[stars & stripes series] diy #2

Fourth of July craft numero dos!

So while perusing Pinterest for inspiration, I noticed there are like zero cute Fourth of July prints. Zero. So today's DIY is like a craft project and freebie all in one!

First, let's start with the craft...

Back story: I am loving all these Anthropology inspired "zinc" letters on Pinterest lately. 

[click on pic above for link]

Well, I wanted to add a frame to the Fourth of July decor. I was thinking stripes and then I saw these "zinc" letters and thought it would look so cool to do the stripes kinda subtle with the zinc color and white. So here is what I made!

Totally classy right?? ;) And I love that the frame is something that could be used year round, but with the printable it has a totally nautical/patriotic vibe to it. And the subtle metallic stripes turned out exactly how I hoped! 

Here's how you make it!

First you need all of what's below. I bought my 8.5" x 11" wood frame from Joann's. I used FolkArt metallic pearl white paint and a Martha Stewart navy blue paint (not pictured-oops). Oh and any white acrylic paint will work!

[Also make sure to get some masking tape & a foam paint brush if you don't already have one on hand]

So, step one: Paint two coats of white paint all over the frame. 

Next, after the paint dries, use <preferably> a clear acrylic ruler and using a pencil mark 2 7/8" increments along both sides of the long frame. And then draw a line from those markings across the frame. Then using the masking tape, mark off the areas where you'll be painting the metallic stripes.

I also taped around the outer edge of the frame. Just because I wanted the frame to be white around the outside. Just cause. 

And now paint 1-2 coats with your navy paint.

After that has dried completely, paint 3-4 coats of your metallic paint on top of the navy paint. The other zinc tutorials I found use a black paint as their base. I chose navy so the metallic color has a cooler hue to it. But the darker paint on the bottom is what gives the metallic paint it's depth and makes the stripes pop out more too!

Let it dry and remove your masking tape. Print out your free printable <woot-woot!> and you're finished!

And here is that free printable!

And because I'm super nice, I made an extra one!

<3 Lindsey

And in case you missed it, HERE is a link to the first DIY from the series! 

[stars & stripes series] diy #1

I have a fun series planned for the blog that is all about Fourth of July, in honor of my next class!

One thing that bums me out about Independence Day is all the cheesy decorations. They're everywhere.

RIGHT?!

Let's class up Independence Day <---- My personal mission this month.

So the first project I have planned is really easy and really cheap!

STAR SPARKLERS!

So back in December, I bought a huge pack of tinsel pipe cleaners for a Christmas craft project (bought them at Hobby Lobby fyi).

I ended up having quite a bit leftover, so I came up with this....

All you have to do is trace the star pattern with your pipe cleaner, wrapping the end of the pipe cleaner around the beginning to secure the two ends together & hot glue the star and another pipe cleaner together.

Easy as 1...

2...

3!

And done! I included the star file below to upload and print. Also has a "4" on it. That would be super cute to trace too! But I have bigger plans for the number 4...You'll see!

<3 Lindsey

[i am good enough] and gosh darn it people like me

So this post will totally deviate from my usual posts, but I felt it important to share.

I recently shared THIS on Facebook. Which is something I'm quietly passionate about. I know that sounds a little ironic... how can you be passionate about something without wanting to share it with everyone?

Well, because it's an awkward issue. I semi-sorta-shared it on here a few months ago.

Everyone has their hang ups. Whether it be physical or otherwise. It could be "my house isn't good enough" or "my clothes aren't good enough" etc etc. And I think in this image-overloaded-Instagram-filtered world, it can be super easy to be insecure.

I'd be lying if I said I never struggled with any of the above, but for the most part my biggest struggle is body or self image.

Like seriously struggled with it. I think like most girls do. And I can contribute it to many things...none of which I'm super comfortable sharing publicly. But even as an adult, I would take my criticisms towards my outward appearance to extremes. And every time I've tried to "resolve" my issues, I might have experienced happiness temporarily but it was never long term. It quickly faded and if anything made my self-hate worse.

For example, about four years ago I decided to train for a half marathon. In my very insecure head, I felt fat. I wasn't, but I thought if I lost a certain amount of weight or accomplished this huge goal that my life would be perfect. I for reals seriously believed that.

So I hardcore trained for 6 months and got in the best shape I've ever been in. Yes, I felt so great about myself periodically. And I was so proud of my accomplishment. But overall it was such a huge let down. My kids still fought and drove me crazy. My husband and I still fought and drove each other crazy. Ha! My house was still a mess. I still had bad hair days. My face still broke out like a 14 year old. My life was exactly the same, except I could finally rock a bikini.

I had a huge light bulb moment during that time. I was never going to be what I considered "perfect". The stars were not going to completely align in my life. EVER. There would always be something I deemed imperfect about it. I learned that I had to come to terms with who I was. Not only on the outside, but on the inside. Accept what I thought were flaws and learn to love them. Learn that those flaws are what makes me unique and different. Stop listening to people who told me differently. And start being a good example of self love to my impressionable young daughter.

It's awesome to want to be healthy. It's awesome if you're a girly-girl and love make-up and clothes or if you're happiest in your pj's. It's awesome if you love interior decorating or being crafty. Or if you could care less and love to write or read books. It's awesome if you're ADD like me and want to change your mind about what you love on a daily basis haha. But don't ever think that being in great shape, or having the best clothes, or cutest house is what will bring you ultimate joy in life. That's a journey and a process, a sometimes long and difficult one, and not something that will happen from a new <smaller> pair of pants, a new couch, wrinkle-erasing face cream, or a diet pill.

I work with a bunch of ladies and we are ALL hard on ourselves. Too hard. And I never agree with a coworker's criticism of themselves. I always think they are insane for believing something so depressing about themselves (what is usually an exaggeration of the truth) Because I, like most nice people, only see what makes them so great. And I have to remind myself that they most likely see the same about me. They don't focus on what I'm lacking in nearly to the same degree as I do. I hope that us as women can be kinder and more accepting of one another and, most importantly, of ourselves. That's all.

Perfection is perception, not reality.

<steps off soap box>

<3 Lindsey

[june adoorable decor]

Who's the worst blogger????

MEEEEEEEEEEE!

I'm typing this post from my phone. A first. I'm already regretting it. But when you live in a house with 5 people and one computer, you get desperate.

So keeping this kinda short....I took May off from teaching my class, but will be teaching a new wreath on June 1st!

And here it is!

It's a fun 4th of July starburst wreath for all you patriotic peeps out there. And it's my biggest wreath yet! 18 inches!

<gave up on my phone, kicked my son off, and am now on the computer haha> <I WANT A TABLET!!!!>

I digress....

Anyways, you can sign up for class HERE and save 10% on the class too.

A little update about my most recent quilt- I tried my hardest to quilt it myself (if you follow me on IG @lindseymneill you would have heard ALL about my pathetic-ness) So it's currently with the quilter. Should get it back soon and add the pretty red & white striped binding. EEK! Can't wait!!!

And some belated/personal news over at the Neill House- We have officially saved up enough to buy a house starting in July! So if I'm even more quieter on here than usual, you'll know why. Though I do have some fun projects lined up to blog about in the meantime!

Enough rambling! Hope you all have a great week!

<3 Lindsey

[and the winner is] hello wreath giveaway

Time to announce the winner of the giveaway!

I just want to say thank you real quick to all those who commented! You all gave me a big smile with each and every post : ) THANK YOU!

Just a reminder, the winner will receive a kit to my class (which is today - eek!). The kit will include everything you need to make it, minus a hot glue gun and whatever you decorate your hello sign with. Also will include instructions, so no fear! This is by far the easiest class I've done yet, so you should be able to whip it out in an hour. If you have any issues, you can contact me at Lindseyh1982@yahoo.com! Always happy to help! 

Any who.....AND THE WINNER IS <drum roll> 

TORRIE FROM THE GROWING STOTT FAMILY! 

CONGRATS!!!! (IMAGINE THERE IS CONFETTI AND STREAMERS FLYING ALL AROUND YOU AND "CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES" IS PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND. WOOT WOOT!)

But you didn't win a million dollars. Just a wreath kit. BUT IT'S STILL TOTALLY AWESOME!! 

Anyways, I'll be contacting you shortly so I can mail it out! 

BUT WAIT! 

I have good news even for those who didn't win!

I have extra kits leftover! If you want one, just leave a comment below or contact me at Lindseyh1982@yahoo.com. They are $18.99 each, plus shipping. Hurry before they're gone!

<3 Lindsey

p.s. sorry for sounding like a infomercial right there...but seriously, hurry! 

[diamond ring quilt] part one

Heads up - This post isn't a DIY. More of a review for a quilt pattern I did recently...I'm not completely finished yet, but when I am, I'll definitely post some pictures!

So long story short, I made myself ANOTHER quilt. Because I gave my herringbone quilt to my sis for her birthday. I pinky swear I am keeping this one. And I will cause physical harm to anyone who tries to take it. Physical harm, people. I took one day of karate when I was 7. So watch out.

Anyways, I'll steer this post back to a happy place and show you which pattern I picked.

We sell this pattern at ETC and I thought to myself, "Gee, this looks like a simple & easy quilt to make!"

Well, I must of not seen the giant circle in the middle of it, cause let me tell you, circles are <f%#&@*> hard stuff!

I wish Green Bee had given instructions on how to cut out the circle, but after a few tiny giant mistakes I eventually figured it out. Let me just say, I am SO thankful that 6 yards of background fabric was MORE than enough to compensate for my mistakes. And FYI, this was my circle cutting out method >> (http://akhoneybird.blogspot.com/2012/12/how-to-cut-perfect-fabric-circle.html)

I also didn't completely realize that it would have been a lot more helpful to label each diamond half with "top" or "bottom". I thought each diamond half was symmetrical, but I realized pretty quickly they weren't. It ended up not making a huge difference, but I think if I had done it perfectly the quilt top would have turned out, well, more perfect : ) But good thing I am only a perfectionist at the beginning of a labor intensive project; cause by the end of making a quilt, my attitude is usually, "AH SCREW IT."

This is what each diamond block looks like. And to be completely honest, this was the best looking one of the bunch. So of course I had to document it's awesomeness with a pic! I also recommend saving your scraps after you've cut the circles out in the beginning. You can use the curved edges to cut out the background diamond pieces a lot easier.

Picture of half of the top complete!

And my favorite part of this quilt...My binding fabric!

I have the top totally finished right now, "just" <HA!> need to quilt it. (I am scared people, really scared)

Oh, and for anyone wondering I used Moda's ABC123 by American Jane for all of the top (minus the background), and the red/white stripe for the binding is Moda's Marmalade by Bonnie and Camille.

So I give this pattern a B+. For the most part I felt like the instructions were very thorough and helpful. They also were very generous with the yardage requirements. If you have experience cutting out large circles, you really only need maybe 4 1/2 yards of background fabric instead of the 6 they suggest. I also thought that even though this probably wasn't the best first quilt pattern with curves to attempt, it also could have been WAY worse. So yeah, I say try it if you love the pattern. And if you need moral support, I'm your girl!

Anyways, I will have more pictures of the completed quilt soon!!

<3 Lindsey 

[shout out] painted arrow

It's been so fun reading everyone's comments so far for the giveaway!! Can't wait to announce a winner in a few weeks!

Hillary, from the Painted Arrow, made her own version of the hello wreath and I'm in love.

If you haven't heard of her blog, you gotta check it out. She has amazing [and easy!] tutorials! Like the one below...why have I never thought of that?!

And her sharpie measuring cups are my fav.

AND more importantly, she is a crazy talented artist.

So I highly recommend checking out her blog! 

GO.

DO.

IT.

NOW.

(please)

<3 Lindsey