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Saturday, June 21, 2014

DIY Bathroom Remodel

I made framed piece, hubby made towel rack
hand towel holder from Hobby Lobby
The last several months have been crazy busy, crazy messy and crazy pricey at our home.  Basically, we've all been cray cray up in here! Our youngest son graduated the first weekend of June so we did what we had done for our other 2 sons and earlier this year, scheduled a big open house party to follow the ceremony.  We invited all our friends and family and planned on a full house.  We knew we would need to replace our kitchen floor before the event but we had plenty of time and money set aside.   Apparently, our 50 year old pipes heard the news of the party and decided they just couldn't take it anymore! The pipes gave up the ghost during a cold snap here earlier this year and we had to replace them. The first hint at our problem was when the bathroom linoleum began buckling (also original to the house). Before we could find the leak, an outdoor faucet froze and cracked and began spewing water into the yard! We called a plumber who crawled under the house (thank God for pier and beam) and discovered we needed to replace all of our cast iron pipes. Quoted cost-a little over $2000 just to replace the plumbing.  Trouble was, we also had to replace the floor and since we were doing that we might as well demolish the bathroom and remodel it completely.
tins from PickYourPlum.com
Tub replaced w/corner shower & toilet turned 
made by me
This had been our intention when we moved in 14 years ago but when I became disabled a year later our priorities and finances shifted.  A large accessible bathroom was built for me and the main bath was turned over to our 3 boys.  Everything in that room was original to the house-hideous linoleum, ugly metal tile walls, bath tub, huge linen closet, huge green tiled counter, etc. The door was too small for my wheelchair so I never entered and when guests came over I hung a "condemned" sign on the door-literally!
Back to the cost-we could NOT begin to afford to hire it out so we called for reinforcements-my husband's uncle in OK who had just retired as a plumber and my in-laws who were willing to help with the work and some of the cost so they could start staying with us when they visit instead of paying for a hotel because of the bathroom. We scheduled a work week during Spring Break so our 3 sons could also be available to work.  It was messy, hard and took a lot longer and a lot more money than planned but in the end, we have new plumbing and a beautiful new bathroom that I can now get in and we show off to guests instead of hanging the condemned sign.  In fact, it was the hit of the graduation party-lol! We "lost" a tub, big counter/cabinet unit and huge closet but we don't miss any of them.  The floor space is doubled and the entry is now accessible. We love it!
cart from IKEA instead of ginourmous closet
large mirror was original, we added frame
also removed counter which was from door to toilet


made by a friend
I can roll chair up to sink!

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Inspired Stamps $3.99 Scripture Stamp


I love all the stamps at Inspired Stamps but the ones I turn to time and again are the 2x2 Scripture stamps.  At $3.99 they are so affordable.  They are the perfect size for cards and tags. Today I used 1 Corinthians 15:57.   The paper is from the 6x6 Bazzill Paper pad-Vintage Lace.  It is also available in the Inspired Stamps store.



Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Inspired Stamps 2x2 Single Scriptures


Today's post is not one of my typical projects.  This has not been a typical week! Our youngest son (of 3) graduated from high school on Saturday and we had a huge celebration with friends and family following the ceremony.  When planning the decor, I knew I wanted to incorporate scripture and of course, the simplest way to do that was to use the Inspired Stamps Single Scripture Stamps. 

I used 3 different stamps to help decorate this printer's tray.  They are on the right in this photo-Micah 6:8, Ephesians 2:10 and Ephesians 6:11.  I wanted to create a display for his photos that also held meaning and I believe this did exactly what I wanted!


Thursday, June 5, 2014

Inspired Stamps New Release


Today is a great day because Inspired Stamps is introducing new stamps! I was assigned the new $3.99 2x2 stamp Genesis 1:1.  The single scripture stamps are some of my most used stamps because they are perfect for a card front, inside sentiment, tag, etc. and they cost less than a Starbucks drink!


I chose to create a "sandwich board" style card and think it really shows off the scripture well.  Kinda reminds me of those old flannel boards we had in Sunday School decades ago!  They are super easy to make. This pic doesn't show  it well but the back has the same "legs" as the front to allow the card to stand.  Just cut cardstock that is 4.5" across and 12 inches long and fold to create a 4.5 x 6 card.  Then just cut in by 1" on each side of the bottom and up by 2".  Easy peasy. Also, if you like using these metal clips but don't want the added bulk, just use a wire cutter to pull out the center pin and then fold in the tabs that were holding it in place. Now you have 2 "clips"

Be sure to check out the new products at Inspired Stamps on Friday by noon.  You can see the preview today at the BLOG.