Children's Artwork Display

I know I haven't posted lately, but I promise there's a good reason! We added baby Samuel to our family at the beginning of October and it's (obviously) gotten a lot busier around here.

Photo credit: Psalm 46 Photography

But more on him later. I'm not sure about you, but when my toddler sits still long enough to do an art project, they all end up piled on the counter until I throw them away. I hate throwing his art away, but I hate clutter on my counter more. So in the trash they go.

I thought about hanging something on the wall like this so I could display them, but I don't have a really good spot for a board.

So here is what I came up with. We had some old bi-fold doors that were hanging out in the basement from when we remodeled Luke's room a few years ago. We hinged them together and put them in the corner behind his toy box (sorry for the trucks busting out of the toy box, but that is how it normally looks). Then I just used clothespins to clip the artwork to the slats.

I love, love, love that it was such an easy project and it looks like a gallery where he can see his art and I don't have to throw it away!

Blog Feature Friday: Red Hen Home

This week's guest blogger is Korrie. She has an absolutely adorable blog! Check out this repurposed card catalog she shared with us today.

Hi!  I’m Korrie from Red Hen Home, where I blog about furniture refinishing and other home projects.  I’m delighted to be guest-posting here at the Copper Coconut!
Today I thought I’d share a project I finished for MYSELF this fall.  Far too often I get involved in projects that don’t ever stay in my home…but this was an exception!
Last summer (I didn’t say I did it quickly), I came across a card catalog in the local classified ads.

I couldn’t send my sister after it fast enough (I’m good that way).
I love it, but I wasn’t crazy about the bland medium-oak finish.
This spring I discovered a MIRACLE product:  General Finishes Gel Stain.  With it, you can darken an existing wood stain without completely removing the original finish—you just have to scuff it up a little.  (See this post for a more complete description of how to use it.)
I chose to use the stain in Antique Walnut for this project, and this is what I ended up with!

I used three coats of stain, wiped on with a sock, and let each coat dry for about 24 hours in between.

I love the new color, and the fact that there are some variations of light and dark shades.  Some might call that user error, but I prefer to think of it as character!

I love the pull-out trays on this piece!

The card catalog sits in our front-room-home-office, and I see it and smile every day now.

If you’re interested in seeing some of the other office projects, I’d love for you to come visit Red Hen Home!

• Wooden Folding Chairs
• Plank Wall
• Map Wall
• The Desk

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Thanks for inviting me to visit, Katie!

How cute is that? And her office is AMAZING. Go check out her blog for more cute things!

Boot Socks for Less than $5

I love this new trend of boot socks. I think they are super cute and gives an outfit a little extra something. However, I do not want to spend $30-$40 to buy a pair! I saw a pin on Pinterest about making your own boot socks out of an old sweater (I didn't pin it, so I don't know the original source) and thought that was a brilliant idea! So this morning, in less than 10 minutes, I made my own boot socks to wear to church.

I bought a cable knit sweater from Goodwill for about $3. Here's a little tutorial for how I turned it into some super cute boot socks.

Step 1: Cut sleeves off. **This could be your only step if you want! Just wear your socks with the cuff side on the top side of your boots. For me, I wanted to hem the bottom part so they wouldn't fray. However, I don't sew, so this is a no-sew way to do it. I used Heat n Bond, which I had on hand. You can buy this at any craft store.

Step 2: Turn the sleeves inside out and cut your Heat n Bond to the length you need. 

Step 3: Follow the directions on the Heat n Bond. It says to place it on the fabric with the paper side up and press your iron to it for about 2 seconds. 

Step 4: Fold your sleeve over to make a hem and then iron as the directions say (press iron for 8-10 seconds to seal the bond)

 Step 5: Put your sweet new socks on and pretend like you paid a lot of money for them! **This is still the "cuff" part of the sleeve on the outside of my boot because it looks better. 

Don't forget to check out my Linky Parties tab at the top of the page to see where I'm linking up this post! 

10 creative ways to use tin cans

I am really into re-purposing things right now. It's a great way to live frugally but still have cute decorations, organizers, and a beautiful house! I already talked about how to use old windows here, and now I want to give you some ideas for using tin cans.

I started thinking about this as I made chili in our crock pot this morning. I used 4 different tin cans and wondered if I could re-use them after I cleaned them out. So, I did a little research. Here's 10 ideas I found (and their sources, of course!).

Tin Can Luminary from Natural Mommie
Tin Can Caddy from Martha Stewart
Tin Can Vase from Wedding by Color
Tin Can Garden from Our Square Foot Garden
Tin Can Pin Cushion from Design Sponge
Tin Can Calendar and Pencil Holder from Design Sponge
Tin Can Stilts from Family Fun
Tin Can Kitchen Utensil Organizer from Home and Garden
Tin Can Wind Chimes from Hands on as We Grow
Tin Can Craft Organizer from Through Colorful Eyes

old windows with new purpose

I love old windows. I love the character they have, the vintage-factor they give a room, and the ability to use them in a variety of ways! I've taken it upon myself to find pictures of a few different ways you can use them.

Coat rack from Cozy. Cottage. Cute

 Always a favorite is the picture-frame window. Love this one! I am Momma Hear me Roar

Jewelry display window from Life. Love. Larson

This is a neat idea! Hang a few and use them as a divider. Apartment Therapy

Love, love, love this! I think I'm going to re-create it in my house.  Clarendon Lane

Window headboard from Crafty Nest. (Check out mine here)

Turn a window into a coffee table. Junk Market Style

DIY Pot Rack Thrifty Decorating

Make a planter box! So pretty as a backdrop to flowers. A Cultivated Nest

 So there you have it, folks. Go find some old windows and make something pretty out of them!