new year's shelves

january is almost at its end and i have yet to set any new year's resolutions.

i actually took a moment to think about this yearly expectation/tradition/opportunity and decided..........y'know, i'm just not a new year's resolutions kind of girl. i think i once was or was at least a wanna-be resolutioner but no longer and that's ok.

new year's resolutions..........eh.

but, i will tell you that about now, at this fresh, clean canvas time of year i dream up projects i want to do and updates i want to make for our home.......

and then i get motivated.......

and then i get going.......

here's my first diy project for 2016..........shelves in ~~margo's~~ the guest bedroom.

to start, i ordered the perfect shelf brackets from here

(they look to me to be straight out of a 1940's french passenger train car).

the day they arrived, i was super excited and measured, leveled and screwed them into the wall studs.

next, i measured the length for my wood shelves and headed to the hardware store to choose the wood.

the nice guys at home depot cut it for me.........thanks guys.

i also chose my stain. then i gathered together the rest of my materials and since it was

freeeeeezing cold outside and in the garage, i set up my workshop on the dining room table

........shhhhh, don't tell paul.

next, i sanded the cut edges and wiped them with a damp cloth.

then it was time to stain the wood. pine is a soft wood which has a large grain and knots.

soft woods will not stain evenly, which is the look i wanted. hard woods will stain more evenly.

this was my first ever staining project so i will share what i learned along the way:

1. the pigment can settle to the bottom of the tin so shake it or stir it well before you start.

2. apply the stain with a paint brush following the grain of the wood. complete the section you are working on. do not stop to answer the phone :)

3. once applied, use a wet rag to rub the excess stain off the wood. this will give you a nice, uniform finish. make sure the rag is just damp, not too wet.

4. let dry 15 - 20 minutes and then decide if you are happy with the color or would like it to be darker. reapply, if necessary.