Funky Junk Interiors

My love for culverts -photography

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 08:47:00 +0000

I'm very blessed to live in a rural community. This amazing farmland is a very short walk from my doorstep.

This kind of living is very familiar. Growing up on a 40 acre dairy farm had me walking roads like this all my life. So it's no surprise that this community feels right at home.

So, my self assigned photography assignment today? Culverts!

Farmland is filled with ditches. And where there is water, there are little tiny bridges that hold driveways. Culverts are needed wherever there's water, so there's plenty down this road.

(this is my dream home by the way, the perfect barn is out back)

Hey, and step right up for the most amazing ambiance possible! Here's the perfect sound track while you scroll. :) This one isn't quite as pretty as mine (yes culverts can be pretty!) but you just can't have a culvert without the water turned on.

Culverts and ditches simply remind me of being on the farm. They make me homesick but in a good way. :)

Having a culvert at the foot of your driveway offers you your very own little river. Rushing water is the most beautiful sound on earth.

Having my own culvert one day is definitely on my dream list! What's not to love?

Do you have a fond memory of something a little quirky?

You can check out other photography type posts HERE.

SNS link party #122 - featuring Picture Perfect full room reveals #2

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 03:00:00 +0000

Saturday Nite Special link party featuring Picture Perfect room reveals!

This post is truncated for quicker loading. Please click below / left to continue.

Welcome to Saturday Nite Special #120, the multi themed DIY link party!

* Home Decor / Gardening

* Crafts, / Sewing / Recipes / Printables / Blog tips

* Theme of the week

Every Fri 7pm to Sunday 11 pm Pacific.

Well, it's been a whirlwind of reveals this past week.

I unexpectedly changed from working on my photo studio and boy's room to...

working on my own bedroom. An old horse gate became my headboard...

and a few pallet boards became a closet wall of sorts. So fun!

Many of you asked for wider viewed shots. Truth is, I've been sneaky... the rest just wasn't done. :)

This wall needed some enhancing.

And this is what transpired today. It's going to be a light and bright feature wall to add some additional character. Can you guess what I'm doing? :)

So, looks like I didn't make the final deadline once again, but there's always next time, right?

So how are you making out with your full room reveals?
How about a peek at your progress?
Show us whatcha got in this weekend's 3rd themed linkup!

Picture Perfect changes:

Let's change things up a little bit come next PP.

Rooms that are COMPLETE only will be highlighted in PP next month.

For progress updates, you can enter them in the Home Decor section of SNS anytime!

This weekend smaller updates are welcome because I didn't give you a heads up.

In the future, let's leave PP a special place for completed rooms in all their full glory! They're hard work and deserve special treatment IMO! So work hard so you can be featured, ok??

Upcoming themes

March 30th - Picture Perfect room reveals

Voting poll below!

Some related posts you may enjoy:

Master theme linkup list - add yours any time!

SNS Rockstars (you!) on Pinterest

How to link up to a link party

~ SNS blah blah linkup rules ~

1. DIY home projects only pretty please. Items for sale must be in tutorial form on your blog.

2. Please link back to the party (text or button) within your post. See BUTTONS under main blog header.

3. Only projects new to SNS please. The themed linkup is an exception.

4. By linking up here, you're cool with me featuring you on the blog, Pinterest, or FJI Facebook with no additional permission required.

Other events currently running

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter this weekend for party highlights!

reader folks may have to hop on the blog in order to vote on the poll shown below:

The horse gate headboard inspiration and reveal

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:21:00 +0000

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Thanks to friend Michael from Inspired By Charm,

I now have a colourful bedroom! Allow me to explain.

My confession

My shabby white on white trash bedroom is no more.

I know... so many of you are holding your breath with, "what have I done?!?" :)

See, I've been wanting to change this room out for a long time. I created the room when all the whites first came out so I could have a taste of my own. But it's never felt like me from day one. I always knew I would change it and didn't worry about it as the room cost me nothing to create.

It's been a very fun room! But it was time to move on and try something new. But someone had a big hand in what was to come without even realizing it.

My inspiration

Michael's curtain reveal

The decision of COLOUR came easy. Michael from Inspired by Charm, a decorator chef writer blogger pinner ADELEaholic is all about amazing vibrant colour.

After working with Michael for FOLK magazine for the last 6 months, I've become very attached to the way Michael uses colour in his rooms. So this round I put away the antique white pillows and grain sacks (for another time) and went for it!

(more on this amazing guy soon)

So my friends, we've got COLOUR!

(all bedroom redo 2012 projects on Funky Junk are HERE)

(and on the review blog HERE)

Bedroom Redo Part 3- a pallet wood closet wall

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

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I'm not crazy about hanging up clothes. Truly, I've had this "issue" since ... forever.

So when a blank wall kept staring at me while my clothes were slung all over my bed, I came up with a plan. I dreamt the wall was loaded with hooks so I could merrily throw my clothes against it like some carnival game, hoping they'd catch! Fun! :)

First up I needed some wood. I'm an avid collector of pallet wood and here's the stash that was destined for a new home.

I didn't do all that much measuring as you'll soon see why. However, there were some pieces that had to be cut down to size. My trusty miter saw on the patio did the trick. If you don't have one of these, you totally need one.

First up, I painted the wall with an eggshell white.

Want a wonderful tip for achieving the perfect white? Get the paint store to add two drops of their dark brown mix to it. The colour is still white but the icy undertones are removed!

I was going after a strapping look, that's why I wanted the wall white. You know strapping right? Old fashioned houses had drywall over plaster and slats of wood. I realize that most try to remove that old stuff from their homes, but I add it.

Anyway, I chose my strapping design to run vertical because I hadn't seen that done before. This is why there wasn't all that much cutting to do. I just fit it all in like a puzzle and screwed the boards in with my cordless drill.

Each board got hit with a level before considering it done so the lines didn't go wonky on me. Ohhh, pretty!

So, the way I work, anything goes. Hooks of all types were desired so I did a thrift store shop as well as a snoop through the garage and came up with some interesting old relics to try.

In case you're curious, my thrift store runs are truly to find the junk that no one else wants. Just means more for me!

Ready for a little bit of crazy?!? Here you go!

Annnnd, let's load it up!

Perfect!

Have just a fav outfit you want to get ready for the next day? Works great too!

(the doors will be getting makeovers too btw)

But I wasn't done yet. This corner use to have a big honkin' TV on a trunk. It was hideously big for the room, so my son was happy to take it off my hands. Yay, more play room!

I officially no longer envy those with walk-in closets because my entire room is one now!
The ladder is a wonderful way to hold jeans and the doorway to the ensuite is perfect for shirts.

Closet? What's that again?!?

Thank-you BlogHer, for letting me come out and play with a fun new winter home project!

(all bedroom redo 2012 projects are HERE)

All posts in the BlogHer Winter Home Projects program are 100% editorial content presented by a participating sponsor. Our advertisers do not produce the content. This post is made possible by Home Depot and BlogHer.

Sat Nite Special 121 - antique / old tools link party

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:00:00 +0000

Antique / old tools link party!

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Welcome to Saturday Nite Special #120, the multi themed link party!

* Home Decor

* Crafts, / Sewing / Recipes

* Theme of the week

Every Fri 7pm to Sunday 11 pm Pacific.

My character building woodshed

This is my little greenhouse turned character building out back which now holds firewood.

The outside was built from reclaimed fencing boards and the windows are from a barn. And it's become my favourite backyard focal point to display a collection of old antique tools.

(more pics can be found HERE)

LOVE decorating with tools! :) In fact, one of my last thrift store runs was just rusty garden tools. Like, REALLY rusty. I was scared to make eye contact with the sales gal. :)

Do you have a project or collection of old antique tools?
Please link it up in this weekend's 3rd themed linkup!

Upcoming themes

Feb 24th - Picture Perfect room reveals

Some related posts you may enjoy:

Master theme linkup list - add yours any time!

SNS Rockstars (you!) on Pinterest

How to link up to a link party

~ SNS blah blah linkup rules ~

1. DIY home projects only pretty please. Items for sale must be in tutorial form on your blog.

2. Please link back to the party (text or button) within your post. See BUTTONS under main blog header.

3. Only projects new to SNS please. The themed linkup is an exception.

4. By linking up here, you're cool with me featuring you on the blog, Pinterest, or FJI Facebook with no additional permission required.

Other events currently running:

Join us on Facebook this weekend for party highlights!

My Route 66 cupboard and link up to be in FOLK yourself!

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

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This funky little cupboard design was my latest instalment in FOLK magazine.

This post contains a linkup for those that wish to be featured in FOLK magazine.
The post is truncated for quicker blog loading. Please click below / left for more.

FOLK was themed around travel in the Jan/Feb issue, so Route 66 just popped into my head. I created a gigantic decal stencil with my pro sign making equipment and went to work!

You can still get this issue from a local retailer.

(The full tutorial is in FOLK only this round, however my "How to make old signs" ebook will be published soon that will cover how I design and create old signs onto virtually any surface. You can also see how I create from my old sign post and my stairs post.)

Each time the magazine arrives on the doorstep is like Christmas morning. It feels like YOUR magazine. And that's the way FOLK likes it. They deem partnership as being part of the family.

How about you? Do you wish you had a special place to land where publishing is concerned? Ever wish your own projects would be published? If yes, you've come to the right place today!

FOLK is always looking for contributors of projects AND stories. So editor Ben and I came up with a brainstorm... get YOU involved because your projects are amazing!

Here's how!

How to submit your work:

Link it up here! Today! All the way up to 1 month. (linkup widget is installed below this post)

Submit: Stories and photo shoots

Images of fire flies, sweet tea, front porches, swings, oak trees, gardens, cutting flowers, picnics on old quilts, lemonade. Trips to the beach, strolling down main street in the summer sun. Old fashioned cures for sunburns. Places and food from the south.

Submit: Projects

Projects and product that represent summer life in the country. Recipes for tea and lemonade, homemade pies and favourite sandwiches. A favourite quilt you've made, how you use mason jars, where you place antiques in your home, or anything with a vintage time worn feel.

Clear, sharp, well lit non watermarked high resolution photos that are avail are preferred.

Chosen projects will receive:

- a feature in FOLK!
- 5 free FOLK magazines of the issue you are in
- 1 free year's subscription to FOLK
- an opportunity to host your own FOLK giveaway event on your blog

(this is the most generous offer I know of from a magazine... wow)

How you'll be notified

Successful entrants will be posted on FOLK's blog within 1 month. Follow FOLK's blog HERE and Facebook HERE to ensure you don't miss the announcements!

This linkup will be open for 1 month so please keep creating and submitting!

Don't have a blog? You can submit your work anytime to submissions.folk@gmail.com

Curious about FOLK? Living with Lindsay is doing a review of FOLk today so if you don't know anything about it, here's your chance to get to know the publication a little more!

Visit Lindsay's review HERE.

This gorgeous March/April issue is about Country Comforts... comfort food and all things home and can be ordered until Feb 20th HERE.

And really great news... FOLK is going national so you'll find it nearly everywhere shortly! So it's a great time to get published in one, isn't it? :)

Everyone that links up will be entitled to a

1 year free subscription giveaway!

See you soon... in FOLK!

This giveaway is open to those over the age of 18 that submits a project in this linkup - worldwide, except where prohibited by law. Canadian winners will be asked to answer a skill testing question. The winner will be chosen from the linkup participants and be drawn by random.org. The giveaway winner will be announced by March 16 2012 on FOLK's blog.

My unexpected bedroom redo - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:47:00 +0000

Well friends, funny how things work out. I've wanted to redo my bedroom forever but really had no intention to tackle what you're about to see anytime soon.

Head over to my other blog HERE for Part 2!

This post is Part 1 of the start of the big bedroom redo and is truncated for quicker loading. Please click below / left for more.

Silly guy... always trying to help. :)

But you know how it is... you vision something you want and the vision never goes away. I started tinkering in one corner, and that was it. I had to go for it ALL.

Yer goin' down...

Ain't she a beauty so far? Those lovely holes is where I punched out the wall to accommodate the door handles from the old headboard. That plywood was to hold the broken door in place. Yep.. it was falling apart. Quality workmanship all the way here... I'm for hire too! Any takers?!? :)

So for the headboard, I always visioned an old gate of sorts. I was prepared to make it myself but didn't have enough wood on hand. So I shopped the house. Wanna know what I used instead?

Ok, I'll tell you in a minute, promise!

The first order of biz was to crack fill and paint the funky board and batten wall so it was nice and crisp for the new look. And I was able to get away with leaving the goofy holes as is because luckily the new headboard covered them perfectly. LOVE cheats. :)

Tip for achieving the perfect white:

Ask the paint department to add two drops of their dark brown tint into the white paint. You're left with the white intact but the glare removed. It's PERFECT.

Wanna see what I'm using for the new headboard?

Head over to my other blog HERE for Part 2!

I have a chance for you to win a gift over yonder too, hosted by Apartment Guide!

Quick! Visit HERE for Part 2 before my boyfriend changes his mind... :)

"OUR" cutest couple WON!

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:19:00 +0000

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Remember our 'cutest couple' we voted on a few days ago HERE?

Well, with your help, they blew out their competition! Thousands of you voted and helped make this family's dream come true!

(story below)

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Thank-you so much!

Any guesses where Grandaughter and Grandpa went for lunch? If you're an avid reader of this blog, you may guess...

Mission Springs Brewing Company! Nice choice!!

(see the photoshoot HERE)

And here's what granddaughter Traci says:

Yeah! We won by about 2,300 votes! Grandma loved the flowers and put them beside her bed table, she was really surprised. We also printed off pictures of everyone's comments they left on the photo and shares and put it into an album. I read them all to her yesterday, she was very touched by the support and love by people that didn't even know her. She is also very selfless so she doesn't think she deserves much recognition but I know it means a lot to her to have so many encouraging and especially positive thoughts for her.

We took Grandpa out for lunch where he enjoyed a beef dip, and the rest of my family joined us as well: my mom, dad and brother.

When we told them about the contest they were very flattered about the whole thing, mostly shy and confused because they didn't understand Facebook. But I know it's been the highlight for the past few months. Grandma looks at the comments from everyone in her room and it brings her a lot of encouragement.

I think Mission Springs was the perfect place to take him, 2 mins away from the hospital and we all looooved the style! (my mom got the idea from your page of course) Grandpa loved it! He talked about the truck in the roof the whole time, like how he had one just like it himself when my dad was young. My dad thought it would be a smart idea to ride his tricycle off the back of it and wiped out. It brought back a lot of funny memories for Grandpa!

Other than that we've been spending a lot of time at her bedside just talking and telling stories. I laid with Grandma for awhile and massaged her hands and arms (I'm a week away from being a Registered Massage Therapist) so that helped her quite a lot.

As a couple they are doing well, my Grandpa is in and out visiting her about 6 or 7 times a day and takes care of her comfort and needs.

Thanks so much for sharing our story with your followers! This wouldn't have happened without them!

Traci

Tell me your day just got better too... *sniff*

My junky little lamp gets some new bling

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:34:00 +0000

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It really appears that many of you love the simple 'slam it together and be done' projects. So here's one I whipped up today!

This is my lamp in the bedroom.

The shade is nothing more than ripped strips of loose cotton material draped over the top, then held in place with a tied strip around the works. The glow it casts in the evening is pretty cool.

The original tutorial is HERE.

I just wanted to add a bit more bling. So I layered some stainless kitchenware type pans together. A pizza pan, one for flann and the top one is just a heavy duty serving plate. It was fun to pile them up to see what they'd look like.

And a special touch was adding two of my fav necklaces created by the awesome Rochelle from What Lola Wants Lola Gets.

JUNK GIRL appears to be a flattened out spoon head. Am I right Rochelle?!? I LOVE IT!

You can see more of Rochelle's beautiful work from a photoshoot I did HERE on Fieldstone Vintage Market.

Hey, I'm all ready for Valentine's Day too! :)

Why stick with normal when you can have this?!? :)

Sat Nite Special 120 - old windows!

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:00:00 +0000

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Old Windows link party!

Welcome to Saturday Nite Special #120, the multi themed link party!

* Home Decor

* Crafts, / Sewing / Recipes

* Theme of the week

Every Fri 7pm to Sunday 11 pm Pacific.

This post is truncated for quicker loading. Please click below/left for more.

Gotta love old windows! But we aren't using them as such any longer. Take a look...

This Fresh Cupcakes sign would be dangerous in my house. I fear I'd have to stop the DIY madness and BAKE. Isn't it gorgeous?

By Miss Mustard Seed

What to do with old doilies? Mount them in an old window!

By Flea Market Trixie

This old window artist's palette is sooooo pretty!

By Pretty Handy Girl

And then there's this amazingness that went slightly viral on Pinterest. What's not to love about this beautifully displayed family photo gallery with two old windows?

By Cottage Instincts

Twine wrapped around an old window is a very quick, easy and unique way to mount your favourite pictures. And it's mine... all mine. :)

By (me!) Funky Junk Interiors (tutorial here)

And my old windows Pinterest board is HERE.

Do you have an old window project to share?
Please link it up in this weekend's 3rd themed linkup!

Upcoming themes for Feb in this order:

antique tools - NEW linkup!

Feb 24th - Picture Perfect room reveals

Some related posts you may enjoy:

Master theme linkup list - add yours any time!

SNS Rockstars (you!) on Pinterest

How to link up to a link party

~ SNS blah blah linkup rules ~

1. DIY home projects only pretty please. Items for sale must be in tutorial form on your blog.

2. Please link back to the party (text or button) within your post. See BUTTONS under main blog header.

3. Only projects new to SNS please. The themed linkup is an exception.

4. By linking up here, you're cool with me featuring you on the blog, Pinterest, or FJI Facebook with no additional permission required.

Join us on Facebook this weekend for party highlights!

Junk filled pub decorating you won't believe!

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:24:00 +0000

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There's an amazing junk and antiques filled place I love to frequent for a good meal when I'm in the area. And you'll soon see why. (picture heavy post!)

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Welcome to Mission Springs Brewing Company, located in Mission, British Columbia, Canada.

(7160 Oliver Street - 604 814-2337)

This pub was one of my submissions in the Jan/Feb edition of FOLK magazine, titled Our Land. Editor Ben gave me his blessing to share this amazing place with you here as well.

Ready for a tour you'll never forget? Come on in!

Bam! Welcome! Isn't it cool?

This fabulous bar, museum and restaurant is owned by Brock Rodgers and Ken Brookes. The collection is from both their own stock as well as gifted to them over the years. And there's no signs of it stopping anytime soon!

The pub was built in 1986 which later became a full blown brewery and child friendly restaurant. The 1949 Chevy 3/4 Ton that is suspended from the ceiling had to be put in before the roof went on during construction.

The pub's own maintenance man and the owner himself hangs all the antiques, ensuring everything is thoroughly secured to the wall in the event of an earthquake or potential theft.

I've touched a few items myself and that's no lie. :) It's not coming down!

I love the telephone poll... it's just about disappears against the more prominent rusty tractor seats. Aren't they awesome?

Owner Ken made all the tables himself. Each one is resin poured, filled with some kind of interesting artifact. Every table is different. This one is embedded with bullets, and is amazing in person! One table is themed with antique money the patrons have attempted to remove several times.

Peeks of the amazing copper ceiling covers this section. The ceiling also changes depending where you sit.

Here it's all about corrugated metal and wooden beams.

I love how anything goes, yet it works so well!

Is it any wonder that it's hard to sit still while eating here?

You know the ceilings are tall if an outdoor lamp post fits!

Sigh... :)

If you head out to Mission Springs, make sure you mention you saw them here... :D

Thanks Mission Springs! Your magazine is on the way!

FOLK's March/April issue is themed Country Comforts and can be purchased HERE until Feb 20th.

And thanks to sooooo many of you that have been voting and helping my friends!

Voting is still open until Friday. Click the pic for more.

A Valentine's gift for my friends... would you help?

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:36:00 +0000

Tell me this isn't adorable!

As heartwarming as this photo is, it comes with a bittersweet story.

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I've known this couple all my life growing up. And they are still madly in love today.

And it's with deep sadness, Mrs. is now in hospice and only has been given 6 months to live. And if that weren't enough, Mr. is going in for heart surgery.

This deeply touches me because I've lost both my parents. So!! I'd like to make this little dream come true for this family with your help if you're so inclined.

The family has entered these two in a photo contest. Whomever receives the most likes by Friday will be deemed The Cutest Couple and will win!

The win is a nice dinner and flowers. Mrs. can't go out for dinner, so Granddaughter will be taking Grandpa out out on a date if they win, and Grandma will brighten up her hospice room with the flowers.

This is a small thing... yet it's so very big.

If you'd like to help make this special wish come true for this family, I invite you to

click HERE or on the hearts above,

then LIKE the photo.

That's it!

(voting is until Friday on Facebook)

Thanks to the amazing FJI Facebook crew, we moved them into first place Tuesday evening!

But voting is until Friday. So if you see this and would like to be a part of it, please vote and share!

Using this blog forum to help people and do something 'good?!?' ... nothing like it!

Best of luck neighbours!

and thank-you everyone!

( pssst... this honestly was the cutest photo )

Watch the fun over at FJI Facebook (below) too!

Share 'what makes you happy' for a chance to win a Kindle Fire!

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:57:00 +0000

(this is a thought provolking post about how to be happy)

The first time I laid eyes on this room, it made me happy. In a giddy sort of way.

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Tamara asked me which room I wanted lunch in and when I stepped into this one, it was a no brainer. I had to have it!

Rustic meeting elegance in this way really spoke to me. That barn wood wall drew me right in. But knowing that the entire building wasn't decorated like this made me appreciate the barn wood even more. The space wasn't overpowered with rustic, but rather, the rustic was highlighted.

Surroundings I adore actually bring me happiness, or should I say, a high I can appreciate.

However when BlogHer asked me to answer the below question, it forced me to penetrate a little deeper.

Deep huh? :) Let's stay in decorator world for a moment.

I wanted to make a new desk for my office but I didn't know how. I had so much to learn! And naturally I made lots of mistakes along the way. But I eventually figured it out.

pallet farm table desk

Once this thing was actually standing and didn't keel over within an hour, I couldn't believe I accomplished what I had! The feeling I was left with was an overwhelming gratefulness towards myself that I stuck it out and didn't quit.

It's steps like these that help me accept where I currently am. Because I kinda think that's the key to happiness. Being happy where you're currently at.

Loving and accepting myself just the way I am with all my quirks attached is the ONLY way to live. But accepting yourself as is takes practice. It's all too easy to wish you had more or could do more. But where would you be then? You still would have lots to learn. So... what's the rush? Why not enjoy the ride?

My life is far from perfect. The to-do list is far too long, and my wish list even longer. I belt out the work of two parents and fall short daily. I allow the stress to bite me and can pout like the rest of them during a long rainy month.

But isn't that part of the ride up? Imperfection allows me to learn new things. I have friends that can help mentor my son. There will always be a to-do list and ways to de-stress. And a heavy rainfall can actually highlight a good DIY project indoors.

Flip it around! Make it all good!

Peaceful moments, quality friends that offer support, family that loves you back, a warm home, food on the table, paid bills, those factors all play a part in our happiness. But I truly think the most important part is, how YOU feel inside of YOU.

Accept you for who you are, then watch what happens. Maybe you can't change the entire world, but you can most certainly change your own. :)

What do you think the secret to happiness is?

How can we become happy if we aren't?

Feel free to share your views over at BlogHer's main Happiness post HERE

** Enter the Life Well Lived Sweepstakes HERE for a chance to **

win a

Kindle Fire!

Offer good in USA and Canada!

The toilet paper crate that blew up Facebook

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:22:00 +0000

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Sometimes the smallest thing in a room become the biggest things.

This is my little master bathroom. It was quite the sight when I first moved in.

The pedestal sink was a fluke. I was only borrowing it until I could afford my own sink. Guess what... it stayed. I fell in love, what can I say.

See that floor? Still love it to this day. It was my first attempt at cutting a pattern into tiles. Took me about 2 years to complete, but I did it. :) The tile pattern was a small thing that made a BIG difference to me.

The ladder landed here from day one and just stayed. I've attempted to change things around and try it elsewhere, but missed it.

When you know a piece works well in a room for all the right reasons, it's BIG.

And then there's the little necessities holder. Which is just a crate with a vintage license plate screwed onto it.

I actually hadn't blogged about it before. I don't even remember taking a picture of it before done like this. I mean, it was just a small thing.

But for fun, I showed it on Facebook over the weekend. Know what happened?

Facebook blew up! :) I don't think ANY of my projects have ever received over 200 likes yet not to mention 23 shares.

Here's to little crates holding toilet paper in a big way! Now go make one yourself. It'll take you about 30 seconds.

More slightly bent projects can be found above. :)

What little project went big on you?

Sat Nite Special 119 - ladders!

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:00:00 +0000

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Welcome to Saturday Nite Special #119, the multi themed link party!

* Home Decor

* Crafts, / Sewing / Recipes

* Theme of the week

Every Fri 7pm to Sunday 11 pm Pacific.

Truncated post: click to read more below

This month we're going to revisit some great themes we've run before, so you'll notice there are already linkups in the themed area. Please feel free to add your NEW links to continue the collection!

I love ladders for their straight lines, rustic nature and adaptability. I just think they look cool!

And I love how productive they can also be. The ladder in the main bathroom really has those extra towels accessible.

I've been working on the bedroom and this little corner became the perfect dressing area, thanks to the help of my white painter's ladder.

Magazines are within pretty handy reach when stacked on this ladder. You may recognize it. It was the same one....

that I used with my Christmas tree. :)

And then you've seen the one I used as framework to create my blogging desk.

Yup, I'm officially ladder crazy!

Love ladders as much as I do?
Let's see your own ladder creations in this weekend's 3rd themed linkup!

Upcoming themes for Feb in this order:

revisiting: old windows

antique tools

Feb 24th - Picture Perfect room reveals

Some related posts you may enjoy:

Master theme linkup list - add yours any time!

SNS Rockstars (you!) on Pinterest

How to link up to a link party

~ SNS blah blah linkup rules ~

1. DIY home projects only pretty please. Items for sale must be in tutorial form on your blog.

2. Please link back to the party (text or button) within your post. See BUTTONS under main blog header.

3. Only projects new to SNS please. The themed linkup is an exception.

4. By linking up here, you're cool with me featuring you on the blog, Pinterest, or FJI Facebook with no additional permission required.

Join us on Facebook this weekend for party highlights!

The day 'the competition' arrived (cat vs. cordless drill)

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:47:00 +0000

My little something' something' came in the mail... eeee! Do you remember why I won this cordless drill? I'll go dig for the post... be right back!

(cat wanders in the room in my absence...)

"What's this... awww man, it arrived!

DRAT!

Truncated post: click to read more below

Well, I'm not looking' at it! Cuz it's gonna take away some ear scratching cuddling time. I know how she works...

There, take THAT drill!

Wait... I just dusted it off.. WONDERFUL.

Sigh.... I can see it now.

She'll do a video on how it works for "THE BLOOOAAAG" and then she'll yank out some pallet boards to give it a real work out. Just dandy!

"Teddy! Did you see it?!? Look! EEEEE! Isn't it pretty?!? But it'll NEVER be as pretty as YOU are, my fuzzy wuzzy witto kitten! Mwa!! xoxo Wanna be in the picture? You'll make it even prettier!"

I'll scratch your ears...

Yeah well, it's my day job, ok?

Thank so much Earth Day Canada! I LOVE my new Panasonic cordless drill with a chuck! :)

(my bragging rights win post is HERE)

Yes, I will do a demo with this sweet thing soon! I just wanted to get a few shots of it before it got all dirty.

Then again, looks like my cat had a handle on that. :)

Next on my wish list is some kinda palm sander. Do you have a favourite you'd recommend?

What tool are you after?

A crazy mixed up head banging latte writing DIY kinda week

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:49:00 +0000

Didja miss me?!? :)

I've been a good little junker later and have adopted a schedule of sorts. I've been writing and DIYing in between all the crazy that's been going on in my sign shop.

I'm still attempting to learn how to play with Windows 7 on a new Mac alongside new software AND new equipment. (my old system failed from a power surge) So I head bang with this temporary jury rigged setup by day...

Truncated post: click to read more below

(gotta love that DIY cutter stand to the left... I like it better than the fancy stand it came with!)

And then I've earned some DIY time. I'm revamping a room for a special feature that's coming soon so I have a deadline!

Wait! Make that two! Two rooms, two features. Nothing going on here....

And then... my writing.

I've taken the writing thang to a new level. When I'm at home, I work on my old signs ebook. Like tonight. I'm using Mac's Pages. The text is all done and tonight I started adding pretty elements. Yay!

And when my son is at cadets twice a week, I sit in a coffee house and write for my bookbook on the laptop.

I haven't signed the book contract. But whether I do or not, I'm writing this thing regardless when time permits. Because one day that junk book WILL be out there for all to page through! I hope. :)

How I wish I could show you the pics I took at the coffee shop last night! What's up with this new tethering issue my iPhone is dictating to me? It won't let me load pics. Next time I bring the real camera.

I sat on a red leather chair with an awesome latte by my side, in front of a fireplace and zoomed through 1500 words. I'm on chapter two! I love writing like that away from home and all distractions.

Wait... I have an idea...

How lame. :)

Not quite my usual beauty shots, however just know, that chair was awesome to sit in for 2.5 hours, the table was the perfect height and that latte was poured piping hot into a monster glass cup. I really enjoy those moments! More on that soon. That event deserves a post all it's own.

I received some very fun things in the mail from bloggers too (squeal!) so I can't wait to show and tell!

I'm also getting my current blog looked at. I realize it's running really slow so know I've summoned for help. As well as attempting to get a shiny new one going too.

And wow... you totally blew me away with that last post. Thank-you so much for your thoughtful replies! If you'd like to chat it up, please oh please feel free to join the Facebook page. It's so easy to chat back and forth quick like over yonder.

So dear friends, if I owe you an email, giveaway event, money (whoops! hope not) or whatever, stay with me... I'll be your way shortly!

Thank-you for your patience in waiting for me to get all my ducks in a row. I'm working fast and furious so we can get this show on the road once and for all. :) Fun reveals ahead!

What creating a few empty hangers did for me (inspiration)

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:58:00 +0000

I always hesitate posting topics like this whenever they hit a little too close to home. However I think this may be important for some of you, so I'll risk it and jump off the deep end... :)

Truncated post: click to read more below

It doesn't matter what kind of car you drive or house you live in. What your marital status is, or how many kids you do or don't have. Or even what kind of job you work at. We all have stuff we have to work through to make life tick.

My own 'stuff' at the moment is a little over the top for what is comfortably manageable. And the result of that is generally chaos in some given way. Don't you agree?

There's no need to 'worry about me', I'm just attempting to prove I'm like anyone else.

So here's what happens to me.

Some days I'm running in so many directions I forget which one is most important. So I grasp. I do whatever I can whenever I can and generally fall short because I'm preoccupied with what's next. So everything I tackle is about half baked.

At times I'll take a short hiatus from all things that ail me, but if I do that for too long, the walls can come tumbling down pretty quick. Running away never seems to solve much.

So what's one to do?

What do you think it means when every message delivered in church appears to be pointing directly at you? I either feel incredibly needy or unbelievably lucky. :) Today's message was about working through the bad which can ultimately free you. Which really means, walking towards the pain in order to be pain free.

Hmmm... truer words have never been spoken. I know well what it's like to hit bottom wondering if you'll ever come up for air again. But I also know, every time that's happened, I've always come out even better than before. The trick has been to deal with the issue head on.

Here's another take. Life is built in a series of valleys. Each valley holds a valuable lesson. And with each lesson learned, it enables us to climb a little higher than where we were.

The hard part is being stuck in a difficult valley. But it's all workable. You just have to find the root of the problem, pick a path and work through it.

So today after church and a short chat with my pastor (thank-you!!), I tuned into one valley that was bothering me. Once I got home I visited dusty corners and closets and ended up filling 7 garbage bags thrift store bound. :)

It was just a small move. But know what happened? I started to climb. I could have run for the covers and moped about all things that ailed me but being proactive made things feel more manageable and the one valley just that much more shallow.

Here's one little trick I find myself doing when things are out of control.... try cleaning out one drawer. Seriously. Don't plan it, just do it. Dinner will hold for 5 more minutes. And next time your stress level hits a 10, go look at that drawer and allow it to be a reminder you CAN manage your current valley in the smallest of steps.

Being proactive is really, really hard when your spirit is in a difficult place. But the sooner you start your hike up, the sooner you'll be enjoying the view from on top.

I have lots of valleys and big decisions ahead of me and aim to step out of my comfort zone many times in order to work through them. I'm just glad I'm not doing them alone.

How about you? Care to go for a walk?

Lots more inspiration posts can be found HERE.

Here are a couple of other stories on how I jumped some major hurdles:

All about me: a story of Hope.

Summer Changes.

Sat Night Special link party 118 - with Picture Perfect #1

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Saturday Nite Special #118, the multi themed link party!

* Home Decor

* Crafts, / Sewing / Recipes

* Theme of the week

Every Fri 7pm to Sunday 11 pm Pacific.

So... do we have any big time gorgeous Picture Perfect reveals today?

Due to technical difficulties, progress is slow on our two rooms.

My photo studio just got some baseboards which is cool!

Truncated post: click to read more below

And my son's room now has a chalkboard but the wall painting isn't done.

But know what? That's ok. This challenge is all about getting one room completed even if it takes awhile.

So how did you do with your Picture Perfect room?

Link up your own room progress or reveal in this weekend's 3rd themed linkup!

Want another chance to join in? Comment that you'd like to see this run again and if enough respond, we'll run another on Feb 24th!

PP UPDATE:

Due to popular demand, Picture Perfect will be a regular feature on SNS on the last weekend of each month! (until we lose interest) Yahoo! Now git ta work! :)

Upcoming themes for Feb in this order:

revisiting: old ladders

revisiting: old windows

antique tools

Feb 24th - Picture Perfect room reveals

Some related posts you may enjoy:

Master theme linkup list - add yours any time!

SNS Rockstars (you!) on Pinterest

How to link up to a link party

~ SNS blah blah linkup rules ~

1. DIY home projects only pretty please. Items for sale must be in tutorial form on your blog.

2. Please link back to the party (text or button) within your post. See BUTTONS under main blog header.

3. Only projects new to SNS please. The themed linkup is an exception.

4. By linking up here, you're cool with me featuring you on the blog, Pinterest, or FJI Facebook with no additional permission required.

Join us on Facebook this weekend for party highlights!

Cheater baseboards and a special win!

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:09:00 +0000

Ya know, there just isn't that much more to do in my photo studio room makeover. I just can't seem to land the time it takes to get it done lately. But here's where I'm at.

I desired some baseboards but didn't really want standard schmandard. So I picked up some simple chunky 1x4's sanded them down...

... and tried them out. Perfect! This area they'll only be attached with one screw so I can change them out for different ones when the need arises.

I didn't do fancy mitres, just straight cuts. I actually prefer this!

Check out that perfect fit under the heat register!

Instead of simple white, I desired some character to the wood, but didn't wish for the pine tone. So I mixed some water and paint and white washed them instead.

Something to look at, but not totally distracting from the subject when photographing. I like it!

Next up are the funky pipe curtain rods and gauzy sheet curtains. This one ought to be fun. :)

Crazy... but now I have a few other projects I'll be firing up to cater to some compensated assignments. Will this room EVER get done?!? I should have known better than to actually PLAN something. :)

Have you done better? I hope you bring your progress and reveals over to this weekend's linkup starting Friday night!

What Picture Perfect is all about is HERE.

All photo studio progress is HERE.

And my son's room progress to date is HERE.

And in other exciting news...

... yours truly won the poinsettia decorating challenge by The Greenhouse Diaries! (announcement HERE) I'm going to take my son (and Tamara if she'll come!) to The Olive Garden for an awesome dinner!!!

The decorating post that won is HERE. Thank-you judge! We are very excited and HUNGRY. :)

And because my posts are always so darn tooting' short and you want MORE (heh), I've redone my About Me page. You can take a peek HERE.

Confessions from a procrastinator

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:04:00 +0000

Some of you may have noticed I haven't blogged in a few. There's been a reason for that. I've been busy putting out fires.

Nov 2010

See, a year ago #1 work computer (out of 2) died from a power surge. Insurance started begging me for info so they could get my claim to me so I could replace it. Cool!

But I delayed the process BADLY. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go PC or Mac. All my work stuff is PC based. So I procrastinated. While computer #2 started to go wonky on me...

Nov 2011

And then one day work computer #2 wouldn't allow me to email. I panicked and called insurance to see if we could get things going pronto... :) I took pictures of printouts to email customer proofs. Professional all the way...

Dec 2011

The new computer finally arrived in early December. Fun! Except... I didn't do anything about it. In fact, I avoided it. I'm tech challenged and I knew the learning curve would prove painful. So I procrastinated.

This week Monday Jan 23 2012

Work computer wouldn't fire up. Gulp... basically put, I was out of business. And you KNOW what security freaks us women are.

I went to install a job that day but felt sick the whole time. Once home, I called Guru. He said it needed a power box. Thinking fast, I yanked an old power box out of work computer #1(soooo out of my league!) and put it into #2. It fired up! BUT... it read HARD DRIVE FAILURE. ACK!!

I ran it to Guru that night. And I literally walked in with spaghetti hanging out of the sides as shown above. Didn't screw anything back in... they bust a gut laughing. Nice to know they appreciate a good italian computer. :)

And then I went home and attempted to install a difficult program with drivers and stuff on my new system. For 7 hours. Made no headway. I emailed Big Time Tech Guy and grabbed 3 hours sleep.

Tuesday

Tuesday... 7am wakeup call = Big Time Tech Guy ready to play. (doh!!) Son got off to school on his own while I watched Big Time Tech Guy work on my computer (online). Most amazing experience ever. To watch and assist someone remotely work on your own computer taking such good care of you?!? Marriage material! :)

Had to cut it short cuz I needed to do another install.

His advice? "Get a new $$ cutter!" (that isn't 20 years old... seriously)

Go to do my job. Then get a brainstorm.. checked out if there was a place nearby that sold cutters. Only 1 minute away! (My GPS is my BFF) So I go plunk $$ (ouch) for a new cutter.

(edited to add: a cutter or 'plotter' is a device that cuts vinyl into graphics for signs and vehicles. It's a Silhouette or Cricut on steroids and helps me make trucks look really pretty. I'll take you on a tour of my sign shop one day when it's clean - you can read more on my line of work HERE)

Wed

Big Time Tech Guy calls and helps me set THAT thing up. Coolest and hardest thing I've ever watched. HOURS. He got both my computers to run my equipment so now I have a backup too! It works! And he deserves a raise. I love him... sorta.

I have the utmost respect for those that can get things like this to work.

Here. I 'sketched' the office because the photo was too horrendous for public viewing. The TV was because my son started to miss me and he attempted to take up residence next to my 3 day head banging event.

Spent all day in school... (watching learning videos at home). I am an educated new 2012 cutter operator thankyouverymuch! Please pray the info the Gurus saved from my HD will work on this new smoking' setup! (picking it up today)

And what a pure blessing I already know how to work this new computer due to getting one just like it about a year previous! Funny how things just fall into place.

My house is an absolute wreak. I look 100 years old from stress and lack of sleep. But at least we are DONE!

But sadly, I most likely will not have my Picture Perfect room done for this weekend.

Wait... will this do? Hey, it's the only clean spot in the house. :)

Why oh why do we procrastinate until urgency transpires? But then again, I ONLY had ONE year. I mean, what was insurance thinking?!?

I needed TWO. :)

(read about PP HERE)

Are YOU ready? Linkup is Friday during SNS!

(your 'to date' progress is also welcome!)

How to decorate a junk style mantel

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:15:00 +0000

Pin It

As soon as the Christmas mantel decorating came down this weekend, I was feeling the need for a trash to treasure mantel. What can I say... I was craving my rust and wood. :)

How to decorate a fireplace mantel with junk? Easy! Layer, stack, move around like minded clutter until it feels right and there you have it.

However I dug down a little deeper today, so here's the wordy version of how I do it:

Shapes

I look at shapes of things. The window is square so I soften it up with circles and straight lines rising outside the window itself to break out of the box configuration. A surplus comes tumbling out at each end as well.

The light trick

White mini Christmas lights were tucked in behind the works and wound up into the lamp to help brighten things up. Lights are my secret weapon often because of the dark fireplace, otherwise elements can simply disappear. They sure cast a neat glow in the evening.

Like minded elements

Bringing like minded elements together is what makes this work. In fact it was very hard to go wrong. Love those rustic woodsy tones!

Tones

It's actually quiet and subdued. There's lots there, but it doesn't scream lots because the darks and lights are close in colour tone and texture.

Watch for overload

Heavy decorating on a fireplace mantel is one exception I make. I generally have a sparse hand, but if something isn't in the way, I go to town.

But you can overdue it. I have a fanatical eye (that is both a blessing and curse) and one extra thing just makes it look jumbled. It's hard to explain.

Say you have two cups on a table. You decide to add a glass coaster under one cup but realize it ruins the clean lines of the cup. That's how I'd feel if I added one too many elements to something. You'd think it would get lost in the shuffle but it stands out like a sore thumb to me.

But I always try. I get to the point of too much, then take away, rather than having to add. Go big or go home! :)

Here you can sneak a peek at the lights behind the pulley. It glows much brighter in person.

Layers

Working in layers offers more dimension without feeling 'too full'.

I don't have any official training in this. And I don't even know if it's right!

But for my junk filled home, it's perfectly trashy perfect. And free. :)

more mantel decorating
more junk decorating

Sat Nite Special link party 117 - your fav 2011 outdoor project

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Saturday Nite Special #117, the multi themed link party!

* Home Decor

* Crafts, / Sewing / Recipes

* Theme of the week

Every Fri 7pm to Sunday 11 pm Pacific.

I really love decorating the yard and view it much like the indoors, just, it's outside. Junk looks good anywhere after all. :)

So let's dream just a little and gather up some of your fav 2011 outdoor ideas! Here's a few of mine.

pallet board walkway

This post is truncated for quicker loading. Click below to read more.

Couldn't have been simpler to create and maintain!

Beethoven's 'forever blooming sunshine' garden

This little garden was planted in honour of Beethoven, my cat that passed on. It did sooo well in it's first year!

and last but not least, my beloved pallet sofa which I miss soooo very much. Come on sunshine! :)

More of my outdoor projects can be seen in the link above.

So, are you missing the outdoors? Let's get inspired and plan now!

Link up your favorite 2011 outdoor project in this weekend's 3rd themed linkup!

Upcoming themes:

Jan 27 - Picture Perfect room reveals

and for the month of Feb, we'll be bringing some big hit themes back to add to such as old ladders, windows etc. Will announce lineup next weekend.

Some related posts you may enjoy:

Master theme linkup list - add yours any time!

SNS Rockstars (you!) on Pinterest

How to link up to a link party

~ SNS blah blah linkup rules ~

1. DIY home projects only pretty please. Items for sale must be in tutorial form on your blog.

2. Please link back to the party (text or button) within your post. See BUTTONS under main blog header.

3. Only projects new to SNS please. The themed linkup is an exception.

4. By linking up here, you're cool with me featuring you on the blog, Pinterest, or FJI Facebook with no additional permission required.

Join us on Facebook this weekend for party highlights!

On being an unintentional TREND decorator

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:40:00 +0000

Apartment Therapy had a really interesting post today. (click HERE) They've highlighted as above, a few decorating trends and have asked if you follow trends yourself.

(thank-you reader Susan Birk for letting me know!)

I gasped AND smiled when I noticed I was in the lineup. (thanks AP!) YOU GUYS know I don't follow other decorating trends but rather strike out on my own. But what category do you land in when suddenly what you do has become the hottest trend?

click above for more

Decorating with reclaimed finds came out of complete necessity in order to be able to afford to furnish my home. I don't remember if it was hot property or not as I wasn't a blog reader at the time. I just remember watching Trading Spaces. And mostly gasping at the outlandish things they applied to walls. I certainly didn't copy the hay episode. :)

I just grew into eclectic because that's all I could afford. And now I'm trendy. Who knew? :)

sawhorse/ladder/pallet desk

Think pallets will go 'out of style'? How about signs all over your home or made into furniture? And do I even care?

I don't remember pallets or signs or even junk being the 'hot' thing when I started using them. But that wouldn't have swayed me regardless. I like what I like and when I get tired of what I like, I'll change it and invent something new.

Trust me when I say, when I need a new decor piece, I simply walk down into the garage and snoop around in the heap of tools. How trendy is that! :)

My full home tour in Apartment Therapy (see it HERE)

Not sure how I feel about being a non intentional trend decorator.

What what else CAN you do when something you do becomes popular?

What's your take?
Do you yourself follow trends or attempt to strike out on your own?

When winter shuts us down

noreply@blogger.com (Funky Junk Interiors) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:35:00 +0000

We are still in our major cold snap!

Schools shut down half way through today summoning parents for early pickups. So I put down the dayjob, braved the snow drifts and checked out the very white windy wintery wonderland.

Mass mayhem! A regular type street was closed due to drifting snow. Accidents left. right and center. I ended up driving like a 'grandma.' All I can say is I was VERY grateful to have 2011 tires on my truck. It was a dream to drive - Grandma style. So my son says. Are all 12 year old boys this complimentary?!

Once home, I didn't venture out again. Even to shovel the driveway. It'll drift away eventually, right?

We've actually had some serious fun the past few. Took in a snow hill with the neighbourhood kids, lots of walks, shoveling, making nice big hot dinners, it's been fun! But with the current weather on us, there's nothing leisure about it. It's crazy!

So what do we do when it's madness outdoors?

Some of us freak out...

Christmas decor

Some of us change things out...

And some of us even plank out. :)

Oh go on Teddy! We know you wanna...

More snow pics are HERE.