An unconventional way to remove a water stain from wood

Do you remember when I got this table?

Well, the lady who sold it to me said she rubbed it down with a protective oil to help preserve it. She may have done that, but we have been getting a few stains here and there, which resulted in me throwing a cheap vinyl tablecloth over it to protect the wood.  A few weeks ago I ended up with a nasty stain.  Something somehow leaked through the tablecloth and onto the table.  I didn't even know it nor did I know how the long the stain had been there until I had taken off the tablecloth.  Needless to say, the wood had turned white.

The other day I was playing Go Fish with my 3 year old, and we were snacking on Lay's Wavy potato chips.

I noticed these little grease spots showing up, and I had the craziest idea to rub the inside of the bag of chips onto my water stain.   I figured it couldn't hurt.

Well, guess what.  It worked.   I cut a small piece of the bag and rubbed the oily side onto the table in a circular motion.  Within seconds, the stain was gone.  I wiped the table down with clean damp cloth to check if it was just a hoax.  The stain was gone. (!!!)

A few things to note:
This worked for me and may not work for you.  I thought this was a crazy idea and just wanted to share it.
My table is solid wood teak with no veneers.
My table does not have any protective coating like Polyacrylic or stains.
I didn't use a lot of oil.  If I needed more, I cut another small piece from the bag.

Have you found a successful way to remove water stains?  Do share!

xx nancy

One year ago: Triple Zip Pouch
Two years ago: Fabric Friday || Triangles

Because It's There || A little DIY art tutorial

$1.29 frame found at the thrift store + 2 Sharpie markers.

Nice art that's left open to interpretation.

"Because it's there." - George Mallory

Inspired by this Society6 print.

$5 wall treatment || tutorial

I had many requests on how I made this "wallpaper" in Kk's bedroom.  I think I had Sharpies and projectors on the brain during Creating with the Stars at East Coast Creative due to these projects submitted, shown here and here.

Originally, I wanted to use fabric on the wall.  Namely, Ikea's black, white, and green bird print that is not longer sold in stores, but I was not aware of that until I went to the store.  I decided to use a projector and six Sharpie paint pens (please see note below).  I traced some of the pattern on the wall.  Instead of copying it exactly the way it was on yardage, I moved pieces around and traced what I liked and where I wanted them to go.  Fairly easy, but it did take a toll on my wrist and shoulder.  :)  It took me a day to do the work, but I would recommend breaking it up a little to let your arm and hand rest.  A steady hand will be your best friend to achieve good results.

*Photos were taken with my phone.  I was so focused on getting the room done during a short amount of time that tutorial photos were not at the forefront of my brain.  But I think you get the idea. *

TIP::  Do NOT use Sharpie's Flip Chart Permanent Marker.  It will bleach the wall but was easily remedied with paint. (See note below.)

I continued the process all around the window moving the projector when needed.

I really loved how it turned out.  It doesn't look like Sharpie either, and if I had some of you fooled, then your friends and neighbors will be fooled too.

Update: Vintage Revivals has been using paint pens with much success lately.  As I am not 100% sure what the markers will do later on, although I was able to cover it up with paint when I made a few mistakes,  I would recommend following Mandi's advice and using the paint pens instead of markers just to be safe.   I have replaced the word markers with paint pens for future readers.  



You can view the whole room makeover here, and the source list can be found here.

xx nancy


My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon.  Check it out!

My Mini Command Center

Awhile back, I blogged about working on a mini command center for my kitchen and shared with you a picture that was my inspiration.  I was really inspired by all the organization pins on Pinterest, and I figured it was time to tackle our little corner of a mess.  I also mentioned in this post my opinions of magnets, so this was a great way for me to reduce those as well.


I'm sure many of you can relate to placing lots of papers on the fridge.  I chose the fridge area for my command center because that is where Matt and I go to on a daily basis, so it is easy to check there often.   Now, I can store all my papers in one place instead of covering up the fridge.


I purchased Martha Stewart's Pockets in white at Staples and a dry erase board from Target.  I used Command Strips to hold everything up.

Let's take a look at the hot mess that I got to look at.  (Oh, and I decided it was time to clean that mess above the fridge too. :)

DIY Polka Dot Schoolhouse Light

How to Digitize a Drawing - No Photoshop Needed

Custom Window Treatments Using PVC

Update: Some have asked how I hanged these.  Please see this post published on June 15, 2015.

I LOVE my custom PVC window covers!!!  A huge thank you to Tracy at soulstyle for coming up with this idea.  I thought about DIYing these, but Matt and I do not have the tools to do so.  And I figured that would be a lot of cutting and sanding!  If you have the tools and a simple design, I don't see why you couldn't achieve a similar look yourself.  I enjoyed working with Marc from Acurio Latticeworks who was really helpful and patient.  I contacted him a year ago, but I finally got around to ordering my panels just a few months ago.   They cost me a total of $130, which to some people may be cheap or expensive.  For me, it's a bit on the pricey side for window treatments, but I was willing to spend the money because I didn't like the other options I had thought about. 

1. Blinds-  When I think of blinds, all I can picture in my head is a little boy slamming the doors and the blinds swing and sway and crash into the door.  It's already a headache to hear the door slam, so I don't want to add any more noise to that.  Blinds can break too.  My nieces and nephews have proved that to be true.  
2. Blinds inserted into the glass so all you have is a slider to open and close them.  I vetoed this right away with no good explanation.  I just didn't like that option.
3. Curtains.   Me: "Hey son.  You want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?  Oh, and while you are at it, go ahead and wipe your nasty, sticky hands on my nice curtains.  You already do that with the table runner."
4. Vinyl-  Are you familiar with those vinyl privacy stickers you buy at Home Depot or Lowe's?  They kind of look like etched glass.  I haven't found a design yet that I am particularly fond of. 
5. Bed sheet.  Been there.  Done that.
6. Nothing at all.  Um, these windows face West, and science and common sense tell me the sun sets in the West.

So it was worth it to me to fork out the money for custom window treatments, and PVC ones seem to be the most practical.  They are light in weight and won't fade in the sun either, which happened with my bed sheet.  Bonus?  I will take these panels with me when we move, so it won't be a complete waste of money.  I would like to use them as a headboard!

This is what I can see when I am sitting on my couch.  Nice art, don't ya think?

This next photo shows you what I can actually see when I am standing at my sink or near the fridge.  Basically, when I am across the room.  I can watch Owen run across the yard, so I get some privacy from the design but also some visibility, which is nice.  What looks like frost is actually a reflection of the PVC on the glass.

Here's the view on the deck.

I'm including this shot only because I have to include my chicken.  Baby is a Brown Sussex, if anyone is wondering.

And at NIGHT time . . .

Some of you may be wondering if there are any downsides to PVC window treatments.  I have not come across anything yet, but I will definitely keep you informed.  They stay in place just fine, even when Owen slams the door.  Maybe I'll make a video showing you the install.  It's fairly simple.

BEFORE . . .

And AFTER . . .

Looking good, don't ya think?


Projects left to do for the kitchen

• Finish the back side of the island
• Center the light above the island and fix the ceiling
• Replace the design above the chalk wall with something else
• Art
• Rugs?

xx nancy


My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon.  Check it out!

Nail Head Art

I made this piece for Owen's room, and it was such an easy project to do!  So easy in fact, that it requires little explanation and photos.  I really love how each nail head is unique and not uniform.  I simply printed out a large "O" onto an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper to use as a guideline.  The paper also protected my surface from the dirt that comes off the nails during use.  I then removed the paper after I was done.  I used a display frame to allow room for the ends of the nails.

I had picked up this frame for $8 during one of my thrift store excursions.  Here is the before.  It's amazing what a little paint can do.

And then there was light . . . turning a lampshade into a pendant

I finally got Owen's light up.  Well, let me be honest here and say that I was totally content leaving it as is, so there really is no "finally I got around to . . ."

Yep, this is how I roll.   Two exposed bulbs attached to a light box.  I mean, how many people are gonna look at my son's ceiling?  Yeah, not many.  But when I was browsing World Market one day, I saw a large linen shade with a few dents.  There was no price tag on it, so I asked an employee how much it was.  When he said I could have the banged up shade for $14.99, I said SOLD.

 I paid $175 a few years ago for my Crate and Barrel pendant, which hangs over our dining table card table.  (Yes, I eat on a small card table.)  These two are almost identical in looks.

via

Dimensions and one diffuser are the only things that separate my CB pendant from this WM shade.  I knew I wanted to turn this shade into a pendant for Owen's room because it was just . . . perfect.

Turning a shade into a pendant is really easy.  If you do not know how to install lighting, you may want to contact a professional.  Luckily, my husband can do electrical stuff around our home.

Supplies needed for this cheap, easy project:

Shade
Hacksaw
Light cord kit (mine came from Ikea)
Small wire to hold the light cord to the shade (I used aluminum fencing wire)
2-in-1 Canopy Kit (available at Lowe's for $5, Portfolio)

Step 1.

Turn off the main power supply to the outlet you are using.  Cut out the middle piece of the shade carefully using a hacksaw.  This took me about 20 minutes.   Mine was designed to have a finial at the top, but since my cord was too big for it, I needed to remove it.

Step 2.

Cut off the plug end of your light cord.  Slip your cord through and attach it to the shade using your wire.

Step 3.

Install the light by connecting the wires to the box.  If you don't know how to install a light, this is where you will need a professional. 

This shade has really helped change the look of the room.  I'm glad I decided to use it too, or else those exposed bulbs would have stayed!  (and you would have never known about it ;)

Here's the cost breakdown.

Shade - $15
Hemma Cord- $4
Canopy Kit- $5

Total:  $24

Now go make yourself a pendant!

xx nancy


My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon.  Check it out!