What did I do with it? #5

Remember this post, where I asked what I should do with these three aluminum pans? I decided to make a three tiered storage piece to hold craft supplies.

First, I painted each of the pans a fun color. I used spray paint and painted them upside down. I decided I didn't want to spray the insides of the pan to leave some fun contrast.

A side note here; I tried using a different white spray paint on the top initially, but it turned out horrible! I didn't like the color (too white), the paint dripped badly and all around, it looked terrible. This happens for me almost every time I use a-brand-I-shall-not-name. I've since noted to myself, stick to RustOleum Painter's Touch!

Meanwhile, back to the project: I found some candlesticks that I had in the basement and spray painted those as well. (Pretend I actually remembered to take a picture of this step, mmkay?)

Next, I printed out numbers (1,2 & 3) using a font I liked and cut them out. I Mod Podged them on the front of each pan. (I was going to do something clever, like cut a funky stencil or use a transfer technique, but this was fast, easy and looked great.)

Finally,I used E6000 to glue everything together. I decided because of the way the candlesticks were that I would just glue the tops of them to the pan above it. That way I can take one level out and move it elsewhere if I need to.

What do you think? I can wait to start putting bits and bobs in it. This is the first of many projects to help me organize and contain my craft supplies into one area in the basement (a monumental task for sure!).

Don't settle for dull, live a refinished life!

*Planning to share at:
Metamorphasis Monday; Time To Sparkle Tuesday Linky Party; Trash to Treasure; The Power of Paint Party; Wildly Original Linky Party; Transformation Thursday; What have you redone?; Shabbilicious Friday.

Gardening at Last!

Winter  finally went away, so I went crazy at the greenhouse buying flowers and veggies to plant. Then it rained and rained and rained. Today the sun finally came out and I am getting some of that stuff planted! I thought I would share some pics with everyone.

The front steps of the house:

I love using random containers to plant in!

The other side of the door:

My hubby surprised me with a half whiskey barrel planter for Mother's Day:

I love Gerber daisies! You can't tell from this picture, but these have two-toned petals.

I found an old bike basket awhile back and thought it would be great straddling the railing on my deck:

More Gerber's!

This year I planted all of my herbs in a metal wash tub:

It's so nice to keep them all together like that. Here's some shade lovin' pots:

Look at those gorgeous double impatients!

I also planted a pot for the sidewalk in front of my office:

It might look like some of these pots are a little sparse now, but come another couple of weeks they will be filled out and overflowing! I haven't got everything planted yet, so be sure to check back in a couple of days to see the rest of the beauties!

Don't settle for dull, live a refinished life!


*Planning to share at:
Metamorphasis Monday;  Time To Sparkle Tuesday Linky Party; Trash to Treasure;  Wildly Original Linky Party; Transformation Thursday; What have you redone?; Fridays Unfolded; Shabbilicious Friday.

What Should I Do With It Wednesday? #5

It's time for another, What Should I Do With It Wednesday? This week, I picked up these three great baking pans. They get smaller in size, and are made out of aluminum.

What do you think I should do with them? A multi-level birdfeeder perhaps? If you've got any ideas, please share in the comments below!

Don't settle for dull, live a refinished life!

Little Plant Stand

I picked up a little plant stand at the thrift store awhile back for $2. It was just stained a plain light oak color. Nothing too special. In fact, it was so non-descript, I forgot to take a before picture.  I sprayed it with a very light coat of RustOleum's Colonial Red. I like that the grain of the wood still showed slightly.

I found this graphic from The Graphics Fairy and printed it in mirror image (the words appear backwards). Then I copied the image with a toner copier (ink jet printouts will not work with this method).
I put the image printed side down (which is why you need to print in mirror image) on the plant stand.

Then I took a "blender" pen (Can be purchased here for $2.82!) and went over the image multiple times until the paper was soaked. I let it dry and then went over it again. I did the several times until I felt like toner came through enough. I just peeked under the paper to see how it was doing.

Here's the result:

Now I've got a nice time-worn looking image. I did spray the top with a clear sealant to protect the image. You can get a darker image by darkening the image on the copier several times. It will also look darker against a lighter paint color.

Don't settle for dull, live a refinished life!

*Planning to share at:
Metamorphasis Monday; Brag Monday; Time To Sparkle Tuesday Linky Party; Trash to Treasure; The Power of Paint Party; Wildly Original Linky Party; Transformation Thursday; What have you redone?; Furniture Feature Friday; Fridays Unfolded; Shabbilicious Friday.

Silverware Wind Chime

I've been swapping up a storm over at Craftster. I just made this little beauty for someone:

The silverware is all silver plated (that's what sounds the best) I used a fork and bent the tines to make the top.

There's a bird in the middle for maximum chiming:

and I used a key charm for the bottom weight:



I have a lot of this silverware lying around. I need to get to making more stuff like this!

Don't settle for dull, live a refinished life!

*Planning to share at:
Metamorphasis Monday;  Time To Sparkle Tuesday Linky Party; Trash to Treasure; Wildly Original Linky Party; Transformation Thursday; What have you redone?;  Fridays Unfolded; Shabbilicious Friday.

Last Minute Wedding Gift

I needed a last minute wedding gift last weekend (we were invited last minute because they weren't sure there would be enough room at their venue). I has seen this tutorial on Brassy Apple where she took letter stickers, put them on fabric, painted over them and then peeled them off to reveal the fabric underneath. I was in the thrift store and saw an ugly print in a frame, when it hit me. Why not use the same technique on a print you would never in a million years hang in your house?

I bought a print in a frame for $1. I cut letters out of clear contact paper using my Cricut and SCAL software (no sense in wasting vinyl on this).  I put the letters on the print like so:

Okay, I know it's hard to see clear contact paper, but if you look really closely, you can see a few of them toward the top.

Then I spray painted several thin layers over everything:

After it dried completely, I peeled off the letters to reveal this:

I love the result. The vintage tone of the print underneath is really neat. I did spray over the whole thing with a clear coat for a little extra protection. I probably would have put an extra something in vinyl on either side of the date (a heart perhaps?) but the couple I was giving this to is a little more minimalist than I. This project might be my go-to wedding gift from now on.

Don't settle for dull, live a refinished life!

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