In Our Home {A Client Project}

I received an email a short time ago from a wonderful lady, Laura, who had a frame she really liked but had redecorated her home and it didn't fit anymore. She requested we paint the frame and add a new graphic. Today I'm showing off the newly painted frame and stenciled graphic.

Pretty Little Dining Room Set

A little Coco, some Vintage White and a touch of Santa Fe Turquoise give this sweet little dining room set a cozy but bright disposition.

Coffee Served Daily Sign

I love coffee. This is no secret. But, for some reason, I've never made a coffee sign. I've seen some super cute ones out there lately so I figured it was time for me to join the crowd!

Scalloped Edge Table

I just love the character that this little table has!

The scalloped edges and the small finials on the corners area bit  different than what you normally see on furniture. 

A Touch of Masculine {with a soft side}

 I think I picked a beauty to share with you today!

My friend Karlye texted me a few weeks ago and asked if I would redo a dresser.

Of course, I said yes!

But then she came over with this gorgeous antique beauty.

Wow was about all I could think!

How lucky was I to get to work on this?!?

For this piece, I wanted to do something just a little masculine.

The chest of drawers, without the mirror attached, just seemed to call for it.

And the piece was originally going to be a surprise gift for Karlye's Dad.

So masculine certainly seemed to fit the bill.

She and I both knew we wanted to stain some of it.

The wood itself was a little too gorgeous to cover up!

But, since it was such a wonderful piece, I also wanted to give it a little umph!

Something more than just stain. 

I  immediately though of ASCP Coco.

I love it when used with dark aging wax.

So I sanded down the trim on all four sides in order to restain those areas.

This piece also had peeling and warped veneer on the top that I decided to take off. I could tell the wood underneath the veneer would look great with some dark stain. So I set to work.

Thankfully, it came off fairly easily.

Sometimes that's a super difficult job and absolutely no fun at all!

Here's the chest sanded and restained.

I did not sand the inset areas or the drawer fronts, as I knew I would be using chalk paint there anyway.

Here's a picture of the Coco on those insets.

No wax yet...

And same with the drawers. Just paint, no wax...

 This is a close up of the drawer with distressing and wax.

Love that it has the keyhole too! :)

The side with distressing and wax...

 I chose Minwax stain in Jacobean because it's really pretty dark and I wanted dark for this piece. 

Once I had the body done, I got out the mirror.

I sanded the base for that and restained it.

Then I painted the mirror frame in Coco.

I'm loving how it turned out!

Somewhere along the line, Karlye's Dad found out about the project and he told Karlye that she could keep the Chest of Drawers.

Lucky girl!

Once I found that out, I knew I wanted to do something a little feminine with the drawer knobs.

I decided to make a trip to Hobby Lobby to look at their awesome selection of knobs and pulls.

I saw these and knew they would be perfect.

The white gives the piece just a little pop of color and yet coordinates so nicely with the Coco and dark stain.

And the dark chocolate swirls are just the perfect feminine touch for this piece!

I also bought this little birdie candleholder when I was there.

It's so delicate and my favorite color.

I just couldn't resist! :)

I think this piece turned out just how I had envisioned...

masculine with a soft side. 

I hope you've enjoyed seeing this great chest of drawers today.

I would love it if you'd connect with me via bloglovin', facebook, google+, pinterest, or hometalk!
Getting new followers and comments absolutely makes my day! :)

Everyone loves a good party!
Check my project out along with other great inspiration, at these great blogs...
One Project Closer Party at House of Hepworths

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage, Mop It Up Monday at I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill, Pink Hippo Party at Pinkapotamus, Monday No Rules Blog Hop at A Sorta Fairytale,Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative, Metamorphasis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch, Making the World Cuter Monday, Before and After at Thrifty Decor Chick (first Monday of the month), What's in the Gunny Sack at the Gunny Sack, Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House, Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life, Budget Decorating Party at Creative Cain Cabin, That DIY Party at DIY Showoff, The DIY'ers Link Party at Home Coming, Pin It Hop at Minette's Maze, Marvelous Monday at this Gal Cooks

One Project at a Time at A Bowl Full of Lemons, Transformation Tuesday at The Ironstone Nest, Monday Funday at Creatively Living, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm, The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch, Project Inspired{d}at Cupcakes and Crinoline, You're Gonna Love It at Kathe with an E, Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs, Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House, Take a Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee Crafts, Primp Your Stuff Wednesday at Primp Junktion, Be Inspired at Elizabeth and Co, Pretty Things Link Party at twelveOeight, Time to Shine at A Diamond in the Stuff, Too Cute Tuesday at Funky Polkadot Giraffe, The Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking, Creatively Tuesday at The Rustic Pig, Show Me What You Got at Not Just a Housewife, Share It Link Party at The Winthrop Chronicles, Tasteful Tuesday at Naptime Creations, Tutorial Tuesday at Hope Studios, Trash 2 Treasure at Kammy's Korner, Fluster's Creative Muster Party at Fluster Buster, The Creative Spark at Clean and Scentsible, Tuesdays at Our Home at Our Home Away from Home, Homemade by You at Made to be a Momma, Trendy Tuesdays at Sweet Little Gals, Brag About It Tuesday at Bebetsy

Wildly Original Link Party at I Gotta Create, Wow Us Wednesday at Family Home and Life, Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts, Whimsy Wednesday at Smart School House, What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants, Wednesday Whatsits at White Lights on Wednesday, What We Accomplished Wednesday at Green Willow Pond, Under $100 Linky Party at Beyond the Picket Fence, Show and Share at Southern Lovely, Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style, Wow Me Wednesday at Gingersnap Crafts, From Dream to Reality at The DIY Dreamer, Its' a Party! at A Creative Princess, Show Off Your Stuff Party at Fireflies and Jellybeans, Look What I Made Wednesday at Creations by Kara, Create and Share at The Trendy Treehouse, A Little Bird Told Me Link Party at The Life of Jennifer Dawn, Oh What a Happy Day Link Party at Not Done Growing

Party Time at The 36th Avenue, Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home, Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage, Share Your Cup Party at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, Hookin' Up with HOH at House of Hepworths, Talkin' about Thursday at Designed Decor, Live Laugh Linky at Live Laugh Rowe, Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life, The Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush, Made U Look Linky at Made in a Day, Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse, Catch as Catch Can at My Repurposed Life, Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage, Catch a Glimpse Party at A Glimpse Inside, 52 Mantels, Creative Inspirations Linky Party at Embracing Change, Simply Create Link Party at Redfly Creations

Simply Creations Link Party at My Simple Homelife, Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed, Inspire Me Please Link Party at Liz Marie Blog, Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, What Have You Redone at Redoux Interiors, Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home, Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove, Simple and Sweet Fridays at Rooted inThyme, Be Inspired at Common Ground, Faunt It Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous, Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo, Show and Tell Friday at Romantic Home, Junkin' Joe Vintage and Thrifty Finds at The Cottage Market, Weekend Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots and Jello, Shabbilicious Friday Link Party at Shabby Art Boutique, Tickled Pink at 504 Main, Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House, Rustic Restorations Weekend Link Party at Homespun Happenings,  Great Idea Thursdays at A Handful of Everything, One Sharendipity Place at The T2 Women Blog

Saturday Show and Tell at Cheerios and Lattes, Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors, A Bouquet of Talent Party at Life on Lakeshore Drive, Strut Your Stuff Party at Six Sisters' Stuff, Show and Tell Saturday at Sassy little Lady, Get Schooled Satuday at Too Much Time on My Hands, Power of Pinterest Party at Fox Hollow Cottage, Your Great Idea Party at Or So She Says, Overflowing with Creativity party at It's Overflowing, Craft Country Cottage Party at Old Red Barn, Saturday SHOW-licious Craft Showcase at Sew-licious

The Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming, Sunny Simple Sundays Party at Sunny Simple Life, Sundae Scoop at I Heart Naptime, Think Pink Sundays at Flamingo Toes, Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things, It's Party Time at Three Mango Seeds, Restyled Sundays at Stylish Once Again, Silver Pennies Sundays at Silver Pennies, Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop at A Blossoming Life

A Custom Mother's Day Gift

In honor of Mother's Day, I wanted to share with you this custom sign we made for a friend of mine.

She sent me the poem a while ago and asked if we could make something rustic for her Mother in Law.

Yeah... we do rustic. :)

I first laid the poem out in Adobe Illustrator to set the text  up in a pleasing way.

Then I cut a stencil.

I painted the leftover banner material with ASCP Old White and then Coco, adding some dark wax over that. I normally don't put wax on this material, but I just love Coco with dark wax on it. 

Next I laid out the stencil and painted the serif text in Graphite and the script in Aubusson Blue.

That part was done.

Next up, Eric made a frame with pallet wood. I asked him to make it slightly larger than need be so I could put a burlap matte around the canvas.

I stained the frame and, once dried, measured my burlap out and cut it, also cutting the inside portion out to about the size I wanted it. I then placed it on the back of the frame, making sure to check to flip it over before stapling to be sure it was relatively straight along the inside edge of the frame. I stapled it onto the back at the corners. Then I added the banner, stapling that, along with the burlap, along the whole edge all the way around. I trimmed up the inside of the burlap then, just to straighten the line a bit. 

My friend thinks her Mother in law will love it.

I certainly hope so!

I'm happy with the burlap matte.

I had never tried it before but it turned out really cute. 

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

Hope you have a great one!  

Sharing at Mother's Day Categorically Crafting Party at Someday Crafts

Love, Cherish and Adore Pedestal Signs

Today I'm sharing with you a quick little project made from frames and some old stool legs.

These little pedestal signs were created from 3 thrift store frames of roughly the same size. All I did to the frames was paint them with a  little Graphite ASCP, distress them and add dark wax. 

I also used Graphite on some leftover banner material from the shop where I work. 

I then applied a vinyl stencil (I must have had weddings in mind when I made the stencil. lol) and painted the letters with both Coco and Old White.

After that, I got out the staple gun and attached the banner material to the back of the frames.

Pretty simple process.

I pulled some old stool legs out of my stash in the garage and painted those with Graphite as well. 

I had purchased a few pieces from the Habitat Rehab store that we used for the base on these. And Eric cut a piece of wood for each so that they would be more chunky. 

The stool legs already had threaded hardware on the bottom so, after painting and waxing them, I simply drilled holes through the base pieces, added some glue to each and the threads themselves, and screwed them all together. 

Eric attached the frames to the pedestals with screws from the back, attaching one slightly lower than the other two. 

I then added some sisal and a button over the frame that was sitting lower on the base, securing it all with glue. 

I think they make a cute little set. :)

Everyone loves a good party!
Check my project out along with other great inspiration, at these great blogs...

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage, Mop It Up Monday at I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill, Pink Hippo Party at Pinkapotamus, Monday No Rules Blog Hop at A Sorta Fairytale,Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative, Metamorphasis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch, Making the World Cuter Monday, Before and After at Thrifty Decor Chick (first Monday of the month), What's in the Gunny Sack at the Gunny Sack, Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House, Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life, Budget Decorating Party at Creative Cain Cabin, That DIY Party at DIY Showoff, The DIY'ers Link Party at Home Coming

One Project at a Time at A Bowl Full of Lemons, Transformation Tuesday at The Ironstone Nest, Monday Funday at Creatively Living, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm, The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch, Project Inspired{d}at Cupcakes and Crinoline, You're Gonna Love It at Kathe with an E, Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs, Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House, Take a Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee Crafts, Primp Your Stuff Wednesday at Primp Junktion, Be Inspired at Elizabeth and Co, Pretty Things Link Party at twelveOeight, Time to Shine at A Diamond in the Stuff, Too Cute Tuesday at Funky Polkadot Giraffe, The Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking, Creatively Tuesday at The Rustic Pig, Show Me What You Got at Not Just a Housewife, Share It Link Party at The Winthrop Chronicles, Tasteful Tuesday at Naptime Creations, Tutorial Tuesday at Hope Studios, Trash 2 Treasure at Kammy's Korner, Fluster's Creative Muster Party at Fluster Buster, The Creative Spark at Clean and Scentsible, Tuesdays at Our Home at Our Home Away from Home, Homemade by You at Made to be a Momma, Trendy Tuesday at Sweet Little Gals

Wildly Original Link Party at I Gotta Create, Wow Us Wednesday at Family Home and Life, Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts, Whimsy Wednesday at Smart School House, What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants, Wednesday Whatsits at White Lights on Wednesday, What We Accomplished Wednesday at Green Willow Pond, Under $100 Linky Party at Beyond the Picket Fence, Show and Share at Southern Lovely, Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style, Wow Me Wednesday at Gingersnap Crafts, From Dream to Reality at The DIY Dreamer, Its' a Party! at A Creative Princess, Show Off Your Stuff Party at Fireflies and Jellybeans, Look What I Made Wednesday at Creations by Kara, Create and Share at The Trendy Treehouse, A Little Bird Told Me Link Party at The Life of Jennifer Dawn, Oh What a Happy Day Link Party at Not Done Growing

Party Time at The 36th Avenue, Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home, Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage, Share Your Cup Party at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, Hookin' Up with HOH at House of Hepworths, Talkin' about Thursday at Designed Decor, Live Laugh Linky at Live Laugh Rowe, Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life, The Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush, Made U Look Linky at Made in a Day, Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse, Catch as Catch Can at My Repurposed Life, Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage, Catch a Glimpse Party at A Glimpse Inside, 52 Mantels, Creative Inspirations Linky Party at Embracing Change, Simply Create Link Party at Redfly Creations

Simply Creations Link Party at My Simple Homelife, Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed, Inspire Me Please Link Party at Liz Marie Blog, Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, What Have You Redone at Redoux Interiors, Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home, Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove, Simple and Sweet Fridays at Rooted inThyme, Be Inspired at Common Ground, Faunt It Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous, Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo, Show and Tell Friday at Romantic Home, Junkin' Joe Vintage and Thrifty Finds at The Cottage Market, Weekend Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots and Jello, Shabbilicious Friday Link Party at Shabby Art Boutique, Tickled Pink at 504 Main, Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House, Rustic Restorations Weekend Link Party at Homespun Happenings,  Great Idea Thursdays at A Handful of Everything

Saturday Show and Tell at Cheerios and Lattes, Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors, A Bouquet of Talent Party at Life on Lakeshore Drive, Strut Your Stuff Party at Six Sisters' Stuff, Show and Tell Saturday at Sassy little Lady, Get Schooled Satuday at Too Much Time on My Hands, Power of Pinterest Party at Fox Hollow Cottage, Your Great Idea Party at Or So She Says, Overflowing with Creativity party at It's Overflowing, Craft Country Cottage Party at Old Red Barn, Saturday SHOW-licious Craft Showcase at Sew-licious

The Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming, Sunny Simple Sundays Party at Sunny Simple Life, Sundae Scoop at I Heart Naptime, Think Pink Sundays at Flamingo Toes, Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things, It's Party Time at Three Mango Seeds, Restyled Sundays at Stylish Once Again, Silver Pennies Sundays at Silver Pennies, Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop at A Blossoming Life

The Key To My Heart Craft Challenge at Cocalores

Message Center {from a repurposed crate lid}

Meet our new message center.

This little beauty was made from a crate lid that Eric's boss was going to throw away (crazy people!). Thank goodness both his boss and mine are getting used to us collecting their trash. They've actually started asking us if we want stuff before trying to throw it away now! :)

Here is the message center before we did anything to it.

Just a plain, old crate lid. But loaded with potential!

I knew right away that is was completely perfect to make into a multi-purpose center for organizing notes and memos. 

The first thing I did was paint the chalkboard area. Then I painted the frame in Coco ASCP™ and gave it a dry-brush coat of old white, just to add a little more texture. I put on a coat of both clear and dark aging wax, then added cork to the bottom inset. 

I also knew I wanted some pegs or hooks on the bottom.

(In my house, there's always a need to hang up more stuff!)

Awhile back my boss had given me a coffee can full of miscellaneous hardware. Actually, he gave me 3 coffee cans full. I pulled these black knobs, if that's what you call them, out of the coffee can o'junk, made some measurements, drilled some holes and attached these to the bottom of the crate lid. 

The message center was certainly coming together nicely. But it felt like it was missing something. So, I got out another coffee can. This one was full of plastic-covered magnetic cabinet door latches. It's also the very same can my boss said "you don't want this junk" about. Well, thank goodness I DID want that junk! Because those cabinet magnets certainly came in handy! 

I took the metal pieces out of the plastic casings then used gorilla glue and clamps to attach them onto the top of the board. After they were dry, I pounded some great dark carpet tacks into the existing holes in the magnets.

I love the way this magnetic strip turned out!

The colors of the metals are great with the coco chalk paint.

Next, I cut some burlap and attached it to the inside of a few bottle caps, that had already been spray painted ivory, and glued magnet buttons to the backs.

I think these are the perfect little accessory for this piece! :) 

I had purchased some pulls for this project because I really wanted to add these to the piece. Normally, we don't purchase anything. I suppose that every now and again it's ok. :)

The pulls came with screws that were too short. No problem. I went to the hardware store and bought longer screws. I even measured the depth of the wood before going so I would get the correct length. So much for my measuring skills! lol. The screws I purchased were still too short!

Man, was I bummed. I really wanted to finish this project and get some photos of it over the weekend, not have to make another trip to the store for more screws. 

I got so fed up and irritated with myself about the lame-brain screw fiasco that I got the drill out, used my largest bit and, goll-darn it, if I didn't counter-sink those screws in the back of the board and get those pulls on after all! And all by my sweet little self, I might add! 

Hooray for me!

I just might be getting the hang of this handy {wo}man stuff after all! 

(But I'm still gonna leave the cutting and sawing to Eric.

I want to keep all of my fingers attached to my hand, after all!)

Hope you like the new message center!

Sharing...

Home Sweet Home Party at The Charm of Home

Frugal Fridays at The Shabby Nest Be Inspired Friday at Common Ground Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage What Have You Redone at Redoux Interiors Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous At The Picket Fence Chic on a Shoestring

Power of Pinterest Party at Fox Hollow Cottage

Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things
Sunny Simple Sundays at Sunny Simple Life

Think Pink Sunday at Flamingo Toes

Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove Your Great Idea Link Party at Or So She Says March Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House What's in the Gunny Sack at The Gunny Sack Pink Hippo Party at Pinkapotamus Project inspire{d}at Setting for Four Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life Monday No Rules Blog Hop at A Sorta Fairytale The Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage Monday Funday at Creatively LIving Make the Scene Monday at Aderberry Hill Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative Metamorphisis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch Making the World Cuter Monday Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House Pretty Things at twelveOeight Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday at Kammys Korner Tutorial Tuesday at Hope Studios Be Inspired Party at Elizabeth and Co Transformation Tuesday at the Ironstone Nest Share It Link Party at The Winthrop Chronicles Too Cute Tuesday at Funky Polka Dot Giraffe Time To Shine Party at A Diamond In The Stuff One Project at a Time Party at A Bowl Full of Lemons Tasteful Tuesday at Naptime Creations You're Gonna Love It at Kathe with an E Transformed Tuesday at PJH Designs Budget Decorating Party at Creative Cain Cabin The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

What We Accomplished Wednesday at Green Willow Pond
From Dream to Reality at The DIY Dreamer
Creatively Tuesday at The Rustic Pig
Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife
Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse
Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts
Show and Share at Southern Lovely
Wednesday Whatsits at White Lights on Wednesday
Whats It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Wow Me Wednesday at Gingersnap Crafts
Whimsy Wednesday at Smart School House
Wow Us Wednesday at Family Home and Life
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Look What I Made Linky at Creations by Kara

Show Off Your Stuff Party at Fireflies and Jellybeans

Wildly Original Linky Party at I Gotta Create

It's a Party! at A Creative Princess

Made U Look Linky at Made in a Day

Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

Creative Inspirations Linky Party at Embracing Change

Hookin Up with HOH at House of Hepworths

Live Laugh Linky at Live Laugh Rowe

Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Party Time at The 36th Avenue

Talkin' About Thursday Linky Party at Designed Decor

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
The Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush
Catch as Catch Can at My Repurposed Life
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Catch a Glimpse Party at A Glimpse Inside
Crafty Thrusday at Kreative Kreationz
Tickled Pink at 504 Main
An Oldie but a Goodie at Cutesy Crafts