Shabby Chic Mirror

This piece has to be the favorite I have made so far. I found the mirror at the peddlers mall, and I already had my supplies at home, so this was a very cheap project anyone can do. I wish I took before pictures but things seem to slip my mind when I am absorbed in my ideas, or I simply am a forgetful person ha! Promise to try and be better at this blogging thing. Try to picture this. A dingy, gold frame with a even dingier mirror. After cleaning, painting and distressing here are the end results. 

My supplies:

• Sandpaper
• Vintage White Paint - I use the craft paint from Wal-Mart
• Vaseline
• Clear Finish Spray
• Thick Bristled Paint Brush

Directions

-Start by cleaning the surface with wash cloth of paper towel, and sand. This prepares the wood for the first coat of paint.

- Apply the first coat of paint and let dry.

- Dab Vaseline on the corners and other places where the wood would naturally wear and chip.

- Paint second coat and let dry.

- Take sandpaper and lightly scrape over the places where Vaseline was applied. The paint should very easily just chip away. Scrape and chip to your liking.

- Spray one coat of clear finish over the frame. This holds the paint in place and gives a natural shine. 

Ta Da! A shabby chic mirror. I love the simple white, chippy look of furniture and it's so easy to do at home relatively cheap.

Framed Burlap Harry Potter Quote

The wonders of burlap. After seeing so many uses for the material I decided to try my hand at my own little project. My chosen quote for my burlap is from Dumbledore. Who doesn't love a good Harry Potter quote? My supplies were very cheap and purchased from Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby.  I found a frame at my local peddlers mall for $1.00, and the rest of my supplies was less than $10.00. After a couple of hours of pure concentration here is what I did.

The supplies needed for this simple project are:

• A frame of your choosing
• burlap
• paint
• fine point paint brush
• stencils
• mod podge

Directions:

This step can be skipped if you are satisfied with your chosen frame. 

-I first painted my frame a vintage white and distressed to give a shabby chic look. With glass and back removed I sanded the frame, then applied first coat. 

-After dry, I then dabbed some vaseline on the corners and places where wood naturally wears. After the second coat of paint I took the sand paper and lightly sanded over the areas where vaseline were applied.

-Use the back of the frame as a template to trace the amount of burlap you need for your  frame. Cut it out.

-Spray adhesive spray to the frame back and your cut piece of burlap, and apply pressure for a couple of seconds.

-Determine where you want your words and align stencils with a straight edge. I used an envelope as my line.

-Using a small paint brush paint over your stencil.

-Once dry place in frame

This was my first try at this project and I realize that I could have taken an easier route other than stencils, such as stamps, and perhaps a shorter quote. Overall I'm satisfied with the outcome and this looks perfect sitting on my wine rack in the kitchen. 

Shabby Chic Obession - Candle Holders with Mirrors

Thanks to Pinterest and Etsy, I discovered decorative awesomeness! Shabby chicness has invaded my thoughts and can be darn expensive. However, upon further investigating it can be done at home. I hate when I get obsessed with projects because I can't stop. Its a love, hate relationship. I found a couple of gold candle holders at the goodwill. They were in perfect condition but I did not like the gold, and thought this would be perfect for a little project.

Here are the materials used:

Sandpaper

Vintage white paint- I used craft paint from Wal-Mart

Vaseline

Clear finish spray paint

I first sanded the surface of the candle holders, and did my best to get in between the floral designs. Following by applying my first coat of paint with a small paint brush.

After drying a couple of hours I then dabbed small amounts of Vaseline on the corners and other random places where I wanted to distress and give that shabby look.

I then applied the second coat of paint and after allowing to dry another hour I took the sandpaper and lightly sanded the places covered in Vaseline. This made chipping away the paint very easy. After I distressed the paint to my liking I finished with one coat of clear finish spray. This gave a slight shiny surface and will hold the paint in place

  Even Steve loves them!

The good and bad of 2012

Another year passed and still it amazes me just how fast time fly's. I had some good times, finished two more semesters of college, and another great year with my love. One thing that brings tears to my eyes will be the loss of my little furry baby. It's hard to explain the feelings I went through and still have from time to time. I miss him and never knew I could develop such a strong love for a pet. I'm sure I am not the only one who can relate, and I feel for those who know what I'm talking about.

This coming May I should be graduated *fingers crossed* perhaps 2013 I'll make my way down the alter. Me and my fiance have been engaged one year, and together five years in total. Time to get the ball rolling I suppose, but the thought of a wedding scares the dickens out of me. I want the dress, the flowers and decorating minus all the people. What can I say? I don't like to be the center of attention, and know I will be a hot mess when the day comes : /