Picture This.......

I love pictures and I love to display them.  After we painted the walls and finished the floor in the family room I didn't put any of my pictures back out.  They've actually been stacked in a pile in our bedroom collecting dust while I took an extremely long amount of time putting together some picture ledge shelves.

I searched high and low looking for 4 foot long shelves and when I finally found some I didn't like the price (imagine that)!  I found some instructions online to make my own and I thought how hard could it really be.  I have a hammer and drill.  I can do this.

I used two pine 1x4's and one pine 1x2 per shelf.  I purchased eight foot boards and had them cut in half at the store.  I painted them using Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover in semi-gloss black.  Then they sat in the basement for about a month.  I'd like to say that I'm just so super busy but really I'm intimidated by power tools.

I finally faced my fear of the drill and started putting them together.  It didn't go well.  I walked away after the second shelf and contemplated if I really wanted them.  Two weeks later I put on my big girl panties and finished them up and hung them all by myself.  Proud moment right there!  I may have used some questionable language in the process but I'll never tell.

I love them and I like the idea that I can quickly change out frames and pictures whenever my mood changes.  I also love that it only cost me around $30 to make all the shelves.  Now that's my kind of price range.

Stay Thrifty,
Shea

From Drab to Fab! My Kitchen Cabinet Makeover.......

I’ll just cut right to it.  Here’s the before:

And now they look super AMAZING!

I used 3 coats of General Finishes Milk Paint in Seagull Gray and 3 coats of the High Performance Topcoat in Satin.

It took me about a week to finish them.  It was spring break so the painting only occurred between naps, a trip to the zoo, movies, wine, swimming, and soccer. It was a lot of work BUT so worth it!  

I cleaned all the cabinets, drawers, and doors with TSP and then used a liquid sander/deglosser before I began painting.  I used foam brushes to apply the paint and topcoat and I did not paint the inside of the cabinets.  

I have to admit that I was nervous about painting them and began to doubt my skills. After I put the doors back on and took a step back I knew I made the right decision.  My kitchen feels bigger and lighter. I’m in love with them.

The drill was misbehaving so the hardware on the bottoms will go on another day!

Stay Thrifty,

Shea

The 5 Layer Bench......

I scored this bench on an online auction for a $1. I was the only bidder.  I think the plastic cover scared them away.

FIVE! There were five layers of fabric, including vinyl, on this bench. Eww! I needed a shower after I removed it all.  

Overall the bench was in good shape.  She was just desperate for a makeover and it took me very little time to give her a new look (after she sat in the garage for a few months).

Here's how she got her fabulous new look:

I unscrewed the top from the base and removed the 900 staples and the dreadful fabric. I sanded the base and used Dixie Belle Plum Crazy chalk paint. This paint is super easy to work with and dries quickly. I applied 3 coats using a foam brush. I then applied 2 coats of Minwax Polycrylic as a topcoat and let it sit for a few days.

For the bench I used a 2 inch thick foam and secured it with adhesive spray. So, 2 inch thick foam is not the easiest to cut or I just have a dull knife ( I'm slightly challenged with a knife so it could be an operator fail, seriously, the Man has to open the pocket knife because I can't figure it out. Every.Time.). I picked up the fabric from Michael's.  And then I got to use my new super spectacular electric staple gun!

I reattached the top to the base and took a seat.....on the bench. 

Stay Thrifty,
Shea

Billy's Desk......

Remember that kid from elementary school that didn't pay attention and wanted to copy off you?  You know, the one who's desk got moved to the back of the class all by himself.  He was usually the one that would do gross stuff or make fun of the other kids.  He's the kid that would carve his name on top of the desk and place his chewing gum under the seat for later. 

That kid is Billy and I found his desk.....and the chewing gum!

If you fall asleep easily from reading then skip this paragraph. 

 

This desk was manufactured by the American Seating Company and based on the logo I found on the inside of the desk I would say it's from the 1960s.  The American Seating Company was originally founded as Grand Rapids School Furniture in 1886 and in 1906 it changed to its present day name of the American Seating Company. 

Well, Billy's desk got a makeover..........

There was a gouge on the wood so I patched it using Elmers's Wood Filler Max and then sanded.  I primed the base and then used Rust-Oleum Protective Enamel in Gloss Light Turquoise.  I used about two cans of spray paint to get the coverage I wanted.  I treated the wood with Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner and then stained it with 3 coats of Bartley Gel Stain in Dark Brown Mahogany.  I also used Rust-Oleum Polyurethane for the top coat (3 coats).

I did leave Billy's name and artwork carved into the wood.  You can barely see it now but I just couldn't bring myself to removing Billy's history with the desk.

 

 

 

 Do you think Billy would want his desk back now?

Stay Crafty,
Shea

Who Doesn't Love T-Shirts and Mustaches????????

My Little Man has an obsession with mustaches.  He calls himself Mustache Man and he's known as Mr. Mustache around school.  It's kinda a big deal with him.

Check out exhibit one......

And exhibit two............

And exhibit three....

I made these t-shirts using freezer paper and fabric paint.  Super Easy!

Our Little Man is competing in a goalkeeper battle for the first time.  He has trained in the rain and the heat during the off season to prepare.  I am proud and in awe of his courage, dedication, and determination. This is the first time he will take the field solo.  There will be no team in front of him on the field. So what better way to show our support then with a t-shirt and a mustache!

I used Microsoft word to print the Team Elijah using Britannic Bold font with a size of 185 and the Microsoft clip-art had lots of mustache pictures to choose from.

I then glued the printout using a glue stick onto the freezer paper glossy side down.  While on top of a cutting mat I cut out the letters and mustache using an exact o knife.  Then, I ironed the freezer paper onto the t-shirt. I put a piece of cardboard inside the t-shirt and it was needed.  The fabric paint did bleed through a little.  I used a paint sponge and dabbed Deep Red Tulip Slick fabric paint over the edges of the cut outs and then inside the cut out portions.

I let mine sit over night before I peeled off the freezer paper.

I used t-shirts that I found at Hobby Lobby.  They seem to always be on sale!  Wait 72 hours before you wash the shirts.  AND then, wear them proudly!

 Don't they look sweet?

Now this is what it's really like!

Stay Crafty,

Shea

The Upcycled Window.......

It all begins with a trip to the local thrift store to find a wall clock.  Instead I found this. 

 

YES!

I swear I never walk out with what I intended to get.  Like ever.

This window is really big and wouldn't work where I originally wanted to hang it.  SO...........drum roll please.............................

She now hangs in my daughter's room.  I am totally in love with how it turned out!  AND, I used the drill for the first time by myself!  I felt so empowered!  But shhhh......Don't tell the Man that I watched a YouTube video to figure out how to change the bit.

I added knobs I found at Hobby Lobby for 1/2 off and I painted a few of the glass panes with DecoArt acrylic paint.  I mixed shimmering silver metallic and silver bling glamour dust to get the color with a little sparkle.

I also got a new toy.  An electric staple gun!  Thanks Dad!  That's what I used my birthday gift card on!  I stapled ribbon to the window and the plaques hanging in the corners.

Hanging it was a little tricky.  This bad boy is heavy so I did some research on hanging large heavy objects.  Lucky for me this window was big enough that I could use two studs to help anchor it.  I used 2 inch wood screws and large D-ring hooks.

I must say I am very pleased!

Stay Crafty,
Shea

What's the difference between a toolbox and a toy box???????

The age of the owner. 

I'm slightly addicted to boxes.  Any kind of boxes.  Wood boxes, metal boxes, cardboard boxes, fabric boxes, plastic boxes, if it's got the word box in the name, chances are I want it or have one.  A toolbox is no different.  I found this one at an estate sale.

It even had some goodies.......

It even came with some rust......

I tried using a scouring pad and I tried some vinegar to remove the rust but this girl had little patience for either.  I used sandpaper to remove the rust that I could.  I then sprayed one coat of Rust-Oleum Filler Primer and finished it off with Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch in Deep Blue.  Oh, and I can't forget the mustache sticker that makes it officially "cool" for my son.

It now holds all those little annoying toys that you find all over the floor.  You know, the ones that you step on and try to hold in all the curse words as your hopping around on one foot.  Yep, those are the ones.

And that whisky box keeps all the legos from being sucked up into the vacuum.

Now that's what I call genius!

Stay Thrifty,
Shea