Showing posts with label upcycle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label upcycle. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Repurposed Wagon Cactus Garden


My first project in the desert! Fitting that it would be a cactus garden don't you think? 

Mr. Chocolate was cleaning up some stuff around The Mumster's house and there was a little red wagon destined for the junk pile. I snatched it up and immediately had an idea for a little cactus and succulent garden. I picked up a can of Rustoleum hammered bronze paint and went to town. 


This was the sad little wagon. All oxydized and rusty. And it could have worked as is but I wanted it to be a more desert color. 


I wanted to preserve the wheels so I cut a plastic bag in half and wrapped around the wheels to prevent them from getting painted. 


One good coat of paint made all the difference! The paint had primer and color all in one and is designed to prevent future rust. 


I was so happy with the outcome that I almost just left the painted wagon alone and unfilled. But no!


I picked out small cacti and succulents that I liked, and found some cool green stones on sale at JoAnn's. 


I spread a layer of the stones on the bottom to help with drainage, and then planted my cacti and succulents randomly. I finished with a layer of the rocks and voila. 


I don't exactly have a green thumb so desert plants may be just the things for me . They are pretty hearty, self sufficient, and little fuss!


Sunday, February 19, 2017

For the Cost of a Donation: Upcycled Cabinet Door Tray


I dragged Mr. Chocolate to a flea market last month. It was held at an architectural salvage place in Seattle called Second Use. While the flea market didn't yield any treasures, a stroll through the Second Use Warehouse did. 

Of course Mr. Chocolate looked at the two cabinet doors and me like we were nuts. I'm used to it. He now loves the tray I made from one of the doors. All for the cost of a $5 donation to Habitat for Humanity. Two good things in one! 


This is what I started out with. I liked the panels and the way this door was framed. I mean I immediately saw a tray!  So I painted it with a white bisque acrylic paint. I didn't care about full coverage because I knew the look I was going for and it wouldn't matter. 

Back Side of Door

After my first coat was dry, I went over it with a coat of Espresso acrylic paint. Again, I didn't care that it was all streaky. In fact that was better. 


Then, using my tried and true glue crackle technique, I slathered on a thick coat of cheap white glue, let it dry until tacky, then went back over top with another coat of the Bisque White and watched the magic crackle process happen. 

Crackle Step 1 : Cover With Glue






One of my New Year's resolutions was to use things in my stash that I hadn't because I was hanging on to them for some irrational reason. So I pulled out a stencil that I'd never used and added some leaves using  Martha Stewart acrylic paint: Grey Wolf: 


To finish, I added a pair of door handles I picked up at Target ( the screws weren't long enough for the thickness of the door so I just glued on using extra strong glue) . 



The cup is one I painted at a paint your own pottery place. 

Not so crazy now am I Mr. Chocolate?















Sunday, March 10, 2013

Easter / Spring Decor: Real Eggshells Under Glass

Eggshells Under Glass

Today was one of those days when a project just clicked for me. It started at breakfast when I remembered to save some eggshells. I keep meaning to try blowing some eggs out, but don't remember until usually right after I crack them into a bowl. Even though I forgot AGAIN, this time I decided to keep them broken just as they were and use them in this little Easter / Springtime vignette.

For this project you will need:
  • Egg shells ( I used the shells from 2 eggs)
  • Cheese cloche ( I found mine on a “Goodwill Thrift Hunting” trip)
  • Craft paints ( I used Martha Stewart Feldspar and Smoky Quartz Glitter)
  • “Nest materials” I used bark covered wire, coffee filters, and shredded crepe streamers)
  • Decorative paper to coordinate w/ your paints
Easter Cloche Vignette

Here are the basics of my project before I started. I painted the wood cheese board and the outside of the egg shells  with the Feldspar. While that was drying, I cut out a circle of decorative paper the same size as my board (I had this Japanese washi paper in my stash) and then tore around the edges. Once the paint was dry, I used Mod Podge to apply the paper to the wood.

Washi Decoupage

While the MP was drying, I “speckled” my egg shells using the Smoky Quartz glitter paint. Just kind of glop it on until your satisfied.

Martha Stewart Smoky Quartz Glitter Paint

I also went around the edge of the wood board with the Smoky Quartz.

While everything was drying I made my nest. I used bark covered wire I found in the floral section at Michaels and just kind of made a free form nest by loosely wrapping in in circles until I was satisfied then twisting the ends together.

Coffee Paper Filter Nest

I tore the centers from two natural coffee filters, scrunched them then tucked them into the “nest”. I also wanted some type of grass but didn’t have any and was too lazy to go outside and dig up moss. I grabbed a roll of crepe paper streamer from my stash, pulled out a length I didn’t measure, folded it and cut in strips. Crumpled then uncrumpled it. Now it’s time to assemble everything!

Speckled Eggs In Nest

I placed some of my streamer grass on the board then placed the nest in the center and added a couple of my painted egg shells. Positioned the others, and added some more crepe grass and then put the lid on. I didn’t glue it down so I’ll disassemble the whole thing when I put it away and if the eggs survive storage they do. If they don’t, they’ll be quick to re-create next year.

Speckled Eggs Nest

I added some bits of jute twine in the middle because birds use whatever they find to build nests right?

Butterfly Tag

I didn’t want to paint the top of the cloche but I felt it needed a little something so I covered a small manila tag with a scrao of leftover washi and kraft papers, added an eyelet and a butterfly charm. Tied the tag to the top of the cloche with plain cotton baker’s twine.

Easter Cloche

The funniest thing about this is Mr. C didn’t even bat an eye when he saw the eggshells drying by the sink after breakfast. You know how there's a meme "You know you're a crafter when..." We may need to start a new meme called “You know you’re married to a crafter when…”

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Sunday, April 29, 2012

Monthly Post for Expressions Vinyl: Paris Inspired Bath Sign

I was so excited when the folks at Expressions Vinyl invited me to contribute to their blog. I'll be posting a project over there once a month! This is the first project I shared last week .


Paris Sign

 I love using old frames for projects and found this bead board looking frame at Goodwill. It was in great shape and I could have left it alone but what fun is that? I definitely had to "vintage it up" a bit.


Paris Bath Sign

I thought I had light yellow paint but since I didn’t, I lightened up some bright yellow by adding white paint. Painted my frame with a coat of that, then dry brushed over it with white paint. Instant re-purposed shabby chic frame!

Paris Bath Sign Frame

Now for  the fun part! Along with my Eiffel Tower, I downloaded this fabulous laurel leaf image from the Silhouette online store:

Sillhoutte Laurel

Sized in the Silhoutte design studio software and then cut it from metallic silver Expressions vinyl. I love love love the metallic vinyl from Expressions. Did I mention love?

Vinyl Laurel (2)

Except when trying to photograph it on a sunny day. This pic doesn't do the metallic goodness justice.  But you get the idea. I even saved the center of the laurel wreath to use on something else. Waste not, want not.

I decided I’d do our monogram, so I cut out the letter “C” and then the letters to spell “Le Bain” ( The Bath) , Paris, a flourish,  and the Eiffel tower using Expressions black vinyl.

Vinyl Paris Bath Sign

Paris Bath Sign Vinyl

I applied all of the vinyl to the glass. What’s that behind the glass?  A piece of fabric drop cloth from the HW store!
Paris Bath Sign Dropcloth

Since I was going for a shabby look, I wasn’t concerned about ironing the fabric. OK like that was going to happen anyway. HA!

Paris Bath Sign Vinyl

Lesson learned…I should have placed the monogram over the laurel in the design software before cutting either out. I think this would have positioned things better but I’m still mastering my Silhouette Cameo and that's one of the best things about the design software. Just didn't think of it soon enough.  Guess I'll just have to make more vinyl projects :) 

Now when I’m in the bathroom, I can pretend the bathroom is in an artist’s loft in Paris. Of course I also have a big box of French chocolates in that scenario.  A girl can dream.

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