Door to Decor

I was coming home from my son's football game, and noticed a community yard sale...need I say more. I stopped at this one house with an older couple. Found a fabulous 1948 mirror with a hand painted pink frame, perfect for my diva-in-training's room.

Then, I spotted these kitchen cabinet doors for $1.

A few weeks back I was shopping with a girlfriend in one of those fancy paper stores with sheets of great wrapping paper. I had bought 2 sheets, not knowing what I would do with them. When I saw the doors, I thought: "Could the papers fit?" They sort of do, they fall a little short, but whatever. I dry brushed a little white paint on the fronts, sanded them to make them look worn. One hangs in my dining room, and one in my bedroom.

Counterfeit table

Meet my new bedside table. This all came about because my lovely husband threatened to throw out all my old suitcases if I didn't do something with them. They are taking up precious space in "his" garage. I found a picture on Pininterest of a table like this using a vintage suitcase and suitcase stand(which I also had), so I copied it! Wish I could take full responsibility for this idea..but I did execute it!

Bedside to Chairside

Got this bedside table at LCM, and then moved it down with us. Finally got around to it because my hubby needed a place to put his drinks when he sits in his recliner. Since grey is the new black, I painted the outside the grey, and painted the inside a crisp white for contrast. I had the knob lying around from the dollar bin from Michaels. Love the drawer for remotes.

Heirloom Hutch

I can't tell you how proud of this piece I am! I love it, and every time I walk by it, I get a big smile on my face! The first reason is that it took me so long to complete, I am so thankful it's done. The second reason is that I love the fabric I found for it..so cheerful and the perfect backdrop. Thirdly, all my grandmother's milk glass looks so happy on display, and I think of her every time I see those pieces.

I had received this hutch from my Mom's friend, I remember it in her house when I was a little girl in the 80's. It looks modern and chic now complete with Anthropologie clearance knobs.

Travel back in time

My fascination for old luggage continues. I had finished these two pieces earlier this month, and since then, have acquired 5 more to re-do!

I'll be busy..some of them are really cool pieces.

Desk has graduated to cuteness!

Well, I once again forgot to take a before picture of this desk. The seat and back was a light wood in pretty bad shape. The desktop had a big chunk taken out of it. I filled the hole, and all the engraved names and lines in the wood, gave it a good sanding, and painted the wood. I sprayed the rusted metal parts with this cheap spray paint that I get at the Exchange here on base (it seems to be the best for coverage..I don't know how or why). Then I applied some fabric to the seat because with all the coming and going, I knew the seat's paint would get scratched.

Rainy Day Makeover

I needed a good indoor craft today since it's been raining. I have had this Samsonite Carry-on bag for a good month or so. Long enough that my 4 year old girl took ownership of it for a while, stuffing her "babies" into it. I decided to give it an updated look by taking inspirati0n from my favorite purse designer: Gwen Stefani of L.A.M.B. She has a re-occurring design of stripes down the middle of her purses. Now it is a fashionable make-up bag, carry-on, or purse.

A treasure just steps away.

Another treasure thanks to my neighbors who put things on the curb to get picked up. This bookcase had a slightly damaged top, and a broken off leg, but the owners at least put the leg out there as well. All the leg needed was a little wood glue, and it's good as new. I applied fabric to the top to hid the imperfections, and pained the sides green for a designer touch. I have been wanting to get rid of some of my vast basket collection, so I added those and they fit perfectly.

This and a lot of my re-purposed finds will be on sale this Saturday at the Fort Ord Post Wide Yard Sale from 9:00-1:00 off Joe Lloyd Way, Seaside.

Earth Day Armoir

This Earth Day I finished up my armoir. It was a piece that was owned by my grandmother (but definitely not antique). She bought it before she went to an assisted living home. I received it, and it lived in my son's room as his wardrobe. I had glued airplane hooks to the front of the doors that were cute at the time, so when when I went to take them off, it sort of damaged the finish. This has been moved and moved again, so it had many nicks and scrapes. I got some free paint at LCM, repainted the whole thing white, and experimented with a taupe color, and did an old technique of making it look like linen on the front and top of the piece. Now it houses tons of toys, and makes the playroom more peaceful and neat. (PS, notice the antique globe on top, another LCM score!)

A girl can change her mind..right?

So, you might remember one of my early posts about this sewing desk. I loved the technique I used, but I didn't love my choice in fabrics. I thought I wanted a fun, whimsical design, but it was just to loud of a piece for me. I had a bunch of Toile fabric, and let's face it, I have and always will love Toile! I had never painted the top of the desk because I covered it with fabric. So I peeled off the fabric which was relatively easy to do, gave it a quick sanding, and oiled it to seal. I think it is Tres Magnifique!

New

Old

Crafter's Caddy

I have been wanting to blog about this train case, but I had to wait until I could mail it to my dear friends Holly for her birthday. I wish I had a

before picture, but I forgot. Basically, it was very dirty, the stitching on the outside was a nice shade of dirt. The inner lining was a stained offwhite with a smell of mildew. I tore out the inside lining, bleached the heck out of the stitching, and added a new fabric to the inside. Holly is my crafting soul mate, so I knew I needed to jazz up the outside. I stenciled the bird cages on, and stamped the letters to her name on top. It is going to look great in her craft room to hold lots of scrapping "crap".

There was something about this magazine holder that caught my eye. I love the curvy lines to this piece, and it is obvious to me that someone handmade it with good wood. It just needed a little update. It's hard to see in the picture, but the keys have a vintage glitter finish. I just love!

Sitting in SoCal

I love chairs for some reason, I am gonna be that crazy old lady with chairs stacked up everywhere. I found this one at LCM for $3. I was just going to re-upholster the pad, but then just thought to give it a nice fresh coat of paint. I used the remainder of the fabric from the tablecloth I used to make a pillow a while back. After I got done changing out the fabric on the seat, I noticed a little mistake on the map..they spelled Coronado, "Coronato"..made in China perhaps??

Going Places

Well, I have a new addiction...Vintage Luggage!

I have about 5 pieces that I have or will be re-purposing. The one below is a white American Tourister from the 60's or 70's. I cleaned it up real good with bleach, and applied a light spray of paint to freshen it up. I ripped out the inner stained lining, and grabbed some funky fabric to re-line the inside. I then cut out circles of the fabric and applied them to the outside to tie the whole look together. Would be a perfect suitcase for a weekend trip or to store items in for a decorative look. More luggage to come!

Vanity mirror needed a makeover!

Found this vanity mirror at LCM. The side metal was all rusted and the floral motif was a little outdated. At first I just sprayed the stand...but it needed something else. So I glittered the rusted metal frame..but it needed something else. So I added pearls to hide the flawed mirror edges, and added a little flower broach, and then it was perfect. Just like I learned in culinary school...decorate to hide mistakes!

Band-Aid for your Clothes

How adorable are these??? Found this applique kit at the San Francisco Vintage Fashion Expo, and had to blog about them since I am all for repuposing and recycling! I think these are meant for repairing sweaters, but when I saw the Band-Aids, I immediately thought of the 3 pairs of jeans my son has that all have the same holes in the same spot! Apparently I got a deal, bought them for $15, when on her web site they are $20. I do have a sweater that has a hole, and she has some more designs that I may look into. There is also a link to her apperance on the Martha Stewart Show, where Martha seemed to be a fan.
You can buy these and others at stellaneptune.com

Works of Art

These Posters I found at LCM, there was a enormous stack of them, .50 cents each! I grabbed a few and have had them hanging around for months. One is of the Golden Gate, and one of the Bixby Bridge in Big Sur. Two places I adore!


I came across these artist's frames (original price on the backs were $24.99) I paid $2 each. I didn't have anything in mind yet for them, was just thinking to spray them a fun color, and hang them empty. After I painted them green (with left over paint from the jewelry box), I noticed the color went so well with the posters I had.





I wanted to do a technique I learned from my guru Martha Stewart called glitter painting. It's so easy to do, and when you use the Martha Stewart Glitter from Michaels, it looks so beautiful. I didn't want to glitter the whole thing, just add accents to make the picture pop. Here is a close up of the glitter, I just added it to the golden gate in this picture.





In the other picture, I just accented the Big Sur Bixby Bridge and some of the crashing waves.


And the final product!

Jewelry Box From Trash to Treasure

This Jewelry Box was in the hands of another when I spotted it at LCM...I waited and waited for this man to examine it, thinking about it..and then when I thought all hope was gone, he put it back on the shelf! I scurried over to it and snagged it. I had an upcoming birthday party for my friend's little girl, and thought this would be the perfect thing to re-do for her. I have taken my friend to LCM, and she loved it, so I knew she would appreciate the gift. I pained it green and applied black glittered trim and knobs. I Modge Podged fabric to the top to give it some style.

Pastry Stands from Candle Stands

Had a little spur of the moment trip to LCM. Boy is that place crowded with people doing the same thing I am. I get a little nervous when I see the parking lot full, but it's all for a good cause, I can't be so selfish!

I have been seeing on people's blogs, making cake stands out of candleholders and plates, so that was my mission. In true LCM fashion, there it was. I found these two metal/glass candle holders that I paid $3 for the pair (that is kind of high prices for me!) They had the original price tag from Kohls of $19.99 each. I rounded the corner in the kitchenwares, and found these two pans? I have no idea what they would have been used for...flan maybe? They are so shallow. I held one up to the candlestick, and boom..perfect fit! 50 cents each.



I ran into a problem when I started spraying the candleholders. The red kept coming through the blue paint, making this purple hue. Even with 3 coats, the purple still came through, but you know what, I love the look now.

The stands can be stacked well and securely, I dont think they would be good for cakes, but I think mini tarts would be adorable on these! Also, a ramekin fits perfectly in the top opening. Picture strawberries and a chocolate dip...beautiful!

Well, here it is, my 5 seconds of fame, the article from the Monterey Herald about my blog! I feel so honored to be a small part in the efforts to educate people about how fun and exciting re-using and recycling can be. Here is a link to the article in web form:

http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_17302939?IADID=Search-www.montereyherald.com-www.montereyherald.com&nclick_check=1

A Pretty Ugly Chair

I took a trip to LCM last week, to do an interview with The Monterey Herald on all my recycling escapades. I was looking for a side table to put next to my husband's favorite chair. I spotted one next to the front door as I was talking to the reporter. In the back of my head, I am saying to myself "that's it, I love it, it has a drawer for remotes, don't leave here without it!"

We headed outside, and there I spotted this chair, perfect size, bright floral, had been re-upholstered here in town by an interior designer, and I thought is was so fabulous. The reporter, and my photographer friend both agreed with me, so I flagged down the outside employee, who makes the deal with you, and writes you up a ticket so you don't have to schlep it through the store, you can pay for it, and drive to the back to pick it up.

On the way up to the register, I planned on grabbing the perfect end table I saw walking in. Let this be a lesson to you all...it wasn't there!!! Things go in the blink of an eye! So if you see something you like, grab it, sit on it, drag it, whatever it takes!! But I did get the chair, which my husband thinks is hideous, but I think it adds a lot of color and personality to my kids' playroom, it's the perfect size for them, and some days you will catch me watching Oprah on it in the afternoon.

Time for a new life!

I found this "kitchy" cross stitched clock at LCM. It was in really poor shape, it originally came in a shadow box, but the door and glass was broken. So I took the hinges off and gave the clock a fresh coat of light blue paint. I loved this because it looked like it took a very long time to make, someone took it to a clock store to have it mounted and the gears installed, and was probably very proud of it for a long time. It makes me a little sad that items like these end up at the dump. So that's why I feel good when I look at it, it has been saved, and has a new life in our home.