Shabby Gals: April 2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

Piano Bench

Good morning and happy Monday! I recently found this piano bench at a garage sale for a couple of bucks.....yes only four bucks to be exact!!! What a deal, right? I scooped it up quickly with a big smile! Here is a before picture of her....she just needs a little make-over.

I gave her a quick cleaning and brushed a coat of primer on. I then chose a light gray to paint on the outside. I wanted to paint the storage part of the piano bench a different color so I chose pink. I absolutely love pink and gray together. Here are a couple of after pictures.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Just Repainted

Hi everyone, it's Thursday and it's my blogging day. Just have a really easy redo that only requires a pair of hoe-hum pair of rod iron candlesticks and a can of pink spray paint. Pink is such a fun color that just pops where you put something. Here is the before Just had some fun spray painting. These candlesticks would like fun in a family room, bathroom, bedroom or even on a backyard deck. Here is the after picture. See ya next Thursday, Dianne
Linked to:http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/
http://houseinroses.blogspot.co
http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/
http://shabbygals.blogspot.com/2012/04/just-repainted.html

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Just an old mirror

Happy Wednesday!! We made it half way through the week!! I hope you have all been having a great one, I know that my has been flying by. I need to stay home today though to get some projects accomplished.

This past weekend I attended an auction that was only a few miles from my house. I picked up some sweet finds and great deals. This particular one I am going to show you today seemed somewhat useless to buy because it is an old mirror that is so worn and dirty that you can't get much of a reflection anymore.It was probably from sitting in an old garage or barn but my obsession for old things got the best of me and I took it home. Anyhow, I LOVED the look of it and I didn't want to paint over it to take away the rustic charm. So I decided to put a quote on it!! I figured I would put it right in the middle because you can't see much of a reflection anyhow. I thought this would look great on a shelf in our bedroom, or if I add chain to hold it up it can be put on the wall. Such a simple and easy transformation, you should try it out! Till next time...Jessica

Linked to:

http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/ http://pinecreekstyle.blogspot.com/ http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/ http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/ http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/ http://www.creationsbykara.com/ http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/ http://www.sew-much-ado.com/ http://thediydreamer.blogspot.com/ http://www.jaqsstudio.com/ http://raegunwear.blogspot.com/ http://www.trulylovelyblog.com/ http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Paint by number owl?

So what do you think of this beauty? I found it a garage sale in the free box. My daughter kept telling me that we need a owl at our house cause big Grandpa has one. So score right? My husband told me it looked like a paint by numbers that someone did. I do agree with him very blue and orange right?

The price tag on the bottom said 10 dollars, now call me crazy but that is a pretty penny for this old thing. Obviously no one was attracted to that price. For free it looks pretty good though! Anyway a coat of spray paint and some stain to get into the crevices and this ugly owl cleaned up pretty good. I love things that aren't too big too, because it is easier to switch things up, move things around and it looks like new again.

I also scored some shelves at this garage sale, I can't wait to show you. Not for free though, but I think worth the price. My dear husband actually has to help me hang these things though....a little too heavy for me. Until next time...Kim

Linked to: serendipityandspice sweetlittlegals athomewithk kammyskorner jillifyit debbiecreations hopestudios diyhshp apinchofjoy bystephanielynn sewcando raisingoranges craftomaniac whitelightsonwednesday thediydreamer mygirlishwhims southernlovely polkadotsonparade thecraftyblogstalker aglimpseinsideblog savedbylovecreations thriftydecorating-nikkiw pincushioncreation

Monday, April 23, 2012

Updated Spring Wreath

Hi everyone! Happy Monday to you. I don't really have a big project to share today...however, I do want to show you a wreath I recently updated. Here's a before picture of my grapevine wreath...which makes me chuckle because I junk picked this with my two other thrifty sisters.

I bought some new flowers from Jo-Anns and made a simple banner to hang across. The banner reads, "smile." It's too big to fit on my front door so it now decorates the outside of my house.

The last two pictures were edited with the program...picmonkey. Super neat program...check it out! I almost like it better than picnik. I hope you all have a great day!!

Linking to these parties:
http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/  http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/
http://www.madincrafts.com  http://www.homemakeronadime.com/
http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/  http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/
http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/  http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/  http://www.notjustahousewife.net/
http://www.iheartnaptime.net  http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://itssoverycheri.com  http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/
http://diyshowoff.com  http://wearethatfamily.com/
http://stylishonceagain.blogspot.com/  http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/
http://linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com/ http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/
http://youaretalkingtoomuch.blogspot.com  http://www.cherishedbliss.com
http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/  http://www.trulylovelyblog.com/
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/ http://stringtownhome.blogspot.com/
http://gigglesglitzandglam.blogspot.com/
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/
http://brassyapple.blogspot.com
http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com/
http://www.thesoutherninstitute.com/
http://sewchatty.blogspot.com/
http://www.vwbblog.com/
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/
http://www.kaylascreationsblog.com
http://www.create-with-joy.com
http://www.vintagemauve.com
http://delectablehome.blogspot.com

Friday, April 20, 2012

A splash of pink

Thank goodness it's Friday right? I don't know how you all feel but I know that by the time Friday rolls around I am ready for the weekend!! On that note, weekends are usually my time to go out and hit up a few garage sales. This piece was actually out of a barn. I think they were really surprised that I wanted it. I loved everything about this piece and thought that it could be useful in so many different ways. So I took it home with me and this is what I did to fix it up.
Here is what it looked like before...hopefully you can see what drew me to it. I loved the handles on the sides and how the top opened with a hinge. It could be used as a toy box, something to hold old pictures, photo albums, treasures, etc. Just use your imagination and it can be used for whatever you may come up with. :)

For some reason the color pink would not get out of my head. Of course I was not thinking a soft pink, I was thinking bright, energetic, and something really girly since it was such a rustic, masculine piece before. So I went with my first instincts and painted it this bright, fabulous pink. I then sprayed the handles and hinges black since they were a little rusted. I added a bird to the top and scraped up the edges to let the old gray shine through. I am very pleased with the transformation and can't wait till my little girl can fill it with her own treasures someday. :) Enjoy your weekend!! Jessica

Linked to:

http://www.trulylovelyblog.com/ http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/ http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/ http://www.creationcorner.blogspot.com/ http://whipperberry.com/ http://www.delicateconstruction.com/ http://kojo-designs.com/ http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/ http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/ http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ http://lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com/ http://tatertotsandjello.com/2012/04/weekend-wrap-up-party-and-kristens-custom-creations-giveaway.html http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/ http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ http://candacecreations.blogspot.com/

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Freshen Up with Lime Green

It's Thursday once again and I have a little remake on an antique table. It's old and a little tired. Had a crack on top but I thought it gave the table a little character. I bought it at a garage sale and fell in love with the turned table legs. Here is the before picture.

I looked thru all my paint colors and thought that a bright color would make this little table happy. It made me happy so I painted a shade of lime green. After it was all painted it looked like it needed to be toned down a little bit so I painted grey paint all over it and than wiped off the excess leaving the grey in certain spots, which was along the edges and in all the grooves on the legs. I loved the end result and protected the finish with a poly-acrylic varnish. Here is the end result. What do you think.....Dianne

Linked With:http://www.733blog.com/2012/04/sugar-spice-107.html#more
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/04/transformation-thursday-no-148.html
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/
http://www.firefliesandjellybeans.com/
http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/
http://sofabulouslyflawed.blogspot.com/
http://www.yesterdayontuesday.com/
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Old Shirt to New Dress

So I have been using my sewing machine a little bit these past couple weeks. I am trying to get a little better. Every time I realize things look a little nicer, I suppose that is what happens:). Well especially the things I have made for my little girl. I have to say girls are super easy in the clothes department, skirts, dresses, flowers etc. Anyway back to the point, I have a cute t-shirt that my sister Jackie made for my little girl. It just got too short on her, but it has a cute A that she fabric painted on. So instead of getting rid of it, I just cut it off and added a cute fabric skirt on it. It was fun to do, I am sure everyone has seen these all over the blogs. I have done these a few times, but this time I added a waist band that brings it all together. So what do you think?

Before:

After:

Sorry about the pictures...My little girl always tries to pose and ends up moving so pictures are kinda impossible for me.

Until next time Kim

Linked to: FunkyPolkaDotGiraffe Sumosweetstuff craftomaniac thecreativeitchboutique itssoverycheri brassyapple ladybug-blessings serendipityandspice. singingthreelittlebirds notjustahousewife amy-newnostalgia hopestudios blackberryvine brassyapple pinkapotamus madincrafts makingtheworldcuter thegirlcreative typeadecorating heatherlyloves bluecricketdesign lilluna uncommondesignsonline somewhatsimple katiesnestingspot craftyscrappyhappy delightfulorder savedbylovecreations thrifty101

Monday, April 16, 2012

Updated Magazine Table

Hi guys! Another Monday....hope everyone had a great weekend! I have a furniture make-over to share with you this morning. I found this little magazine table at a local garage sale just a few weeks ago. Here's the before picture.

I gave it a good 'ole cleaning and then a coat of zinsser primer. I found a couple of $2.00 oops quarts of paint at Home Depot the other weekend. This is one of the colors I scored....I happen to love it. It's more of a darker turquoise color. After the coats of paint dried, I heavily distressed the little table. It's crazy how much it changes the look when you choose to distress or not to distress. I love the way it turned out. What do you think?

Linking to these awesome parties:

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Another Use for Scrabble Pieces

Good morning! I wanted to show you a simple way to use those extra scrabble pieces that you might have laying around. I first saw this idea on http://www.lemontreecreations.blogspot.com/, and thought it was darling. A few weeks ago I stopped in at a consignment store and they were selling scrabble pieces for 15 cents a piece. I scooped up a few letters and began creating a few fun words.

I painted the bases a fun aqua and pink color and simply hot glued the letters down. Here they are completed. What do you think?

Linking to these parties:

http://www.freckledlaundry.com/

http://nv-craftenvy.blogspot.com/

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

http://daysofchalkandchocolate.blogspot.com/

http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/

http://lovelycraftyhome.com/

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

http://itssoverycheri.com

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com

http://www.positivelysplendid.com

http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

http://thecreativepaige.com

http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/

http://whipperberry.com/

http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/

http://lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com/

http://www.arosiesweethome.com

http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/

http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/

http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/

http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/

http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/

http://www.skiptomylou.org

http://youaretalkingtoomuch.blogspot.com

http://www.madincrafts.com
http://threemangoseeds.blogspot.com/
http://delectablehome.blogspot.com
http://linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com
http://www.vintagemauve.com
http://www.thesoutherninstitute.com/
http://www.create-with-joy.com

Thursday, April 12, 2012

An Old Tool Box

It's Thursday and the weather has been cold around here. Looking forward to some more warm and sunny days. Since it's been a little cold, I have been busy doing some fixing up and a little spray painting. Had this old tool box that looked like it was aluminum and not very interesting. Here is the before picture.

I thought that the box would look cute painted a hot pink and this is what it looked after I did my magic.

The box could be used just about for anything, from holding books, drinking glasses, condiments to brought to the picnic table or on a little girl's dresser holding all her belongings. Anyways, it was a fun project. What do you think?

Linked to: http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/04/transformation-thursday-no-147.html
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/
http://www.firefliesandjellybeans.com/
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://www.thevintagefarmhouse.com/
http://sofabulouslyflawed.blogspot.com/
http://www.momontimeout.com/2012/04/taking-timeout-thursday-no25.html
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/
http://rhinestonebeagle.blogspot.com/
http://www.everydaytastes.com/2012/04/12/its-a-keeper-thursday-recipe-project-blog-hop-2/
http://www.yesterdayontuesday.com/
http://www.thetaylor-house.com/

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Not Just An Old Frame

Well good morning!! I have already been up for an hour and a half and I hate to tell you what time it is right now. You would think I am crazy for being up at this hour but when my little princess, who is only 12 weeks old, decides to be up at 3 a.m. that means that I am up keeping her company. :) Therefore I am getting a really early start to my post today.
I found this really old, oval frame from a rummage sale. It looks like it has been repaired in a few places along the way, but none the less I fell in love with it. Maybe all the bumps, nicks, and repair marks are the reasons why i fell in love with it. I simply love the character in old pieces. Anyhow I took this frame and spray painted it a soft, simple cream color. I then took some stain and rubbed it all over to give it an antique look. I found some old fabric in my basement, I think that it is a linen, which made it easier when I was stretching it along the back side of the frame. To attach the fabric I just used a hot glue gun. I used a hot glue gun instead of stapling the fabric to the back because the frame was too fragile, I didn't want to take the chance. I then took some letter stencils and some brown acrylic paint to write, "welcome to our home". I loved how it turned out and I am excited to have found a new used for an old frame without glass. Happy Wednesday!! ~Jessica

Linked to:

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/ http://www.sew-much-ado.com/ http://www.733blog.com/ http://wearethatfamily.com/ http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/ http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/ http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/ http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/04/transformation-thursday-no-147.html http://www.firefliesandjellybeans.com/ http://www.yesterdayontuesday.typepad.com/ http://romantichome.blogspot.com/ http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

New Pillows

So I just updated a couple pillows that my dear sister Jackie made for me for Christmas one year. I really did like them, and my kids must of too. They were a little destroyed. I think they were meant for more decoration, but you know with kids everything get used.

So here is the before of one, I forgot to take a picture of the other one.

Cute right? Just a little well used. So here are the after......

So what do you think? Until next time...Kim

Linked To: TodaysCreative Blog FunkyPolkaDotGiraffe SewChatty Tipjunkie Craftomaniac Sumossweetstuff thecreativeitchboutique SewCanDo HopeStudios

Monday, April 9, 2012

Lil' Pink Table

Hi! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend! It was a good one here! My son will be four in July, so this year he had a better understanding of what was going on. We hosted an egg hunt earlier in the week and he had a ball with his buddies looking for eggs....and of course eating the candy!! I want to share a furniture make-over with you today. I found this little magazine table at an estate sale for a couple of bucks a few weeks ago. Here's the before picture of the table.

I gave it a quick and light sanding. Next, I gave it a good and thorough wash and followed it up with a coat of primer. After the primer dried, I gave it two coats of semi-gloss pink paint. I then followed up with some distressing around the corners. I decided to use my cricut machine to cut out a bird and tree branch stencil out of contact paper and painted it on top of the table. Here's the after picture...

Friday, April 6, 2012

New Light Switch

So here is something that I actually saw at a friends house. So I have to say I can't take credit for it, but it is a good idea and spices things up a little bit. Everything in my house is a little dated...so I am trying to make it my own. I feel as if I had built my house, things would of built or done a little different, but probably all of you think the same. That is what we are all trying to do, switch things up without spending a fortune.(excuse the pun:))

So here I just took my covers to my light switches and I have to say I am loving modge podge. What took me so long I have no idea!!

So before:

And after:

What do you think? I like them...Hopefully you do too! Until next time...Kim

Linked To: Funkypolkadotgiraffe House of Hepworths somewhatsimple Katies Nesting Spot
Allie Makes Shabbynest Chic ona Shoestring Decorating Whipperberry ThirtyHandmadeDays Hodge Podge Life

Thursday, April 5, 2012

A Spot of Red

It's Thursday and the sun is shining. I just finished a little project that was fun and cheery.
Found this old table that looked a little beat up and a little boring with the old white color. It screamed red to me and I followed my instinct and went with the cheery color. Here is the before picture:

I painted the table with a flat red color, inside and out. When the table was dry, I than covered all the crevices with a flat dark grey paint and wiped the excess off with both a dry and wet cloth. I looked at the table and decided to rub some grey paint all over the surface of it and wiped off the excess again with a cloth until I got the desired results that I wanted. It took on the look of an antique table. I liked the shape of the original knobs so I sprayed painted them with a flat black paint and rubbed some grey paint on them. When they were dry I put some poly-acrylic varnish on them to protect the knobs. The whole table was finished with poly-acrylic, but the top had a few extra coats. I didn't shabby the table because I like the finished results. What about you?

Linked to:
http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/
http://www.733blog.com/2012/04/sugar-spice-105.html#more
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/04/transformation-thursday.html
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2012/04/04/hookin-up-with-hoh-94/
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/blog-link-party-with-saffron-marigold/
http://www.yesterdayontuesday.com/
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/
http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/
http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/
http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/
http://www.trulylovelyblog.net/
http://missmustardseed.com/2012/04/furniture-feature-friday-features-a-link-party/
http://www.thrifty101.blogspot.com/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Simple Photography

Good afternoon! It is a beautiful Wednesday around Michigan. The weather is absolutely perfect. I just got back from a wonderful Easter egg hunt for the kids. My baby is not quite old enough to participate, but we had a wonderful lunch and some great laughs. This week I am going to share with you another passion that I have for photography. Sometimes the most simple pictures can turn into the greatest creations. I was taking pictures of my little girl and had these adorable pink shoes on her. I decided to just take a few shots of just her feet, she was putting them in the best positions for me. I decided to go onto the website "Picnik", which is soon closing down and play around with some editing. I then found a cute quote and added it to the picture. I had this old frame from my mom and put it hanging in her room. I just LOVE the way a simple picture can turn into a great piece for her wall. I hope you enjoy it. ~Jessica

Here is the picture without the quote on it, I have already edited it. I made it black and white with just color in the shoes.

Here is the picture with the quote. It says "Sugar and spice and everything nice that's what little girls are made of". Isn't that so true? :)

Last but not least is the finished product hanging in her room.

Linked to:
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/ http://www.typeadecorating.blogspot.com/ http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/ http://www.sew-much-ado.com/ http://www.733blog.com/ http://santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com/ http://wearethatfamily.com/ http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/ http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/ http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/ http://www.733blog.com/ http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/04/transformation-thursday.html http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/ http://www.firefliesandjellybeans.com/ http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

Monday, April 2, 2012

Old Insulator to Photo Holder

Happy Monday everyone! Hope everyone had a great weekend! It seems as if our warm spring weather has left us in exchange for some cold and rainy days. I am longing for a sixty degree day.....ahhh just a day that I could spray paint outside... Anyways....I recently bought a few of these vintage insulators from a local antique store. I saw this re-purposed idea from the blog, http://postroadvintage.com, and loved it!

I took heavy duty (floral) wire and wrapped it around the insulators and then simply curled the ends up. Seriously....such an easy project and quick.....gotta love that, right? They would also be cute used as a recipe holder or maybe hold a simple quote.