Domestic Tuesdays - Nomless Edition

It was pointed out to me that, because of the vague name, Domestic Tuesdays doesn't need to solely feature posts related to cooking. Indeed, as the domestic little bitch I claim to be, I am mediocre in not just cooking, but other domestic-related activities as well! Lucky you!

Parting ways with a long-time, live-in boyfriend two years ago, I realized just how little I had in the way of personal effects when I was able to stuff the entirety of my belongings into a rented minivan - with room to spare. No furniture to speak of. No kitchenware aside from the mish-mash of quirky vintage glasses I had collected. A treasured painting bought for two bucks, and an old department store ad featuring a bra-clad pre-Gilligan's Island Tina Louise, both procured at garage sales. That was about it.

Since then, between the three times I've moved and the various furniture I've collected at thrift stores, as hand-me-downs, and a couch used as payment by a former roommate who was lax in the area of bill-paying, I've amassed enough creature comforts to make a cozy little apartment. Now comes the tough part: decorating.

The idea of "DIY" frightens me. I have a manila folder tucked into the bottom drawer of my dresser labeled "DIY Projects", and there's various print-outs and magazine clippings of cute little projects that would add a charming, homemade touch to my apartment...but I'm scared. Although I'm creative and confident, I am by no means artistic. You would not want me on your team in a serious game of Pictionary. When playing a drawing game a couple weekends ago with some artist acquaintances, I was passed a sheet of paper when the timer went off and was expected to add my own flare to the increasingly schizophrenic-looking drawing that was taking its beautiful shape on the page. I drew a duck.

So if painting something is out of the question, and with little money to spend, what's a girl like me to do in order to get some attractive wall hangings in her damn abode?? Enter my postcard collection.
This large batch of postcards from all over the world and spanning the 1900's was given to me by the stepfather of a friend after I found out he had a garage full of 'em. I've always loved old postcards, so he gifted me with a huge box of them, and when I baked him a batch of spicy chocolate chip cookies to thank him, was given yet another box of postcards. Yeah, so I have a lot of postcards. I always had the vague idea to collect some vintage frames and hang them in a purposely scattered manner, but when I saw that done at my friends house, and how good it looked, I knew I had to conquer my fear of DIY and get it done.

I started with some basic wood frames from IKEA. They were 3 for $1.99 and I bought two packs of them. I decided to paint them all one color, although I think I'll buy more in the future and use a complimentary color. I bought a tube of paint and a cheap paintbrush, costing about $12.
I watched a movie while I painted, all the while trying to keep my cat from sticking his curious nose in the paint and from padding across the wet frames.
It didn't work.

The frames turned out well though, after two coats of paint. Then I picked some of my favorite black-and-white postcards and put them in the frames. Aside from using a different color paint, I think I'll add some color postcards to the mix next time. I have some awesome 1970's postcards that are wonderfully faded from age.

Next I pissed my neighbors off by hammering nails into the wall at 11 o'clock at night.

The end result was okay, but I think it looks a little bare still, but at the same time it's nice to have something hanging in my bedroom that I put my time and effort into. Maybe I'll conquer this DIY fear after all?


At least I have good company.