A Trash to Treasure Love Story

October 16, 2017August 16, 202018 Comments

a true trash to treasure love Story.

Have you ever had a project that turned out even better than you envisioned?

A project that was years in the making?

A project that truly leaves you just a little bit smug with yourself?

A true love story.

But… like every good love story, there’s always a plot twist.

Because love doesn’t always turn out the way you plan.

(Make sure to read to the very end.)

This story begins several years ago…

when my sweet daughter found an old set of red toile dishes in a Thrift Store in Wisconsin.

Knowing my Love Affair with Red Toile dishes she couldn’t resist the $25 price tag.

While packing their car for their visit home, my son in law picked up the box to rearrange the

car and the bottom fell out. Most of the dishes survived. Several of the large plates did not.

Deciding to turn lemons into Lemonade, I kept the broken plates to make garden stepping

stones with my grandson, Nicholas. (one of my most popular posts.)

Click on picture for project.

Being a “saver”, I saved the remainder of the broken plates for a future project.

(notice I didn’t use the word hoarder?)

Then there’s the base of a broken bird bath.

I’m ashamed to admit how many years that base has been sitting around. (it was a lot!)

I used the rest of the broken dishes along with the base and a 20″ round wood top cut from

cabinet scraps to make the Mosaic table.

To start my project…

I gave the base a simple cleaning and painted it with Decoart Outdoor Living Paint: picket fence*

After the base was fully dried, I dry brushed the base with Color Stain in Ash Grey.

To make the mosaic table top…

Lightly sand the 20″ wood circle to prime it to accept paint and glue.
Paint the sides and bottom of the 20″ wood circle with the white paint used on the base.
Glue the broken pieces of china onto the wood base using a good glue specific for mosaic tiles such as Glass, Metal & More Premium Permanent Glue* or Weldbond Multi-Purpose Adhesive Glue*.
Try to use flat pieces of china whenever possible. You can smooth the sharp edges of the china using a Dremel Tool*. (read product instructions before using)

I used unsanded grout because I didn’t want to take the chance of it scratching the china.
Mix the grout as directed and follow the package instructions when applying the grout onto the top.
Confession Time…I did not smooth the edges of the China before gluing them onto the top. After the grout had dried, I decided that some of the pieces were too sharp. After it was grouted I went over the sharper pieces with a Dremel tool. The table isn’t completely flat. But that doesn’t matter for how I plan on using the table.
Seal Grout with Grout Sealer.

Mosaic Table Product Information: (*affiliate link)

- Decoart Outdoor Living Paint: picket fence*
- DecoArt Americana Decor Color Stain: Ash Grey*
- Dremel Rotary Tool Kit*
- Tec™ AccuColor® unsanded Grout: Antique White
- Glass, Metal & More Premium Permanent Glue*
- Weldbond Multi-Purpose Adhesive Glue*
- Grout Sealer*
- 20″ Round Wood Circle
- Broken Dishes
- Old Bird Bath Base

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!

I really loved that table.
It was just the perfect size to sit by a comfy chair with a good book.

And then there’s the sad part…

The Plot Twist…

To be honest… I made this table on a warm week-end in February.

By the time I was staging the table for pictures, the weather was beginning to really cool down.

Being in a hurry to photograph the project, I didn’t take the time to secure the top

to the base or seal the grout . I stuck it into the garage to do at a later time.

When I finally got around to finishing the project…

I carefully moved the top so I could seal the grout and then glued the top to the base with

a strong adhesive. While the adhesive worked initially, when I went to move it again a few

days later by the top (what was I thinking), the base came crashing down on the garage floor.

To say “I felt defeated” would be a understatement.

That’s one reason…(even though I had a 100 good photo’s)

that I never posted the project until now.

Why? Because, I didn’t want to mislead you.

The Happy Ending…

Always resourceful, I did find that I had a 20″ black metal mesh table that the top fit perfectly on

and I didn’t have to worry about securing it.

The table has sat there beautifully on my back deck all summer.

(who am I kidding…it’s still there.)

So the moral to the story would be to find a super duper industrial adhesive.

Or…what I would do now if I had to do it over again.

I would cut a small wood disc that is slightly smaller than the top of the bird bath base so that it

would fit inside. I would glue the disc (with a really good glue) to the bottom of the wood and

keep it as a removable top. That would help stabilize the top and make for easy storage.

So remember if you decide to try this at home….

Sometimes you have success and sometimes you don’t.

And…sometimes you have a little bit of both.

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May 7, 2017May 2, 2017Leave a comment

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Revamped Sunglass Case

April 20, 2017April 27, 2017Leave a comment

revamped-sunglass-case-sues-creative-workshop-4565

I picked up a “free” sunglass case at the Thrift Store the other day.

I was looking for something to paint using the New Patent Leather Paint

that I received from DecoArts.

I love the look of shiny patent leather. And… in red? Oh my!

Combine them all with embroidered letters from Joy*

and you have a personalized custom monogrammed sunglass case.

Here’s what I did to my case…

If your case is old, wipe it down with rubbing alcohol to remove any dirt or grime.
Apply a even coat of patent leather paint onto the sunglass case with a soft bristle brush.
The paint will have a tacky feel as it dries. Allow to dry between coats. You may want to give the case a second coat of paint.
To give the case a custom monogram. Using a good craft glue, glue Iron-on Embroidered letters from “Joy” on to the case.

*As a member of the Creating with Joy Design Team, this post was sponsored by JOY® SA.

*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!

Making a Winterberry Table from a $2 treasure.

November 25, 2016January 2, 2017Leave a comment

Making a Winterberry Table from a $2 Garage Sale treasure.

I almost missed the small cardboard sign leaning up against the mailbox…

I wasn’t completely sure it was even a sale. So I backed the car up and parked.

You never know what you might find when your out “treasure hunting”.

While chatting with the fun older couple, I found out that they had just recently married and moved

into their new home. They were downsizing and combining both households.

The couple had a lot of good stuff, most of which I didn’t need.

It was on my second look around when I spotted the table and it’s $2 price tag. (no need to haggle)

She told me… “I always meant to refinish it. I put a doily and a basket on it instead.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell her I was planning on painting it.

(this post uses affiliate links)

I had just recently received some new paint from DecoArts and thought I’d give it a try.

I gave the table a couple coats of Americana Decor Satin Enamels Deep Ruby*.

I was seriously impressed with how smooth the paint went on and dried.

I didn’t even need to sand between coats.

I decided to stencil the top of the table using my new DecoArt Stencil 6 x 18 in. Winterberries*.

I secured the stencil in place using removable painters tape.

Using a stipple brush…

I applied DecoArt Americana Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paint, White Birch*

inside the open stencil areas.

The Winterberry stencil comes with two 6″ x 18″ stencils which are slightly different.

I used the second stencil to add another berry branch to my table top.

I’m in love with my “new” table.

For now, the table will be used with my holiday decorating and then after the Holidays it’ll find a

permanent home in the guest room.

The Winterberry Table was sponsored by DecoArts and uses Amazon Affliliate links.

If you choose to purchase an item from Amazon using one of the links, I will receive a small commission which helps offsets the cost of running this blog. Thank You.

DIY Up-cycled Jar…a little trash to treasure

May 9, 2016May 17, 2017Leave a comment

I was about to throw away this inexpensive toothbrush holder

(from IKEA) while cleaning my bathroom, when I got the idea. I’m always looking for items

to use as a base on repurposed projects and thought this was perfect for a quick project.

Inspiration and ideas can be found anytime, anywhere…

even while cleaning your bathroom.

Great Storage or Gift Idea. So many ways to customize using items destined for the trash.

How to make an Up-Cycled Jar…

Materials Used: (affiliate links)

Metal Toothbrush Holder
Grated Cheese Jar with Lid
Old Cabinet Knob
Beacon Glass, Metal & More Glue*
Black Semi-Gloss Spray Paint
Decorative Paper
3M Advanced PinkTape Glider*
Black Chalkboard Label

Directions:

Disassemble toothbrush holder. Set aside the top portion of the holder for future projects.
Paint the bottom of the holder, the lid of the jar and the cabinet knob with black semi-gloss spray paint.
Glue the bottom of the jar to the painted base.
Cut a circle from the decorative paper and adhere it to the top of the lid.
Glue knob onto the center of the lid.
Add chalkboard label to front of the jar.

The DIY Up-cycled Jar was featured in 2016 Craft Ideas Garden Issue. (page 72)

This project was created for and sponsored by Craft Ideas Magazine.

Check out Craft Ideas Magazine for Craft Ideas for Every Occasion, Every Skill Level.

Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial*

Cigar Box Washi Tape Holder

February 20, 2015February 9, 20235 Comments

Making Creative Storage for my ever-growing collection of Washi Tape.

I have a small, growing collection of Washi Tape.

In addition to all its many uses, I find that they are just pretty to look at.

Previously, I had all my washi tape gathered in a canning jar, although pretty…

I found myself dumping the jar every time I wanted to use one.

Being on a “old drawer” kick, I decided to make a small washi tape holder using an old cigar box.

I used two sheets of scrapbook paper from Carta Bella’s “Warm & Cozy” collection.

basic supplies: craft knife, cutting mat, craft glue, double stick tape roller and a metal label holder, black marker.

To Make a Cigar Washi Tape Holder:

Cut the lid off the cigar box. Measure and cut the lid into two strips to fit inside your box as dividers.
Remove excess loose paper from box.
TIP: Use a black permanent marker to color the inside corners of your box. This will help keep any white from the box from showing.
Cover box with scrapbook paper.
Adhere paper over both dividers.
Apply craft glue onto bottom and sides of dividers and put into place.

Add metal label holder and fill with your favorite washi tape.

Christmas Ornaments from Old Kitchen Hardware

December 10, 2014August 6, 20215 Comments

I picked up a bag of old kitchen hardware for 50¢ at a Garage Sale.

I can’t resist a good bargain and knew I might even use them someday.

After disassembling and using them on a couple of projects,

I put the rest in a container high on the shelf for another day.

I ran across them again the other day and had an idea…

How would they look with cream spray paint?

I knew I was onto something and let the idea marinate in my head for a day or two.

This is what I came up with and I’m pretty happy with the results.

For my Ornament:

Paint the base plate from old kitchen hardware with cream spray paint.
I added silver around the edge using my finger tip and paint from a Chisel Point Pen Tip Calligraphy Paint Marker, Silver* (affiliate link)
Remove the small wooden base from a small bottle brush tree. With small pliers bend the remaining wire tip up into the tree.
Cut the back of the bottle brush tree to make it flat.
Glue tree in place with Beacon Adhesives Zip Dry.*
For a little extra sparkle, I rubbed clear glitter glue into the bristles of the tree. Glue pearl beads and place directly into tree.
On the top of the ornament I used a piece cream twill ribbon with an inexpensive plastic star ornament on a silver jump ring. Tied it in place with a piece of burlap twine and small cream button.
I added a silver jingle bell that I painted and distressed with sandpaper and tied on with a satin ribbon.
Place the word sticker onto a thin piece of chipboard, trim around sticker, lightly sand the edges for a distressed look and glue into place.

Here’s a simpler idea. I love this one too.

I bet your going to start rummaging through that junk drawer in the garage and see what you can find.

Shop Amazon Scrapbooking Supplies*

*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!