Some Before & Afters

Here are some projects I've done that were simple transformations.

I found these frames at a garage sale for $1 each. I was ecstatic to get such a great price since they are really huge nice frames with a matte.

I used one in my living room with our family picture. I spray painted the frame black and the matte white. Turned out just like I wanted.

I also got a 16"x20" picture for free from Shutterfly. Some coupon for $20 that came with my girls' school pictures (that I didn't even buy). A huge picture and frame and the whole thing was a buck. Can't beat it!

The other large frame went in my bedroom. A honeymoon picture, when we wore matching clothes.

Love it...don't think we've done that since our honeymoon. You know, where every honeymooning couple in Hawaii is wearing their matching silky, floral patterned outfits.

I think this table is actually a plant stand, but it was the perfect size for the little corner in my entryway.

  

It had rings on the top and looked pretty rough, but nothing spray paint can't fix.

I was kind of concerned about how the top would turn out, but by just covering up the rings it works fine.  When you put stuff on top of it you don't really notice the paint since you can still see most of the marble top.
I really liked it until my toddling 8 month old decided to pull it over.  Very thankful it didn't hurt him, but moved it for now.

This was some random wall decoration that my Mom brought me. 
If you can see it amongst the mess it's laying on.  I had already started painting the left side.

 It was sitting in my garage sale pile because I didn't want it either, then it hit me.

I have been needing a Christmas card holder and thought this might work.

I spray painted the whole thing green and the flowers red.  Let me tell you, this thing was pretty ugly even spray painted...or just not my style.

 I also spray painted about 30 clothespins green.  I think you could skip this step, but I wanted them to really blend in.  I cut little strips of scrapbook paper I had and used Mod Podge to adhere them to the tops of the clothespins.

 This is what it looked like with my old Christmas cards on it, because I had to test it out before I ever got Christmas cards coming in this year.

 When I got cards this year, this was perfect.  I could even use the clothespins for multiple cards.
I like that we can see them all throughout Christmas time.
I love that people still actually send out cards!

One last makeover.
I found a couple of these sconces at Goodwill for about a dollar.

Gave them a couple coats of black glossy spray paint and now they hang on my wall.
 Not really sure what to do with them...but there they are for now.

Canvas Pictures

I can't remember how long I've been wanting to do these with my kids' pictures, but I finally did it.

One reason it took so long was because I needed some good pictures. I took some when we did family pics this Fall and really love them.

If you want to make your own, this is what you will need:

Canvases

Black paint (I used acrylic)

Pictures

Mod Podge - glossy

About the canvases...I used the 2 inch thick ones because that's what I like, but used the thinner ones for a set for the in laws. Both look nice, just depends on what you like. You can usually find canvases for at least 50% off at Michael's. I happened to get mine for 70% off during the holiday one day deals. You just want to make sure to get the canvases that are wrapped all the way around the edges and stapled on the back and not the sides. Try to get the canvas the same size as your pictures or maybe a little smaller.

I printed my 5x7 pictures at Sam's for 38 cents each.

I actually used real Mod Podge for these, since I wanted them to be nice. Usually I would use the homemade version of Mod Podge for things, but lately people have said on certain things it turns out looking milky on their projects. Of course I used my coupon and bought it for 40 or 50% off at Joanns.

Now on to how to make them. I painted all of the sides of my canvases and a little up and over the edge onto the front. This way if your picture isn't quite perfect, you won't really be able to tell. I ended up doing two coats.

While that dries you can trim your pictures to fit the canvas if you need to. Not all canvases are created equal so you may want to lay your picture down and check on every one.

Once the paint is dry, put a coat of Mod Podge on your canvas and then lay your picture on top. I went ahead and then did a coat on top of the picture also. Let that dry and then do another coat. I brushed the first coat vertical and the second horizontal.

 

I took this picture so you can see the texture a little bit.  It kind of gives it that canvas look on top of the picture. I also went ahead and put a thin coat around the edges since some had gotten on them. It was glossy Mod Podge so you could see on the sides where it didn't have any.

In the end I probably spent about $3 for each one, which includes the price of Mod Podge that I'll use for many more projects.

I really love how these turned out. Have fun making your own!

DIY Decor = Canvas + Doily + Spray Paint

One room in my house that has never been decorated is my master bedroom.  Isn't that sad?  I've made bedding and decorations for about every room in the house, but never for our master bedroom.  So after 10 years of marriage, I thought it's time.

I'll have to wait for the big before and after reveal of the whole room (mainly because it's not done), but for now, here are some decorations I've put together.

I had bought doilies from a garage sale a couple years ago and had these canvases on hand.  I laid them out how I would want them and then Mod Podged them on.

I made my own Mod Podge, and so glad I did for this project because it took quite a bit.

 

Want to make your own Mod Podge?

Mix 1 part Elmer's glue 2 parts water.  Put it all in a jar and shake well.  That simple.  It comes out a lot thinner than real Mod Podge, so I was skeptical, but it turned out working great.

I brushed on the Mod Podge and stuck down the doilies.  Then I started brushing on the Mod Podge on top of the doilies, but resorted to dumping it on because I wanted them covered well and it was taking too long...a little impatient, yes.

I had to let them dry outside in the sun for awhile.  After they dried I spray painted them and let that dry well.  It took a lot of spraying because of all of the little spaces in the doilies.

I really love how they turned out.

And because spray paint makes all things look better, I had these stick decorations (I don't really know what to call them) but didn't like them in my kitchen anymore.

Now they are my bedroom decoration.

 

Can't wait to finish this room.  Working on the duvet cover and pillows now.

I should mention I have material for 2 other rooms in my house as well.  Hopefully in the next few months they will actually all be done.

Lots of before and after pictures to come!

Crafty Gift Ideas

My sweet friend is getting married this Saturday so she got to be my guinea pig for some crafts I've been wanting to make.

I'm in such a mood to decorate for Fall & Christmas, I figured she should be too.

I took 3 wooden blocks and Mod Podged scrapbook paper on them and cut out the letters on my Cricut to Mod Podge on top of that.  Really quick and simple...why haven't I made one for myself?!

Pumpkin with painted monogram.

Clear Christmas ornament with painted monogram.

What is supposed to happen is the wedding invitation is supposed to get cut in strips and placed inside...I just didn't have the invite yet.

I think this would be a cute keepsake for a wedding or a baby or whatever occasion you want to be sentimental about.

I ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WAIT to decorate for Christmas.  It hurts.  I will FOR SURE be decorating for Fall on Friday though.  Maybe that will hold me out until after Thanksgiving.  I'm also thinking about wearing jeans, long sleeve shirt, boots etc. on Friday in honor of Fall, even if it's 100 degrees.  I'm so ready.

Happy Crafting!

Little Piggies

After 2 beautiful ceramic piggy banks being dropped on the floor and shattering, I finally resorted to the plastic piggy banks.

My girls all had to have pink so we also had to find a way to tell which was which (besides the half peeled sticker on the side).

I decided to go with their middle names and to match their room. I used Mod Podge to stick some cut out letters from my Cricut on the sides.
I didn't think about how low the letters would end up due to the pig's ear, but it works since they sit up high on a bookshelf.But their best features are that they cost $1 each and they can't break. Once again, yea for Dollar Tree.

Triple Picture Hanging

I wanted to make something for the in-laws for Christmas and I knew I couldn't go wrong with pictures of their granddaughters.

There are a million ways people are mod podging pictures on things lately, but my friend started using the Dollar Tree wooden plaques and they work great.

So I bought 3 and came up with this wall hanging.I once again forgot to take a picture before I gave it to her and therefore have a cruddy phone picture to show you...blah...but better than nothing.

I painted the wood on the back and around the edges, mod podged scrap paper to the front and then the picture.
You can always add other embellishments to make it even cuter. I kept it pretty simple.
I hot glued the ribbon in one long piece to hold them together.

Looks like it's holding up so far.
Hopefully the next picture I get isn't of it in the floor.

Linking up to Tea Rose Home

Hand-Held Chalkboards

I have been wanting to use chalkboard paint for a long time, but I never knew it came in spray paint!

I had some little wooden things that I couldn't ever think of anything to use them for and the 2 came together for this.Hand-held chalkboards for my nieces.

I used about three coats of chalkboard paint to make sure they were coated well. Painted the edges of the wood black, painted the entire back a pretty matching color and mode podged scrapbook paper on the ends.
To finish it off I hot glued ribbon over the seam where the paint met the paper. They also needed chalk so I tied a ribbon around it with a piece of chalk.

I forgot to take a picture before I sent these so I got my sis-in-law to take a picture for me...thanks Heather!

I did this for my other nieces too but they were just ovals and didn't have any flare to them on the front. Hopefully they're still fun to play with anyways.

Now my girls want one...

Linking up at Tea Rose Home

Mod Podged Lunch Box

My daughter has started Kindergarten!!!
Unbelievable how time flies!
She has to take a snack every day so I was on the hunt for a snack box. We had a couple of these from our days at Busch Gardens, but they were a little too "Busch Gardensy."Decided Mod Podge usually fixes anything.I removed the sticker (which came off surprisingly easy), traced it on my pretty paper and Mod Podged away. I cut out her name on my Cricut and Mod Podged some more.We don't have to worry about someone else walking away with her snack box at least.

Bread Box Redo

I found this lovely bread box at the Thrift Store the other day. Passed it up because I really didn't want to pay $5 for it, but went back the next day because I was afraid it would be gone quick. It's the only one I've ever seen there soooo...now it's mine, all mine.

I can't believe this was in style at one point. I'm sure I'll be saying that about my own stuff sometime in the future.

So after some black spray paint, I used my Cricut to cut out some pretty shapes that I Mod Podged on.
I never thought to use a bread box in my space-hindering apartment until I saw this posted on Mod Podge Rocks. Then I figured I could find a bread box cheap to redo also.

I don't have to use my girls' baby basket any longer.
The top of my fridge looks much much better. Thanks ladies for the great idea!

Christmas Plaques

Disclaimer: If you are my sister-in-laws...please don't look at this post, unless you don't care to be surprised. :)

I've seen these plain wooden plaques hanging at the Dollar Tree for some time now. Many different ideas ran through my head...baby's room w/letters, big girls room with patterns, dining room...so many options.

Instead I thought I should send 2 of my brothers and their families a little something for Christmas. This will be the first Christmas I've ever had without my family...tear. But it'll be ok.

I spray painted the whole thing red. Then took Christmas scrapbook paper and Mod Podged it on. Used my Cricut to cut out the letters and Mod Podged them on top. Hot glued some little rhinestones, bells, and ribbon and that's about it. It actually took longer than I had planned, but that was probably because I was crafting with a group of ladies. Talking accounts for the majority of the time I would guess.I figure I can get away with making them home decor since it's seasonal. They don't have to keep it up if they don't like them. But I think I may make myself one now.

Jewelry Boxes with Mod Podge

I finally finished my little girls' jewelry boxes. They are the little wooden boxes I found at the Thrift Store for 75 cents. I had to show the top of this one. It had a small cross-stitched something or another Mod Podged on top. I found out you shouldn't Mod Podge unless you are serious about it staying there. I had to use plyers to rip it off!
First I spray painted them black. Then I Mod Podged zebra print scrap paper to the top. Then cut out letters and swirly thingies on my Cricut (love it! will have to share the story of how I got a great deal on it later) and Mod Podged them on.
Not that you can see, but I also lined the inside bottoms with hot pink felt.
Voila! I'm planning on stacking them up and setting them on their bookshelf or dresser...where little hands can't destroy them.
I even made jewelry to go in them, but didn't take a picture. I can't wait for them to open them! I hope they like everything as much as I do.

My 1st Mod Podge Project

I couldn't figure out what to do with these. The part with the peppers is a glass and I think you could use them for pretty pot holders on your table. I never did, but that's just b/c I probably never thought of them while they were hanging on my wall.This is the only picture I can find of them as they were before (even though I know I have a better one). I changed my kitchen/dining area theme from peppers to an Italy/European type of decor.

So this is what I came up with. I think my friend may have mentioned it actually. I found some beautiful scrapbook paper at Michael's and Mod Podged them on top of the peppers. Worked wonders!

I love them!
I just started another Mod Podge Project. I found these at the Thrift Store all for 75 cents. This is the before...I'm turning them into little jewelry boxes for my girls for Christmas.
Stay tuned for the finished product...which is hopefully before Christmas.

Mod Podge Dresser Knobs

I have a new love...Mod Podge. This is my second little project with it. I'll post the first one, that I LOVE, when I get some batteries for my camera...it seems rechargeable batteries can only recharge so many times.

Back to the dresser. Still redoing my girls' room and had bought this dresser off of Craigslist and knew the knobs would have to change. This is the before, I realized I needed to take a picture after I had half the knobs off...oops.I took the knobs off, painted them hot pink and then Mod Podged small zebra scrapbook circles on top. I used a few coats to make sure they stayed since they would be handled a lot. I really like how they turned out.I have another project in the works with more Mod Podge! I'm loving this stuff right now. And it sure beats what I would have done otherwise, which is hand paint zebra stripes.