Pip And Estella

What better than a DIY Sunburst Mirror to kick off Summer?! Two Sunburst Mirrors! After falling in love with Three Men And A Lady's
project, we then spotted another over in Design Sponge's Before & Afters. While this is no new project, it is definitely one worth revisiting.

Michelle of Three Man And A Lady joins Pip & Estella to give us a little bit of insight on the "lady" of the quartet and talks Vintage Shopping, DIY Favorites and Blog Inspiration...

*P&E: What was your inspiration behind starting Three Men And A Lady?

*MICHELLE:My husband actually started this blog to keep family and friends updated on our happenings. I had no idea what a blog even was at that time. When I saw what he was doing I jumped in and took it over. I would post about family events as well as projects around the house (which is what people are mostly interested in). My direction in blogging has changed a bit as I've acquired a readership. I love to do projects but they take me a while since my full time job is raising two boys. My blog keeps me motivated and accountable with my projects because I've now got people waiting for the reveals.


*P&E: Can you remember your first or favorite DIY project to date? If so, please tell us about it?


*MICHELLE: Favorite project...hmmm, that's a tough one. I think it would have to be the dresser I sprayed yellow and changed out the hardware. It really gives big impact and the pop of color really makes the room.
However, the most popular project among fans would probably be the sunburst mirror. Many people have taken that idea and run with it. My favorite projects are those that I can take something acceptable then add something and make it great.


*P&E: Many of us associate traditional antiques with value and pass them down through generations. Have any of your projects yielded pieces that you consider to be keepers?


*MICHELLE: I love shopping for vintage and antique pieces and then add a twist to them. Despite taking such painstaking time to pick out just the perfect piece and then spend a lot of time on it sprucing it up I don't have a whole lot that I'm really attached to. I don't like to spend full price on things or buy new because I know I will tire of it quickly. I consider furnishings to be like clothes. Clothes go out of fashion rather quickly as do furnishings. he only thing I know I'll never get rid of is my great grandma's antique piano. When I shop second hand I can enjoy it for a time then sell or donate when I'm ready for a change, guilt free!

...And here is a tutorial on how to make your own! Enjoy!

MATERIALS:

1 Package Of Bamboo BBQ Skewers

3-5 Sticks Of Hot Glue

1 Can Of Black Spray Paint

1 Can Of Silver Spray Paint

Painters Tape

Vintage or New Circular or Star Shaped Mirror As Base

TOOLS:

Hot Glue Gun

DIRECTIONS:

1. Glue Bamboo BBQ Skewers The Reverse Side Of Your Mirror.

2. Protect the mirrored surface by covering with painters tape.

3. Spray paint the face of your piece with a coat of Black.

4. Once completely dry, spray a light coat of Silver on top.

It's that easy! Thanks Michelle!

Trying to stay organized can be overwhelming for those of us with grand plans for our gardens. A garden inspiration board with just the essentials can help us stay on track and realize our visions.

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MATERIALS:

9” X 11” Piece of leftover Wallpaper or Gift Wrap

9” X 11” Piece of Corkboard (Sub: 2 Cork Tiles)

9” X 11” Piece of Cardboard

8” X 10” Lightweight Vintage Wooden Picture Frame

16” Piece of cooking twine or hemp cord

1 Bottle of Elmer’s School Glue (Sub: hot glue & gun)

1 Scrap piece of paper

A handful of decorative or plain thumbtacks

TOOLS:

Box Cutter or X-acto Knife

Scissors

2 Heavy books

DIRECTIONS:

1. With your picture frame face down, use your box cutter to scrape the surface clean of any debris so that the rear of your frame is smooth.

2. Make a three layer “sandwich” with your piece of wallpaper or gift wrap on the bottom face down on a flat surface, your piece of corkboard in the middle and your piece of cardboard on top. Squeeze a generous amount of glue onto your piece of scrap paper and spread around the perimeter of the back of your piece of wallpaper and the back of your piece of corkboard while staying ½” from the edge.

3. Ensure that all of your edges are lined up with the back side of the frame and firmly trace the glued edges with your fingertip. Your corkboard and cardboard will provide a lightweight sturdy backing.

4.Place your 2 heavy books on top of the backing and allow to dry.

HAVE A COFFEE BREAK

5. Place your framed work face up and flat on your work surface. Using your box cutter or x-acto knife, trim any edges that show from behind the frame.

6. Tie the ends of your cooking twine or hemp cord (and double knot) so that you have a circle.

7. Secure your 2 flat thumbtacks by pressing each one firmly midway into the upper backside of your wood frame. Take your circle of cooking twine or hemp cord and slip the bottom piece beneath the thumbtacks. Now you may press the tacks into your frame completely to hold your twine in place.

8. Gather the pictures you’ve been collecting, inspiring outdoor fabric patterns, a post- it note with the favorites from your spring wish list and seed packets you’ll be planting. Tack them on.

Optional Steps:

9. If you really want to go for it, categorize your seed packets by light requirements so that you’ll know the best spots to plant them.

Happy Gardening! xo Pip & Estella

TIPS:

Any size frame will do if your decorative paper, cardboard and corkboard are at least in inch larger in width and height.

Want to mix things up a bit? Frame swap with a friend or check out local stoop sales or flea markets for backless frames on the cheap.

Plant flowering herbs like Cilantro (Coriander), Dill (Mammoth) or Chives (Common) for beautiful blooms and flavorful dishes.

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