Clock Face Table Makeover

I've been bored with our plain black pedestal table for awhile,

but didn't want to go out and buy a new one (of course!).

While we were driving home from a friend's house, we found this table on the curb for the trash.

Can you believe that? Who would just throw away such a beautiful table??

It took a lot of convincing, but I finally got my husband to help me put it into our SUV... with two car seats and golf clubs in the back. ;) it was a verrry uncomfortable ride home, but so worth it!

This is my sister's watch- which I love. It's classic and big. BIGGER is better!

I decided to use real numbers instead of the roman numerals to modernize it a little.

 The table had been left out in the rain so the top was slightly warped. I sanded it down and then applied some wood filler. After about 8 hours of dry time, I sanded it again. Lots of sanding. I didn't want a perfectly smooth finish, because I planned on glazing and needed some hangup spots.

After wiping down the excess wood filler, I applied a coat of grey primer and then a coat of white primer. You can see the grey through the white, which I liked. We're going for an aged look here, so after those dried I rubbed more grey primer all over with a cloth and then wiped it off. It hung up in some of the recesses and made the table look aged.

Next, I found the middle of the table and stuck a pushpin in. After tying a string to it and the other end to a pencil, I was able to start drawing circles around the table. This made it easy to figure out where the numbers would go.

 Here's a close up of my pencil lines. I actually left them on because I liked the way that they looked.

I found some awesome number graphics from the Graphics Fairy and printed them up as large as I could- one per page. They're not exact but pretty close. :) I used the two circles that I drew as a guideline and tried to keep the numbers in between them.

After tracing the numbers in pencil onto the table, we're ready to paint!

In this picture, you can really see the glazing and aging effect.

 Starting to paint... and you can see where I had to re-trace the 11. It was a little crooked the first time.

 I added the little minute dashes after the numbers- and outlined one of the original circles.

 Well, at least someone likes the new table around here!

white Bookshelf Makeover with Removable Lining

This black, beat up bookshelf of ours has been screaming for a makeover for awhile now. However, like with most things, I couldn't decide which color to paint it. I really didn't want to have to paint it my usual three times before I like it. So, I went with the classic white and to add a some pop of color to my gray dining area, I put wrapping paper on thick poster board for lining. That way when I change my mind, I can just unwrap the poster board and put a new color on or leave it white.

Did I say, I put the wrapping paper on??? Oh yes, my sweet mom did it for me while I laid on the couch, sick and wanting to throw up (these was about a year ago when we found out about our upcoming surprise baby). Not only did my parents fly into town to help my kids and me while I was sick, my mom finished all my craft projects and my dad fixed EVERYTHING around the house and still managed to do a puzzle:)

I saw this wrapping paper at Target on clearance!!! So much cheaper than using fabric which was my original plan.

Well, that surprise baby is now 3 months old and this bookshelf is finally finished!!!! Some projects just take me A LOOOONG time. I LOVE the clean, fresh look of it!

linking up to these parties:
craftomaniac, between naps on the porch, stories from a2z, not just a housewife,  tip junkie, sugar bee, blue cricket design, night owl crafting, somewhat simple, tater tots and jello, at the picket fence, remodelaholic, whipperberry, i heart naptime, thrifty decor chick, diy showoff, be different act normal

Fave Furniture Fridays...#2

Hello blog world.. and welcome to the second edition of Fave Furniture Fridays!

 (or, as Telisa and i have started calling it- "FFF")

Thanks so much for your links last week- it was fun checking each one out. The link with the most clicks was actually Telisa's- her armoire makeover was stunning, and you can see why!

I've been busy this week with a few projects of my own. I'm a big big fan of turning "trash to treasure", and the cheaper I can get a piece of furniture, the better the treasure it makes.

(when someone puts it on the curb, even BETTER!)

I usually redo about 2-3 pieces a week, and it's gotten a little crowded in our house- most of the pieces are either sold on craigslist or given to friends now. It's such a fun hobby!

Did i mention a little crowded in our house? I meant a lot.

This chair was one that i found at goodwill for three dollars.

This is a record console (it has vertical dividers in each section of double doors) that i found on the curb. WHO would throw this away??? not i. (also, I passed up an old organ because i couldn't think of anything fun do with it. It looked like a piano, but had a few rows of keys. thoughts??) I lightly sanded it, primed and painted it a gorgeous blue-grey, distressed it and changed out the knobs.

These end tables came with the chevron coffee table (here) that I beautified a few weeks ago. No before picture, but just imagine... dark wood. dangley handles. yuck.

I like chairs. Here's another one with a FABULOUS back design. So retro! I painted it grey and had to create a seat for it because the one that was on it crumbled in my hands as i unscrewed it. ewww.

After buying some new foam, i covered the seat in a pretty yellow corduroy with wide stripes. :)

Show some love- link up at our weekly party today and don't miss another one! Fill in your email address on the right sidebar to keep current! (hint, hint. g-i-v-e-a-w-a-y soon)

*Link-up your post (not your main URL) to this party, then include a link back to this page  

*No Etsy pages or business websites please.

 *Include a short description of your project and the name

of your blog in your link up.

   * Visit at least 2 other blog links and show them some love!

  *Grab the party-link button on the left side bar so others can join the PARTY!

New Series: Fave Furniture Fridays!

Welp, it's about time for a series around here.. and what else but my favorite things?

Yippee! Furniture!

I'll be posting every friday with my latest and greatest finds. Tutorials, DIY, paint, all kinds of fun stuff!

Link up your fave furniture transformations, tutorials and great finds, too!

I'll post the most popular the next week.

This first piece was found at kitchy living, and it's a doozie! (is that a word?) 

I love that it's a traditional piece that is painted an unexpected color. You would EXPECT this vanity/desk to be dark brown wood, right?

 

This chandelier... blows my mind. Absolutely Gorgeous. Found it at JamesPlumb.

This is an incredible transformation. Who would think to cut out the top section of a dresser and use it as a bench?? Chic Staging and Design would. That's who.

Can I post my own furniture makeover?

Yep. I'm doing it.

I turned a console TV into a fort. Check out the post here!

I've used this tutorial many, many times. How to paint letters perfectly on wood. Genius!

 Find it here at Thatsmyletter

How to paint laminate. That's right. IT CAN BE DONE!!! I found this tutorial by CentsationalGirl, and it's awesome. She even recommends sanding down the drips after priming and before your two coats of paint.phew! A lot of work, but so worth it!

Okay, so party rules?? You've gotta have 'em.

(thanks to NightOwlCrafting for the rules, because I had no idea.)

*Link-up your post (not your main URL) to this party, then include a link back to this page  

*No Etsy pages or business websites please.

 *Include a short description of your project and the name

of your blog in your link up.

   * Visit at least 2 other blog links and show them some love!

  *Grab the party-link button on the side bar so others can join the PARTY!

(looking for the link button? look no further.  It'll be up next week!)
I can't wait to see what you SugarTots find! ;)

Baby Jar Topiary & felt flower tutorial

I recently cleaned out my scary basement . . . again, and found a LOT of baby jars that I just couldn't toss because I was hoping they would come in handy someday. Well, I have used them for Halloween, Christmas and Valentine's treats, bead holders, bobby bin holders, elastic holders, etc. and now finally found a different use for them. . .

Mini topiaries! So unnecessary but fun nonetheless.

If you want to join in on my craziness, here is what you will need:

baby jars (however many you want to make, I made 5 (even though 6 are shown:))

Candy or other decor to fill the baby jars

sucker sticks

felt or other material to make flowers

a drill

spray paint for the lids (I used green, not shown in picture)

hot glue gun

scissors

 I started off making white flowers and it was too dull for me, I needed something bright and happy for spring.

First, drill a small hole in the middle of the baby jar lids big enough for the sticks to fit in and than spray paint them. While they are drying, get going on your felt flowers.

Cut out about 14 2" circles for each flower and one small one. Fold your circle in half, then fold half of that forward (I dabbed a little hot glue on the corner to hold it in place) and the other half backward (again using a little dab of hot glue). So you have a little S shape. I made 6 of those and then glued them in a circle on the small felt piece. After those are in place, I took one of the petals and trimmed off the tip just a little bit and glued it in the middle to make a puffy flower. 

 Now, just turn it over and do the same thing on the other side. I found that I didn't need 6 petals to go all the way around, 5 worked great and then I put one in the middle again. Put a dab of glue on your stick and put it in your flower. The jelly beans didn't hold the stick up as well as I had hoped, so I put some glue on the bottom of the lid and the stick. 

 And now you have your own little baby jar topiary! Now go make some more. . . and I dare you not to eat any of the yummy jelly beans in the process:)

                                         

linking up to these parties:

craftomaniac,  not just a housewife,  tip junkie, sugar bee, blue cricket design, night owl crafting, somewhat simple, house of hepworths, tater tots and jello, at the picket fence, whipperberry, i heart naptime, itsy bitsy paper

DIY Quick Fixes for Spring {Guest Post by Inspired By Grace}

I am excited to have a Grace from Inspired By Grace here to share some quick tips on getting our homes ready for spring. Yaaaaay for Spring!

The cold weather of winter drives you inside, so when spring comes you are ready to shed the jackets and enjoy the great outdoors again.  Windows are opened, and you are prepared to welcome the beauty of spring.  The colors are brighter and the grass is greener.  The dog days of summer are still a few months away, and you are looking forward to luxuriating in the mild weather heralded by spring.  Here are some DIY projects you can do around the house to get ready for the warm weather and make your home more enjoyable.

Paint

Painting is an affordable way to freshen the home and make everything look better.  Spring is a great time to do it because you can open the windows for fresh air while working the brush.   Whether you are in love with a deep color or something light and airy, there is no better time than spring to make your walls look like new again with a fresh coat of paint.

Walkways

Once summer arrives and the weather dries out, you may find that your ground is hard as a rock.  In spring, however, the ground is usually soft.  This makes it a great time to add walkways to your property.  If you have an extensive garden, consider adding a walkway to encourage people to meander through the flowers.  Put one along the driveway so you can step on clean stone instead of slippery grass when exiting the car.  Add a graceful curved walkway going to your front door for the curb appeal and intrigue.

Hard Trim

This is also a great time to do a hard trim on the bushes.  They are still dormant, so cutting them back won’t harm the plants.  The lack of leaves on some plants will also make it easier to see where you are cutting so you achieve a pleasing shape.  Be sure to trim the backs of bushes that travel along the house.  Keeping a few inches between any plants and house will help limit insect invaders and ensure that branches don’t scratch the siding. 

Fresh Window Treatments and Linens

Spring is the time to leave the deep colors of winter behind and embrace something lighter and brighter.  Switch out window treatments and hang beautiful, lightweight curtains that will let the sun shine in and remind you that warmer weather has arrived.  Store away heavy flannel blankets and replace them with lightweight throws.  Switch the bed linens from warm flannels to cool and comfortable cotton.  You will love the change of pace, and the fresh décor will put you in the mood for spring.

Sprucing up the house for spring doesn’t have to be tedious.  You can take steps to make your home more inviting and ring the new season in with style.  A fresh coat of paint will do wonders for your spring-cleaning efforts, and new linens will set the mood.  Consider adding walkways outside and take the time to shape up your landscaping, it doesn’t have to look like a Hampton home to be appealing.  You will love how your home looks now and throughout the season.

Grace is a new blogger about all things decor and design.  Come check her out  at http://inspiredbygracen.blogspot.com/