Blogaversary Giveaway – We’re 3!

We love this time of year because we get to celebrate when it all started. And by all, I mean the silliness and fun and food and all the running. It started with the ladies below: Mer, Vic, Brooke, Cam, Jess, and Bec.

chicks

We’ve been here for three years now, and some things have changed. For instance, we’ve run a lot of races and earned a lot of medals.

medal Collage

We ran a lot of those races in costume. We really, REALLY like costumes. We might need an intervention.

Costume Collage

Most importantly, we’ve made some amazing friends and have been lucky enough to be a part of the best community in the world, the running community. You inspire us in so many ways, every day. You set your goal, you get out there, and you get it done. You push htrough pain, obstacles, and downward spirals in motivation, and yet you achieve and succeed. We are so proud of you because you. Are. Epic. Thank you for sharing your journeys with us.

friends Collage

friend2 Collage

Because you’re so awesome, you deserve a present! We’ve put together a special prize package this year, including a medal rack handmade by yours truly, and some other fabulous stuff from brands we love to support.

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This year’s giveaway includes a custom made medal rack with bib holder and chalkboard, a pair of size S/M PROCompression Socks, a KatieK Active headband and $25 gift certificate, a pair of YakTrax PRO size Medium, a SkirtSports Workout tank size large, a  collectible Disney Vinylmation Mickey Figurine, and a Blistex lip care pack.

To enter, click the Rafflecopter Link below. Good luck!!

Blogaversaryrafflecopter

Click here to enter!

The giveaway runs from 2/29/16 – 3/7/16 and is open to United States residents who live in the contiguous 48 states only. Winner will be notified by email on 3/7/16 and has 24 hours to claim their prize. If not claimed in 24 hours, another winner will be chosen. 

Show ‘Em Your Rack, A Tutorial

A while back, I posted about my plan to make a medal rack and share it with you, and this weekend, the planets finally aligned to allow me the time to get my craft on. Of course, there are a few things that always make DIY projects better.

Things like a snowy morning.

snow

And Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Colin Firth IS Mr. Darcy.

So, now that we’re all in agreement on that, let’s proceed, shall we? Here’s what you’ll need for this project:

supplies

Supplies:                                                                                                                                                                                   

Wood plaque of your choice                                            Chalkboard Paint                                                        Magnetic Clips

Primer                                                                                       2 Coat Hooks                                                                 Aluminum or Tin Strip

Paint Tinted color of your Choice                                Picture Frame Hook and Nails

Tools:________________________________________________________________________

Hammer                                                                                  Ruler                                                                              Level

Pencil                                                                                       Marker                                                                           Sandpaper or Sanding Block

Drill  or Screwdrivers                                                       Painter’s Tape                                                             Bristle Paintbrush

Foam Tip Paint Brush                                                      Fine Tipped Paint Brush for Touching Up

______________________________________________________________________________________

Step 1: Using a fine grit sandpaper or sanding block, lightly sand any rough areas on your wood piece. Pay attention to edges and corner in particular.

Step 2: Using a piece of paper, make a template for your chalkboard area to help you decide where you want it on your plaque. Once you have decided on placement, mark the corners with a pencil.

Step 2

Step 3: Using a ruler and pencil, outline the desired area. Make sure your lines are straight and centered. Tape off the inside of your area with painters tape. Later you will paint the inside of your rectangle with chalkboard paint.

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Step 4: Paint your plaque with primer. Be careful not to get any in the taped off area. Let dry.

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Step 5: Paint over the primer with your tinted paint. Let dry.

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Step 6: Paint a second coat of your colored paint. Once it’s dry, remove the painter’s tape.

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Step 7: Tape off the painted area around your chalkboard area. Paint the bare wood with two coats of primer. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly, and sand lightly between coats. This will help ensure a smoother writing surface once the chalkboard paint is applied.

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Step 8: Apply two coats or chalkboard paint, allowing each coat to dry completely between coats.

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Step 9: After the chalkboard paint is dry, remove the tape. Touch up any areas with a small tipped paint brush if needed.

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Step 10: Affix the tin strip (or pieces, as the case may be). Decide where you want your bibs to hang, and using a pencil, outline the strip. Nail in place. I had some tin tiles laying around my house, and used tin snips to cut them to the desired shape and size.

tin Collage

Step 11: Affix the picture frame hanger on the back. First, find the center of your plaque and mark it with a pencil. Then, find the center of the hanger and mark it with a marker. Next, align the two marks and nail your hanger to your plaque.

hanger collage

Hanger Collage 2

Step 12: Affix your medal hooks. Decide where you want them to go, and mark the screw holes with a pencil. It’s easier to start the holes using a drill and a bit. Using the hardware that came with your hooks, attach them to your plaque.

hooks

hook Collage

Step 13: Celebrate because YOU ARE DONE. And you rock! All that is left to do is hang your new medal rack. Then, attach your bibs to the clips and hang your bling from the hooks. Look how awesome you are!

I had my magnetic clips a little crooked in this shot, but you get the idea.

I had my magnetic clips a little crooked in this shot, but you get the idea.

finished Collage

 

I am loving how this project turned out. Now, I just need more medals to hang from it!

How do you display your medals? Have you made your own rack, or anything else, for that matter? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Show Me Your (Medal) Rack!

The medal is one of the best things about racing, right? We work so hard for them, and they represent our big accomplishment. I don’t know about you, but if I had 5 minutes to evacuate my house, my medals are coming with me. It’s only right that they are given an honored place in our homes and are handsomely displayed. Just like our dreams should be.

Cam's Wall of Triumph

Cam’s Wall of Triumph

 

Meri's bib board (a few years back)

Meri’s bib board (a few years back)

But my two half marathon medals deserve a nice rack on which to be proudly displayed. Currently, my two medals are in my office at work, hanging from a coat hanger.

It's tragic.

It’s tragic.

Since I like to make stuff I’ve decided to make a rack myself. I went to Michaels today and got a nice 12×16 wood  blank plaque that I can do whatever I like to!

And a coloring book because of reasons.

And a coloring book because of reasons.

The thing is, what to do? I found some inspiration (thank you, Pinterest), and imagine I will incorporate some of these elements into my rack.  I love this one because you can use any old shelf or hard surface since you’ll cover it with the bibs using Mod Podge. We love upcycling!

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This one I liked because it’s so beautiful you could display your bling anywhere in the house!

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I will probably end up using a little chalkboard paint because I like having the option to track times or to just write myself a note to stay motivated.

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I can’t wait to get started on this project! I’ll share the progress in Instagram, but please share photos of your rack. Or pile. Or coat hooks. Lemme see what creative ways you’re honoring your bling!

Sport Hooks: A review and giveaway

I love to organize. Just ask my husband.

I make piles and lists. Lots of lists. And as you know, I also collect some goodies in baskets.

A few weeks back, I shared some photos of a few of my favorite medals. Then, many of you were kind enough to share some photos of YOUR special medals.

Last month, I received an beautiful medal rack from Marcey at Sport Hooks. The five-hook rack is stunning, and made of a heavy medal, so I am absolutely loving how durable it is.

20130901-192419.jpgMy new medal rack, freshly-installed by yours truly!

That’s right! I found our drill and used it for the first time – all by myself – to install the rack. It literally took about a minute. Easy peasy! The lengthy process for me was deciding where it would go. Once up, I decided to display some of my fave medals — the rest remain in ye ‘ole medal basket.

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Part of what I love so much about this rack is the woman behind the design. Marcey is a runner like you and me — though she’s a marathon maniac, having run 86 marathons since 2000. Now that’s an incredible accomplishment! Let’s give Marcey a huge hand!

As she collected bling in the past decade, Marcey said she realized she needed a medal display that was both functional and stylish. Thus, Sport Hooks was born!

Sport Hooks by Heavy Medalz has been in business for seven years and offers 1-hook, 3-hook, 5-hook and 10-hook displays. Her designs transcend all sports — running, swimming, triathlons, gymnastics, dance, martial arts, softball, golf. The list goes on and on!

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Click here to see Individual sport medal rack options.

And click here to learn about the team sport medal rack choices.

And the company also makes some unique medal racks, specifically for IRONMAN triathletes and fans of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, as well as runDisney fans! Others have inspirational quotes or distances.

All of her displays are quality and beautiful conversation-starters.

Here are a few of my faves:

IronmanIronman 5-hook medal display

RnR-5-hook-BlackRnR 5-hook medal display

boston-bust-5hkChasing Boston? Then this rack is for you!

Sport Hooks has generously offered one of you lucky Scoot readers a five-hook medal rack of your choice! Any sport, any style. Can’t beat that! To enter, click on the Rafflecopter pic below. Giveaway runs through Sept. 11.

rafflecoptersporthooks

Click the pic to enter

Disclaimer: I received one Sport Hooks medal hanger for review. All words and opinions are my own. Giveaway prize donated by Sport Hooks.