DIY | Like a Saturday - DIY, Crafts, Recipes, Shenanigans

May 21, 2013
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Summer Time Porch Update

My summer bicycle wreath got the ball rolling for sprucing up and restyling our front porch area for the summer. I tell ya – every project I do has a domino effect. I finish one thing and that makes me think of another project I can do to make it even better, and thus, the to do list lengthens. You can add my husband to your prayer chain. Bless him.

The red and yellow in the wreath were so happy and summery, so I wanted to keep things bright, cherry and fun!

I bought this Moroccan patterned indoor/outdoor rug from Joss and Main a few months ago. It was intended for our bathroom, but it turned out to be the wrong blue. I was about to sell it, until I had my light bulb moment. I knew it would look awesome on our front porch {The other welcome mat that has been out there since we moved in was moved to the back door, since we needed a mat there anyway. Win, win!}.

The rug and wreath look awesome together! The modern, graphic patterns keep the primary color scheme from looking too childish. It just looks fun and relaxed.

I ditched the boston fern that was in the urn {that my Grandma had done a faux finish on} in exchange for an arrangement of succulents. The fern and I didn’t get along very well. I’m learning that the key to having a pretty garden and plants is to learn which plants you do well with. It pays to do a little research about which plants do well in your area, and what kind of light/watering they need.

The succulents are much more “me” than the fern was. They are modern and sculptural, plus they don’t overtake the urn. Oh, and {BONUS!} need very little care.

I still love my rustic chalk board. I enjoy changing up the chalk art with different seasons and events. It’s fun to find new quotes, dig up old favorites, or just add a little doodle. This time, I chose this wonderful quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson {one of my faves as far as poets go}. It’s appropriate for summer time, isn’t it?

I ran a piece of chalk through my pencil sharpener to do this little chalk doodle, but a reader introduced me to the wonder of chalk pencils. Hello! I’m definitely going to have to try these out!

I am so enjoying our summertime porch update! It almost redeems the torturous summer heat here in Texas {almost}.

Is it starting to feel like summer where you are? Are you welcoming it with open arms, or trying to fend it off a little bit longer?

May 15, 2013
by likeasaturday 5 Comments

Filing Cabinet Re-Do

I’ve been using the same plastic file box to keep my paperwork organized since high school. Now that we’re supposed to be grown ups {or something of the sort} and have a house and consequently, a great deal of paper to keep track of…we have found ourselves in need of a filing system upgrade. I can think of approximately a million and three things that are more exciting to spend money on than a new filing cabinet, so I was pretty pumped when I scored this little fella for $7. I found him on a Facebook re-sale page for our community {It serves the same purpose as Craigslist, but only for our little section of our huge city}.

The filing cabinet was beat up and boring, so of course, I decided to attack it with a couple of cans of spray paint. I still wanted it to have an industrial look, but with a modern twist, so I went with a two-toned look.

I painted the drawer fronts with a glossy white, and the rest of the cabinet in a glossy grey. I believe the color was winter grey {Rustoleum} but I already tossed the can. It only took 3 light coats to get good coverage.

This guy now lives next to my desk in my office nook. It’s awesome to have added a little extra surface space in my corner {especially for when I have the sewing machine out}. My craft caddy lives here when it’s not following me around the house.

Next up on the to-do list is reorganizing our files and coming up with a good system. Do you have any tips you use when keeping your paperwork organized?

May 8, 2013
by likeasaturday 5 Comments

DIY Garden Hose Hanger {Pinterest Challenge : Spring Edition}

Hi there! I’m excited to be participating in the Pinterest Challenge : Spring Edition with Sherry, Katie, Emily, and Renee! It’s all too easy to pin a million things and never get around to doing it. The Pinterest Challenge is the swift kick in the pants I need sometimes to get to gettin’!

We’ve been doing a lot of work this spring to spruce up the back yard. One thing we were missing was a place to store the garden hose. It was usually stretched over the lawn until it was mowing time and it got tossed on top of my newly planted flower bed. Not cool. I was definitely in need of a solution.

I had pinned these two ideas forever ago. The first from Thistle House and the second from Mini Manor Blog. I was inspired to build my own garden hose hanger. I loved the idea of having a free standing post. I thought it would be prettier than the usual hose holders you can purchase from a home improvement store, and would take up less space.

I stopped by The Home Depot to gather my supplies. I bought a notched 4 x 4 post and a post holder spike deal {that’s a technical term} to hold it in place, and some white spray paint. I already had some double hooks that I bought on clearance from Ikea. They probably wouldn’t be large enough to hold a standard hose, but I ditched my heavy garden hose and bought a pocket hose! It’s one of those “as seen on TV” deals that is actually completely awesome!

I spray painted the post and top of the spike thing white, and then drilled the hooks onto the front. I hammered the spike into the ground and then placed the post. Voila!

I also hung a small galvanized bucket from the bottom hook to hold all of my small hose attachments. I used to just keep them on top of the a/c unit, but they were always getting knocked off and I’d have to dig for them.

It’s so much better than having to pull the hose out of the flower beds! And the light weight, expandable hose has changed my life! I still just need to find a solution to hide the ugly a/c unit.

Ok – Now it’s your turn! What have you pinned that you need to get on already?

May 7, 2013
by likeasaturday 29 Comments

Miniature Terrariums

I told y’all you would see more terrariums, didn’t I? You can’t say I didn’t warn you! Sure enough, after making my first venture into terrarium-hood, I was hooked. I took a different approach this time and made miniature terrariums. These tiny little worlds are so fun and great to scatter here and there around the house.

For the containers, I used rounded votive holders. I bought mine from Hobby Lobby for about 50 cents a piece {on sale}, but I’ve also seen packs of these at the dollar store.

Anytime I’m working with succulents, I always start with a little bit of gravel to help with drainage. They don’t need or like a lot of water, so proper drainage is a must. You can also buy soil specifically for cacti to help with drainage.

Once you’ve got your base, the fun part begins. Ad your tiny succulents, moss, marbles, or other trinkets. Get creative and have some fun with it!

In what ways are you bringing the outdoors in this spring? If you like this, be sure to check out my large scale terrarium and soup can succulents!

I hope your Tuesday is fantastic!

May 2, 2013
by likeasaturday 4 Comments

My New Obsessions : Money Trees and Terrariums

I’m finally figuring out what kind of plants I can have without killing them. It’s an exciting time in the Like a Saturday house. Living plants everywhere! It’s only making me want more! You may remember this little fella…the one I hired to cover up the view of the TV wires.

He has since been fired. We never really got along. I tried my best to nurture the guy, and he just never wanted to be green and lush. To be fair, I never really loved him. I kinda settled for this plant. But now! Now I have my beloved money tree!

This money tree and I shall be the best of plant friends. I will love him, and water him, give him proper sunlight and even talk to him. How can you not, when he has such a lovely braided trunk?

I was pretty thrilled to bring this guy in, and it only made me want to add some more green. I decided to dive into the terrarium trend and try that out. I had an empty vase left over from the tulip bulbs my mother-in-law had give me, and it was just waiting to be home to some living things. I picked up some stones and a bag of a variety of moss at Hob Lob.

I started with a layer of stone….

Then added a good amount of soil…

Next, my other plant love, a few succulents. I ended up just using the hen and chicks. This is also about the time I started screaming at my dog like a raging lunatic as she attacked a baby blue jay. All of my neighbors probably think I’ve lost it…but hey…I have an awesome terrarium and a money tree!

Once I planted the succulents, I added stones and moss to add some more color, visual interest and character. It would also be fun to add a quirky, non-nature item or two. I’m on the hunt for a tiny yard gnome.