Power Tools: 1-5

I have been asked a few times about all the tools and craft accessories I have and where people should spend their money if they were to purchase some of these items. Since the sunshine and family in town is luring me away from projects I thought I would use this time to do a short series on tools and accessories.

Today I am going to focus on remodeling and refab tools. These are the tools that I adore. The following list is in the order of importance to me as well.

1. Palm Sander - I have an obsession with sanding. I love distressing furniture and I even enjoy prepping a surface for paint or stain. I know this is people's most dreaded part of a project but I think it is rather satisfying to see a piece of wood all sanded and ready to be beautified. If I were starting from scratch I would buy a palm sander like this...
I am not brand specific. However, I prefer the kind where you can use regular sheet sandpaper torn in fourths to secure onto the sander. Many other sanders require you to buy their sandpaper in order to fit it on the machine. That gets expensive in the long run. You can get something like this under $30. They are easy to use and as long as you go with the grain of the wood it is pretty difficult to screw up a project. Then go invest in 60, 100, 120-180, 220 and 400 grit sandpaper to have on hand. I use my sander more than any other power tool I own.

2. Air compressor - In and of itself it is pretty pointless. But with an air compressor there are so many options of power tools at your disposal. If I were going to buy a new one I would just get a small tank (under $100) that can handle up to about 120PSI's. A small tank would work with the small nailing jobs I do, my paint sprayer (which I run at 40 PSI's) and a staple gun (which is my next purchase). There are also some compressors on wheels which is a nice feature because mine is HEAVY!

3. Paint Sprayer - I don't know a lot about all the different types of sprayers out there. But I love my Low Volume, Low Pressure sprayer from Harbor Freight that hooks up to my air compressor. It is perfect for small jobs like furniture and it is only $17. It makes painting SO MUCH quicker and the finish is so smooth.

4. Air Nail Gun -This also connects to an air compressor. It is great for hanging molding and other small wood projects and repairs. Many of them also have the ability to do staples. I wish mine did that. One second thought, maybe mine does do that. I need to check on that. I would just get one that does finishing nails unless you are planning on redoing your roof ;-)


5. Cordless Drill - You can definitely purchase a corded drill but I ♥ my battery operated Ryobi one. I got it on clearance at Home Depot for $30. It is just so wonderful to not have a cord attached and to be able to bring it everywhere. I also recommend a decent drill bit set and a few screwdriver bits.

Those are my top 5 power tools. I couldn't do my projects without them. I will post the other 5 tomorrow. What power tools can you not live without?

Did You Get Your Free Paint?

Do you have a small painting project around your home which needs completed? Well, today you can go here and sign up for a free quart of Glidden paint in any of their 282 colors!

It may not be my brand of paint...but for free I will sure try it. :-)

Chat Box!

Hey peeps...look over to the left on my sidebar. I have a chat box. Some of you don't have email addresses attached to your comments (if you want to learn how to do that click here). Many of you ask me questions and I have nooooooo idea how to get back to you without contact information.

So if you have a quick question you can post it in the Cbox and I will get back to you! Rad huh? (Did I just type that for real?)

And because it is against my religion to post without a picture here you go...


What is wrong with that kid?

Removable, Zippered, Velcroed Pouch

When Isaac was born my good friend Leigh Anne from college sent me a Boat & Tote bag from Lands End with his name embroidered on it. When I received it I was thinking, "What in the world am I supposed to do with this? Do I put it in his room for decoration? It is a diaper bag?"

Hmmmmm....well it BECAME MY FAVORITE BAG EVER! Isaac uses it all the time. It is super durable and the ideal size. It is the bag I send with him to church or a friend's house with his lunch, a change of clothes and a sippy cup in it. The childcare workers always know which bag is his because it is personalized with his name.

So when Kayla was born and Leigh Anne asked what I wanted I begged for a Boat and Tote bag for Kayla. Being the terrific friend she is she obliged.


My only complaint I have about this bag is that is has no pockets in it. I AM A POCKET GIRL! I send this bag to church with Kayla and all the little things fall to the bottom (baby Tylenol, plastic bag holder, emergency information card, hand sanitizer, Dr. Boudreaux's butt paste).

So I sewed up a small 7" x 9" zippered and lined bag (I just winged it but if you want a tutorial let me know and I will do one). Recognize that fabric?

Before I sewed it all up I ironed some velcro on the back.

Then I took the other piece of velcro (the rough hook part) and used some E-6000 glue (STRONG STUFF!) and glued that piece on the interior of the bag.

And now I have a zippered pouch perfect for those baby essentials. The Boat & Tote bag is not machine washable. So now I can just remove the pouch and wash it and then velcro it back in place.

Now the bag is perfect!

You can do this with any bag you have. You don't have to make your own pouch like I did. You can simply use any cosmetic bag or cloth bag you have hanging around and add velcro.

And lookie what arrived at my house today...


the makings for a backyard deck! We have a friend from church who is going to lay the foundation (trusses, joists, cement work) and then Tim and my father-in-love are going to put down the decking and the railing. In two weeks I will have a 16' x 26' deck!

I CAN'T WAIT!!

Guest Bedroom Makeover: Part 2 Wall Art

This is the inspiration fabric for my guest room makeover. I wanted something bright and colorful. This fabric is in the same collection as the Birdie Bag I made last week.

I found these three frames at a yard sale for $2 total! I obviously didn't go for them because of the art.

But look at the frames. The color picks up on the dresser I just refabbed.

I took the pieces of art out of the frames and stapled the fabric to it with just a regular desk stapler.

Then I Windexed (that is totally a word!) the glass and taped the fabric covered art in place.

Simple simon! Art on the cheap...I love it.

Now I just have to finish painting the bedroom and hang these bad boys on the wall.

P.S. I vowed I would never decorate with the colors my mom does. I tend to lean towards blues, greens, browns and reds. She loves the bright colors like pink, purples, lime, turquiose, and magenta. I keep telling myself I must have chosen this fabric thinking of my mom because she stays in the guest room a lot. But maybe I am becoming like my mom in my old age. Next thing I know I will collect bird figurines and put towels over my chairs to protect them from wear. ;-)

Mama Birdie Bag

Three posts in one day...whoa! On to crafty news...

I am a mom and have come to grips with the fact that I need a mom bag. But I want to be cute at the same time? Is that possible? I say so...

A friend from church let me borrow an amazing Amy Butler pattern for this Birdie Sling. I got some fabric from Joann's. This fabric is part of their new Stonehill Collection: Ribbon Dance called Pink Dahlias and Pink Main Floral. I used my half off coupon this week and picked some up for this bag. Isn't it fun?

Inside I made a large pocket for diapers and wipes. One the other side are smaller pockets for keys, sunglasses, cell phone, etc. Plus my Ballard Designs magazine rolled up inside :-)

And since I can't have a purse without a cute flower on it...here is another Wise Craft flower. I added tulle in between the petals to make it more poofy and fun.

Just to give you an idea of the size of this baby...

So can I pull it off? Am I am cute mama or just a mom with a ginormously cute bag??

My First 5K

Our church hosted a Pure Energy Event coming off a three-week sermon series on exercise, eating and sleep in order to maximize our potential for Christ here on earth. It was awesome and much needed in my life. During the event there was a 5K run. I have never ran 3 miles in my entire life.

I made it. I ran a 5k. I didn't stop. I didn't die. I didn't even barf at the end! I am so proud of myself.

This is one of my besties, Amy. She is the captain of the Bourbon Chase team in October. She was my cheerleader on the sidelines today. Due to some knee pain she had to sit out for this run. However, she rocked the sidelines for me. Thanks Amy for believing in me.

And here is my biggest cheerleader. Today he came home with a gift bag and an encouraging note about how proud he was of me for starting to run and in the bag was this new running shirt for the event.

But more than the gift meant...he ran with me. He didn't leave me. He encouraged me when I wanted to quit. I could not have finished as well without him by my side. He knows when to push and when to just support me.

We did it in 29:30! Go team!

Thanks babe you are the best!