Archives for May 2014

DIY Welcome Sign From Reclaimed Wood

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[pinit]DIY Reclaimed Wood Sign tutorial @savedbyloves[pinit]

Today’s project is a DIY reclaimed wood sign, perfect for the front porch or entryway!  I was looking at my pile of scraps and before I knew it, I had this sign.  It works up quickly and gives the look of chalkboard, using Chalky Finish Paint from DecoArt.

DIY Wood SIgn From Pallet Wood

I won’t bore you with the details of how to make one of these signs, since I have covered that thoroughly in this DIY Rustic Reclaimed Wood Sign.

Welcome Cut File

I used the font “Always in my Heart”.  You can click the thumbnail for the full resolution version and print it for transferring the image to wood like in the tutorial linked above, or use it to make a stencil on your Cricut or other die cut machine.  I used Cricut and SCAL software.

DIY Wooden Sign Tutorial

To finish the frame, I went with Natural Oak Wood Finishing Cloths from Minwax.  These things are so awesome.  One step finishes and seals.  Yay!

How to Make a Sign

This color is subtle and natural.  I generally run from the word oak when it comes to stain color, but I like this one.

How to make a reclaimed wood chalkbaord sign

When the stain dried, I sealed with Clear Creme Wax from DecoArt.  You see the darker wax in this picture, but I ended up not using it because I was satisfied with the look after applying the clear wax.  The sign looked aged enough on its own!

Make a sign from pallet wood

Not bad for scraps I had on hand and under 2 hours of my time!  What do you think?  Have you created anything from reclaimed wood lately?

50 Plus DIY Outdoor Project Tutorials to Make

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[pinit]50 Best DIY Outdoor Projects @savedbyloves #outdoorliving[pinit]

Don’t you just love the arrival of spring and summer?!  It is especially welcome after a long harsh winter like the one we have endured, and decorating outdoors is a privilege!  Today I am sharing over 50 of the best DIY Outdoor LIving Projects from around the creative globe.  You will find DIY outdoor furniture, lighting, upcycle projects, decor and more.  If you have a stellar project that we missed, send us a link so we can include you.  Happy outdoor decorating!


DIY $45 Five Piece Outdoor Adirondack Furniture Set

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[pinit]DIY Adirondack Outdoor Furniture Plan @savedbyloves Chalk Paint[pinit]

There is nothing quite like relaxing in a nice adirondack chair on a gorgeous day.  That is why I decided to tackle this DIY Adirondack Chair Woodworking Plan from Ana White for Home Depot.  Once we finished the chairs, we had to have the DIY Footstools to go with them!  For the table, I loosely based the design on this DIY side table I shared with you in the fall.  I had to wing it some to make the scrap wood I had on hand work for the project and I love its rustic look.  Read on to see how I finished my 5 piece set using my new paint line obsession; Chalky Finish Paint From DecoArt Americana Home Decor.

DIY Outdoor Furniture Woodworking plan

Let’s talk about the table first.  Check out the above link for the plan details.  This wood was super rustic and scrappy, so I wanted the paint to be as well.  I went for “Cameo” color from DecoArt Chalky Finish line.  LOVE.  It looks kinda coral, kinda barn red, 100% lovely.

DecoArt Cameo Chalky Finish Paint Project

I love that you have to do zero prep with this paint.  Even if you are painting an already finished surface, no sanding, no priming… just go for it, and have a gorgeous outcome.

How to use Chalk Paint

I recommend painting the individual table to slats before attaching them.  It is easier to get to the sides and bottom when they are individual.  You can still countersink your screws, fill the holes in with wood putty, sand away the excess and paint over just that area to touch it up after attaching.How to seal outdoor furniture

Since this project will live outdoors, my first choice of finish (Clear Creme Wax and Aging Wax) isn’t recommended since it won’t stand up to the harsh elements over time.  That’s why we sealed the entire set of furniture with Americana Decor Soft-Touch Varnish, two coats!  It is approved for outdoor use, and we want our pieces to last a long time.

How to finish outdoor furniture

At first we were going to do the whole set using Cameo, but decided to do the chairs and foot stools in “Timeless.  Before I get into that, I want to save you some headache…

Adirondack Chair Woodworking Plan

On page 5 of the Adirondack chair plan from Ana and Home Depot (linked in the first paragraph), the red circled area says 1/2 inch, which is totally not what it means to say.  That measurement should be 1 1/2 inch, like it says in the text below the diagram.  If you are a visual kinda builder, and don’t read the text (like me), you will be super frustrated.  Let’s just say that these chairs almost didn’t happen!  Finally dear husband realized the typo and the rest of the build went smoothly.

DecoArt Chalky Finish Paint Timeless

I had already painted Cameo on the chairs before deciding to go with Timeless.  We just went over the red with the cream and one coat did it!

The other point I want to make sure I share is that using scrap cuts from your local hardware store cuts the price of this project way down, like more than in half.  We went to Menards where they had 1×4 and 2×4 in various lengths from 12-36 inches from cuts they had made in store, for just $0.49 each!!  This is less than half of what it would have cost to buy full length boards and cut them at home.  Just take a tape measurer with you, your cut list and be ready to inspect and dig through the scrap stock.  It is totally worth it!

I found the outdoor pillows at Menards, and don’t they look like they were made for this set?!?!  I was planning to make my own, but come on.

DIY Adirondack Outdoor Furniture Plan @savedbyloves

Big thank you to DecoArt for providing the paint for this project.  I am so in love with this line, and my new outdoor furniture!

What are you working on for your outdoor space?  Have you tried Chalky Finish Paint yet?

Low Carb Chicken Parmesan With Spaghetti Squash

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Low Carb Recipes Chicken Parmesan With Spaghetti Squash @savedbyloves

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I am so excited to share with you my version of Low Carb Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti Squash.  This has got to be one of my favorite dishes ever.  I love every bite, and can’t believe it weighs in at only 400 calories per serving.  This recipe serves 2.  If you aren’t full and satisfied, you are insatiable!

LOW CARB CHICKEN PARM SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Ingredients:

CHICKEN PARM
(2) chicken breasts, raw
1 egg white
¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
¼ cup Fiber One Cereal
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning herb blend
½ tsp garlic powder
½ cup pastasauce (w/ approx. 60 calories)
¼ cup shredded parmesan or mozzarella

SPAGHETTI SQUASH
1 small spaghetti squash
1 tsp olive oil
¼ cup minced onion
salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375° . Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise remove pulp and seeds (just like to do with a pumpkin)!  Bake 35 minutes with rind up on baking pan.  While that is baking, prepare the chicken as follows.

2. Add Fiber One cereal to food processor and blend until breadcrumb like consistency (if you don’t have a food processor, you can put in a plastic bag and crush with the back of a heavy spoon).

3. Put Fiber One crumbs into a Ziploc bag and add the Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Set aside.

4. In a small bowl, whisk the egg white and almond milk until well blended.

5. Dip each chicken breast, both sides into egg mixture then put into Ziploc bag. Seal annd shake the Ziploc bag until both chicken breasts are evenly coated with the Fiber One mixture.

6. When squash is done cooking, turn oven down to 350°.  Place the chicken breasts onto the baking pan and put into oven for 25 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking.
7. While chicken is cooking, coat a skillet with cooking spray and add 1 tsp olive oil and onion over med-high heat. When onion is tender and slightly browned (approximately 5 mins), add the prepared spaghetti squash (run a fork from stem to stern to remove the spaghetti center of the cooked squash right into the skillet).
8. Cook squash, stirring every few minutes, for 15 minutes.  Turn off heat and let sit.
9. Remove the chicken from the oven.  Evenly layer half of the pasta sauce then half of the cheese onto each breast.
10. Put back into the oven and broil for about 5 minutes, or until cheese is fully melted.
11. Place half of the spaghetti squash and one chicken breast onto a plate for each serving.

Low carb healthy recipes Chicken Parmesan

 

 

50 Plus Awesome Wood Shim DIY Projects

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50 DIY Wood Shim Projects to Make

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Wood shims are inexpensive and can be used to create gorgeous DIY home decor.  Make faux pallet art, cover an ugly thrift store dresser, create a designer starburst mirror on a shoe string budget.  Here are 50+ of the best DIY wood shim project tutorials from creatives everywhere.  If we missed your project, send us a link so we can include you!  Enjoy.


Green Mason Jar and Recycled Wine Bottle Wind Chimes

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DIY Wind Chimes from Recycled Mason Jar and Wine Bottles[pinit]

DIY Mason Jar Wind Chimes

Do you love the sound of wind chimes singing?  I have shared with you how to make DIY Wind Chimes from Upcycled Mason Jars in the recent past, and today I am sharing with you my newest addition!

This is the first set I made, which now resides with Pam, a Saved By Love Creations on Instagram follower who won the Instagram only giveaway I ran a few weeks back.  That brings up a good point.  If you are on Instagram, following me results in two things (besides the obvious getting updates on my projects via the pics I share); Exclusive giveaways of the SBLC creations you love and a follow back from me!  Then I can see what you are up to as well.

Repurpose Mason Jars and Recycled Wine Bottles

You can make your own set of these chimes by visiting the link in the first paragraph that teaches you how to cut the mason jar, drill holes in it and string/attach the dangly beads.  The three rings in the middle are created from recycled wine bottles.  I showed you how to make them HERE:  How to Cut Wine Bottles for Perfect Rings:

I Hope you try this project!

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