Chandelier Molding

Right before Jason and I arrived in San Diego to move into one of my grandpa's houses, my dad replaced the dining room light fixture with the chandelier that was used as decor at our wedding open house. The previous light fixture was hexagonal so that's what was left behind. We decided it didn't look so bad, but only if it was a different color from dirty beige. 

Easter weekend we were at Lowe's to buy an outlet, just an outlet. When you're a home owner, or a home dweller who has free range to cosmetically alter the house, Lowe's is kind of like Target. You go in for one thing and walk out with at least five. I saw the paint and decided to wing it. I've wanted that dirty hexagon painted for the last year so this was the moment to choose the color. I picked one then asked Jason his opinion. He said we should go more bold...see photo below.

So that was a bad idea. Not only the color but the fact that plan A was we were going to only paint it, no molding. Once I climbed off the ladder and stepped back to take it all in, I called my parents to see if my dad would help me cut some angled molding. The next step was tracing the shape. "Fun" Fact: This manufactured hexagonal lighting fixture wasn't perfect. One side was 8 inches and the rest were 7 5/8 inches. COOL. HOW DOES THAT EVEN HAPPEN!? Anyway...I decided to make all of the molding 8 inches since it's easier to fill in with paint than fix what was outside of the molding.

 I headed back to Lowe's bought the paint color I originally chose, the molding I had my eye on if I needed to execute plan B, and spray paint for once the molding was cut. My dad was coming from a church meeting but was ready to help. He got his saw out right away, helped me figure out the angle (45* angle so a 22.5* cut), and cut them all for me! I am so lucky to have him.

I decided to glue these to the ceiling so my dad suggested construction adhesive. Off to Lowe's for the third time in one day and at 9 o'clock at night. When I got home Jason wouldn't let me continue my project until I ate dinner...what the heck? Does he like love me or something? Weirdo. So I ate some dang tacos to make him happy and proceeded with my project. I painted the first coat and was loving it! I got the second coat on and spray painted the molding just before bed.

Easter morning I was right back at it! I had my extra tall step ladder and used the chandelier as a workstation.

I stuck the molding in place with blue tape then peeled them off one by one to apply the glue then replace them. I am so happy with the results. This was such a fun project since it was challenging, made a big difference in our home, and wasn't expensive!

Valspar Sample Size Paint: $3

8 feet of Molding: $8

Spray Paint: $5

Construction Adhesive: $5

The Wonders of Heat n' Bond

Heat n' Bond has been my temporary solution for having no clue how to use a sewing machine...and so far I'm starting to think this cop out could sustain my fabric bonding needs.

I was first introduced to the concept by Ikea. They provide this 'tape' to hem your curtains. I was amazed how simple it was. I describe this 'tape' to be like a really thin and wide strip of hot glue, you simply put it in between two pieces of fabric and apply heat with an iron. I was so excited when I realized it was available in stores as Heat n' Bond. In different widths too!

Below are a few of my projects I used Heat n' Bond for.

Just a quick cut down the middle of a pullover sweater and folding over each side. It was quick and easy. I was inspired by this pin I found.

         

I made these curtains for a friend's closet and window. Sorry there aren't any 'in the process' photos...but it was quite simple. Just fold your hems and iron. For the bottom hems I ironed and hung one curtain then hung the second curtain unhemmed and used a flat iron (yes, the kind for your hair) to hem. It was great to have the other right next to it to make quick and frequent comparisons. 

Now my pillows! This was not an original idea. I found this wonderful tutorial on Pinterest. It was so fun! I felt so accomplished and frugal. I love how they turned out and that I didn't have to settle for pillows in stores. They can get expensive and if they aren't exactly what you want then are they really worth it?