Laundry Room Art and DIY Clothes Pins Mirror

Sometimes when you're trying to figure out what to hang on your walls, it makes sense to come at it from an abstract angle first. Rather than just shopping for what you like or hanging what you might already have, sometimes I think it's best to imagine what would be right for the room and for the wall space. Especially in a room like a laundry room where things can and should be a little more light-hearted and not so serious.

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The long stretch of wall to the right of the storage cabinets was crying out for a big statement piece of art and the small bit of wall to the left of the window also needed something. I think every room needs a mirror - it adds light and a different dimension to the space. So I set off to IKEA with my wall dimensions in hand to figure out my options.

I found this little oval mirror for about $15 and a pack of bright red clothespins.

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And I found this giant 55" tall canvas on sale in the art section.

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(More after the jump...)
For the large art, I picked one of the canvases that was the most mono-chromatic. 
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And then I painted over the image just with some of the leftover paint from the cabinets in the laundry room. I didn't want any of the old image peeking through the final product.
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I was going to leave the frame silver, but decided to paint it out black at the last minute to give the space some dark contrast.
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I found an image online that I liked (this one is by Phillipe Halsman and I used the file found here). You don't need to be too worried about finding a high-res image with this printing process - the highly pixelated look sort of works here. Also, I don't really want to bring up the subject, but I think it's worth mentioning that I felt okay using this image for this project since it is a really old image and I'm just using it for personal use in my own home. If I were selling these prints, I would definitely be more sensitive about copyright laws. I'm sure we all fall on different spots on the spectrum here, and this is where I felt comfortable. :)
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I carefully cut out the print (which I had printed to exactly match the size of the canvas). And then once the paint on the canvas was dry I used a strong spray adhesive to adhere the paper to the canvas.

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I don't have a photo of the next step, but I used mod-podge to glue down the edges, so everything is glued down nice and flat. The only tricky part was getting the seam right, but I don't think it's too noticeable in the end.

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There were a couple of spots that I touched up with some dark gray paint and that worked well.

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And then for the mirror, I just super glued the red clothespins right to the surface of the glass. I used a super glue that said it would work with glass and I think that really helped. 

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Also, I let the mirror sit untouched for a full 24 hours. I usually get impatient with superglue projects and move them too soon, but this time I think letting the glue sit for a good long time did the trick. :)

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I love how the overall effect is a bit like a sunburst mirror.
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It's fun to have wall art in here that is really unique and that only cost about $60 for everything. Success!
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Have you done any cool DIY art projects lately? I'd love to see!          

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Magic 2014 Intro Pack

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

For today's post, we wanted to get along to a review of a Magic 2014 Intro Pack.  These preconstructed theme decks are possibly the best way to get into Magic: the Gathering if you are new to the game, or if your more seasoned, a lot of players we know battle each other with Intro Packs which makes for a lot a fun as Wizards of the Coast makes all efforts to attempt to balance the power of these decks.


MTG Realm grabbed a new Magic: the Gathering Magic 2014 core set Intro Pack and a handful of M14 booster packs for this brief unboxing and review.


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For a MRSP of only $15, here's what you get -

• Premium foil card
• A full 60 card deck
Two M14 booster packs
• Learn to play insert
• Strategy guide

We got the M14 'Lightforce' Intro Pack (white / green just happen to our fav colours) - Here's some descriptive text off the box -

Wield the power of light, booster your creatures with powerful enchantments.  If your opponents don't crumble under the first wave of your assault, they'll be primed for defeat when your larger beasts hit the battlefield.
With enchantments being hinted as being a thingy in 'Theros', the next set  this fall, we're certain to be well prepared to modify and take this Intro Pack to the next level.
 

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Jasper's Nursery Reveal in Style at Home Magazine!!!!!

Today's an exciting day around here because I get to reveal Jasper's nursery!!!

I feel incredibly honoured that the fabulous folks over at Style at Home thought his room magazine worthy and am beyond thrilled with how the spread turned out...


Even more exciting, the actual story itself was written by yours truly...such a dream come true to be given the opportunity to write a feature article...couldn't be more tickled about the whole thing.

I'll be sharing  more photos of Jasper's actual room in the weeks to come but for now, here's a peak at the magazine images...





 A GINORMOUS thank you to all the incredible editors/writers/photographers at Style at Home...so delighted to be even a small part of your amazing team!

And to everyone who as already left such sweet comments on FB, Twitter and Instagram...giant, giant kisses and love- means the world to me.

xo
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Congratulations....

It's lucky ducky time....

A HUGE...


...to Rachelle!!!

You've won some of this Miranda Frye greatness...


Hoooooorayyyy for you!!!!!!!

Everyone else...mucho thanks for entering and visit the MF website to buy up her jewelry fabulousity for a fabulous savings of...

20 % OFF!!!

Use code ARMCANDY

Hurry Hurry though...sale ends Tuesday July 30th

xo
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New Door Hardware and Keep.com

You guys already know about a lot of these plans, but I was thinking earlier today, as I was spending a royal fortune online on door hardware, that it's funny how one small decision in a remodel can turn into a seriously huge black hole of additional projects. It all started out innocently enough. Here was my train of thought:

1) This is very possibly our forever home, and I don't love the existing floors.

2) Some day I'd love to put in new hardwood floors throughout the house.

3) On second thought the new floors should definitely go in before our stuff comes at the end of the month. Let's take advantage of the empty house.

4) In order to put in the new floors, I guess we have to demo everything that will eventually be going out so that we don't have to patch the wood later (which would be expensive and a huge pain).

5) The old front door sticks really bad when you try to open it. Also the handleset is really difficult to use and needs to be replaced soon. Sounds like it's time for a new front door.

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And maybe a new doorbell while we're at it.

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6) If I had my choice I'd go with a taller double door (the current one feels really squatty with the high ceilings). Which means the threshold will be different per the door installer. Of course.

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7) New threshold will change quite a lot, turns out. And it will effect the new floors. So we spring for a new front door now.

8) And also a new handleset ($$$$! ouch!).

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But how exciting to replace this:

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9) A new handleset means we need to come out and have a locksmith change the locks. Our home warranty policy pays for all the locks to be changed at once. Of which there are plenty - taking advantage of this deal saves us a lot of money. Here's what my door hardware currently looks like.

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10) Yeah... I'm thinking I maybe should just replace all the door hardware in the house now too. The locksmith confirms I should have the new hardware installed before he comes out.

11) New hardware means new door hinges.

12) New hinges means I should probably just paint all my doors now. I know I can replace the hinges one by one without taking down the doors, but if I'm going to take down the doors to paint them at some point, might as well only unscrew all those hinges one time.

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13) If I'm painting all my doors, maybe I should by that paint sprayer I've been dreaming of for years...

14) Etc., etc., etc.

Point is - holy domino effect!! Looks like the money I put aside for new bedroom furniture will be dedicated to all aspects of new door hardware. That's okay though - shopping for door hardware is almost as fun for me as shopping for new headboards. I just wish they didn't cost about the same in the end! :)

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One of my favorite sponsors, Keep.com, has come in handy as I've been managing all of these purchases (and my wish lists). Especially for things like door hardware - where I'm comparing a ton of different options. Keep helps me, well, keep track of all my shopping wish lists and potential purchases. Truly, it is SUCH a helpful service. I still use Pinterest for my inspiration images, but I use Keep for my shopping.

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Here's a mini tutorial. Just like Pinterest, you quickly install a Keep It button in your menu bar. Then you do your normal web browsing and online shopping. Any time you come across a product for sale that you love and want to remember for later, you press the Keep It button on your menu bar. A little window pops up that helps you save the keep in the right collection and then you're done and you can close out the window of the product.

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Before I started using Keep, my bookmarks were so completely out of control that they were pretty useless. So then I would literally have like a dozen windows with each a dozen or more tabs each. And then by the time I would actually look through those tabs again, the item would be sold out.

I've been using Keep to store all my house finds (and my fashion finds too - it seems like that's what most keepers use the site for). Here's my door hardware collection.

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The very best part of Keep is getting to follow other keepers. You start finding people that have your same style and the aggregate result ends up being a little like having a personal online shopper! Crowd sourcing at its finest. Thanks to my keepers I found a new suit that has been garnering endless complements at our neighborhood pool:

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Here are some more of my boards. I'll be doing more keeping this weekend as we unpack a lot of our stuff and start to notice holes in the furniture layouts, missing lighting, need for more rugs, etc, etc. Let me know if you join in on the fun so I can follow you. :) Happy weekend!

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This post was a collaboration with Keep.com which is a sponsor of LGN. Thank you for supporting our sponsors! 

Friday Miscellaney

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

As it is Friday, and we have our M14 singles now in hand from MTG Mint Card, we're heading off to Friday Night Magic this evening to OMG! Games here in Barrie and try to get to Top 8 to get one of those lovely Rakdos Cackler FNM promos. For today's post, we want to yatter about the new M14 Event Deck as well as drawing you attention to some stunning Magic: the Gathering wallpaper.  Let's go!

New Magic 2014 core set Event Deck - Red / Green "Rush of the Wild".  Available on 9 August 2013 for a MSRP $25, this competitive list features 8 rares and a host of other solid card choices.  Here's what you get -
• 1 x 60-card deck
• 1 x 15-card sideboard
• 1 x Spindownlife counter
• 1 x  strategy insert
• 1 x  card box


With your horde of warriors, shamans, and wild beasts, your goal is to put your opponents on the back foot, then smash through their defenses. This deck lets you take the offensive, dominating the battle and denying your enemy time to execute a strategy.

24 land : 4 Gruul Guildgate, 1 Rogue's Passage, 1 Stomping Ground (R), 12 Forest, 6 Mountain

27 creatures : 4 Elvish Mystic, 2 Rakdos Cackler, 2 Dryad Militant, 2 Kalonian Tusker, 2 Skarrg Guildmage, 2 Burning-Tree Emissary, 1 Pyrewild Shaman (R), 3 Slaughterhorn, 1 Wild Beastmaster (R), 1 Ogre Battledriver (R), 1 Deadbridge Goliath (R), 4 Ghor-Clan Rampager, 1 Rubblebelt Raiders (R), 1 Wrecking Ogre (R)

9 other spells : 3 Shock, 1 Mizzium Mortars (R), 1 Gruul Charm, 2 Flames of the Firebrand, 1 Clan Defiance, 1 Armed & Dangerous

15 sideboard : 1 Savage Summoning, 3 Skullcrack, 2 Naturalize, 2 Gruul Charm, 2 Act of Treason, 3 Annihilating Fire, 2 Enlarge

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Here's the latest offering of MTG wallpapers from the mothersite -
Rise of the Dark Realms, by Michael Komarck

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Goblin Diplomats, by Izzy

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Jace's Mindseeker, Greg Staples
 

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Archangel of Thune, by James Ryman

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Obsessed and Video Proof

A few weeks ago, I took part in my friend Hollie's series, '25 Things You Don't Know About Me' and in case you missed it, here was my list...

1. I used to be a grade 3 homeroom/art teacher...and before that I wanted to be a psychologist

2. I was born on the 7th day of the 7th month and weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces...consider 7s super duper lucky

3. Our family has 6 members...you now know how I like 7s...pretty sure my husband will divorce me if he reads this

4. I have slight OCD tendencies- can't leave the house with the beds unmade or things lying around on the floor...a sink full of dishes is totally acceptable to my brain though

5. I was born in Vancouver (and lived there twice,) grew up mostly in Ontario but consider PEI to be the place where my heart is the happiest

6. My eldest daughter Natasha was actually my student way back in 2002...I was her teacher the year her mother passed away...a few years later, her dad took me out to thank me for all the extra time I had spent with her and shortly after that, we got married...I legally adopted my sweeet big girl shortly after that and now, we're one big happy family

7. I'm pretty sure that I've been dehydrated for at least the last 20 years...my daily drink routine basically goes coffee, decaf coffee, sip of something, glass of wine

8. Watching streamed TV on my computer is basically my life

9. I have weirdly small hands and feet- people are often surprised that I can balance on the nubs I call toes

10. I had red hair until I was about 7...so hoping my daughter's actually stays put

11. Chocolate has to be stored in the freezer as far as I'm concerned...frozen white chocolate Lindor balls are responsible for at least 5 of the pounds I want to loose

12. I hate zoos...the caged up chimps always make me feel like humans suck

13. The only thing I hate more than zoos is guns...loathe everything about them with a fiery passion

14. Speaking of hate, I hate the word hate...and the word moist for that matter...love, love, love comeuppance though

15. I've never really been religious but have been in the room with both my Nana and my mother-in-law when they passed away and am pretty damn sure that when you die, you really do float away to a better place

16. A caricature artist once asked my husband to  list all of our common interests and we literally couldn't come up with a single damn thing- we are total and complete opposites

17. My daughter recently bought me a N'espresso machine and I now literally fantasize about my morning coffee as I'm drifting off to sleep...before getting the machine, I thought instant coffee was totally awesome- my friends almost dis-owned me for this

18. Kelly Wearstler is my number one giant girl crush...everything she touches is magic sauce in my eyes

19. I haven't traveled nearly enough...which probably has something to do with the next point...

20. I absolutely adore being bored

21. I'm supercalafragalistic sentimental

22. When drying my hair, I always close my right eye- so weird

23. I have wicked awesome control of my top lip...have a bunch of party tricks related to my ability to snarl well

24. I envy artists who can really draw/paint more than anyone- so jealous of other people's artistic talents

25. My family is like 8th generation Canadian, which I find pretty awesome...unfortunately, this lineage also 
means that me and the kids have skin that's so white, it pretty much glows in the dark

I'd like to draw you attention to a few of these at the moment just cause I'm in the  mood for a relatively pointless post that is hopefully slightly entertaining;)

#8...I'm currently in the midst of a Million Dollar Listing NY marathon....for any of  you who watch it, can we talk about the 'marble house'...holy shizzle...EXACTLY what I want for #projectdreamhouse...only I'd like the pool outside thank you please.

I clipped a photo of the staircase and railing to show my architect...black spindles, brass railing, marble stairs...want, want, want...


...sorry for the blur.

And speaking of want, I spied this action on Jeff Lewis and Mary McDonald's new show Property Envy...


...and am now lusting large over the idea of a covered/pillared porch dripping in Wisteria...



wisteria

#9...I was at pilates last night and the instructor finally believed me that my toes seemed to have no bones int them so asked me how I was able to walk and then proceeded to crack/break all of them...speaking of having a hard time walking...not cool teacher, not cool.

#18...I'm more obsessed than ever and my ever growing list of Kelly Wearstler wish list items just keeps getting longer and longer...at present, I'd jump up and down like a 4 year old in a bouncy castle for each and every one of these supreme delights...





...want it all large styles.

#23...I have drunken proof of said lip control...


Ha...how's that for a party trick...can you tell I don't get out much these days;)

xo
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