$4 Stone Bird Book Ends

I recently ventured the local outlet stores to find these stone love bird candle holder's for only $2 a piece.

When I saw them, I immediately knew what I wanted to do with them. I used my trusty Krylon (in ballet slipper pink - as seen on other projects on my page). And lightly sprayed one coat on:

Makes for adorable BUDGET FRIENDLY, little girls book ends:

Pottery Barn has similar book ends that are silver for $30 a set, but I happen to like these more, as they are heavy, and more detailed. Besides, you really can't beat $4 and some left over spray paint! :))

Dressing up an ugly slab door - Chalkboard Paint Tutorial

If you've been following my blog for a while, or just happen to check in here & there, then you know I am all about making the old new on budget. While I have slowly started to switch out the old 60's wood slab doors for the paneled versions, I decided on something different for the children's rooms.  What child wouldn't LOVE a huge chalkboard in their bedroom??  Why pay $$$ excessive money $$$ for a chalkboard that may take up space and bulk, when you can make one by up-cycling your old closet door?

SUPPLY LIST:

        * Cleaner  (you should have this at home, I used Pine-Sol).

        * 1 - 2 Large Paint Brushes (1 is fine, but I didn't want to wait to clean and cry before coats)

        * White Primer (PRIMER, not white paint) ;)) (I had some on hand already)

        * Valspar Black Chalkboard Paint (or equivalent) 1qt. can will be plenty. $20 or less

       

 * Chalk (Dollar Tree AND Wal mart both have big packs for a buck).

How To:

1.) Fill a small bucket with warm water and add 2 caps of Pine Sol; with an old dish rag scrub down the door (or surface) really well.  

2.)  Let the door air dry COMPLETELY (I waited an hour because the humidity here has been horrid).

3.) Open your Primer, stir & apply about 2-3 coats to front (and back if you want double painted doors), or until ALL of the door is evenly covered (you can use a roller brush, BUT it tends to leave texture, and won't make your chalkboard surface smooth).

4.) Wait a day or two for paint to cure & apply 2-3 coats of chalkboard paint. WAIT at least an hour before applications. THREE codes is highly recommended for FULL coverage and durability.

5.)  Let dry for 48-72 hours to fully cure ANNNNND.

                                   S U R P R I S E  the little ones with CHALK !! ;))

This also makes a budget Christmas or Birthday gift. I wouldn't worry too much on resale on your home because of the door; not only does it serve as a great activity to keep the little one's interested, it can also serve in a home office. E N J O Y  : D

                                                                       //Jen  :))

DIY: Window Planters as Hanging Toy Storage

My sister found this idea online, and I liked her idea so much I had to copy it :)

WHAT YOU NEED:

* 2 iron window planter boxes (found mine at Big Lots for $10 each)

* 1 Can of Ballet Slipper Pink Krylon Spray Paint

Remove Coconut Liners, and Apply Spray Paint to the Planter Boxes.

( I know I have spray painted all over my carpet, but I am remodeling this room, and ripping it up in a matter of weeks).

Let it Dry & Hang it up - Adding Stuffed Animals or Books! :)

CUTE, CUTE , CUTE!!

My daughter's SMALL closet make over - good bye CLUTTER - hello PRETTY IN PINK & STORAGE!

When I refurbished this dresser, I knew I had to do something with my daughter's old dresser.

I knew right away what I would do. Her closet was non functional, as I had been hoarding toys and other odds and ends in it for so long that we never used it as anything BUT that :( BOO!

As you know, small spaces have limited storage.

After I decluttered THIS hot mess:

I swept and mopped and broke out the paint my Dad lent me from my sister's old bedroom & started to paint.

The paint, being 9 years old was extra strong smelling. I am going to guess most paints were strong before the odorless stuff came out?

Don't know, don't care, it was my pleasure to put the first coat of paint that closet has EVER had on it since this house was built in the 60's.

I had Doug remove the shelf (I have plans for that later).

AND I added her old dresser to the closet. Well-Doug did actually & it was a HUGE PAIN, it did not fit, he had to disassemble and re assemble it in that small space (hehe sorry, dear).

But in the end, pretty in pink prevails and her old dresser now houses toys, baby doll blankets and other clutter.

SUPER WIN!!!! Her new dresser I refurbished will house her clothing.

I LOVE making space and PRETTY on a low budget in a SMALL house!! FREE PROJECT for me!

Before:( BOOOO!!

And After:)

I seriously can't WAIT to show MiMi in the morning:)

Linking with:

70's Craigslist Dresser ReVamp!

First let me show you the beauty that is the 70's Craigslist Dresser ReVamp!

I am proud of how far she has come:

She started off as an ugly duckling. A very ugly girl, with all of her ugly attachments:

Her previous owner said she was solid wood and in good condition.
When we picked her up I laughed. Her only solid wood features were her drawers and fronts. The sides and top were VERY much cardboard veneer.

Her top came with a huge gash, plenty of stains, etc.

She only cost $35 bucks.
When I started to disassemble her the next day to sand down and clean, I nearly wanted to give up on this refurbish. You see, I love a Craigslist re do just as much as the next, but she came with TONS of live spiders, dead roaches and roach casings, and even rodent poo.
YES, EW:

She had interesting drawer liners (true to the 70's). No nostalgic love from me ;)

First we removed the long veneer liners. As much as they could of been cleaned, the fact they harbored roaches and rodent poo was just not going to fly for something that would house my daughter's clothing, so we took those out.

Then the drawers and dresser began the sanding process (outdoors):

Then I wood putty & sanded the old drawer knob pulls

Then she sat for a few weeks.

Eventually I decided to paint her. Because I was lazy I waited a week or more before I finished. The end process was 4 coats of semi gloss, white olympic paint:
I took my time applying the paint nicely and evenly with a big painters brush. No clumps on my projects!:)

I splurged and purchased these pink acrylic knobs from Target for $14 a package. I bought 3 in total (I had 2 packages already so I technically only bought one)

I had Doug drill the new knobs for me and I screwed them in place:

MUCH, MUCH PRETTIER!! This is what the "beasts" drawer looked like before:

mm-hmm, much better :)

The 1970's UGLY craigslist dresser is NOW a beautiful white dresser with pretty pink glass like knobs. AMAZZZZING how something so ugly and filthy that could have been trashed can be saved on the cheap:)

Here is a cost break down:
70's Craigslist dresser - $35
Paint - FREE, had it from bed project
Knobs- $14 x 3= $42 (these are much pricier else where).
New wood slab top from Lowes - $30
_________________________________________________________
Total: $107

I am going to decoupage in some new drawer liners soon & then it will be totally complete!

Figuring you can't touch a dresser this size that is NOW solid wood for under $400 bucks, I say the $107 (including dresser cost) and some elbow grease is well worth the hardwork.

Even if she DID come with some NASTY surprises courtesy of the previous owner.
*update* - New Mod Podge Drawer Liners Here: Mod Podge Fabric Drawer Liners