Table Makeover

I’m really not sure how to categorize this table.  It’s bigger than a side table, shorter than a sofa table, and smaller than even the smallest kitchen table.  I acquired {I say “acquired” because it’s a long story that involved tag switching and this was my suggested resolution to offset my loss} this from the antique mall where I have my booth.

Since colors don’t sell well for me in my booth I decided to do this table in black.  I painted the whole thing using CeCe Caldwell’s Beckley Coal.

Because it just looked too plain with the black paint, I wanted something to put on the top.  I decided to use one of the stencils I already have.

This paint definitely needs some clear wax otherwise it looks very flat and dull.  This piece is heading to my booth.

I think this table is versatile enough to be used in a number of ways ~ as a desk, an entry/foyer table, a tea table, and even a kitchen island.

Hopefully, someone will see the potential and take it home with them!

 

Candlestick Makeover

A couple of weeks ago, I bought this unfinished solid wood candlestick at Goodwill.

Since I was painting a table black, with CeCe Caldwell’s Beckley Coal, I decided to paint this candlestick black, too.

I gave it one coat and then sanded it a little bit.  I made sure to sand those pretty details on the bottom so they stood out.

Then some clear wax.

I decided to see how some crystals would look on those hooks.  There are four hooks.

I think it looks pretty, but I’m short one crystal.  I will have to see what I can find when I’m out and about or online.  For now, it is on my mantel and, with the one hook to the back, it is not noticeable that there is a crystal missing.

A quick makeover and now I have to get back to finishing up that table this week, so I can get it into my booth.

Linking up with:

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Cute Bunny Pillow

I found this really cute image of a bunny in a flower teacup on Pinterest. 

Loving bunnies as I do, I couldn’t resist saving it to use for some project for Spring.  So, I decided to make a pillow using it {Surprise, surprise}!

I used a wide lace ivory double ruffle on this one.

The pillow itself measures 11 x 14 and is 16 x 21 1/2 from ruffle to ruffle. 

The colors are so soft.  It is a perfect addition to Spring and/or Easter décor.  Or, if you are a bunny lover like me, keep it out all year long.

This is in my Etsy, {updated: SOLD} but I am going to make a smaller size for me.  This way I won’t be overrun with pillows and will save it to bring out for Spring and Easter.  Pillows tend to multiply like rabbits around here!

Girly Wall Art

I picked up these pictures from Goodwill a few months ago and they have just been sitting in my craft/sewing room waiting for some inspiration.

I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before, but they would be perfect to make some wall art for my granddaughter’s bathroom.  I have the perfect images to use, too.  This wallpaper sample that I had gotten and made her bow organizer with, here.

I painted the whole thing ~ picture and all ~ with CeCe Caldwell Vintage White.  I just did one coat over the pictures because the wallpaper images will be going over this area.  I did three coats on the wood frames.

I used Mod Podge to attach the images I cut out, from what I had left of this wallpaper sample. 

Some cute wall art for my granddaughter’s pink bathroom!  And, it coordinates with the bow holder, too.

There are some cute paper doll images on Pinterest that would work out really cute for something like this, too.

Wood Box Makeover

I’ve had this wood organizer in my craft room and I use it to hold threads and other sewing notions.  This picture is from one of my craft/sewing room tours from Where Bloggers Create.

I’d been thinking about painting it for some time and when I saw an inspiration picture on Pinterest, I knew it was time.  The great thing is I have a lot of the scrapbook papers used in the inspiration makeover.  I was also able to use some scrap sheets for this project, so I didn’t have to buy anything to do this makeover.  Always a good thing!

First I removed the drawers from the box and all the labels I had on the drawers. 

The knobs came off and I painted the main portion with some white chalk paint I already had {CeCe Caldwell’s Vintage White}.

While the first coat dried,  the fun came into play!  I laid out the papers I had chosen and cut them to fit.  

I attached the papers to the drawer fronts with Mod Podge.  Once they dried I applied two coats to the tops.

The paint on top is still a little wet in the picture above, but I just wanted to get it back together and in the craft/sewing room again.

It’s like getting a new organizer without spending any money.  I love how it turned out!

Here it is back in its spot in my craft/sewing room.

I’m glad I decided to do this!

Linking up with:

Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Inspire Me Tuesdays at A Stroll Thru Life

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Winter Blues Wednesday at DIY by Design

 

Thrifty Finds

I feel like I haven’t been to the thrift store in a long time, so, to beat some cabin fever, my daughter, granddaughter and I hit the local Goodwill today.  While my daughter looked for some clothing to upcycle, I headed to the home décor section.  Here’s what I found and came home with.

This long wood piece ~ $3.99.  This will, of course, be getting painted.  I think it would make for a great sign and it would fit perfectly over the front door.  Now I just need to figure out what to paint on it.  Seen any interesting signs lately?

This French inspired clock ~ $4.99.  The first thing to grab me was the shape of this.  I don’t know if the clock even works, but if it doesn’t that’s okay.  I will take the clockworks off and this will be ready to become another sign.

The last thing I came away with was this wood candleholder ~ $1.99.  It looks like it has not been stained or painted and has some lovely detailing along the bottom portion.  This will be getting painted and I will have to make sure that detailing stands out.  Notice the little hooks? If I have any extra crystals left, I may hook them on.

I did not find this at the thrift store.  This nosy girl is Misty and she will be 14 in March.  She had to come over and get all up in my space while I was taking these pictures so I took hers.

All in all, a good trip to the thrift store!  We got out for a little bit and came home with some nice finds.

Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies

 

I had good intentions of painting a table after another snowstorm came through Ohio.  I just forgot to pick up paint brushes!  So, I decided to put some energy, that actually decided to show up, into action by making a Gluten Free Shortbread Cookie mix I picked up a few weeks ago.  I am not a baker, by any means, so I like the convenience of these types of mixes.

I love Shortbread cookies, plain to some, but they are made with a stick and a half of butter so they do have a buttery taste to them.  I used the Gluten Free Bob’s Red Mill Shortbread Cookie Mix.  I find these mixes convenient and they taste really good.  I made the Gluten Free Cornbread mix and we’ve also used the Gluten Free Pizza Dough mix.  Both are very good.  The pizza dough requires a little work {like the shortbread cookie mix}, but the cornbread mix is very simple.

I followed the directions on preparing the cookie mix, rolled out the dough as instructed and used a heart shape cookie cutter that I’ve had for years. 

I know a lot of bloggy buddies have recently had to go gluten free and, believe me, I know how difficult this can be after you’ve eaten “normal” or “regular” food for over 40 years.  Here are some of my favorite gluten free foods that actually taste good.  My “go-to” breads are by Udis.

Most gluten free breads that are pre-packaged {like a regular loaf of bread} are quite small.  I liken it to having a tea sandwich for lunch.  The Udi’s white bread is the best tasting I have found over the past five years of looking.  The bagels and cheese pizza are also very good.  I toast all the gluten free bread I eat.  It is the only way I can eat it.

The next brand I like is for breakfast on-the-go and snacks from Glutino.  The pretzels are pretty close to regular ones {and my non-gluten free granddaughter loves them, too}, the breakfast bars {like Nutri-grain bars} and pop tarts.  With the gluten free pop tarts you only get one in a package, which can be a plus if you are doing portion control. 

With cold Winters, I was really missing soups.  Last year I found soups by Gluten Free Café by Health Valley.  I find this soup at a local health food store, but I believe I saw Kroger had them recently.

I love pasta! The best pasta I have had, to date, is Organic Gluten Free by bionaturae.   They have spaghetti, elbows, fusilli, and penne that I have seen and tried.  I use the Udi’s French Bread loaves when I want to add some garlic bread to a pasta meal.

Of course, there are some companies that are naturally gluten free like the Chex cereals.  I always have a couple of boxes of them in our pantry. 

You can find a lot of these gluten free foods online, too, but the shipping can be exorbitant, so I stick to local stores.  Thankfully, they are a lot better than they were five years ago.

Back to the cookies, I went a little too thin on rolling out the dough in some areas and a few of the cookies got a little too brown, but I will still enjoy them.  I got 18-24 cookies out of this and my husband even ate some.

So while I’m not the best baker in the world, sometimes I have to force myself to try something new, otherwise I won’t get to eat it!

I have not been compensated in any way by the companies listed here.  This is just my honest opinion on food that has had to become a part of my diet from dealing with Celiac Disease.