictures.  Yet again, b/c I have to live within a budget I had to do the canvas pictures myself.  When I was painting the edges of my canvas is when I painted the picture frames a base color white.  Here's the link for the canvas picture DIY and the pictures for painting the frames.

For the purpose of my pictures and the location on the gallery wall I wanted one frame to be a simple solid white and the other striped to add a little fun and pizzazz.

Completing a striped picture frame was easier than I thought, and I love the impact it has on the wall.

As with every DIY I did learn a few things along the way; I might as well share them with you so you can do it yourself a little easier and with fewer mistakes.  

What You Will Need

• Wood picture frame you can paint
• 2 colors of paint (I went with spray paint with primer already included)
• Painters or Frog tape of various widths
• Ruler
• Scissors

As discussed above.  You first must paint your base color.  I went with white.  I used spray paints which allowed for fast easy coverage, but it does limit you a bit.  I did end up having to paint two coats on the frames, but that is b/c I like to be thorough.  

After the base color has dried completely you can tape your lines down.  

I had to use painter's tape and then masking tape b/c those were the widths I had.  If I were to do this again, and for you I would buy frog tape (the seal on the tape is a bit better) of 2 different widths, or at least one painter's tape and one frog tape.  Masking tape should be your last resort.  

I purposely made the distance between tape vary in size.  I found it critical to use the ruler to make sure your lines are straight all the way up and down and that the distance between the edge of frame and edge of the tape was the same at the top and bottom.  Now, I'm a bit OCD (that's the librarian in me coming out) so I was double and triple checking everything.  

I did find it a bit tricky to make sure the lines go down to the picture and continue straight on the other side.  Therefore, as shown in the picture above  I would pull a piece of tape completely across the picture area.  

After measuring and making sure the tape was even and straight I would then use scissors and cut the tape in a spot over the picture section.

After cutting you'll end up with two pieces of tape, but the critical areas (the top and bottom of the picture area) is already secured and lined up.  So easy.  

Carefully, tape the inside part of the frame and just eye it to make sure it looks straight.  Use the edge of the ruler or your nails to secure the tape down in the corner so paint doesn't slip through.

I believe taping is always the most difficult part of the process, but if you do a good job then the rest of the process is a piece of cake.  

Painting took all of 5 minutes, but I did end up doing two coats just to be sure.  A couple hours of dry time in between the coats was enough. 

When I painted stripes in my kids bathroom I learned that you should take the tape off sooner rather than later.  If you wait too long then the paint seems to seep.   Therefore, take your tape off when your paint is partly dry.  

Somehow I forgot that rule.  I think my kiddos waking from their naps was probably the reason why I just picked up the frames and stuck them on saw horses in the garage to dry.  The then forgot about the frames for a couple of days while they dried.  Whooops. 

At this point if you used painters tape or Frog tape and you took the tape off after it was partly dry you would be good to go.  Just let it dry completely, put your picture in, and hang it up.  

However, as you can see from the picture above I had paint seep. Darn cheap tape and leaving the tape on for far too long.  

However, after doing the DIY Growth Chart Ruler  I had learned about the flexibility paint pens have.

I went to Hobby Lobby, used a coupon making it $2 or less, and carefully corrected all of my seeping issues as a result of cheap tape and not taking the tape off at the right time.  

The paint pen worked fabulously, and you can't even tell there were issues to correct.  

So, lesson learned from my DIY Striped Picture Frame: Use good quality tape, remove the tape when partly dry, and if you make mistakes paint pens are awesome.  

PS- I know the color of the frame in the completed pictures looks different than the ones I worked on.  However, I took the pictures in different areas (front room with good lighting vs. the table where I was working) and I only take pictures with my oh so fancy and high quality iPhone.  Forgive me please... I'm not trying to trick you.  They are all the same frames.  

Happy DIYing!  

Try this striped picture frame.  It's a nice change/look, fun to do, cheap and affordable, and easy.  If I can do it, you most definitely can do it.  Plus, you'll have fewer mistakes b/c you'll have learned from mine.  Score!  

  

Next up... I'll reveal the completed gallery wall and how to plan the layout.