How to Make a Wood Toner

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Ever have a staining project not turn out how you imagined? Last week, I was working on a little maple dresser. If you have ever worked with maple before, you know it sucks to stain. Like, majorly. Even after using a pre-stain conditioner, I was still left with a splotchy mess. After sanding, and re-staining. I decided to work with what I have, and apply a wood toner. Best. Decision. Ever.

DIY Back-to-School Storage Ideas

My brain is in back-to-school mode. I shared a tutorial to build your own Homework and Backpack Center with you last week, and now I'm sharing some other DIY back to school storage ideas with you. If you have school aged kids, I'm sure one of these will fit your needs. 

DIY Backpack and Homework Center

*EDIT: I have updated and improved this project. For the updated version with FREE building plans, click here. 

Most of you know that I have twin boys. Well, this year they started the big "K". Yep, Kindergarten. After the first day of school, I knew we were going to need some sort of organization. 

Music and Decorating (Blog Buddy Edition)

Who doesn't love music? Music is great. If you are anything like me, you have Pandora playing right now. I might have a weird brain, but I connect songs with images. I almost always have a song in my head. Its like I have my own personal soundtrack of my life. 

Decorating is also pretty awesome. 

Gold Rope Trim Bench

I've made a few of these upholstered benches before. You can see the first two I made here. 

Black Edwardian Mirror

I have a before and after to share with you today. Last year, I scored a walnut dresser built around 1890, at a garage sale of all places. I refinished the dresser long ago, and left the poor, sad mirror to sit in my garage for almost a year. 

Faux Gear Tutorial

You may remember in Monday's post, I mention that I had a foam project I was working on. Well, it all started when I was at SNAP Conference in April and I stopped by the Floracraft booth. The reps showed me a couple of their new products and I started getting ideas. A couple months later, the kind people of Floracraft sent me a massive box filled with goodies!