Last month I was selected as one of 25 finalist for Home and Family’s Next DIY Star on the Hallmark Channel.

My experience on the home and family showThey flew each of us to Los Angeles, California to film a segment representing our DIY Style.  We supplied them with our idea and a supply list and they took care of the rest.  I had such an amazing time and I tried really hard to take as many pictures as possible so I could share as much of my experience with you.  I hope you enjoy this post because I smiled the entire time I was writing it.

My experience on the home and family showThis is the idea I submitted:  How to give a basic Ikea dresser the look of a high end piece of furniture.
My experience on the home and family show
My adventure started on a Tuesday afternoon.  It was a 3 1/2 hour non-stop flight from Kansas City to LAX.  I was so excited to get there I skipped all the way to the baggage claim.

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Because L.A. is in the Pacific Time Zone, I was able to make it just in time for Happy Hour at the hotel and who did I see bellied up to the bar???  The Competition! LOL.  Clearly I was okay with it because Jeremy Rabe and I became fast friends.  We laughed because I ordered a draft beer and he ordered wine.

Home and Family Show charlotte

On Wednesday, I didn’t have to be on set until 1:00pm but I got up early and got dressed so I could make sure and watch this beautiful person, Charlotte Smith of Ciburbanity.com.  She, too is a finalist.  Let me tell you…we had a very stacked week with some serious competition.  Anyway, she did a great job.  You can see her segment on Hallmarkchannel.com/homeandfamily.

home and family show universal

After Charlotte’s segment, one of the Home and Family staff members took me on a private tour of Universal Studios.  To say I was excited would be a HUGE understatement.  I was so giddy!  This is a picture of me at the town square from “Back To The Future”.  See the clock?

home and family psycho
home and family bates motel

You all remember the classic movie “Psycho”?  The picture on the left is from the actual movie filmed in 1960.  The picture on the right is the one I took on the set…isn’t that crazy how well they have preserved all of the movie memorabilia?

home and family whovillle

How can the set of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” not make you smile?  This is still a show I watch and enjoy every year.

home and family cars

Any car buffs out there?  We have the original Firebird from Smokey and the Bandit on the left and the car from The Fast & The Furious on the right.  Pretty cool huh?

home and family harry potter

I arrived at the Home and Family set at 1:00pm and they had all of my supplies set up and ready for me to go.  My first day was just a prep day.  This was my view from my work space…who doesn’t love a little Harry Potter magic right?

 

home and family instructionsOne of the staff members took me around and made quick intros and then I got to work.  I completely finished one dresser on prep day so we would have an after picture or as they say on set…the hero shot.  To see a full tutorial on the Ikea Hack I featured on the show, click here.

My experience on the home and family show

The second day was filming day.  I had so much fun on set and got to meet so many amazing people…these are people I have watched on TV for years.

After filming, I jumped on the red eye to head home to my family.  The show aired on Friday and I was home in time to watch it live.  It was surreal seeing myself on The Hallmark Channel…a channel that I have been watching for as long as I can remember.

Here is the link to my Home and Family segment in case you missed it.

Whats next you ask?  Well… The final round runs for 5 weeks.  Each of the 25 contestants is randomly given a date to film.  At the end of each week, 1 of the  5 contestants will be selected as the winner for that week and will advance to the final final round.  I seriously had the time of my life and have my fingers crossed that they advance me to that last round.

Each and everyone of you inspire me and I LOVE to see the work that you’ve created. Feel free to share with me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. And as always, be sure to follow Diva Of DIY on Pinterest and sign up for our FREE Newsletter to receive the latest projects delivered straight to your inbox!