Spray Paint, Mirrors and Acid - OH MY!!!

That's right - I said ACID!!!

In my blog-stalking, I found THIS . . . a tutorial for this awesome technique of removing some of the reflective coating off of mirrors to give them an old-antique-y look . . . I LOVE this girl - she's Ah-mazing!!! If I forget my list of "ooooh I wanna do that's" - I just have to go through her posts and there my list appears! Another thing I LOVE about her is that she lives in St. George, Utah - a soft place in my heart - because I went to Jr. High there . . . and my parents have returned to live there!!!

SO . . . after seeing her post on "the acid technique" as I'll call it hertoforeafter . . . (my vocabulary and grammar get REALLY bad when I'm excited!!) PLUS her post on a mirror wall . . . I knew I wanted to have them both . . . together!!!

So - step 1 . . . find mirrors and/or frames . . . thrift stores ✓, yard sales ✓, clearance rack at Michael's ✓search all closets ✓, a couple generous friends ✓ . . . and I got a whole slew of 'em!

Step 2 . . . Unification . . . I wanted the frames all white, but not exactly the same white . . . so I used a couple different white spray paints - and this one -

Had such awesome detail that I sanded it up a bit after painting. One of them was already a good distressed white as well.

Step 3 . . . Mirrors. A few of my frames needed mirrors to start with - so I went to a local glass shop and got some custom cut . . . I wasn't thrilled with how much they ended up costing - but to be honest - I loved this project so much I got over it.

Step 4 . . . Prep mirrors. So - I got pretty nervous about the fact that I was going to be playing with acid - but after the first round, I stopped shaking. Here's my advice on this acid technique - ✻ MAKE SURE you follow the instructions in the link above!!!!! My gloves probably (OK I'm sure they) weren't the right kind . . . they need to withstand the acid. When you start to feel an itchy cold sensation in your fingers - you know you shoulda got some serious chemical gloves.
✻ DO NOT breath in the air after you spray the acid . . . not pleasant!
✻ If you aren't getting the reflective coating off as easily, use a Mr. Clean magic eraser - but remember, if the acid sits too long - it will ALL end up coming off . . . the magic eraser is just a good catalyst that won't scratch the glass.

Step 5 . . . placement - DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP! I've done it many times - and always regretted it! Make a paper copy of each and every frame - trace them so you have all their correct shapes. Use the paper copies to find the placement you like - I first placed the papers on the floor to get the right positions then put them up on the wall with end, top & bottom measurements more accurate.

Step 6 . . . Fabric & Paper - at this point - my marking papers are taped up where I want them and I put the frames on the floor in the identical pattern - and start adding the fabric & paper to the frames. I pulled out PILES of my scrapbook paper and used the paper on all the frames small enough - then hit the fabric for the larger frames. I did this to balance out the colors and pattern sizes of the paper & fabric in the frames - otherwise, you could end up with a cluster of green mirrors (and who wants that?)

Step 7 . . . Hanging - I replaced the marking paper one by one - and was able to do slight adjustments if necessary.

AND HERE IT IS:

THIS magnetic frame from a yard sale:

TURNED INTO THIS:

This $2 busted up clearance frame from Michael's got a little wood filler and paint . . .

These are Ceiling Medallions:

This was SO much fun and I'm so excited how it turned out . . . If anyone needs some muriatic acid - let me know!!!

AWESOME find!

Isn't she pretty???? I found this beautiful antique piece at a garage sell of two sisters (late 50's / early 60's). They said they remember this dresser in their grandmother's house as kids. The drawers were all in pieces - but there's NO way I could pass up a $40 dresser - that also came with an antique mirror!

I intended to completely refinish her - and thought I'd have to cut new drawer pieces to replace the warped ones - the good news is - once I jumped in, I didn't have to do as much as I thought!!!

I ended up soaking the warped pieces in water and putting them between some heavy boards with clamps for about a week. They dried flat - and I only had to cut the bottoms of the drawers and a back or two. Can you imagine having to duplicate that tongue and groove pattern on the drawers! NO WAY!!! So . . . GRATEFULLY, I put back together all the old pieces with only a few new pieces - with glue and a nail gun (which I should say I enjoy far too much!) I put them together so well that after I'd assembled one drawer, I realized the back piece was in upside-down, leaving a small gap at the bottom back of the dresser. There was NO way I could have disassembled it - too many nails going in too many directions . . . so I cut a small piece of wood to fill in that gap.

But I digress . . . I was so excited about the drawers that I skipped the beginning! Before any of this, I pulled out the old, rusty, malfunctioning wheel casters - they were in there good. So after prying them out as best I could without damaging the legs, the small metal tubes were still stuck in two of the legs. My rescuer/husband pulled out his drill and was able to just drill them out - he's so smart!!!

Then I sanded the bejibbers out of it. Remember how I said I was going to completely refinish it? Well, my very smart friend Meredith suggested I keep the color it had and just distress it up - and after tossing and turning a few nights I KNEW she was right!!!

There was a flaky, yellowish old finish that came right off - then I just sanded down past the green color in certain places - like corners, edges, and curves. It was a very light wood underneath and leaves a subtle distressed look. I didn't want to risk mistakes by glazing or adding other paints that may not have been compatible - so I left her.

After she was sanded down and all the drawers were in working order, I slathered (although carefully and neatly) lacquer all over her - including every surface of the drawers. I read somewhere the lacquer would help prevent wood warping and knew that previously warped wood would be extra susceptible. She smelled STRONG!!! I had to wear (two) face masks and it still wasn't enough. But she dried - and even after setting her up, I left the drawers open a bit to air out.

Her built-in key holes were a brassy color once sanded down and I'm more of a silver girl, so I sprayed a bit of antique silver spray paint in a paper cup and used a little paint brush to carefully paint them - It took me quite a while to find the right knobs for her. I love the glass knob look but it just wasn't umph-y enough! So I found these awesome clock faces made by Tim Holtz - for scrapbooking of course! I had to drill the middle hole just a little bit bigger - and viola! A fun knob plate!!!

GORGEOUS!!

Stands for Crocheted Hats

So I've been building up a supply of crocheted hats - I want to have a good selection at the bazaars we'll be at this year - but I was racking my brain about how to display them - they're WAY too cute to just sit on the table!!! So . . . after hours of searching on the internet to no avail - INSPIRATION hit!!! I was going to MAKE some hat stands - CHEAP and EASY!!!

So - I started thrift store hopping - looking for cheap candle stands - it was easy - they were everywhere - and I don't think I spend more than $4 on any of them . . . most were between $.50 and $2.00!! I cleaned a few up - sprayed a few black to match the rest . . .

Then I started racking my brain again! I was going to use all styrofoam balls for the tops - but they get spendy - especially when you can only use ONE 40% coupon at a time!!! I'm not patient enough for that! I needed something that was round on top, cheap, and easy to attach to the candle stands.

How about a TOILET FLOAT!!?!?!?!?!?!? Why not? They're less than a buck a piece, keep their shape and at the same time, you can cut them!!!! PERFECT! They especially worked for these spiral-topped stands - I cut them carefully with a serrated knife - following the ridges around - cutting only a small section at a time so I stayed on line . . . and cupped them right over the spiral top!

I did use some styrofoam balls - sitting them on top of the stand or just cutting out a small section and pushing them down on top of the stand. Other toilet floats just rested inside the stand if it fit just right.

For some - I covered the ball with fabric first, then hot glued it to the stand - adding a decorative trim of ribbon. Others I just covered the ball and part of the stand with fabric and tied ribbon around the base of the ball to secure it.

I think they turned out so cute - I may make some just as decoration!!!!!

And here's a sneak peek at some of the hats I'll have at the bazaars . . . then later at my Etsy shop. SO much cuter than just laying them on the table, right???

Mason Jar Chandelier

This project is one of my favorites!!! Not only was it THRIFTY . . . but it is UNIQUE and HANDMADE - yes . . . handmade . . . by me!!

I've seen a few DIY Mason Jar Chandeliers on the internet . . . (Google it if you're curious to see variations!) And I really wanted a new light for my new informal dining room. So - I set out figuring out how to design, wire and assemble a light!!!

Here's the low-down from the top down:
*The ceiling plate is a piece off a set of outdoor "lantern" style sconces (I bought the set of 2 sconces for $5 - So I'm calling it a $1.00 plate). I pulled the plate off and am using the lanterns for other things - one for my kids to play with and one to decorate with. We had to (OK my hubby did) drill 4 holes in the rim of the plate where we could attach 4 of the chains - I couldn't make 5 chains & cords fit through the one center hole as originally intended - but I like this better . . . it spaces them out a bit.
*Wire connectors - you know those little colorful things that screw a few wires together - we had plenty for this project at home. Also - whatever other hardware we needed to hang it up we already had lying around in the garage from previous lights.
*White Electrical Cord - purchased at Lowe's for $4.50 - I bought ample and could have cut cost had I known what lengths I really wanted (or needed).
*Chain - also purchased at Lowe's - $7.04 - with the same story as the cord - plenty left over . . . what I like about this chain is that it was already white . . . and the links are a different shape - a bit more decorative!
*Screw in Loops - Purchased at Lowe's - $10.40 for 10 - 2 per jar - one to hang the chain to the lids and one to hang the chains to the ceiling plate.
*Nuts - Purchased at Lowe's - $1.51 - The loops and nuts were in the lighting section - other nuts aren't compatible.
*Jars & Jar Lids - FREE!! (thanks to my friend Jamie who was moving out of state - that part was not at all happy!) I sprayed the lids white (with paint I already had) and drilled a small hole in the center of each to attach the sockets to the loops.
*Sockets - Two of them were pulled out of my lantern sconces and recycled. I purchased the other 3 at Lowe's. $10.83

$1.00
$4.50
$7.04
$10.40
$1.51
$10.83
TOTAL: $35.28

I find it funny that the loops were one of the more pricey supplies for this light!!
I should note that I didn't include the price of the bulbs because I was just calculating the cost of the fixture itself. Finding the right bulbs was STRESSFUL . . . did you know there are some types of lights you can use with a dimmer that don't have to indicate "dimmer!?" I do now!

**I should also note that I called over an electrician friend to make sure I had wired it right and that all the parts and pieces would work without catching my house on fire before I hung it up and turned it on!!**
(fortunately I had . . . and that makes me giddy!)

My grandpa would be so proud!!! He owned "Wasatch Electric" in Utah back in the day!

I wanted to show one with the light on . . . I love how there's like this sun-burst on the ceiling when it's on . . .

Thrifting Addict!!!

I tell ya!!! The nerve of some people!!! There are these AH-mazing thrifters / repurposers / decorators / goddesses out there - who have the nerve to blog about their AH-mazing talents and projects . . . and I'm hooked!!! They'll find these cheesy / tacky / ugly / horrible items, throw on some paint or fabric and voila! They are gorgeous masterpieces that I want in my home!

See what I'm talking about:
Idol #1
Idol #2
Idol #3
Idol #4
Idol #5
OK - you get the idea!!!

So . . . my garage is now a full-on thrift store / work-shop / paint studio!!! I have plans to try out a few (hundred) of the ideas I've run across from these AH-mazing women . . . I now know every thrift / vintage / antique / junk store in the Anchorage area . . . at least I hope I do - if there are little unknown secrets - please share!

One thing I've learned through my treasure hunting / beautifying is that I am HORRIBLE at taking BEFORE shots. WHY OH WHY???? Cuz I get the little beauty home and I can't wait to get started - I will try to do better!

THIS is a little chair I found at "Value Village" here in Anchorage - $6.50! It was silver metal and the (EW I just touched it!) seat was like those icky vinyl table cloths - complete with weird fuzzy back side!!!

All it takes is a bit of spray paint (my favorite is quickly becoming the 2X stuff they sell at Home Depot) and a little upholstery fabric with a 40% off JoAnn coupon!!!

Chair: $6.50
Paint: $3.95
Fabric: $4.94 (with plenty to spare!)

TOTAL: $15.39

Awesome price for an ADORABLE chair to go in my daughter's room!
Plus, I have plenty of pink spray paint and some left over fabric for another project!

Color!

I've been keeping myself extremely busy!! It doesn't help that my little sister has introduced me to some amazing DIY / thrifting / creative crafting / home decor blogs! So . . . I've been DIMyself-ing, thrifting, creative crafting and home decor-ing.

This is a taste of the first phase of my informal dining room.

F * U * N !!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Best. Chore. Chart. EVER!!!

Let me preface this post by saying - my home is not always clean. More often than not, you'll find a layer of dust or a spot that sticks you to the floor or a mess in need of a "hazardous waste" sign! Now that I live in a larger home with a lot more people, I just. Cannot. Keep. Up! There was a time when I would do a deep clean once a week - yeah - a time when we lived with half the children in less than half the space. We've used a few different chore charts in the past and the novelty wears off in .5 seconds. So a couple years ago my oldest two started really understanding the concept of work=money . . . and would daily ask me if there was something they could do to earn some cash. I was not prepared so finally, I sat down - broke down the chores I'd be willing and thrilled to hand over - and assigned them a monetary value . . . then made each into a magnet - so WHENEVER a child wants money - they can go to the board and decide what they want to do and how much they will get for it. Take the magnet off when it's complete and stick it on their own personal magnet board. Before we put this system into effect, I took the oldest two through a "training session" where they cleaned with me - and I showed them exactly what I meant and expected with each chore. It took most of the day, and they didn't get paid for it. So . . . since then, there have been dry spells and days of torrential rain in their desires to do chores - but I am more than happy with this system. If ever there's a day I feel the grime creeping up on me . . . I make of row of the chore magnets I want done and tell them "this row HAS to be done today - you guys decided how to divide it up!" And it gets done. They get paid. Everyone's happy!

Now that my youngest two are old enough to see the benefit of chores, I made them each a magnet board too. They have started "training" with the older kids and I use the "Parent Assignment" chore magnets creatively. I also had to make a larger chore board because we've added more chores, increased the number of "Parent Assignment" magnets etc . . . I may weed them out some, they just seem to overwhelm the cute board!!!!

ANYWAY - with a minor facelift, the chore system has become fresh again and the kids are doing a great job. I love it!!!

I'm trying to figure out if I want to do something like this to sell on my Etsy shop - I just haven't decided 1-If it'd be worth the cost/time 2-How to do a "custom" set with main board and personalized chore boards 3-WHEN I'd have time to throw in making a few between other projects! Regardless - I LOVE MINE!!!