Trash to Treasure

I found this cabinet that probably came from Target (at least the tag looked like it).  Sort of cute and certainly cheap enough.  The cabinet was baby blue and the drawers were yellow.  Would have been great in a babies room, but I don't have any of those anymore.

I forgot to take the before picture.  I'm getting rusty these days.

Anyway, I liked the cabinet and saw some potential. I pictured it black and white.  I was going to change the knobs too, but decided to keep them (for now).

The vintage look seems to really be in these days.  I love the "shabby chic" look but thought maybe I'd try something a little different.  Crackle.

I know it's been around for a long time, but I just felt like I wanted to give it a try.

 This just happens to be the crackle medium I used.  I didn't read the directions....ugh.....read the directions, it really helps!! I lightly sanded the cabinet so the new paint would adhere.

I painted the entire cabinet satin black, including the drawers.  The crackle technique was used on the drawers.  I selected a white background with black crackles.  Love it!

 The knobs are just the opposite.

 All finished.  One persons blue and yellow junk, turned into something I really like.  I may change those knobs in the future to an antique looking knob. That's just something I'll look around for in my travels.

On a totally unrelated topic, this sweet puppy was found at the gas station by my wonderful, animal loving daughter. He was dropped off there by some very heartless people.  Full of fleas and ticks, he was bathed, de-ticked, dried, fed and watered. The next step: we found him a wonderful forever home. The sadness is completely gone in his eyes and he's like a new pup!! Better news: the people across the street adopted him so we can watch him grow up.

 I think he may be beagle/retriever.....maybe.  Plus, he has a little white heart on his forehead.
 I'm so proud of my daughter, Taylor. This is the second dog she has brought home in one month.  Both of them tossed out by their owners.  She found a great home for both.  You'll have to come back to my blog to meet the "other" doggy she found.

If you have love to give and a home to offer, go to your local shelter and adopt a dog or cat.  There are so many homeless pets out there just looking for a warm bed, some food and a little love.  I promise, they will be your friend for as long as they live!

Christy

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Buying Junk

I'm just venting here for a few minutes.......
     For years I've traveled to local thrift stores looking around for junk that could potentially be turned into something useful or decorative. Places like the Salvation Army and Goodwill carry tons of items that are no longer useful to the owners.  Many items are in need of paint, repair work and just someone that sees its potential. You need vision, a creative mind and some time to work on these items.  Prices were never a consideration because it's all cheap...........at least it used to be.

     I am now just amazed, but troubled by how expensive these places have become considering most of what they carry is plain, old junk.  Sometimes I see furniture that needs so much work that it's not even worth purchasing it.  Then I see the price and really want to scream.  What's happened here?  The media.  Television shows that give everyone the impression that there is so much hidden value in junk.  Not so.  Not for most of us. Internet and newspaper stories about million dollar items found at the Goodwill.  Yes, it has happened a few times but when was the last time you bought a painting at the Goodwill that was worth one million bucks? No me, not you...not very often.  I guess this gives thrift stores the right to charge $10.00 for a scratched up, broken picture frame (because maybe it's worth lots of money). Most of the stuff they carry is worthless junk.  Someone like me looks around, finds something for a few dollars, takes it home and converts into something nice. That usually takes lots of time and work on my part. So why do we have to be scalped?

just sayin'

     I know that these places do great things for people in need , but I think they are trying to take advantage of the public who is falling for stories of great riches at the Goodwill. So.....if anyone is listening out there, lower your prices on broken, scratched junk.  There, I said it.

And.......garage sales lately?  Really?  I've had them in the past.  Usually I do it for several reasons. Spring cleaning, things that are starting to collect-in mass and because, they can be fun.  I don't put anything out there unless it's junk.  I can't even bring myself to go to garage sales anymore.  People think their "junk" is actually worth more than what they paid for it! Wow, they all must think people are stupid.

Ok. I'm done venting now.  You may or may not agree with me, but it seems like the price of "junk" has gotten out of control.

Happy Hunting and I hope you find some good junk for a good price!

Christy

  01 02 12

DIY Custom Coasters

I've been working on a bunch of coasters lately. Not really anything original or new, but lot's of fun to make and very practical to have around.  When I first started making these I realized there was going to be some trial and error to get them just right. Some of the problems I ran into were: too many wrinkles in the finished product and some real sticking problems after the coasters was completed.  I tried clear spray and polyurethane but the coasters still were sticky.  I finally tried Polycrylic and it worked perfectly.



Here is what I used:
1. 4" X 4" white tiles.  Plain, cheap tile .17 cents each at Home Depot.
2. Mod Podge-matte finish works best. (found that out the hard way). The gloss dries and remained too sticky.

3. Polycrylic by Minwax This is a must for coasters.  All the other finishing products do not prevent the Mod Podge from remaining sticky. So, if you stack the coasters, they stick together or if you place a hot drink on them, the cup sticks to the coaster.  The Polycrylic works perfect.  No more sticky Mod Podge.  I have always found that to be a problem when using Mod Podge. I also helps to allow them a few days to cure.

4. felt buttons for the bottoms of your coasters.  You can use cork too but for me, it was too much work.
5. Acrylic paints if you want to add some embellishments.
6. Decorative tissue.  I used tissue napkins for these, but you can also use decorative papers.

Here is the tricky part.  Getting that paper napkin onto the tile without a lot of wrinkles left on the tile.  How to do this? Applying the napkin a little at a time.....

Start at the bottom of the tile.  Apply a line (about 1") of Mod Podge and place your napkin onto the tile. Carefully (and I mean carefully with patience) smooth out the wrinkles with your clean, dry finger.  Continue up the tile.  Add one section at time until your tile is covered with the tissue. 

You only have a small window of opportunity to smooth out the wrinkles.  You won't be able to get them all out either, but it gives the tile character.
If the tissue was larger than your tile, don't worry, let it dry and use sandpaper to remove the excess tissue from the sides.

I landed up painting the sides with a coordinating paint.  Sometimes I added some hand painting to the coaster.

Apply two coats of matte Mod Podge on each of the coasters.

Let the tiles dry overnight and then apply 2 coats of the polycrylic. A small can of Polycrylic costs about $10.00.  Seems like a lot, but the can I purchased lasted a very long time. These coasters make great gifts.  They can be custom made for just about anyone that has an interest as you can see from the pictures.
 Here are a few that I just finished:


People seem to love the sports themed coasters. Just about anything goes!

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