Spoonful of Imagination

Add it to a Family for Something Beautiful

  • Home
  • Our Family
    • Our Home
  • Courses
  • Shop
  • Contact

The Perfect Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

February 22, 2017 By Erica Deuel 1 Comment

Disclosure: The product was supplied by Thermaleaf. All opinions are my own.

I’m pretty excited. I found the perfect tree for this black thumb.

I have wanted a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree for a while. They always look so beautiful in pictures, and those big green leafs add so much warmth and life to a space. The bad news is, I can barely bring myself to buy bushes anymore. After a week in my care, they are toast. I couldn’t do that to a tree!? It would be like throwing money away. Let’s face it. Plants are just not my thing.

As we are opening our art studio, I have been dreaming and processing fun decor that will help this big space feel warm and friendly. A tree would be perfect, so I was all too excited when a sweet representative of Thermaleaf.com reached out to me. Would I try one of their beautiful tress!? Yes, I would love too. It was an easy yes, and I couldn’t be more pleased with my tree!

To be completely honest, I was a bit nervous. I didn’t know how real or how vibrant the leaves would look in person. I was hopeful, and I couldn’t ave been more thrilled opening this tree up. I’m pretty sure I was squealing and my kids came running to see what the fuss was about.

I picked their 5″ fiddle Leaf Fig Tree. This was only one style of several Fig Trees that had. Not to mention, there are lots of other styles of trees available. To see their complete inventory, you can click here.

I know this tree will make our commercial, rented space feel warmer, and I am thrilled.  When I was browsing and trying to choose which tree I wanted, I could have picked numerous trees! I was pleased to find though that Thermaleaf is the safest  artificial foliage on the market; meeting local, national and international fire codes. Win!

If you too have a black thumb or even just want a stunning tree in a room that doesn’t have good light, check out this company. You can also connect with them on Twitter and Facebook as well.

I can’t wait to share more about our Spoonful of Imagination Art Studio! Be on the look out for more details soon!

 

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

How to Tear Apart a Pallet

November 1, 2015 By Erica Deuel 1 Comment

Disclosure: I received the saw for free to review, but all opinions and words are my own! I really do love this Ryobi Cordless Circular Saw!

stacked_pallet_woodDo you have those moments where you realize how pathetically weak you are? Maybe you encourage your kids to eat their chicken and finish their carrots, so they can be strong. You might hope those words are true for you too and you consider yourself relatively in shape. Then something happens (like a slap in the face) showing you how totally not strong you actually are?

That moment happened the one time I tried to pull apart a pallet. I had my hammer and a crowbar and was attacking and using my whole body’s weight to try to pry those boards apart. It was horrible.

I ended up getting a few pieces of wood that I was able to use for this poster size frame, but the experience left me never wanting to try that again…and nursing blisters.

I learned the hard way that pallet wood is some of the strongest wood. Although I never ever wanted to use a hammer and crowbar on a pallet again, I did want that beautiful, weathered, free wood.

Since we have moved into our new home (almost a year ago now!), I have dreamed of having a pallet wall around the fireplace. I put some thought into how there must be a simpler way to get this wood.

Ryobi_circular_sawWith the help from my friends at Ryobi, I found the simplest way to get this wood! Don’t mess with the nails. Use the ONE+ 18-Volt 6 1/2 inch Cordless Circular Saw and literally cut the boards off the posts.

how_to_take_a_pallet_apart

DIY_pallet_breakingWe sliced the wood right off the crossbar posts with our saw. We lost some wood by this technique, but we saved so much time and energy. We’d run the saw up one side and then down the other to free the pallet boards from the side posts. Then we’d go back and make cuts on each side of the center crossbar.

how_to_make_a_pallet_wallWe ended up with a huge stack of pallet wood that was about half the size in length as a normal pallet. It was so quick. Since we were cutting boards so fast, they didn’t have the straightest ends. We used our Ryobi Miter Saw to cut the ends even and straight.

ryobi_miter_saw

wood_shavingsOnce we had a bunch of wood with straight ends we were ready to get creating. What was at one time the worst job on earth became such a breeze and FUN.

pallet_woodWe did our wall from start to finish all in one Saturday with breaks, meals, and caring for four kids. If you have a pallet wood project you want to conquer, use this saw. You wont be sorry.

I had never used a circular saw before. Now that I have used this cordless Ryobi one, I can’t imagine another. It was amazing. Here are a few facts:

  • 40% more powerful motor provides corded performance with cordless convenience compared to previous model P506
  • 24-tooth ultra-thin kerf carbide-tipped blade for fast, clean cuts
  • 0-56° bevel cut capacity allows user the ability to cut the most common angles
  • Front pommel handle with overmold for 2-handed operation
  • Left side blade for better cut line visibility

I can’t wait to show you how we put our wall together. I will post more soon. For now, here is a sneak peek!

pallet_wallThis wall is in what we call our snow room. It’s the best room in the house to watch the snow fall. Now that temps are lowering, leaves are falling, and jackets are needed, snow will not be that far off. I can’t wait to sit in this room and watch the fluffy white stuff come down. This pallet wall makes the room feel so warm and welcoming!

Have you ever tried pulling a pallet apart? Did it make you want to pull your hair out too?

signature

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Colorful Fall Front Porch

September 17, 2015 By Erica Deuel 5 Comments

Disclaimer: The paint I received for free. Thank you Modern Masters for so generously gifting it to me. All opinions are very much my own.

Fall is here. With the new season comes change, fresh starts, and lots of color.

As much as I love the simplicity and beauty in white, clean, and simple, my heart goes pitter-patter for color. It always has. It should be no surprise then that fall is my favorite season. The change of weather, the colorful layers of clothing, and the brilliant leaves have me looking forward to fall all year-long.

Last year, we kind of missed fall with our move from Georgia. We moved before Georgia’s fall and after Indiana‘s. I was robbed, which made me all the more excited for it this year. I started prepping my fall porch mid summer.  Let me give you a little before preview, so you can see what I had.

There is nothing horribly wrong. It’s actually pretty simple, clean, and neutral.

I don’t think any of those words describe me though. I have big dreams of expanding the porch and replacing the white columns with thick wood ones, but until that day comes, I did a few more inexpensive changes to make the front entrance of my house feel a little warmer and colorful.

One of the first things I did was brighten up the light fixtures with a fresh coat of spray paint. Next, I stuck a few flowering bulbs into my plain wreath to give it a little life and fun color as well.

natural_fall_wreathI bought a few new things like a metal mail box, rug, and yellow chair to add some fun textures and color to my space.

magnolia_market_fall_decor

front_porch_decorAs fall came, I added some mums to my hello pots and got some pumpkins.  I feel like my front porch is one of the few decorated for fall (let alone with a pumpkin out front) in town. I joked with a friend that this southern girl’s style may stick out like a sore thumb up north. She assured me fall decoration is done up here, it’s just that no one wants to admit fall is here because that means the snow is coming.

fall_flowersThe biggest change was switching out my front door paint. I needed color. I have never lived in a red brick house, so I was not sure which direction to go. I knew I did not want to choose the wrong color and have to do this project more than once, so I turned to my friends for help. I got lots of helpful opinions in a poll on Instagram. Navy, Yellow, Mint, and (my pick) purple were the top runners. I wanted to use Modern Masters Front Door Paint and lucky me they have an app to help. I was able to try these different colors on my front door by just taking a picture in the app of my door.

picking_front_door_paintI had a lot of fun with the app (available for both iPhone and Android) and landed on purple. I love how it adds a fun pop of color, yet it is not as out there as the yellow.

Modern_masters_front_door_paintI love how it turned out! I liked the look of the yellow against the red brick (just not for the whole door), so that it why I ended up using lots of accents for my porch in yellow.

I was a little nervous when I painted the first coat. It was so bright. I wondered if I would regret my decision, but I pressed on.

painting_a_front_door

painting_front_door

purple_doorI realized the color I was using was such a dark color and contrast to the white-it just needed several coats. I ended up doing three coats, and it was worth it!

purple front doorI only have good things to say about this paint! Your front door is the one of the most important elements on the exterior of your home. Let it express you and say welcome. Modern Masters has created 24 beautiful colors inspired by the emotional color wheel. My purple is actually called Spiritual. Which may not be a surprise.

Their paint is water based, quick drying, and contains non-fading technology that allows you to paint and close the door all in the same day.

Available at HomeDepot.com, selected Lowe’s stores nationwide, and the Modern Masters online shop.

pumpkins

colorful_fall_porchPainting your front door is easy, quick curb appeal. Don’t be afraid to try something new and bold! If you would like a more detailed tutorial on how to paint your front door, watch this one minute video.

Fall is so colorful with the beautiful leaves and now so is my front porch. It felt like the perfect time to share this little makeover with you.

There is one little addition to this porch makeover that I did NOT contribute. Did you catch the beautiful chalk heart behind my yellow chair? That was created by my Jeremiah because he “loves me”. I have not had the heart to wash it off, although he did get a little “please keep chalk on the driveway” from now on talk.

Do you have any fall projects on your list? I can scratch painting my front porch off mine. It’s time for another project.

signature

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Summer Reading for the Little Ones (& busy ones)

June 11, 2015 By Erica Deuel Leave a Comment

Disney_story_centralWe are only a week into summer, but already loving it! We worked so hard on so many new concepts this school year. As a homeschool mom, I am especially proud of completing another year. Since I teach my kids all year, getting the kids to read during the summer and not feel like they are doing “school” can be tricky. My kids love earning electronic time, and I can play into their love for electronics, by using Disney Story Central.

Disney Story Central is the largest collection of Disney digital stories, featuring a wide array of Disney stories and characters that kids and families know and love.

I can have the best of both worlds by sharpening their love for reading while also allowing them to have some screen time.

disney_books_onlineThe computer doesn’t always make sense for reading. When we are on the go or want to all cuddle up in a more comfy location, we can turn to our iPad. I love that this program can be played on both.

I let my kids pick which books they would like to read from Disney Story Central from our computer. I love that it is a cross-platform experience. Disney Story Central is available via iPhone and iPad app, tablet-optimized website and Video on Demand (AT&T U-Verse).

Disney_story_central_onlineOne of my favorite features of this program is the customizable bookshelves for each member of the family. With a soon to be third grader and first grader, my boys are on different reading levels and they can get personalized reading recommendations for the level they need.

When we were selecting some books, I kept in mind my little Reagan. She’s in preschool and loves to read books! With each book there is the option to read it aloud or have it read aloud to you. She could sit for hours and have these books read to her. She loves it!

Disney_story_central_review

snuggle_buddiesDisney Story Central gives families the freedom to choose the reading experience that suits them best, whether through an annual subscription service (unlimited access to the expansive library) or a-la-carte options, using Disney Book Tokens. The Disney book token system works like currency and allows parents to give their kids the opportunity to pick out the books they WANT to read.

My kids love picking out books to read. They sort through, compare, talk about the characters and their favorite parts of the different stories. Reading is so important and starting a fun way to do it as a kid will hopefully create a lifetime love for reading in them.

kids_books_onlineYou can participate in Disney Story Central‘s ‘Mid-Summer Light Reads’ Campaign. The campaign will promote weekly summer reading themes featuring selected Disney titles. By participating you can unlock free books and enter a special sweepstakes! Launching today, June 11, the campaign will run through August 13.

How do you encourage your kids to read during the summer? Thanks so much for stopping by!

signature

 

 

 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
Next Page »
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
YouTube-Channel
Erica Deuel

Subscribe for Weekly Updates!




Most Popular Posts

Wood Slice Valentine Art
DIY {easy} Burlap Wreath
DIY Outdoor Checker Board
The Encanto, Madrigal's House Craft For Kids
Painting Flower Pot Party Tips
DIY Bookends (what you can make for being a hoarder)
Chiffon Flower Tutorial
Engraved Wood Sign Tutorial (and Dremel Micro)
Cheap lamp to Industrial Beauty
Repurpose Old Kitchen Chairs

Categories

  • All About the Kids
  • art journal
  • Blogging
  • Christmas
  • Craft Projects
  • Dancing Zebras
  • DIY
  • Eddy's postcards
  • Embroidery Journal
  • Family
  • Featured
  • Foster Care
  • Giveaways
  • Guest Posts
  • Home
  • Homeschooling
  • Kid Activities
  • Kid Craft
  • My Heart
  • Our Outings
  • Project Spotlight
  • Send Out Love
  • Shop
  • Sponsored Posts
  • Spoonful Lab
  • Spoonful Tribe
  • Tips + Tricks
  • Traveling
  • Uncategorized
  • Vlog

Favorite Categories

Subscribe for Weekly Updates!

Favorite Categories

© 2023 Spoonful of Imagination, Inc.