Around the last time I posted, I started an extracurricular project for work. I love to decorate and when talk of updating our office breakroom came up, I gladly volunteered.

Five teams needed a place to share notes and information. I found this great idea for a cheap, yet cool magnet board and after a little finagling, they came together great.

We also needed a little color in the drab, window-less room. Our company colors are royal blue, purple, mustard, lime and burnt orange … the perfect inspiration. I’d seen this Martha Stewart project for custom-colored chalkboards years ago and thought they would not only solve the color challenge, but also be useful. They were way beyond my basic construction skills, but luckily my friend D. (yes, that D.) is handy and as much of a perfectionist as I am, and agreed to tackle the job.

The title of this post could mean that I’m so talented, Martha better watch out, lest I take over her domestic diva spot. But really … it means, she better watch out for me because if I happen to run into her in a dark alley I’m going to unleash the most brutal sucker punch I can muster!!!

Even though I’d planned ten chalkboards and I know projects can take longer than expected, I think D. and I figured it’d take a week or two tops. That was more than a month ago … a long month of late evenings after work and weekends.

First, buried in the directions was a line about the boards needing primer … tack on time to run back to Home Depot and to apply it. Second, Martha totally down played the need to thoroughly … within an inch of your life … mix the paint with the grout. Third, it’s best to use a special sponge roller, which I found at Home Depot after two failed painting attempts, for the flattest finish. Just considering those three missing directions … it took several days (including drying time) just to get the first chalkboard right.

Then … the boards really need two coats of paint even though big dumb Martha only said one. For one, no matter how much you mix (I finally chucked the stir stick Martha said to use and resorted to paint mixer attachment for a drill, which D. luckily had) there will be small clumps of grout that need to be sanded and recovered. And for two, because the paint seemed to want to separate a bit from the primer and the color looked much better with the second coat.

All in all, I think the room is going to look amazing (I will share pics — D. and I finished up earlier this week and they’ll be hung up later next week). And I likely would have proceeded even if I knew what all was involved, but I just wish Martha would have shared more thorough directions.

And oh yeah, it’s good to see you again after all this time!

Ol’ Snow has a very lovely dress, but it would have required some extensive sewing … and I’m no sewer … or a purchased costume … and I’ve never been a big fan of spending a ton on a costume I’ll likely only wear once. Plus, to me a Halloween get-up should be a little more creative than something I pull out of a package … a belief I guess I learned from my parents because I recall always having cool costumes as a kid, but honestly don’t ever remember them being packaged.

After a little noodling, I decided the red headband, poisoned apple and little birdie perched on my hand would be recognizable along with an outfit I either already owned or could buy and wear again … unlike the pre-fab costume.

To complete the ensemble, a personal ad tacked to the apple to explain my “modern-day” garb and to make it a little more fun and creative …

Modern-day Snow White seeks Prince Charming
to break spell of singlehood with amazing kiss
followed by happily ever after.

Guys … dwarfs or otherwise … named Sleazy,
Sloppy, Shifty, Crazy, Pervy, Creepy or
CommitmentPhobe-y need not apply.

Happy Halloween!

Yes, I admit it … I need to lose a few pounds (ok maybe more than a few … no doubt thanks in part to the pretzel fairy). And while I’m not exactly overjoyed with my body, I still like to show off my curves. Of course, there are plenty of cute, sassy sports shirts out there, but for heaven’s sake, I’m not sure who they are made for. I swear the extra large in one of the brands made exclusively for women looks like it might be a regular size medium … and cut for someone with absolutely no chest whatsoever.

Being a crafty girl, I took matters into my own hands. I tried two options … first attempting to cut a fun (but shapeless) t-shirt into something more stylish. With direction from the tattooed Kat Von D, I started slicing on an old paint-splattered shirt. With a little more practice, I think the results would have been super cute, but not really appropriate for an afternoon football game (and I wasn’t even going for the crazy backless thing in Kat’s video). I definitely want to try it again though.

Next, I headed to my local craft store for iron-on rhinestone letters (and then … even though I hate to admit it … I headed to Walmart where I found them for half the price). I used a black shirt from last season in case the results weren’t stellar. It’s not too difficult, but a little nerve wracking … so no photos of the process. But I think it turned out well …

Last year, I was unprepared, which is a terrible feeling for a “Martha” like me. I did take a bottle of wine for the hostess, but didn’t even think about goodies for the group. There were mini bottles of wine, candy and fuzzy socks (which when mixed with a few too many Pirates on a Diet caused an unfortunate, tailbone-bruising tumble down the steps for me … but it’s the thought that counts).

We’re headed down tomorrow, and I am ready with awesome goodies for this year …

It’s a small paint can decorated with stamped cardstock and filled with a stamped candle, candy and a bottled mojito.

I think they’ll enjoy them … and I had fun making them too.