Pearly whites!

Sorry, I have no idea how to rotate this.  I'll try to figure it out and update but until then a little head tilt is needed...

DIY Sunburst

I've had my eye on one of these from here and here for a LONG time now.  Since I had today off of work I thought I would make myself useful and cross a project off my DIY list.  This project was super easy and best of all, super cheap!

Let me introduce you to our new dining room decor!

I loved how it turned out and I'm itching to start my next project.  But first let me show you how I made my sunburst;

You will need;

1. A couple pieces of paper towel -- not the whole roll! ;-)

2. Scissors

3. Pencil

4. Picture frame*

5. Tape**

6. Three sheets of poster board.

Ok...*The other links above show the sunburst made with a mirror, I have been searching everywhere for a mirror and couldn't find one that was the right size so I decided to make mine with an oval picture frame.  **I started with tape when I was planning my rays but I ended up using a hot glue gun to attach the rays to the frame.

Steps;

First tear off 2-3 squares of paper towel depending on how long you want your rays.  Fold it in half lengthwise and draw your ray.  Cut out and unfold.   It should look something like this...

This is now your stencil.  Fold stencil in half just like it was when you cut it out.  Fold  sections of your poster board and place the folded edge of the stencil on the folded edge of the poster board.  Trace and cut out.

I thought I took a picture of all my rays cut out but I guess I got too involved in my project that I forgot.  (Sorry)  Aftering cutting I had;

8 - Large rays

8 - Medium rays

4 - Small rays

4 - Extra small rays

The number of rays you will have will depend on the size of your frame/mirror, size of your rays and how full you want your sunburst.

After you have finished cutting out your rays start laying them out and attaching them to your frame/mirror.

I worked in groups of four attaching them in a North/South/East/West pattern until all the rays where applied.

Allow the glue to set up for a couple minutes before turning over the sunburst to drool over your masterpiece!

Until you make one for yourself, you can drool over mine.....

It even looks cool at night over the lamp!

Now wipe your chin and get crafting!

House progress and a few purchases

While I gather all of my pictures from the holidays I thought I would do a quick post to give you a sneak peak at a few of the projects that we started and even finished during my 11 days of Christmas break and vacation.

Reason they are a sneak peak? -- The pictures are from my phone...I will have better ones once I sit down and have a friendly 'uploading' date with my camera and computer! ;-)

Again, sorry for the bad quality;

The kitchen is DONE!  The crown moulding has been added.  Thanks Dad!!  Looks beautiful and I LOVE it!

The pantry is underway.  The shelving is up (thanks to my hubby and our friend Steve!).  Our food now has a place to 'live'.  It still needs a bit of organizing and some pretty labels on those bins (or maybe some chalkboard paint?).  I got a laminator from Joe for Christmas and I am dying to put that to use! 

Last but not least, I finished my vacation with my first soak in the new house!  I watched HGTV's 2012 Dream Home Tour while I relaxed and took some mental notes on some decorating ideas!

What were those purchases you ask?

We also picked up a new table for Abby.  She already took a little tumble off the chair (she's fine!) so I think we will have to wait a few more months but when she's ready to start putting her puzzles together and coloring pictures for mommy, the little table and chairs will come in handy.  It's also white and very cute so it looks ok sitting in the dining room or kitchen!  The mirrored cabinet has found its home in our master closet.  I needed something for my scarves, belts and Joe's ties and I thought that would be perfect.  Hides all that clutter and I get a full size mirror out of the deal.  I think I am going to have the hubby add a few shelves so I can add my jewelry to it.  There are plenty of hooks for my necklaces already.  Might as well have all our accessories in one place and there's no place better than behind a mirror in our closet.  We also picked up a desk chair for the office and a shelf with coat hooks for the front entry.  And those candle holders and laterns, well you've already seen where those landed in the house!

Hope you enjoyed our sneak peak, come back for our Christmas/New Year's post!