DIY: Painted Pumpkins

 

Can I make a confession?

 

I am not a seasonal decorator.

 

I know...decorating and crafting for the seasons is like blogger content gold, right? But, it's just not me. It has something to do with living in smaller quarters and not wanting to store it and not wanting to clean it and not wanting to clutter the home.

 

I know, sometimes it's difficult to live in my head.

 

But I am trying my best this year to add a few more seasonal items to our home without feeling like I live in Hobby Lobby. Plus, I already have an obsessive amount a few owl decor pieces in my house...so that passes for fall decorations, right?

 

I picked up three pumpkins from the dollar store and repainted them so they fit into our vintage/modern decor.

 

STEP 1: I painted all the pumpkins with ivory paint.

 

STEP 2: (for the chevron pumpkin) I drew a chevron design on the painted pumpkin with a pencil and then painted in the lines with a deep orange acrylic paint.

 

STEP 3: (for the polka dot pumpkin) I dipped the end of a pencil eraser in black acrylic paint and stamped it on the pumpkin creating a polka dot pattern.

 

STEP 4: (the yellow pumpkin) I painted the whole pumpkin with two coats of mustard yellow acrylic paint.

 

STEP 5: I painted all the "stems" brown and then sealed each pumpkin with two coats of clear glossy spray paint.

 

This was a a fun project and it helped ease me into seasonal decorating...which I hope to get better at, and enjoy too!

I'm linked to:
Tatertots and Jello

Creating Silhouettes (part two)

 I thought I would share a project that I did a while ago. Back when this blog was pretty new, I posted about creating silhouettes without the need of fancy software, or paying a company to make them for you.

Recently I made some silhouettes of the babes to put in our living room. I kinda love them a lot.

Eventhough I already posted how to do this...I will give another quick lesson!

CREATING A SILHOUETTE

STEP 1: Take a profile picture of your subject. Against a plain wall is best but not necessary. For the baby, (since he can't hold his head up yet) I had my husband hold him up against his shoulder so I could snap a quick picture.

STEP 2: Download the picture to your computer and enlarge to the size you want. Holding up a piece of white computer paper (or something similarly transparent) trace the outline of their profile. Cut out and now you have a template.

STEP 3: Use your template to trace onto another piece of paper or fabric, whatever your choice is for the finished silhouette.

I got the frames at the thrift store, painted them black, and then mounted the silhouettes onto white cardstock.



DIY Play Kitchen (from a nightstand)

I am finally getting around to posting the play kitchen my dad (and husband) and I made for my daughter! I am really ashamed at how long it has taken me to finish this. Oh well...it's done now, right?

I started with a nightstand that I got off craigslist for $5 and pulled the drawers out. Luckily there was a board between both drawers..so we didn't have to build one for the "oven" bottom. My dad took the front off one of the drawers and attached it to front of the nightstand with hinges at the bottom so it could swing down like an oven door.

The backing of the kitchen is just a large piece of wood with two smaller pieces nailed in through the back for shelves. My dad already had the wood in his scrap pile...but I also priced it at Home Depot for about $5.

Here is a view of the top. I used a wooden letter "J" from Joanns for the faucet and a round cake pan from the dollar store from the sink. I didn't want anything too deep, otherwise nothing would fit in the oven compartment. Also, here are the burners I showed earlier. The burner knobs were also made with pre cut round pieces of wood. I just layered them, glued them, and then cut pieces of a dowel to put down the center to make them look more like knobs. The faucet knobs were something I already had. All the knobs are attached through the bottom with a screw and a washer so that they can turn.

Remember these cups, saucers, and canisters? I love they way they look on the shelves:)

The nightstand had two drawers...so for the bottom part, we took the drawer out and I made a little curtain to go across it for storage. My daughter keeps her play food in there. I attached it on the sides with sticky velcro so that it can come off. I got the material while in California. I think it adds to the retro look of the kitchen.

Finally, on the inside of the "oven" we painted everything with silver paint:

I really love the way it turned out! My daughter loves playing with it too...so that makes me happy:) I am in the process of making her some more accessories to go with the kitchen for Christmas such as oven mitts and dish towels....but more on that later:)

Price:

nightstand: $5

spray paint (2 cans): $6.00

wood for burners and knobs: $3.50

letter "J" for faucet: $1.00

material for curtain: $1.50

cake pan for sink: $1.00

all other materials I already had

Total: $18.00

I'm linked to:

Sugar and Dots

Someday Crafts

Sew Much Ado

Tatertots and Jello

$10 Dresser Redo

I'm back in the 21st century! Not having the Internet for over a week was horrible for about the first two days...then it's crazy how I just got used to it and I'm actually on it a lot less now.

We are FINALLY moved in. I think this was the longest and most stressful move to date and after a lot of crying and tantrums (from my 2yr old...and from me)...the hubs and I have vowed to never move again! Unless the condo across the street opens up for sale someday...other than that, we are here for-evah!

I still don't have good pictures of the place since it was clean for maybe a day...so I hope to share our new place soon! For now, I will share my most recent project:)

My grandma's house is being cleaned out in order to sell it, so a while ago I asked for this old dresser for my daughter's room:

(Sorry I never took a full picture of it before I started painting)

My goal was to paint it white...but after using one whole can of spray paint just on two drawers and finding that it was going to take about 30 more cans of paint to get the job done...I grabbed some black paint that I had and it covered the dresser like a dream.

This is the space before I moved out our old desk (that the movers broke while moving it):

I could tell it was going to easily become magnet for junk and I HATE clutter!

Now, here is the nook with my new black dresser:

I'm in love with it! Its a little more "shabby chic" than the rest of our space (which is Ikea and Target), but I love that it was my grandma's (actually my mom's first) and that it has history. Plus this new condo has three closets...so I need all the storage I can get!

I have some plans for the top of this baby. I want a funky lamp for the top and some colorful artwork above it...but for now my teenage lamp and photo of my husband and I (that I took in college) can stay where they are.

In case you are wondering, I used Krylon's Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint. It is by far my favorite black spray. Its got a hint of brown in it so it's not so stark black and it has the best satin finish. Best of all, it covers really well. I did this whole dresser with three cans!

OK...I'm off to work on some more projects and maybe just maybe sit for a little while:) It's good to be back!

Total Price (3 cans of spray paint at $3.24 each): $9.72

I'm linked to:

Sugar and Dots

Tatertots and Jello

Dining Room Chairs Redo

We got this table and chairs set off craigslist almost a year ago. It came with black chairs originally...well they were poorly stained black chairs. Don't you hate it when pictures online aren't very accurate?

So I always planned on painting the chairs black...until I got this wild hair to paint them red. I thought it would be so cool and different. Then 5 cans (and 2 trips to Walmart) later...I hated the chairs, hated Walmart, and decided I was neither cool nor different..and I should have just painted them black. Ever do that during a project?

Well, I stuck it out and finished painting them (they seriously took about 20 coats each) and finally liked them...a little.

Then I distressed the edges...all while my mother is asking me, "You're going to do what? Ruin the paint job?"...so there is more time of me explaining to her that it's what our generation does...and then the conversation just ends with us both agreeing that my generation likes to ruin things...sigh.

But after the distressing and a good night's sleep (anyone ever sneeze the color you have been painting with? TMI?)...I fell in love with them. Can you be in love with chairs? Let's see...they don't talk back when I tell them to stop jumping on the couch, or when their work uniforms are still wet in the dryer...so yeah, I love them:)

Now we just have to see if they can survive a toddler...another reason why I distressed them beforehand:)

Total makeover: $15 (5 cans of spray paint)

I'm linked to:

Thrift Decor Chick

Sew Dang Cute

Honeybear Lane

http://

Painted Glass Jars

Now that our Disneyland vacation is over (boo)...it's back to some serious crafting!

I got these jars at the thrift store a while back. The large one was $1.50 (yay for Goodwill half off sales!) and the little one was $1 at another thrift store.

They originally had clear glass lids and I had them in our bathroom storing cotton balls and cotton swabs on the counter. But I am weird about having things displayed that could be tucked away in a closet...so they got taken out of the bathroom. The all glass design didn't really fit in with our living room...so I decided to take a chance and paint the lids.

First I taped off the bottom ridge of the jar so that it would still be clear. I just used regular scotch tape.

You can see here how the lower part was not painted:

Then I just sprayed the tops with black spray paint that I already had and after that dried, I brushed on some metallic bronze paint I had (with a foam brush) to give them a brushed bronze look.

Finally I peeled the tape off and let them dry for the day so that they wouldn't stick to the base of the jar.

And that's it! I think it totally changed the look of them and they fit in nicely with the living room/dining room decor:)

For now I have them on my ladder shelf that my dad made me when my husband and I got married. I put some faux fall leaves and pinecones that my daughter had collected in them for the season:)

It's a really simple way to change the look of a jar using paint you might already have:)

I am in the midst of finishing a few more fall projects for this shelf too...so I can't wait to share this week! I love fall. Even though it is still 110 degrees here...I am determined to make it feel like fall inside!

Pillowcase Challenge #5: Padded Seat for a Toy Box

I am pretty slow going at this pillowcase challenge, huh? I only have 5 out of 50! The sad thing is I have quite a few adorable pillowcases...I am just slow at thinking of really good things to do with them!

First off, I found this wooden toy box at Savers this week. The hubs and I have been trying not to bring anything else big into our 2nd floor apartment since we are moving in a few months...but what's a gal to do when you strike thrift store gold for only $10? Naturally I can see why my husband may get defensive when he gets a call from me that starts with, "Hey...I'm calling to ask for permission...":) Even he thought it was a great deal...and I need him on my good side so I can have him haul this thing up 17 steps! (My daughter counts them every time we go up and down)

Oh...and when I got to the register, I found a $3 off coupon in my wallet! Boo-ya! Yup, coupons for the thrift store...that's how I roll!

Sorry, I don't have any redo pics of it. It had princess stickers on it, needed a damp rag wash, sanding, and then a coat of pink spray paint. I took it right to my parents house cause my dad has the space and sander that I needed. Then he just did it for me while saying, "I'll just sand it for you...I'll just primer it for you....I'll just get the first coat of spray on for you..." Any other dads do that?

ANYWAYS...are you still reading this? Good:)

I wanted just a light pad on top so Miss S could cush her tush while she read. You could use foam for this...but I'm cheap and I already had batting:)

1. Cut out a front, a back, and batting in your desired dimensions. Add 1/2 an inch all the way around for seam allowances. My final dimensions were 16x26...so I cut my pieces 17x27.

I just have to show you this fabric. I got it on clearance at Joann. It is a snuggle flannel and I LOVE it! Wish I had bought more than 1 yard:(

2. Here is how you want to layer it so it can be sewn together:

batting

top piece right side up

back piece right side down

My pink back piece was a jersey knit pillowcase. I wanted to make the whole thing the same fabric...but I didn't have enough...so I chose a bottom color that matched the color of the toy box.

3. Pin all the way around. I left a small gap so I would remember to leave an opening to turn it right side out. Anyone else zone out while sewing and realize you have sewn something completely shut? Nope? Just me?

4. Sew all the way around with a straight stitch and 1/2" seam. Cut your corners (not through stitching)

5. Flip right side out

6. Sew your opening closed. You could sew it by hand...but I just sewed it with a straight stitch on the machine. I just made sure to put that side toward the back of the toy box so you can't see it.

And that's it! Not a really thick pad...but just enough cushion. It also works as a nice blanket for her baby...I have found out. The jersey knit material in the back also ads as a nice griper...so the pad doesn't slide off every time she wants to get into the box.

So, go grab your favorite book and your best stuffed pal...and read a book in comfort!

And don't forget to leave a comment in my scrapbook flower clips post for a chance to win two clips! Giveaway ends tomorrow night!

Price:

batting: $.50

snuggle flannel: $50

pillowcase: $.50

Total: $1.50

Linked to:

Tatertots and Jello

Pier 1 Knock Off

I recently spotted this Pier 1 plate wall hanging on their website and I really wanted it. So I looked online to see if I could find it for cheaper than $79.95...with no such luck. I even went into Pier 1 hoping there might be one with a chip that they would sell me for cheaper:) But once I saw it in the store...it wasn't really the colors I was looking for. I went to Kirklands and they had a lot of great plate decor too...just much smaller and still about $40. So, I racked my brain for a few days wondering how I could recreate this on the cheap.

On one of my many trip to the dollar store...there were these white chargers with a fun dot border, so I thought, "Why not paint my own plates?" So I left the store with 4 chargers and 4 mini plastic plates (2 for $1)

First, I primed the orange plastic plates. I just used a regular white primer I already had...but if I ever did this again, I would buy the plastic spray paint for a better adhesion.

What took the longest in my planning was how to get the embossed look on plastic plates. I could have just painted a design on them...but I wanted some pop. Then I decided that puff paint would add the perfect dimension.

So I free handed different designs on each plate after I primed them. If you are not comfortable doing this, then simply draw on a design and trace it with your paint:) I liked that if I messed up, I could just wipe it off and start again.

Here are my chargers:

Next, I just painted the plates with acrylic paint. Here is one after the first coat. Each plate took about three coats.

To give the "embossed" design some pop...I mixed the color of the plate with about a pea size of brown to make it just a tad darker. Then I painted on the design with a eye shadow brush.

My next step was to seal the plates. I went to the store to just get clear spray paint, when I discovered that Krylon makes glaze in a spray can! Woo-hoo!

Here is my plate after one coat of the glaze. I just did one coat on each to make sure it would last for the whole project. I did not want to run back to the store for more spray glaze!

It's crazy how it really made the plates look ceramic!

OK...so I don't have any helpful pictures of how I put this together. I know, right? My dad mainly did most of it...while I watched and offered to help:)

What we did was arrange the plates on the table face down and then he took thin (about 1/2" thick) wood and we glued them down on the back of the plates with JB Weld. Then he took silicone and filled in the gaps along the sides of the wood to make it super sturdy.

I know this picture is terrible (it's off my non-iPhone), but I just HAD to take it! After applying the JB Weld, my dad wanted something to hold down the wood while it dried...and after looking all over the dining room...he could only think of his gun to weigh it down! Such a dad thing!

So after the back was dried, we flipped it over and my dad mixed together some more JB Weld and we glued the little plates to the front. And that's it!

I have to say I really love my Pier 1 knock off:) I had a hard time deciding how to arrange it. All the ones I have seen in the store are not symmetrical...but I am such a symmetrical person...that it only felt right:)

I love all the color it brings to the space. I typically on decorate in black and white...but I love all the colors:) I can't decide if it needs a little plate in the center too. I dunno...I will let it sit for a while.

Price:

4 chargers: $4

4 mini plates: $2

spray glaze: $2.97

puff paint: $1

Total: $9.97-Hooray for saving $60!

I am linked to:

Tatertots and Jello

Tea Rose Home

Hang Pictures with Aluminum Foil

Well, yesterday I showed how I matted my picture frames with posterboard and today I will show you how to hang them with aluminum foil:)

This technique can also be used with tissue paper or any other lightweight, easy to tear paper.

First, here is what my picture frames looked like before. I got them at various thrift stores ranging from $.50 to $1.00.

I originally wanted them all white or ivory...but with them all being different textures I wasn't sure if they would look streamlined in such a light color. I knew black would make them look more uniform and hide any imperfections in each frame.

I was really dreading spray painting them. I don't consider myself to be weak...but my fingers have never had enough strength for spray painting. It would always turn out uneven. But my need to conquer something overcame my fear of spray paint.

Plus I found this amazing color that Krylon sells. It's called Oil Brushed Bronze and it has the exact same finish as the brown/black furniture at Ikea (which we have a lot of)...so I was beyond thrilled to find it!

Then, my husband showed me this:

Have you seen one of these gun attachments for spray paint? It was $2.47 and it changed my life! I was able to spray paint each frame effortlessly and evenly. Now I want to spray paint everything!

So...getting back to the subject of this post...you want to start by arranging your frames on the ground and then taking a picture for reference.

Materials:

aluminum foil

black marker

scotch tape

1. Roll out your foil and place your frame on top. Just pull up on the foil to get an even tear all the way around your frame.

2. Looking at your picture of your arrangement, fold your foil pieces in half whichever way they will hang (vertical or horizontal). This will give you a center point of where to put your nail.

3. Flip the frame over and place the foil on top. Press down the foil to find the hook on the back (or where you will hang it from) and mark it with a dot.

So you are marking your dot on the vertical fold line and the horizontal point where you want the frame to hang.

4. Arrange your pieces of foil on the wall, using your photo as a guide. I used a small piece of scotch tape on the back of each one.

5. Now you can hammer in a nail at each dot on the foil pieces.

6. Start to hang your frames. I left the foil on to show you just how accurate it was!

7. Once you are happy with the placement, simply rip the foil off the wall (your nail should stay in tact).

At first I thought this technique may not be worth the extra work...but I was wrong! This was the easiest way to hang pictures and I liked how the foil was pliable and already in my kitchen pantry:)

Here is my wall all complete (well...without my photos):

I don't think I could love it any more than I already do! Now I just need to fill in the frames.

Price:

13 frames: $12.50

spray paint: $2.67

posterboard mattes: $.50

Total: $15.67