Meet the Woods
Over the river and through the woods, to Melissa’s house we go…
Welcome to the Woods is a blog about all inspiring at the Woods’ household. My name is Melissa Woods and I write to help inspire and motivate you to get creative with DIY home improvement, seasonal crafts, and home decor advice! If you love making a house into a home, you’ll feel right at home here.
I am a young mom to four wonderful kids, Lillian (11) Nicholas (9) and Theodore (7) and Liam (2)! I am married to my high school sweetheart, Stephen. He encourages me to push myself in life. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and Stephen prodded me to start a blog for almost a year before I took the plunge in January of 2014. His pride in my creative and parenting abilities helped me to believe I had something valuable to share.
My hope for this blog is that I write an article to help you, inspire you, or improve your home.
It is amazing to be able to reach out to someone you might never have met and touch their lives. I thank my husband for encouraging me to start it, I know I’ve helped at least a few people already. I really hope you stick around and sign up for my email newsletter; this is my blog to give you a glimpse into life in the Woods.
You have done amazing I’ve learnt a some good ideas Thank you
Good luck with your writing x
Hi Melissa,
Please sign me up for your newsletter. I am a stay-at-home mom and a parent volunteer at a local school. I run a grade 1-8 craft program with another lady for about 137 students in rotating groups. (I would look forward to sharing ideas with you. I like your toilet roll and construction paper pumpkin.) I will teach the kids how to make paper mache fruits and veggies and hornets (our school mascot) for the next 6 weeks. The older students will be adding details such as textures and seeds for “sectioned fruit”. I can’t wait to see the results. I will tie this in with a lesson on colour pigments and nutrition. Do you have anything you would like to share? Thanks for your effort. I really enjoy your stuff.
Maria Fleet – AKA The Crafty Pirate
Ontario, Canada
I visited your blog this morning and enjoyed it very much! What a beautiful family! Your children are so blessed to have such a talented creative Mom and Dad.
Thank you!
Hi melissa, i was skimming through youtube to check out aome diy and i ran across your video on stairs makeover. I love it. I would like to get into some diy myself. What do you suggest me start taking some classes? Wood working? I like to do rustic to modern idea. Furniture home decor. Etc. I just dont know where to start?
Thanks Hong! I got started painting furniture, which lead to building very simple things like wooden signs. Eventually, after years of odds and ends, I was able to build things myself. It takes a lot of patience and perseverance. I taught myself, but watching youtube videos and taking a class to expedite your learning is a great idea. I would start with projects that are very simple. If you’re interested in DIY, be sure to follow my blog!
Melissa
Hi, I just discovered your blog today. I have already watched three videos! I am a full-time working mom of three so I don’t have a lot of time (or money) to run to craft and Home Improvement stores. I really love how use things around the house or things you found at yard sales or paint at the recycling center to make things simple and easy and quick!
Aw I’m so glad you found me, Jennifer! Thank you for the sincere comment.
Melissa
Hi Melissa!
I would really like to see if a collaboration would be possible with you. Please feel free to email me and I can give you all the fun details. Your site is absolutely gorgeous by the way!
Thank you!
I love your home Decore.
Thank you Lisa! <3
Your Blog is wonderful. I am a retired photographer and love to do painting and all kinds of crafts.
Love your Blog! Please add me so I can get your news letter. Thank you!!
Wonderful Jean! I’m so glad you found me. I added your email to my newsletter list, thank you for following along!
Hey Melissa!
I saw the video (don’t remember where, but I lovvved it) where you took the Thankful, Grateful, Blessed window pane and turned it into a Christmas one.
In the video you mentioned where you get your paint markers from, Amazon i believe, but I can’t remember the name of it!
Would you be able to tell me what brand they are?
Thanks!!
Sharlene Rogers
Here’s the affiliate link Sharlene! http://amzn.to/2nO3jwd This white marker is awesome – Rustoleum brand – for writing on windows and glass. Otherwise, if you were looking for my favorite permanent paint pens, here’s the 5-pack Sharpie brand: http://amzn.to/2BJwIRF
Hi Melissa. I watched with great interest your video on making a clock from pallets. What kind of tool did you use to cut the curves on the clock face? Thanks!
Hi Paul! Thanks for asking 🙂 It’s just a multi-tool I found at Aldi actually. It has three uses: two different types of blades and a sanding attachment. You can find something similar on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2uhedAY (aff link)
Hi, I’m inspired by your DIY projects. Our home is a split level of the same age and I’ve been looking for ideas. Please include me in your newsletter list or weekly updates. Thanks
Sounds good – I will add you to the email list! 🙂 I actually recently moved so we now live in an old two-story. However, I did a lot of updates to our split level you can find throughout this site if you visit my project list: https://www.welcome-to-the-woods.com/project-list/
Hi Melissa,
I love the hollow birch bark ideas, as I’ve found those in the woods behind our house. I would like to be added to your email list. Clicking on the logical place to sign up didn’t work. I, also want to start marketing some of my crafts, just don’t know how to start. Thanks. Wanda
hi Wanda! I signed you up for the email list, I’m sorry my pop-up must not be working… Also – if you’d like to connect more personally and share your crafts with my followers, please join the Welcome to the Woods group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/135624800568114/
Hi Melissa,
how can I get in touch with you? I have some collaboration ideas that would like to discuss with you.
Thanks,
Ivo
I’m enjoying your blog!
Can you please add me to your e-mail list. Many thanks
Done! Thanks Louise!
Oh please keep us posted on your DIY projects. Love the tree u did tonight
Hi, i’ ve been following you for some time now and I really enjoy your inspirational videos. I remember seeing your art work at the sleigh and many more that got me hooked! I just wanted to say good job and you are amazing at what you do. Having 3 kids and making decorations, furniture, renovations, blogging ect… I really take my hat off! Wish you and your family all the best and remember to dream big!!
Thank you so much Justina! What a sweet comment. I really appreciate followers like you! 🙂
Ok here goes, where did you get those hand squeeze clamps?
Hi Mike! Here’s an affiliate link to the closest thing I could find online. Looks like they’re only made overseas in the UK… I got mine at a garage sale. https://amzn.to/34T0FvO
Just curious how your poly crylic job held up on your countertop? I’m wanting to do my kitchen counters and my husband hates the high gloss look but I’m more worried about the staining and durability.
So far I’ve been very happy, most every stain comes up with a magic eraser or gets wiped off easily with water. I’ve only had one stain that has left a faint mark over the last three months – pickle juice. Even that spot has started to fade with time. I’ve been happy overall!
Melissa
I follow all your projects. I believe you are an innovative and compassionate designer. Your work shows true drive and your desire to get your projects done with three helpers.
I really like the front porch project and your swing on the back porch.
You keep up the outstanding DIY projects.
To you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you John!! What a kind comment.
Hi Melissa,
I found your DIY videos and you have inspired me. I’ve always been interested in home renovations. I’ve always had to hire people to do even simple things. Lately, I’ve become interested in learning how to do things myself, move a light switch, install base or door trim, use power tools. Thank you for sharing your creativity and knowledge. I look forward to learning from you!
Hi ! My name is John
I have been watching your videos and have to say I am quite impressed by your knowledge in this field .
I am a retired carpenter, spent most of my life in construction .
Keep on going a lot of people will learn a lot from you your a good teacher.
Love your teaching style & how you work with your husband. Hope you are doing well in this new year.
God bless your family!
Impressive….
Excellent – I love watching and listening to you – your sincere, professional, delightful personality – I want to watch all your videos – I hope I can figure out how to subscribe
Aw thank you! You can subscribe to just my videos on my YouTube channel https://youtube.com/welcometothewoodsblog or you can follow me for lots of behind the scenes and real-time diy on Instagram: https://instagram.com/welcometothewoodsblog
Melissa: quick question your faux fireplace DIY concrete looks lighter and more consistent than the one they show on the DIY website video. Did you do something different? The more even light grey look is what I’m looking for. Your thoughts?
Jim
Hi Jim – the colorant you add to the concrete in the second coat can be adjusted to be darker or lighter depending on what you’re looking for. 🙂 You can also apply it more consistent versus scraping away parts to reveal the previous layer of concrete like shown on the diyconcrete.com website. Hope this helps! ~ Melissa
Hi Melissa. This morning I watched your video on the front stairs you built and am totally blown away by your work, the quality of your video, and the quality of your voice over. Congratulations to you! As others have mentioned, please make some adjustments to your safety work flow, especially when using your table saw. I know taking the guard off is sometimes necessary but it provides a lot of needed safety and I try to use mine whenever possible.
I tried signing up for your newsletter but the link did not seem to be working. How can I do that?
Also, may I ask in what state you are located? You mention Great Wolf Lodge in one of your posts and I live in Ohio where we have a Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky near the Cedar Point amusement park.
Thanks again for doing such great work.
Hi Jim!
Thanks! I will get you signed up for the newsletter, I gotta fix that link I’m sorry. I live in Minnesota, Great Wolf Lodge is a national chain.
Melissa
I love how so many men (not all, but you know who you are) are either not-so-subtly flirting, offering to “collaborate” (share their knowledge or “save face” while asking a question offline), expressing their amazement at your skills (and you’re a woman, wait, what?), or giving unsolicited advice. Imagine the response if the tables were turned on the last couple.
Sorry for the rant… I just found your videos and wanted to thank you for making the content available. From what I’ve gathered you have a really diverse collection of projects posted and I’m eager to check them out. Just talking a stab (haven’t had a chance to watch many videos yet) but I’m going to guess something that really sets you apart from so many people out there is a humble approach to the process. That’s not some back-handed compliment! It’s so tiresome to scroll through the myriad “expert” videos where they tell you about this amazing new invention: French cleats! Or the obligatory shop wall shots; “Oh, am I standing in front of my three Japanese saws? See how much gravity I have in my shop, all 40 of my straight edges hang straight down.”
I really appreciate seeing a project sans all the this-will-show-them-I’m-a-big-deal nonsense. Finally, I can watch a build with the sound on!
Thank you for sharing all your hard work and sorry on behalf of those of us with only one X chromosome. Pretty sure it’s where humility, tact, and a bunch of other great qualities are stored. Please keep it coming!
Rodney your comment made my day. I’m not sure but I sure do get a lot of those comments and sometimes it makes me lose a little faith in humanity. My husband reminds me that the bad apples are the ones most likely to say something and therefore I need to remember most people are respectful, kind humans. Your comment here proves that, thank you. 🙂
I have been a DIY guy for a long time. Learned by doing, in a few houses. Now my kids are about your age and stage. I realize that these days people have less vital knowledge of how to manage, how to budget, how to be self-reliant. For that reason alone I commend you greatly in sharing your adventures with make-over and the miracles that can occur with a little sweat. I will take that up one notch and say that I am also impressed with your abilities as a communicator. Your explanations are detailed, specific and full of the necessary information. Some people can do, but cannot communicate so you can take that is high praise. So… good luck with the pregnancy. The family adventure is the most important of all. The house.. the necessary vehicle to make it all happen. Best wishes in increasing the fold. Keep of those ladders meanwhile.
I came across your video on YouTube and you looked familiar, I did use to know some people with the last name of woods when I was a kid back in VA but I figure it’s a huge long shot to think you might be related but this would have been some 20 years ago so yeah anyway have a great day and go ahead and sign me up for the newsletter cause DIY is so much fun
Melissa,
You made a Wall art piece with turquoise colored paint on canvas. I have searched through so many pictures trying to decide what to put on canvas for my living room. I like the piece you made a lot and the colors. Can I buy one from you pleeeeeeeease (end my search!!!!)
I got a tremendous kick out of this website. It both reminded me of me and my wife and what we dealt with early on, and feeling like I was rooting for one of my own daughters. Well done and congratulations on the addition to the family. At the end of a rather bleak year for a lot of people I wonder if you sense how much good you might have done by digging in and trying. It’s an enormous sense that all is right with the world watching the channel, and thank you.
Well said Trevor!
How many coats of bleach did you use on your maple hutch makeover?
Just one!
Watched your deck expansion video – great – and love the Action Team Shirt!
#livegenerously
Do you have plans for the mobile workbench to build I’m looking for a PDF file with the diagrams that I can print out do you provide can you provide that? please respond.
I’m sorry I don’t have that.
Hello Melissa,
I stumbled across your YouTube channel after your kitchen floating shelf project happened to catch my eye. I haven’t had a chance to look at a lot of your content, but what I do appreciate so far is how honest you are about your diy mistakes. Many diy content creators make projects look so easy. Perhaps this is from their years of experience or aim to inspire confidence, but my projects never run smoothly. For all my preparation and planning, the unanticipated invariably happens. I make a mistake or need to make unexpected adjustments to the plans. Basically, stuff happens. I feel like I could give up, trash everything and start again or adapt. Because of sunk costs in terms of time and money, I usually push on. I love that your videos capture the reality of diy projects. You recognize that something is not turning out as you expected, acknowledge any mistakes, adjust your plans and come out with beautiful results. Your channel reaffirms that you don’t have to be perfect to create projects that are satisfying. Just get started. Thank you for the confidence.