Under Five Bucks & Under Five Minutes!

I went to "Wallyworld" the other day. It's not a store that I frequent, but it was close and it sells spray paint. I found myself inspired while walking down the craft aisle. I thought you might enjoy a craft that's quick and easy. And since everyone has access to the "mart", it's something you can buy and make this weekend.

I purchased a small wood plaque for .97 cents
and a wood letter for $1.88.I spray painted both items black,

but you could paint them any color of your choice.

When the paint was dry I applied some scrapbook paper to the plaque. I did this by cutting the paper a little larger than the plaque, spraying it with adhesive and then placing it on the wood. Then I took course sand paper and rubbed it around the edges of the plaque. The sand paper cuts the scrapbook paper and gives it a nice clean edge.

I chose to brush a little brown paint on the edges of the scrapbook paper and to sand the edges of the letter and plaque to give them a more aged look. All that was left was to use hot glue to adhere the letter to the plaque.

I love my newest craft project!

I'm thinking of doing some more using bright paints and papers for a whole new look. If you decide to make one of these, I'd love to see it.

Happy crafting!

All Boxed Up

Isn't it interesting how you can find yourself drawn to certain objects, but you're not exactly sure why. I am naturally drawn to all sorts of containers---things that contain other things. I like suitcases, picnic baskets, bowls, vases, regular baskets, trays, trunks, and old wooden boxes. My husband usually just rolls his eyes when he sees me migrating toward these things. But he's a patient man, and usually puts up with my quirkiness. He doesn't, however, understand why I buy old, beat up, wooden boxes. His argument is, "We can build one better than that." My reply is, "Yes, we can. But we usually don't." Plus, I think, because someone has built an item with their own two hands, it should be appreciated not just for it's looks, but for the energy that it took to create it. So occasionally, my husband loses the argument and the old, beat up wooden box comes home with me.
Well, you know what happens when you're drawn to certain items? Before you know it, you've got yourself a collection! This is my collection of old, beat up wooden boxes. Right about now you're thinking to yourself, "I think I'm on her husband's side of the argument", aren't you? But remember, my philosophy:

Anything Can Be Transformed With a Coat of Paint
and a Little Creativity!

And here's the proof---I'm going to display my old, beat up wooden boxes on my husband's side of the bed. They'll be great for containing some of his things. I think he'll be happy that he lost the "Why buy an old, beat up wooden box?" argument.

It Was "Mint" To Be

Some time ago I was asked to bring after-dinner mints to a small family gathering. It was a rather unusual request, but I'm not one to say, "Oh please, please, let me bring more!" I am, however, one to do the unexpected. I mean, most people would just buy some nice mints and pour them in a pretty little crystal bowl and call it good. Not me! I like to use the opportunity to give myself another project. And of course, another project means another reason to do my favorite things---break out the black spray paint and go to the thrift store, and, in this case, the dollar store, too. At the dollar store, I found square little dishes made out of a heavy glass. I purchased three, because an odd number is a good design (yeah, I know, it's really scary that my mind thinks of those things even at the dollar store).At the thrift store I found a cute little wooden box that was just the right size---just like it was meant to hold those dishes. I purchased the box along with an old silver serving spoon.
I spray painted the box black and sanded the edges. I bent the serving spoon into an arch. My husband walked in, and before I could tell him my plans, he picked up the spoon and said, "What happened to this?" as he bent it back into it's original shape!
After I explained my idea, he bent the spoon again and helped me attach it to the front of the box.
This is the final result.Of course, those are not mints inside. At my house, sweets disappear quickly! The only reason that there's anything in there now is that this picture was taken before my sons got out of bed.

Shedding Some Light

Isn't it wonderful how even the smallest of light can warm up a room. I enjoy having small lights on in my home all day long. So it wouldn't surprise you to know that if I find a small light at the thrift store, I usually buy it. This is my newest acquisition.Oh yes, you know that it's going to be transformed with spray paint.

I'm actually going to give it a whole new look by replacing the socket cover with one that looks like a melting candle. The light bulb will be replaced with a silicone covered bulb, that I really, really, really like the look of. (I know you're going to ask where I buy them, so I'll tell you that the bulbs can be found in craft stores, lighting stores and even in some fabric stores. The socket covers are found where other lighting supply things can be found.)

Now it looks like a sweet little candlelight.It's the perfect addition to my collection.

PS
I am so forgetful! I really need to thank sweet Jackie at Empty Nest Full Life. She gave me this award last week. Thank you so very much!

Don't Judge an Object by It's Color

Some people see the obvious,
while others see the potential.

Let's do a test.
What do you see in this picture?Do you see a lovely apothecary jar, filled with flowering bulbs, surrounded by two hideous objects that look like they were once decorations in a cheap Las Vegas hotel? (I wonder how many weirdo's are going to search my blog because of those last four words?)
Or do you see two beautifully aged garden finials standing next to a nice vase filled with blooming tulips?
I saw the latter.

All it took was a little gray primer spray paint, with
off-white craft paint dry brushed on top.(Definition of "dry brushed": load a small amount of paint onto the brush. Brush the excess paint off onto a paper towel until there is just a little paint remaining in the brush. With a light hand, apply paint onto the object)

Now do you see those

beautifully aged garden finials too?