Thursday, August 6, 2009

Front Door Makeover

Back in the 90's I had this whole country Victorian thing going on! This door was long overdue for an update. Once again I challenged myself to use stuff I had on hand, so this was a ZERO CASH project ~ my absolute favorite kind!



So the paint I'm going to use is a bit on the creamy color side, like a golden cream instead of white because that's what I had and it's interior paint but I'm not going to worry about it. This last paint job lasted entirely too long!





Printing out the numbers should have been a lot easier but I ended up with this overlapping cut & taped mess, it worked. No transfer paper so I read in blogland how one lady made her own by scribbling across the back with a pencil, it WORKED!

I recycled my used painters tape *smiles*

This was really easy to do, I could have used a pencil to trace around but mistakenly thought I needed something more like a stylus to use and since I couldn't find mine I used the end of a round paint brush instead. A pencil would totally work.


Ok this is where it stopped being an easy project and suddenly became a pain in my you know what project. I am not Miz Susie Harris, I just can't do that kind of painting, paint a house? you bet. paint a room? sure. trim work without taping off? yeah no problem, but these numbers gave me a fit!


So no "I'm ready for my close up" shots, this is as close as I'm willing to show afterall this is supposed to be an improvement *smiles* It's not THAT bad but it's a tad wonky & I'm going to try to touch it up a bit more but I was anxious to show off.
Linked up to Kimba's DIY Day!


Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Chalkboard Tray

I've had this cheapy Dollar Store tray for years. It's looking worse for the wear! Since I've been seriously wanting to copy all the cute chalkboard trays I've seen all over blogland, this tray is a perfect candidate for a makeover.I had all necessary supplies so it was a ZERO cash project
LOVE THAT!
I seriously love the spray paint trigger! And here it is all done displayed on my island!Naturally I had to bake some cookies to properly show it off!
And the little green saucer is stamped Fireking on the back
and it cost me 10 cents in a yardsale!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Burlap Framed Pear

*edited to add link to Make Your Monday @ Twice Remembered* & *Miz Rhoda Today's Thrifty Treasures @ Southern Hospitality*&*Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch*&*Second Time Around @ A Picture is worth 1,000 Words*
I spotted this at a church rummage sale and thought what a fancy frame. I immediately thought of a project I've seen all over blogland recently. Did you see the price tag of 10 cents?


Trusty black spray paint to the rescue, left over burlap, hot glue gun and sacrifical faux pear ~ ah much better!

I just love the results!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Porch Makeover

Just over three years ago this is what our home looked like after we moved back in after having rented it out for five years.

And this is what it looks like now after our 4th of July mini porch makeover. All over blogland ladies are turning their porches into beautiful outdoor rooms. Just cause I was faced with a less than perfect "before" doesn't mean my "after" can't be beautiful


We spent just over $100 cash & purchased rug, black side table, animal print pillows, candles, drop clothes, ring clips, some hardware bits, fabric, foam, potting soil, hanging baskets and flowers. I shopped the house for picture hanging wire, table top water fountain, black spray paint, ficus tree, little metal & glass round table, birdhouse and chains for hanging baskets. The red wicker barstool came from dumpster diving in North Charleston last year. My husband bought that oak rocker from an junk~tique shop in Lake Lure about 19 years ago with a broken runner and made a new one to repair it. The swing came with the house so it's atleast 19 years old.

A weekend's worth of work & $100...

Blocking the ugly view across the road

&

spending quality chillin' time with my sweetie

Priceless

Monday, July 20, 2009

A few words

I've been lurking... not really commenting much but trying to keep up with everyone's blogs. My lack of posting is because my heart hasn't been in it lately. There is stuff weighing on my heart that I've wanted to share but didn't have the words to express. And there's been something life changing going on as well that I've not been free to speak of. But first I'd like to tell you about a very dear friend and co-worker who passed away last month after a brief illness. She was only 47 years old. We worked together, every day, she's been a part of my life these last 3 years and I miss her terribly. I have some powerful emotions mixed up in her passing, feelings that I'm trying to work thru, come to terms with. Vernessa had a smile that would light up the entire store, she had a quiet humor, and a kindness that touched many.

And her passing has made me realize that it's time for me to move on as well. A major project that's been brewing in the background for months is starting to take shape and will be finalized very soon. Until then I'm not free to speak of it but soon, very soon I'll be able to share all about this amazing ride I've been on.

Don't delete me yet. A few more weeks and I'll be back.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Framed Silverware Copy Cat

Sorry for the glare! Y'all know I'm camera challenged around here.
The shadowbox frame was dirt cheap because the glass was broken
The faux silverware was free out of the trash from work ie: broken wall decor
The mini frame in corner was free, same as the silverware
I purchased a pack of vintage sheet music months ago on sale at local antique shop
Basically I ripped and tore the sheet music down to size & distressed inked the edges
Hot glued the faux silverware after careful eyeball meausuring
Stamped our inital on a piece of cardstock and glued the whole thing to the corner
It now lives on my wall above the sideboard in the dining room
shhhh... don't tell anyone but I've still not painted that sideboard yet
for shame!
I think my next post will be about the color crisis I'm having choosing between
black
or
creamy white!
I seriously need help!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

2nd Time Around: Pleater & Ice Bucket

This is my first time participating in Diane's A picture is worth a 1,000 wordsI really want to learn how to smock. I had a tiny lesson months ago while I was in Statesboro Ga working on their new Hobby Lobby... remember that? It seems like a lifetime ago! So imagine my surprise and delight when I found this Amanda Jane 24 needle pleater in my favorite local antique shop. I couldn't believe the price! Only $15 !!! What a steal!
Years ago as a young military wife I tried to collect Princess House crystal but sadly my family budget didn't allow for many purchases. I have a chip n dip bowl, trifle bowl, and a set of brandy sniffers... Now I have a crystal ice bucket! Found at the same antique shop in it's original box with plastic tongs for $10 !!!
Isn't it pretty? I just love it. I have it boxed up because I learned my lesson with crystal when fat Miz Sissy-kitty single pawed destoyed 7 of my 8 antique stemmed dessert cups. I can still remember the unmistakeable sound of shattering crystal, it tinkles very pretty!
Thank you for visiting me and allowing me to show off my bargains!
I adore giving a new home to old treasures