DIY Archives - The Sparrow's Home

Plan ahead to encourage others. Make this inspiring DIY kit.

November 26, 2018 by Susan 18 Comments

Do you want to be an encourager? It’s something we all want to do, but knowing how to encourage others can be tough. And if you’re anything like me, sometimes I simply forget. Having a ready-to-go kit like this can help you to brighten someones day, lift their spirits, and remind them of God’s truth in their life.

It would be great if intention was all that mattered. We’d come out smelling like a peach most of the time, wouldn’t we. I mean, we all want to do better…to be better.

Unfortunately, our intentions don’t matter much if actions don’t follow.

Think about it. Does it matter if I…

… intend to clean my house, but never get around to it?

… intend to be on time but never check the clock?

I think we all intend to be encouraging people. But the real question is…do our actions prove that?

Homemade Soap: It’s Not as Hard as You Think

January 9, 2017 by Susan 26 Comments

Have you ever thought that it would be cool to make homemade soap, and then immediately wondered what kind of crazy person would actually do that? Well now you know! 🙂

Seriously, though…it’s not hard. Promise.

Here’s what makes soap-making scary, one word: lye.

A Unique Headboard

May 23, 2016 by Susan 4 Comments

A while back there was a show on HGTV called “Decorating Cents”. Joan Steffend did inexpensive home decorating projects. Every so often she would visit an architectural remnant store in a segment called, “Trash to Treasure”.

It was filmed in Minnesota, where I live.

I really love the idea of adding character to a home with re-purposing old items in new ways. The first project I ever undertook to do that was creating a headboard.

I knew I wanted to use something that wasn’t a headboard to make a headboard. I thought a door was my best bet. I looked at new doors and old doors. I looked at a lot of doors.

And then I stopped in Art & Architecture, the store that Joan Steffend used to spotlight on her show.

Wow.

Window Light Fixture

May 17, 2016 by Susan Leave a Comment

I’m an idea person…big picture all the way. My dad is an engineer, and can figure out a way to do just about anything. We make a great team when it comes to my home decorating projects!

The hutch that I made into an island was pretty cut and dry. My husband, who is talented in many ways but not especially handy, and I were able to complete it all on our own.

The Light Fixture

When I had the brainstorm that a window would make a great light fixture, it was dad who got the call.

Upcycled Kitchen Island

May 10, 2016 by Susan 5 Comments

I love using things in ways they weren’t intended for. Besides being conversation pieces, it makes your home personal to you. It adds character. And it can save you a lot of money!

You don’t have to be a designer or skilled in construction to create something unique.

I assure you, I am neither.

It does help that I am not a perfectionist, I will admit.

When we moved into our current house, the previous owners had begun a number of remodels that they hadn’t finished. One was tearing out a peninsula counter/cabinets in the kitchen. We loved how open it made the kitchen, but it left me with very little counter and cabinet space, and just one cabinet drawer.

I began looking at islands. Did you know that

Kitchen islands are really expensive!

Also, I saw that they all kind of look the same, and I wanted something a bit more unique. So I thought about trying to re-purpose something to create my own island. I looked at workbenches, dressers, and other furniture before finding a hutch that would work.

In short, we used the bottom of the hutch as the actual island and turned the shelves that sat on top of the original hutch upside down to use as storage. I’ll walk you through how we did it.