Last 2 Days To Vote!

It's the last 2 days to vote for my Chest Redo, nominated for Best of March 2011 at Saturday Mornings.

Be sure the check out the other 22 finalists and get your projects ready for Best of April!

Vote For Me!

I am so excited to tell you that my Chest Redo was chosen for the Best Of March 2011 at Saturday Mornings!  There were 23 finalists chosen out of over 700 entries... and I'm one of them! Yay!

So go over to Saturday Mornings and Vote For Me!  You can vote once a day, each day until April 1st.  I have a chance at winning some super cool prizes so please help me out :)

Wine For The Weekend

I found a cute little crate with a Napa Valley vineyard stamp imprinted on the side at the thrift store for $0.75.  My thesis for our kitchen is evolving into a vineyard  "theme"... even though I'm not really a wine connoisseur.  I don't know what it is about those little grapes that has grabbed my attention.... but I like it!

Anyway, I've seen some crates out there... where bloggers have made their own out of paint sticks, etc.  But I'm not sure I have the patience for that.  So when I saw this at the thrift store for $0.75 I didn't hesitate to pick it up. 

This had a small imperfection that was easily mended with a pair of pliers and hammer.



I guess someone gave it up because they couldn't take 2 seconds and fix it!

I took a little stain and slapped some on there.  I started with Minwax Antique Walnut.  Once that was dry I applied a bit of Minwax Mahogany in random spots. 

Once it completely dried I screwed in some little handles I found at Hobby Lobby for $1.50 each.  I thought it would be super cute as a portable wine crate.

Here's how it turned out:

Time for a glass!  Hope you all have a great weekend.

As always, I was Born To Party.  Click here to link back to all the great parties I join each week!



Who Doesn't Love Giveaways?

I rarely win anything... I mean, I try but usually I'm just not the luckiest person in the world.  Okay, enough of feeling sorry for myself.  Now let's try to change that!  Sassy Style Redesign is hosting a giveaway for a $25 gift card to Impel Clothing right now.  This is one that I really hope I win!  They have such cute stuff... tanks, dresses, jeans, jewelry.  With spring approaching it's time to update the wardrobe.  And this is the perfect chance!  Even if I don't win, I think I'll still order a couple things that are just too good to pass up.  Wish me luck! :)

Old World Candlesticks

First of all, let me apologize in advance for the HORRIBLE pictures.  My (almost 3 year old) curious son got a hold of our digital camera to partake in some wildlife photography of some cheerful birds out on the front lawn.  Well he got a little overzealous and dropped it right on the lens.  Needless to say it took a $*!% and now I'm in need of a new one.  My husband (the handyman) did the best he could to try and fix it, not knowing a thing about camera lens repair.  So now in order to use it, I have to manually pull the lens out every time I turn it on.... and it sure doesn't want to focus in on anything.  Anyway, I'll work on getting a new one.... GRRRRRR!  But for now here's a little project I just finished up.

If you saw my Thrifty Finds post from a few days ago, you saw these little $4 beauties just waiting for some painting love.

If you've seen any of my previous glazing techniques, you know I'm all about layering.  It's pretty simple really... I started with a base coat of pure white.  Actually I sprayed some white primer on and left it as is.  I didn't have any white spray paint, and I'm too cheap (and lazy) to go and get some. 

Anyway, once the primer was dry, I applied some Valspar color glaze in Raw Umber using a brush and just working it into the crevices.  I let dry overnight. 

Next I used some plain black paint and took my sons water color paint brush and applied small amounts in the cracks and crevices working in sections.  Before each section dried, I took a dry brush and dabbed, dabbed, dabbed the paint around.  (Notice there are no pictures of this process!)..... (hmmmm, wonder why?)  Anyway, then I just wiped off a few areas to allow some of the white to show through.

Here you go.... Old World Candlesticks!

I still need to spray some satin poly sealer on them to give a protective coat.  But that will have to wait til the weather cooperates and the wind stops blowing.  (That's another saga!) :)

Again, I'm sorry about the blurry pics.  If anyone has a suggestion on what brand/type of camera to purchase, I'd greatly appreciate it.  I'm not too savvy on the technical stuff.  Just as long as it works good and is toddler proof.  Okay that might be too much to ask for.  I'll just be more careful of putting it up and out of arms reach!

And as always, I was born to party.  Click here to link back to all the FANTASTIC parties I join each week.  

Monday's Musings

It's Just Another Manic Monday.... not my fun day!  Okay, that's an oldie but a goodie! hahaha!

Just a few more shout outs to give today.  I was featured on some super cool blogs for a couple of my recent projects.  Inside Out Design liked my DIY Decorative Books and posted them on her site.  She does MIY (Make It Yourself) projects on a budget.  Who doesn't love that?  Karen at Pocket Full of Pink also liked my cheap but cute books and showcased them as part of her Spring Favorites.  Super cute blog, stop by for a visit!  Carrie over at Dittle Dattle featured my Pier 1 Knockoff on her Amaze Me Monday party.  There are some great ideas over there, so be sure to check it out... and I'll see you there! 

Well still no project to report today.  Although there are a couple in the works.  I spent the weekend working out in the yard.  It's A LOT to take care of.  We kinda live on a farm.  Here's just a peek!

My little helper!!

7 raised garden beds just waiting for some yummy veggies!!!

This is Rizo the rooster.  Yep we have chickens!

Fresh eggs anyone?

A cute $2 chicken sign for the coop :)

A view from the back... this is only the west side of our yard.... there's more!

This is the most awesome grapevine trellis... just waiting to bloom!

And here is a cool piece I had to run and get this weekend.  It was FREE on my local classifieds.  SCORE!  I'm not even sure where I'll put it or how I'll paint it (suggestions?), but you can't pass up a freebie. 

Anyway, I'll put away my yard shoes for a day or two and finish up a couple of my projects so I'll have some tutorials to show you during the week.  Happy Monday to ya!

Thrifty Finds

Well, I don't have a project for you today.  Actually the one I was going to post FAILED big time!  You know when you have a great idea and get to work on it.  Then it turns out totally different than you imagined.  Or one of your family members makes a comment on it and totally ruins it for you?  Okay, so you do feel my pain :)

Anyway, rather than starting on something else yesterday I decided to go thrifting with my sister-in-law and her girls.  It was a lot of fun... and I got some great deals.  Here are some of my finds:





Do you love the 70's wallpaper in the back ground?

 


I found this great big metal star for only $1.50!  A couple of old looking pots for $1 each..... this cute red frame for only 50 cents, a little wooden toy box for my sons room (it was $3 but I couldn't resist).... Then these scrolly metal things for $2 each.  Not sure what I'll do with them yet, but I know I'll find a place for them!

Then I SCORED these super heavy metal candlesticks.  They were a little pricey in my book at $4 each.  But they have some killer potential.

This lamp is pretty cute, but I have plans to revamp it into something different.  It was only $5.

I think I found some great stuff... and didn't pay a lot (I think I got out of there for under $25).... and now I'll have some super cool projects to show you.  HOPEFULLY!  Since I failed my last one I'll have to redeem myself.  Stay tuned!... and have a great weekend! 

Chest Redo

I am many things in this world... but a furniture re-finisher is not one of the things I'm best at.  I've made a few meager attempts at it, but it takes practice.  Thank goodness for thrift store furniture! 

I've been working on a piece I've had stashed away in the basement for quite a while.  When I first got it (MANY moons ago) it was just a plain old brown ugly thing I got from the thrift store.  I don't recall how much it was, but back then things were priced pretty well.  That was way before thrifting became so popular and prices starting skyrocketing!  (But that's a whole other topic!)

I am excellent at painting walls... so why not this?  I thought I'd try my hand at it.  At the time (again, MANY moons ago), crackle finish was all the rage.  I didn't want to put it all over my walls, so this was the perfect opportunity to try it out.  Who knows what I was thinking because this is how it turned out.

I KNOW!  Hideous right?  Okay, so do-over time! 

Anyway, it really is a good solid piece of furniture and just the right size to store all of our extra winter blankets.  I wanted to try something a little different and I've seen a few ideas in the blogoshpere that looked interesting.  I had never stained wood over paint, but apparently it can be done. 

So I started with some old paint I had in the garage... I was surprised it could still be mixed up.  But I'm cheap and didn't want to go buy anything special for it.  So it would have to do.  It's just a creamy whitish tan color.  Two coats of that and left to dry.

Next I used Minwax stain in Ebony.  I wanted something different.  Once I got it on there and started to wipe it off, it just looked too gray for my taste.  So I experimented and put some Dark Walnut stain over the top of that.  Ooooh... that looks cool!

I basically had to play around with it and work it onto the surface to get the look I wanted.  So I applied it on with a brush and then wiped it off with an old t-shirt.  Then took a dry brush and worked it in some more.  

When it was FINALLY dry... like after 2 days!... I applied a thin coat of satin poly and added some cute knobs from Hobby Lobby.  Here's how my second attempt turned out.

I love how some of the previous crackle still shows through! 

I think it looks MUCH better!  But I've contemplated adding just a little something else on the top.  Maybe a monogram?  Or a stencil of some sort?  What do you think?  Any suggestions would be awesome!

And as always, I was born to party!  Click here to link back to one of the many great link-up parties I join each week.  

  

Bloggers Are The Best!

OMG you guys ~ Thank you for all the fantastic shout outs!  You really know how to make a girl feel like a Supa Star!

I've received some buzz about my Pier One Knockoff and it has recently been featured on a few sites I'd like to share with you.

Knock Off Decor showcased my post on her fabulous site.  If you love a good knock off you MUST check out this blog.  It is extremely well written and designed and the place to go for all of the great copycat design ideas in blog land.  Definitely a must see!








The DIY Home Sweet Home Project showcased my plate creation on her blog.  This site has some great ideas on crafting, recipes, sewing, decor, DIY, and a variety of projects for bloggers.  Plus has a More The Merrier Monday link up party where you can showcase your own creations.  Go check it out!






Extreme Personal Measures is another great site that features blog projects from around the blogoshphere.  This is a one-stop-shop for bloggers to check out the latest and greatest and also has Tutorial & Thrifty Treasures Tuesday link up party.  Be sure to stop by this one!






And just another big THANK YOU to all the wonderful bloggers and followers.  You guys ROCK!

DIY Decorative Books

Hello!  Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.  Spring is definitely in the air!  I've been taking advantage of the nice days to get out and do some yard work.  Our property is a little over a half acre so it's a lot to take care of and it pays to get a head start. 

In between cleaning up yard debris and trying to continue my new year's resolution of exercising, I've been working on a few projects.  A few small ones and one big one.  I have a blanket chest that I started last week and it's coming along quite nicely.  I probably won't have that done for a few more days though.  So for the meantime, here's just a little crafty project to get you by.

I've been seeing decorative books EVERYWHERE!  I really like the idea of using them on side tables or on shelves.  I've seen some in catalogs that cost an arm and a leg.... and why?  Who knows!  But I decided to just make my own.

So off to the dollar store where they actually sell hard back books.  Not that I would ever actually read any of them. LOL!  But for only $1 each it's a good way to go for DIY decorative books.

I made sure to get the cutest ones they had that would coordinate with some other accessories I was going to set them next to. 

I sifted through my scrap booking supplies and picked out some cute paper and embellishments.  I measured the paper over the ends of the books and cut them to size.  Then I used some mod podge to glue it on and put two coats over the top to seal it.  (I think mod podge is my new best friend!) haha!

Next I knew I wanted some kind of decorative element on the top of one of them.  I had this cute floral patterned paper that I wanted to mimic... but I'm definitely not an artist.  So I experimented and found the perfect way to do it. 

I taped the paper to the book and traced out the pattern with a pencil, making sure to press down really hard to create an indentation on the cover.  Once I peeled up the paper, the floral  pattern was indented on there.  Sweet!



You can see the top portion where I had already traced.



Then I just painted it and added a few little embellishments.  And voila!  Total cost of this project was $2!

I put them on this little side table/nightstand that I distressed (click here to see that). 

Cheap and easy just the way I like it! LOL :)

I was Born To Party!  Click here to link back to one of the many great linkup parties I join each week.  And if you wanna see more, click on Follower at the top and join the fun!

Also entering this competition:

2 For 1 Friday ~ Mod Podge & Paint/Pier 1 Knockoff

Are you like me and have 50 projects just waiting for your attention?  You've scored a good find, have a plan of action, and have every intention of getting to it at some point in time... but then someone beats you to the punch!  DANG!  Well, it happens.  There are a lot of creative people out there in blog land.  But then again, great minds think alike, right?  And I'm sure things have been repeated in one way or another... but when you see a similar idea posted by someone else before you get a chance to display your creation, you just can't help but feel a little behind.  Well it happened to me folks.  That's okay, this is all part of the game.  And part of sharing our ideas!  I think that's why we blog about what we've created anyway... share the wealth right?  More on that later.

Anyway, this project is a decorative plate I found at the thrift store.  I saw one at Pier 1 Imports that I absolutely adored!  But with a price tag of $130 I didn't have the means to go out and buy it at the time. 

Isn't it so great?

Anyway, during one of my many thrifting outings... with my mom of course!... I scored this baby for $4!

I knew it had some killer potential.  It's quite large and heavy duty... plus the price was right.  So I didn't hesitate to snatch it up.  I instantly came home and searched Pier One to remind myself of how great that piece was.  Okay, so now what?  How can I replicate it? 

I'm all about painting something to change the appearance... but I wanted to create the same look and I really didn't want to go out and buy anything else.  Use what you have right?  So after rummaging through all my stuff, there it was... TISSUE PAPER!  Now how can I glue it on there?  I've heard of Mod Podge although I had never used it before.  How hard could it be?  So off to Hobby Lobby.  I picked some up and brought it home.

Being a Mod Podge virgin I didn't really know what to expect... but then again do we ever going into a new project.  So I basically just went to town.

I spread the Mod Podge on the plate and laid the tissue paper on top... smoothing it down as I went.  BTW this stuff doesn't smell the greatest!

It took 2 pieces of tissue.  After that was on I applied another coat of Mod Podge on top and left it to dry. 

Then I did what I do best.... glazing!  All of my glaze is Valspar.  I started with Raw Umber, then a custom mix of clear glaze and black paint (3 parts glaze to 1 part paint), and the final application of a metallic bronze.

Here's how it turned out!

Total cost:  $4 for the plate, tissue paper FREE, Mod Podge $7 (but I have SO MUCH leftover for MORE projects!!!) = $.050 for what I used for this project!), paint (already had) ~ $4.50.  Not bad compared to $130!!

Now back to the part where someone else has had a similar idea.  Check out this creation using the same tissue paper and Mod Podge by Creative Juices Decor! 

Thanks for stopping by, hope you all have a fabulous weekend! :)

Entering this project in this competition: