What's New - Pretty Handy Girl

What’s New

adfree, Build It, Home Tour, mailbox art

Make a House Shaped Mailbox – a Lowe’s Creative Idea

June is almost here (although it felt like summer this weekend) and more people are spending time outside sprucing up their yards and improving their curb appeal. As you drive down my street you are greeted by beautiful lawns, flowers,…

About Me, Decorating, Home Decor, painting, Painting & Antiquing Techniques

The Results are In, But the Front Door Dilemma Continues

Wow, y'all knocked my socks off with the response to my front door color survey! Over 350 people responded. With that kind of a response I should ask for your help more often! And the reader's choice winner is: A whopping 41% chose…

blue, Decorating, Door, painting, Uncategorized

Front Door Dilemma

Our plum colored front door has served our home well for over 5 years. Actually, I can't take credit for the color choice. The previous owner chose the color, but luckily she and I had similar taste. I know I told you that we used to live…

Do It Yourself, Dremel, drill, Fix It, Home & Auto Maintenance, screwdrivers, Toolbox, Tutorial

How to Remove a Stuck, Stripped or Painted Screw

Isn't it frustrating when you are trying to unscrew a screw and the head is stripped? Or some moron painted the screw and now you can't get your screwdriver into the slots. (I might have been the painting fool mentioned.) Luckily there are…

accessories, arts and craft, laundry room, Mudroom, Painting & Antiquing Techniques, stencil, Tutorial, Upcycling

Stencil Myself a New Door Mat

I picked up this plain vanilla door mat a while ago at a thrift store. I knew I wanted to transform it into something stencil-tacular. But, I couldn't decided on the right pattern. While at SNAP I was introduced to Royal Studio Design…

art, arts and craft, organizational tips

Creative Art Supply Storage

This week, I've been giving you a few glimpses of my true personality. I think I've mentioned before that I have a background in illustration. Well, we've known each other long enough, I think it's only fair that I show you a few…

Build It, copper, Decorating, Home Decor, Home Tour, Uncategorized

Copper – A Little Bling-Giddy Bling Bling on da How-wow-wowzz

It's DJ P-Diddy Handy Gee in da Howzz today! Yo, yo, you, listen up! I have a rhyme for you. Give me da beat boyz: There was a little roof called Barn-ey, oh yeah... and he was too purple and greeney, oh no... So, he got the yank and…

Uncategorized

An Unfinished Symphony

Today I'm taking you on a big departure from the DIY tutorial world. I wouldn't write this post if I didn't feel that this story needs to be shared. Tomorrow is Mother's Day and I know I don't have to tell you how important it is to have…

Best of Posts, bloggers, Build It, built-in window seat, DIY, Do It Yourself, Trash to Treasure, Tutorial, Uncategorized, Upcycling

The DIY Talent Parade Highlights

I'm still on a high after the fabulous DIY Talent Parade. Seriously, I think the Rose Parade needs to watch out because y'all have some fabulous talent! There were so many amazing projects, it was hard to pick just a few of my favorites. To…

Build It, Decorating, demolition, Door, repair

Saying Goodbye to Barney and Hello, Beautiful!

I detest Barney, the purple dinosaur. I'm not sure what it is about him that turns my stomach. Maybe it's because he's too artificially sweet. Maybe it's his annoying theme song. Or perhaps it is his unnatural purple and green color combo.The…

Blissdom, bloggers, Do It Yourself, Empowerment, Video

SNAP! Recap and My Empowerment Talk

Phew, I just made it through the whirlwind two weeks of speaking engagements! First I gave three back-to-back talks at the Southern Ideal Home Show in Raleigh. Then a few days later I hopped a plane to Salt Lake City to give my presentation…

adfree, Fall Leaves, Landscaping, Landscaping & Gardening

How to Patch Spots in Your Grass (The Easy Way)

Welcome back to the Spring Olympic events. We are here in Handy Stadium which is home to numerous sporting events including: football, soccer, 25 yard dash, off-road cycling and you can't forget father/son wrestling. As you can see, we…

accessories, arts and craft, bloggers, Crafts, decor, Decorating, E-6000, lamp, Trash to Treasure, Tutorial, Upcycling

Lamp Shade Makeover – DIY Talent Positively Splendid

I am amazed that we've had great weather for the entire two weeks of the DIY Talent Parade! Are you enjoying the parade so far?! Well, get ready to have your socks knocked off today. Our talented guest is an amazing multi-tasking mother of four.…

art, arts and craft, bloggers, Crafts, decor, Decorating, gifts, Guests, Home Decor, Silverware

Silverware Wind Chime – DIY Talent Songbird

With a tweet and a whistle and a song in her heart, our next DIY Talent Parade participant is gliding....wait, no make that flying down the street! Whoa, well, I'm sure you've guessed by now that this talented gal is part avian. That's right,…

built-in window seat, Decorating, DIY, fabric, Furniture, Guests, re-upholster, re-upholster seat cushion, Tutorial, Upcycling, Upholster Chair, upholstering bench

Making an Upholstered Bench from a Coffee Table – DIY Talent Madigan Made

Look up there! It's a bird, it's a plane, no wait...it's Madigan Made! That's right, Shannon from Madigan Made is here and she leads a double life. She's the Clark Kent of the blogging world. By day, Shannon is a pharmacist and by night…

accessories, art, arts and craft, Birdhouse, gifts, Guests, painting, Painting & Antiquing Techniques, Tutorial

Painted Flower Garden Birdhouse Tutorial – DIY Talent Mural Maker

How was your weekend everyone? I had a truly fabulous weekend surrounded by some seriously creative and talented bloggers. I was in Salt Lake City, Utah attending the SNAP 2012 conference. Sadly, there was one blogger who is equally as creative…

Decorating, DIY, Electrical, Guests

Anthropology Inspired Pendant Light – DIY Talent Shabby Creek Cottage

TGIF, TGIF, TGIF! Can you hear the crowd chanting? Yup, it's Friday and today we have a real powerhouse of a DIYer in the Talent Parade. Here comes Gina with her baton in hand, she has the crowds on their feet and they are ready for a…

Guests, Home Decor, Landscaping, Landscaping & Gardening, Plants

Creative Container Gardening – DIY Talent The Pink Hammer Blog

Welcome back to another day of the DIY Talent Parade! Do you see that flurry of pink activity? You know what that means, it is none other than Kelly from The Pink Hammer Blog! Kelly is the gal behind those rockin' pink tools. With…

arts and craft, cake plate, cloche, decor, Decorating, Guests

Make Your Own Cloche – DIY Talent House of Hepworths

Oh my goodness, I can't contain my excitement!!! Here she comes: Allison from House of Hepworths. If Aretha is the Queen of Soul, Allison is the Queen of DIY! Allison has been making over her home one DIY project at a time. She is…

Electrical, Fix It, Guests

How to Fix a Broken Lamp – DIY Talent Condo Blues

Can you hear the bass drum and the band playing? The DIY Talent Parade is in full swing now. Lisa from Condo Blues is striding this way and ready to show off her mad electrical skills. I recently met Lisa at Blissdom and she is a real fun…

Decorating, Sewing

Making a Faux Roman Shade

Learn how to make these designer-looking Faux Roman Shades to elevate your window appearance. I'm honored to have Jenna from SAS Interiors on the blog today. She is an interior designer, blogger and Mom from upstate New York. This is…