Oops!

Thrifting! Vintage Owl Cookie Jar

2012-02-08T09:33:00.000-08:00

The weather is cold and it is hard to paint!

So I visit the Thrift stores to find treasures!

I am very picky at what I purchase - It has to be a Treasure!

Well, I found one. . .

An owl cookie jar!

It has a face on both sides! Adorable. . .

My doors are locked, you can not have it!!!!

Linked to:

Apron Thrift Girl

Harpers Happenings.com

Tangerine! Pantone color of the Year

2012-02-06T07:24:00.000-08:00

"Tangerine Tango, " Pantone's 2012 Color of the Year! I Like!

The fiery orange hue has been spotted on the runways and red carpet, but how do you incorporate it into your home?

Samanathe Friedman

Mint Home

Amazon

Bliss Living Home

Layla Grace

Drew-o-rama

Kaboodle

Coco Cozy

My Perfect Color

Lillie's Blog

My contribution to the color of the year, is an Owl! I love this color and I am sure I will be using it a lot more of it!

Wall grouping of Vintage frames: Before and After

2012-01-27T11:34:00.000-08:00

I am a Lover of Frames!

all frames

I own a plethora of them. . .

It was so fun and stressful painting a few for a grouping!

I lay them out and moved them around,

and finally went eeny meeny miny mo!

Before

a sampling of similar frames

My Favorite color at the moment is Turquoise, teal, aqua anything in that color pallet. So my first attempt at a gallery of frames is in Valspar gloss exotic Sea.

I used various shapes and sizes and mixed wood, resin, metal and plastic. I primed them with Valspar gray spray primer, then sprayed them with exotic sea. Even though I love spray paint, I don't love when things look just spray painted. So I used Valspar Antiquing glaze - Asphaltum ( black) to bring out the detail of the frames and seal and protect them. What I love about the glaze is you can use a little or a lot of glaze depending on the look you want. I wiped most of the glaze of with a wet rag on these frames.

The next collection of frames are Ballet Slipper by Krylon.

I did exactly the same thing - eeny meenie miny mo first! Then primed, painted and glazed! I left a little more glaze on these and I Love them! I am thinking one of these frames would be nice with a chalkboard in them!

Finding Fabulous

Before and After: vintage frame cork board

2012-01-19T15:21:00.000-08:00

Miss me? I have missed you!

I needed some time to get my mojo back!

I really have been creating, just not painting furniture.

Fun things like this cork board!

Before

A $2.00 frame from the thrift store

Some cute fabric, some cork board and of course spray paint

In about an hour, from start to finish I have this. . .
If I didn't have to wait for the paint to dry, it would have been even shorter time

Voila - stinkin cute! maybe for pictures or jewelry. . .

I need some cute stick pins, I will have to work on that!

Kasey Buick One girl Talks

I am also working on a gallery wall. This is my inspiration!

So I am on the hunt for some vintage frames, any excuse to go to the thrift store!

On my visit today, no frames but this 1960's American Tourister Tiara RED luggage. I don't think it was ever used!

$2.00 I jumped for joy, it's so cute!

I can see it used for photography!

Before and After: Oak Table and 6 chairs

2011-12-09T16:22:00.000-08:00

FYI - I paint furniture and do a few crafts and my #1 post on this little ole blog is this:

Tasty Spinach Dip!!!

The recipe is found Here. Everyone and their dog must have made this for Thanksgiving, and now with all the Christmas parties, this little ole post has gone crazy! It is really really good!

Different Strokes for Different folks!

I have friends who are done with their Christmas shopping. I have friends who haven't even started, and I am some where in the middle! We are all so different and that is the beauty of living!

It is the same in decorating! Some like vintage, some like modern and I am somewhere in the middle! And once again, that is the beauty of living! The world would be so boring if we all liked the same things!

The fun part of painting furniture for people, is seeing the difference style they like! Some of you will love this table and chairs I painted for a darling girl and some of you will not.

BEFORE;

Solid wood oak chairs

Each chair painted a different color!

For a girl who loves color, this was fun!

A Black Pedestal table too!

What is your style . . . .

Linked here:

Meg and Mums

Dining Room Chairs:: Before and After

2011-12-04T20:33:00.000-08:00

Last year this is what my dining table looked like at Christmas.

I really wanted a change!

As I painted and painted and painted for other people,

I fell in love with turquoise!

So I made a few changes, so I could incorporate the color into my house.

I didn't spend a lot of money because. . .

I will change it up again, I am sure!

A few changes to the wall, a rug and new fabric on the chairs.
The desk under the mirror and picture never really belonged there, but as I wait for pickup on sold items, they have to be put somewhere. I really miss the pop of color, so I am looking for the perfect piece to paint to really leave there!

I bought the fabric and recovered only one chair. I looked at it for a month before I could commit to doing the other 7. I finally recovered them all, knowing I could do it again if I hated them.

They have grown on me!

Besides decorating the tree, buying gifts, I am reupholstering chairs - I work best under pressure!

Pink Dresser: Before and After

2011-11-29T11:48:00.000-08:00

O.K.

Here she is!

BEFORE

I really did take pics of the daunting task of removing the stickers. The pics will show up later, I am sure!

I used Goof Off 2 and a razor blade! Surprisingly, this dresser was in perfect shape after the stickers were removed!

Priming

Looking pretty good with just primer! I really wanted to paint it white, but did not have any on hand.

I did have Benjamin Moore Pink Lace though - so she is Pink and Pretty!

No Stickers and smooth as can be!

AFTER

I love the hardware and especially painted glossy white.

I used a brownish glaze to finish her off.

She has already been bought for a little girls room

They are picking it up Friday, so that gives me a few days to enjoy it!

BLACK FRIDAY - Chicken wire Frame $12.00

2011-11-23T18:50:00.000-08:00

Hey, are you a Black Friday Shopper. . . I am! I think it is fun, and so do my kids. So we make our list and check it twice and then fight the crowds. Not really caring if we get the purchase. It's more a people watching, family togetherness activity! I know crazy, but that's us!

If you follow my blog you know that I went dumpster diving and had 800 frames. I stored them in a storage unit for 3 years. Then had a garage sale, sold a lot! gave 150 to a girls camp. Gave some away to friends and my sister. Then I made a bunch of Chicken wire memo boards and sold them at Boutiques. Whew - I am almost out! Yahoo!

I want to get rid of them! So, If you would like a chicken wire memo board, I am joining in the Black Friday Frenzy and offering them at $12.00! It has a skinny frame and it measures 25.5 x 21.5.

I have about 10 reds one painted and have another 10 that that can be painted a color of your choice.

I you want a felt flower clothespin, they are $2.25. They are really cute with just clothespins.

This is what I do with mine! ~This one is smaller and the frame is wider than what I have available~

If your interested, email me at greavesma@hotmail.com

Desk: Before and After!

2011-11-22T10:28:00.000-08:00

My new Favorite!

So I have a thing for this style of furniture.

The curvy pretty legs. The detail on the drawers, and the hardware. Well I love everything about it.

It just needed a little bit of work and a fresh coat of paint, to give it a new life. It was in pretty good shape, but it needed some work. The prep work is always the most important in painting a piece of furniture. The painting is the fun part.

I taught a class on furniture painting, for the Relief Society sisters. I wanted to share prepping, priming, painting and glazing. This is what I ended up with.

I Love how the the white shows through, and the black glaze accents the details.

Yes, my new Favorite!

I primed it with Kilz oil base primer ~ the furniture had a laminate finish.The color of paint I used is Valspar ExoticSea. The Glaze is Valspar Asphaltum. I primed the handles with Valspar spray primer, and then sprayed them with Valspar Gloss white.

My pictures don't do it justice - it's Gorgeous!

My Next project.

I need some magic skills to help this piece.

Can you see the potential?

Coastal Charm

Tip Junkie

Vintage Wanna Bee

Primitive and Proper

Domestically Speaking

DIY Home Sweet Home

Beans are not just for eating!

2011-11-18T07:27:00.000-08:00

I Love Fall, the colors, the leaves, the change in the air and THANKSGIVING! Yum. . . Turkey and then the feelings of Gratitude that accompanies this holiday.

Sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas, Thanksgiving decorating is minimal around here!

Loving Pinterest and all ideas there - I found an easy one for Thanksgiving decorating.

My Hearts Desire

Being the proud owner of too many jars, I decided to put them to use.

Thanksgiving, I do love you and won't neglect you again!

~The gobble gobble turkey is $1.00 thrift store find spray painted~ Ha Ha surprise surprise!

Just keep swimming!

2011-11-08T05:59:00.000-08:00

Too busy to blog!

Every once in a while I have a few more reponsibilities than time!

It will pass, but until it does, I am going to take NEMO's advice-

JUST KEEP SWIMMING!

I know everyone loves a good before and after,

especially me!

I only have the afters,

So your imagination is needed here today!

Ugly old wood nightstand with lots of character!

bought by a darling mom, for her daughter!

I had a hard time giving this next one up.

In fact, I bought fabric to match my spare bedroom,

but I can't keep everything!

So when I saw this adorable fabric, I knew that it would

be perfect for this rocker!

Another cute Mom, is putting it in her nursery!

The one before picture I have, is the fabric that was on this rocker,
I used it as the pattern for the new cushion.

I love both these pieces and I am so happy they went to a good home!
~update~ The Fabric is Button Blooms by WAVERLY bought at JoAnns.

linked to:
Coastal Charm

Clock redo! Before and After

2011-11-02T09:23:00.000-07:00

So I am a little sentimental,

or maybe a little crazy!

I can't get rid of things that have memories.

My kids gave me this clock, maybe a birthday? And I loved it.

The problem is, it quit working. I replaced the batteries several times hoping it would work.

Well, here is the crazy part.

I left it hanging on the wall, not working.

I could not get rid of it!

I decided to be a big girl.

No, I didn't get rid of it - baby steps!

Here is the Clock!

Here it is now!

I took the clock apart and sprayed the frame and G with Valspar antique white, and then glazed it with Asphaltum (it's black) glaze from Lowe's. I used Scotch super 77 spray adhesive to bond the first layer of muslin (needed to hide the numbers) then used the Scotch super 77 spray adhesive to bond the burlap to the muslin. I stapled the burlap to the back of the clock and used Monster glue to attach the Letter G. Put it back together and hung it where the clock hung, in the family room!

I love to see things get a second life, that's why I do what I do!

Linked here:
The Idea Room
Tip Junkie

Painted Brass Candlesticks: Before and After

2011-11-01T08:46:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a while since I blogged! I had a Boutique, a birthday,

and Bear scare!

Went on a hike in a primitive area with my hubby, and we were the only ones on the mountain. A Bear growled to let us know it was there, and Jay said Freeze. I was frozen for 20 minutes. I know what FEAR is.

But, hey I am blogging, so we made it out alive!

We have had some beautiful fall weather, but the forecast said it would end. So I spray painted my little heart out, knowing my days were numbered.

Any one else hooked on pinterest?

I decided instead of looking, I would do!

I have a collection of brass candlesticks, and I thought they looked great just as they were! I was wrong!

My new found love, painted brass candlesticks!

wish I hadn't passed all of the ones I found at the thrift store, now I want them, I can't find them!

Linked to:

Tip Junkie

Dinner in a Pumpkin!

2011-10-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

It is almost Halloween! Hasn't this Holiday turned into a crazy fun one? The decorations, the costumes, the parties! Wow!!!!

We have a Halloween tradition - Dinner in a Pumpkin!
I am sure you have some fun ones too!

Dinner in A Pumpkin

1 small to medium pumpkin
1 onion, chopped ( I don't like this much onion, so I use less)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1-1/2 to 2 lbs. ground beef
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 (4-oz.) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 (10-3/4-oz.) cream-of-chicken soup
1-1/2 cups cooked rice
1 (8-oz.) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
Cut off the top of the pumpkin and thoroughly clear out seeds and pulp. Paint a face on the front of the pumpkin with a permanent marking pen or acrylic paint. Preheat oven to 350. In a large skillet, saute onions in oil until tender. Add meat and brown. Drain drippings from skillet. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, mushrooms and soup. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add cooked rice and water chestnuts. Spoon mixture into the cleaned pumpkin shell. Replace pumpkin top and place entire pumpkin with filling, on a baking sheet. Bake 1 hour or until inside meat of the pumpkin is tender. Serves 6

You have to try it!

How to back a picture or chalkbord - Before and After!

2011-10-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

I bought a quart of Valspar chalkboard paint,

and I could do a thousand chalkboards with it.

so I just might!

I have gone a little chalkboard mad,

but it's addicting.

I love to buy old vintage frames, but they are old vintage frames.

They look really really good from the front painted.

Stinkin cute Spencer!

So Many possiblilites with chalk board frames!

Not so lovley from the back. . .
So here is how to make the back pretty!

First you find some cute paper - this is what I had on hand,
but the dollar store has come cute paper too.

You will need, scissors, Elmer's glue, a spray bottle, a pencil and a blow dryer.

measure the back, and cut a piece to fit.

Put a line of Elmer's glue all around the frame.

Once the glue is dry, spray the back with water,

don't be to heavy handed but don't be shy either.

sometimes I take a rag and go over it and then I use the blow dryer.

When the paper gets wet and then blown dry,

it shrinks the paper, so it is tight.

Better!

Just a few more chalk board frames. I am loving the gold frames, so vintage. I love spray paint too - but sometimes original is Good.

I bought this paper at the dollar store.

I am not kidding when I say I am addicted to chalkboard paint.

I used Rust-oleum Lagoon on this frame

I broke the glass on this frame, but chicken wire is in

the running with the chalkboard for favorite!

I like that I can add some cute flowers to the chicken wire frame.

I will leave you with a randomness.

A wire basket from the thrift store for $1.00

It has a new home on my white craft room shelf!

White Craft room shelf: Before and After

2011-10-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

I took a minute away from painting while I was getting ready for a

Young Women in Excellence. program.

I love working with the Young Women Leaders and the girls as much as I like painting!

confession - I like it more than painting - gasp!

I do have a great before and after!

It may not be my greatest and best, but it is one of my favorites because

it is useful.

It is for my craft room, and it is helping me get organized,

and it is cute, but more important functional!

Before:

It is old, heavy and in GREAT shape.

Love the old knobs!

Lot's of space!

It had a laminate finish, so I used Zinsser Oil based primer.

The hardest part is always prepping the furniture. Cleaning, fixing dings and dents. The fun part is painting! Painting is the easy part!

Loved the knobs before - Love them more now! used Krylon Bauhaus gold spray paint.

Ready, set, go!

A place for fabric

A place for a collection of milk white vases!

Why, I had the spray paint out, I sprayed these thrift store finds, what would you call them? I call them things, for lack of knowing the proper name.

These things are going to be used to hold a shelf!

Happy Monday!

Scraps of Simplicity

2011-10-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's my favorite Boutique again!

Scraps of Simplicity put it on your Calendar and I will see you there!

Aqua Table & Chairs: Before & After

2011-10-08T17:00:00.000-07:00

My niece Jaclyn is getting Married!

She is cute, trendy and FUN!

In LOVE too!

She Wanted me to paint her a table and chairs, so I did.

The chairs looked like this before:

Pathetic

I sprayed the chairs with Valspar Exotic Sea.

Then I had Lowe's mix me up a quart of paint to match the spray paint - to paint the table!

Yes, they look better!

Cute like Jaclyn!

A little distressing

The table is an adorable vintage drop leaf!

It can be small

Or big!

Ruffed it up just a smidge!

She is thinking this with a little bit of red!

Can you see the vision?

ADORABLE

Halloween

2011-10-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

I Love Halloween and all the crazy decorations! Here are some fun ones!

Two Shades of Pink

You Create

Martha Stewart

BHG

Paper Source

BHG

Why blogging is Fun!

2011-10-06T07:23:00.000-07:00

The fun thing about blogging is sharing ideas and learning from others! But even better is all the wonderful people across the state, country, and world you become friends with! Sometimes you never ever meet them, but none the less - Friends!

Creative, fun girls like Hollie from I'm Busy Procrastinating! She featured me and my red bed on her blog this week.

She had some really nice things to say! Well, right back at you Hollie! Take a look at one of her many wonderful Before & Afters!

Beautiful!

Thanks Hollie!

Mirror: Before and After

2011-10-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Heavy old mirror! I was going to turn it into a chalkboard and changed my mind. The mirror has beveled edges and is pretty! I am thinking it would look good in an entry way with a church pew beneath it.

Needed a little work, but not much.

Painted it white!

Distressed it! Standing alone it is just a big old mirror. In the right setting it will be adorable!

Love this, I have this church pew and I am not doing anything with it. I move it from wall to wall. It needs a permanent home, and maybe with a big old mirror above it! I will have to change the knobs to big hooks!

Thrifty finds and Halloween Decor!

2011-10-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

I dropped off some clothes at the Deseret Industries!

I can not buy any more furniture until I finish what I have.

We cleaned out our storage unit, but I need one again!

Yes,

Furniture Hoarder!

Help!

Halloween is coming up, and Oh I love this Holiday!

Ghost and Goblins,

and Orange and Black!

My $4.00 thrifty finds!

I started with this $1.00 brass pot, looked halloweenie.

Sprayed it glossy black, and went to Hobby Lobby for the 50% off berries.

Stopped at the thrift store on my way home and found this for $1.99!
Turned the car around and went back to Hobby Lobby and bought black candles.

Perfect!

I have started the decorations, but I think I have enough from past years to finish. I had better get them out and at least check before I purchase any more!

BOOOOOOOOO!!!

I saw a friend from High School at the thrift store, she was embarrased and making excuses why she was there - doesn't she know it's not only O.K. to be there, it's COOL!

Thrift store clock! Before and After

2011-09-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine who has great style, pinned this on Pinterest, so I repinned it. Cute Huh?

I jumped for joy when I spotted a similar clock in the thrift store.

$4.95

It got a new coat-glossy white!

She's happy with her new coat

and I am thrilled!

going in the craft room!

Lets Party here:

At The Picket Fence

Chic On A Shoestring

The Shabby Nest

Peach Pie

2011-09-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

Peach Pie

Cookie Crust

Mix the following in the pie dish:

1/2 c. butter softened
1 c. flour
1/4 c. sugar
pinch salt

Mix together and press lightly into pie plate. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes. (If you press it in to hard, it's hard to cut.) Cool.

Glaze

3 T. cornstarch
1 c. juice (whatever kind you like that's orange)
1/2 c. sugar
Bring to a boil and cool a bit.

Spread bottom of shell with 3 oz. or so of cream cheese sweetened with powdered sugar to keep crust from going soggy. Then slice peaches into pie plate. Then pour glaze over and refrigerate to set.

party here:
Mandy's Recipe Box
READY SET EAT!

Lamp Fraternal Twin: Before and After

2011-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Remember this lamp redo here

Well, I found it's twin!

not identical, fraternal

$4.00 at the D.I.! I loved the first one so much. It's home is in the spare bedroom. So I bought this one for my craft room!

I found a new trick - tin foil.

I wrapped it around the bulb socket and the glass.

I spray primed it, then used Bauhaus gold. Can you tell what color my craft room is?

The lamp and mirror are not the only things that got hit with Bauhaus gold, but that's for another post!

Vintage chalk board: Before & After

2011-09-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have been a busy girl, my hubby went on a back packing fishing trip, so I had me a party!

A spray painting party and the guests were

Me!

I have a craft room in progress, key word progress.

It was a nursery all summer - for baby Cash, and he is coming again for a week - Can you hear me shout for JOY!

Here is the Before:

minus the mirror

I used Valspar chalkboard paint on the mirror.

and I have seen this all over pinterest - An ~~elastic~~ rubber band around your can. Wiping the brush against the side of the can to remove extra paint is sloppy!

So when you stick your paint brush in, you wipe it against the ~~elastic~~ rubber band instead of the side of the can. I wanted to see if it worked. It works!!!

I primed the mirror with a spray primer, then gave it 3 good coats
of the chalk board paint. Giving it time to dry in between.

It took me a while because I was distracted by the obituaries.

I skipped showing you the spray painting of the frame, but this is what I did. I cleaned it really good. If you don't get the dirt and grime off, the spray paint will crackle. I primed it, used a tack cloth to wipe it off. Then I gave it a couple of coats of Krylon Bauhaus Gold.

Nice and glossy!

I love these old mirrors and they are hard to find.

It has found a permanent home in my craft room - I am making progress!

Happy Monday!

I thought you might enjoy a few mirrors I found on Etsy!
I am thinking I did good with my $5.00 thrift store mirror after seeing what they cost here. . .

Let's Party Here:

Vintage Wanna Bee
Coasal Charm
Tip Junkie
Bunny Jeans Decorating and More
House of Hepworths
Domestically Speaking
DIY Club

Antique Red Bed : Before and After

2011-09-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

This is in memory of a bed we once owned!

10 years ago before I knew anyone painted furniture,

and before blogs.

We had an antique bed we painted red!

It was for my daughter Paige and

she loved it.

It started with my oldest daughter Morgan, then it was Erins.

When it was theirs, it was in its original state,

We had it tied together with a rope to hold it together,

and more than once a friend would fall to the floor.

I finally figured out it could be fixed and painted.

Just maybe this was my first attempt at painting furniture!

Before

I was so excited to paint it red, I almost forgot a before!

It has the greatest, most beautiful posts!

In all her glory!

I know my pictures don't do it justice, and I am working on getting a new camera!

When I was on a Mediterranean cruise, I was getting off the ship walking down the ramp, missed a step and went head first down the ramp. My camera was around my neck and it hit first. Me and the camera made a scene.

Embarrassing

I made it through O.K with a few owies, my camera did not!

Oh, I Love it!

Let's Party Here:

Funky Junk Interiors

Primititve & Proper

China Hutch for Sale!

2011-09-22T19:32:00.000-07:00

I need to clone myself, but I don't think that is going to happen any time soon.

See this China Hutch found here: Liz Marie . Well I have one at my house that I was going to paint just like Liz Marie did~ because it is beautiful~!
But I have more Ideas than time. I am going to post it on KSL classifieds soon. I didn't know if any of my local bloggy buddies would like a chance at it before I listed it for the rest of the world to see. It needs a happy good home, because she is special!
It is $80.00!

It comes in two pieces, so it is easier to move.

It is in pretty great shape! If your a painter, there are the typical few scratches and dings to sand and fill.
Hate to let this pretty little thing go, but I have another, I know hoarder! email me if your interested!

Armoire: Before and After

2011-09-22T05:55:00.000-07:00

Armoire # 2

I am getting armoired out!

Armoire # 1 Here

This is a light weight, solid wood, easy to paint and cute!

After!!!! I went with the shabby look on this one. I am conflicted on my style - I like it all! Eclectic I guess!

I painted it with an off white oops paint, sorry I can't share the exact color. Just off white!

Sanded it a lot. And topped it with a valspar antique brown glaze.
Put some new knobs to finish it off nice.

It is a T.V. armoire and I left is as such, just in case I decide to use it for a T.V. For now it is going to hold all our blankets. We lack storage in our home, or maybe it is we have to much stuff! I am trying to get organized!

First blanky in it's new home!

I am a little bit excited about this armoire!

Aqua Stand: Before & After

2011-09-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

What is it? It comes from Sears, it has holes on the side like something was removed, maybe a lift up tray. It has wheels. Do you think it was made for a kitchen?

I don't care what it is, all I know is that it is adorable! The wheels got me at the Thrift store. $5.00 junk turned into my treasure!

It needed some sanding and hole filling to repair some damage. It is not solid wood, so I primed it with Kilz oil base primer.

I have this picture that I love, that I used as my inspiration. I sprayed it with Valspar Goss Exotic Sea and then glazed it with Valspar Asphaltum glaze.

The glaze seals and protects it, toned down the color AND helped match the color in the picture!

It is a unique little thing, that I think is going to be one of my favorites!

It has a drawer

Agreed cute?

xoxo!

I wasn't sure how to paint the rollers. They popped out easy enough, but what to do, what to do. I used tinfoil, it worked!

I used the spray paint lids to sit them in!

Makes me Happy!

Doesn't take much.

Have a Happy Day!

linked to these parties!!!
Coastal Charm
Primitive and Proper

Thirty Six Avenue

Eighteen 25 Subway Art! Free Halloween download

2011-09-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

BOOOOO! I am a brewing to get things going for Halloween.

So If you love subway art like I do, Eighteen 25 has a free Halloween download.

Check it out here: Eighteen 25

Whooooo Likes Owls?

2011-09-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

I Love Owls!

Did any one watch this season of Big Brother?

There was an owl in the HOH room that was to die for!

I tell you if it isn't bolted down at our house it gets painted!

Happy Weekend!

Update! Could this be the owl from Big Brother? Thanks Morgan! I do have a birthday soon! Hint Hint

Z Gallerie

Football Hats For Sale!

2011-09-16T10:20:00.001-07:00

My adorable Mother-In-Law is at it again!

Football Hats for Sale!
$22

Available in:
Newborn: Up to 14 inches
0-3 months: 14-15 inches
3-6 months: 15-16 inches
6-12 months: 16-18 inches
12-24 months: 18-19 inches
2-4 years: 19-20 inches

These hats can be special ordered in

any of your favorite NFL, College

or Highschool Football Team colors.

If interested contact Doris at grannywood30@msn.com or 801-782-6690 to order. Please allow 1-2 weeks for order to be completed. Shipping is approximately $3 or can be picked up in North Ogden.

Handmade by our adored Granny with love :)
Click Here for her Etsy shop

Stools: Before and After

2011-09-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

Cute stools

These stools had a great frame, not a mark on them, but the seats were ugh! worn and dirty.

fun backs

Not so fun seats

I was going to spray the frame, but opted to change out the fabric on the seat, and leave well enough alone.

The yellow and grey combo is my favorite.

Lots of character.

Yes, I like!

I used my 40% coupon at Joann's and bought fabric protector spray.

These seats have had 3 coats!

How to Paint a Brass Lamp

2011-09-14T16:35:00.000-07:00

Brass Lamps
a simple update

Not so Bad, but as my decor has changed, they don't fit in. So here are the steps to painting a brass lamp:

I use a painters canvas. If you don't have one, use a shower curtain from the dollar store.

I have wipes on hand at all times, It comes in handy for drips, to clean things before I paint, and to wipe the paint off my hands!

I taped off the bulb socket and the cord. I wrapped the cord in an elastic and put it in a baggie. I also put a baggie on the bulb socket.

I wiped the lamp down with a wipe. It cleans, doesn't leave a residue and it drys fast.

I Glazed it with Valspar Asphaltum Antiquing glaze [it's black] I used a brush to get into all the nooks and crannies.

I had a dry and a wet rag on hand. After I brushed the glaze on in sections. I would wipe it off with a dry rag, and then take more off with a wet rag. This glaze gives you some time to decide if you want to take some more off. On this lamp, at first I only left the glaze only in the nooks and crannies. Then I decided I wanted to add a little more.

Added a new lamps shade from Lowe's

I used Valspar baby blue spray paint.

Doesn't look like the same Lamp!

Here are the steps again:

1. Taped off the bulb socket and the cord. I wrapped the cord in an elastic and put it in a baggie. I also put a baggie on the bulb socket.

2. I wiped the lamp down with a wipe. It cleans, doesn't leave a residue and it drys fast.

3. Sprayed the lamp with Valspar Gray primer.

4. Let the primer dry and then wiped down with a dry cloth. [to make sure there was no dust or overspray.]

5. Sprayed the lamp with a Valspar Baby blue. I turned the lamps upside down and then upright. I wanted to get all the nooks and crannies.

6. Glazed it with Valspar Asphaltum Antiquing glaze [it's black]

7. Added a new lamps shade from Lowes

Linked to:

The Brambleberry Cottage
The Shabby Creek Cottage
House of Hepworths
Let Birdz Fly
Coastal Charm
Miss Mustard Seed

Lowe's Lighting

2011-09-12T21:56:00.000-07:00

Lowe's

Lowe's

Have you been to Lowe's Lately? When I buy paint and supplies, I like to wander around. I have found some awesome rugs and mirrors! This time I found these lights. The Price is right too. The first one is $149.00 and the second one is $99.00! Now I have to learn how to do the electrical!

Oh how I LOVE thee, let me count the ways! Before and After: Armoire

2011-09-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

I am the proud of owner of 5 Armoires now!

Heaven Help me!

This one was $20.00

Here is # 1

We had a great time getting this heavy armoire down some skinny stairs in a condo. We had to disassemble it a bit to get it down.

Lots of muscles were needed and lots of laughter happened.

better than swearing!

It seems lots of people are dumping their Armoires for cheap. Don't they know something wonderful can happen with a little bit of imagination and paint? should we tell them? Or not?

Much better with a new coat of paint!

but the best is yet to come!

STORAGE!

My overnight bags, for a fact get away. Instead of getting a ladder and reaching to the top shelf in the storage room!

A basket for my scarfs. If I can see them, I might actually wear them.

A place to put my current read.

A thrifted treasure for my change. There isn't any change, because I used it to go to the pop machine to buy my diet Pepsi!

A shelf for my purses.

How you liking it so far? I am loving loving it!

This is what it looked like before I started organizing.

A drawer for my sunglasses. I never new were to keep them, where to you keep yours?

My Nook

My flip flops

It slides out for easy access. Impressed yet?

O.K. this is subject to change, but the possiblilies are exciting!

did you hear me squeal?

Paint colors and a tip!

I used Krylon KHAKI spray paint for outside and

Rust-oleum STRAWFLOWER spray paint for the inside.

The tip:

I have a quart of paint made up to match the spray paint.

I use the spray paint to get the hard to reach nooks and crannies, and then for the big stuff, like the sides, I use a High-Density Foam roller.

It saves money. Let's face it spray paint can get pricey.

Also,it is hard to spray a very large side or top and have it look good!

The DIY showoff

Between Naps on the Porch

Home Stories from A to Z

Tip Junkie

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Primitive and Proper

Miss Mustard Seed

9/11

2011-09-11T07:33:00.000-07:00

A time to reflect and be grateful for our Freedom.

Jake, my youngest was born on 9/11 and it is His Birthday. For a few years, I felt guilty having a celebration on 9/11. Then I realized we need to live life to the fullest and celebrate with those we Love. I don't think any of us will ever forget 10 years ago the fear we felt or the people who died.

Hug your loved ones and do something good today!

Before and After: 2 Beautiful Things! A boy and a peek at the Armoire!

2011-09-07T18:02:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to Super Duper!

He is 6 and in first grade.

He is called Justin Beiber and he loves it and hates it at the same time!

He cut the Justin Beiber locks off and Wow

if I was his Mom and Dad, I would lock him up now!

I love painting furniture, but my grand kids are my first Love!

He spent the night with us, and while Grandpa worked in the yard, I painted!

This little guy has some mad photo skills like his Mom.

He took my camera and took some shots,

and I think they are super, kinda like he is!

I feel like with these shots, I got to see through his eyes, and see what he sees,

so refreshing!

I know this is kinda personal especially when this is a DIY blog, and I am also wee bit nervous and have stranger danger worries when it comes to kids! do I need to be?

O.K. a sneak peek at the beast of an Armoire:

Here she is Before

and here is a sneak peek of what color this Beast is becoming!

Warning, she is turning into a Beauty!

A winner and a sneak peek

2011-09-07T07:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much again to all my bloggy friends who entered the give away and helped launch Gee Gees Etsy Shop at 81!

and the Winner is Michelle Duay! Congrats and Enjoy!

A sneak peek

I am the proud owner of not just these 3 Armoires, but 4 no pic yet. Stay tuned to see what happens to them, it's a story for another day!

xoxo love you all!

Desk: Before and After

2011-09-04T21:19:00.000-07:00

I went to MARY POPPINS, the musical hit with my daughter Morgan.

I am still tapping my toes, and singing, A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down and SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS!

Loved it!

Now for the Before and After.

I think it was a cowboy desk.

Before

It is made of solid wood and it is heavy. I filled a few things and replaced the handles to give it an updated look.

I love the bead board sides, the turn post legs and the beat up wood.

Much Better!

Hutch

2011-09-02T07:37:00.000-07:00

Liz Marie ~simple-steps-to-painting furniture!

Bench: Before and After

2011-09-01T06:41:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't Love a cute bench? On the porch, in the entry way in a playroom or a kids room, with some pillows of course.

This bench is solid wood and well built, but it had seen better days. The wood was flaking and dry.
Nothing that some sand paper and paint couldn't fix!

BEFORE:

And it has storage!

Thanks everyone for the Etsy Love for Gee Gee!

My cute Grandson will be drawing a name out of a hat for the winner on Friday!

Linked to this Party!

Todays Creative Blog

Miss Mustard Seed

Saved By Suzy

Addicted 2 Decorating

Give Away!

2011-08-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

My beautiful sweet 81 yr old Mother-in-law opened an Etsy shop, GeeGeesworld, At the insistence of her beloved Grandchildren. They adore her and her creations! Her Etsy shop has the sweetest crocheted animals, hats and doll clothes for sale.

We are going to celebrate her opening with a giveaway for one of my lovely readers! That is you.

First let's see the giveaway.

An adorable monkey!

Second, let's take a look at some of her other creations.
An owl hat, so cute.

3rd, let's meet Gee Gee, seriously a 81, she is the energizer bunny.

She is talented in more ways than I can count,I will tell you she can cook too!
Here is how you can be the happy owner of the Monkey:

3 chances to win. Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.

#1

Simply leave a comment letting me know that you're a reader and a follower.) Don't forget to leave your email address if you don't have a blog or a profile page! :)

#2
Take a peek around the Images of her Etsy Shop and leave a comment letting me know you did.

#3
For one last chance (only if you want to) spread the love by mentioning this giveaway on your sidebar, at the bottom of a post, on Facebook, etc. Then, just let me know with a comment.

Good luck and I thank you for your sincere bloggy help to spread the word!! It's. ♥

Lamp Love Love Love Love! Before and After

2011-08-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

$4.00 a steal

at the thrift store!

It's large, it shapely, it works!

I gave it a bath, and then primed it with rust-o-leum white spray paint. Then finished it off with rust-o-leum Eden.

Love!

Fabric for pillows- indoor, outdoor fabric from Joann's

Love the shape, the size, the color!

I dusted the shade, primed it with rust-o-leum white spray paint, used my sandblock to smooth it nice,

and then finished it off with rust-o-leum flat white!

seriously didn't know I could spray a lamp shade, but you can!

Linked to these parties:

Under the Table and Dreaming

Southern Hospitality

Coastal Charm

Spot Light on Abby! Before and After Dresser!

2011-08-26T07:01:00.000-07:00

Meet Abby and her hubby Nate!

When I was a Relief Society Advisor for a Singles Ward, I met a lot of darling, dynamic girls. I fell in Love with Abby and her sister Ali. They both played basketball for Weber State University and oh my are they both so stinkin CUTE! and fun and funny and stylish! It has been fun to watch both of them fall in Love, get married and both going to have babies! What? Things are moving fast here. Both Abby and Ali have tried their hand at painting furniture. Today I want to show you Abby's latest and greatest REDO!

FREE dresser: BEFORE

AFTER!!!! doesn't surprise me it is yellow. Abby had yellow at her wedding reception and Oh so cute!
love it Abby and you too!

Redoux

White Dresser! Before and After

2011-08-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Is it Shabby Chic or Vintage? What ever it is, it is GORGEOUS!

BEFORE

This is an old Drexell dresser. It has dove tailed drawers and it is HEAVY!

It was painted a gorgeous white and distressed perfectly. Then I gave it a coat of poly for protection. I kept the original hardware and painted it white too. It was missing one knob, so I used 3 glass knobs to dress it up.

Beautiful!
linked to these parties:
Miss Mustard Seed
Romantic Home
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Primitive and Proper
Just A Girl

Moms Wall Art

2011-08-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

A Happy Reminder. . .

Catching Fireflys

Holy Bucket of rust! Before and after Twin hot pink iron bed

2011-08-21T05:37:00.000-07:00

Holy Bucket of Rust!

I bought this bed for a song, but I wasn't singing for long.

It was rusted so bad, and it took a lot of love and elbow grease to make it look nice

I fell in Love with it and it is my baby!

It is metal and iron and so cool!

The headboard

The foot board

the rails I wish all the new beds were made this way. You can see the rust.

For fun, a nightstand

Primed

during, I always turn things upside down. Ready for the AFTER!

MY NEW FAVORITE!

The bed

The cool bed frame

Smooth and sleek after blood sweat and tears!

I love the lines of this nightstand

another angle, because it's so cute!

Both the bed and the nightstand were painted with
Krylon Watermelon pink and glazed with Valspar antiquing glaze - Asphaltum which is black.

one more, just because

and, of course a chicken wire memo board to match!

Taking applications for a good home!

If interested email me!

Under The Table and Dreaming

Southern Hospitality

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Primitive and Proper

Power of Paint

Bunny Jeans Decor and More

Just A girl

DIY CLUB

Back to Life - A Lamp and Me!

2011-08-19T13:19:00.000-07:00

Hi there! I am happy to be alive! Food poisoning is for the birds, actually I wouldn't wish it on them either. I have never been so sick, wait, I forgot about when I was pregnant. . .! I threw up every where, every place, all hours of the day. One of the many funny stories of my was going to a good friends wedding, after the ceremony on the way to the Luncheon, I wasn't feeling so well. We were stuck in city traffic and couldn't pull over. I took off my slip, yes I did, and threw up in it. We pulled into a random Holiday Inn parking lot, so I could throw it away. Someone knocks on my window. WHAT? A friend of both mine and my husband was taking the CPA test and had stayed in that hotel the night before, and he happened to see us pull in! What's the chances? I wasn't to friendly that day!

Another - skip to the lamp if you don't want any more throw up stories! We went to dinner with some friends to the best restaurant ever - Maddox. Not feeling so well on the ride home, I said pull over. It's pretty rural between the restaurant and our house, so there was Lot's of places to pull over. Not wanting passing cars, or for my friends to see me, or hear me, I jumped a fence, went a little way down the hill and threw up a few times. I sat for a minute and wiped off my face and turned around and saw a very young couple, maybe 14 or 15. They were sitting on an old jeep seat, probably making out. I said sorry, climbed the fence, got in the car and went home!

One more - We lived in a Mortuary for 3 yrs. when we were first married and students. One of our responsibilities was to wash the Hearse and the Limo on Saturdays. I was driving from one Mortuary to another, they owned 2, and was stopped by a train. It was July and hot. I was the first one at the train. The motion, the heat, I was sick! I didn't think it would look good to all the cars stopped behind me to see someone poke their head out of a hearse and throw up, so to save the Mortuary's reputation, I took one for the team. I looked around for some thing to throw up in, I didn't have a purse,on another sick adventure I had already thrown up in it and chucked it. I did what every self respecting pregnant women would do, I picked up my big prego shirt and threw up in it! I drove to the Mortuary where another couple friend of ours were dwellers, borrowed a shirt from my friend who was also pregnant and threw my shirt away!

OK, enough of one crazy thing on to the next crazy thing!

I found this $5.00 light at the Thrift store and wanted to experiment. I think it was a good, fun experiment. You should try this at home!

A little glamorous!

Taped it up good and tight,

and used my new favorite spray paint color, Lagoon.

Urban outfitters looking to me! Now, to find the perfect shade. . .

I might as well spray a frame and make yet another memo board, while I have the Lagoon can of paint out!

So happy to be Healthy again!

Thrifting! Candy dish

2011-08-09T21:30:00.000-07:00

My latest and greatest finds at the Thrift store.

I knew what I was looking for,

I had an idea in mind!

I have seen other talented creative bloggers doing this!

since I am a copy cat,

I copied!

please feel free to copy me!!!!!!

2 plates, 2 candle holders plus another 3.

I took the 2 plates,

They were $1.00 each

Then I took the 2 candle holders, they were also $1.00 each.

See where I am going with this. . .

I primed them with Valspar spray gray primer

Then I finished them off with rust-oleum Lagoon from Home Depot!

Easy Peasy, cheap and Adorable!

I know Christmas is a few months away, but it is spray paint weather now!

A cute Christmas dish with homemade candy for neighbors!

Just thinking out loud!

BEFORE AND AFTER: China Hutch

2011-08-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who doesn't understand what I do - paint furniture. . .
She thinks it is awesome, but would never ever do it.

Having said that, she has given me, yes given me, some of my favorite pieces of furniture. Her sweet Mother- in-law passed away and they waited for awhile and then decided to clean her house out. She called and said come and get it, it is going to the D.I. thrift store. She felt better about given it to me than just donating it. Bless her heart, I wanted to make her proud.

The China Hutch is so heavy, and I am so happy it was in two pieces.

Before: love it so much, I want to eat it!

Before: The top, a sneak peak of the cool embellishments.

Oh, the bottom has a cool drawer.

Ready for the top. . .

So I think I died, and went to Heaven with this china Hutch!

I am not sure if you can see this picture very well, but the back of the China Hutch had this gorgeous design. I would have liked to keep it, but it had too many imperfections, so I kissed it goodbye.

it is heavy, old, well made and sturdy. It has great bones!

Love it! It was missing the shelves, but I wasn't too worried.

I went to home depot, they know me by name now, bought a pine board.

Used my saw, my best friend - I love the smell of fresh cut wood, so I could saw all day!

Easy fix! To finish this Hutch, I cleaned it really good with soap and water.
Brushed it off with a dry paint brush and used a tack cloth to make sure there was no dust! I brushed on KILZ water base primer on part of it, and sprayed primer into the hard to get spots. I used a sand block to make it smooth and remove over spray and globs I might have made. Then I sprayed it with Rust-oleum white semi gloss paint. I gave it a couple of coats. I used spray paint just to save some time. I then brushed on minwax Poly!

From old to new!

The shelves look good!

The knobs are gorgeous. I spray primed them and then used a metallic silver spray.

Yum!

Slightly distressed to perfection

One more look,

can you tell I like this piece. . . .

How cute would it be in a little girls room,

so many possibilities!

linked to these parties!

The DIY Showoff

Primitive and Proper

Bunny Jeans Decor and more

Coastal Charm

Domestically Speaking

Miss Mustard Seed

French Country Cottage

PRETTY!

2011-08-04T07:05:00.000-07:00

So Pretty! How about a booth like this. . . inspiration to paint paint paint!

Achados De Decoracao

I am a Lucky Girl!

2011-08-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

If I was a gambling girl, I would go to Vegas, but I am not, because I don't like to loose my money. I am so lucky! I walked into the D.I. thrift store and they were unloading a dresser. Yay, don't bother putting in on the floor, just put it in my truck. That was my first lucky day. My hubby and I were coming home from Bear Lake. We had a fun filled, hard working couple of days - staining a deck.

One of those things that so badly needed to be done, but we knew it would be a lot of work.

At his best - His hat and my T-shirt I slept in, he forgot his work shirt!

We started early, but it didn't take long for the blazing sun to be roasting us!

My job was the rail. Tedious Tedious Tedious, but I am enjoy having a paint brush in my hand!

So proud, it looks so good!

If only we had time to sit and enjoy, but next time we will!

This is what we used!

Dead tired and anxious to get home, we passed the D.I. and Jay lost control of our truck, it pulled into the parking lot on it's own. Ha Ha, we decided to make a quick swoop, Oh my, it was my second lucky day. Someone had just unloaded a truck of antiques. Beautiful and still priced too high for this ~~cheap,~~ frugal girl. I swooned and then found the real treasures! An antique iron bed, priced at $10.00 and another wood antique bed priced at $15.00. Now, remember I had a yard sale and cleared out my storage unit. . . and I am not buying any more furniture. It was Jay who said - LOAD THE TRUCK! He has experienced thrift store shopping to know when a treasure is found!

Love!

Now for the big decision - Color. . . . Watermelon or

Natures Heirlooml

or Peacock

551 East Design

Have a good day!

P.S. It is family picture day at our house, oh if you knew the stress of orchestrating this!

How to Spray paint furniture!

2011-08-02T06:37:00.000-07:00

Spray painting furniture is an easy and fast way to transform a piece to fit in with your home decor. The most difficult part is often finding a space to do the spraying.

Many people have the mistaken impression that spray painting furniture won't result in a long lasting finish, that it will chip, scratch or flake off easily. It isn't true! If you take the time to prep and use the right paint for the job your finish will be just as hardy as any coat of paint. Plus, with a sprayed finish it is much, much easier to get a smooth, flawless finish. No brush stroke marks! And did I mention it is faster?

Spray paint is any home decorators friend, especially those of us on a budget. However, there are a couple of downsides. First, spray paint color choices are limited. This is a bummer when you have a very specific shade of color in mind. Second, it is messy and should never be done indoors and you have to take care to not breathe in the fumes.

The dresser below started a creamy color with gold trim. Then it was a glossy black and then it was painted flat brown for a few years. Finally, the glossy turquoise face lift did the trick and the dresser is as good as new...

TIPS:
The first step in spray painting furniture is always sanding. Many people skip this step and this is why their paint doesn't adhere as well. Scuff up your surface (especially if it is glossy) to give your primer a better chance to stick. Yes, I know primer will say works on "any surface" and even glossy, but trust me on this, you'll have the best results if you do a quick sanding. I use a medium grit sandpaper most of the time.

Next step is priming. Again, shortcutters will skip this step. Don't. Priming with a quality primer is key to a professional looking job and will make the final color coats stick. For this project (already painted wood) I like Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover 2X Primer, especially since I was covering a dark color. This kind is a bit thicker and so you'll need less.

After the primer is dry, add your color! (We used Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X in satin). Spray about 10 inches from the surface and sweep back and forth with smooth, even strokes. Be sure to coat all the crevices and undersides. When finished, let dry completely before moving or putting back together.

For added durability for your finish, use a spray on poly coating or a wipe on poly coating.

Happy painting!

Brought to you by Home Decorating Ideas

Hooked on Chicken Wire Memo Boards!

2011-08-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

Jump for Joy! I not only found 2 of these frames one day at the D.I. but I was given another one by a friend! I am loving the memo boards made out of chicken wire. If you remember this post Very Large Chicken Wire Memo Board and this post Dumpster Diving and Chicken Wire Memo Boards you know I am hooked!

Here is a great Tutorial from the Gunny Sack blog! She can show you better than I can so check it out!

If it wasn't torrential rain here, I would be spraying, Patient, is a virtue - working on it!

Shabby Chic white Queen Bed! Before and After

2011-07-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here eating cherries as I blog, Yum!

Here in N. Ogden our 4th of July activities are Cherry Days.

There use to be a sea of cherry Orchards,

now there is a sea of houses!

It's a good thing, I love both,

cherries and houses!

Now, to the fun stuff!

A Before and After!

I bet you have seen this bed before, probably owned one like it.

A very popular style.

It is a well made heavy bed, with lots of character.

A few imperfections and fixes, but overall pretty good shape!

Very smart, it is a full and a Queen!

Shabby Chic White

The edges are distressed perfectly!

A very poor photo, but this is what I am looking at out my window!

I can't forget my cute fan - He said Ta Da, as I took the picture!

The Bed is going on KSL classifieds later today for $150.00, unless somone local wants it for $125.00!

Linked to this party!
Fingerprints on the Fridge
DIY Show Off
My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
Bunny Jeans Decor
Miss Mustard Seed

Spotlight! Dresser turned T.V. stand Before and After

2011-07-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

Once in awhile, I see a makeover that is so cute, I have to share! Sammi is a friend of my daughter Paige. She is one creative, crafty chick! Look at this dresser before:

She has a good eye, for quality and character! Look at the storage this dresser has!

And here it is, as a T.V. Stand!

Perfect!

Want the info on how she did it. . . check it out here The Oberg's

I am going to make these!

2011-07-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

I love Pinterest! I found these two great tutorials.

A stinkin cute Rollie Pollie!

Tutorial found here So you think your crafty

and this subway art! I have already picked up my copy from Staples, and excited to follow the rest of the tutorial from here I am Momma Hear me Roar

So much to do and so little time!

Norway

2011-07-23T21:31:00.000-07:00

Our thoughts are with you.

Live with purpose.
Walk to the edge.
Do good each day.
Tell your family
you love them.

Before and After: 2011 color of the year Honeysuckle twin bed

2011-07-22T22:40:00.000-07:00

I am loving the

2011 color of the year ,

~Honeysuckle!~

I want to paint everything pink, and when I bought this cute twin bed at the D.I.,

I knew It would be pink. I thought the new owner would be a cute young girl.

Well, the new owner is cute, and a college student.

BEFORE

$15.00 for this heavy solid wood bed. A head board, foot board and rails! I am getting picky with the furniture I am buying. It has to have all the parts to make it functional, and be an extremely good price. I think I did good with this purchase!

All the parts!

Good brand

Oh so cute!

a little distressing and staining to finish it off nice.

I am hoping the new owner is loving it like I do!
linked to:
Miss Mustard Seed
Saved by Suzy
Vintage Revivals
Remodelaholic

Spray painted vase and frames! Before and After

2011-07-21T16:48:00.000-07:00

I have had a crazy busy summer all fun stuff! We just got back from Girls camp,
150 girls, and about 50 leaders, give and take a few! I loved it! Went down the river on a 4 man tube and conked heads every time we hit white water. Went down big ole slides at the pool, and bathed in the river, washing our hair in a hot spring that tumbled over a rock. Slept in a tent for 3 nights and sat around a campfire. Lots of hard work and too much fun! Nothing like getting away from cell phones, Internet, and problems of the world to refresh and rejuvenate!

I came home wanting to create, so I pulled some of my treasures out of my stash ~ after my garage sale, I don't have much ~~trash~~ treasure left. I had a couple of things from the Thrift store that I spent pennies on. Well, this was $2.00.

I love the shape, and it has so much potential!

I primed and sprayed and Voila! A new vase for me. . .

A couple of 75 cent frames. Not so bad before, but. . .

Better After!

I took these flowers from another vase, in another area of my house. I bought them at Tai Pan. If you click on Tai Pan, you can get a coupon for 25% off your total purchase until Sat. July 23rd!

The spray paint is Rust-0leum Painter's touch 2x. The colors are Satin Stawflower and gloss Berry Pink!

Rescued from the Garbage! Before and After full bed!

2011-07-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

I went to the D.I. thrift Store with my daughter Paige and her little boy Cash.

We went for fun and with no intention of buying anything.

So I didn't take my truck.

I found not one but 2 beds!

When I went back to pick up the beds, a dresser was being unloaded,

and it was to cute to pass up. Now I have 2 beds and a dresser.

Doesn't stop there because,

There was a full size headboard that matched the dresser,

and they were going to put it in the garbage because it was cracked.

I said

Whoa, don't throw it away, I will buy it!

Yup, they gave it to me!

Before

Primed

AFTER

While I was working on the other two beds, this girl got a taste of turning something Drab to Fab!

And to think it almost ended up in the garbage. Stinkin Cute, I say!

Very Large Chicken wire Frame!

2011-06-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

I was lucky to find this very large picture at the D.I. for $12.00.

The picture was ugly, take my word for it!

but the Frame was PERFECT!

So I primed the frame and then sprayed it,

and used my leftover chicken wire.

LOVE!

Peonies from outside, with my thrift store vase

I am not sure if it is going in my craft room to use as an idea board, or my kitchen to keep everything off my fridge - like the gazillion wedding invitations we recieve in the summer. I do know my grand baby Cash is going to have a Birthday Party here, and we will use it to hang pictures of him.

The almost one Birthday Boy!

As much as I love this very Large Chicken Wire Frame,

I Love him a million times more!

Buffet: Before & After

2011-06-22T16:11:00.000-07:00

Hello!

any one there. . .

I have been playing and loving summer,

and painting

a few things!

This Buffet

Treasure!

Everyone who saw it, wanted to buy it,

and

said no!

It's mine!

selfish I know!

BEFORE

It was in pretty good shape, but the wood was so dry and the drawers had pieces missing.

So, my really cute helpers, helped me take the pieces off and sand!

It turned out beautiful, I am just not sure it is the right color. I love the color, but I should have gone with my first instinct, which was blue! I can change my mind, can't I. . .

I purchased a new rug and now all the furniture in the room will be getting a makeover. Oh darn,
I have to paint.

Tasty Tuesday! Regular old brownies with a not so regular topping!

2011-05-24T08:19:00.000-07:00

Strawberry shortcake is the dessert of choice at our house, but we have a new found favorite! Regular old brownies with a not so regular topping! With Strawberries in season and only 89 cents at the store, we are finding all kinds of ways to use them. If you need a yummy, quick desert - Here You Go!

Brownies

1 cup melted butter

1/3 cup cocoa
2 cups sugars
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
1 tsp. salt

Combine all the ingredients together and mix until well blended. Grease an 8x10 pan with butter and bake at 350 degrees for 20-27 minutes. (may take longer, so check often) I also doubled this and put it in a 9 x 13 pan.
Topping:

1 pint whipping cream, whipped and sweetened with 2 tsp. of vanilla.
1 box instant vanilla pudding, mixed per package instructions.
Fold together whipped cream and pudding.

Cut Brownies into squares and top with sliced bananas and sliced strawberries. Top with whipping cream and pudding mixture. Enjoy!

What I have been doing!

2011-05-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

The Garage sale was a

SUCCESS!

I was dead tired and happy ~mixed emotions~ to sell 95% of the stored furniture!

I loved that furniture and I am so happy it went to a good home!

I met a lot of blogger friends and that was the best part!

Oh, there is so many creative talented women out there!

The cleaning, organizing, purging felt so good that I continued to every closet of my house!

With the help of my daughter Paige.

not done yet!

Paige and her hubby and precious baby Cash have moved in for the summer.

Phil is doing an internship for law school here and we couldn't be happier!

One of the fun things we did this week is go to

Motherhood matters

It was put on by Studio 5 on KSL t.v. station

Becky Higgins was an invited guest on the show. My daughter Morgan lived in Cleveland Ohio by her and they were friends. Becky gave us VIP tickets and we were so happy she did. It was so good hearing a panel of women talk about being a Mother!

We also were grateful for the tickets, because the line wrapped around the building and we would never have gotten in!

Me, Morgan and Paige ~ My other daughter Erin was on a field trip with her son Cooper ~ where she should be, being an involved Mother!

Morgan and Becky

Love her and her talent and her grounded take on life!

We also had to get a picture with the host Brooke, and her cohost Darren is in the background!
a funny tidbit, Paige's father-in-law works with Brooke's dad and and at one point in life, the fathers tried to hook up Brooke with Phil!

I am going to be painting furniture, I have an addiction and can't quit, but I am also going to be planting flowers, and having a fun summer with my family!

xoxo

Melanie

YARD SALE! ~update~

2011-05-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

For all my blogger friends and family, I have been telling you I am having a yard sale! It's time to invite you to come and see my ~~trash~~ treasure!

Date: Friday May 6th
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 6: p.m.

I have advertised to the public for Saturday - So Friday is just for you!

Baby not included!

NEWS FLASH

Update - If you are interested in this Hutch it is for sale! Sammy bought it for her little girls room and it doesn't fit! She is looking for a good home! If you would like more info, email Sammy at
sammyoberg@gmail.com

Oh the possibilities - Little girls room - Kitchen with white dishes - Entry way storage - Craft room!

How about in the garage, before you walk in for kids stuff - back packs shoes!

Silk rugs from Turkey

2011-05-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have a thing for rugs!

And the Silk rugs from Turkey are Beautiful!

In Turkey,

a program was established to help impoverished Turkish women and to save the art of rug weaving.

On our Meditterean Cruise, we had an off shore exursion and we

had a demonstration of rug weaving.

Weaving a rug is an art

and Turkey doesn't want to loose this art to

the new way rugs are made by machines.

They teach the girls and women to weave, so they can do it at home.

It may take 1 - 8 years to weave a rug

depending on the size.

Are they expensive. . .

Yes,

and they should be.

They grow silk worms and we were able to see how silk is made.

AMAZING!

Then they dye the silk with natural dyes.

They follow a pattern and do one row at a time.

Whew

impressed!

Here they are showing some of the rugs completed and that are for sale.

When a rug sells, the girl who makes it receives 93% of the profit!

After our amazing demonstration, we could shop! I browsed and dreamed of owning a rug from Turkey and then went outside to look at the beauty of the Country.

While most people were taking pictures of historical ancient sites and ruins. I took my share of these pictures too. I was taking pictures of the colors of the country. Loving these blue doors

And Shutters

with the lace peeking through

The beautiful scenery of Turkey, with hubby!

West Elm

The rugs are beautiful and an investment, they are hand weaved, made of silk, and will never wear out or go out of style.

~So I come home and bought this rug for my kitchen from West Elm~

Easel: Before and After

2011-05-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

My son Jake, my fun happy helper, started his summer job.

The pay is much better than the pennies I paid him.

so I don't blame him

for leaving me alone to paint.
I loved his help moving furniture!

It was fun while it lasted.

His last project was this Kids Easel!

He unscrewed the chalk board and the white dry erase board. Cleaned it really good and then he gave the chalk board a new coat of chalk board paint. He primed it and then sprayed it with Rust-oleum Apple Red Gloss spray paint.

BEFORE

the chalkboard

BEFORE

the dry erase board

AFTER

Looks brand spanking new!

Oh, the thrifty finds and what a can or two of spray paint can do!!