Sunday, July 29, 2012

Beach-y Sign and Decor

DSCN8709After putting up my Summer Flip-Flop Wreath, I needed some Summer inside the house….specifically in my entry nook.  (Those of you who follow my posts regularly know that I love to change-up my nook for the seasons!)
Because I LOVE the beach and the color-scheme fits right into my existing décor, I dug out the bucket of seashells my son collected over the last several years, some sand, a few odds and ends, and made a fun recycled sign to bring the beach indoors!
The “craft sand” that they sell at the store comes in a small bag and is super expensive.  I bought an entire bag of Play Sand (the kind used in sandboxes) at Walmart for a couple of dollars.  I cleaned up our seashell collection and then filled a few of my vases with sand and shells.  The pretty blue votives were purchased at Hobby Lobby.DSCN8708On the dining table, I did the same thing (with a larger candle) and spread a bunch of seashells on a silver tray to finish it off.  Simple, but ties the rooms together, I think.DSCN8715This one is just seashells and a little raffia.DSCN8711I scattered seashells (we had a lot) around the top of the nook and filled my white olive tray with them for the top of the buffet. I also changed the candles here to blue.DSCN8714The starfish was a Hobby Lobby purchase (because what seascape is complete without one?), along with the fishing net.  I used clear thread to tie it to the net.DSCN8712Then I started working on my new DIY beach-themed sign to complete the scene.  I have been saving my old fence boards (as I’ve been replacing them) for these projects.  DSCN8695So, I grabbed a few boards and cut them to the size  I wanted….no specific measurements or fancy stuff here….I wanted it to look rough and rustic.DSCN8696Using screws, I attached two smaller pieces to the backside to provide the support structure.  (This is the same way I put together the Family Name Sign I made as a wedding gift this Spring.)DSCN8697DSCN8698Got out my handy acrylic paints and a spongebrush and started painting.  I watered down the paint a bit because I did not want it so vibrant (it was supposed to look a little aged).DSCN8701I found a cool quote from Jacques Cousteau and decided to give the “chalk-on-paper” trick a try….it worked..kinda.  DSCN8703Basically, you print your words and then color the back of the page with chalk.  When you trace the words, the chalk outline stays on the boards.DSCN8704Since I wasn’t going for perfection, this worked out alright.  I simply filled in the words with white paint and a small brush.  The whole thing still seemed too bright, so I brushed watered-down brown paint over the whole sign.DSCN8705And, here it is in the nook…
DSCN8707I’m happy with it.  It was just the little punch of color the nook needed.
My son loves the beach-theme and thinks we should leave it year-round!

Happy decorating!
DSCN7111







This post is linked to:
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/2012/07/nifty-thrifty-sunday-68.html

http://www.homemakerinheels.com/2012/07/weekend-craft-soiree-53-winners-are.html
http://shakentogether.blogspot.com/2012/07/whats-shakin-link-party-19-party-faves.html
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2012/07/show-and-tell-saturday-072812.html
http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2012/08/catch-as-catch-can-83.html
http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/2012/08/wildly-original-round-up-11-and-features.html
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2012/08/whatever-goes-wednesday-128-plus-chance.html
http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2012/07/will-craft-for-fun-50.html
http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/2012/07/uncommonly-yours-link-party-39.html

Monday, July 16, 2012

Vintage Suitcase Table

I told you I was working on it, but I’ve been a bit busy and had not had an opportunity to post that I had finished it!  My Vintage Suitcase Table is in the living room…and I LOVE IT!! It really is the perfect size for the spot and makes a great conversation piece. DSCN8679I wanted to maintain the integrity of the suitcase, so I did not paint it or change it in any way.  Using an old sponge, soft scrub brush, and a little elbow grease, I dusted it off and cleaned it up.  I also left it open for a day to “air it out” a bit…it had a musty smell.DSCN8680Since the leather is a dark color and some of my other furniture is dark, I went with a dark mahogany stain for the legs.  These I purchased at Home Depot for around $4/each.  (I was hoping to re-purpose some legs but could not find any I was happy with for the project.)  DSCN8536I have found that poking the screw portion through the top of a box makes an easy way to paint/stain them without having to touch them for turning.DSCN8542After staining them, I put on a coat of poly and let them dry for 48 hours (just to be sure).DSCN8676Home Depot carries these Heavy Duty Top Plates for $2.38/each.  This made it easy to install the legs.  Because the suitcase was hard-bodied, I did not add anything inside. I simply screwed the top plates into the case…and the legs into the top plates…easy.DSCN8678DSCN8683DSCN8687I think it is really cute.  I also have the big case (on display in the living room)…I wonder what I shall do with it??? And, I still have my Vintage Suitcase Ideas Pinterest board going for future inspiration.  In the meantime, I am enjoying the use of my new side table!DSCN8691
Enjoy your day!DSCN7111






This post is linked to:
http://bellanest.blogspot.com/2012/07/party-on.html

http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2012/07/linky_party_96/
http://tatertotsandjello.com/2012/07/weekend-wrap-up-party-2.html
http://youngancrafty.blogspot.com/2012/07/free-for-all_13.html
http://shakentogether.blogspot.com/2012/07/whats-shakin-link-party-17-party-faves.html
http://www.homemakerinheels.com/2012/07/weekend-craft-soiree-51.html
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/2012/07/nifty-thrifty-sunday-66.html
http://www.flamingotoes.com/2012/07/think-pink-sunday-no-69/
http://www.thegirlcreative.com/2012/07/just-something-i-whipped-up.html
http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/2012/07/link-party-time-craftomaniac-monday_15.html
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2012/07/creative-bloggers-party-hop-68.html
http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/2012/07/motivate-me-monday-131.html
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/07/sunday-showcase-party-no-110.html
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.com/2012/07/blog-hop-lets-have-fun-5.html
http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2012/07/inspire-me-monday-and-giveaway.html
http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/2012/07/tuesday-to-do-70-and-69-list-makers.html
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2012/07/show-me-what-ya-got-83.html
http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2012/07/trendy-tuesday-9.html
http://todayscreativeblog.net/diy-chalkboard/
http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/2012/07/uncommonly-yours-link-party-37.html
http://www.claimingourspace.com/2012/07/tout-it-tuesday-15.html
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2012/07/whatever-goes-wednesday-126.html
http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/2012/07/wildly-original-round-up-9-and-features.html
http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com/2012/07/creative-inspirations-linky-party-23.html
http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2012/07/catch-as-catch-can-82.html
http://whipperberry.com/2012/07/friday-flair-the-great-pinteret-hunt.html