Sunday, October 23, 2011

Get a grip!

I feel like I have been on vacation from you guys! With the giveaway and Fabulous Friday, I have not written a lengthy post in over a week! I gotta be honest, it has been a nice break. We just always have so much going on. I also had a week in between Master's classes this week so I took a little mental break from writing all of the time. But I have so much to share with you all!

When we bought our house, the previous owner had built a porch and on the stairs from the porch to the basement landing, he did not put a railing. Now it is only a few steps so we never really thought anything of it. Recently, however, we switched home insurance companies. They sent a guy out and he gave us an ultimatum to put a railing on those back steps or not be covered! Yikes!
 So my hubby got to flex his handyman muscles and build us a new railing. We were originally going to look for one of those pre-made ones, but they were not what we needed and were pretty expensive. So we just got the supplies for him to make it piece by piece. I think total we spent $40ish.

The first thing that he did was put the post up against the cement footer. He secured it there using Tapcons.
 It sits flush against the footer like this:
 After that, he attached a board between the post and the deck. (He did most of these steps, and took the pictures, while I was at work...so I am just going based on what I know he did. Sorry its not more specific!)
 He did the same with one for the bottom to nail the spindles to.
 Because of the position of the footer and the way that we wanted the post to sit, he actually attached it to one of the spindles, but it is really sturdy.

 Next, he nailed a piece of weatherproof coated railing (Leftover from where they did the rest of the porch) to the top for the handrail.

 Please excuse the scattered lawn furniture ;)
 Once he got that all secure, he went in and screwed the spindles to the top and bottom boards.

 And here is the finished product! I am so happy with the way that it turned out!
 Who knew my hubby could build railings so well! He is just becoming a regular handy-man!
 Now...I want to restain/paint the porch so that it all matches!
 He really did such a good job! I am so proud! I cannot wait to paint that dern porch. I don't think they let the wood cure properly before they stained it and now that we have fresh wood, it makes me realize how weathered looking the rest of the porch is!
I am so excited to show you guys some of the things I have been up to. I have a really awesome project for DIY Thursdays over at EAD Designs! LOVE you guys!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Fabulous Friday #7!

Hey Guys! Welcome to Fabulous Friday #7! I missed seeing your awesome projects last week!

Please feel free to link 'em up this week as well as any new projects! I would LOVE to see your Halloween decor! I actually have some of my own to share!

And also, PLEASE grab the button, so that your friends can join the party!








And the winner is.....

I have a winner of the $30 EAD Designs Giveaway!!!

The winner is Lori Finch! who said:


Well, Lori...you get to have it! :) Email me at ohhbabydesigns (at) gmail (dot) com so that I can get your information over to Emily at EAD! Congratulations!

I will officially be starting my DIY Girl posting one week from today! AND I have a stash of really fun projects to share with you guys!

Don't forget, tomorrow is Fabulous Friday! I will try to get the linky up tonight if I get a chance.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

One last reminder!

Today is the LAST DAY to enter the $30 EAD Designs giveaway! You can find the rules and enter two posts ago! Looking forward to announcing the winner tomorrow! And getting my booty working on posting some projects.

On a more serious note, I have a very serious unspoken prayer request and would appreciate any prayers that can be offered up about the situation. God knows and He works through the prayers of the faithful! Thanks friends!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Don't Forget!

Just wanted to give you guys a friendly reminder to enter the $30 EAD Designs giveaway, if you haven't already! You can enter on the post right before this one!

I am already crafting with EAD! Can't wait to share it with you!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

***Exciting Announcement and a GIVEAWAY!!***

Okay, friends. Here it is! The big, exciting news! I have recently joined up with EAD Designs as their new DIY girl! I will be doing a weekly post on their blog about fun, creative ways to use vinyl to spruce up your home!


I have always loved the look and versatility of vinyl, but never the price tag. Until I met EAD. They sell a wide variety of super cute vinyl products at a fraction of the prices that I have seen elsewhere. Their products are high quality and beautiful.

They do custom Established Signs:
 Personalized Family Name Est. 2
They also make these precious growth charts!

Growth Chart 4
I love this beautiful chandy too! If I could think of somewhere to put it, I would!
Chandelier 2
And you can order any of their products in a wonderful array of colors to match just about any room!



Oh! I can't forget one of my favorite things that they offer! These super cute Chalk-it tags! These will be part of one of my first projects on the blog! Stay tuned!
Chalk-it Tags
They even have a Design Center where you can create custom works of art if they do not have what you are looking for! Easily my favorite feature of their website!

So, here is whats in it for you! To celebrate my wonderful new position as a DIY girl, EAD Designs will be giving one of my fabulous readers a
$30 credit
to spend on whatever you want in their store!!!

Here is how to enter:
Mandatory: Visit their website HERE and tell us one item that you love!

Bonus entries (make sure to leave a separate comment for each one!):
1. Become a Follwer of OhhBaby Designs

2. Become a Follower of EAD Design's Blog

3. Follow OhhBaby Designs on Facebook (there's a link in my sidebar)

4. Follow EAD Designs on Facebook

5. Blog about this giveaway.

6. Tweet this giveaway.

7. Follow OhhBaby Designs on Pinterest.

8. Follow EAD Designs on Pinterest.

There you have it. NINE chances to win! And let me tell you, you can get a lot for $30 at EAD!
The winner will be announced on Thursday October 20th.

Happy Giveaway Day!

LOVE you guys!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

50th Birthday Pool Cake

Today is not the day that I will be announcing the big news, that will be tomorrow! So come back tomorrow! Because it's big! And there is something in it for you!

I did, however, want to share with you one of the most hilarious cakes that I have ever made!  A friend of my mom's contacted me to make a 50th Birthday cake for her sister-in-law. They had funny little figurines and wanted me to make it pool themed.

What I did was cut a rectangle out of the center of the cake, iced it, and then filled the pool with home-made decorator gel. This was my first time making it and it was a pretty messy process!

 Isn't she too cute with her leg sticking in the pool?
 The "water" got some bubbles in it when it dried, but I still love the way that it almost looks like real water in the cake!


 Per her request, I made this little chocolate plaque for the front. Apparently, Debbie really loves chocolate! So we wanted this cake to be as chocolatey as possible!
 And while I was decorating it...I made stir fry. And it was good.
 I know, short and sweet and to the point. But come back tomorrow! :)