Breakfast Tray with Copper Piping for Home Depot

A few weeks ago, Home Depot asked me to participate in another fun DIY challenge. The challenge was to build something out of piping. I was a little hesitant to accept because I had never really worked with this material or a pipe cutter. 

I chose to to make upcycle this simple tray into a beautiful breakfast-in-bed tray with copper legs. Seeing that baby boy #3 is due any day and Mother's Day is right around the corner, I thought I might drop some subtle hints with this tray.

I added some feminine touches to the tray with thin crafting wire on the handles and copper leafing on the legs. I think it softens it a bit, don't you?

For the full step by step on this Home Depot Style Challenge and more lovely images, hop over to the Home Depot apron blog and grab my directions. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions!

*styling and photos by Amy Mikkelsen for YSP

Home Depot Style Challenge

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I spent the past weekend working on my front porch. My friends, that was only the beginning! This spring, thanks to Home Depot, I'll finally get the chance to give my porch the makeover I blogged about years ago...literally!

Each year Home Depot invites a handful of bloggers to participate in their Patio Style Challenge and I'm over the moon to be a part of the 2014 team! You know how we southern girls cherish our outdoor spaces. I've been collecting lots of inspiration and so has everyone else. You can follow the Home Depot Patio Style Challenge board via Pinterest to see what's trending. Stay tuned for the big reveal which will happen the first week of April. It's sure to be spectacular.

*image via Home Depot

Simple Calligraphy

I'm so happy it's the weekend. Have you ever had one of those weeks where you find yourself saying, "If I can just get through this week...If I can just get through this week..." This week was one of those weeks for me. The schools are abuzz with programs, there's last minute shopping to be done and decorating to be finished. Tonight I plan on putting the final touches on our second tree and stamping my Christmas cards to be mailed out in the morning.  I wasn't originally planning on dressing up the envelopes of my Christmas cards with some simple calligraphy but when my close friend Danna inspired me, I couldn't resist trying my hand at it. It was so fun! We decided to take a calligraphy class next year to hone our skills. Have you ever practiced this lost art? I bought a kit years ago and never followed up on my skills so put that on my resolution list for 2014.

Speaking of friends, today I got to have lunch and finally meet my long time blog friend, Jewel of Eat Drink Shop Love. She really lives up to her name and is such a sweet person. It's always refreshing to meet someone in person and actually have a conversation with them. Stop by her blog for some great gift ideas if you get a chance. How do you plan to spend one of the last weekends of the year? Will you be scrambling to tie up loose ends or are you kicking back and relaxing?

DIY: Flower ART

My aunt was hospitalized several weeks ago due to a stroke and is still recovering. Unfortunately she is miles and miles away, so a visit is just not possible right now. To send some cheer her way, the kids and I made these bright flower collages to decorate her room. Although we sent live flowers when she first became ill, I wanted something that would stay with her a little longer while she was recovering. Plus, there's nothing more drab than a hospital room! All the kids (my nieces and my boys, ages 3-9) enjoyed putting these together and I couldn't help making one too. They are so pretty and there's really no way to mess them up.

First, we cut out flower images from old gardening catalogues that were waiting to be recycled. Then we simply glued the images onto plain paper, trying to cover all the white space, emulating a floral wallpaper. I can't wait to talk to my aunt this week and see how she likes her abstract flower art. Who wouldn't love these pretties adorning their walls? Wishing everyone a happy Monday!

Gallery Wall

It's no secret that I love photography and if you visit my home, you will find little photos scattered in every nook and cranny imaginable. I've been dreaming of a gallery wall for a while now because I love their clutter-free look and they make dusting much, much easier.  Because, you know...I dust... a lot.

To be honest, I purchased a group of frames about three months ago and sat them in a corner of my dining room to be hung "at a later time."  I've been somewhat intimidated to actually commit to the project for fear that my walls would end up looking like a shooting range target but after reading her post  a few days ago on tackling the project, I decided it was far past time to get this done.  And I'm pleased to say this project is no longer on my to-do list!  

Before I reveal my final results, here are a few of my thoughts when creating your own unique gallery wall.  After choosing your feature wall, decide whether your grouping will have an eclectic feel....

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Or a more symmetrical look?

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Next, decide how high and wide you want your display.  In my case, I knew I wanted my arrangement to be no wider than my console and no higher than 48" from the top of the console.  Then start to play with your frames within those measurements.  I did mine on the floor right in front of the console that was anchoring my gallery.

After you decide on your final arrangement, you may want to photograph it as a reference during hanging.

Your finally ready to place the arrangement on the wall!  This is where the left side of my brain so frequently loses to the right side of my brain.  I did not arrange paper templates on the wall like most sane people choose to do and how this tutorial so wonderfully explains,  instead, I winged it and referenced my photograph throughout the process.  That's me in a nutshell.  

Here's the final outcome which I absolutely love!  I still need to fill the frames with my photos and touch up a few spots on the wall left from the previous piece of wall decor but overall very, very pleased.

How was your weekend? Did you tackle any DIY projects or cross something big off your long to-do list?