If you are reading this post today….I’m here at Haven (the blogging conference).
If you are reading this post on Friday at 10:00 am….I’m about to speak.
{gulp}
I think I’m ready.
I mean….I have a kind of funny story to start off with and I brought the most amazing pair of earrings and I bought some new red lipstick and my toes are painted with the cutest pink polish.
Oh….and I figured out what I’m going to say about how to build your blog.
*sigh*
Now….if I could just get my knees to stop shaking….it just might work out.
I’ll keep you posted. 🙂
Before I left for Haven I created this table on a budget.
I’m talking…..a real budget.
Like $12.88 kind of budget.
Seriously.
Can you even believe it?
This table started out life as a picture frame and a Wal-Mart table…..
…..and ended with “happily ever after.” 🙂
Here’s how I made it:
DIY Side Table
Supplies:
$12.88 side table from Wal-Mart (you can find it in the furniture section)
2 square picture frames
8 eyes
8 hooks
small length of chain
2 x 2 board
black spray paint
Step 1: Â Cut 2 x 2’s to fitÂ
Measure distance between bottom of the two table legs.
Cut two 2 x 2’s to fit space.
Attach 2 x 2 between the two table legs with screws.
Here’s a close-up of the 2 x 2’s.
The idea is to create two square sides.
Step 3: Â Prepare picture frames
Remove glass and backing from picture frames until just the square remains.
Step 4: Â Attach hooks
Attach a hook to the center of each side of the picture frame.
Step 5: Â Attach eyes
Attach an eye to each of the four sides of the square side of the table.
Make sure to measure to find the center of each side.
Step 6: Â Attach chain
Cut a length of chain to fit between the eye and the hook on each side.
Adjust the chain so it is taut.
Spray paint the chain, eyes, hooks and 2 x 2’s black.
It’s such an easy project.
And I was so happy that it turned out just like I pictured it.
Here’s hoping the speech does too. 🙂
Good luck! You'll be with so many kindred spirits ... and there's safety in numbers. Besides. I'm pretty sure you can do ANYTHING. Have fun!
Sweetheart, you should have been my daughter. I have been up since 3 a.m. I get soo excited over just about anything cute, new, interesting, especially handmade originals are the best. I just love the excitement in your writing. Thank you for being here. Love Sandy
You're gonna do great! I am sitting at the airport waiting for my plane ...to come see you! Good luck dear lady. You so got this, you little Rock Star.
Take a deep breath and be yourself! It will be great!
You'll rock. With your red lipstick and killer earrings you will have them hanging on your every word. I wish I could be there to start the wave, or a standing O, or a whoop whoop! Best, Beth C.
Just remember "You Are KariAnne". And, pretend I brought you roses.
You will be great! Just pretend you're talking to us and everyone will love you. And thanks for the table instructions. That just may be my weekend project.
Good luck! I know you'll do a wonderful job. I wish I could be there to hear it! Love, love, love the table. I have a daughter who would love it for her new apartment so I just might have to make one.
Beautiful table and I can't believe it was so cheap!....Ohhh BTW.....you're gonna do great!! just remember, probably 80% of us read and comment on your blog in our PJ's and no makeup....so just imagine us THAT way.... Christine
Hey lady, that is one modern spiffy eye-catchin' table you thought of there! It is just after 8am, so I have time to think of you in my prayers - no need to be nervous, you are awesome, just be yourself and nothing more. You are very well liked and admired and appreciated - nothing to be worried about. Just be your 'ole Rock Star Self! I sure wish I could be there, but am there in spirit, sincerely and truly. Have FUN~~!
You're going to be fabulous, rock star! Can't wait to hear all about it!!~~Angela
You will rock their socks off!! Just remember we are all friends...and we love a happily ever after!! ;)
That is really cute! I love how the chain disappears against the rug and it looks like the squares are floating. Great job! Good luck-you will do a wonderful job as a speaker!!!!! xo Diana
Oh, Miz karianne-no-capitals-or-spaces-needed.....you MUST have figured out by now that Rock Stars can do anything they decide they want to do. Obviously, you are a Rock Star. Ergo....YOU can do anything you want to do. And everything you do is wonderful, so where's the problem? So what if your knees shake a little, and your heart is trying to find an escape route...nobody will notice because it's all taking place on the inside.....but on the outside.....is that cool, calm, collected redhead, with the shiny new red lipstick, killer earrings, and winsome smile.....knocking 'em off their feet! You know, kinda like you did when you first met your hubby! See? Another 'marriage' made in Heaven! You got this, girl. No sweat. Just think of it as another come apart moment. LOL Can't wait to hear how it goes!
Girl, you just gloss up & shine! And heck, if you stammer, it'll just make them love you more because your real & that's why we all think your a Rock Star!!!! Michelle K :o)
I love the good surprises life gives us and this is a great time for you. Enjoy your success, you've earned it.
Wish I could've gone to the conference. I would have bought a brand new notebook to take notes about your talk! Just picture everyone in their underwear and you will be less nervous, although most everyone is a familiar face, so maybe that would just be weird. You'll rock! Trina
You clever, clever gal! Hope you have a great time at Haven...no doubt your speech will be a highlight :)
Just a little reminder - you forgot to call your children last night. :) Have fun! You're going to do awesome! Awesomely awesome! -Denton (the man in charge)
LOL! And thanks Denton for the reminder for me to remember to call MY children tonight!!! And Kari, you'll be amazing. As always! :) Linda
Denton... you are the man!! I may have a crush on you, just saying!
Another amazing creation..You have such a creative imagination..
Haha, gotta love the reality check from our kids right?? But Denton is right, you will do awesome...that is what has made you such a successful blogger - we all wish we could be just like YOU - seriously! So relax, be you and have fun making everyone happy :-) Cindy
Don't be nervous. You've got this! Cute table! :0)
Hey ! Great-looking table. (On the cheap, too!) I'm sure you're having a great time at Haven. Rubbing elbows with all those other "rock stars". Your talk with go wonderfully. A funny story is always a good way to break the ice. And I'm sure jewelry and nail polish and lipstick can't hurt. : - ) Give 'em heck, sister! Just be yourself and you'll be fine. God bless! And safe travels too!
You are going to be AMAZING...the only thing I am upset about is that I won't be able to hear you! You are going to rock the blogging world and look fabulous in those earrings while doing it!!! Sending tons of hugs...break a leg : ) I know...it's not Broadway...but you know what I mean!
Said a little prayer for you at 10:05!! You will be GREAT! Remember, YOU are the rock star!! Love, love, love the table! You are so crafty I can hardly stand it! But you are an inspiration, so I'll just have to, I guess. ;)
No worries! You are so funny and smart and interesting in your blog, of course all of that enthusiasm and charm will come through in your talk...you'll nail it!
I am sure you WOW'ed them...as you did me on the phone. Now go party like the rock star you are!! xo, Kelly
Good Luck KariAnne. You will do great and I do wish I could be there to hear your words of wisdom. Sarah
Ha ha ha, I'm laughing because I am picturing how this table would turn out if I gave it a try. I would NEVER measure right, the true middle would not be found and those little chains would be off center and the square picture frame would be hanging crazily askew! Yes, I know myself better than to think I could really pull this off! Never in a million years would it come out right for me! I so admire when someone else can do something like this, though, and then give directions that make it sound so easy! Not only can you make a table like this but you can blog about it too! Oh, and then go and give a talk about blogging. Yes, I am in awe. Sitting here in my early morning attire (Don't look at the clock... I know it's 12:30!) with no red lipstick on and my toenails all chipped! Have a wonderful time at the blogging conference, KariAnne!
Wish I was at the conference, I'd be the one (among many) cheering obnoxiously loudly. You'll be amazing and the table is beautiful.
Hi KariAnne,if your speech turns out anything like all the projects that you do,then you definitely have NO worries!Love the table,it looks awesome.I am so amazed at how creative you are!!!!!!(are you by any chance related to Martha Stewart???)Best of luck with your speech.
I'm sure the speech will be as awesome as the table! Good luck. ~Diane
Nice table! Be sure to post about your experiences at Haven!
To My Awesomely Awesome Friend, You will shine!!!
You got this Karianne! And you'll be fabulous! Wish we could all be there to hear you and cheer you on!
You have a natural warmth that comes through in everything you write...every day! Im SURE you will dazzle them...and the new lipstick wont hurt! Good Luck tomorrow, although, you dont need it!..... and my gramma always used to tell me when speaking to a large group, always picture them in their underwear...haha not sure if that will be good or bad :)
Wow! That table knocked my socks off!! I'm rooting for you at Haven. I wish I could attend your talk - hopefully next year I can meet you! And I have no doubt you'll do great! Annie XO
Oh, I am late to comment but all Great Rock Stars get the jitters. Love your blog and comments. No doubt you shined!
Girl, I am sure it went superbly and by now your are probably tucked into bed (or up chatting with your many friends!). I have tried to go to Haven the last two years and have FAILED. Just not in the cards for me yet but it will happen one day. I am sure the crowd loved you. Other than meeting many new friends last year, for me you were the highlight of the Southern Blogger's Conference last year. You were cute and funny and I just wanted to hug you (but I didn't cause I didn't want to frighten ya!). I hadn't read your blog before that day, but now it is one of my favorite reads. You have a sense of style like no one else, a home that makes me drool and a writing style that I absolutely love! Now, when do I get to come and stay at the gatehouse? ;-)
Awesome job!!! Love your table!! Hugs, Vesna
You totally rocked this project AND that side table! It's super cute and so creative! I love this project!
Kari, the ONLY complaint I had about your presentation at Haven was it WAS TOO DANG SHORT!!! HAHA! I specifically picked your class just to hear you and Heather speak (my favorites from the Southern Bloggers Conf). I ended up learning SO much and found another favorite speaker with Tauni! Tell your husband that I can verify that you didn't intentionally not call your kids, you weren't ever left alone long enough to have any privacy! I guess that's what happens when you are a ROCK STAR! You are awesome and everyone loved you! Can't wait to see you again!
It was AMAZING to meet you Kari and to be in your bubbly prescence at Haven!! I love your table - great Walmart Hack!! I love using the shadow box as a graphic detail!! xo Heather
Could this project be any more creative!!?? I loved, loved, loved your class. And just in case anyone is wondering, you definitely rocked those earring (and toes)! Thanks so much for being so welcoming and so awesome Karianne! It was great to finally meet you!!
Love the table Kari...you are an amazing speaker and you will be a hit...