CURBSIDE TO ADORABLE!

I found a toy box sitting out for the trash and one of my sons helped me load it into my Jeep.  Some of the screws holding it together needed to be reinforced and it needed to be cleaned up, but other than that it was in good shape.  Plain and ordinary, but in good shape.  It had a decorative rim around the top of the lid on only 2 sides, so I removed it.  I didn't take any before photos, but let's just say it was white and uninteresting.  I wanted to keep it gender neutral, so I chose a creamy yellow to paint the bead board sides and front to make the detail of them stand out a little bit better.  I mod podged an old map to the top of the lid.  It turned out pretty sweet and sold right away!

It is sitting on a rolling dolly that I use to move it around (it is heavier than it looks, lol) - it does not have wheels on the bottom, although in hind sight, that might have been kind of cute!  Maybe next time!  Not too bad for another curb side find!  It is now ready to be filled with toys instead of ending up in the trash!

Message Boards

From my last post on my "Hexagon Dog Bed", I mentioned that I took the doors off of the table to use them for another project.  Today's post is about the message boards I made from them.  When I took the doors off, the BACK side of the doors had an indent in the top and bottom which automatically spoke to me as a message board.  My thought was a chalk board on the top and cork board on the bottom along with embellishments.  Here is what I started out with:

I filled the holes from the hinges and the door pulls with wood filler and sanded it.  I love how there is even a slight arch at the top!  Next, I painted it completely with black chalk board paint.

To both chalk boards, I added some cork board on the bottom half and stenciled it in white to add some charm.  To the first chalk board, I added a fun metal basket that I found at Hobby Lobby.

To the second one, I added some knobs and a metal hook that I already had on hand.

I was thinking about a clever way to hang them and thought that a chunky, rusty hinge would work perfectly -

They turned out SO cute!  Not bad for leftover doors from a previous project - especially when said previous project was a free curbside find to start out with!  Needless to say, they are SOLD!

Hexagon End Table/Dog Bed

I have seen a lot of hexagon end tables that people have turned into stylish dog beds.  I had been keeping my eye out for a table to use to try my hand at it.  The thrift stores were a bust because they were all $30-$40 to start with.  I was on my way to the grocery store one day and sitting out in the trash behind a building was just the table I wanted.  I almost passed it up because I was in a hurry and it was raining but I pulled over and managed to get it into my car - it was heavier than it looked!   When I finally got it home, I took the doors off to use for another project, I filled in the holes with wood putty and started sanding.  This is what it looked like when I started in on it -

I painted the inside in a light grey that I had on hand and the outside in Pottery Barn's "Peppercorn" which is a rich grey.  I bought a nice, fluffy pet bed to put inside and viola!

It turned out exactly as I had it pictured in my head!  It sold within the hour!  Some lucky pup is snuggling in style now.  SO much nicer than a typical dog crate and useful as an end table to boot.  I call that a win-win!

The Little Broken Table With a Happy Ending!

So, my grand-son-in-law found this great antique little table by a dumpster and brought it to me for a makeover.  It was an old-style end table with a flip-up top to put your stuff inside and a small slot on the side for books or magazines.  Inside the table were old newspapers.  The first thought that came to mind was to paint and distress the table and mod podge the newspapers on the inside of the flip-up top.  I sat it in my garage to await it's turn.  Then, I had a water pipe leak and it leaked all over the table and inside as well.  The newspapers were ruined but I was hoping to still salvage the table but it literally fell apart when I picked it up to move it.  Sadly, the table was too far gone for a makeover.  I did, however, salvage the wood from the flip-up top!  I wood glued the pieces back together and decided to make a plank-board "Welcome" sign.  I started by sanding it all down, then adding some grey and white dry brushed paint on top and finally a little teal mixed in for interest and to make it look old and wonderful, this is what I ended up with:

I had a stencil that said "Welcome" and stenciled it on in a deep grey color.

I added some chunky wooden knobs painted in the same deep grey color and a rusty hook I already had.  I also added eye hooks to the top and a wire hangar which I embellished with strips of flannel that I tied on to the ends.  It turned out really cute!

Cute enough that is is already SOLD!

Even though the original plan for the table didn't work out, I am glad that I was able to use part of it for this fun project!  Sometimes, you have to change direction when mishaps occur.

CURBSIDE SHELVES

While walking through my neighborhood, I came upon a set of oak colored shelves.  I decided they needed a makeover, so I grabbed them up.  They were sturdy and in good condition, just had no personality.  Here is how they started out:

I wanted them to have a shabby chic/cottage feel, so I painted them white and distressed them, I think they are happier now!  I love the scalloped edge on the bottom.

And there is even a groove to display plates or other items:

A very nice lady bought them to hang in her nursery!  Blessings on the new baby girl!  I love finding things for FREE and making them into something nice again.  On to the next project!

ABRACADABRA!

I have just finished making some magic wands!  First, I made my 3 year old grand-daughter some fairy wands.  I looked at several Pinterest boards first.  I modeled most of my design after the one found on this blog.  I first bought several "cooking chopsticks" from Amazon.  Cooking chopsticks are longer (18") and are the perfect shape and length for wands!  I painted one of the wands pink and one blue then I sprayed them with Krylon glitter blast for effect.  I cut several different kinds of ribbons all the same length.  I wanted the ribbons to be long and flowing.  I used washi tape to secure the ribbons to the chopsticks and then painted a bit of Mod Podge on top for durability.  Here is how they turned out:

I think she will LOVE them!

Next, I got to work on some for her older sister who is 9.  She is a Harry Potter fan, so I again turned to Pinterest for ideas and it did not disappoint!  Almost all of the pins I found suggested using the same "cooking chopsticks" and hot glue to make the designs on the wands.  Here is an example.  Basically, I used hot glue to make designs - on one of them, I used some seed beads for more texture.  I deliberately made each one different.  I then painted them with brown paint, let them dry, then went over that with stain.  When the stain was dry, I painted gold and teal accents on them for fun.  I think she will love them.  Here is how they turned out:

I had a lot of fun creating these wands for my grandkids and it was pretty easy too.  I hope they have just as much fun pretending .... too bad the wands aren't real!

Chalk Painted Coffee Table

I picked up a small, rather neglected, coffee table.  I could see it had a lot of potential, so I grabbed it.  I have never used chalk paint before, but this looked like the perfect first project to try it on.  I was so anxious to get started on it, that I didn't take any "before" pictures.  I DID get some "during" pictures though -

Here it is with a couple of coats of white chalk paint.  I used American Decor.  The top of the table wasn't in the best shape, so chalk paint was a good fit.  Here it is all painted - looks better already.

Next, I distressed the edges and the legs a little bit.  It has a lovely shell detail on the sides which, when distressed really brought out the design.

Finally, to complete the shabby chic look, I stenciled a design on the top with grey craft paint, then waxed it.

And, here is the final result - perfect for a living room, den, or covered back porch!  Currently adorable and for sale at $40.

Not so boring anymore!  What was your first experience with chalk paint?