iPhone hacks for parents
Our phones aren’t usually far away, and that’s just the reality these days. I’m not here to shame anybody for excessive phone use — except my husband because, really, it’s getting ridiculous.
We use the camera to take pictures and videos of our kids doing cute/funny/weird things. We schedule doctors’ appointments in our calendar app. We dedicate some of the precious storage space to their dumb apps, like something on my phone right now called “Furby Connect World.”
But are you maximizing what your phone can do for you, as a parent?
From bus alarms and reminders to restaurant meal deals, here are five unexpected iPhone hacks you might want to try.
DIY pallet porch sign
It’s fun to realize they’re charging big bucks for something at the craft stores when nature is willing to give you the same thing — for free!
I’m talking about those rustic barn board-style signs, which some stores are selling “ready to paint” for the atrocious price of $40 each. You know what’s a lot cheaper? Using old forgotten wood that’s been left outside.
We’d built a cover for our sandbox (technically a rock box) years ago, and somewhere along the way the kids stopped using it. I got sick of seeing it lingering in the yard, unused, so I asked my handy husband to cut it into scrap wood for me.
I stuck the pieces in a laundry basket — I randomly use laundry baskets for lots of things — and stashed them in my studio. Because the wood had been outside for several years, the boards had the perfectly-aged patina of barn boards: worn, weathered and utterly rustic.
Since I was tired of tripping over the laundry basket of old wood, I decided to “craft or get off the pot.” I sorted the boards into piles and ran all of them through my mitre saw* until I had bundles that were all the same size. Then I lined them up on the floor in rows until I had the skeletons of a few different signs …
Once I liked the order of the boards — making sure to spread out the really cool-looking, extra-weathered ones — I flipped them all over so I could drill into the backs of them. Using extra scraps, I screwed long lengths of wood down the back of each sign to join the individual boards together.
(It should be noted that when I ran out of long scraps, I thought it would be OK to connect one sign using many, many short pieces instead. It was not OK. It was wobbly.)
It was pleasing to see a couple of ready-to-paint pallet signs after ages of looking at a laundry basket full of choppy boards. I decided to start with the tallest one and make a sign for our front porch. But what was I going to paint on it?
I’ve seen people make nice ones that say “Welcome” running vertically down the boards, or turn the whole thing into a scarecrow with a hat (that reverses to be a snowman during the winter). I decided against a holiday-specific sign, and started searching Pinterest for “quotes about home” and “welcome quotes.”
I decided on this one, which was attributed to the book “Love The Home You Have.” “Our home should inspire us to go out into the world to do great things, and then welcome us back for refreshment.” Isn’t that a nice thought to have every time you get home?
I gave the front and sides of the sign a quick sand, mostly just to take off the dirt that was still clinging to the boards. Instead of finding a pretty font online and printing out the letters, like I sometimes do, I decided to freehand it.
I grabbed a piece of chalk and started writing the quote directly on the wood. If I messed up a word or decided it should be a different size, I just rubbed at the chalk with my hand and it faded enough to redo it.
I played around with a variety of different “fonts” to make it interesting, and it quite relaxing. There was a gap left at the bottom of the sign so I decided to add a house below the quote. And trees! And stars! I was really getting into it.
Then I dipped a small brush into a light greige paint (Fusion Mineral Paint’s “Putty”) and started painting over the chalk. I was listening to an audiobook at the time and totally zoned out — not being too fussy with each swipe and swoosh of the brush.
After all, I reasoned, this sign is going outside! It’s going to fade and get all weathered anyway. No need to do my best painting.
I switched to a darker shade (Fusion Mineral Paint’s “Ash”) to finish up the house. I liked how the darker paint looked against the wood — and perhaps didn’t feel ready to stop listening to my audiobook — so I slashed a bit of the dark grey behind some of the words for contrast.
The next morning, I sanded down a few areas again to distress the wording — which was pretty “distressed” anyway, from my casual approach to painting the day before. I slicked on a quick coat of Fusion Mineral Paint’s Tough Coat to protect it against the elements, and took it straight outside to dry.
They say the outside of your home should reflect the personality it has on the inside, and our home is certainly full of quotes — framed, pinned to bulletin boards, scrawled on chalkboards, painted on canvas, and even stitched into cloth. So it makes sense that our porch is now decorated with a quote of its own!
Early Christmas shopping hacks for parents
It isn’t even Halloween yet, but of course I’m thinking ahead to Christmas. It’s what we do —“we” being the default parent responsible for procuring the Christmas gifts.
I won’t touch the decorations until the end of November, and it will be December before the darn Elf on the Shelf returns from the North Pole (a.k.a. the shoebox in my closet where I’ve stashed her so the kids don’t discover her in the bins of Christmas decorations).
But Christmas shopping? That can’t wait until we’re in the thick of the season. I hate crowds. I hate stores (other than stores that sell fabric, paint, craft supplies or wood). I hate feeling rushed and panicky and hot in an endless lineup of cranky shoppers.
Some years I’ve been completely finished my Christmas shopping by Halloween. This is not going to be one of those years, but I’ve definitely put a dent in my list.
If you’re also a weirdo introvert and you’re looking to get started your own holiday shopping, here are a few tips.
1. Figure out your format.
My gift list is a Word document I copy each year so I can fill in the blanks again. Once you can see who you’re shopping for and what you need to get, it’s easier to dive into the madness.
I’ve written before about our family’s Christmas gift rhyme that makes this easy: something you want, something you need, something to play with, something to read, and a new pair of jammies for Christmas Eve. {More on that here}
2. Get that Santa-gift confirmation.
Kids love to change their minds, but once they have written to Santa, they know there’s NO going back — that’s what they’re getting from him. It’s a parental insurance policy that means I’m in the clear to actually buy the item.
Our kids get to ask Santa for one gift, and it can’t be too big or expensive because “Santa has so many children to deliver gifts to.” (This is a personal choice, but I feel strongly about big-ticket items coming from parents, not Santa Claus. If Santa is giving a PS4 to one kid and a pair of mittens to the child next door, how is that going to feel fair?)
They surprised me by writing their Santa letters VERY early this year, after school one random day. Our seven-year-old son asked for “a surprise Lego set” again. (Excellent! Mom’s choice.) Our five-year-old daughter asked for “LOL dolls,” which are the newest version of the blind-bag un-boxing nonsense she loves. (Sigh. Fine. #wasteofmoney)
3. Join a co-op group for deals.
I belong to a few co-ops on Facebook and they’re a great place to get gift ideas — and then actually order the gifts! You can tell which items are sure to be popular this year, and because a huge group is placing a single order, you get volume discounts and split the shipping/duty costs.
Before our daughter even wrote to Santa to ask for LOL Dolls, I’d ordered some through the co-op — figuring they’d be her “Something to play with” gift from us. Now they’ll have Santa’s name on ’em, and they’re safely tucked away for Christmas.
4. Make something!
The good thing about starting in October is that you have plenty of time to make a gift. We usually make at least one of the kids’ Christmas gifts. (One year my husband built a Lego table, and last year I built a little stage with curtains to go with our daughter’s new toy microphone.)
I’ve ordered little wooden pegs dolls that I plan on painting for the kids, and I already have the fabric to sew their traditional pairs of matching Christmas jammies. I’ll likely make a science kit for them to share, too, since they’re really into making science-y messes with baking soda and test tubes.
5. Look for local.
There are so many wonderful small businesses in Nova Scotia that you can support with your holiday shopping. Last year I gifted adults on my list with Pearl & Daisy bath bombs, Clay Cafe Truro gift certificates, My Home Apparel sweatshirts and socks, and Thrown Together Pottery coffee mugs.
It can be trickier for kids’ gifts since they usually want specific toy brands — although wouldn’t I love to see a hand-carved, hand-painted Shopkin?! Look for a locally-owned toy store instead of defaulting to the big-box stores. Scan through your list and see what you can buy at a farmers’ market, craft show, or a sweet little shop downtown.
With a little luck, we can all be done our Christmas shopping at some point in November — and have more time to relax at home re-watching classic holiday trilogies, like The Santa Clause(s) and Diehard(s).
Chalk, milk, mineral? Choosing the right furniture paint
I paint a LOT of furniture and I get so many questions about the different specialty paints I use — how I decide which one is right for a project, how easy they are to work with, and how they hold up over time.
These paints are more expensive than something you’d pick up in a home improvement store — where $25 can get you a huge gallon. But you also need less of these paints because they’re thicker and designed to go a long way, so it never feels like I’m overspending on them.
Here’s a look at everything you need to know about my top four furniture/accessory paints, including what I like about each one and why you might choose one over the other . . .
Fusion Mineral Paint
Where you can buy it in Nova Scotia: The Painted Attic (Hammonds Plains), Knackered Vintage to Modern Decor (Porter’s Lake), Oceanview Home and Garden (Chester), The Wooden Path Rustic & Chic Decor (Windsor), Regained Relics Antiques and Collectibles (Shubenacadie), Phillips & Chestnut (Truro), Delaney Antiques & Stuff (Liverpool), Forbes New To You (New Glasgow), Buds to Blossoms Floral Boutique and Gifts (Amherst), The Red Door Furniture Rescue (Sydney). The website has an up-to-date list here.
What to use it for: It’s awesome for painting anything quickly — frames, furniture, lamps, you name it — especially if you don’t want to bother waxing or sealing.
I’d choose Fusion Mineral Paint first if I was . . . In a rush. It’s the fastest of the four because of the built-in top coat.
Prep work: The official word is to clean your piece and scuff it up with sandpaper, but I don’t think I’ve ever done that and I haven’t had an issue.
Paint prep: Give the jar a shake before opening.
Application: A nice thick paint that’s self-levelling to hide brush strokes. Do not roll it on, or it will be too thin. I use a regular ol’ paint brush, even if I’m doing something large like a vanity.
Top-coat required? Nope. Fusion is an interesting one because it goes on with the same texture as Annie Sloan and Fat, but it doesn’t dry to a chalky matte finish. It has a built-in topcoat so it doesn’t require waxing or buffing. You can, however, brush on Tough Coat if you want an extremely durable finish. (I’ve only done this on cabinets and our kitchen table. Nothing else felt like it needed it.)
My favourite shades: Ash, Casement, Midnight Blue
My final word: Fusion’s been my go-to furniture paint because it’s (A) sold in my town, (B) has amazing coverage, and (C) has that handy built-in top coat. I also like that it comes in plastic jars with screw-off tops so you can really see the colours when you’re deciding which one to get.
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Where you can buy it in Nova Scotia: Rusty Hinges (Halifax), Absolutely Fabulous at Home (New Minas).
What to use it for: I love it for furniture, and they even sell larger sizes of wall paint.
I’d choose Annie Sloan Chalk Paint first if I was … Wanting to distress a piece and wax/buff it for a classic look.
Prep work: A light sand is all most pieces should need.
Paint prep: Just give it a stir.
Application: It goes on creamy and has great coverage.
Top-coat required? Yes, unless you want a chalky feel. Rub in one coat of wax, and THEN you can distress it with sandpaper if desired. (This is one of the main differences with Annie’s.) Now’s the time to distress the edges and any special details, if you’d like. Dust it off and rub wax into the piece (using a wax brush or lint-free cloth) in sections, like you’re rubbing in hand lotion. Wait five minutes and buff it, then buff again after at least six hours.
Heather’s favourite shades: Paris Grey, Duck Egg Blue, Scandinavian Pink
Heather’s final word: I love that Annie Sloan isn’t afraid of the pinks, purples and reds, so there are plenty of pretty options. Their palette is sophisticated and includes interesting of neutrals that aren’t just varying shades of white.
Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint
Where you can buy it in Nova Scotia: The Painted Attic (Hammonds Plains), Mom’s Buy & Sell (Lunenburg), Phillips & Chestnut (Truro),
What to use it for: It’s amazing on raw wood! You can even add more water for a thinner consistency and it will soak into the grain like a stain. It’s NOT as great for anything veneered or glossy — still works, but it just takes a bit more effort.
I’d choose Miss Mustard Seed first if I was … Painting raw food. If you paint raw wood with Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint, it will NEVER flake or chip — pretty impressive.
Prep work: If you’re working on raw wood, just sand it smooth and then you’re ready to paint. If you’re painting over a flat surface (latex or acrylic paint, or just a really old piece of dull painted furniture), you can usually start without sanding. Glossy surfaces need to be scratched up with sandpaper (just five minutes or so) so the milk paint has something to grip. If the finish is heavily lacquered (or glass or metal), add Milk Paint Bonding Agent to the paint to help it adhere.
Paint prep: You have to mix the powdered pigment with water and whisk it to get the desired consistency — coffee cream. You also have to stir it regularly as you use it.
Application: Goes on thinner and runnier than the others — sometimes with tiny bubbles.
Top-coat required? Yes, or it will feel dry and chalky to the touch. Once the paint dries, sand it lightly to smooth off any gritty bits. Rub their delicious-smelling beeswax finish into the piece and buff it with a soft cloth to make it silky smooth, or brush on one of their other finishing products (like hemp oil or Tough Coat). If you’re painting something that will be in a high-traffic area or get a lot of use, Tough Coat is basically a “natural polyurethane” that dries to a matte finish.
Heather’s favourite shades: Farmhouse White, Artissimo, Mustard Seed Yellow
Heather’s final word: Milk paint may take more work than the others, but there’s nothing like the buttery smoothness of furniture that’s been milk-painted, waxed and buffed. It feels like something that was painted a hundred years ago, and you just want to keep running your fingers over it.
FAT Paint
Where you can buy it in Nova Scotia: Angela’s Attic Antiques (New Glasgow), The Painted Attic (Hammonds Plains), Hue Design Studio (Halifax), Brad’s Decor Center/Benjamin Moore (Kentville), Mom’s Buy & Sell (Lunenburg), Out of The Attic (Sydney.
What to use it for: Furniture! But be prepared to give your arms a workout if you want to buff it to a nice sheen — it takes real muscle.
I’d choose FAT Paint first if I was … Wanting a fun, bright colour!
Prep work: A light sand is all most pieces should need. FAT Paint adheres really well and needs few coats.
Paint prep: Just give it a quick stir.
Application: Couldn’t be easier. Rich and smooth.
Top-coat required? Yes, unless you want a chalky feel. Once the paint dries, smooth it with medium/fine grit sandpaper. Now’s the time to distress the edges and any special details, if you’d like. Dust it off and rub wax into the piece (using a wax brush or lint-free cloth) in sections, like you’re rubbing in hand lotion. Wait five minutes and buff it, then buff again after at least six hours.
Heather’s favourite shades: Mountain Haze, Juno, Shop Door
Heather’s final word: I love FAT Paint’s colours. There are so many gorgeous, bright, modern hues and they have the most diverse palette of the four. They’re not afraid to be loud and daring, so they’re the perfect pick if you want a piece that makes a bold statement.
xo
MY TOP FURNITURE-PAINTING POSTS:
What I’ve been making in pottery class
Today was an extra-exciting pottery class because I got to take home my first four projects — all glazed and ready for life in the real world!
First up, we have my coiled pot. Remember her?
I tried to go for an ombre effect with the glaze, which is hella-tricky. It’s not like at Clay Cafe where you paint the colours on with brushes — you pick up your piece with tongs and dip it into a giant bucket of strange-coloured chemicals that look nothing like the colour your piece will turn. I don’t understand the science behind it, but it’s interesting! Read More
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Heather's Handmade Life 