Vintage Trunk Redo

A few months ago, I picked up this trunk at a yard sale for $5!

As you can see it was in rough shape.

The inside was worse than the outside and it needed a major paint job.

I used homemade chalk paint in a blue-grey color, and a silver glaze.

I did some stenciling on the top and front...

I lined the inside with scrapbook paper by using a spray adhesive.

I plan on adding some legs to it soon!  For now I love it!

$4 DIY Light Fixture!

Hey everyone!

I have really procrastinated about doing some sort of light fixture in my kitchen, but I finally accomplished this task!

The best part is, that it was only $5 for the domes.  (I am super cheap so this works for me!)

Here's what you will need:

Elmers glue   $1

Twine or String    $2

Balloon     $1

Start by pouring 1/2 C of Glue and 1/8 C of water into a styrophom bowl.  Mix the glue mixture.

Blow up a balloon to your desired size.  

Dip your string in the glue and start wrapping the balloon.  Squeeze the excess glue off of the string as you go.  

THIS IS A MESSY TASK! 

Keep wrapping and dipping and unraveling your twine.  When you think your balloon is covered in the right amount of string or twine, set it aside to dry.

I let mine dry overnight.  

Next, pop the balloon.  You should be left with the shell. :)

Next you need to cut a piece of cardboard for the top so it doesnt slide off the lights.

I cut mine from an old cereal box.  Measure your hole at the top of your light fixture.  Make sure the middle circle is smaller than the width of your light socket.  You can cut slits in the inside circle so it slides on.  

Fold your cardbaord circle in half and gently place it inside of your light.

Then just slide them up onto your existing fixture.

You can also place the cardboard up first and then put your string light on.

 If you are wondering about the pendant lights, you can find them here:

                                                                 

I am happy with it!

Chalk Paint Nightstand

I love how this little nightstand turned out!  It was blah...

Overall in good shape, but the color type just wasn't my fancy.

However, this is what I lived with for quite some time. 

I decided to refinish it in yellow.  I did this with my homemade chalk paint.

On the top I decided to do a Chevron pattern.

I just love how it turned out.  Now it's going up for sale.  :)

But in the meantime, looking at it just makes me smile.

Sweet Bathroom Wall Art

I was recently inspired by this fabulous bathroom art.

I decided to do a similar thing in my own bathroom.  I had a big empty space on one wall that I wanted to put a towel rack on.  But... procrastination what?

Anyways... when I saw her post, I changed my mind for this wall.

  

Because of the small amount of room in our bathroom, the angle is a little weird.  Sorry!

I simply took each child separately in the bathroom and had them sit on the bathtub so they would all be against the same backdrop, {my shower}.  I had them all take off their shirts, and place a white towel over their heads.  

Some of them were in the classic smile pose, while a few of them were being silly. 

I took plenty shots of each child and then chose my favorites.

Next, I changed the photos to the chocolate black and white in 

                                                     Photoshop Elements 12.

I bought a whole pack of these magnetic photo hangers at Michael's in the clearance isle for $2 for a pack of 10!

They are magnetic or they also have holes at the top for hanging.

I chose to hang mine with decorative tacks! ($2.00)

Photos: (5) 8x10 ...$6.00

Tacks...$2.00

Photo Sleeves... $2.00

Total for entire project ...$10.00!!!

I may end up changing these out into real frames, but for now the $2 struck my budget fancy!

What do you think?

What kind of bathroom wall art have you done with out spending big bucks?

Vintage Dresser Redo

Recently I picked this baby up at a yard sale for just $20!

It needed some work definitely! I had already removed the handles in this picture.  Even though she needed some love, I saw her potential.  

Here's a close up of the top.  Water marks and scratches.  Since this dresser is 100% real wood I wasn't too worried.

I started by removing all the drawers and doors, and giving the whole thing a good sanding.  I used 100 grit sandpaper and a palm sander.  It's the way to go when you have a lot of sanding to do.  Makes it go by fast.

Next, I gave the everything except the top 2 coats of primer.  I used the spray paint type, which my primer time super fast and easy.  It also dries faster than the brush on type, and you don't have to worry about brush lines.  The cans were about $4 each.  It took 2 cans for this project.

While my primer was curing, I did the top.  I used Minwax PolyShades in Bombay Mohogany.

It makes the staining process fantastic because it stains and poly's all in one quick step!  I did 2 coats of this on the top.

She's starting to look up!

After a full day of dry time, I went back to more sanding.....
Ug!
But it's important.  I used 220 grit sandpaper and gave the primer a fast light sanding.

Next was painting.  I wanted a grey-blue color.  However, all I had on hand was coastal blue or medium gray. I could have bought a gallon of a color I liked but I didn't want to spend the money.  So guess what I did?  Yep I mixed them together.

I wanted to use chalk paint, so I purchased some Plaster of Paris from the hardware store, (about $5 for a large container of it) and mixed it up.

1 part plaster of Paris disolved in HOT water
3 Parts Latex Paint

Mix your plaster and hot water together first, then mix in the paint.  It will be thinner than most paint.  After 2 coats of now "Slate Blue" chalk paint, this beast was really starting to shine.

I decided to distress the dresser.  I went back to my palm sander, and ruffed up the edges, legs and certain spots on the drawers.

Then I applied a glaze.  I bought my glaze in a discount bin.  It was a chocolate brown color and it was premixed.  I diluted it down with a little bit of water.  Then rubbed it on with a clean cloth, and rubbed it off with a damp one after about 15 minutes.  Here's the look it gave:

Then I spray painted the handles black.

I gave the whole thing a coat of wax and vwalla!

I love how it turned out!

I almost just want to keep it instead of reselling this baby!

What do you guys think?

Faux Granite Countertops

            I have been so unhappy with my kitchen lately.  The white cabinets and ugly white and pink counter tops were just not flowing for me!  So I spent the last few days painting, painting, and more painting!  Did I mention painting?  

Hideous as far as counter tops go, and the cabinets I had previously painted white.  White cabinets with children are very hard to keep looking nice.  Plus, once I painted the counter tops, the old dingy white just lacked pizzazz.  

( Before) 
 I had already sanded and primed the counter tops here.

So here's what I did...

Nice huh?  IGNORE THE BACKSPLASH!  I haven't quite conquered that yet. First, I scrubbed and sanded the counter tops. 
 Next I primed them with Kilz. 

 Next, I painted the counter tops a grayish, brown color. (SORRY I FORGOT TO SNAP A PICTURE!)

 After all that, then came the fun part!  Glazing!  I luv glazing!  I mixed 1 part black paint with 3 parts glaze and went to work.

Here's the glaze all mixed and on my brush...

  Using a newspaper, I dobbed the paint on in small sections.  Then using a plastic grocery bag, I removed some of the glaze.  
Lay the plastic bag down and press firmly, then lift it up!  (You will go through several grocery bags.)  This is the result!

BEFORE

 AFTER

I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!

For the cabinets I did the same process but instead of doing the glaze with a newspaper and plastic bag, I brushed it on like normal, and wiped it off with a rag until I got the look I wanted.  

 

(With glaze brushed on)

 

(After I wiped it off)

I also added about 5 coats of varnish to the countertops, and 2 to the cabinets.  As far as maintenance on the countertops go, you can't use harsh cleaners.  I have just been using vinegar, and Dawn.  You can't let water sit on them either.  This will eventually cause you grief....

I decided it was worth the effort.  I love my kitchen now!  It looks so much cleaner!

What do you think?  Backsplash is still to come so stay tuned!