Framing Your Style

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Lori

If you are like me, you are always looking for inexpensive ways to update your home decor. I am amazed at the impact that even the smallest changes can make to the look of a room. Sometimes the changes can be as subtle as changing your picture frames. I have changed frames on both my wall art and my personal photographs and the impact is wonderful. Here are a couple of old frames that I recently updated for the new decor in my master bedroom.

Have you ever found a bargain on a picture that you just love but the frame is just not right for the decor in the room you want to hang it? How many times have you received a frame as a gift but it just isn’t your taste, or doesn’t go with anything in your home? Now if, by chance, you just love all the frames in your home but you don’t want to spend a fortune on new frames may I suggest a few inexpensive options to consider. Great frames can be scooped up at a yard sale or thrift store. Also, check out the discount stores and the dollar store, they often have some plain and inexpensive options. Whether you want to update a frame you already own or you have one that you pick up somewhere else, let me offer a few inexpensive and easy ideas to update or change your picture frames for a subtle impact that will enhance any room in your home.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to make a dynamic impact is to paint your frame. Its easy if the frame is made of wood. All it takes is a bit of sandpaper to rough up the frame a little, primer if you are going from a dark color to a lighter color unless you want some of the dark color to show through, and a little bit of paint. In keeping with the inexpensive theme, depending on how many frames you want to paint and their size, you may be able to just pick up some of those sample sized paints in the paint department at your local hardware store. Recently I updated my master bedroom so I just used some of the leftover paint to change the color of one of my old frames.

There are so many ways to use paint to change the look of your frame. So depending on your level of creativity and skill the options are unlimited.

Choosing a solid color that you love and repeating it in all the frames in the room can really offer a dramatic change. One of my favorite colors is black. It is so classic and it looks great any room.

One of my favorite looks is to make a frame look old. Do you have a frame that is a great color but just needs that shabby chic look? Sandpaper and a hammer are your best friends. Grab your frame and go to it, sand and hammer until you get a look that you love!

This frame was solid black when I started. I went to town with my sandpaper and once I got the look I wanted I wiped the dust away and then took some antiquing paint and wiped the frame to get this look. It was fast and easy.

Now you may be thinking, I have some ugly metal frames that I would love to paint so how do I do that? Spray paint of course! Tons of great colors and what could be faster than spray painting. Anyone can do it too. Make sure that you are in a very well ventilated room and that you have paper or a tarp under the frames before you start spraying. If you decide to do it outside, a windy day may be your enemy in this situation, but a open garage may be a good alternative. It is hard to spray paint when the wind is blowing the paint and your drop cloth all over the place. Just follow the instructions on the paint can and you should get a great new look.

Now for those of you who are more adventurous, I have some ideas that may take a bit more work but can really make some beautiful and custom frames. I love to use decoupage. Just think of the possibilities! Any kind of paper products can be used. However, I like tissue paper best because it comes in so many colors and prints and it molds very well to uneven surfaces. I save tissue paper from gifts I receive and nowadays there are many shops that wrap your purchases in some beautiful tissue paper. When you are ready to start your project just rip the tissue paper into pieces. Consider leaving some open space if you like the base color of your frame or even mixing the tissue paper colors. What a cute look for a child’s bedroom! Pick the colors of their room and even have them help you rip and stick the paper to the frame. And don’t stop there, add a few embellishment such as rhinestones, buttons, or ribbons for an extra girly look to use in a tween or teen room! Be creative and make it your own. Anything goes!

Everyone loves to show off those special moments, so why not do it in a style the fits your homes own special decor.

A Jar of Mother’s Day Memories

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Lori

I don’t know about you, but some of my favorite Mother’s Day gifts are the ones that my children made for me. I especially love the ones that preserve a part of them. You know, the ones where they write a poem that says why you are the best mom in the world, or something that has their handprints preserved forever. However, what I like best is when the gift can be functional as well as memorable. So here is an idea that I think captures both.

A Jar of Mother’s Day Memories

Who doesn’t need a jar to collect something in? Mom and Grandma will find many uses for something this special. Here are a few of my ideas just to get you thinking. You can use these little treasures to hold writing utensils on your desk or in the kitchen to put your large spoons and spatulas in. You could also use them in the bathroom to hold your cotton balls or makeup brushes, or how about for those paint brushes, scissors and markers in your craft space. Of course, it’s always nice to have a flower or two in the mix, dried or silk flowers look beautiful in these handmade vases. (Water in these jars may not be the best idea, so try to stick with the artificial flowers instead). Heck, I think they are so cute you can put them anywhere!

So lets get started!

Here are the supplies needed for this craft.

Your kids!
A clean empty jar with lid for each child (be sure it is big enough for your child’s handprint
Washable paint (at least 2 contrasting colors) I used acrylic craft paint
Water to thin the paint a little bit
A foam paint brush
A small piece of scrap card stock or decoritive paper for each child
A marker
Ribbion, string, yarn, or rafia (enough to tie around each jar)
Paper towels (as needed)
Scissors
A hole punch

Step 1: Wash, dry, and remove the label and any writing from the jar. I used nail polish remover to take the writing off of my jars. As for the glue leftover from the label, I mostly used soap and water and a scraper that I use to clean my baking stones. There are also some products designed to remove stick residue which you can also use if you have one.

Step 2: Select a washable paint color (I used acrylic craft paint). Now you are ready to coat the inside of the jar. Cover the bottom of the jar with a good amount of paint (I started with less and added more as needed). Add about a teaspoon of water to thin the paint enough to get it moving around the jar. You may need more of both, it takes a little trial and error since the jars are different sizes. EXPERIENCE ALERT! The more water you add the thinner the coat of paint becomes which can make the jar more transparent. Once the paint and water are in the jar, put the lid on tightly and let the kids shake until the paint covers the inside of the jar. If their hands are too small, you may need to help out here!

Step 3: Once the jar is coated to your liking, carefully remove the lid and place it the jar upside down in your sink so that the extra paint can drain out.

I left mine in the sink for about 5 minutes. EXPERIENCE ALERT! Be careful that the paint doesn’t run down the outside of the jar. If it does just take a wet paper towel and wipe it clean. Also be sure to rinse the paint from your sink so that it doesn’t dry. The lid is no longer needed.

EXPERIENCE ALERT! By the way, you will probably need to wait at least 24 hours before you put anything in the jar to make sure it is completely dry.

Step 4: Now it is time for the hand prints. Note: You don’t have to wait until the inside is dry but you may want to just in case there is still a little extra paint in the jar. You know how kids are, they will surely turn the jar upside down! Choose a water based paint color that provides enough contrast with the inside color so that you can see the hand print.

Then pour some paint in your child’s hand and use the foam brush to coat their hand throughly. EXPERIENCE ALERT! Don’t over do it though because their hand will slip when they grab the jar which smears the fingers and make them look distorted. Then have your child carefully place his/her hand on the jar and help them press it firmly so that the entire hand print is transferred to jar.

Step 5: Wash the paint from your child’s hand as soon as you are done so that it rinses easily clean.

Step 6: Allow the jar to dry for about an hour.

Step 7: In the mean time you can have your child write his/her name on a small piece of card stock (or any scrap of paper that you like) with a marker. You can be as fancy as you like or make it simple. Once the name has been written on the tag use a hole punch to put a hole in one end.

Step 8: Cut a length of ribbon, yarn or string long enough to be able to wrap around the top of the jar. Then put the name tag onto the ribbon.

Step 9: When the hand print is dry, tie the ribbon with the name tag onto the jar with your child’s hand print.

Step 10: Let the jars dry for 24 hours before you put any thing in them.

And that’s all there is to it! You are done and ready to enjoy your lovely Jar of Mother’s Day Memories for years to come. Happy Mother’s Day!

Eggstraordinary Easter Egg Ideas

Posted on March 21, 2013 by admin

Gorgeous Easter Egg Designs

Like these glitter eggs? All you need is some double sided tape and glitter to make these stunners! Not enough glitter for your princesses? How about covering the entire egg?

Love the natural look of these speckled eggs. First dye your eggs pastel colors, then fleck brown paint on to them. This is easily done using an old tooth brush, dip the tooth brush in brown acrylic paint and then holding 2-4 inches away rub your fingernail across the tooth brush creating the splatter pattern. If you use acrylic paint these eggs are for decoration only, not edible.

These chalk eggs would be a great project with a tween or teen! Simply paint your eggs with chalk board paint and decorate with chalk or a chalk marker, cute in this “nest” of decoupaged newspaper.

Another good one for tweens, teens or yourself! Doodle eggs are achieved by just using a sharpie and your wild talent!

The enduring favorite crayon Easter egg will always remain a favorite with your preschool and grade school crowd! Color first then dip into dye of your choice! Try using just a white crayon too!

LOVE-ly Valentines Day Hand Pies

Posted on February 12, 2013 by admin

Keep it simple on Valentines Day by making these cherry pockets for your sweethearts! After seeing how quick and easy these are we are anxious to try some peach or apple next time. Or maybe even some diced banana with chocolate added in…yummmm!

Start by cutting up your cherries. I would have loved to use fresh however, this time of year they were not available at my local grocery so I chose frozen.

Roll out your pie dough, this is the perfect time to use extra dough you had frozen from the holidays!

Using either a cookie cutter or free handing with a serrated knife, as I’ve done here, cut out your heart shapes. Top with a sweet fresh Riccota Cheese or Cream Cheese (both are yummy), chopped cherries and teaspoon or so of sugar.

After placing the top on your hand pie pierce the sides with a fork to keep all that cherry and cheese goodness inside! Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden.

Let cool for about 10 minutes and sprinkle with powder sugar, powder sugar makes everything taste better! Enjoy!

Family Resolutions or How to do Less Laundry

Posted on January 9, 2013 by admin

For me, a New Year is always accompanied by a feeling of a new beginning and a desire to be better. A clean slate, a fresh start! By now you most likely have your personal goals set for this year. Perhaps it’s the uber original; Lose Weight, or something more achievable like doing less laundry and using more deodorant. Don’t short change your family when setting resolutions. As you know being a parent is an always changing job, you have to think on your feet and adjust! But take some time now to set some goals for your family in the New Year. Here are few ideas to get you started:

Prioritize ~ Take control of your time. If you always feel too busy or just plumb worn out jettison some of your activities, learn to say no, both to others and to yourself.

Create a Peaceful Home ~ This can include many things depending on how chaotic your casa is! Is there always a TV or radio on in your home? TURN IT OFF. Eat your meals with just the sounds of friendly voices. Enact a time of peace each day, teach your children, and maybe yourself, that just 15 minutes of complete silence where nobody is allowed to speak, is a powerful habit to start! Then work up to 30 minutes and eventually an hour. You can do this, the mental health of your family depends on it.

Let Bedrooms be Bedrooms ~ After all, there is a bed in there for a reason! Take all TV watching or game playing out of your children’s rooms. If you don’t have a separate space for a playroom at least create a play zone and separate sleep zone in your child’s room. And for heaven’s sake definitely set a good example in this one! Your marriage and your own sleep schedule will benefit!

Call Family Meetings ~ Create a brief agenda that includes the schedule for the upcoming week and a designated amount of time for each family member to speak his/her mind. Allow everyone, oldest to youngest, to be heard!

Fun Family Rituals ~ A picnic and movie in front of the TV every Friday; a set game night that your kids can look forward to; one night a month where you take your child on a date, just the two of you. Rituals are a delightful way to bond your family and create individuality as a unit. Your kiddos my roll their eyes occasionally but later, when they are grown, these times will be some of their favorite memories.

Bribe Creatively ~ Cut back on promising direct rewards for good behavior and instead use more surprises outings and unexpected praise.

Which ever Family Resolutions you choose have grace for yourself and for your family. In 2013 when it seems like these resolutions are toast, forgive, pick yourself up and start over.

Going Bumperless?

Posted on October 16, 2012 by admin

Its been a year since the American Academy of Pediatrics updated its sleep guidelines to officially advise against the use of crib bumpers. Some moms simply removed the offending piece from their infants cribs, they’ve still paid (often a hefty price) for the padded fabric that is going to waste. Parents in search of safe, AAP-approved crib sets can now find a variety of bumperless options for their new nursery. Some designers simply play up the crib sheet and crib skirt, others are specifically designed to mimic the bumper look, without the actual product. And now many sets are available with just 3 pieces; sheet, skirt and blanket.

Below are just a few of our bumperless options. Let us know what you think.

Enter NOW to win!

Posted on August 24, 2012 by admin

Have you entered our contest yet? How do I enter you ask? Click the photo above to move to Facebook and LIKE us to win! Already LIKE us, no problem! Just use the same link and click the ENTER button.

$200 worth of merchandise! How will you spend it if you win?

Decor for the Dorm Room

Posted on August 15, 2012 by admin

Wow…is that time already?

Send your students off in style!

Removable wall stickers are the perfect way decorate a dorm room, car, laptop and luggage.

Our designs come in Monograms, Sports Designs, Chalkboard and we even do Custom Designs!

Why Vinyl is PERFECT for the College Dorm?

Vinyl wall decals are easy to apply and remove

No nails are used that would damage a wall

The designs look hand painted

Customized in their favorite colors or school colors.

Allows them to show off their personality and liven up that drab college dorm room.

Our Favorite Teen Boys Room!

Posted on August 1, 2012 by admin

There are several things about this design that we love! First the milk chocolate walls ~ so sophisticated. The uncommon placement of the red stripe, it draws the eye up and around the room. The third focal point in this room is the incredibly creative, and easy to achieve wall art/storage!

Using 1×2 strips of wood, (which you can have Home Depot or Lowes cut for you) layout your design. We love the rustic look of stained wood but this would be great in a contrasting color too. Then just attach hooks to hang artwork, hats or instruments from! The hooks shown in the photo are the over the door type, but you could also use hooks that screw into the 1×2.

If you’d like to recreate this look in your teen boys room check out our top selling boys bedding below. We think any of these quilts would look great in the photo above.

Beds and Bedding Sizes Explained

Posted on July 24, 2012 by admin

I bet know the difference between a twin size bed and a queen size bed, but do you know the standard measurements of the beds? This article is intended to help you decide what size bedding to order. It also will help you if you are not located in the USA and use different terms to describe the size of your beds. Twin (or single) beds are usually used for children. Occasionally twin beds are available in “extra long” size is 5” longer which works for a taller child or teen, but is also more difficult to find bedding for. Dorms often are furnished with XL Twin mattresses. Full, or double beds are ideal for a teen or 1 adult. Often parents will skip the twin size bed altogether and opt for a full size that can be used in case of company. Queen and King Sizes are the favorites for 2 adults. Below is the standard American mattress sizes to help you decide which will work best for your home.

Mattress Sizes

Twin–39 x 75 inches (or 99 x 190 cm)

X-Long Twin–39 x 80 inches (99 x 203 cm)

Full–54 x 75 inches (137 x 190 cm)

Queen–60 x 80 inches (or 153 x 203 cm)

King–76 x 80 inches (or 198 x 203 cm)

California King–72 x 84 inches (or 182 x 213 cm)

Once you find the ideal bed you will want to define your space with the perfect bedding. I hear that we spend one third of our lives sleeping (unless you’re a new mom), so you want your bedding to be comfy and cozy. Below are the standard American sheet and comforter sizes to help you get the perfect fit:

Fitted Sheet Sizes

Twin–39 x 75 inches (or 99 x 190 cm)

X-Long Twin–39 x 80 inches (99 x 203 cm)

Full–54 x 75 inches (137 x 190 cm)

Queen–60 x 80 inches (or 153 x 203 cm)

King–76 x 80 inches (or 198 x 203 cm)

California King–72 x 84 inches (or 182 x 213 cm)

Flat Sheet Sizes

Twin–66 x 96 inches (or 167 x 243 cm)

X-Long Twin–66 x 102 inches (or 167 x 259 cm)

Full–81 x 96 inches (or 205 x 243 cm)

Queen–90 x 102 inches (or 228 x 259 cm)

King/California King–108 x 102 inches (or 274 x 259 cm)

Comforter Sizes

Twin–68 x 86 inches (or 173 x 218 cm)

Full/Queen–86 x 86 inches (or 218 x 218 cm)

King/California King–100 x 90 inches (or 254 x 229 cm)

At Sweet Peaches Bedding we have all the sizes of bedding mentioned and even custom make bedding to fit your particular needs! Rather you are searching for kids twin bedding or cute full size bedding we have looks your children (and you) will love. We also have something for the teen bedroom or even the master suite. Because shouldn’t the master suite be sweet?