Another Restore

Remember this brass chandelier? I found it at our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. But the thing is, I don't do brass. In fact, I have been accused of being monochromatic on more than one occasion. I can't help it! I just love greys and beige.

This chandelier was in a donation box by the register and was only $20.00.  I had been looking for a light for quite some time, but wasn't thrilled with any of my options.  I had my husband re-wire the exposed gold hanging wire with a silver alternative, and then I went to town with the spray paint.  The hole in the ceiling for the wires was a little larger than the pendant of the chandelier so we attached a ceiling pendant to conceal all the insulation guts that were showing.

Restore: Pottery Barn Look Alike

 I knew I was getting TOO comfortable.  The husband and both the kids were in school, I couldn't work because I was waiting for my board approval to come through, cookies were baking, sewing was coming along...when B A M! Emergency board meeting kindly allows my contract renewal early and little man decides to bathe and scrub down with (there is no other possible explanation) in poison ivy.  So now I have lots to get done and a sick kid, mind you not sick enough to leave me alone, just enough to annoy me!  I did manage to finish up this project while he was napping with the aid of Benedryl.

Not too long ago, a Habitat for Humanity ReStore opened in our area.  It is so fun to go and browse all of the building materials and furnishings there.  The hours are a bit sporadic, but if you are patient you might just find a fun weekend project. 

This chair started out with a pickled yellow finish, sage upholstery with royal purple piping. It was one of about 30 chairs donated from a local bed and breakfast. My mom remembers one of the chairs from a stay in the bed and breakfast 10 years ago!

TUTORIAL:  I had left over cream oil based paint that I used for the wood.  Actually, I am not even sure it was real wood.  Probably a fiber board or something.  I did decide to distress it with some stain because the dents from the previous finish didn't look right with a bright coat of paint on them.  I didn't even bother to tape off the upholstery, if you have a steady hand and a edging tool (like a Spackle knife) I wouldn't even bother.

The fabric I used was a linen.  I love linen!  It was really easy to work with and gave me the shabby chic look I wanted. After laying the fabric over the chair I cut openings for the frame and finished them with bias tape I made from the linen.  Then, bias tape ties were attached at each opening and a ruffle added.

I made the top portion by making what looked like a pillow case.  The only difference is I added a 2" strip of fabric to join the pieces at the top of the arch.  It was necessary to split the sides and finish with bias tape at the widest point for easy removal.

Here's another item I picked up at ReStore --  Check back soon to see what has become of it.

image from: http://capitallighting.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/cap-brass.jpg

 

Make Your Own Shower and Tile Cleaner

I have three showers and go through cleaner like you wouldn't believe.  And the store bought cleansers are soooo expensive!  So when I found this recipe to make my own I was thrilled to give it a try.  I made up a batch and used both the store bought and the homemade on a glass shower door to see if there was any difference.  I sure didn't see any and I really liked how the homemade cleanser clung to the surface.  Here is the recipe......equal parts white vinegar and Dawn dish washing detergent.  Heat vinegar in the microwave for about one minute.  Pour into spray bottle and add Dawn.  Shake well before each use.  Be sure and let the cleanser do the work by allowing to sit on the surface for a few minutes before scrubbing.  Seriously love this stuff.  Diana

All That Glitters is Not Gold

I just can't get enough of this new spray paint!  It is called Silver Foil Metallic by Krylon and I love it.  It gives the same effect of silver foil without all the frustrations and work.

 Here is today's projects.  I took an old pot metal candelabra that had been painted white and a simple mason jar.

It is hard to see the shine on this but trust me, it's gorgeous!  Diana

Pumpkin Shadow Box?

I don't know what you would call this.  A diorama, a shadow box?

But what ever you call it, I re-e-a-a-lly like it.

And this is how I made it.  I took a carvable foam pumpkin and sawed out an opening with a steak knife.

Then I found out that the inside of the pumpkin had impressions from the molding process that didn't look good so I mod podged newspaper over it.

Then I taped it off, covered it with plastic and gave it two good coats of matte black spray paint. 

I placed a wooden witch in it for now but you could put anything in it that you wanted. 

Diana

Mirror Finish Pumpkin

Do you have foam pumpkins that have seen better days?  Here is a chic way to update those ugly old things.  Just grab a can of mirror finish spray paint and go at it.  So cool.  Diana

Fabulous Find Friday 8-10-12

I have been a long time customer of GG Designs because their embroidery designs are so cute!  Check out the new free download for hair inchies.  Just in time for back to school too!  I wish I had one stitched up to show you all but I have been laid up with a blown knee for a week and a half.  We are talking crutches and old lady walking.  Just what I needed!  Worse yet, the sewing and craft room is down a steep set of stairs so no way can I get to my embroidery machine.  But if you can get to yours, download this freebie and have fun stitching it up.  Diana