A project weekend

Yesterday was a holiday and I took today off of work, so I’ve had some time to play :)
First I got out the spray paint and modified these two pieces

The tray was painted black and then I added a piece of snake skin like wallpaper

I started searching the house for hard cover books to cover with craft paper and could only find two. I read books and donate them back to the thrift store, the only two I could find were my daughters.
So back to the GW to find some books. I’m not a fan of displaying books just for the sake of display. They have to be something that is actually read, otherwise they go to the bookcase.
I found these three books which appeal to all of us.


The burlap bug has finally bit me and now I’m sorry that I didn’t catch on to it earlier. I’ve had an aversion to it because of it’s odour (it smells musty to me), but the $3.00 roll that I got at a garage sale last weekend, doesn’t smell bad :)
So, I recovered the ottoman/bench and hung it up as drapes.

I even cut out a stencil with my cricut and tried stencilling

I built a frame for the dead tree photo that I took a few weeks ago. My ex-hubby had it put on canvas for me (he’s in the industry, so it didn’t cost me anything). Problem is I can’t decide where to put it.

I’m  pretty sure that I’m doing all of these things in order to avoid the back breaking work that awaits me out back; putting in a new patio.

Butterflies and friends

Everything is closed here today for the holiday and I had run out of white spray paint. An emergency phone call went out to my BFF.  Thank goodness she had a can and I’ve just finished the final coat on a couple of items, I’ll show you later.
She had wanted to do the butterfly paper art for her bedroom. GW to the resuce, where she had found these two pictures for $4.00 a piece.

We removed the backing, kept the matting and (she) chose some paper from the wallpaper books I got from FreeCycle.  Using my Cricut, we cut out the butterflies, playing with the size until they were perfect.
They turned out beautifully and will look smashing in her room.


Her visit was a welcome respite from the drudgery known as my back yard make-over.

It's the 77th Metamorphosis (how appropriate) Monday at Between Naps on the Porch, you should go see all the wonderful changes being made this week.

A thank you and a quick tutorial

I would like to thank Sunny at Sunny’s Life in Rehab, for listing me as one of ten new bloggers (although I’m not that new at it :))

Now on the to tute:

Forgive the crappy photos.

The easiest way to hang pictures, ever! I’m sure others have see this before, but for those of you that haven’t…

I used a piece of trim, screwed in a drywall nail half way

Place your picture on the nail

Decide where on the wall you want it and press the nail into the wall, making a small hole for your more permanent method of hanging photos. Brialliant! Now I should have less holes in my walls, ‘cause I am so lazy when it comes to measuring things out.

I’m going to share this at the following places:

Chrome drum shade pendant light

whoa, that’s a descriptive title.  Anywho, I scoffed this shade from my son’s room.  Sorry if you are tired of my dining room/sitting room, but I had to have some light in there.

I purchased the wiring and the socket from HD, put it all together today and hung it up. I did make a boo boo which you will see in the photo’s; I cut the cord too short. I measured from the outlet in the ceiling to where I wanted it to hang, but didn’t take the drop into account. Pfft, whatever, it’s fine :) Total cost $8.48

With the light on

I’m participating in the DIY Show Off’s DIY project Parade

Coffee table to ottoman

I have been on the look out for a coffee table with similar legs to the chairs that I have.  I found one today at the GW for $10. The only part of it that is real wood are the legs. It’s just awful.

I sprayed it, added a bit of distressing and some fabric. It’s better but I’m not that good of an upholsterer. I think some trim will help :)


Rhoda is hosting a Thrifty Treasures Party at Southern Hospitality.  Always one of my favourite types of parties :)  A girl can never get enough thrift.

Framed photos

I printed a few of the photos that I took last weekend.  This small space above my sofa is difficult to accessorise and I’ve been racking my brain with something to put there.  I have a ton of frames waiting to be used that I picked up for a couple of bucks.
This is the photo of the hosta that I took. Difficult photo to take with the glare.
I am working on getting the old dead tree photo printed on canvas.

Junkin’ finds

I got this today for $2.99

Here is it’s original price tag

Um, not in this life time.
So I sprayed it heirloom white, sanded it a little and voila. Much nicer

And a close up of the detail

I also picked up these almost new (they may have been worn once) Ralph Lauren sandals for $6.99, they retail for $90.00. Steal!


I am linking up to Met Monday's at Between Naps on the porch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

and to Coastal Charm’s Nifty Thrifty Thursday’s

Junkin’ Large clock

I will definitely transform this clock. Besides it doesn’t keep time very well. I’m thinking of adding a mirror, I haven’t decided yet.  Price: $5.00. The water bottle is next to it to give you an idea of the size.

I’m linking up to Thrifty Thursday’s at Tales from Bloggeritaville. Head over and view the great finds this week.

Silver cup and lid

I found this beauty today for $3.99!  I don’t have a clue if it’s silver or silver plated and there are no hallmarks on it, but it does feel fairly light. Silver plate is usually over brass and would be heavy. Also it has an audible ting to it when I strike it with something.  Either way, it’s gorgeous.
































I put up some fabric to see how the room will look with drapes. Whaddya think I should do? I definitely do not want to introduce another pattern into the room. Green may work to help pull in the colour from other adjoining spaces. The rod is temporary but any suggestions are welcome.

Lot's of thrifty treasure are to be found at Southern Hospitality's Memorial Weekend Thrift Treasures

and at Coastal Charm's Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays' party.

Garage sale finds

Slim pickings today, but I did get these new rubber gloves for 50 cents and these pretty holly desert plates for 2 dollars.
Me being silly :)

Flat brown to bright white

A while back I bought this patio set from Kijiji.
 
It had seen better days and I decided to brighten it up. 5 cans of spray paint later.

Here are my thrift store signs, I just love them.


It’s a sad little patio, but it’s mine.  I would really like a deck built, but that’s not an affordable project right now.  At least the furniture helps to brighten it up.
I'm linking up to Furniture Feature Friday at Mustard Seed Creations.

And to CSI’s Spray Paint Challenge

Thrifty Ikea wall lamp

I picked up this wall lamp for $3.99, the shade I already had and the ribbon was off of a blouse.
Now my daughter has a new lamp for reading in bed (which she does, constantly).

Personalized money holder

I have a wedding reception to attend this afternoon (it’s a holiday here today, Victoria Day) and completely forgot to get a card.
I went to the only scrap book paper I have, Amy Butler, which I’ve used for numerous projects.

The bride and groom are very eco-friendly and I believe will appreciate that this was not a bought card.
I added their names with scrabble blocks

I couldn’t find any glue, so I had to use electrical tape to hold the envelope closed. Added a personal message on the back, attached some cash and a pull ribbon and I have a no cost, personalized card. My very first one :)



I’m sure that the scrapbookers out there are cringing, but I’m lovin’ it.
And just for fun, those that have never seen Canadian money before, here it is. (We have a $10 bill too, but I don’t have one)