diy: state nail art

So, I've been meaning to post this DIY since October, when I completed it.  I even had a post started, but for some reason I never finished it. Nothing like a day snowed-in to prompt me to finally share my state nail art decor! :)

The Midwest was slammed today buy a lovely February snow storm. It has snowed all. day. long. Seriously, all day. The dog and I just ventured out to discover it is now snowing icy flakes, making it look like glitter is raining down from the twilight sky - which made this glitter & Ke$ha loving girl's night! However, I digress, that is not the reason for this post!

I had seen these state nail art designs on Pinterest and decided it was something that I could do. Since I have considered 3 states home, I wanted to represent each state and city in my new apartment. 

My finished products!

Here's what you need:

• A piece of wood (the size I used is 14"x14")
• Wire nails (5/8" x 18)
• Cotton twine
• Printed outline of state
• Needle-nose pliers
• Hammer
• Picture hanging wire
• Construction paper/glitter (optional)
• Paint or stain for wood (optional)

A picture of my nails so you know what to look for at Lowes! :)

1. Decide if you want your board stained or painted. You will obviously want to do this before you start nailing into it. Luckily my Dad had 3 spare boards in his shop that he was able to cut to size for me, which I then stained to match some of my other furniture.

2. Cut out your state outline and tape to the center of your board. 

3. Start hammering! You will want to nail around the outline of your state. I found it easiest to use my needle-nose pliers to hold the nail in place and straight, as well as to help me with my spacing - it also prevented me from whacking my fingers with the hammer :) Tip: One mistake I made, that I later had to go back and fix, was positioning my nails to close together. It is okay to leave some distance between them, and it will actually make your life easier when you start with the string. Don't worry - you will still achieve your look! 

  

4. >optional<  If you decide to have a heart representing a certain city, now is the time to nail that in. I cut a heart out of construction paper and taped it to the location on my state, then hammered the nails in just like step 3. Tip: Unlike the outline, the more nails you can fit into the heart outline, the better. You will pull the string from the outline to the heart and the more nails you have in the heart to wrap the string around, the better.

5. Once you have your nail outline finished, you can carefully remove your paper outline. You may have to use some tweezers to get tiny pieces of paper that might have been nailed through.

Outline complete!

6. String time! Pick your starting place and tie off your twine. For me, I started in the upper right hand corner and worked from the outline of my state to the outline of the heart and back. This part honestly just takes practice - I had to restart my stringing multiple times. You will need to strategize in order to evenly distribute your string connections among the heart nails. Also, try to wrap in the same direction on each nail, just to keep the look consistent. Tip: If your state has weird areas, do whatever you need to do to make it work. In the bootheel of Missouri I ended up cutting my string, going between the state outlines, and then starting fresh in a new section. There are going to be some areas of your state where you need to take your string outline to outline, rather than outline to heart. As long as you like the look of it, then it's a-okay.

7. Because I like glitter (as we covered earlier), I decided I wanted to spruce up my heart area of my state and really make it stand out. I took the same piece of construction paper I used to make my heart outline, covered it glue, sprinkled on some glitter and then wedged it back between the nail outline. I did not affix it to the board in anyway, the construction paper sits nicely wedged between the heart nail outline. (Sorry, I get too excited with glitter to take a picture!)

8. Lastly, install some picture hanging wire to the back and admire your craft! :) 

I have gotten several compliments on these and am really proud of how they turned out. I was also pleasantly surprised that this was a fairly easy project to complete. I was able to complete all 3 of mine in an evening while catching up on my DVR recordings! 

2014 "resolutions"

So, I love Pinterest. This is just a fact of life - I am pretty sure it was created for me. I have always been a visual learner and I think that's why it speaks to me so - pictures and organization, what could be better?! That being said, tonight I am too awake to sleep. Don't you hate those nights? Most people when they can't sleep will watch TV, read a book, drink Sleepytime Tea (cough cough, Emily) or some other activity to slow their mind. I organize my Pinterest boards.

While going through one of my boards and thinking about the New Year, I was struck by several inspirational quotes I had pinned. I have never been good at New Year's resolutions - I put to much pressure on the concept of setting impressive resolutions that are actually achievable. This year, however, I thought it might be fun to choose some quotes to serve as a 2014 guide. General inspirations for 2014, if you will. :)

Without further adieu... here are my 14 inspirational pictorial resolutions for 2014 along with my little reminders to myself when I am inevitably overwhelmed and stressed in 3 weeks and "over 2014":

1.

Ralph Waldo Emerson has always been one of my favorites. This is so simple but so powerful to me. I have an extreme tendency to overcomplicate things, but in the end what matters is to: be silly, be kind, be honest. 

2.

In college, one of my best friends tattooed "believe in yourself" on her foot. We were terrible. We teased her mercilessly saying things like "look at your foot" when she would ask us for advice. In all honesty, believing in yourself is key and a personal struggle for me. You are all you have - so you might as well trust, love and believe in yourself. If you don't, no one else will. 

3.

This reminds me of childhood me...not a care in the world, and that is something I strive to get back to. Screw what the world thinks, my world: my friends, my family, my God, all accept and embrace me for all my quirks and randomness.

4.

Dance like no one is watching. It hurts no one and makes your heart feel lighter. Read to enrich your mind, free your soul or to transport yourself somewhere else. Whatever the reason: do it. If it makes you happy and doesn't harm the world, then you're good. 

5.

This may be my ultimate 2014 inspiration. Love and laugh abundantly. Abundantly. Without abandon. Do these and your life can't help be anything but beautiful.

6.

One of my 100 goals is to keep a gratitude journal. Being grateful is so key - recognizing what others do for you and in all the ways you are blessed.

7.

This one really spoke to me, because it is so true. It is impossible to be perfect and to have everyone like you/me. So: let. it. go. It is their loss, because we are ripe, juicy peaches and they don't know what they're missing out on!

8.

Ultimately, some days are going to suck. It is inevitable. I've already had one of those days this week (and it's only Wednesday). BUT, create your own sunshine! You have the power to bring a ray of light to any and every day. So sparkle and shine and turn things around - not for others, but for yourself.

9.

This one and #13 go hand-in-hand, but hey - it's a big concept for me. John Lennon once said that life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. Mr. Lennon and Carrie Bradshaw know the secret - let things happen as they may. As my family says over the table playing Texas 42 when one of us thinks we can lay down our hand and start a new game... "let's play it out, yeah that's probably what will happen, but let's let the pieces fall".

10.

Psalm 139:14 "because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." We are each unique, special and individual. Why the heck do we want to be like everyone else? 

11.

Girls rule, boys drool. Oh goodness, I feel like I'm back in 6th grade. Seriously though, stop trying to impress guys - they're not worth it. Wear what you want to wear because you want to wear it. Fix your hair and put on make-up because it makes you feel good.

12.

Slightly ironic given that I'm currently staring at a screen, but these are all things I think I would love to add more of to my life, as I think everyone would. :)

13

I am the biggest worry wart, ever, and for no good reason. All worrying does is create wrinkles. Does it solve the problem? No. Does it make things better? No. Que cera cera...what will be will be - regardless of how much I worry or fret.

14.

Last, but not at all least.

"Freely you have received; freely give".

Now an hour after I started this post and 2 hours after I locked my door, turned off the lights and got in bed, I think I am ready to sleep. 

So raise your glass of champagne, Dr. Pepper, sweet tea or water 

and cheers to a happy 2014.