What's New

What’s New

And the Winning Follower is….

I had my oldest Pretty Handsome Boy choose a reader tonight. Call me old fashioned, but I decided it was more fun to have a traditional pull a name from a hat drawing instead of using Random.org. I planned on cutting up all the followers' names…

arts and craft, Crafts, fabric, Halloween decorating, pumpkin

Toilet Paper Pumpkins

I thought I'd sneak one more fun craft in before Halloween. Don't fret, this craft takes about 5-10 minutes. You'll spend more time gathering the supplies than you will creating it. My sitter came over to make these pumpkins with my boys.…

Build It, Mudroom, painting, storage

Hallway Storage – the Tutorial

After working on this tutorial for what seems like days, I finally have the Hallway Storage tutorial for you!Thank you all for being so patient. We've had a busy week at the Pretty Handsome Home. Lots of wood rot and drainage problems being…

Contest, Decorating, Guest room, Home Tour, Mom Cave, Trash to Treasure

Mom Cave – Who Knew There was such a Thing!

If you are an addicted blogosphere surfer, you are probably aware that there are two contests being sponsored by Home Goods right now. If you blog or write about your own personal Mom Cave, you could win $250 to spend at Home Goods! And what…

Before and After, Build It, Mudroom, storage

Hallway Cube Towers and Shoe Storage

I am a lucky gal to have a very wonderful friend in my life. This is my good friend Renee Isn't she beautiful? I wish I could have her hair and smile. Renee has been a motivational force in my life. She talked me…

arts and craft, Birthday Gift, Crafts, gifts, Metal Tags

Metal Gift Luggage Tags

I have so much to tell and show you, I can hardly contain myself! If you follow me on Twitter (PrettyHandyGirl), you may have seen this photo of the light fixtures I scored from our Habitat ReStore last week! (Yes, I also have a Facebook…

Decorating, Furniture, Glaze, mod podge, wrapping paper

Decoupaging the Dresser Panel with Wrapping Paper

Here is the decoupage tutorial I promised you from the Diva of a Dresser makeover. Materials: Wrapping Paper, Decorative Paper or Wall Paper Fresh Sharp Exacto blade Mod Podge Spray Adhesive (optional) Paint Brush I started by unrolling…

Furniture, Glaze, painting, Painting & Antiquing Techniques, Valspar Asphaltum

Using Asphaltum Glaze to Antique Furniture

I've seen several talented furniture rescuers (Miss Mustard Seed comes to mind) using Valspar Asphaltum glaze on their shabby chic creations. Valspar Asphaltum Antiquing Glaze I have to tell you right now, I had not been…

bat silhouettes, Crafts, Decorating, Halloween decorating, mice silhouettes, spider silhouettes, wallies

Yikes! Someone Call Pest Control – Creepy Wall Silhouettes

Dear fellow mouse loving bloggers who have adorned your homes with these adorable mice silhouettes, I admit it, I've been envious of your vermin. But, I knew I didn't want to look all over town for those Martha Stewart mice silhouettes. So…

Crafts, Furniture, Glazing over Stencil, Painting & Antiquing Techniques, Sharpie Stencil

Adding Decorative Stencil to Dresser

The other day I shared with you my french provincial dresser makeover. I dubbed her the Diva Dresser because of all the changes she pushed me to make. But, in the end I really liked what she wanted. One of the tutorials that I promised you…

Before and After, decoupage, distressing, Furniture, painting, Painting & Antiquing Techniques, stencil, Trash to Treasure

The Perfect Color for a Craig’s List Dresser

I am in love with those adorable french provincial dressers. The flourishy handles are what really get my heart pounding.When I saw this dresser on Craig's List for $35 dollars, I pounced! Disclaimer: I stole this picture from the previous…

cleaning paintbrushes, Paintbrushes, Painting & Antiquing Techniques, Purdy brand brushes

Paintbrushes: The Good, The Bad, and How to Make them Behave

Today I have the skinny on paintbrushes, they all look alike, but they don't behave alike! Pretty Handsome Guy and I have painted our fair share of rooms, especially dated brown trim moulding. One thing we learned early on is that buying a good…

Build It, Electrical, Fish Traps, Pendant Lamps

Creating Minnow Trap Light Pendants

On our last trip to the beach, I stopped in a hole-in-the-wall thrift shop. The store was musty, dirty and reeked of old cigarette butts. I'm still not sure why I was drawn into this store. But low and behold, this is what I found! The…

Before and After, Home Tour, new faucets, new light fixture, painting, Painting & Antiquing Techniques, Painting a Laminate Countertop, stripping wallpaper

1970’s Guest Bathroom Makeover

I've been super busy this weekend finishing up some projects. I'm very excited and can't wait to show you some of them. However, because several of them are tutorials (which take a little longer to write up), I decided to share with you a…

CD and DVD Wallet, Giveaway, Sewing

We have a WINNER!

Ahem, may I have the drumroll please? Rat-a-tat-a-tat-a-tata... ...and the winning number chosen by Random.org is: #59 (well, that is random isn't it!) Michelle! Wooohooo! Come on down and pick up your prize: And for everyone…

Build It, Do It Yourself, glass shelves

DIY Glass Window Shelves

I love african violets! They can be fickle, but once they have the right amount of light, and slightly damp soil, they will happily put on a show for you. My violets used to perch on the kitchen window sill, but occasionally they would take…

accessories, autumn fall decor, Decorating, Empowerment, painting

Fall Accessorizing, it’s Definitely Not Perfect!

I've had some time this week to catch up with some of my girlfriends. Sometimes this means it was a few minutes in the parking lot at preschool. Or a phone conversation. I definitely value their friendships and wish I had more time to spend…

arts and craft, Crafts, Magnolia leaves, wreath

Mag-nolia-fying a Fall Wreath

I promised you that I'm embracing Autumn now that the weather is cooling off. In fact, I've been switching out the summer decor for some more seasonally appropriate reds, oranges, brown and greens. I even spent time Mag-nolia-fying a Fall…

Before and After, Electrical, light fixture

Installing New Exterior Lighting

If you were here the other day to see my dormer window transformation, you may have seen my exterior lights. I'll be talking about Installing New Exterior Lighting today! Then again, maybe you didn't because they are miniscule! Not only are…

Before and After, painting, Painting & Antiquing Techniques, shutters, window dressing

Dressing Up a Dormer Window with Shutters

Our home has beautiful dormer windows. I love the little recessed ledges inside each dormer. But, the window in our hallway always looked so sad. Then one day it hit me! This poor window has been neglected and has no character, jewelry…

arts and craft, Crafts, Matching Game, Shells, The Painted Cottage

Sea Shell Matching Game

Oh so sad that summer is over. If you were fortunate to get some time at the beach, you may have come home with a few dozen of these: Especially if you have little children who insist on keeping every shell that they find! So, what to do…