A little luck and $3

The title says it all. Yes, a little luck and $3 is what I had when I found this beauty at the Salvation Army.

Obviously, the beautiful wood scrolling had been broken off the sides.  I knew I could cut off the broken pieces and make the mirror salvageable.  Well, I was a nervous Nelly trying to cut off broken pieces. I was so afraid that I would damage the main scroll work that made the mirror worth buying for $3!  Of course, hubby came to the rescue.  He told me I needed to leave while he cut off the damaged parts because I probably didn't want to really see how he was going to do it.  Ten minutes later, he brought it back in to me.  I used a little bit of gold acrylic craft paint to touch up the sides.

Hubby wasn't too happy with hanging it because it was so very heavy.  Here is the evolution of my mantle.

First, metalwork.

Then, an empty frame.

Next up, trumeau mirror.

Now, a $3 Italian mirror.

I think it goes so much better because of the tile around the fireplace.  Here is a little close up of the vignette by the fireplace. 

I wonder what it will be next?!

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  and Coastal Charm

 

Fabulous finds

Well, school is out and we have been adjusting to everyone being at home all day.  Yes, that means that little sister just cannot keep from pestering her big bother all day long.  So, I've been referring along with trip to the zoo, going to the movies, and preparing to our trip to Missouri.  We shove off tomorrow.

Before we set sail, I have to share with you some of my latest and greatest finds.  These are finds from the Goodwill outlet, Salvation Army, and my local flea market.  I have been trying to collect some smaller goods to fill my booth.  I have some exciting news on that front but more on that later.  On to the goods.

I think this basket would be great holding blankets.  I could just see cute little flowers potted in the orange teapot.  I wonder what kind of lunch was served up in this vintage lunchbox.  On the far right, I found 2 table leaves.  Just the thing to make a sign with using some chalk paint!

I really loved the tarnished silver I picked up.  I love it just as it is.

This is my favorite find.  This ironstone pitcher I found for $1.  Yes, it is discolored but just look at it.

Maybe you need a closer view.

Look at that beautiful crazing.  Any tips on cleaning the discoloration would be helpful, although I do like it that way.  It has a sense of history about it. 

I'm sharing over at:

    

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

Time keeps ticking away

I just don't know how some of the blog gals do it.  How do they find the time to work on projects and post about them daily.  Oh yeah, and have time for family, work, etc, etc.  Well, it is obvious that I am not one of those talented, dedicated bloggers (yet). 

Of late, I have been feeling a little stressed.  Now that I have a booth, I have to fill it.  For the past 6 1/2 years, my only concern have been my kids and hubby.  So, I have been adjusting.  I'm trying to figure out how to balance searching for treasures and working to turn something into a treasure with caring for my family.  So this must be what it feels like to be a working mom.

Speaking of turning something into a treasure.  I found this little table at the Salvation Army.  Originally, it was all black.  Someone had painted over 3 strips of shelving paper.  So, this is what it looked like after I stripped off the paper and paint. 

Not too pretty, uh?  I spray painted it Heirloom white.  Cut out the roman numerals and words on contact paper with my Cricut for the stencil.  After I painted on the numerals, I added a little glaze which picked up all the great imperfections with the table.  Here is the close up.

This now has a spot in my booth.  Hopefully someone will snatch it up because she can't live without it!

I'm sharing at:



  

Coffe table turned bench

Okay, first let me thank you for letting me have a little vent episode.  Before I share my coffee table turned bench, I'll share my find.  My last post was about my dream chairs.  Well, I found a compromise today at the Salvation Army.  They are not exactly what I want but for $10 each they will do until I find my dream chairs again.  Anyway, the first picture below is my dream chairs dashed away by a higher bidder.  They are the green velvet french chairs.  The second picture is the chairs I brought home today.

Now that I see the pictures like this, I admit they don't look alike but gave me a french feel.  I figure a little paint and some new fabric will make these chairs last until my dream chairs show up again at a price I can afford.  What do you think?  Am I nuts?

Enough about the chairs.  On to my project.  I lugged this heavy baby out of the Salvation Army too.  Not so pretty up close but I had plans.

I slapped on some paint and whipped up a cushion to turn it into this lovely bench.

Okay, I made it sound like whipping up the cushion was a breeze but not so much.  Just a little friendly advice, always stop sewing when you are getting tired.  Once the cushion was done, I couldn't resist making these cute little bunny pillows for Easter.

I would love to know what you think about the chairs and the bench.  I'm sharing over at:

 

$5 chair

Yup, another trip to the Salvation Army, another item brought home.  I found this cute little frenchy chair for $5.  I forgot to take a picture before I removed the seat and the peach velvet fabric. 

I'm sure you all know by now that I love Miss Mustard Seed's blog.  When she posted about her french chair painting technique here, I went out and bought the paint samples.  I just finally stumbled upon a chair I wanted to try it on.  So, here is my wanna be version of MSS's french chair technique.   

What do you think???  I'm sharing over at:

 

Blue Cricket Design

TV cart to Sewing cart

You've heard it many times.  I love thrifting.  It's that whole idea of finding an unbelievable treasure at an unheard of price.  Does it usually happen for me?  No.  Does it stop me from the hunt?  Not on your life!

On one particular thrifting trip at the Salvation Army, I stumbled upon an old TV cart for $4.  In an instant, I knew what I could do with it.  I have been keeping my sewing machine and serger in the corner on the floor of our bonus room upstairs forever now.  Apparently, it bothered my husband so much that he kept putting them into our attic storage.  What better to do with this old TV cart than turn it into a sewing cart (even better that the TV cart is on wheels).  When I took the picture, I already removed the wheels.

First order of business was to spray paint the frame and cover the shelves with contact paper.  Hubby was nice enough to reinforce the bottom shelf to hold the weight of both machines (notice the unsightly screws).  He's good like that!

I originally was going to use the contact paper on both shelves that you see above but decided it was a little too busy for the top.  I luckily was able to find white contact paper being discontinued at my local dollar store.  I was able to snatch up a 1.5 yd roll for only 25 cents!!

Next on the agenda was to make a nice little skirt to hide the sewing machine and serger on the bottom shelf.  I had some extra fabric and lace in my stash of fabrics.  I would have liked to make a more gathered skirt but I was trying to keep it on the cheap side by using what I already had. 

So $4.25 later, I have a prettier storage solution for my sewing machine and serger.  Hopefully, hubby won't wheel it into the attic storage now!  I plan on revamping my sewing basket to put on the top shelf.  I might even put a vase with flowers.   

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