plate pedestal

Search & rescue forlorn small plates & candle holders at your favorite thrift store or home.  The following eight items cost $4.50.

To make a couple specimens dark & creepy, paint the candle holder (these were not glass or ceramic) a metallic gray.   Then, with an adhesive product, (make sure it works with the materials!) secure plate to pedestal.

Be patient during drying & curing!  Trust me.

The next two are anytime of the year cuties.  Use them to hold small items – keys, paper clips –  or display seasonal goodies.  Raised objects save linear space & lend visual interest.

Fun is… fake rodents & spiders on Halloween….one never knows where they may lurk around here…

mr. dresser

From $30 interesting vintage find…

to…’how you doin’?’

• remove hardware (the lip pulls HAD to GO), remove brass feet covers, wood fill chipped spots, sand, label drawers, clean off all dust
• paint interior drawers – used interior semi-gloss linen white
• 2 coats Annie Sloan Chalk Paint – Graphite
• Annie Sloan’s Clear Soft Wax

Lower drawer with paint only, top drawer with paint + wax:

The wax was really frustrating until finally finding the rhythm & method by trial & error.  My method:

1. lightly sand with SUPER FINE sand paper & wipe dust off
2. have a bunch of white t-shirt rags handy
3. cover 3 fingers with rag, dip in wax, work in small areas with progressive plan in mind
4. circle the wax around like crazy, pressing & spreading even, end with a wipe following the grain

The final finish looks simultaneously fresh & old.  Dresser top:

“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then  by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”  ~ Vincent Van Gogh

square scare

Last year, the wreath rotator adorned the front door.  This year, the same feather boa attached to a wooden frame (25 cents, thrift store).

The word “attach” used very loosely…

Black thread + scotch tape + feather boa = new wreath

It’s suppose to be scary…

farm hugger

An addition to the coffee cozy repertoire…(search “coffee hugger” or click on similar tag below to see history..)

A mini replica of a friend’s farm to enhance hot beverage enjoyment!  First step:  make a crafty plan

Initial materials:  felt, embroidery thread, linen, 1/8″ black grosgrain ribbon, sparkly corduroy, buttons, black & off white vinyl, ultra suede, bead

The cute cow ended up being too tiny to make….but the poppies are perfect.

“If it weren’t for the coffee, I’d have no identifiable personality whatsoever.”  ~ David Letterman