Farewell... Well Kinda

Well I have some pretty exciting news to share with everyone. As many of you have probably noticed, the store has been closed and the blogging has ceased for a couple weeks.. ahem months now. This is because I'm turning a new leaf! While on Christmas vacation, I realized that I wanted to be able to give more financially to my family and that I missed knitting up things for myself and for pleasure. As a result of those thoughts I've decided that going back to school is the right choice for me. So with that I am officially closing shop and Innov8ive Knits will be no more.

Surprisingly I'm not that heartbroken over it but relieved, and confident that my new life choices are the right ones. Back to school for what you say? Massage therapy!

After deciding to go back to school and close up shop, one thing that I knew I would miss was keeping up a blog and sharing all of my experiences with ya'll! That's why I've decided to open up my own personal blog & website at www.TiffanyDoten.com (unique name right?). There you'll be able to see a blend of photography, knittery, fitness, and life! The IK blog won't be up much longer, so if you want to keep up with all the adventures you can subscribe to the new blog HERE.

I'm so excited to get started with my new life and career, and hope that you will hop on over to the new website and follow the fun! See you there.

How to Distress Wood - Pallet Table DIY Part 2

Photo of my "just beard" on my table

This part of the tutorial is how I managed to get this bangin’ distressed wood look on my pallet table. It’s actually much more simple than you would imagine! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Wood stain. Choose any color that you would like to show through the distress. I chose a dark espresso color.

• Matte paint. I picked matte because the flash will bounce off of gloss, but if you aren’t doing photography with it than use whatever kind of paint you want. I picked up a little sample container at Home Depot and had more than enough for the top of the table.
• A couple sheets of the roughest grade sandpaper you can get your hands on - I used P120.
• A paint brush - get a decent one do you don't have to pick out a billion little hairs that fell out and stuck to the paint.
• Any cloth you don't want anymore: old wash rag, beat up t-shirt etc. for the stain.

boot cuffs on the table

STEP ONE- Take your sandpaper and sand down the area that you will be painting.

STEP TWO- Stain the wood using your cloth to the instructions on the stain. I recommend doing 2 coats to really get a deep color and so it's harder to sandpaper through the stain and into the original wood (unless of course you want that). After you've done all the coats you like let it completely dry to the specifications on the stain before step three.

STEP THREE-  With your brush & matte paint, paint over the dried stain. You may need 2-3 coats to completely cover the stain and get the desired top coat color. Allow paint to completely dry 24 hours or to the directions on the container.

STEP FOUR- Here comes the fun part, you'll need a little elbow grease for this one but it's totally worth it! Starting with the edges, sand it down as far as you like. Edges always take the most beating when it comes to furniture, so to make it look natural it's best to get the corners and edges sanded down really well. You'll notice once you start sanding that it doesn't all come off at once but in layers. You can leave it just where the satin is peeking through, full stain, or even down to the original wood. I recommend that you keep it as un-uniform as possible, that's what really gives it character. Once you have the edges to your liking, sand random places on the surface to get the look all around. Each spot sanded to a different degree giving it a lot of dimension. 

That's it! So simple, so fun, so natural, and did I mention a super cheap photography prop (or table). If you're not using it for photography you can put a lacquer on it to preserve it the way it is and protect from further wear. The lacquer can get shiny and bounce flash so I would leave it be if you plan on shooting on it. 

I hope you enjoy your distressed piece as much as I enjoy mine! If you have any questions about it, don't hesitate to ask!

For the Runner in You ~ Treasury Tuesday

I started really getting interested in fitness in college. Through a really bad breakup back in the day, it was the only thing I found that when I was working out that I could forget about everything else. From then on I was addicted. I became an AFAA fitness instructor and never looked back. I don't teach anymore for the time being just because I enjoy doing it on my own schedule.

Just this year with the encouragement of a friend, I've started running in local races & fundraisers and I'm enjoying the hell out of it! It's given me more oomph to better my pace and run harder in my training. It's also given me more of a reason not to skip any running to make sure I can do better on the next race than the last. With this in mind here's this week's treasury Tuesday... needless to say I am totally getting some of this stuff - or hint hint to friends and fam, here's some stuff I'd really like LOL! 

'Running!' by Innov8iveKnits

Dedicated to the thrill, being healthy, and showing it off - great accessories for the runner in you.

Wrist Cuff Wallet for Runner... MaryZoom $7.00	Runners gift, Gift for runne... runningonthewa... $48.00	Will Run for Coffee Retro Pr... StephLawsonDes... $15.00
Hawaiian Original Running Sk... hibiscusrunway... $49.00	Running quote, motivational ... theartofobserv... $20.00	wake up and run, running sti... runningonthewa... $9.00
pocket arm wallet, orange POUTFITS $12.00	I love running necklace AbellaBlue $50.00	running art print, race art,... soulgraffiti $22.00
Custom Race Bib Coasters Tri... 26MileStones $22.00	Retro Running Answers Proble... StephLawsonDes... $15.00	Color-Themed Run Ring // Spo... ColorSwag $4.50
Running Bracelet Sterling Si... GotToRun $45.00	Womens Running Metal Art Med... KnobCreekMetal... $23.99	Marathon, Marathon shorts, m... TutuHot $20.00
Adult Running Shirt - I Eat ... SportekAthleti... $15.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Treasury Thursday ~ Origami Treasures

So usually it’s Treasury Tuesday but this week we’re gonna shake it up a bit and call it Treasury Thursday.

Everything here this week is Origami. I love the precision and detail that goes into this kind of art. It really is something to look at, especially up close. I have no clue how people can see a flat piece of paper and turn it into a beautiful shape.

Don't forget to shop small this Christmas season, everything here is hand made by someone's hard working hands.

'Origami Treasures' by Innov8iveKnits

Origami Earrings - Aqua Blue... JojiCreations $20.00	Hanging decorative art: orig... FiberStore $40.00	24 Large Origami Irises - pa... GoWithTheFolds $21.60
Glass Bulb Ornament- Glass O... Papyrusaurus $7.00	Shop Sale Pink Origami Crane... CMCCreations $8.20	Granny Owl Origami Sculpture... AMSkrafts $12.25
Christmas decoration - yello... SilverAmberArt... $45.00	Special Order - 3 Origami Di... luluslittlesho... $19.50	Christmas Origami Box Handma... PaperCraftLady $6.00
Globe of Stars - Origami 5 i... bookBW $40.00	Origami Fox Print - 11x14 mo... noodlehug $27.00	Wearable origami. Hand scree... mmadebym $15.00
Origami Christmas Tree Ornam... PaperoniPress $36.00	Hot Pink Spiral Origami Cran... meligami $25.00	Origami Earrings - Black and... JojiCreations $20.00
Origami Collection: Choose ... HaKNiK $65.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house