What's New

What’s New

de-clutter, Giveaway, Home & Auto Maintenance, organizational tips

Organizing 101 and Creating Calm Amongst Chaos

As a mother of two boys, my life is CHAOTIC! No matter how hard I try to contain the chaos that surrounds those two, I have come to terms with the fact that there are some things in life that cannot be controlled. A week ago Tuesday night,…

arts and craft, Uncategorized

Fall Makeover for a Thrift Store Purse

Most people would have probably walked past this plain jane wool purse. I almost did, but then the price tag caught my eye. THREE DOLLARS! Immediately I pictured dressing it up with a few fabric rosettes. With fall on the horizon,…

accessories, arts and craft, autumn fall decor, Crafts, Goodwill, Sweater, Tutorial, Upcycling, wreath

Make Your Own Fall Wreath from a Goodwill Sweater

Today I am going to show you how to Make Your Own Fall Wreath. If you've been following me for long, you were witness to my one wreath with many different looks for one year. Well, I'm ready for a change. So, I decided to create something…

arts and craft, Crafts, Decorating, DIY, Home Decor, lamp

Paint Chip Lamp Shade

Are you as nutso about paint chip projects as I am? I'm semi-worried that I might get arrested next time I'm pulling samples at my local paint department. Is there a law against taking too many?* Okay, so let's just say that I have collected…

Aged, Home & Auto Maintenance, lead paint, Safety Gear

How to Easily Test for Lead Paint

How to Easily Test for Lead Paint Good morning boys and girls! Today I have a tale with a moral for you. Go ahead and gather around and put on your listening ears. This is the story of a woman named Mrs. Noggin. She moved into an…

arts and craft, Crafts, Gift Ideas, gifts

Paint Chip Wrapped Present

I've officially caught the paint chip bug! How about you? Have you seen all that can be done with those FREE* paint chips?! The possibilities are almost endless. (*Please use consideration when taking paint chips. Try not to take more than…

distressing, DIY, painting, Painting & Antiquing Techniques, polyurethane, ReNew, repair, sander, Tutorial

Painting an Antique Wash Stand

I have amassed quite a collection of "project" furniture and objects waiting for a future date with my creative magic sessions. I worry that some of this behavior is bordering on packratness (I don't think that is a word, at least my spell…

arts and craft, ceilings, Painting & Antiquing Techniques

Creating a Faux Ceiling Medallion with Cutting Edge Stencils

When heard the word stencil, I used to involuntarily cringe slightly. I pictured those cutesy country stencils my mom used to use with geese, apples, and hearts on them. (Sorry Mom.) But, that all changed last week when Cutting…

Electrical, Landscaping

How to Install Low-Voltage Landscape Lights

Installing low-voltage landscape lights has been on my "Want To Do" list for years now. I even bought some lights on clearance three years ago! Now that they are installed I'm kicking myself for waiting so long. They look so inviting. Materials: (contains…

bathroom, Decorating, towel bar, Upcycling

Installing a Branch Towel Bar

The other day I showed you how to prep and sand a branch to make a towel bar. If you haven't viewed that tutorial, you may wish to do so now. Okay, so let's get started. This shouldn't take too long, but you'll want to grab a few supplies…

power tools, sander, Tool Tutorials, towel bar

Sanding Tutorial and Prepping a Branch Towel Bar

We've moved several times and each time I've packed one special tree branch with us. I have had this branch so long that I can't remember where I found it. I do know that I picked it up on one of our camping trips. Whether it was Yellowstone,…

Before and After, decor, Decorating, Giveaway, no-iron wrinkle remover

How to Slipcover a Couch Beautifully

We definitely have paranormal activity in our home. Things move without explanation. Pillows that were strategically placed by me to look magazine pretty inevitably end up on the floor after I leave the room. Kid sized chairs levitate on their…

board and batten, Build It, Decorating, nailgun, Tutorial

How to Build a Built-in Decorative Shelf

Thank you for all the kind comments about my boys' bathroom. One of my favorite changes in the room was the addition of the built-in decorative shelf. It was fairly easy to build and install. I used a router to give the shelf a decorative…

Home & Auto Maintenance, lamp, light fixture

CFLs, LEDs and Incandescents Oh My! – A review of light bulbs

Last week when I finally said adios to the Hollywood style strip light, I was eager to put in some energy efficient light bulbs. While purchasing the light fixture I also checked out the light bulb display. I found myself being drawn…

bathroom, board and batten, Decorating, Home Tour

From Fishy to Beachy, the Boys’ Bathroom Reveal

When I last showed you my boy's bathroom, it looked like this: Nemo and Dory would have enjoyed life living in the kids' bathroom. But, alas, I was serenaded by a beautiful new mirror (actually a new MirrorMate frame.) And so I set to work…

About Me

Want to know more about Pretty Handy Girl?

Kristin from The DIY Forums interviewed me last week. She posted the interview yesterday and the second half is today. You can learn a few new facts about me. Like what I really DON'T like to do at 8.5 months pregnant! And how I learned…

bathroom, caulking, DIY, moulding, painting, Painting & Antiquing Techniques, Tutorial, Video

Caulking and Painting the Board and Batten

If you are just joining me and missed the tutorial for building board and batten moulding, you can view that tutorial HERE. Today I want to show you how to hide the holes, seams and how to paint the board and batten moulding. Plus, how I…

board and batten, Build It, creating moulding, DIY, DIY tools, Do It Yourself, jigsaw, nailgun, scribing profile, Tool Tutorials, Tutorial

Board & Batten Moulding Tutorial

Board & Batten moulding is very popular right now. And why not? It is easy to work with and looks great (after it is painted)! If you remember, I used board and batten in my my son's closet turned reading nook last year. I decided…

bathroom, Decorating, DIY, mirrored glass, MirrorMate

MirrorMate Installation

Do you have an ugly builder's mirror? I'm betting about 85% of you do. The other 10% were lucky to buy a home that has a beautifully framed mirror. And the remaining 5% either made or bought a new mirror with a frame! When I was first introduced…

bathroom, Electrical, light fixture

Changing Out a Light Fixture (Bye-Bye Hollywood Strip Light)

Have you had it with those ugly Hollywood light fixtures? The ones where the bulbs are lined up in a straight line staring you in the face? Did you know that you don't have to live with them? Even if you live in an apartment, you can switch…

Home & Auto Maintenance, painting, priming, removing wallpaper, wallies

Removing Wallpaper Borders

Last week I started to give my boys' bathroom a facelift. The room was...well...a little fishy. Complete with fishy wallpaper border... And a fishy toilet seat! The room was cute and I didn't mind it so much. But, the border…