Garage Sale Find

This summer I found a piece at a garage sale that I was really excited about. It set me back $5....yikes! Haha! The structure would fit my existing furniture but it could definitely use some work. It needed a lot of sanding and a new paint job. Hunter green was NOT my color!

I forgot to take a 'before' photo prior to sanding the top of the table. It was hunter green as well with a lot of scratches. Mike helped me out on this project by doing the sanding. He was pretty excited about using his new belt sander. Ideally, it'd be great to use an orbital sander but we made do with what we had!

He sanded the entire table down, legs, bottom shelf, top, edges, etc. Sand that baby down!

We had to sand the set-in parts by hand since the sander was too large to fit in those tighter areas. After sanding, I wiped it down with a wet rag to get all the saw dust removed so it's ready to paint.

I decided to go with the spray paint application as I didn't want to see brush marks. Since it's down to the actual wood, it's best to spray on a primer before the color. I used Rust-o-leum Painters Touch Gray Primer. After a lot of research, many painters recommended this brand. 

As always, it's best to do multiple light coats rather than a couple thick coats. I spent the afternoon spraying a coat on and letting dry for 20 minutes, spraying another coat, drying 20 minutes, and so on. 

Here is the result after 4 or more primer coats.

Once the primer is completely dry, you can lightly sand the piece again to smooth out the paint or start in on the final painting of the piece. I decided to skip this step but if I were to do it again I would give it a light sanding so it was even more smooth, but it's completely up to you and if you've got the time. I was so excited to get it done and use it so of course I headed right to the black spray paint! Again, I did multiple light coats of the black spray paint until everything was evenly covered. Let that dry at least overnight and then it's ready to be used!

Here is the final product! I decided to put the table by our door from the garage that comes into the kitchen and living room. It was a nice little corner that screamed for a side table. 

I'm still trying to find decor to fit the table. I put my red scented wax warmer on the table and ran the cord down the back right leg and tried to 'hide' the cord as best possible. I used a gloss black paint for the table so the bright light from our south sliding doors creates a shine in the bottom picture that makes it look 'gray' in some spots. That is due to the light and how the camera catches it. 

For $5, a little sanding, and some spray paint I gave myself a new side table that would easily cost $50 in store. 

Mike hears this all the time as I say this too often but it's true - Imagine what a little paint can do to that! Never count anything out!

Thanks for reading!

Halloween Time!

Halloween is getting close...too close! I can't believe how fast the summer went and now autumn is cruising by.

I thought I would share one of my Halloween crafts that I completed last year but never got around to sharing - Coffee Can Jack-o-Lanterns! Because Mike drinks coffee like water, it seems like we always have coffee cans in stock. 

Items needed:

•  metal coffee can
•  hammer
•  nail (Mike, and supposedly the rest of the world, calls it a spike)
•  freezer
•  orange spray paint
•  black craft paint
•  small paint brush
•  thin wire

First start by filling the metal coffee can with water and place it in the freezer until the water is frozen solid. This will allow you to make the holes in the can without the can completely flattening or getting major dents.

Remove the can from the freezer and place a towel underneath it on the floor (to protect the floor and limit movement). Now you'll need the hammer and nail spike. I used the nail to 'draw' my design on the can like a pencil. This worked because of the frost on the outside of the can. Then start hammering the nail along the lines you 'drew' - creating the outlines of your jack-o-lantern face. A couple quick hard hits will be sufficient for each hole. You will need to work somewhat quickly so the ice doesn't melt too much. After punching the holes for the face, punch a hole at the top of the rim on the left side of the can and the right side of the can for the wire on the last step.

Once you have the entire face created, let the rest of the ice melt so you have only the dry can left.

Now it's ready to be painted. I used regular gloss orange spray paint from Wal-mart. Give it a few light coats, rather than 1 thick coat.

The two pictures above were taken with different camera settings so ignore the crazy coloring between the two!

Once the can is dry you're ready to paint the faces black. I used a gloss black craft paint and small paintbrush. Stay between the lines if you can!

Last step is adding the wire handle. Place the wire through the holes on the right and left side of the can at the top and curl the ends around a pencil for a cute little curl. I used about 18-20 inches of wire for a can. This allows for the curl on the ends. 

Now you can place a small lit candle or tea light in the bottom of the can and enjoy the glowing faces!

I ended up making two of them so I had a 'set'. Here is the final product!

Next time you're thinking of throwing away those coffee cans - consider making yourself a piece of Halloween decor! 

I wish everyone a fun and safe Halloween!

Refurbishing an Old Piece

I like to visit the bargain shop here in Carroll once in awhile to find any items that I could refurbish. I was really excited about the hanging chalkboard item that I found a while back for $2. Definitely nothing too pretty as is, but I saw potential! 

Here is the board with a stamped birdhouse and hearts design on fabric. The chalkboard part wasn't the best quality - the chalk didn't write well on it.

I painted the frame with gloss black paint and a brush. Then I took out the chalkboard back and covered it in a fun fabric. Instead of a chalkboard it is now a decorated bulletin board. For the top, I took out the stamped fabric and put in a printed "Meyering" and a piece of glass.

Here is the final product!

We have this hanging in our newly painted and decorated laundry room. I recently designed a small cheat sheet of laundry stains and their solutions and tacked it on this bulletin board. 

Always think beyond what you see - it's amazing what a little paint and fabric can do! A very inexpensive piece of decor!