The Latest and Greatest In Spider-Killing Technology

Like many people, I don’t enjoy spiders. That’s putting it lightly, but I’m trying to be delicate here, and not risk any literate spiders reading of my vendetta and seeking revenge. I don’t enjoy spiders so much that I usually kill any who cross my path. If my handy husband is around, I usually invite him (translation: scream, flail, and run around wildly) to perform this task. When he is not, I’m left with a handful of options.

Bare-handed: not an option, despite what aforementioned handy husband thinks.

Poison: Good, if I’ve got any, and I don’t mind spraying toxic substances all over my carpet, walls, and breathing air.

With a shoe or nearby implement: Getting warmer, but then I have a dead spider stuck to my shoe. Fixing one problem with another problem is not ideal.

Enter: The Ultimate Spider Killer.

Step 1: Wrap a paper towel around a rubber mallet and secure with a rubber band. (A hammer can be substituted, but the large, even surface of a mallet is preferable)

Step 2: Extend your arm and carefully walk to the trashcan, taking great pains to avoid looking at or touching the spider carcass. A quick peek to ensure deadness is ok.

Step 3: Using scissors, cut the rubberband, releasing the soiled papertowel without having had to touch spider parts, dead or living, at any point.

Celebrate!

Step 4: Re-arm your spider killer. Preparation is key.

Hint: These make excellent house-warming gifts for young ladies (or young men who behave like ladies) moving into their first place.

Knock Off Decor

A project I did a few months ago is being featured on Knock Off Decor:

http://knockoffdecor.com/jewelry-display-frames/

If you’re like me and love finding ways to do more with less you will love this site. It houses an ever-growing collection of projects from creative, crafty people who have seen something in stores like Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, and Anthropologie and thought, I can make that.

I’m particularly loving this Anthro-inspired bedspread: http://knockoffdecor.com/rosette-bedding/

Pottery Barn Ain’t Got Nothin’ On Me – DIY Jewelry Display Frames

A few months ago, I spotted some adorable jewelry “frames” on Pottery Barn’s website and determined to make my own DIY version. With a few coats of white paint and a $0.99 package of cup hooks, I transformed an old picture frame into my own version. It’s true: my jewelry frame doesn’t look just like Pottery Barn’s. The frame (originally bought at Hobby Lobby and used for my wedding) is more substantial and I am not a big fan of antique finishes, so this is pure semi-gloss perfection. I added more hooks (for more storage, duh!), and even considered adding a wire across the bottom for hanging earrings. But, at an investment of less than 1 dollar compared to the $49 large version on PotteryBarn.com, it’s hard to complain with the results. I’m not going to even bother posting a tutorial because this is such a basic project. If you have questions, please ask. I’m happy to help!

I have actually had this project finished and on the wall for several weeks now. It blends in great with our bedroom. We have a small space and I used the same white semi-gloss paint that we used on the trim and on my dresser, so everything is very cohesive. The one surprise that came out of this project? I have a LOT fewer necklaces than I thought! Time for another DIY?

Dining Room Art Project – Phase 1

The dining room recently received a bit of “bling”. (I refer to art and accessories that way, at least until a new word upstages bling in popular culture parlance. If this has already happened and I just didn’t notice, please leave me a comment.) The wall space between the new buffet and our storage shelves was bare. The only accessories? The dimmer and the thermostat. This is not exactly what I would consider a showcase. Enter two fun and inexpensive projects! I ordered a vintage map from Jamaica and cut out a simple mat to showcase it in a very simple “gallery style” frame and then made my own art with a photo project featuring our own gorgeous doggie, Rory! Read on for more!

Dining Room Light Fixture – on the cheap

For months I’ve craved a new dining room light fixture. Being renters, there are many little details we try to ignore (like the ugly ceiling fans in nearly every room), knowing it is not practical or cost-effective for us to change them. However, the dining room was the only room in the house with an overhead light fixture that was not a fan. The fixture wasn’t horrible – just very basic and very… high. My artistic soul cringes at things like bad and ineffective lighting, and although this one worked when you flipped the switch, it provided nothing in the vein of mood lighting. Our dining room could never play host to a relaxing dinner, a romantic spot for dessert, a chill environment for cocktails with friends, or even a cozy spot to sit and jot down a grocery list due to its horribly sad little light, perched all the way up on the ceiling. Installing a dimmer helped somewhat, but did not fix the problem. I’ve dreamed about creating a grand fixture, DIYing something truly impressive. My masterpiece would require books on wiring, saws and wood, paint and all manner of lighting supplies. It would be costly, time-consuming, and possibly life threatening to construct.

On Wednesday, I found a simple white drum shade for $12. My dreams ended, but the reality of a better-lit dining room dawned just over the horizon. Paired with a lantern light kit (originally purchased 5 years or so from Pier 1 for around $5), a simple ceiling medallion (Home Depot for $5) and a hook ($.50), we were in business.