denise...on a whim

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Faded Denim End Table Redo

This is our latest furniture makeover. I'm calling it Faded Denim because that's what the colors and dry-brushing effect reminds me of... a comfy pair of blue jeans. :)

I picked up this little beauty at our local thrift store for only $6. It was originally $12 but I just so happened to be there on 1/2 price day. Lucky me!

Here is the table before any paint. The table was very sturdy, but I did sand the tops down because there were various scratches and dents in them and I thought a complete sand-down of those areas would be good for this project.

And here she is after a coat of both colors.

I used Smokey Mountain, which is the lighter color, and Aubusson Blue. Smokey Mountain is a Ce Ce Caldewell's greyish-blue color that I really liked against the Aubusson.

I had originally decided to paint this with Old White and Smokey Mountain. This was my first time using Smokey Mountain, though, and once I got it on, I couldn't help but change my mind about the Old White and use Aubusson instead. It's one of my favorite colors and I knew I would love these 2 together!

I painted Aubusson under the Smokey Mountain and vice-versa on some areas. I also dry brushed the Smokey over the Aubusson. I really like how that turned out.

I had intended on using Aubusson in the grooves only. But I decided to paint the entire insets on the top, around the backs of the legs and the underside of the table too.

(Pay no attention to the upside down no. 5 in the background there. The kids' bookcase is over that way!)

I distressed some of the Smokey Mountain off to reveal the Aubusson and then added more distressing all over to let the wood show through a bit.

I think she'll make a very nice vintage side table for someone's home. :)

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

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

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

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, Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse

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

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

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

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Farm Fresh Eggs

My friend Jessica gave me some fresh eggs the other day.

It's hard to see in this picture, but all except one had those pretty pale blue shells.

She laughed when I said I was going to make a nest and take some pictures of my pretty blue eggs.

But I just couldn't help myself... :)

It's Easter time, after all. It's the season of the egg!

When I was arranging them in their nest (a terra cotta pot base with some CeCe Caldwell's Destin Gulf Green over Emerald Isle Green), I placed the one brown egg in the center and it looked like a daisy.

So I kept it that way and took a few pictures.

My little egg arrangement made me smile.

Maybe it's made you a smile a little too. Hope so! :)

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Barn Wood Hook Board

The other day I showed you the leaded glass window shelf we made for my friend Karlye. Well, she also wanted some hooks to hang below a piece of decor she had already purchased for her home. She requested barn wood for the hook board. And she was in luck! I just happened to have a few pieces in my garage waiting to be plucked and turned into something fabulous!

She chose this piece with the chippy red paint. Love her choice!

Eric cut the board to the correct size, just a little wider than the piece of decor she wanted to put this under. I made sure to mark where I wanted him to make the cuts so we could keep intact the cool uneven part you see on the left hand side of this pic...

Not to mention, how cool is this old knot on the other side?

I added some dark stain to the edges where Eric had made the cut. The board was old enough that it was looking slightly worn all the way through, but I thought the stain would make anyone forget that we had made the cut at all. It did the trick!

Karlye had also given me these double hooks for the board. But she had purchased them new at the store and they looked, well, brand-spanking new! I used some Ce Ce Caldwell's Virginia Chestnut on those to grunge them up a bit and then I waxed them and attached 5 hooks to the board, offsetting them so they weren't all in a straight line.

I love how this turned out! Just as much as I love the window shelf we made for her. I think that the next time Karlye asks me to make something, I'm just going to have to make 2 of them and keep one for myself! :)

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

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Leaded Glass Window Shelf

My friend Karlye brought me this window when she came to pick up her vintage desk a short time ago. She had purchased the window in November and wanted to make a shelf out of it. I thought that sounded like an excellent plan! So we picked colors out and I went to work.

I had Eric cut the shelf and then he attached it for me. The window had previously been painted a few different colors. Purple was even under there somewhere! So I set to work with some Duck Egg. Then painted over that with Graphite. Distressed it. Waxed it with dark aging wax.

Added some dark grey pulls I had lying around to pretty it up a bit.

And it was done!

(Except for hanging it on MY wall and staging it a bit for pictures. I finally got that done last night. And then promptly took it down so I wouldn't tempted to pay her for the window and keep it!)

I love the Graphite with the leaded glass. I think it looks very classy.

Hope she loves it too!

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

Friday, March 8, 2013

Antique Handle Caddy

I will be the first to admit that I shamelessly stole this idea from Donna at Funky Junk Interiors. I saw it shortly after I signed up for Pinterest and fell in love.

So last summer I began the search for an antique drill, at a very reasonable price. They are pretty easy to find, but I knew I didn't want to pay much. So... I waited. And then, I happened upon this antique hand brace during the last few hours of a barn/estate sale right outside of town. For only $2.00. Now that's my kind of price tag! :) It still has what looks like a screwdriver bit in it.

I immediately told Eric what I wanted him to do with it. It was not on the top of his priority list, apparently, because it just got done about a month ago. But that's ok, because it did indeed get done! He is a man of his word, even if he is slow!

Just teasing, Eric! {love ya}

I have no idea how he put it together. I didn't even bother to ask, because I was way too excited! But Donna gives an excellent tutorial on her blog at the link above.

The timing actually couldn't have been more perfect. Right after he finished the caddy, I received my new shipment of Ce Ce Caldwell's sample size paints. And I was just itching to try them out. I picked the Traverse City Cherry because I've seen some nice things done with it and I don't usually lean towards red. But, boy, am I glad I did!

I painted the entire thing in red (it's a very beautiful red, by the way!) and then did a splotchy (that's the technical term, right?) topcoat of Virginia Chestnut. Then I distressed it and used dark aging wax over the whole thing.

I think it looks a lot like barnwood.

And I LOVE it!

Hope you enjoy it too :)

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, Metamorphisis 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

Monday, March 4, 2013

Eggs in a Basket {or two!}

I have seen so many beautiful decoupaged eggs on Pinterest and all the different parties I've been linking up to. Combine that with the beautiful sunshine we had yesterday (although very cold temps), and I've got spring on the brain.
It made me get the egg fever too!

So I got out the plastic eggs from last year's Easter baskets, the Mod Podge and some fabric scraps.

And started gluing away!

I found that it was easy enough to use strips around the middle of the eggs, but much easier to use smaller pieces for the rest of them. They just conformed to the contours better that way. And the biggest problem with decoupaging the eggs was my time constraint and, therefore, sticky fingers! I was trying to get them done before I had to leave the house on Saturday and didn't really have much time for drying. If I do more (and I just might!) I will do the middles and then let that dry before doing the tops and bottoms. My uber-sticky fingers kept wanting to pull the material off the egg. And that's just no good! :)

I chose aqua fabric for my eggs. No big surprise there! I do love aqua after all! To coordinate with the baskets I had already painted, I also used a white fabric with pretty light brown flowers and some orange paint.

I added some twine and a vintage button to one of the orange eggs. If I would have had more time that morning, I would have added the twine and button to the other orange eggs, too. I like how it turned out. I may go back and do just that when I get a chance. :)

I got out some brown paper grass and then stole some aqua and lime green grass from my son's basket (shame on me!) and mixed it all together and added it to these precious little baskets I had painted the day before. I used Ce Ce Caldwell Cottonwood Sienna on the baskets and then applied a light coat of Johnston Daffodil over that. I simply LOVE how these turned out.

I'm not usually a big fan of baskets, but these were too cute. They were small and made of wood chip so I purchased them awhile back for 25 cents each at our local thrift store.

Once I had the baskets painted, I then painted a couple of chipboard embellishments (first in Destin Gulf Green and then in Santa Fe Turquoise). I had bought these at Michael's for only $1 for the whole bag. I think there are about 12 similar pieces in the bag. I sure do love me the dollar section! I painted a vintage button with Johnston Daffodil and attached the shipboard pieces and the button to the baskets with some trusty old gorilla glue. Kind of overkill on the glue, but it was in my reach and I was in a hurry! :)