DIY Chalkboard Book Shelf

This little book shelf was actually a mistake.  From the beginning, I had no clue what to do with it.  I almost threw it away. 

 

 

But a couple of coats of chalkboard paint on the top and ASCP on the rest, I knew it was the perfect little book shelf for my daughters bedroom.  

A Miss Mustard Seed Dresser

This week has gotten away from me.  It's already Thursday -- and I'm not prepared for today at all.  I'd really like to crawl back into bed....but then there's this thing called a job. 

 

Anyhow...Miss Mustard Seed caught my attention big time with this Apron Strings dresser.  I wish I lived closer to her because this would totally be in my house right now....

 

 

New Craft Room Storage Dresser

Well everyone, I finally finished a piece of furniture for my craft room.  Remember when I found these babies on craigslist a couple weeks ago ? The tall one was "choosen"....hahaha.

I'm so happy with how this turned out. 

I laid down to take a picture from a different angle and when I focused, I saw....

my little buddy Duncan.  Little guy follows me EVERYWHERE.

So anyhow...this dresser replaced a plastic storage unit that I had been using for all my craft supplies since I started crafting.  It holds much more than the plastic unit did -- so yay for that!  Plus it makes the room look a bit more "put-together".  

I used an off brand white paint for the top and sides, chalkboard paint for the drawers, and then put a glaze over the top and sides.  I didn't use a protective finish on this.  I didn't need to with the type of use it's going to be getting.

Soon enough, I will do a craft room reveal for you guys.  Stay tuned....

Linking to....
Cropped Stories
Elizabeth & Co
My Romantic Home
Miss Mustard Seed
Redoux Interiors
French Country Cottage
Jennifer Rizzo
The Crafty Blog Stalker
Funky Junk Interiors

DIY Heart Picture Frame

Recently I posted about my Simple Table Confetti. Not only was that project simple and cheap, but there was another project that accidentally came out of it.  

This little heart picture frame -- isn't it darling?

So now, this little heart picture frame can go a few ways for me. One - it will look cute at my wedding along with my DIY Simple Table Confetti's.  Two - it just looks cute on my TV stand.  Three - it will be the perfect decor for Valentine's Day!

Just a quick recap of how I put this thing together. 

Things You Will Need

Frame

Decorative Paper (I used old music sheets)

Card Stock

Scissors

Mod Podge

1. - Read here on how to get your heart cut paper. 

2. - Cut your heart paper and card stock to fit your frame.

3. - Use Mod Podge to glue the heart cut paper to your card stock.

4. - Finish by cutting it down to fit perfectly into your frame.

Easy peasy!! Now I have more confetti to do, so I will have more of these picture frames to do also.  All FREE using materials I already had. LOVE! 

Linking to these parties....
Coastal Charm
The Crafty Blog Stalker
The Shabby Creek Cottage

Red Painted (and Stained) Dresser Redo

This cute red painted dresser wasn't always so pretty. In fact, she was really scary when we picked her up (for only $15 through craigslist.) You can read about that thrifty day here.  I will spare you the gory details today but think lots of cob webs and a bad odor.

Right away I knew her home was going to be in my living room, underneath my TV :)

At first, there was some flack about whether or not this was going to be the best choice of color for the space.  Butttt....it looks really nice and I'm glad I kept with my vision for the piece!

How did I do this transformation? Keep reading to find out!!!

I had a small pot of red paint I wanted to use but I knew it wouldn't be quite enough.  So I mixed a tad of white paint with it.  Of course what we have here is a pink dresser.  Now THAT would have been a bad choice for my living room :)

But once she was dry, I took a rag and some wood stain and got down to business turning that pink into a deep rustic look.  This part is pretty fun and not as near as hard as distressing with sandpaper.  Can you tell the difference after the stain? 

Here is what I used.

Just a bunch of old paint and stain I had laying around.  I'm pretty happy this stuff is getting used up.  I think I've been storing it for two years! 

The Mr worked his carpentry magic and made some shelves for the two drawers I was taking out.  This stuff is pretty cheap at your local Menards or Home Depot.

He also drilled out the holes for my new hardware. Without this guy I would get nowhere with my furniture projects...no joke!

And....here is my new TV stand.  I absolutely love this thing. There is a ton of space to store DVDs, remotes, and other electronic accessories.  

The hardware was purchased at Hobby Lobby -- and the most expensive part of this project.  Totally worth it though.

Stay tuned for a future post on what I did with the two drawers I removed :) 

Linking to these parties....
Funky Junk Interiors
It's Overflowing
Savvy Southern Style
The Crafty Blog Stalker
Live Laugh Rowe

The Shabby Creek Cottage

Miss Mustard Seed

French Country Cottage

Nifty Thrifty Things

Three Mango Seeds

Summer Project Recap

I don't know about you, but these cold and chilly days that are starting to hit us can take a hike! I just hate being cold! Plus, I'm being reminded that in just a few short days, summer will be long gone. Boo.

Since those long days of summer are about to come to an end, I thought I would recap on some of the projects that went on around here throughout the summer.  And just in case you missed any of them, now is your chance to get caught up!

Something about going back and seeing all the fun projects from summer really makes me wish it wasn't over.  But I'm also smiling at the memories of each and every one. 

DIY Wedding - Flower Peek 

Messy Yellow Desk

Another Dresser Redo: I Call Her Black Beauty

Transforming a Soup Jar Into Decorative Storage

Who knows, maybe the fall project recap will make me smile to ;)

Linking to these parties...

Elizabeth & Co.

Live Laugh Rowe

Sumo's Sweet Stuff

CRAFT

Coastal Charm

A Week In Pictures With The Junk Nest

This week, as with every week, was filled with the usual's. Work, family, and projects.  I seem to be getting a bit of a routine down that includes The Junk Nest and all of it's projects.  Thank goodness for that...because I'm planning on my first tag sale in the upcoming months! ---- More on that later!

So I was able to create some great things from scratch, find some thrifties, and even redo a thrifty dresser. All in a week...whew! 

My favorite would be this little dictionary page wreath. I know paper wreaths have been around the blogosphere for a long time. But I still love the way these look. I'm going to make a bunch more for the sale and for my home!

I worked on some bottle cap magnets. Seventy-One to be exact! 

I picked this little desk up at my local Salvation Army. It's in good condition. Just needs The Junk Nest touch! I think I'll start on this one this coming week.

And then of course, there was the thrifty dresser redo. (Excuse the garage mess, I tend to get a little messy when I create [I'm even worse when I cook in the kitchen]).  Stay tuned for a full post on this little pink gal! She really cleaned up nice...and the pink really wasn't so bad.

Hope you all are having a great week! 

xoxoxo

Jessica

Linking to these parties
VMG 206

Another Dresser Redo: I Call Her Black Beauty

I picked this dresser up with her sister a few weeks back. Someone needed them gone out of their garage ASAP and that's just what I did! The dressers where both in good condition, other than some drawers that needed TLC. Luckily I have a handy man around the house to help with those! 

She was up for sale yesterday, and sold last night! Thank you to the two ladies and the gentleman who scared the "you-know-what" out of my guy. Turns out, you have to tell people when someone is coming over to pick stuff up! 

This one and her matching sister where out the door quicker than any other piece of furniture I've done. Hmmm....mental note for my next piece.....

Linking to THESE parties:
The Crafty Blog Stalker
Live Laugh Rowe
Jennifer Rizzo
Mod Vintage Life
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Crafty Scrappy Happy
Funky Junk Interiors

Transforming a Soup Jar Into Decorative Bathroom Storage

I've been wanting to do this project for a awhile. In fact, I've had all the materials for as long as I've wanted to do it.  Finding the motivation to sit down - in one spot - for a little bit was the problem. It's impossible for me to do anymore. There is just never enough time in the day to do everything that needs to be done!

The before picture is a little embarrassing.  I've been using this comb/brush/mirror setup for at least a year. It was all I had at the time to hold the stuff and it just happens that's how it has stayed. 

I had a larger soup can that I knew would work well to hold the comb/brush/mirror trio.  The rope was purchased - for no apparent reason - while at Home Depot for another project. And I always have a glue gun and glue on hand. 

I did rough the can up a little bit with a sanding block. Sometimes hot glue gets fickle with what it will stick to. I wanted the surface to be as hot glue friendly as possible.

Then I just wrapped and hot glued -- around and around.

Seriously, this probably took me all of three minutes. And I was like, "What? It took me months to sit down to do this and it only took three minutes??"

Three minutes and about three dollars....if that.

Now the comb/brush/mirror trio looks a little more "high-end" than before. 

I like it because it holds it all a bit more secure than the other one -- and it is soooo much prettier :)

Gosh I love a good -- functional DIY project!

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone.

xoxoxoxoxo
Jessica


Linking to THESE Partaayyys!!!

It's Overflowing

Antique White 9-Drawer Dresser

This dresser was found on craigslist a few weeks back. It was really beat up, but still solid and functional. I got the vibe that the owners were a little embarrassed of it's condition. They seemed somewhat surprised when I said, "OK, let's load it up."

I keep forgetting that most of the population just want to get rid of their junk. It amazes me that they can't see what their junk could be. BUT -- better for me, right? lol. 

I posted about finding this dresser here.
Her before...well.... I guess it's not that bad. Surely not something I would buy to use "as-is".

But....she's pretty now....

Everything was hand crafted on this piece. I used homemade chalk paint and also made the color by mixing some that I already had.

I started by sanding the top down to get all the bubbling imperfections smooth. I didn't bother sanding anything else. That isn't needed when using chalk paint.

I proceeded to apply three coats of my homemade chalk paint concoction....

Once the paint dried, I got out the sand paper and sanded by hand (no palm sander, no electric sander...just me and the sandpaper).  This process gave me blisters on both of my thumbs. I may decide to go with a palm sander next time...

After sanding I applied Minwax Clear Gloss Laquer to give it a heavy duty protective coat. I've found this to be the one protective coating that really does hold up.

The knobs were given new life with a rubbed bronze spray paint.

If the old owners could only see her now. I bet they would be a little embarrassed.


Linking to:
Elizabeth & Co
Savvy Southern
Domestically Speaking
A Stroll Thru Life
The Vintage Farmhouse
The Crafty Blog Stalker
Live Laugh Rowe
Finding Fabulous