Gotta Love Spray Paint!

So, if you ever wanted an easy project- here it is. Two super easy spray paint projects!!

I know you have outdoor furniture that is faded and worn looking like mine:

All you need is some outdoor spray paint from Lowes to turn those worn out eye sores into this!

Gotta love that!

Second Idea: Quit using the standard white outlet covers! Get some spray paint in crazy colors and add some funk to your walls! This is also great if you have those yellow faded color outlet covers that are out of style. Instead of buying new white ones, just spray em. And if you are real conservative and just want white, buy some white spray paint instead of buying new ones!

1950's Dresser Makeover

This might just be my favorite furniture makeover to date. Watch the video to turn your old dresser into a beauty like this one!

DIY Moroccan Candle Jars

These Moroccan Candle Jars are super easy to make and are a lot of fun. This is a great and cost friendly craft that will add ambiance to any home. Use them to decorate for the holidays as well!

Materials you will need:
-Small glass vases
-Metallic fabric paint, or any metallic paint with a narrow spout for piping
-Acrylic paint colors of you choice
-Garbage bag
-Sponge brushes
-Paper cups with warm water

First, use the metallic paint to drop on any pattern you like. I use fabric paint because it is thicker and holds it's shape very well. Don't glob on too much, or use it will end up just dripping down the vase. I have included close ups if you want to copy my patterns, or make up your own!!

Next drop some paint in the cup and add in a splash of water. You want this to be a soupy looking mixture. Too much paint will not allow it to spread around the vase, and too little paint will not adhere well to the sides of the vase. Keep adding paint or water to get the right consistency.

Then drop some of the mixture into the bottom of the vase.

Swirl the vase around, allowing the paint to cover the sides, making sure to cover the whole surface area of the inside of the vase. Do this after the fabric paint is completely dry. In this picture, I swirled the paint first and then added the fabric paint. I think it is easiest to do the color paint as the final step. 

Place the vases upside down on garbage bags so that all the excess paint inside can drip out. If you have access to wire racks, use those as well.

And that's it! Once the paint is all dry, add a candle votive and you are ready to impress!

Two-Tone Dresser Makeover

So my husband and I recently purchased a new house, and coming from a small condo, that means only one thing... more furniture! I hit the master bedroom furniture jackpot at a garage sale; a horizontal dresser with mirror, a vertical dresser, 2 end tables, king size bed frame with headboard and foot board, and a TV hutch for $450. Hello, bargain! The wood was on the lighter end, and really didn't fit with what I had in mind for the bedroom, so a makeover was calling. Here is what the furniture looked like before:

                                        

                                        

Here is what I did to turn these boring pieces of furniture into these beautiful babies:

Here is what you need:

Power Sander (optional- but SO worth it!)

Sanding block or sand paper

White, unsanded grout

Latex paint color for dresser

Latex paint color for top of dresser

Mixing bucket

Cup of water

Paint Stirrer

Cheese Cloth

Finishing Wax- I use Minwax

Blue painter's tape

Polycrylic Polyurethane- I use Minwax

First, you need to remove the drawers from the dresser and the hardware. Tape off the top of the dresser, so that you do not paint the portion of the dresser top that will be a different color. 

Next, you need to prep for paint by sanding the furniture. The best purchase I have ever made is my Mouse sander. It makes any project that much easier. I highly recommend you get one, even if you only use it once, it's worth the $35!

I make my own chalk paint (Annie Sloan is awesome but way too expensive for my DIY budget). Because I use chalk paint, technically I do not have to sand the surface of the furniture, but I find that the paint lasts longer and looks so much better when it has a clean surface to adhere to. 

Now we are ready to paint. Here is my easy, DIY chalk paint "recipe." In a separate mixing bucket (I usually use quart size) mix about two tablespoons (or 1 large scoop with a paint stirrer, shown below) of unsanded white grout with about 1 tablespoon of WARM water. Mix it all up, and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then mix in 3/4 quart of the paint color of your choice, I used Valspar's Churchill Navajo White in eggshell finish. It's an off white, ivory-ish color which looks very elegant. Mix it very well and start painting right away. The longer you wait, the stiffer the paint will get. Use a regular angled paintbrush that you would use when painting trim or corners of walls. 

Paint two coats, waiting for the first coat to dry completely before applying the second. In between coats, you can paint the drawers. 

Then after the second coat is dry, tape off the bottom part of the dresser to get ready to paint the top. For the top of my furniture, I used Valspar's Roasted Coffee in eggshell finish. Follow the exact same steps for the top of the dresser. You will need substantially less paint for the top, so I suggest cutting the chalk paint recipe in half. 

Let the paint COMPLETELY dry. Then you can apply the wax coating the the bottom portion of the dresser. This will create a protective coat on the dresser because the chalk paint will chip very easily if you do not apply the wax. Make sure you wear gloves, you don't want this stuff on your hands! Use a cheesecloth and dip into the wax, spreading a thin coat on all surfaces. 

Last step! Apply a thin coat of the polyurethane to the top of the dresser with a paintbrush. You can wax the top, but because it usually is subject to a little more wear and tear, I suggest using the poly. This will ensure a nice, protective, glossy surface. Just make sure you get clear finish, unless you want a little tint. 

If you want- take a sanding block and rough up any detail pieces or edges to create a shabby chic look!

Once you get all these materials, you can use them over and over. It's worth it to have all your upcycled furniture looking this good!!

Antique Radio from Shabby to Shabby Chic!

I am SO excited about this week's blog becuase I am so proud of the way it turned out! I spent this past weekend in LBI and found the most incredible store in Beach Haven's Bay Village, Walker Trading Co. The owners find neglected furiture and restore them into the most beautiful pieces! While I was browwsing through their shop, I found an antique radio which was restored and immeditaly was inspired. This week's inspiration goes to them, and their great eye for diamonds in the rough! Like Walker Trading Co. on Facebook!

I found this radio at an estate sale this past Sunday, and saw it's potential immediately! Take a look at the before and after.

I'll take you step by step how to do this yourself!

For this project you will need:

1. primer

2. color paint of your choice

3. 2 good quality paint brushes- one medium size and one smaller brush for details

4. sand paper

First, you'll need to thrououghly sand down all surfaces of the piece. Depending upon how many layers of paint or stain are already on the piece will determine the grit of sand paper you will need. I chose fine becuase  my rule of thumb is you can always take more off, but can't put more on!

Next, you will need to get a slighly damp paper towel to wipe off the dust and prepare the surface for painting. Do not dampen your towel too much, as you want to make sure the surface is completely dry when you paint. 

 

Now, you are ready to paint. Two important things to know about painting furniture!

1. You will want to prime your surface for a couple of reasons. Priming prior to painting allows you to use less coats of the color paint (which is more expensive) and priming also allows for a layering look when you sand at the end. The primer you purchase should be the SAME finish as the paint finish you choose. (For example, if you choose semi-gloss paint, you should purchase semi-gloss primer.) 

2. You want to make sure you purchase interior or exterior paint, depening upon where the furniture will live.

I chose an eggshell base for my color and primer. Pantone Universe paints (available at Lowe's) has fantastic and trendy colors to choose from. The one I used is called Bay.







Tape off any surfaces that you want to protect from paint. I also removed the knobs to allow for easy painting. Apply one coat of the primer. Let it completely dry before moving on. When the primer is dry, apply one or two coats of your color paint. Also, allow it to completely dry. 
             Primer                                                                         Paint

 

 In my opinion, sanding in the best part because you can not mess it up, and this is where the project really starts to take form. Sand all over the piece, applying different pressures so that you have some areas that are sanded down to the wood and some that are sanded down to the white primer layer.

Once you are happy with the sanding, take another slightly damp paper towel and wipe down the piece to clean off the dust. And that's it! Now get painting!!

"The Best Of Times" Frame

This week's inspiration comes, yet again, from a post on Pinterest. My sister-in-law sent me this idea and I knew I wanted to make it for my mother. So, what better than making it for a Mother's Day present! "The Best Of Times" meaning the times when her children were born. So cute!

I felt that using three separate frames and three separate clocks was a little over kill and would take up too much space on my Mom's living room wall, so I condensed it down to this...

Here is how it's done!

I am always looking for a way to easily copy computer prints over to crafts. I came up with such an easy and useful way. First, I typed up the title on the computer, and found a font that I liked. This one is called Great Vibes (free download here) 

Then I printed it out on tracing paper. 

Next, flip the tracing paper over and with a pencil, trace over the lettering. Be sure to do this forcefully and completely. 

 Then, with the pencil drawing side touching the frame, use your pencil to forcefully rub the paper. This will transfer the pencil markings from the tracing paper onto the frame. 

 Do this with all the words of your title, then use a paint pen or a very fine paint brush to cover the pencil marking. 

Repeat this process with the times that the children were born. Once it is dry, you are ready to put in the pictures. I love this project because it is cost effective, doesn't use many materials, yet is so sentimental. Enjoy!!