Gallery Picture Wall Ideas | Master Bedroom Makeover

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This has been a long time coming! I don't share this side of my bedroom, like ever. Maybe little bits and pieces every couple of years, but that's it. It wasn't pretty. It was a catch all, and I seriously was so stumped with what to do with this gigantic wall. I wanted a gallery wall, but didn't want to continue on how it was going. Here's the before:

The New Year hit and I suddenly got the urge to do something about this eyesore. I had an a-hah moment, and random idea I had to try. It had to do with DIY picture ledges and lots of board and batten. 

This wall is long, 12 feet to be exact. So, I made two picture ledges, one at 12 feet and one at 8 feet. I used a 1x3 for the back and then glued and screwed in another 1x3 at the bottom. I then finished off the front with a 1.5" piece of molding. Using the molding on the front gave it a more finished look. I used 1 1/4" brad nails to secure the molding along with wood glue.

With the ledges made, I had to figure out the placement on the wall. My husband wasn't home to help with this so I had to teeter some things around to get a height to look at to see if I liked it or not, so....meet candlestick on pot and pot on ladder :) ha! It worked out pretty well. I knew I wanted to add my big pictures to the dresser to carry on the gallery wall, so this little set up gave me an idea of where to put the first ledge. 

I then found the studs in the wall, and countersunk a screw into the back 1x3 and into the stud. I then found the height I wanted for the top shelf and did the same. I made sure this whole ledge was level the entire time, with each screw into the wall. 

Of course once those shelves were up I had to play around with the look until I found all the molding. It seriously took me 4 stores to get enough decent molding to finish this project. I first added the molding to the top where to ceiling line was. This is 3.5" molding. 

Once I found enough of the other molding, I went to work and started adding the board and batten. I started on the end, and then went every 14". I found that to be the perfect width. I did this width in my front room also. 

I put the bottom pieces of the board and batten up first. 

I then eyed the placement of the second tier. I could have measured, but figured it would be best to go by eye since that's how I would be noticing if it was off anyway.

I then added the top molding the same way. 

I carried the molding to the other wall. 

I then filled in all the holes and cracks with some dry wall spackling, sanded it, and painted the molding to match the wall. This color is Pepple White by Glidden. It's a soft white to match my already painted molding and doors. 

Next step was to decorate! I went with lots of whites to keep this from looking too busy. We have a picture up there from every year since we had our first baby. I have a few more frames to add for more years when they come. 

Chair Throw Blanket: Link

I also added this cozy corner and this antique mirror I found. I took a chair out of here a few years ago since it became the laundry chair and got messy real quick. I'm hoping that since this are is now pretty and not a hot mess that it'll stay clean. Crossing my fingers!

I only did 8 feet of the DIY picture ledge on the bottom so I could add this floor length mirror. It will probably get hung, eventually :) 

Within the big family pictures, I added smaller ones and layered the ones I could. I then added a few other pieces in between to break up the pictures. 

I love how much this brightened the space up! It also made it sooo much bigger somehow! The white helped a ton, and then adding the lines upwards with the board and batten really opened this space up. It feels so grand in here now. 

Here's the before shot again:

And the after! 

And here's another sneak peak at the rest of the room :) Here's the before:

And the after! I will eventually redo that back wall to match the other smaller molding. I seriously am not looking forward to patching drywall from taking off some of those pieces :) ... so that project is quite a ways down the road. 

This project was sooo needed. I hated this side of my bedroom for years and years and years...obviously since I never shared it on here. The only problem was the cost! Molding and wood is crazy expensive now....and finding quality molding and wood is like finding a needle in a haystack -thus the 4 stores deal. I always wanted floor to ceiling board and batten in here, and I finally have it! Now I want some faux beams :) How pretty would that be?! 

Be sure to join me on social media for lots of sneak peaks and behind the scenes :) 

  

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

DIY Terracotta Clay Diffusers | Terracotta Cinnamon Ornaments

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I made these cute little terracotta ornaments before Christmas, but knew they would work wonderfully even after Christmas as essential oil diffusers. I have one hanging in my car and one in my bathroom and they smell sooooo good! 

I found this terracotta play online (click here for the one I used). To use it, grab a chunk with semi-wet hands and work it into the shape you want.

Terracotta Clay Link

I cut some of mine out with cookie cutters. 

I then added a design to them. With this design, I pressed some dried greenery into it while it was still wet. 

I added a hole on the top with a coffee straw so I could hang it later. And then put it out to dry for the night. 

I used a lot of different designs as you will see :). I made an ornament with my cat's foot print. I pressed it down first and then cut it out. 

This one below I used a Christmas tree cookie cutter and pressed in some greens.

I also made one pressing down a stencil onto it. 

One of my favorite ones was pressing the clay into a mold. You can dry it inside the mold, or take it out and then dry it. I did it both ways and either one works. 

Leaf Mold Link

I had my kids make their own for presents, and then added them all out to dry over night. Make sure you dry it on a wire tray so the bottom dries as well. 

After they are dried. Grab some sandpaper and smooth out the edges.

Now to make them smell good! I used some essential oils and painted them onto the designs. Peppermint and Cinnamon are good holiday ones. If you want to use these past the holidays, use wild orange or a floral like Lavender. You can see more essential oils on my oil site here. 

The oil does stain where you put it for a couple of days. So it's best to stay on the design or do the whole entire piece. I love how it highlighted the designs on some of the pieces.

And that's it! I made so many of these! They work great as ornaments, presents, and little scent keepers for small spaces! 

Be sure to join me on social media for lots of sneak peaks and behind the scenes :) 

  

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

DIY Coffee Filter Christmas Trees | Christmas Crafts

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I've been crafting it up the past week and have so many easy Christmas crafts to share with you! I have yet to get around to sharing any so far and it's two days before Christmas :) I'll be sharing more with you next week also in hopes that it gives you some inspiration for next year! Luckily, lots of the Christmas crafts go straight into winter decor, bonus!

Today, I'm sharing how to make these super easy Coffee Filter Christmas trees...well technically coffee filter and cupcake liner Christmas trees ... or winter trees. I saw these at a party and knew I had to figure out how to make them! I figured it out and wanted to share them with you. We will be making a ton of these next year as the centerpieces for our family Christmas party. It'll make a fun girl craft night for sure!

Step 1: 

Make 3 different varying sized cones. My smallest is about 8 inches which I used just normal printing paper for. The tallest is about 12 inches. I used white square cardstock for this one. I simple just roller them up until a cone shape appeared and then taped the edge down. I cut the bottom to be straight. 

Step 2: 

Starting with the coffee filters, fold and cut out the middle circle. Then cut in half and fold over. This is what they should look like after doing those three things:

Step 3: 

Using hot glue, secure the folded filters along the bottom of the cone. I made them go just about a centimeter or so past the bottom of the cone. I placed them randomly as I went up to the next rows. If you find that the filter keeps opening at its fold, just glue it. 

Step 4: 

Now for the cupcake liner! Fold and cut out a circle in the middle. You can use it like this, or if you prefer smaller sections, cut in half and do as you did above with the coffee filters. I used both ways throughout the tree to give it more flow.

Step 5: 

Glue these onto the cone and start alternating with the coffee filters. When you get a little higher, you'll notice that the filters are too long. I didn't want to do just liners so I trimmed the outside edges of the filters to work with the graduation. 

Step 6; 

To finish the top, do a really good dollop of hot glue on the top and place a whole cupcake liner on the top, trying to make the middle come to a pointing peak. Fold the liner around and secure with hot glue. 

And it's done! I just love how these turned out. I wish I had made them sooner in the season to enjoy them more! I'm exciting to make more for our Christmas party next year. 

I placed them on my old pie safe I finally brought into my living room. I love this little corner! Adding the little amount of fresh greens at the bottom of the trees helped complete the look. 

Rustic Wooden Desk Drawer Organizer/Printer's Cabinet:link      Antique Metal Mirror: Link

I'll be sharing how I made those cute little snowflakes next week! 

Be sure to join me on social media for lots of sneak peaks and behind the scenes :)