This post is sponsored by Potter Craft.

Recently, I’ve come to the realization that I’m at the point in my blogging career that big things are happening for a lot of my friends.  We all began our blogs at generally the same period – some of us have been on TV, some of us represent major brands, and others are now published authors.  This blogging thing is a really wild ride, and I am so proud at the things my friends are accomplishing.

Not long ago, my friend Ana White reached out and asked if I would be interested in reviewing her new book, The Handbuilt Home.  Ana has become synonymous with the DIY, handmade furniture movement in the home decor world, and I am just thrilled that she was able to reach her dream of publishing a book so that she could bring her vision to a wider, possibly non-blog reading audience.  Obviously, I told her not just yes but, “Heck yeah!”

Before I considered Ana a sweet friend, I obsessed about her blog.  If you aren’t familiar with her website, Ana White, it’s the go-to site for free, easy DIY furniture plans.  These are plansJust 10 years ago, Ana didn’t have the skills or know how to re-create expensive furniture pieces that she saw in stores and catalogs.  There wasn’t much out there for novice DIYers back then, so Ana taught herself how to build through trial and error.

The first piece of furniture Ana built was the bed that she and her husband still sleep on today.  The funny thing is that it is also the bed that Tom and I sleep on – we used Ana’s Farmhouse Bed plan to build the bed in our master bedroom. She writes about that plan in her book.

If her website features hundreds of free plans, then why would you spend the money to buy her book?  Honestly, I had the same question until I received it in the mail.  After reading it cover to cover in one afternoon, I have to say that I have three reasons why.

1. Only a handful of the 34 projects featured in the book are on her website.  You’re getting new content with beautifully illustrated, step-by-step instructions.

2.  Ana details the tools you will need to make your DIY furniture dreams a reality.  She goes through each one and gives thorough information about what to look for when purchasing your own tools.

3.  She has an entire chapter dedicated to technique.  If you are nervous about selecting, cutting, sanding, or drilling Ana has you covered.  I wish I would have had this book as a reference when I first started building DIY projects.

So that you can get a taste for the feel of the The Handbuilt Home, Ana has provided an excerpt of her Farmhouse Bench project.  You can find that free project here.

Here are a few other favorite projects from her book:

Armoire

 

Play Kitchen

I have really enjoyed reading Ana’s book, and I know you will, too.  That’s why I’m so excited that she’s giving away a copy to one of you!  Fill out the form below and answer the question prompt to be entered.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
*This giveaway is in no way affiliated, administered or endorsed by Facebook or Pinterest. Winner will be notified by email on 11/01/12 and will need to respond within 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen. Winner must be 18 years of age or older and a US citizen in order to win. Winners are responsible for paying any necessary taxes on winnings. Alternate entry: email Lindsay@MakelyHome.com with entry information. Prize will be mailed by the sponsor and this blog owner is not held responsible if the prize is not fulfilled. A list of winners may be requested after the giveaway has ended. Questions and additional information can be requested by emailing: Lindsay@MakelyHome.com.

 

This post is sponsored by Glidden.

One of the most inspiring things about running a blog is that you have an online record of your room or project Befores and Afters.  On days (and even weeks) that I’m feeling like nothing is getting accomplished, I like to look at the thumbnails in my Project Gallery.  Those little squares make me feel so happy, and I feel like they are proof that I have really gotten a lot done over the years.

Similarly, I think most of you guys like Before and After posts, too.  There’s something encouraging about seeing a dramatic change in an entire room or just a piece of furniture.

For the past couple of months, those of us in the My Colortopia Team have been focusing on Before and After posts on Glidden’s My Colortopia blog.  But now, it’s not just bloggers who can get in on the action.  My Colortopia has recently launched a Show Your Colors section that features photos submitted by readers.  These Before and After photos celebrate readers’ paint projects and serve as inspiration for others.  If you see someone’s project that you really like, you can even find the Glidden paint colors to match any photo in the gallery.

There are some really great projects over there! Did you see my friend Michelle’s striped foyer in the widget above? She and I have a little surprise for you coming up soon!

I know you’ve seen my projects, but I want to be able to hop on to MyColortopia and see YOUR projects, too!  You don’t need to be a blogger to participate.  All you need to do is visit the Show Your Colors section of My Colortopia and submit your photos.  After you upload them, you can write a little blurb about your room if you want to.

To get you started, here are a few of my transformations:

• A New Life for an Old Piece of Furniture
• A Vibrant Room for a Vibrant Boy
• A Dramatically Different Powder Room

If you upload some photos to My Colortopia, let me know below in the comments so I can go and check them out!

I have been sponsored by Glidden® brand paint to write this post but the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.