Studio progress: The desk is done!

We're nearing the finish line with our office renovation, and we finally made it past the biggest hurdle with marking the workspace area off our checklist.<br /><div><br /></div><div>After we built and assembled the <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2013/04/diy-blackout-shade-liner-new-office.html" target="_blank">big desk</a>, we discovered it had some wobble to it. Possibly because it was so heavy, resting on skinny-ish legs, and not bolted or secured to anything.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJduhB8fQQ4J_av8Ew2s_MtXnHiYRIk_xbpCKIWqIeXOg7AIguAQd8y01fdPfxzDt_SL4AMYWleVoH9zWzSeiin3ulHQNCR9VVYf_Yzyq8exJzgnhTBXGz13CrUTbKxFqBUCqMd4YHMkw8/s1600/IMG_0197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJduhB8fQQ4J_av8Ew2s_MtXnHiYRIk_xbpCKIWqIeXOg7AIguAQd8y01fdPfxzDt_SL4AMYWleVoH9zWzSeiin3ulHQNCR9VVYf_Yzyq8exJzgnhTBXGz13CrUTbKxFqBUCqMd4YHMkw8/s1600/IMG_0197.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /><div>The two Ikea desks on either side were also easily moveable—not ideal.</div><div><br /></div><div>To remedy this situation, I purchased some decent sized L brackets and Brad secured them underneath the large center desk into the wall where the studs were (sorry, no photos of this process, but there's not much to it). We were relieved to find that it worked! The desk won't budge now.</div><div><br /></div><div>We then attached the two side desks to the large desk with regular flat brackets, and now those won't move either when you pull or push on them. Success!</div><div><br /></div><div>Then it was time to address a storage issue I'd been trying to resolve for a long time now. See those large pieces of cardboard in the photo above? There's posters/extra large paper inside that had nowhere to go. I had no extra desk space to keep them, and I didn't like to store them vertically (didn't even have space for that). So what's a girl to do?</div><div><br /></div><div>Brad was wearing his thinking cap and suggested shallow drawer underneath the desk. Um, genius! Now I just had to figure out how to DIY it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I decided on a piece of 1/4" plywood and some 1x2"s for the sides, mounted with center mount drawer slides.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's how the placement would be: </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueHzrbNiRBEi5-O7YU1if16tR0X5Fqx1SFUcA1R2TkLKgBHEiHiKdHAMRqNQ71wbbpOvfMD9v6O2I1rjfNDGxtpyfy6nkAJi0TtJsBGbHwHy3xjqND_QLFUPa0gqpt5W9Xn4zH_d4zp1K/s1600/IMG_0434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueHzrbNiRBEi5-O7YU1if16tR0X5Fqx1SFUcA1R2TkLKgBHEiHiKdHAMRqNQ71wbbpOvfMD9v6O2I1rjfNDGxtpyfy6nkAJi0TtJsBGbHwHy3xjqND_QLFUPa0gqpt5W9Xn4zH_d4zp1K/s1600/IMG_0434.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The largest size Lowe's had was 22", and the length of my drawer needed to be 41" to accompany my biggest posters, so I crossed my fingers it would work.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hauled everything into the garage and got to work on my setup. I lined up the 1x2's with the edge of the plywood base and made my cuts:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDUnvXZH8A8O3Fddcy-Ng_yH9bIGtspDhFtO5uYzzY5SvuM1lfO1ceD4ejkweU-acZVgOsWZfR7uZzuqpaVdzuf37mE93gXpPR-VJBNovm4sMMRD9M6rLKbY70qFvVYabnkRxL9NpHYjm/s1600/IMG_0437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDUnvXZH8A8O3Fddcy-Ng_yH9bIGtspDhFtO5uYzzY5SvuM1lfO1ceD4ejkweU-acZVgOsWZfR7uZzuqpaVdzuf37mE93gXpPR-VJBNovm4sMMRD9M6rLKbY70qFvVYabnkRxL9NpHYjm/s1600/IMG_0437.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGc5LKwqq_7-UXwxlvPU8JEh-GoIXRNJqB0ZgtS5U6D6LfCR60LoFWAKfhI1es8xrHiJzZrj1J4ObH3gGrzNzdt1ZFCSKSbMSaM_E-bGG0lbQTWe8gAd55A92G-GBP2K2edivuWr_Ub1R/s1600/IMG_0439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGc5LKwqq_7-UXwxlvPU8JEh-GoIXRNJqB0ZgtS5U6D6LfCR60LoFWAKfhI1es8xrHiJzZrj1J4ObH3gGrzNzdt1ZFCSKSbMSaM_E-bGG0lbQTWe8gAd55A92G-GBP2K2edivuWr_Ub1R/s1600/IMG_0439.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Looks like a pretty straightforward plan, right?</div><div><br /></div><div>But then we realized we had a big problem. The drawer glides were one piece and couldn't be taken apart, which meant that once we attached it to the drawer, we couldn't attach it to the desk because the wood pieces would be in the way. DANGIT.</div><div><br /></div><div>Plan B was to chop the wood off right where the screw holes were to attach it to the desk. This meant that the back side of the drawer would be free hanging but we hoped it was light enough that it didn't matter.</div><div><br /></div><div>We started by securing the front side of the rail to our wood (with two 1" wood screws):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_7Gld7m3solUbJ5OrD_YF_aV3C57Uu2yhW0l6_ogwu9KQz4dC7Mp1Z6bIcZRl21xTX2yPoZgWuBU7N76kK73KOQufQz6jkSJyBmFqT3Jbkhvr-HA7yi9aQSW_5MV-CCDCI161ZtZA-ZH/s1600/IMG_0440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_7Gld7m3solUbJ5OrD_YF_aV3C57Uu2yhW0l6_ogwu9KQz4dC7Mp1Z6bIcZRl21xTX2yPoZgWuBU7N76kK73KOQufQz6jkSJyBmFqT3Jbkhvr-HA7yi9aQSW_5MV-CCDCI161ZtZA-ZH/s1600/IMG_0440.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a side view to get a better idea:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YinVy4R8bYoxmafTFsyNKQ9c3bzBtIF26dcAf1i3KzIt6d4iRQVt9bx_8m6aaqwWe7AI0xuwO1XlQGt37d1L0hNXUkSBrD29hx0-8alRcCS0hofw4dlOtpovPaycmF4sEnAMAeymLqJO/s1600/IMG_0441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YinVy4R8bYoxmafTFsyNKQ9c3bzBtIF26dcAf1i3KzIt6d4iRQVt9bx_8m6aaqwWe7AI0xuwO1XlQGt37d1L0hNXUkSBrD29hx0-8alRcCS0hofw4dlOtpovPaycmF4sEnAMAeymLqJO/s1600/IMG_0441.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then we brought them inside, lined them to the correct spacing, and attached the back part of the slides to the desk from underneath.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once the placement was right, we attached our plywood base to the bottom:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPMyabQ04hMt5fx7DqtpUPgGmO6qKhyphenhyphenoY8tLr1SQAJMeSzfnHJcduYesfafb3L10CGoIPuTDrNcUldfPII51NiAhcXqhem6I_pzC95jReFnkH74ePvQu6vyJ-wF0c7IhyphenhyphenhYPkxvIW0w2P/s1600/IMG_0444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPMyabQ04hMt5fx7DqtpUPgGmO6qKhyphenhyphenoY8tLr1SQAJMeSzfnHJcduYesfafb3L10CGoIPuTDrNcUldfPII51NiAhcXqhem6I_pzC95jReFnkH74ePvQu6vyJ-wF0c7IhyphenhyphenhYPkxvIW0w2P/s1600/IMG_0444.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And with bated breath, I slowly pulled on the drawer...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPMCrWIjVWsfLgwWKwhwxgznBbgT6T1PDpP663NPnkmmH098A4ohg7ahKTX60lPWa6BAuEj0mssgCeO4b8o2bcwHbd7xWfh2POvuE1tJSmP_L2Oh6uc9_ytK6KOPHq-pruyo7goFvOv7D/s1600/IMG_0446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPMCrWIjVWsfLgwWKwhwxgznBbgT6T1PDpP663NPnkmmH098A4ohg7ahKTX60lPWa6BAuEj0mssgCeO4b8o2bcwHbd7xWfh2POvuE1tJSmP_L2Oh6uc9_ytK6KOPHq-pruyo7goFvOv7D/s1600/IMG_0446.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>and it worked!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7DIlxj6pXcnT5cliup0-0d3O9_FCyyKPJscPV5p_17vxRHoNjG66brF7l16x7JoULbe2Bo6Zlph8EOvTw_17UHfh0a0yR7X3ftbEK-yfMZPFcesIUVhqGbz2wy3HwVRmd8fgX9mvG90M/s1600/IMG_0445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7DIlxj6pXcnT5cliup0-0d3O9_FCyyKPJscPV5p_17vxRHoNjG66brF7l16x7JoULbe2Bo6Zlph8EOvTw_17UHfh0a0yR7X3ftbEK-yfMZPFcesIUVhqGbz2wy3HwVRmd8fgX9mvG90M/s1600/IMG_0445.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>What a sense of relief to be able to FINALLY get rid of that old cardboard that has been driving me crazy for over a year and have my posters nicely tucked away out of sight. </div><div><br /></div><div>We celebrated by rolling out the <a href="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-dulcet-ikat/spa/200BHBC27A-508.html" target="_blank">new rug</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIBPt82oip3Qp7p_H1Wv_-n2UQqJn7pbxz-96Ur8c61HlTdFtI7vjQHrolzFW5LXqR2sFym5WhxaC0AcUqJD2dom-04zRFwt_276XyspF9LMdOfWiJIzNHUX2GjMSxe5FtwUzpv8mwezq/s1600/IMG_0449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIBPt82oip3Qp7p_H1Wv_-n2UQqJn7pbxz-96Ur8c61HlTdFtI7vjQHrolzFW5LXqR2sFym5WhxaC0AcUqJD2dom-04zRFwt_276XyspF9LMdOfWiJIzNHUX2GjMSxe5FtwUzpv8mwezq/s1600/IMG_0449.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And yes, we totally should have done this before securing the desks in place... it was a total pain to get situated underneath everything! But it made such a difference in the overall feel of the room. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2c92GrwoDiPFN5iAiBAXts2GVfXNF-1HuUWVnmy-9E0-bL5yTPn3Jw6dzHc72ILrysFj0XYB22GvO67DJZtSRbNTgiLY6747432MAoGTvn8WsJWholVLDSzgI2QLSSjRkaJ8F9161W8ae/s1600/IMG_0459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2c92GrwoDiPFN5iAiBAXts2GVfXNF-1HuUWVnmy-9E0-bL5yTPn3Jw6dzHc72ILrysFj0XYB22GvO67DJZtSRbNTgiLY6747432MAoGTvn8WsJWholVLDSzgI2QLSSjRkaJ8F9161W8ae/s1600/IMG_0459.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It instantly transformed it from an uninspired, white, institutional feel to a creative and happy environment—as it should be.</div><div><br /></div><div>I just hope it lasts, because this little one has made it her mission in life to destroy anything that starts with an R and ends with a UG...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR6C_0e77flR6vtJ9sscsS9fiL6pHSZbgVQ5sqCEt-YEvvQpCcRPrvSVXFcTWc1zBQnoIos-xcd0Mv49E2Y1nPPtIdg9cRIusFIqGzhR7JMlNXatdI1jVbEaYqLhiGUdQUmC99nxdg8f4/s1600/IMG_0488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR6C_0e77flR6vtJ9sscsS9fiL6pHSZbgVQ5sqCEt-YEvvQpCcRPrvSVXFcTWc1zBQnoIos-xcd0Mv49E2Y1nPPtIdg9cRIusFIqGzhR7JMlNXatdI1jVbEaYqLhiGUdQUmC99nxdg8f4/s1600/IMG_0488.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, I'm lookin at you, Miss Susie. Claw caps won't stop her!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Next it was time to get rid of the eyesore in the room...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5p27PfpFQ_oQn_aIlyHnaRKg01W9iNoJuAVqoEfTM51uhiR4B4_huQH7uXbHFQwKbcQ50cDIHGlqSrXnEY-tGyBpRaVucVtgvDFXm0awoAnMq2yKGX18nUv9g4ACuTV-y7hgvSN1YA9S/s1600/IMG_0190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5p27PfpFQ_oQn_aIlyHnaRKg01W9iNoJuAVqoEfTM51uhiR4B4_huQH7uXbHFQwKbcQ50cDIHGlqSrXnEY-tGyBpRaVucVtgvDFXm0awoAnMq2yKGX18nUv9g4ACuTV-y7hgvSN1YA9S/s1600/IMG_0190.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These horrible unfinished desk edges.</div><div><br /></div><div>They do make white edging tape for melamine boards, but it's only for the width of one board and I wanted it to look like one seamless thick desk.</div><div><br /></div><div>I figured my best/only option was trim, and found some in the perfect width (1.75").</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAMNE_RQj0NIjIco8t6RGjUea5hVpzsoPjHcooDEJc2h0wT_WSB6mmJ6CaR2u4i2rcCmWneed2kzQsggwX08A_zynmXMUwI5mXkvsoVe2S0JWnUNJEKnkwpBBtCOtNQno95oLzY-UJlEV/s1600/IMG_0454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAMNE_RQj0NIjIco8t6RGjUea5hVpzsoPjHcooDEJc2h0wT_WSB6mmJ6CaR2u4i2rcCmWneed2kzQsggwX08A_zynmXMUwI5mXkvsoVe2S0JWnUNJEKnkwpBBtCOtNQno95oLzY-UJlEV/s1600/IMG_0454.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I cut the edges at a 45' miter so they would sit up nicely against each other.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgat_wqgz8ylvWU01ikq4wCcwMeeFPl2sRNDz2uagNcEkUePM6FGhcfnaLws9rBQUoH1UyMfHrtqyQW7pbO48-xbUEkzlM_rhNqWULVJoo3JHmmjO4964xNRyS6VW4J1UWlN0UEY-Sw9Ggj/s1600/IMG_0455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgat_wqgz8ylvWU01ikq4wCcwMeeFPl2sRNDz2uagNcEkUePM6FGhcfnaLws9rBQUoH1UyMfHrtqyQW7pbO48-xbUEkzlM_rhNqWULVJoo3JHmmjO4964xNRyS6VW4J1UWlN0UEY-Sw9Ggj/s1600/IMG_0455.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then I used a nail gun to secure everything.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheY45CxdnsHtJUSdBKTk80iH9dXfmeGOS6CWmPcnafupnNYgZzTVsdUlG_abjdqqbHnuSA9YtlK2W_98bf1imHGcQexRNgWbZBTJN-fthllauYtwypAOXV_aAz2buXYE3tIrfUeDD4fF1/s1600/IMG_0456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheY45CxdnsHtJUSdBKTk80iH9dXfmeGOS6CWmPcnafupnNYgZzTVsdUlG_abjdqqbHnuSA9YtlK2W_98bf1imHGcQexRNgWbZBTJN-fthllauYtwypAOXV_aAz2buXYE3tIrfUeDD4fF1/s1600/IMG_0456.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>All it took was some spackle, sanding and touch up paint. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gt_-eE5QO6XZ4SQ3NAsJOHarCjuOByVBL9ZnUWsPaD2LihSEMbyCsrrg0X5bCZBzdcpil5A3S_ftgYT_GQvEhtEp54_Vv1I2ctD-KR8qP4a9mpAwA-CDJmWk7GUKKaUhrI-jGsdV6reZ/s1600/IMG_0458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gt_-eE5QO6XZ4SQ3NAsJOHarCjuOByVBL9ZnUWsPaD2LihSEMbyCsrrg0X5bCZBzdcpil5A3S_ftgYT_GQvEhtEp54_Vv1I2ctD-KR8qP4a9mpAwA-CDJmWk7GUKKaUhrI-jGsdV6reZ/s1600/IMG_0458.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This was the easiest part of the day, and really makes the room look finished!</div><div><br /></div><div>Next, we focused the bare space in the center of the back wall. </div><div><br /></div><div>Remember these letters from the old office?</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu8Yg2gj99O6WdtygxUFhV3X6pvr7fUNjnQFXQJbpGZpbSHA9bmdxoSXaTzSpCOheYZPWY4syJVfZ0NPq-GZ6HiGI9VqIjEOEIh8uy0VKxkkD0EhBoLLOq-0UKtI9h122A5kccFFEoyYH/s1600/IMG_8828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu8Yg2gj99O6WdtygxUFhV3X6pvr7fUNjnQFXQJbpGZpbSHA9bmdxoSXaTzSpCOheYZPWY4syJVfZ0NPq-GZ6HiGI9VqIjEOEIh8uy0VKxkkD0EhBoLLOq-0UKtI9h122A5kccFFEoyYH/s1600/IMG_8828.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>They got a makeover, via leftover brushed nickel spray paint from my Ikea shelves:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-LPzCqUsKQnbA1yYFAf3rzFrm7dWgm5mSbKopRHRvYMMI0gPyfUwq2JU9ZoJgBnIccu4DEce6PY6cOU9SKmRm7drmhTQU0QUL1xjj2JZ-ucAB-XN9E_ZCDKt9LFF3GHYQNGGT9TDXRBu/s1600/IMG_0452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-LPzCqUsKQnbA1yYFAf3rzFrm7dWgm5mSbKopRHRvYMMI0gPyfUwq2JU9ZoJgBnIccu4DEce6PY6cOU9SKmRm7drmhTQU0QUL1xjj2JZ-ucAB-XN9E_ZCDKt9LFF3GHYQNGGT9TDXRBu/s1600/IMG_0452.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also relocated this Ikea rail that used to hang in the old closet space...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutHYOWNNtSJVSfpPjkrkJ8XOV1hvUBP8JdVZN6KefiSmk_8kBSw9efIq70bPFxdmNy3wFASRtO8b3-4nr5Xw-a4NR2ZFRhyphenhyphennNoifzqUUjA28XokgSejsVkYdBkgUJQlVelJgBaSoPXjyi/s1600/IMG_0448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutHYOWNNtSJVSfpPjkrkJ8XOV1hvUBP8JdVZN6KefiSmk_8kBSw9efIq70bPFxdmNy3wFASRtO8b3-4nr5Xw-a4NR2ZFRhyphenhyphennNoifzqUUjA28XokgSejsVkYdBkgUJQlVelJgBaSoPXjyi/s1600/IMG_0448.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like how the light is positioned directly above it to illuminate the letters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvbAd0PQb9Ebvb31fBnMDOIEA9lSFXJjujHA0Y-vF8wdZPqrGCZlWvBTZJTELrlxwSMFRSJOdvr7QMp8vBYphgXAsbhqwvrqppNuoQ8D9woP2lq25Ry6-hasVhtS23Bq-rBTRROKI2H74/s1600/IMG_0450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvbAd0PQb9Ebvb31fBnMDOIEA9lSFXJjujHA0Y-vF8wdZPqrGCZlWvBTZJTELrlxwSMFRSJOdvr7QMp8vBYphgXAsbhqwvrqppNuoQ8D9woP2lq25Ry6-hasVhtS23Bq-rBTRROKI2H74/s1600/IMG_0450.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ok, back to the desk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a day or two, I noticed the plywood was sagging a bit in the back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwahesZ1nVA4uN_zip07DdEZmnRcRWSuStK8C9rw1qSRgLtw-gUUG2IWX-M-q6HDtRUu7HDuvViYVOA6DVDgdfmH2K14cthzY6u8tB7cLvXq2JuuoWjMbuU0pmd2dp-Xgs5F7Zh6mXNth/s1600/IMG_0473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwahesZ1nVA4uN_zip07DdEZmnRcRWSuStK8C9rw1qSRgLtw-gUUG2IWX-M-q6HDtRUu7HDuvViYVOA6DVDgdfmH2K14cthzY6u8tB7cLvXq2JuuoWjMbuU0pmd2dp-Xgs5F7Zh6mXNth/s1600/IMG_0473.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh and FYI, the bench in the back was originally going to go underneath my map wall by the printer, but it ended up being too cramped in that corner so it was relocated to this otherwise wasted space under the desk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another angle to showcase the plywood saggage...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4GcWmk4d17jK9hYw_OoQGZ5i5ux3l1s7jGeQzttP-ctBGTMNbQ3ZtNCg2-IDYTvgrxnlb9SzEwUV_HnF8pTUGKfRp4ZXFRyUABRt_xb-EaIj6SQbzCL67cus37I5WhPcmMT7ZBK3hIoD/s1600/IMG_0474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4GcWmk4d17jK9hYw_OoQGZ5i5ux3l1s7jGeQzttP-ctBGTMNbQ3ZtNCg2-IDYTvgrxnlb9SzEwUV_HnF8pTUGKfRp4ZXFRyUABRt_xb-EaIj6SQbzCL67cus37I5WhPcmMT7ZBK3hIoD/s1600/IMG_0474.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I chopped another 1x2" to line up with the edge, used some wood glue and brackets to attach it to the front piece, then screwed the plywood in to the bottom. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Problem solved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMwxu4uu-aC3nFMaNhatAusNmO_n9K3G9HpaBlfxNQsQgNf6YOsH3QJ8O3qcfhJFIIsJ-lLDYaOb1_V4jPKfaU8-BsfAEoKu9qj23tZRaSVCMLlRFlaEK7rSoJAg5wEzWDoMon4UFerZt/s1600/IMG_0475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMwxu4uu-aC3nFMaNhatAusNmO_n9K3G9HpaBlfxNQsQgNf6YOsH3QJ8O3qcfhJFIIsJ-lLDYaOb1_V4jPKfaU8-BsfAEoKu9qj23tZRaSVCMLlRFlaEK7rSoJAg5wEzWDoMon4UFerZt/s1600/IMG_0475.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZ7vS4eke5MeoVNlJD8_2tAOLX1ApUtOzmcodNwg8LZlmyQ4z99iVQmmaxA1SEldHNq36Tucke5pO5oX7LotyAVVftHUP_v81k1c5dUkszqT4S7PwBB_vUcylE7JL7EUWlQeNEFqp-BRE/s1600/IMG_0476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZ7vS4eke5MeoVNlJD8_2tAOLX1ApUtOzmcodNwg8LZlmyQ4z99iVQmmaxA1SEldHNq36Tucke5pO5oX7LotyAVVftHUP_v81k1c5dUkszqT4S7PwBB_vUcylE7JL7EUWlQeNEFqp-BRE/s1600/IMG_0476.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I then decided I wasn't in love with the au naturale wood tone of the drawer. Even though it's mostly hidden, you can see a bit of the edge and the front and I wanted to minimize its visibility by blending it in with its surroundings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPoPp22xud4s6fErmkNXKvx-wKxecRa2bfvHLnzgGdMsnGy5mrMVuWpohOtGLhIKjrjbrhTPb9-QJcf0L2p8z1d1vvIl9eyb3CfANNGDjxVVT-DyzWP4bOy1Pujbb6FuelG5_6cI-piE5/s1600/IMG_0477-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPoPp22xud4s6fErmkNXKvx-wKxecRa2bfvHLnzgGdMsnGy5mrMVuWpohOtGLhIKjrjbrhTPb9-QJcf0L2p8z1d1vvIl9eyb3CfANNGDjxVVT-DyzWP4bOy1Pujbb6FuelG5_6cI-piE5/s1600/IMG_0477-2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Out came the white paint.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSiyBLxlEDPcuU0U5TD_HpGkoHe-E_9gl645px3Fbu6SYMZUWm6qykuL5q956d5CpXTh4eqPQYeEZp0X0o_bJQ67Q4oXgch2OCtI67LUcja2iEUHk08JPGWW2mdbbn1pBhtGvoOpYNAmo/s1600/IMG_0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSiyBLxlEDPcuU0U5TD_HpGkoHe-E_9gl645px3Fbu6SYMZUWm6qykuL5q956d5CpXTh4eqPQYeEZp0X0o_bJQ67Q4oXgch2OCtI67LUcja2iEUHk08JPGWW2mdbbn1pBhtGvoOpYNAmo/s1600/IMG_0483.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>Much better...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumI82mCH1n-KD5VGSYWM-JnMIGGJ37Xo0Dw66AZLQnOGDAOeje19gs6a5DZmyCs-8JoUUv8aWe6tWxkmdcFbaSHvFPBDz7DUOpNfZXgLlHnuj-3KaZl7bGAFh1uk3geiRuh6U8O-QL1sw/s1600/IMG_0484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumI82mCH1n-KD5VGSYWM-JnMIGGJ37Xo0Dw66AZLQnOGDAOeje19gs6a5DZmyCs-8JoUUv8aWe6tWxkmdcFbaSHvFPBDz7DUOpNfZXgLlHnuj-3KaZl7bGAFh1uk3geiRuh6U8O-QL1sw/s1600/IMG_0484.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Now it just looks like an extension of the desk. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq9dIt4Zm3OVGKMzRPX-pcIoIMU9C9OsKYqbChRfHMPjyjZa2tkeTefMZdUCksM2Iyf5Y-HdXKhY1g2h5WlXZjYryXy2JLiU-Iw1BnR_63aoPzmR1hq2zr9-xx4Ldi0yiwFDnbg9RGar6/s1600/IMG_0486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq9dIt4Zm3OVGKMzRPX-pcIoIMU9C9OsKYqbChRfHMPjyjZa2tkeTefMZdUCksM2Iyf5Y-HdXKhY1g2h5WlXZjYryXy2JLiU-Iw1BnR_63aoPzmR1hq2zr9-xx4Ldi0yiwFDnbg9RGar6/s1600/IMG_0486.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Can you spot the jumping cat?</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>That just about covers it for now. I was going to squeeze in a couple more projects but figured they were special enough to save for their own post next week.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I do want to share this awesome custom engraved sign I purchased on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SteelGooseMetalArt" target="_blank">Etsy</a>...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglESxdkhBr4zBIp2uGl2g_Tl5gsvKdNAbTNQbBcOv7KBy0p-A3k_ysCyYGqxKQ9G0k4kglS9RB-t6cjRKj6OH_GdG6KlZIBg3_ptOUYOTPwbXHhI3v32dQ_CrvaV1FCzwesDyOXfTvmI1r/s1600/IMG_0489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglESxdkhBr4zBIp2uGl2g_Tl5gsvKdNAbTNQbBcOv7KBy0p-A3k_ysCyYGqxKQ9G0k4kglS9RB-t6cjRKj6OH_GdG6KlZIBg3_ptOUYOTPwbXHhI3v32dQ_CrvaV1FCzwesDyOXfTvmI1r/s1600/IMG_0489.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This will be attached to the door. Love it!</div><div><br /><br />Up next I'll be sharing my final two projects before the big reveal <i>(hint: they involve words!)</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div>

Studio progress: The desk is done!

We're nearing the finish line with our office renovation, and we finally made it past the biggest hurdle with marking the workspace area...

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Salt Dough: A Whole New World

<i>Update: Make sure to check out Part 2 to this story <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2013/06/new-updates-summer-fun.html">here.</a></i><br /><br />A while ago, I began brainstorming ideas of what to fill this empty wall space above the TV in our new bedroom...<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-hZliZs_qnmoX-Q2tXgaCMQi_VmPvdjNhnRSh9gIC4JwZtJFcFPSV_H-bSo0MfPxdQnyyLFPLjtfx1gOEmEAG4uNo4z1YldPqcLed_BLaIMHN5DJt9k7Vo_wGMTTMm075tCn_zfmQaPQ/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-hZliZs_qnmoX-Q2tXgaCMQi_VmPvdjNhnRSh9gIC4JwZtJFcFPSV_H-bSo0MfPxdQnyyLFPLjtfx1gOEmEAG4uNo4z1YldPqcLed_BLaIMHN5DJt9k7Vo_wGMTTMm075tCn_zfmQaPQ/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to start introducing a few nautical touches—without going overboard—simple and classic.<br /><br />An anchor was the first thing that popped into my head. But where would I get one? What would it be made out of? What would it cost?<br /><br />The answer came to me from Pinterest (of course). I stumbled upon a salt dough ornament and a light bulb went off. Why not make a large-scale salt dough sculpture?<br /><br />I've never actually worked with salt dough (deprived as a child, apparently) so I googled around for the most perfect, long lasting recipe that wouldn't break as soon as it came out of the oven.<br /><br />I ended up using <a href="http://weefolkart.com/content/project-flashback-salt-dough-veggies" target="_blank">this</a> one—although they are all pretty much the same—water, salt, flour. I doubled mine to make sure I had enough.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr6wpgK7kTGNmQaq9qiob9UtpaBrOeDkbWTjJJoab3MnPFeKn97TKPVewIrZ1sz81lJLlohjl9UFEy-ecDdyEkEk7jgMOrbAcObscdvS3NcwNET9X78r79G063plCONn_NZcwb-WhyAoq/s1600/IMG_0310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr6wpgK7kTGNmQaq9qiob9UtpaBrOeDkbWTjJJoab3MnPFeKn97TKPVewIrZ1sz81lJLlohjl9UFEy-ecDdyEkEk7jgMOrbAcObscdvS3NcwNET9X78r79G063plCONn_NZcwb-WhyAoq/s1600/IMG_0310.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I also added a bit of vegetable oil which is supposed to make it a little more pliable.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw3N7mxnkRxu0WeZTybz4Z4mGyPgTtfvUxNEhSTfKGEUUwt8XtMh8LOOH9nFWS0bgvV1Ap18Fe1RCBlgBUJUzlIAWYUyfOk-Zwm7aiRujuaGhteXsx0eowDR_keN73uuaD0DRXbBqvB0U/s1600/IMG_0312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw3N7mxnkRxu0WeZTybz4Z4mGyPgTtfvUxNEhSTfKGEUUwt8XtMh8LOOH9nFWS0bgvV1Ap18Fe1RCBlgBUJUzlIAWYUyfOk-Zwm7aiRujuaGhteXsx0eowDR_keN73uuaD0DRXbBqvB0U/s1600/IMG_0312.jpg" /></a></div><br />After thoroughly stirring, I had myself a big hunk of dough.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUUd9yMlfUJkYA-ecQg7b8PjQcJkSRbr919jF4fToXEJ5sRWYt-Qb1bskmys3W6W0R1VcULEOUxrVP6Bqt6PexroztfILjWF-qq2ip85ihtIdHkuvqObiUjgRR8ToR0iVpHYO2xoch_fM/s1600/IMG_0315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUUd9yMlfUJkYA-ecQg7b8PjQcJkSRbr919jF4fToXEJ5sRWYt-Qb1bskmys3W6W0R1VcULEOUxrVP6Bqt6PexroztfILjWF-qq2ip85ihtIdHkuvqObiUjgRR8ToR0iVpHYO2xoch_fM/s1600/IMG_0315.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />But back to the sculpture. Aside from the anchor, I wanted to add one more item to balance things out.<br /><br />I decided on this simple quote, which would be carved into a round plaque:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tj8q43kQ6nE2bvCCEak8v89ewtbrGsfioCFaAh2_B9yn2sUnELp5H901WOMi88sZC5eT_0hqDyhELTpYuK6FRRPWVo4Swjyr6HMRVopKeruhMP20tzhqhNRkrp9IalOMPbFViqaUqzz4/s1600/IMG_0308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tj8q43kQ6nE2bvCCEak8v89ewtbrGsfioCFaAh2_B9yn2sUnELp5H901WOMi88sZC5eT_0hqDyhELTpYuK6FRRPWVo4Swjyr6HMRVopKeruhMP20tzhqhNRkrp9IalOMPbFViqaUqzz4/s1600/IMG_0308.jpg" /></a></div><br />Once my templates were designed and printed, I cut them out with my Xacto knife:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qEV13odBTwEfYs11iSjyjYhIPpNhrXkaob5SwLsvaJEnTKNf8fJltYQmH-_0SJwoEo5bEmG_R6RxZiaYvr_hNsa1gfFbn3p9dF7hXonh8knVaUOYEJ7oeMpFqVkMRQYTAaM0MKc41Hlp/s1600/IMG_0309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qEV13odBTwEfYs11iSjyjYhIPpNhrXkaob5SwLsvaJEnTKNf8fJltYQmH-_0SJwoEo5bEmG_R6RxZiaYvr_hNsa1gfFbn3p9dF7hXonh8knVaUOYEJ7oeMpFqVkMRQYTAaM0MKc41Hlp/s1600/IMG_0309.jpg" /></a></div><br />I figured I'd mold my base and then cut my shapes out again with the Xacto knife.<br /><br />First up—the anchor.<br /><br />The goal here was to make this look handmade and somewhat abstract—because let's face it, I'd never get this thing perfectly chiseled by hand.<br /><br />I built up a mound in the general shape of the anchor and laid my template over it:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdU_AtmjvNnC1G0hja79sLKqzXIkaT7G7uxIoDm8C9GhyphenhyphenodR54-_5GMbNuzVhfMRJNaVVZITEINjZBvXRgVUDU8s1QR0sMqOcWUEMT4J9KG3PGuzs71Bo1QoA8i9uexNaj1RC0EVibzzLB/s1600/IMG_0317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdU_AtmjvNnC1G0hja79sLKqzXIkaT7G7uxIoDm8C9GhyphenhyphenodR54-_5GMbNuzVhfMRJNaVVZITEINjZBvXRgVUDU8s1QR0sMqOcWUEMT4J9KG3PGuzs71Bo1QoA8i9uexNaj1RC0EVibzzLB/s1600/IMG_0317.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Then I cut around the outside...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenv7xLP0PV98n9q30fnb6TApzmUZhJBioxKOtZGmfrhoXiyRx0jagQqtrzrG33SdCZCBBPXzQEkie14e2q6gnVnPDMCshHoJSRPusGQx5e3_pGgn3SPSbYZ80Xw0gq_IM7xQeRmZWy4HZ/s1600/IMG_0318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenv7xLP0PV98n9q30fnb6TApzmUZhJBioxKOtZGmfrhoXiyRx0jagQqtrzrG33SdCZCBBPXzQEkie14e2q6gnVnPDMCshHoJSRPusGQx5e3_pGgn3SPSbYZ80Xw0gq_IM7xQeRmZWy4HZ/s1600/IMG_0318.jpg" /></a></div><br />I wanted it to look more organic and less rigid, so I smoothed around the edges.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqO_Id9X9DB1agZrWC9w6Yv2yvoycs2SllILVSxkObQlz66cZ1SkG0Y86pYuS5L_CV84hJ-FUPCf8XQZ8YjUkEPgyQnRcKzXerpvViGmInA8UtziF8ieggfI_5duEoqv2T-kDqAG3jnRfC/s1600/IMG_0319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqO_Id9X9DB1agZrWC9w6Yv2yvoycs2SllILVSxkObQlz66cZ1SkG0Y86pYuS5L_CV84hJ-FUPCf8XQZ8YjUkEPgyQnRcKzXerpvViGmInA8UtziF8ieggfI_5duEoqv2T-kDqAG3jnRfC/s640/IMG_0319.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This stuff isn't the easiest thing to work with in large chunks. You can't really add pieces on and smooth it out without stretching or squishing something else. It took me a solid hour or so to make it look like the photo above.<br /><br />When I determined it was as good as it was going to get, I moved onto my next sculpture.<br /><br />I used the leftover dough from my anchor and rolled it down so it was around a half inch thick or so.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeCRzwOgpO9vyyiFcUG7mVC-etbOcdOP2y51ovuY5wIIHw201iS-On3HSrPb6qQJ4Xh2Qi17jIMQ-hSEa-IC2XSXRK8vgUxQ7DDj0_-ONIZmbHxhJmyVuB0QKJkaCYQuDtIsigj_V0F12/s1600/IMG_0321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeCRzwOgpO9vyyiFcUG7mVC-etbOcdOP2y51ovuY5wIIHw201iS-On3HSrPb6qQJ4Xh2Qi17jIMQ-hSEa-IC2XSXRK8vgUxQ7DDj0_-ONIZmbHxhJmyVuB0QKJkaCYQuDtIsigj_V0F12/s1600/IMG_0321.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Then I placed my template over it and began to carve. But it didn't work out so well... I think the dough is a too flimsy for small details.<br /><br />After the first word fail, I started experimenting with polka dots using a skewer stick.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_UkejhmhJ-vAA3zVoIAFfN3TvVGM41l-5VqDLnewPQ0k_gEbt9X1xFzXpyNNEC0wptUXPH0scPbCU15qIJdUlEe1mwF1ETa7vmhWhzg0T2frNYxcZnvDFyA0695gal6ArxPWDBVUm0tF/s1600/IMG_0322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_UkejhmhJ-vAA3zVoIAFfN3TvVGM41l-5VqDLnewPQ0k_gEbt9X1xFzXpyNNEC0wptUXPH0scPbCU15qIJdUlEe1mwF1ETa7vmhWhzg0T2frNYxcZnvDFyA0695gal6ArxPWDBVUm0tF/s1600/IMG_0322.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Once I decided that would be a better option, I rolled it back up and started over.<br /><br />This time I cut out my round shape first, using the lip of a bowl:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GvfI24bI7m7xrDz8fGg8pwzS0Zzpab4cVwdpf9904aydLraq_9oDayhWdnTi5k-p4hbwaOi54ELa4QuQa7vJi8wUBvEC6FKE2Q9yiIES46CMECa9hSjvx0tUeeU_9evfBvuZYibfRjOT/s1600/IMG_0323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GvfI24bI7m7xrDz8fGg8pwzS0Zzpab4cVwdpf9904aydLraq_9oDayhWdnTi5k-p4hbwaOi54ELa4QuQa7vJi8wUBvEC6FKE2Q9yiIES46CMECa9hSjvx0tUeeU_9evfBvuZYibfRjOT/s1600/IMG_0323.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Then I placed my template over it and started pokin' holes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0VxeciQBPBNxOqD2V9Jw2gqPqaBUduxhFzofYieBC3_N9KT5defjhnX2ykP6PJKufiVIHNFvrOPVEyA6bnAKcEH3h9EBwZgjms36aLM0UXCrley2WNSqJtIbdbwC59QLxny0wMHXjZbi/s1600/IMG_0325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0VxeciQBPBNxOqD2V9Jw2gqPqaBUduxhFzofYieBC3_N9KT5defjhnX2ykP6PJKufiVIHNFvrOPVEyA6bnAKcEH3h9EBwZgjms36aLM0UXCrley2WNSqJtIbdbwC59QLxny0wMHXjZbi/s1600/IMG_0325.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35IAPr960edu23aEc84BlgOPO82oxoy54QVghXvtTLZOZbAp5IQneu9or3zJ41_dlj3ztb7r0auXIp5qmXvY2MZPIZJYysIaONJ5ZNsjmZN22COAch-GSdAQhMHhg6qvRCZZdW6FuEo2V/s1600/IMG_0327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35IAPr960edu23aEc84BlgOPO82oxoy54QVghXvtTLZOZbAp5IQneu9or3zJ41_dlj3ztb7r0auXIp5qmXvY2MZPIZJYysIaONJ5ZNsjmZN22COAch-GSdAQhMHhg6qvRCZZdW6FuEo2V/s1600/IMG_0327.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />For a little more interest, I gave it some texture around the edges with my skewer sticks...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7p_Z182mh99jCsV9Tw8T0I7dOAcsFGZ0DU07JU76WDJ2qlX5pMaiMAzgdtfJrb3nNTRDMdkYwHRvsfnV2IcK5LzBui7FTvkY_Qr2D_9irhSDqGcXGxtQ88taqRglBL-QQLeD8efN7beX/s1600/IMG_0328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7p_Z182mh99jCsV9Tw8T0I7dOAcsFGZ0DU07JU76WDJ2qlX5pMaiMAzgdtfJrb3nNTRDMdkYwHRvsfnV2IcK5LzBui7FTvkY_Qr2D_9irhSDqGcXGxtQ88taqRglBL-QQLeD8efN7beX/s1600/IMG_0328.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Ta-da.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33ERPyUr-ep66Lytkbf2YptamqbrjTTfp6FmKs_BiwahtiVgOH_G9yfg29ax4z1yI9jMW38YCx8Isyrnu5So2dcj9ZEEPfscaliZufbs-VwOwe8CNq8jMDXLvm8YbxA1cciOrn-yVi7CM/s1600/IMG_0329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33ERPyUr-ep66Lytkbf2YptamqbrjTTfp6FmKs_BiwahtiVgOH_G9yfg29ax4z1yI9jMW38YCx8Isyrnu5So2dcj9ZEEPfscaliZufbs-VwOwe8CNq8jMDXLvm8YbxA1cciOrn-yVi7CM/s1600/IMG_0329.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I carefully transported the plaque over to the oven to join the anchor.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0r3TH5Ec2U100IUdzvwG-SPSNlPpE8_vJhn6iPllvvain99LuE2hQKZ-FcQ3xXCHujsF9V9KGIbldlka5b59_pN-mbLor1Gx8gemU6jkhjWsoInUHwQxIgiUU80y5p-tCEx1BIuOadO-/s1600/IMG_0331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0r3TH5Ec2U100IUdzvwG-SPSNlPpE8_vJhn6iPllvvain99LuE2hQKZ-FcQ3xXCHujsF9V9KGIbldlka5b59_pN-mbLor1Gx8gemU6jkhjWsoInUHwQxIgiUU80y5p-tCEx1BIuOadO-/s1600/IMG_0331.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />But I still had a little dough leftover.<br /><br />Not wanting to waste it, I walked around the house trying to find something else to sculpt. And I found the perfect thing: a starfish!<br /><br />I grabbed it off the mantel so I could recreate it as closely as possible.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDm7YvXyrQCeiCkRe6NJ4hpNhwRgwp7bqOZEoo28Dt1b53NdAa9NZ8Q78SteorEeSwPmcQl9Psx7ykGK_V_-UmStGD2g6HyIiUIjDfmZVrIwfVAsDbIlKc3seuJtg-sxoAo8Up2XSS_rHj/s1600/IMG_0332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDm7YvXyrQCeiCkRe6NJ4hpNhwRgwp7bqOZEoo28Dt1b53NdAa9NZ8Q78SteorEeSwPmcQl9Psx7ykGK_V_-UmStGD2g6HyIiUIjDfmZVrIwfVAsDbIlKc3seuJtg-sxoAo8Up2XSS_rHj/s1600/IMG_0332.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />This was 100x easier than the anchor and plaque. The skewer sticks were perfect hole makers again.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayEzwkLTwX5A2qR1gHB-ZpIkpjVPGC_6uhvty74OB4QrSe5iktkWEdrpX3OzyYq9vnvNkgwaY3c9XnvqsWS2I-EMNmc9UQem_0RWeHoGTy1aoyMDtDUfq5RH5Z0_B2QCDNehZtJjm5emr/s1600/IMG_0334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayEzwkLTwX5A2qR1gHB-ZpIkpjVPGC_6uhvty74OB4QrSe5iktkWEdrpX3OzyYq9vnvNkgwaY3c9XnvqsWS2I-EMNmc9UQem_0RWeHoGTy1aoyMDtDUfq5RH5Z0_B2QCDNehZtJjm5emr/s1600/IMG_0334.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I threw the starfish in the oven and let them bake... for days. At 200' it's supposed to take several hours, but my sculptures were so thick that even after a couple days, they were still a little soft on the back.<br /><br />I finally got tired of waiting and brought them into the garage to get ready for paint.<br /><br />The anchor had some rough flaky edges, so I very carefully took some sandpaper to it (60 grit)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSNGrm_c7M3LywNNtDe2tYFFO-zenB1WvVsSca4Zn3qWqt02U3RIp54xbL58Zi5ZH9a-mk1JHxl-pn-1K0x58Ri2F5fwI5dQToQ4VCWeXIkJ1DTy2Qs8Ou02OQ9z0sQluIesrnqjYX4rk/s1600/IMG_0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSNGrm_c7M3LywNNtDe2tYFFO-zenB1WvVsSca4Zn3qWqt02U3RIp54xbL58Zi5ZH9a-mk1JHxl-pn-1K0x58Ri2F5fwI5dQToQ4VCWeXIkJ1DTy2Qs8Ou02OQ9z0sQluIesrnqjYX4rk/s1600/IMG_0343.jpg" /></a></div><br />It smoothed out pretty nicely.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqroFWY3TJqVNZtJoCjKJl3K3Aw1DLI7CFpvqWpWKb-I71tee1I8_AQH0SHk-AUbB0VX4IDQcMazlXgCl2VyEVJgaoWKDHxxmovTjQG4NFMohLIICCKW1tOvYUxlptkYleRL1tVNLAPo2/s1600/IMG_0344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqroFWY3TJqVNZtJoCjKJl3K3Aw1DLI7CFpvqWpWKb-I71tee1I8_AQH0SHk-AUbB0VX4IDQcMazlXgCl2VyEVJgaoWKDHxxmovTjQG4NFMohLIICCKW1tOvYUxlptkYleRL1tVNLAPo2/s1600/IMG_0344.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Once dry, it was time for paint!<br /><br />I pulled out some leftover gray I had from our sunroom mirror and applied a thick coat.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteLmg04nIgJ-jPJXFbJtk4eFYw-J1rq1eVN7KY0QiJSujYrK7s8UoF3WMNdSrJLgtd7MatJs1ImIOaiwmWPn_V0DVvNzUpKByHdYzzsU3EZ8Yao53MFFcd3yRHgQySYLfcKCUp_JjdFbx/s1600/IMG_0345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteLmg04nIgJ-jPJXFbJtk4eFYw-J1rq1eVN7KY0QiJSujYrK7s8UoF3WMNdSrJLgtd7MatJs1ImIOaiwmWPn_V0DVvNzUpKByHdYzzsU3EZ8Yao53MFFcd3yRHgQySYLfcKCUp_JjdFbx/s1600/IMG_0345.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />But once I brought it into our room and held it up against the gray walls, I realized the grays clashed and had to formulate a Plan B.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuZ-FJppbCZOnWXgsFBnq0fsYt3xmS47fJQZgxUCmivGb0zvr9lbRT061LBQko0wJK1wZ-mFgeneAZKNMXprgLWLw9B1NSLaZViuv8wfjazwPyTJqSwfxJBt8-Y5AUlRjmlPlT9WEx4Wl/s1600/IMG_0347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuZ-FJppbCZOnWXgsFBnq0fsYt3xmS47fJQZgxUCmivGb0zvr9lbRT061LBQko0wJK1wZ-mFgeneAZKNMXprgLWLw9B1NSLaZViuv8wfjazwPyTJqSwfxJBt8-Y5AUlRjmlPlT9WEx4Wl/s1600/IMG_0347.jpg" /></a></div><br />Plan B was custom navy blue paint, made from some acrylic blue and black I had lying around.<br /><br />A couple thick coats did the job.<br /><br />Next up was the plaque.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIhq3L-ROI9JQy6sNJiCtfinihfhPbiSEwxZxg6nCteOSXQe_0Bl0uoW7hRzXcgjsWSeNo-Ac-Fe-rgfF2foUeHNF6FxwyJ3d8yVApfAx9toB4erPlsz_4rzZLA1oBtner0R_LvU-z9Qu/s1600/IMG_0346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIhq3L-ROI9JQy6sNJiCtfinihfhPbiSEwxZxg6nCteOSXQe_0Bl0uoW7hRzXcgjsWSeNo-Ac-Fe-rgfF2foUeHNF6FxwyJ3d8yVApfAx9toB4erPlsz_4rzZLA1oBtner0R_LvU-z9Qu/s1600/IMG_0346.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I opted for a soft white with navy blue inside the letters so they'd be visible from across the room.<br /><br />Word to the wise—salt dough doesn't really get along with paint. If the surface isn't completely dry when you try to apply a second coat, the paint will come right off.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7CCGLpRPmJGrA36fo-ZZk4KERvqQywdqroPl4AXA1jSLZGK6v_kKg-wAXAvjUF4OMf2Ry1524cds4LemtKoDq5hqLYO1b5oQE1iQbqfaVHAMvsPMiS3o9cQM-r0k_Bqcx7rPNct5xuBc/s1600/IMG_0354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7CCGLpRPmJGrA36fo-ZZk4KERvqQywdqroPl4AXA1jSLZGK6v_kKg-wAXAvjUF4OMf2Ry1524cds4LemtKoDq5hqLYO1b5oQE1iQbqfaVHAMvsPMiS3o9cQM-r0k_Bqcx7rPNct5xuBc/s1600/IMG_0354.jpg" /></a></div><br />The paint also filled my dots, boo. Nothing I could do about that because the paint would pull off when I tried to re-dot them. Oh well.<br /><br />The starfish would also be painted a soft white. I went to pick it up, and this happened...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnT29VmGhljmN3SMxzjoTnRsb3r9U38naqfzqAJ2nWU20EzCenuLedU55CHGtU6HLxRem44azJYUZ4H5OV6jZ5LAZbO4G-biyjSfx5LYs_Gna9rw034VtzmsKx7DomUTkNc83ngEmUN7SV/s1600/IMG_0355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnT29VmGhljmN3SMxzjoTnRsb3r9U38naqfzqAJ2nWU20EzCenuLedU55CHGtU6HLxRem44azJYUZ4H5OV6jZ5LAZbO4G-biyjSfx5LYs_Gna9rw034VtzmsKx7DomUTkNc83ngEmUN7SV/s1600/IMG_0355.jpg" /></a></div><br />Yikes... more fragile than I thought!<br /><br />And then I accidentally set the plaque on it and this happened:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCQ-fyyAFj2uWs-TeCCzIIc-_k5outWv_M6nsosqwIgbf-MTZ8Ku4Lu51LjQbeJx_gxYWfn7x3Sh4o3U29hR_B7ekx6MyXQnyH2Zrl_hSnCkCsDdN4tPGV0xFmwytExXKhOlgw570V_A8/s1600/IMG_0356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCQ-fyyAFj2uWs-TeCCzIIc-_k5outWv_M6nsosqwIgbf-MTZ8Ku4Lu51LjQbeJx_gxYWfn7x3Sh4o3U29hR_B7ekx6MyXQnyH2Zrl_hSnCkCsDdN4tPGV0xFmwytExXKhOlgw570V_A8/s1600/IMG_0356.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I realized there were some cracks that had baked into it, weakening some areas. Maybe my fault. I was just about to trash it when I brought out the hot glue gun in a last ditch attempt...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHoDOO5cohUKBZZfmRzmSNR0jLQI6r8_xmIrUgZI1Q8cMJDMeObQqj1pxTDwOOtflMTASMPe2w2djVVZ7ern4YlZ72cpby0-d6Ng6oggbkp_SPcpBwk_IaDMjn31yf8gMdtoH0_8N2WGW/s1600/IMG_0357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHoDOO5cohUKBZZfmRzmSNR0jLQI6r8_xmIrUgZI1Q8cMJDMeObQqj1pxTDwOOtflMTASMPe2w2djVVZ7ern4YlZ72cpby0-d6Ng6oggbkp_SPcpBwk_IaDMjn31yf8gMdtoH0_8N2WGW/s1600/IMG_0357.jpg" /></a></div><br />Totally worked. Stronger than before.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaUQu9YtWNN6txYJkc3f8VHgI4RiSznG1NAOmtucRBN3WJdnDGxi_zzr1e_Y6NmWt-DXYVkfJ6_w7QZL6JhxJy2fV8qnMXcZqf7vRsYMfpGSj18pzzYnnzzAf1Bfjws5cs9IhJlWZ58dY/s1600/IMG_0358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaUQu9YtWNN6txYJkc3f8VHgI4RiSznG1NAOmtucRBN3WJdnDGxi_zzr1e_Y6NmWt-DXYVkfJ6_w7QZL6JhxJy2fV8qnMXcZqf7vRsYMfpGSj18pzzYnnzzAf1Bfjws5cs9IhJlWZ58dY/s1600/IMG_0358.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Can't even tell from the front.<br /><br />I ended up giving the starfish to a friend, and here's how my new wall decor turned out:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYf8jpEUCOlPSOtbTyijDuHclYkZGH5igrcsST_CCSoxuEbBHlElCcE1n1H5LT0EtlBpA8VLPgN9XYd8mtoOWaabQvAfKjzdYAxOb_RtV9Hw19DKlEBBI4UwVSwur3D4grFiLnZTpdWnc/s1600/IMG_0422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYf8jpEUCOlPSOtbTyijDuHclYkZGH5igrcsST_CCSoxuEbBHlElCcE1n1H5LT0EtlBpA8VLPgN9XYd8mtoOWaabQvAfKjzdYAxOb_RtV9Hw19DKlEBBI4UwVSwur3D4grFiLnZTpdWnc/s1600/IMG_0422.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Only thing left to do was hang them! I threaded some twine through the holes I had made in the top before baking, tied them around some special drywall screws, and here they are now:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYh6CXK3YKIi7Uf3GiYEAMTuXRG-N8H7agofBszzldPfMX4x65FCe9Tlm-JIjqFi07Nn_YOjGI7uDQzdcfQr3SSVPKY7JFGnQIjKKatCPaqGNL461k_mlEeztKiCXq2ba2H-LAxyROhCJ/s1600/IMG_0432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYh6CXK3YKIi7Uf3GiYEAMTuXRG-N8H7agofBszzldPfMX4x65FCe9Tlm-JIjqFi07Nn_YOjGI7uDQzdcfQr3SSVPKY7JFGnQIjKKatCPaqGNL461k_mlEeztKiCXq2ba2H-LAxyROhCJ/s1600/IMG_0432.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We relocated the cable box to the side of the TV... much better!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlz44PkLPByRNJ6dNBCBVTDFXx36n6zJykEBFdccPk6oDtVGeOLZqELiJmTm4JpGOml4vWrfHJQ8Ut8ud83jz7fA9YtGzvtdIYikjScergysCmCmG5cMHrnWtp1Nni6FVSjXp8P7AAvWH/s1600/IMG_0423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlz44PkLPByRNJ6dNBCBVTDFXx36n6zJykEBFdccPk6oDtVGeOLZqELiJmTm4JpGOml4vWrfHJQ8Ut8ud83jz7fA9YtGzvtdIYikjScergysCmCmG5cMHrnWtp1Nni6FVSjXp8P7AAvWH/s1600/IMG_0423.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A45lJmcR9LgSNWvVkxM1si1WWvy5U90rBvU5X3VMsbh9Zz_hJ6JtLozcLy8I8QM90QlkmUMCmOiixK-y5s3b1EHbeu_wHjNTRgCtCa5twSLIOD9nKHSnAmLEIoFqN7K0JS0pmEG9yxDR/s1600/IMG_0427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A45lJmcR9LgSNWvVkxM1si1WWvy5U90rBvU5X3VMsbh9Zz_hJ6JtLozcLy8I8QM90QlkmUMCmOiixK-y5s3b1EHbeu_wHjNTRgCtCa5twSLIOD9nKHSnAmLEIoFqN7K0JS0pmEG9yxDR/s1600/IMG_0427.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTducne-i9f4mx5pE93QF4aSzvhu0OQ5z_AhrS65_XLjawJ5uMtVd4W9Kl_OgA1g_ZfaKBFtkWpeq6DsW-wB2ZhITr83U6TRStWp-JO7dmlSVjbIRK4nupA3jEUs6r91ViIgvtxCuFeUNK/s1600/IMG_0428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTducne-i9f4mx5pE93QF4aSzvhu0OQ5z_AhrS65_XLjawJ5uMtVd4W9Kl_OgA1g_ZfaKBFtkWpeq6DsW-wB2ZhITr83U6TRStWp-JO7dmlSVjbIRK4nupA3jEUs6r91ViIgvtxCuFeUNK/s1600/IMG_0428.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09UGs-jVp0xzXKbSDuLGWHEU24RBMVutjFSf7c0TuxM85VFpOH6Gpvp6bF344H53L4Egzgj9Fyy46pzmrU39o6pAWZaQoD7z7jOwuGTfUouLeEaFPFd9uZaCvrbHndOD_x9AOW7uGK6yG/s1600/IMG_0426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09UGs-jVp0xzXKbSDuLGWHEU24RBMVutjFSf7c0TuxM85VFpOH6Gpvp6bF344H53L4Egzgj9Fyy46pzmrU39o6pAWZaQoD7z7jOwuGTfUouLeEaFPFd9uZaCvrbHndOD_x9AOW7uGK6yG/s1600/IMG_0426.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />What do you think? Not bad for materials I had lying around the house, right? I love the extra touch the bows add.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdYvhSQ3b-m0Al0mCxRZTl_t8o2RqlCLEw4ISiy0ucON1wm3lEXYR8LGV4OZ7H3yNAPZhxSb7lWFwBNTtPhyNswtDprgpcEuqng8_DDKDrruw0juem_ELoIfSwmmIyQWnBsfiVV1k5Roy/s1600/IMG_0424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdYvhSQ3b-m0Al0mCxRZTl_t8o2RqlCLEw4ISiy0ucON1wm3lEXYR8LGV4OZ7H3yNAPZhxSb7lWFwBNTtPhyNswtDprgpcEuqng8_DDKDrruw0juem_ELoIfSwmmIyQWnBsfiVV1k5Roy/s1600/IMG_0424.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Salt dough has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me. I find myself looking around wondering what else I can just make myself instead of having to hunt down and purchase in the perfect size/shape/color. How have I lived without it this long?! There will definitely be more of this in my future.<br /><br />Anyone else inspired to make something? Try it—it's fun!<br /><br />Be back next time with another office update...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><i>Linking up with <a href="http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Suburbs Mama</a> and <a href="http://diyshowoff.com/" target="_blank">DIY Showoff</a>!</i></div>

Salt Dough: A Whole New World

Update: Make sure to check out Part 2 to this story here. A while ago, I began brainstorming ideas of what to fill this empty wall space abo...

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