Sewing table {makeover}

As a lot of my projects with furniture start out, I picked this up on the side of the road.

So I got to work and sanded it down. Once it was nice and smooth and the hardware was removed I them primed it. Them I spray painted it a pretty blue. Once that paint was set I put a nice antique finish on it. I made sure I put extra antiquing finish on the legs and around the mock drawers. We kept the original hardware on it. I think the hardware fit right in.

The finished product.

Initialed

Well I saw a scrap piece of wood in my shed and thought up a project all from materials on hand! I've been meaning to use these letters I bought and finally decided to do something with them. So here's the project, step by step:

Here's my scrap of wood

I sanded my piece, especially the edges that would touch a wall and the corners too

Modge Podge the front once the wood has been prepped

Then take your piece of paper (I used wrapping paper, but scrapbooking paper would work beautifully) and place over the first layer of Modge Podge. Smooth out as best as you can. Then apply Modge Podge to the top of the paper to seal and create a nice textured look/finish.

Next (if you want this distressed look) take acrylic craft paint and paint the edges of the wood and distress the top. There isn't really and right and wrong way to distress. Whatever looks good to you. Work on the look until you are happy with it.

A shot before I attach the Initial

Take your wooden letter/initial and put a couple of dabs of glue on the back. I used liquid nails because it was available and works VERY well. You do want the Letter to stay so use a glue strong enough to keep it in place.

A shot with the letter on the piece, slowly coming together.

I used these little hooks we had in a picture hanging kit. They were perfect for this project!

I found some black ribbon and tied her up! I really love the raw edges on the ribbon too! I think I might accent this with some aqua ribbon on one side. Just to add a touch of color. After all you know where this baby is going... in my scrapbooking/craft room :))))

I love free projects. Ok but really it only costs me about $1.50 for the initial. I had all other materials on hand. Not bad, huh?

Dresser MAKEOVER!

My boss has lots of rent houses. This was left by his hold tenants and he thought it would fit the description of what I told him I was looking for. It was pretty stinking close!

Well here she is! I swear this is exactly how I got it.

As you can see it was falling apart.

The top was probably the worst part. The people who had it, had to have had it outside.

So the fun begins of sanding this baby down!

Filling in the holes and trying to patch the front of this thing. I tried I really did.

Now for the lining. Put a layer of Mod Podge down.

Place pre-cut "lining" on the layer of Mod Podge. Then Mod Podge over that to seal it all in!

A look from 3 drawers! I freakin' love it!

A side view! Can you tell I'm obsessed!

And the ALMOST finished product! I say almost because look at the finish of those drawers. I have some fixing to do on those. **Note to self when sanding make a decision to sand all or none down to the bare wood** That is what messed this finish job up. BUT for now it works until I can take a bit more of time with it. But in dim light you can barely tell.

What do you think?

Cost break down:
Sandpaper: 4.87
Spray Paint: 3.44 x 3
Knobs: 1.29 x 12
Wood Filler: 2.99
Carpenter's Glue: 2.50

Ok a little more than I wanted to spend but only cause I didn't have the supplies that I needed. But seriously I'm stocked up (other than paint) for the next project. So bring it~!

Easter Egg Wreath

I've been taking in all the cutesy Easter wreaths, etc. I've see around the stores. I especially liked the Pier 1 decor. But didn't have the $29.95 to spend on this beauty. So I decided to make my own. Plus I wanted the colors to be a little brighter than these pastels above. Here's mine.

First start with a grapevine wreath. I've had this thing for so long and haven't done a thing with it, I figured now was the time. This one was small, but I didn't want anything too big. Due to all the color being used on it.

Next I glued all the eggs on rotating the colors so it flowed and made sense. After glueing some onto the grapevine wreath I figured out it was easier to glue the eggs together, instead of to the grapevine wreath itself. (If that makes sense)

All the eggs are on. Lastly, for the bow *(cause I had to have one)*... I decided on Raffia cause I had it on hand and thought it would go perfectly with this wreath.

Here's the finished product, what do you think? I'm biased, but I really prefer the brighter colors to the Pier 1 pastels above.

My fav part, the wreath hanger that I love love love that my MIL gave me from PB :)

Ok now for the best part (besides my wreath hanger), it only cost $1.99! I spotted the eggs at Target and loved the colors. I got 48 eggs for $1.99. I was going to wait til the eggs went on sale but I couldn't bare the fact that all I might save is .50 cents and what if there weren't any left? I had all the other materials. Not a bad savings :) I had 10 eggs left. Can't wait to show you my next project with the leftovers. Stay tuned!

Vintage Subway Signs

I had to post this quickly before it was out of my brain and forgotten. I have to make this Subway Sign for my next project. I'm trying to think of a good saying for my dining room. I think it would be perfect fit in there with the Vintage Modern theme I'm going for. Any ideas for quotes, sayings?

The Heaviest Bench Ever!

I love to find new treasures in someone else's trash. This seems to be a Sunday routine of sorts lately. I found this in a lady at church's neighborhood. It was a pretty nice neighborhood too. I spotted it and new I would have to come back with Markus. He absolutely hates when I do this to him, but seriously how could I pass up this wooden bench?They even left Nike shocks in there too! LOL. I love how it opens up. It would be a great bench for a mud room if I had one or a toy/play room if I had one of those too...

Here's a shot of it on my front porch. It's the length of it just about which is about 5' or so. It's sooo heavy and barely fit in the back of the SUV. Can't wait to show the finished product. If I had the right saw I could cut the camel back right off of it cause it's not really my style... but we will see. Any suggestions of colors?

New Inspiration!!!!!!!

I've been trying to talk myself out of getting a miter saw (to start with) amongst other wood working/cutting saws to start building and fixing up my house instead of paying someone else to do it. Or feeling guilty when Uncle Brent comes by and helps and I don't have money to pay him! Well I found this blog {Knock Off Wood} and it just definitely rationalized me getting what I've been hesitant to get all along. Holy cow... I just need to take the plunge (when we have money) and just go for it!!! I'm so happy I found this chica's blog. Let the fun begin :)

Pottery Barn Sofa Table Facelift

I tried to get decent pictures of this project, but it was beyond gross outside and I did this right before it was due to rain. Please excuse my messy deck, dead plants and all the clutter. It's winter here people and in Louisiana people don't go outside when its 30 degrees (insert comment here).
So here is the PB sofa table I bought for $150 (over 75%) off the regualar price of $699 I might add. I loved the mod style of it, but wasn't in love with the color. But I knew it was built solid and I could change that grey stain with a little paint in no time. Well I finally did after having it for a little over a year.

Here you get a close up of the grey stain and the grains of the wood

The whole big long thing... it goes forever. I guess it has to fit the 50" plasma right?

Side view (you can tell where the table and chairs were painted right before, huh?)

The after pics 2 cans of spray paint later...

Total cost $6 :)
Nothing beats the black satin spray paint. I just love the finish!

"Later" Lists Found!~

I started what I call "Later Lists". Silly as it may be, I wanted to write down things I wanted for each room of my house. I didn't want to forget anything and I also wanted all my ideas to be in one place. I must have started them shortly after we moved in. I have them in a little note box by my computer where I open them occasionally (when I remember they are there) and take a peek. Naturally after my POST I thought I'd see what I was able to complete from them.

Here goes nothing... hopefully I will get more done this year!

Dining Room:
Beat Wall down- can't it's not structurally in the budget
Chocolate Wall- DONE
New Table & Chairs- DONE
Rug- can't find one the right size... so maybe still

Master Bedroom:
PB Interchangeable Headboard- went on sale not sure if it's still offered... might have to make on
Wood Floors- gotta happen!!!
Flotaki rug
Chaise Lounge Chair in sitting area
Bed tables

Master Bathroom:
Vanity bases- hahaha
Counter tops
Lighting- DONE
Mirrors- Found some for $200/piece... looking for cheaper but same look
Tile Shower- think this one is in my dreams... but who knows!
New Paint Color- DONE

Kitchen:
Window Treatments- Bought fabric... just need to assemble
Countertops- haven't made up my mind b/w tile vs. granite tiles
Backsplash- going classy here... white subway tiles all the way!
Range- DONE
OTR Microwave- :(
Dishwasher- DONE!!! and only for $150 a Bosch at that :))))
Frig- :( Will have to save up a while for this one... not doing cheap on it!

Living Room:
Drapery Rod- DONE
Sofa & Chairs- :( Again not cheap on this one folks
Rug- DONE... Zebra style from PB $200 oh yeah!
Ottoman- wishful thinking.. ab the leather.. I'll take a coffee table too

Guest Bedroom:
#1 would be to put a baby in it, but hahahaha
New Bedding
Window Treatments
New Paint Color- maybe

Office/Scrapbook Studio:
PB Black Wall shelves- or something of the like
Black & White Drapes- still shopping for fabric like 2 yrs later...

Hall Bath:
(this room is complete... but I'm just adding this now)
Paint Vanity & Toilet Cabinet- I think... Brown, just to tone down the brightness.. but IDK

I know you are probably thinking, Um wow! Trust me I am too. These were created late 2007... I'm not in a real big hurry, but Lists, They work for me. And by posting it... I won't forget about them now! I can only "chew" so much :)

5 Min Gift: Mod Podge Style

I've been re-purposing a lot of things in my scrapbook closet lately. My husband used to golf. So this sign naturally was perfect for him. He gave up golf about 3 or so years ago and long story short, this sign had no use in our house. It's a metal sign. I needed a gift for my Aunt Linda's surprise party a couple of weeks ago in like no time flat (I was running late with making the food). I knew I wanted to make her a sign and I knew I wanted it to be a sweet meaningful saying/quote. So after I found the quote... I started digging around as to what/how I would present it. I used this metal sign to mod podge her favorite color scrapbook paper to the front

Like so. I wanted to create a "matted" picture frame effect of sorts.

For those of you who don't know what Mod Podge is... here's the bottle. Its great stuff. A closeup of the paper I used. Pretty huh? She loves all things purple!

The quote/saying I used. Only her's had the scripted words bolded in purple! Nice effect!

Here she is opening it and ready intently... notice the double ribbon hanger!

At this point she is tearing up and trying to see and I quote "who did this to me?". I was right in front of her taking pictures and she looks up at me and says, "Jenn of course it was you Jenn." That was all I needed!

I never took a pic of the finished project... but you get the idea. It was very easy and as you can tell it made my Aunt Linda's day. That is what I was going for. She's the best lady ever!

Different Direction

I originally started this blog for all my gardening projects and was supposed to be posting house projects here and there. Well last year was not the year for "house" projects, so that didn't happen. I'm turning this blog into a little of everything. I didn't want to clutter up my "family" blog with all my little "projects" that I take on and with this blog they will all be in one spot. So all the house, garden, craft, decorating, etc. projects will now be shown HERE! So stay tuned... It's going to be a fun, entertaining ride :)

Stop & Smell the Roses

"Double Decadence"
That's the name of this rose bush. It's huge too! It's a tea rose and smells so heavenly.

The minature rose garden in the side yard. Seems like I was supposed to take a picture of the side yard. Well it's not really complete, but I will take a pic of the progress. We still haven't figured out the whole making a brick path thing. The white rose is "Iceberg", the pink rose middle is "Double Decadence" and the red rose on the left is "Mister Lincoln". The red rose bush we had growing up in my mom's garden. When we were at the nursery looking for these roses I saw this one. It was so healthy looking and had one rose bloomed on it. I just thought to myself... Hmm I wonder if... and it was a Mister Lincoln. I just can't tell you the memories we have associated with this rose bush among others mom had in her garden. I can't wait to get the others we loved so much as children. This has really been such a nice week to come out and smell my roses and see what bloomed. It has been stressful at work, but when I get home and walk outside... everything is better when I see and smell these roses. They are worth more to me than we actually paid for them, let me just say that. I'm very pleased and happy my hubby insisted I buy 2 of them. Together they were $25. You just can't beat that! I'm in love :)

My Variegated Hyrdrangea

Makes for a lovely centerpiece for our dinner in the garden. She's a beauty. So unique. I think I am the only person with a variegated hydrangea. Very similar to the lacecap hydrangeas.

My 1st Viola

I've been hoping I would get at least one flower out of my little viola seeds before the hot weather hits and kills them. Sure enough I got one. And another is coming up right now. I will have to remind myself next time to plant these in the fall instead of the spring so they can last longer. These are one of my favorite flowers and perfect for LSU colors. Geaux Tigers!

Roses

Easter weekend Markus bought me my first rose bush. For this I was very excited. It was a great price and looked amazing considering it was from a big box store. We all know how those plants just aren't taken care of the same way nurseries take care of their plants. Its a white rose. Iceberg. I was happy to see the name. We had an Iceberg bush in mom's rose garden growing up. I loved it too. It's the kind of rose bush that has lots of blooms on one stem. I actually have completely forgotten to take a picture of it. It had blooms all over it this week and smelled so sweet. I just love the sweetness of walking in the yard and the breeze comes through and the smell of the roses hits you. Ahh... I love it! Pictures to come soon.

Seeds

I have morning glory seedlings popping up, viola seedlings (not the right season either), lavendar, sweet pea, and four o'clocks coming. I'm very excited for these. Markus even told me the other day (I check their progress daily) that even though I obsessively check them doesn't mean they will grow faster. I had to laugh. I just wanted to see if I had another one pop up. Now I've just got to find a place for them. I'm just excited I can grow things. I love when I plant seeds and up they come. Pretty cool! Can't wait til they get bigger. I might just have to post a pic of these little seedlings!

P.S. I have one bud on my tulips. Hopefully she peeks her head this week :)

My "New" Prized Jewel

I couldn't pass her up at Home Depot. This Pink Jasmine was screaming my name. I first saw the small pots. Then I layed eyes on the large pots which were only $24.98. I just thought for the size of the plant I had to have the big one. It is so beautiful and is now taking center stage in the corner of the deck. I rearranged everything it the Pink Jasmine would be the center of attention. Boy does she shine. Also had the chance to work on the side yard a little bit more. Not ready to show off yet. It's still a work in progress. Can't wait til it's done!

It's just now spring without Jasmine. In the background you can see the neighbor's Confederate Jasmine. I chopped all of it down on our side because it was getting everywhere. I might repaint the trellis and make some blue morning glory go up or side. I haven't decided yet though.

Waiting...

The same animal that would eat my camelia buds is the same one that would eat my tulip bulbs right out of the pot. So I finally moved them out of the pot into my front yard where you can just barely see the leaves springing out of the dirt. I can't wait til they bloom. I only have 3 bulbs now, but hopefully they come soon before all the hot weather sets in. I guess we'll see.