My Fabulous Thrift Store Make-Over

August 20, 2015May 17, 2017Leave a comment

I almost passed on this plain 8 drawer cabinet last April while visiting my daughter in Madison.

I didn’t really need it, I have too much stuff, would there be room in the car? (geez!)

It was sitting there in the Thrift Store for only $8. They had just put it out that day.

I had to take it home. (I just had too.)

As soon as I got it home, I painted it with a couple coats of black paint and gave

it a clear wax coat. It sat in my office that way for the next four months.

(I’m starting to notice a pattern here.) Anyway…. I decided that the cabinet needed more.

After receiving these cool number stencil,

Deco Art Americana Decor Stencil, Old World Numbers* (*affiliate link)

and Whisper Chalky Finish Paint* from DecoArt as part of their Blogger Outreach Program,

I stenciled each drawer 1-8.

To keep the numbers from looking too new or bright, I lightly sanded over the letters with a

extra fine sanding block and applied another coat of clear wax.

My hubby helped me put on these vintage looking drawer pulls I’d found on Etsy.

I spent more than twice as much on the drawer pulls than I did the cabinet.

I’m so happy with the way it turned out. Doesn’t it look beautiful?

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Disclaimer: This blog uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

What would you do with a paintbrush and a little jar of paint?

August 19, 20151 Comment

Today I’ve been working on finishing up a couple of projects that I’ve had in the works for awhile.

Putting on the finishing touches. Taking pictures. (Lots of love goes into these projects.)

It got me thinking…

So many ideas for a paintbrush and a little jar of paint.

Come back tomorrow for the finished projects.

Getting Creative with Resin

August 13, 2015May 10, 202013 Comments

I’ve always wanted to use resin in a project but have always felt somewhat intimidated.

Thanks to an opportunity with Environmental Technology Inc., the makers of

jewelry resin and much more, I finally got my chance.

EnviroTex Jewelry Resin

And… after watching this video. I felt confident to start.

I couldn’t believe how easy it was and how happy I was with the results.

The hardest part was deciding what to make and what to fill.

For my Projects:

I started with some over-sized bottle caps from Maya Road which I spray painted black.
I used a circle punch to make a background from scrapbook paper.
I used dimensional stickers, metal pieces, regular stickers and glued everything in place using white craft glue.
I measured and mixed the resin according to the instructions and filled the bottle caps.
Then it was time to wait for the resin to cure.

The original plan was to add a hanger on the back, and use them as a decoration.

But… I had a better idea and decided to add a magnet to the back instead.

I really, really like them.

Now that I’ve seen how easy it is, I’ve got a few more things in the works.

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*Disclaimer: This post uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

Painting on Acrylic Frames

August 3, 2015February 9, 2023Leave a comment

With all this new Home Décor chalk paint out on the market…

with it’s claims of being able to paint on most anything. I decided to give it a test.

I’ve used it on wood, old frames, stuff like that.

Acrylic frames? It was worth a try.

I created a mask using blue painters tape and applied it onto the front of a

Mini 3″ x 4″ Sign Holder* (*affiliate link) from Deflecto Craft Solutions.

Make sure to burnish the edges of the tape.

I painted the surface of the frame with:

FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Furniture & Craft Paint in Imperial*

I used 3 coats of paint. Make sure to allow good drying time in between coats.

After allowing plenty of time for the red paint to dry and cure.

I gave the frame an aged look by applying a layer of Tattered Angels Decor and DIY Paint*

I wiped it off with a damp paper towel. Leaving bits of the black streaks.

I stamped around the edges of the frame with a crackle background stamp

and Tsukineko StazOn Ink Pad, Jet Black*

Carefully remove the blue painter’s tape mask.

At this point, I stopped and admired my frame for almost a month.

Just waiting for inspiration….

Meet Rachael Cunningham Parr.

I found Rachel, a tin type, years ago while hunting for treasures.

If Rachael is your relative, I’m pretty sure she wasn’t really a gypsy.

(She really is a beautiful woman.)

I embellished the frame with some vintage rickrack, key, and a tiny flower.

“R is for Racheal” was made with Metal Type Charms by Tim Holtz*

Once inspired… I created a couple more frames.

The frames uses charms and hardware from Canvas Corps Brands

and Chitchat Word Stickers by Tim Holtz*.

Now to try this on a bigger frame!

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Deflecto Design Team I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions.”

*Disclaimer: This blog uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

Creating a Decorative Display Board for all my Little Pretties

July 29, 2015February 9, 2023Leave a comment

My project started as a Memo Board and…

While I was looking for some push pins I stumbled across a collection of little pretties.

Tucked away in a cabinet along with a lot of other embellishments were these little

metal frames. Something that I’d been hoarding since my K & Company days.

I added those frames along with some other little pretties onto my board. (Love!)

To make my Memo/Display Board I used: (*amazon affiliate link)

Smoothfoam 12 x 12 Scrapbook Page Mount
Wood Laser Cut Frame
Gingham Material
American Crafts Homegrown Layered Flowers*
Cream Acrylic Paint and Paintbrush
Craft Knife, Cutting Mat and Ruler
Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive*
Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive*

Directions:

Paint wood frame with cream acrylic paint.
Cut the Smoothfoam sheet a 1/4″ larger than the center opening of the frame.
Apply spray adhesive to the front of the Smoothfoam and lay onto the fabric.
Wrap and glue the fabric around the back of the Smoothfoam.
Glue the frame onto the front of the covered Smoothfoam.
Decorate the top and bottom of the frame with dimensional flowers.

*My little pretties are stuck into the display board with decorative garment pins.

A really fast and easy project.

This project was created for and sponsored by Smoothfoam.

Shop Amazon Scrapbooking Supplies*

DIY: Mini Crate Make-Over

July 25, 2015August 6, 2021Leave a comment

DIY Mini Crate Make Over…

Because sometimes a girl changes her mind.

It all started with this… My Sweet Earth Day Tea Party Crate. (←original post)

A cute cream and pink crate with a pretty pink flower.

It was perfect for what I wanted at the time.

But… always resourceful, I decided to reuse the mini crate* (*affiliate link) in my work space.

Because my work space has a vintage vibe… a mini make over was in order.

I took off the flower embellishment and gave the mini crate* a light sanding.

Then I painted the crate with FOLKART Home Decor Chalk, Imperial*.

Being an impatient crafter, I was tempted to start my next color right away. Make sure to wait.

Allow a couple of hours for the piece to dry before adding the next color. (trust me)

Next, I gave the crate a light coating with Black Home Décor paint.

Use a small paint brush to get into those corners.

With a soft, damp, clean cloth, wipe off the black paint to give it an aged distressed look.

I used Tattered Angels Décor in Ebony*.

If you start to think it looks to dark, just add highlights with the red paint directly over the

ebony paint. If you like a matte finish, you can stop right here.

I wanted a little more sheen, so I applied FOLKART Plaid Clear Home Decor Wax*.

With the wax, you apply a thin coat, wait one hour and buff with a clean soft cloth.

I’ve always loved furniture with that aged red finish and wanted to give it a try.

Now that I’ve started with something small, (which is always a good idea)

I’ve got my eye on a couple more pieces I’d like to refinish.

FYI: If you’d like a mini crate like mine you can get it at online at Amazon* or Walnut Hollow.

This project was sponsored by Walnut Hollow, Canvas Corp and Plaid.

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Frosted Holly Wreath Ornament

July 22, 2015July 20, 201521 Comments

While most of you are outside basking in the Summer’s warmth…

some of us are inside thinking “cool” thoughts.

As you know… I love participating in the Designer Craft Connection’s Monthly Design Challenges.

The theme for the Challenge was Christmas in July.

This month’s Manufacturer Design Challenge was sponsored by Robin’s Nest and Smoothfoam.

My project for the challenge is a simple ornament using a small Smoothfoam Wreath

and a variety of dew drops, tear drops, diamond drops and trim from Robin’s Nest.

To Make the Wreath:

Apply a layer of embossing paste or Snowtex to cover the front and sides of the wreath.
Allow time for the paste to fully dry before continuing.
Glue tear drops and dew drops on the front of the wreath with a good liquid craft glue.
Glue trim around outside of the wreath. I originally had no trim on the outside of the wreath. By adding the decorative trim around the outside it gave me the pop of green that I needed to accent the wreath.
Next…Punch or cut a 3″ circle from red glitter cardstock. Find the center of the circle and start forming the snowflake pattern using 12 diamond drops. Glue small metallic dew drop in the center of the snowflake.
Glue hanger on the back of the wreath before adding the red snowflake circle.

A Big Thanks to Smoothfoam and Robin’s Nest for providing the products to work with.

To see what the other designers have come up with.

Click on the Designer Craft Connection Logo on my right sidebar to start hopping.

Kindness Matters

July 10, 2015February 9, 2023Leave a comment

Kindness Matters. All Day. Every Day.

This card was made using Art Play Paintables and Blender Basics.

I water colored the image using a waterbrush and a variety of inks from markers and inkpads.

Happy Friday Everyone!

*Disclosure: This blog uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

Quick & Easy Washi Tape Make-Over

July 6, 2015December 2, 20151 Comment

Quick and Easy, Keep It Simple. Sounds like a great DIY plan.

With a little creativity you can transform plain into something fun and personal.

I started with a plain pencil cup from Deflecto.

With a little Washi Tape wrapped around the top and bottom of the cup, a couple of stickers and

accessories… I now have a cute pencil cup to set on my desk.

I added a couple of my favorite pictures of my special guys from last year. (boy have they grown)

Need a couple “brownie points” for the upcoming back to school?

This would make a great teacher gift.

Just add the Teacher’s Name, Grade or “Welcome Back to School” along with a apple sticker or two.

Great for Dorm Rooms too.

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Deflecto Design Team I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions.”

American Vintage Travel Dungaree Album

June 28, 2015July 20, 2015Leave a comment

With Summertime comes the Road Trips.

Whether you’re hitting the beach or hiking up trails, you’ll want to savor these memories forever.

My Travel Album made using Canvas Corp Brands “American Vintage Collection” and Dungaree

Album is a great place to save all the pictures and memorabilia you’ll be collecting along the way.

Instructions to make the American Vintage Dungaree Travel Album…

Canvas Corp Brands Products Used:

Additional Products Used:

Vintage Lace
Gingham Fabric Strip
Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive, 4-Ounce
Chipboard
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Vintage Photo
Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool-with 2 Blending Foams
Gluestick
1″ Circle Punch

(Disclosure: I will get a small commission if you click and purchase through my product links.)

For the Travel Album, start with the Dungaree Journal. (available in three sizes.)
Glue a piece of plain canvas around the spine with Fabri Tac glue and cover the edges of the canvas with a piece vintage lace.
Tear a strip of gingham fabric and tie it around the album for a bow.

4. Take a photo from the American Vintage Photo’s and punch it into a 1″ circle. Apply glue with a gluestick to the front of the picture and place inside the optical lens.

5. Stick the vintage pin into the knot of the bow and hang the optical lens and key.

6. Cut the letters “travel” from one of the pieces of paper from the 8″ x 8″ paper pad and glue onto a piece of chipboard for added dimension. Edge around each of the letters using Vintage Photo Distress Ink and a ink applicator. Glue the letters on the front of the album with Fabri Tac glue. Wrap a length of twine around the album.

7. Add pictures and memorabilia into the album.