Jewelry Box Makeover

I haven't blogged much during the past year, but I swear I've still been making.  For whatever reason, I just haven't had it in me to take all of those photos (you know how we take about 100 shots of the same thing just to get the one perfect photo for the post?).  Plus, there's writing the actual post which has never been my strong point.  There are those bloggers who consider themselves writers and then there are those bloggers who are like me.  We just want to get it out there and move on to the next project.

I let my Etsy shop lapse last year during my pregnancy.  I've just recently picked back up on it and have been bitten by that thrifting bug again.  I have to be REALLY careful with that.  I think a lot of us have to be careful with it.  Have you ever watched an episode of  "Hoarders" where they follow the person to a thrift shop and thought, "Oh man, that's so me!"  These people are acting like they're on a freaking treasure hunt, which is exactly how I feel when I walk into a thrift shop and grab a cart.  It's so easy to get carried away with the, "Oh, I can use this for something," or even worse, "So and so can use this for something."  Do you know how many hoarders I've seen who buy stuff for other people?  Stuff the other people probably don't even want.  

OK, I've gotten a little carried away.  I'm not really here to talk about my hoarding tendencies.  I'm here to show you a makeover.  A couple of weeks ago, I found two nice jewelry boxes.  Normally, I find these boxes with the tacky flowers etched into the door glass.  Ug...  I'm sorry, but no amount of paint is gonna take away from that.  I finished the first box a couple of weeks ago and have already listed it in my shop.  The other one is almost finished and should be listed tomorrow.  

AFTER:

 

BEFORE:

Isn't that the coolest box?  I mean, even before, it was cool.  I knew right away what color I was going to use (Folk Art's Patina).  It looks perfect with the red interior!

Linking to:

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday
Get Your Craft On 
Made By Me
Wow Us Weds
Creative Spark
Look What I Made 
Sugar & Spice 

My Piecemeal Hutch

I'd been wanting a hutch for my dining room since I first started following blogs where very talented ladies perform fabulous makeovers on furniture.  I spent about a year hoping to score a hutch at GW.  It didn't seem to matter that I made the trek to my local shop at least three times a week, I never found one.  Not only could I not find one to buy, I couldn't even find one that someone else had already snatched up.  I guess people around here just don't want to give up those hutches!

I finally began looking for anything that would do the job, and I eventually wound up with two pieces that when put together, make a hutch.  I bought the bottom half from a GW for $40, and I scored the top from an auction for $10.

I filled some holes and Charles mended some pieces.

After we got it all fixed up, it was time for paint.  For the bulk of the hutch, I used an Olympic color called Dogwood Blossom.  I wanted the back to contrast against the rest of the hutch because I'm planning to display white dishes and milkglass at some point.  I ended up using Sea Anemone for the back.  I thought it was a great color for either a beachy look for a Shabby Chic look.


After painting, we added new hardware that I picked up at Hobby Lobby for a few buck each.  I'm still trying to decide if I want to paint and distress those.  For now, I'm leaving them the way they are.

I just love this hutch, and I think even more so because it was something I had to put together, and I was able to do it for just a few bucks.

What do you think?




Linking to:
Twice Owned Tues @ House of Grace
POWW @ Primitive & Proper
Restored It Weds @ Restore Interiors
Wow Us Weds @ Savvy Southern Style
Creative Spark @ Clean and Scentsible
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts
Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
Under $100 Linky Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence
Crafty Soiree @ Yesterday on Tuesday
Hookin' Up With HOH @ HOH
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
SNS Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Spice Racks - Not Just for Spices

Han is all moved into her new room, and is working on getting it all set up today.  We still need to accessorize and order her new furniture, so I won't be sharing photos of the room until it's actually complete.


I was trying to come up with some way I could contribute to the room since all of the hard work was being done by Charles, and the design work by Han.  I have a ton of spice racks in my stash, and I thought one might be useful to her as a rack to hold her nail-polish.


I used spray paint this time (I was careful of the fumes!), which seems to be winning me over again since it doesn't take nearly as long as brush painting does.  It seems I no longer have the patience to work on a project for days.  This was a can of Rustolem Green Apple that I bought last year when I first began doing makeovers.  Basically, this was a free project, which is the best kind!


I'm loving how the green looks against the aqua wall.

I also love how she went all ROYGBIV when arranging them.  




Linking to:
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Made it by Monday @ Made it for Monday
Mad Skillz Party @ Mad in Crafts
Get Your Craft On Tues @ Today's Creative Blog
Trash to Treasure Tues @ Sassy Sites
One Project at a Time @ A Bowl Full of Lemons
Wow us Weds @ Savvy Southern Style
Creative Spark @ Clean and Scentsible
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge

Color of the Week???

I'm not sure, yet.


Last month, I was inspired by this post from knack, to try a similar color.  I chose Martha's Rainforest.  It's a rich blue-green that I thought would appeal to those who aren't really into the whole cottage look.

I decided to try it out on this mug stand, and I have to say, I'm just not sure about it.  Maybe it's because it's not really my style.  I prefer the lighter colors that make up the shabby cottage look and this definitely isn't one of those.  It seems a little plain to me, and maybe it just needs to be distressed to add a little oomph to it.  What do you guys think? 

Even though I don't really think I like this color on the mug stand, I do think it might be perfect for this jewelry box that I scored at an auction awhile back. I think the design of the box, coupled with this vivid color, would make a nice India-inspired piece.  Yes???

*This post is part of a series of color posts.  To see all past colors, click here. 

Color of the Week - Meadow Mist

This week's color is another blue.  For whatever reason, I seem to be stuck on blues and greens.  I do have a couple of pink pieces that I've done and I'll probably be sharing that color next week, just to change things up a bit.

This color was used on two projects that I shared with you last week.  I'm reposting the photos below since these are the only two completed pieces I've used this color on.  I've got one piece that I'm still working on and I'll share that with you later this week.

cloche post is here

the shelf post is here

This is another great beachy color, but it's also a good shabby chic color too.  I'd say that if Sea Anemone and Sea Glass had a baby, this would be the result.  It's a Valspar color called Meadow Mist.  

I have to tell ya, the sample colors they show online usually DO NOT match the true color at all.  You can tell the difference between what's being shown on the link from Lowe's (above) and my photos.  This particular color has more green in it than what they're showing.  That just shows you how different a color can appear online.  I try to get my photos as close to the actual color as possible, but even that is a problem sometimes.  If you're in doubt, trust the paint chip from the store.  I'm not talking about the online chip, I mean the one you grab at the store.  That will be more reliable to you, in person, than what they show online or what I share with you.

I've been having fun with these color posts and I'm excited to try some different colors.  I'd like to step out of my comfort zone and go with something completely different than what I've been using.  So far the colors I've shared, have all been ones I had on hand.  I'm just starting to use a few that I bought specifically for these posts and again, they're green and blue.  Agggghh!!  I will say that one them, even though it's a blue, really has me outside of my zone.  So I guess I'm taking baby steps in the color world and I'm thrilled to have you all along with me!


*This post is part of a series of color posts.  To see all past colors, click here. 

Linking to:

We Did it Weds @ Sew Much Ado 
Wow us Weds @ Savvy Southern Style

The Pedestal Cloche, All Gussied Up

Ah, pedestal cloches.

I'd have to day that I love making them more than anything else I do.  It's just amazing how a little paint can unite two pieces in such a wonderful way.

Before I go any further, I have to give a shout-out to Allison @ House of Hepworths, which is where I first saw this idea.  Thanks, Allison!

I've made and painted at least 20 pedestal cloches in the past year.  The materials for these are my top priority when I go thrifting.  Sometimes the domes are scarce and sometimes it's the wood candlesticks.  Recently, I'd used up my candlestick stash and was having a hard time finding new ones.  Around this time, I was scouring the isles of my local Good Will when I came across these resin candlesticks.

I'm a big sucker for anything ornate and of course, I know how much paint can transform something and make everything look crisp and clean.  Needless to say, I bought these babies.  I'd planned to paint them as sell them as what they were, but then I noticed that one of them was missing the aluminum cup that holds the bottom end of the candle in place.  Hmmmm.....  what to do?  Well, why does the cloche candlestick have to be made of wood?  Couldn't I just use any kind of candlestick?

Yes, I think so.

I can't get over just how pretty these two are, and I'm sure you can guess what else has made it to the top of my thrifting list.

Linking to:

Hookin' Up With HOH @ HOH
Everything but the Kitchen Sink @ A Little Knick Knack
Check me Out Sat @ A Vision to Remember
Nifty Thrifty Sunday @ Nifty Thrifty Things 
Making Monday Marvelous @ CRAFT 
DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Showoff 
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple 
Get Your Craft on @ Today's Creative Blog 

Upcycled Pedestal Bowl in Duck's Egg

Now, before I get started, I want to make it clear that I know this bowl is very similar to the one I posted about last week.  I couldn't help it.  I loved how the first one looked with Duck's Egg color and I just had to use it again.  Actually, I did start this new bowl out with a similar color, but I just wasn't diggin' it.  So I painted over it in the Duck's Egg.  Based on the number of comments, features and Pinterest pins the first bowl got, I don't think many people would blame me.  Chuckle, chuckle, chuckle.

I'm lovin' this bowl because it was made from two thrifted pieces.  Specifically, these two pieces.

Here it is again, all gussied up.

I had Charles pop the candle holder off and then we attached it to the bowl by coring  holes in both pieces and then using some glue and a dowel to hold them together.

I've had this on my dining room table for the last week.  Those pears match my green and white checked tablecloth perfectly, and the bowl color pops against the two.  Like most of the pieces I'd love to keep around for awhile, this one sold rather quickly.  I've got some spare parts in my stash and some more Duck's Egg for another pedestal bowl.  Maybe I'll keep the next one.  



Linking to:
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch 
Wow us Weds @ Savvy Southern Style 
Under $100 Link Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence 
Crafty Soiree @ Yesterday on Tuesday 

Upcycled Living Fair & Market - Plus a Redo

This June (25th & 26th), I'll be participating in the first Upcycled Living Fair & Market which is being sponsored by The Grapevine, an awesome shop located in Greer, SC.

To say that I'm super excited about this event would be an understatement for sure!  This will be my first event and I'm having a lot of fun planning for it.  I've finally gotten around to planning my booth and have started pinning some ideas for things I'd like to make for decor.

In addition to that, I have really kicked production of my work into high gear.  I'll be listing most of it on Etsy, up until it's time to go to the market and then I'll close up shop for a couple of days while I'm selling at the market.  I'll also be dedicating posts to most of the new pieces.  If you see anything you'd like, you can always get it from my Etsy shop, or if you're not too far from Greer, SC, you can come out to the market and save yourself the shipping costs.

Also, if there is anyone out there who may be interested in selling at this event, they are still looking for a few vendors.  Please check out the market website for the vendor application and more information.


I just finished this piece today and I looooove it!

This is what it looked like when I brought it home.

I sanded off the rest of that ugly label and then added a wood ornament thingy that I'd stained (so somethin' peeks through after distressing).  I painted in Folk Art's Patina and then lightly distressed it.

Those little wood pieces are great for adding a little something to plain pieces found at the thrift shops.  If you've not seen them before, you can get them at Lowe's, Home Depot and most craft stores.  They're only a few bucks and they can really boost your makeovers, making them look really fancy-pants.


Linking to:
Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple
Under $100 Link Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence 
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts  
Crafty Soiree @ Yesterday On Tuesday  
Hookin' Up With HOH @ HOH  
Everything but the Kitchen Sink @ A Little Knick-Knack 
Feature Your Sassy Sites @ Sassy Sites  
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest 
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous 
SNS Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Weekend Wrap-up Party @ Tatertots & Jello    
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch 
Wow us Weds @ Savvy Southern Style  
Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple 

Fresh Foliage

For the past two weeks (here & here), I've featured colors that I've often used on my Etsy shop items.  I've had a lot of fun going through all of my Picasa photos.  As I'm scrolling through my library, looking for that certain flash of color, a candid photo of family life will  jump out at me and I just have to backtrack and go take a closer look at it. 

This week, I'm sharing my favorite green.  It's Fresh Foliage by Folk Art.  I've used this many, many times and it never gets old.  It's a funky (and, yes, fresh) bold green.

Here are some of the pieces I've done with Fresh Foliage.

Although I don't do it often since I think it takes away from the "shabby", this color really pops when I add a coat of Polycrylic to it.  You can see on the coffee mug rack and candelabra, how nice it looks.

Linking to:
All Things Inspired @ All Things Heart & Home
Free for All Friday @ Sassy Sites
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge
Think Pink Sunday @ Flamingo Toes   
Sundae Scoop @ i heart naptime 
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch 
Wow Us Weds @ Savvy Southern Style
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts  
Crafty Soiree @ Yesterday On Tuesday  

Milk Pail

My last post, which was on one of the paint colors I've used on a lot of my Etsy shop items, got such a good response that I thought I'd share another favorite color with you.

But first, a new project which uses this week's color.

I just finished this jewelry box and will be listing it on Etsy sometime this week.  For whatever reason, I didn't take a before photo, but it doesn't really need one.  It was just a standard brown jewelry box, although it did already have a painted black top. 

I removed the knobs and spray painted them with some ORB.  Then I gave the box a couple of coats of Milk Pail, which is another great Martha Stewart color. 

Before painting, I'd removed the top by prying the hinges off.  This messed the inside of the top up some.  There was also a mirror on the inside that I wanted to remove and once I'd done that, there was even more damage.  I thought about using wood filler to fill the gouges and then repainting the top, but I honestly didn't feel like going through all of that trouble.  Instead, I sanded the mirror's glue residue off and then Mod Podged some matching scrapbook paper to the inside of the lid.  Of course, it wouldn't be a project of mine if there wasn't a mistake.  Somehow, I managed to apply the scrapbook paper unevenly and now it's all crooked.  Oh well.

I sanded the piece down, attached the new hinges that replaced the ones I bent up when I removed them and then reattached the knobs.

You can see how much I love this color based off of the number of pieces I used it on.  The funny thing about this color and the Driftwood Gray is that those samples were two of the four I bought when I was trying to decide on a wall color for the bedroom.  I didn't end up choosing either for the walls, but I've used both so many times on my Etsy pieces.  Just so you know, one sample has lasted me through all of these projects, plus a few more.  

 glazed

 glazed

  glazed

It's been fun for me to go back and see just how often I use these colors.  I've got a few other colors that I've used a lot as well so I think I'll continue to do a weekly post on those.   


Linking to:
Take A Look Tues @ Sugar Bee
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog 
All Things Inspired @ All Things Heart & Home 
Show & Tell @ Blue Cricket Design 
We Did It Weds @ Sew Much Ado 
POPP @ Domestically Speaking 
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge  
Sunday Showcase @ Under the Table & Dreaming 
Think Pink @ Flamingo Toes  
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple  
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch