How to Line a Pantry

We finally "moved" last weekend.  I say "moved" lightly because 90% of our things are still in boxes.  I was excited to tackle my pantry before I started filling it because I wasn't sure if I would find the energy any time soon to remove everything in order to make it happen.  So, this was my first project on the list!

Here is the main section of my pantry that I wanted to line with pretty paper.  I have seen a few inspirational pictures on Pinterest and Houzz and I figured it couldn't be that hard, right?

You can find shelf liner at Lowes, Home Depot, some "home" stores like TJ Max and Bed Bath & Beyond, and even on Amazon.  I chose this simple self adhesive liner for my background.  You want to use a cutting mat so that you are not cutting directly on your counter top or table.  A sharp pair of scissors or an exacto knife will offer clean lines.  A pencil if you feel you need one.  A credit card if your paper is thick and you need help smoothing it down.

I placed my paper with the pretty side down.  Make sure it is snug in the corner and then just roll your paper down to the end of your shelf.

I used my finger to create a SCORE in the paper (a line so that I know exactly where to cut)

Take your sheet to your cutting board and cut on your score line.

With the backing still on, check that your cut sheet is the correct size.  Make any cuts or adjustments now before you peel the back off.  Once you have the size you need, peel the edges off (I gave myself about 3-4 inches to work with) and place it on the back of your pantry shelf wall. 

Move the paper along, slowly peeling the back layer off and smoothing it down with your other hand.   My paper was fairly thin so I did not need to use a credit card to smooth it out.  I just pressed down hard with my hand and went all along the paper.....don't forget to really focus on those edges.   A few times, I needed to pull several inches off and reposition the entire sheet and that is okay.  My paper was very forgiving.

You can try to match up your design in the corners if you get the hang of it.....but don't worry if it isn't perfect.  Once you fill your pantry, those imperfections will not show.

Here are a few of my shelves lined and I love how it turned out. 

Then you can start filling it up and finding some fun containers to keep your items organized.

I found these chalkboard canisters at my local At Home store.

These baskets.....which will soon hold my onions and potatoes....were purchased at my local Costco.

These wicker baskets were purchased at Walmart.  They had a few different sizes too.

3 medium sized Market baskets from Mary & Martha.

That's it!  This was a super easy and very inexpensive way to give my pantry a little bit of pop!

Crazy Busy

Not much new to report although life has been super duper busy.  I haven't taken many pictures but trust me....lots going on.

We ran by the house last week and saw these guys in our front yard.

There really is so much I could write about this whole house building process.  I hesitate to do that because it is 99% negative. That's right, this process has been horrible.  Stressful, frustrating, exhausting, etc.....and I honestly am not sure its worth replaying in my mind in order to document it. I use this blog as a "scrapbook" of our lives and one day I hope my boys can look back and read my stories. This is one area that is probably best just generalizing instead of giving all the crazy details. 

Good news.....we close and move this Friday!!!

Yesterday, one of Shawn's good friends got married.  We are happy for Curt and LaShelle!

Pretty Days and House Stuff

The weather here is still crazy.....so we take advantage of the nice days.  After school one day last week, Hudson was at Mathnasium so little bit and I went out to feed the ducks.

This duck had such a pretty green color on its head.

Last week our painters were about to start glazing our cabinets.  After a quick walk through we found a TON of issues- scratches, dents, dings, dried paint drips.....and our builder was just planning to have them glaze over it.  I pitched a ginormous fit (honestly, I hate having to get ugly like that) and told them that we were not happy with that at all.

So they agreed to sand it down and start all over.  I know they hate us.  But the quality has been ridiculous.

Working on the drawers in the garage.

We pulled up one evening and I was in awe of how pretty its starting to look.  Eek!  Getting so close.

Friday was our blue tape walk.  5 hours and 900 pieces a LOT of blue tape later, we were finished.  (sigh)

This is just one example.  Multiple issues with paint drips, scratches, texture issues, etc..... 

Last night, Shawn was hanging with some friends so it was just me and the boys.  Cooper busted out with this Spangler Science kit and made huge bubbles to play with.  Seriously, if you have not ordered a box for your kids.....do it.  He love getting this each month.

Ran some errands today and brought home a Gigi's cupcake for each of us. I've heard so many people going on and on about how great it was.  It was good.  But, its a cupcake.  Aren't all cupcakes good?

House and CEC time

Our front door is unwrapped and the glass was installed.  Its so pretty!

Barn doors are getting installed

Our flower beds were started.....

Starting to look pretty on the outside. :)

The landscaping company did a great job.

Waiting to add a few more shrubs in this middle area...had to put a french drain box in first.

Cooper scored his first basket on Saturday.  He was so excited.  He looked my way and had the biggest smile on his face as he ran down to the other side of the court.  I may have screamed just a little. 

Most days, raising a teenager is hard.  But when I get a text like this, I realize there is a soft/lovable boy inside that stinky shell of a boy!

In the fall, Cooper told us that he feels that he is "outgrowing" Chuck E Cheese.  He said he wanted to go one more time before he's done for good.  We were so busy with the holidays and moving that I told him we would need to wait a bit to go.  The boys had off yesterday so he and I had a date day and had a blast!  He was so sweet and sentimental....he would go to specific machines and say "remember when I was little and we played this together?"  Melt my heart.  Love this stinker so much!

This made me laugh.  So true!