Beatiful Kitchen Backsplash Makeover

First, THANK YOU for saving the day! The number of votes was amazing and definitely eased my True Value DIY Drama panic attack. Please keep them coming. You can vote once daily until 12/4 which is when the winner will be announced and it's coming up fast! Your help is SO appreciated and I hope you'll continue to click the badge above and vote everyday!

If you're shopping online this weekend and want to get some cash back, click HERE to use my referral and check it out. I use ebates.com nearly every time I shop online and I've earned $187 back from my purchases!

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I love detail and when I saw what Kristalyn from The Gathering Place Design did in her kitchen, it was no exception. I think it' s a beautiful addition to her already awesome kitchen. Here is her blog post:

Kitchen Backsplash Makeover

I love my kitchen, but it did not have a back splash. That is something I always wanted to change. I really like tin tiles and I had looked into a couple different places to purchase them and they were kind of pricey and I would have to hire someone to install them. I found these faux tin tiles at Lowe's and they are awesome! At $18 per panel, you can't beat it! I bought them seriously about 9 months ago and they have been sitting ever since. (Gotta love it!) Well, I said I was now ready to do some updating, so here you go. Oh, and this won't be the last of it!

Before.

Before.

And... AFTER!
These were way easy to work with. The hardest part was the measuring and making sure the lines matched up. (I will say, measure twice, cut once ;) ) They come in 18"x 24" sheets and I just used utility scissors to cut them. You could use a utility knife as well. They really look so much like real tin! Everyone who I have shown can't believe they aren't.

I used liquid nails to attach them to the wall. It didn't take much because the tension between the cabinets and the granite helps to hold them in place. Easy breezy! :)

The color and design adds so much warmth and character to our kitchen. I am sooooo excited with how it turned out! And even more that I did it all by myself...woo hoo :) Also, don't be afraid to mix finishes and types of wood. You might feel like everything needs to be the same. I'm not a huge fan of matchy matchy. In our kitchen, I have two different stains on my cabinets along with black painted pieces. As well as stainless steel and oil rubbed bronze finishes. Mixing different finishes just adds interest and gives your home it's own unique feel. Do want feels good to you!

I had some scraps left over so the bread box could not escape my embellishing! Don't you worry there will be more projects to come with the other trimmings. ;) I hope this ispires ya'll to get going with things you have always wanted to change or update in your home. I'm not gonna lie, I was intimidated to take on this project, but the end result is worth it for sure!

Kristalyn - it's beautiful and adds so much warmth to your gorgeous kitchen. Fantastic job! I'm about to embark on a scary project too, so thank you for the encouragement!

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Speaking of tin! Have you entered the DIY Show Off Appreciation giveaway?

One special friend and sponsor, Christy, from Embellished Bayou has some beautiful hand painted/hand made tin tiles in her etsy shop. She has generously donated an antique 6"x6" tin ceiling tile that will be handpainted in your choice of color and finished off with coordinating rhinestones, bow and beaded wire hanger. Choose to personalize with your initial, monogram, name or short phrase.

Here are some of the tiles she has in her shop:





Visit Embellished Bayou to check out all of her pretty items...perfect and affordable gift ideas! What's your favorite?

She's also offering a December special! Become an Embellished Bayou fan on Facebook or follow on Twitter for updated infomation on special sales and discounts. Here are the links:

http://embellishedbayou.etsy.com
http://embellishedbayou.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/embellishbayou
http://facebook.com/embellishedbayou

CLICK HERE to ENTER the Giveaway!

Have a great weekend everyone! I'll see you Sunday evening when I post for the next DIY Show Off Holiday Highlights. Now that holiday decorating and gift ideas are on the priority list, I'd love to see your projects, decoration and ideas!

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OH NO! HELP!

Hi Everyone!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I am in desperate need of blog-friend power like never before!
Please
Please
Please
Please
Please

My site meter shows my # of blog visitors. HI! I'm pleading with each of you for a vote.

I'm kicking into serious big time begging mode. Please bear with me. I just happened upon another finalist's # of votes and it's close (I'm not in the lead). If you're stopping by...PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE, pullllllease - click my True Value DIY Drama below to vote! There isn't registration. It's just a quick click and a quick vote. If you're a DIY Show Off friend, reader, follower, one-time visitor or here by accident - my hands are clasped and I'm on my knees, begging for your daily vote for our DIY Drama!

As most of you know, I entered the True Value DIY Drama contest because we have a lot of DIY drama in our home and so many projects to complete. The prize is a $5000 True Value shopping spree and a 2 hour in-home consultation by the True Value Master of All Things Hardwarian! (Professional guidance = a lesson in making things right!) My video is embarrassing. You know I love to show off DIY home improvement projects WHEN they're done and beautiful. So, showing something ugly and a source of DIY gone wrong in our home wasn't easy. Being chosen as a finalist is so exciting! It's also nerve-wracking! So close! A 1-in-10 chance! But I really, really, really need your help!

I'd love to show you the DIY process and what $5000 at True Value in the hands of a DIY'er can do with a pitiful master bathroom suite. I'm in shameless pleading, swallowing my pride mode.

I'm so thankful for your votes! If you're voting...please leave me a comment. I'd love to hear from you and acknowlege your help (your gift to me). Everytime I see another vote, I feel like someone has given me a cookie! You know how that feels. It makes your day! So warm and fuzzy and happy and so relieved and so excited! Help me to 'smoke' the competition! DIY blog-friend power to the rescue!

THANK YOU, DEAR FRIENDS!

I appreciate your pleas for help too!
Thanks for sharing with your readers and community forums!

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Happy Thanksgiving from Roeshel

Enter the appreciation giveaway by clicking the button below.
It's my way of saying "thanks" to you.

I'm thankful to God for

This man

and this man too

these girls

my family

&
this home

and Blogger - for introducing me to you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!






(photos courtesy of BHG)

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Under the Table and Dreaming

Stephanie at Under the Table and Dreaming is a DIY blogger full of creative ideas. I was only going to share her kitchen, but I can't help showing off more. She deserves to show it all off. I love her style and these 3 before/afters are beautiful. My favorite projects include a beautiful Thanksgiving table, an amazing bathroom transformation and a gorgeous kitchen makeover that has me so jealous. Here you go:

Dining room before with seller's furniture...

Dining room after...with some beautiful Thanksgiving inspiration!



She made this beautiful table runner! I LOVE it.

and these Pottery Barn inspired centerpieces! Aren't these beautiful too?

Everyone Said Don't Do It, But I Painted Wallpaper Anyway ~ Our Powder Room
(Click the link above to get all of the details! Her bravery paid off!)
I love the subtle gray stripes and it's motivation to get busy on finishing my bathroom this long holiday weekend! (Thanks Stephanie!)

Powder room before:

Powder room after - wow!



We used the same shade for both stripes, one in a flat finish and the other in satin. The color is called Gentle Rain.





Dollar Store wall art....{tutorial here}

The heart of Stephanie's home, her kitchen:

Since I won't be enjoying a kitchen makeover any time too soon, I'll just live my dream under Stephanie's table.
Here are some pictures taken during one of walk-throughs prior to buying the house...

(Before)

(After)

Just a few side by sides...

Stephanie has other amazing transformations and a lot of great DIY projects that she shares on her awesome blog, Under the Table and Dreaming. You can also read full detailed posts about the projects above.

Thanks so much for allowing me to Show Off your DIY projects, Stephanie! And thank you for the motivation! Fantastic job!

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Just like Stephanie, I love to sew my own table runners.
Here's a great place for fabrics:



And don't forget to enter the giveaway HERE daily until 12/10 for a chance to win this:

Half Yard Bundle of fabric from Franchelle Conteras for Henry Glass Fabrics,
called "South Hampton" (a total of 4 yards!).

Manufacturer: Henry Glass Designer: Franchelle Conteras Collection: South Hampton Bundle Name: South Hampton in Fuchsia and Robin's Egg Blue

CLICK HERE to ENTER the Giveaway!

And as always, I am thankful for your votes. You can vote once a day every day until 12/4. I can't see where I stand vs. the other contestants. It drives me crazy but you can see on the badge below the number of votes I currently have. There is no way that is just family and friends in real life. It's YOUR help too! Thank you.

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Single Stone Studios

Shelley from Single Stone Studios has so much inspiration in her blog. (She created my beautiful blog header and buttons. She featured a photo of my birdcage wall decals back in July 2008 too!) She's a very talented artist, she's creative and she's a DIY'er too! Here are some of her amazing projects (Shelley, I don't know where you find the time, but I need a dose of your energy!):

She's working on these chairs but you can tell from the before and in-progress that they will be gorgeous when she's done!

This apothecary chest from plain jane...

to beautiful...

Kitchen cabinets before:

Kitchen cabinets after:

You can see her pretty studio HERE. Then visit her BLOG HERE and her SHOP HERE - the photos are so beautiful. These are just a few. I'd copy/paste her entire blog if I could...but I bet she'd rather you drop in for a peek. Aren't these gorgeous?

I want this chair, wall and vinyl art in my office....

and this one is in my dream dressing room... This one in my craft room:

She also has a pretty exciting announcement. Pop over and tell her Congratulations!

And best of all - you have a chance to win a Single Stone Studios $35 gift certificate by entering the drawing daily!

CLICK HERE to ENTER the Giveaway!

Still watching the votes. It's so exciting! Thank you all so much for voting once a day every day! I'd LOVE to share the transformation with you if we win! Maybe even introduce you to Mr. DIY as he fixes the DIY drama. ?

Oh - and a tiny little show off for me! Our friend, PK from Room Remix, was browsing through BHG 100 decorating ideas for under $100 and saw my alphabet chair there! It's not a cover story and just a little 'honorable mention' but I'm excited to see it! Shelley saw it too and sent me a picture...I'm just a little bit proud. ;)

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Holiday Highlights #2

Welcome the 2nd

First, I just want to say thank you to these special friends: Layla, Tricia, Heidi, PK, Karen and Cheri. And thank you to all of my friends for your votes. Never underestimate the power of internet friends and friends and family in real life. I treasure each one. Speaking of being thankful, I wanted to include some Thanksgiving in this weeks' DIY Holiday Highlights.

I personally don't have much Thanksgiving to share since we have a lot going on and we're not hosting this year, but I've been working on a garland so I love this one from Remodelaholic. So festive and perfect for Thanksgiving, isn't it? There is also a week long Thanksgiving series in progress. Check it out!

Click HERE for the tutorial.

Even though I'm traveling to my brother's, I couldn't resist working on my own centerpiece

after being inspired by:

Centsational Girl
Moore Minutes
My Happy House

I am working on some things for Christmas (none of which are finished because I'm still dealing with painting a floor that can't seem to make it to the top of the priority list). Patience is not one of my strengths. It's not in the budget to change all of my holiday decor just yet, but I'm loving natural elements like pine/grapevine/moss/pinecones/natural fibers mixed with white and silver/bronze/gold metallics.

Daily begging, I mean reminder - for daily votes. Thank you! :)

And another daily reminder. Shop the vendor links for awesome gift ideas and

CLICK HERE to ENTER the Giveaway!

Now...link up your inspiration. I love seeing your ideas and DIY holiday projects!

If you'd like to link YOUR DIY holiday project or even holiday decor for inspiration post to the party:

1. You must use the button above (or html code on left side bar) and link to this post to share the linky love.
   
2. Add your permalink (not your blog url, but your holiday project post url which is the web address that goes directly to your holiday project blog post, not your blog address). Feel free to link a Past Post, just invite your readers in a current post with a quick note.
   
3. Or email your link to thediyshowoff@gmail.com and I will add it for you.
4. If you notice your link has disappeared - please add the link back to The DIY Show Off to your post today with a quick note to your readers about the party and try again! I love when everyone participates and readers check out everyone's links, but I think the return favor of linking back is the nice thing to do so everyone plays fair and enjoys all of the projects and links. Links not related to DIY holiday projects or holiday decor for inspiration will be deleted.

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DIY Transitional Projects

Sometimes it takes making a temporary change until the permanent change is in the budget to keep me from going insane. It's the reason that I'm painting the plywood floor in the bathroom I'm working on. Rather than leave it bare ugly stained plywood until it's time for marble tile, a fresh new painted floor is an inexpensive temporary fix. I love the look of painted floors and I can't wait to see it myself. I'm hoping I have the chance to work on it over the next few days.

Here is the before (currently)...yikes!

And here is just a little hint about part of what I have in mind, a little practice with primer. I'm hoping it works out the way I'm picturing it in my head.

So, when I saw Karli's temporary countertop fix at RockyBella, it confirmed that temporary inexpensive fixes are worth it. Her countertops were ugly before (sorry Karli!) but now - they're beautiful. Don't you think?

Here is her post:

My kitchen counter tops are in a transitional stage. I plan to replace them one day soon with some tile or maybe even granite. I would like to tile the kitchen floor before we get to that project though. So to hold me over, I've taken on a little "ghetto fabulous" kitchen counter re-do. I shared with you how I did a test run with my little section of counter, in this post. I decided it was high time to get the rest of it finished. When I went back to the store where I originally bought the gray colored "stone" spray paint, I sadly found out the color had been discountinued. Whoops, what am I going to do now? One side of my kitchen is already done and "enviro teched" (clear shiney hard coat) over. I hunted around and around town for the same paint color, but I didn't have any luck finding it. I picked out the closest thing to it. Once I got them next to reach other I realized it was definitely not close enough, I will have to re-do the first section I did. Oh Well.

Here is my step by step on how I painted my "stone" counter-tops.

BEFORE

AFTER

*Note: If you saw my first post on painting my counter tops you may be have noticed they are not as shiny as my first run at it. I have not completed the "glass shine" step yet. I will get to that explanation soon...

I taped off my sink and protected it with some plastic bags, as well as covering the cabinets in plastic. You will want to protect anything close because you are using spray paint inside....eeek. The cabinets above were not close enough to the spray so they were not covered, and they still stayed paint-less during the process.

I used Glidden's Gripper primer in gray to coat the entire laminate counter top.

I popped the cap off the "stone" flecked spray paint, and gave it about three to four even coats. Since its spray paint I had to be very careful to keep the can at an equal distance from the counter the entire time. It is easy to get uneven circles that will make it obvious that you used a spray paint. Doing at least three coats will help to ensure that the application is even. I stayed about 8 inches away from the surface of the counter top.

I let it sit overnight to thoroughly dry. Then I got out a fine paint brush and some clear gloss polyurethane that I had left over from when I refinished our hardwood floors. This is the step where I COULD have used Envirotex to get a glassy look like I did on the other side of my kitchen. It would have been about $100 to do this step so I held off for another day. I will do that step very soon in the near future.

Envirotex was used on this section (above) to get a high gloss look. It is also much more protected and durable after using Envirotex.

This is how it looks with ONLY high gloss polyurethane, not Envirotex:

I did about 3 coats of the polyurethane, and let each coat dry for at least 4 hours before starting the next. I left the back-splash alone, just primed it. I plan to do a bead board back-splash soon.

So there you have it, my cheap little counter top re-do. Although its still not finished.

Thanks Karli! Your counter looks amazing! I wouldn't be in a hurry to change it!

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The holidays are getting closer! I won't even tell you how many days.
Have you seen the cute little skirt in the giveaway?
Guess what! Someone it going to win it!

Amanda & Katie from
Crafting in Laymon's Terms



have generously donated this prize!

Adorable Lazy Day Skirt. It is made using the pattern by Oliver & S. The skirt is a 2T (11" long) and made with Heather Bailey Pop Garden fabric. The skirt's hem is made with bright green, satin ribbon and it has an elastic waist.

They have an etsy shop too!!

http://sisterlylovecards.etsy.com
Check out the the link above for the CUTEST skirts, tutus, onesies - perfect gifts!
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CLICK HERE to ENTER the Giveaway!

And a little reminder, please Click below to vote!
Once a day every day until 12/4.
THANK YOU x 100! I watch the # of votes every day!
Okay. I admit...maybe a few times every hour. I'm so thankful for your help!



See you Monday for the DIY Holiday Highlights!

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Holy Cow! 100+ blogs!
Thanks to everyone for participating in the
DIY Show & Tell - your blog!
I'll leave it open for a few days...feel free to join the party if you haven't already and mingle with the others! I'll be socializing this weekend. Hope to see you at your place!

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