Weekend Surprise: Teri’s Fabulous Finds

My sister-in-law and I went shopping the other day to my favorite store, Target (we fondly call it Tar-zhay). We just happened to be walking by as the employee was marking all the special back to college stuff down to 75% off. Here’s what I purchased (doesn’t that sound so much fancier than here’s I what I done bought):

The rolled up things are 1 1/2 inch thick twin sized memory foam mattresses (2 for my bed, 2 for the guest bed, and one I’m going to make a cover for to take camping), 2 sets of full sized sheets, 1 set of queen sized sheets, 2 drapery panels.

Total cost:

$55.06

Can you believe it? It was a little much to spend, but now I have a comfy place for people to stay.

Do you like the patchwork quilt under all my stuff? It is on my guest bed. It was made by our darling Grandma who we miss very much (she passes away 8 years ago).

I am linking up to Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous and Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest.

Feature Friday: Teri’s PINK post

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and since our lives were touched directly when our favorite person on Earth, our Grandma, was diagnosed, this post is all about pink!

Friday is about all things “F”, so today I present a Finished project (which is nothing to sneeze about around here). I facied up and frillified my daughters lamp. It worked just fine, but the shade was demolished in our last move, so it has been standing naked for a bit. It was also very blue, which no longer matches her room. I also got to try Freezer paper stenciling for the first time. It was a bit difficult to make it work (as I was warned it would be by fellow blogger, Erin @ Sutton Grace, thanks for the info Erin!), but I LOVE the way it turned out. Most importantly, so does my daughter!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Supplies:

Lamp (free – already had)

Shade ($3 @ Homegoods)

Spray paint in choice of colors (had yellow from another project, $4 for can of pink)

dollar store rope ($1)

hot glue & glue gun (in stash)

trim ($1.50 on clearance @ Michael’s)

freezer paper for stencil (in stash)

Total cost: less than $10

*This post edited to add that we are participating in Transformation Thursday on The Shabby Chic Cottage...thanks for visiting if you linked up from there, if not, you'd better head on over for some great transformations!!!

**Edited again to link up to Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors, click on the button below .

***Also participating in Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch and Made it Monday @ The Persimmon Perch and DIY Day @ ASPTL (click on the button below)

Guest Day Thursday: Mod Podge Amy!

We are excited to have our very first ever GUEST BLOGGER!!!

Amy from Mod Podge Rocks!!!

She has been ever so helpful with advice and guidance during this adventure in blogging, and now she is honoring us by being our first guest blogger (and she was btw our very first follower as well). We love Mod Podge and all it's many uses, and we love Amy!

If you are visiting from Mod Podge Rocks, feel free to stay awhile, we'd love your input.

Thanks Amy! Take it away!

Hi! This is Amy with Mod Podge Rocks. My blog features projects that use - you guessed it - Mod Podge. It's the world's greatest decoupage medium, and one of the easiest craft products to use. EVER. Today I'm going to show you how to make the cake/cookie stand above. My inspiration was the many holiday parties that are coming up as well as the desire to create something inexpensive to hostess with. I'm so excited to tell you that it only cost me 3 BUCKS to make. I had a lot of these items in my stash. If you don't have everything I list, you are welcome to change around the "ingredients." My project is just a suggestion, and I encourage you to get creative! Let's jump in. Here are the supplies that I used:



-Mod Podge Matte, 8 oz. (stash)

-FolkArt Enamel paint, Silver ($2)

-11" blue plate ($1 from the Dollar Store)

-Candleholder (old one I had laying around the house)
-One sheet of scrapbook paper wtih coordinating embellishments (stash)

-E-6000 adhesive (stash - but you can use anything that will glue ceramic/glass to adhere the plate to the stand)

-Clear rhinestones (stash, you can find these in the Michaels $1 bins!)

-Scissors

-Flat paint brush

-Circle cutter (you don't need this, I just happen to have one)

-Scalloped scissors (again, you don't need these - they are a nice to have)

I started with this plain candleholder. It wasn't really doing anything except sitting around, so I decided it needed a new life.

I took my flat paint brush and painted it silver with the Enamel paint. Make sure that you use a soft brush, or the strokes will show in the paint. I painted several coats. Instructions will tell you to bake or dry for many days - you can obviously complete the project and let dry while you are using it since the base won't be exposed to anything that will damage it. Just be careful in the meantime! While your base is drying, move on to cutting the paper.

Next I grabbed my sheet of scrapbook paper and circle cutter. If you don't have a circle cutter, never fear! Simply turn the plate over and trace onto the paper - then cut a round shape inside the circle. My complete circle was about 8" wide, so I had approximately 2" of plate showing around the entire edge.

After I cut the circle I trimmed it with scalloped scissors. Again, you don't have to do this. Alternatives are to freehand a pattern or to use punches on the edge. You can also print something off of the internet to use as a template. How you fashion your circle is up to you!

Voila - my initial layout! I grabbed the plate and placed out my paper in the center - then added some embellishments from my stash. These were little paper cutouts that came with the larger pieces of paper. Notice that I didn't end up using that center paper cutout in my final project. It's amazing how many times I change my mind during one project. Feel free to change your mind at this point too - you aren't locked in until the items are glued down!

The next step is to adhere the goodies to the plate with your Podge! Turn the center paper over and coat with a medium layer of Mod Podge. Make sure to get the edges well.

Place the paper in the center of your plate and smooth down thoroughly. If Mod Podge comes out the sides, that is okay - wipe away with your brush. Allow to dry for 15 - 20 minutes.

While you are waiting for the center circle to dry, you can go ahead and place your embellishments around the edge of your plate. Put some Mod Podge down with your brush, place the piece and wipe the extra Podge away. Allow those pieces to dry for 15 - 20 minutes.

When everything has dried for 15 - 20 minutes, coat the ENTIRE top of the plate with Mod Podge. Allow to dry for 15 - 20 minutes and then apply another coat. Allow to dry.

To adhere the stand to the plate, apply E-6000 (or a similar adhesive) around the edge of your stand. Press down onto the plate and allow to dry for as long as your adhesive instructions tell you to.

You'll notice that on the finished version, I also applied some rhinestones around the base of the stand. Mine were self-adhesive so no glue was required! Yay - my project is finished, and I'm so happy with it. I can't wait to entertain!

Thanks for coming to visit and viewing my tutorial. I hope if you have any decoupage questions, you'll come see me at Mod Podge Rocks. There is more Mod Podge inspiration than you could shake a stick at! Thanks to both Teri & Micki for having me - you girls are great - and I hope you to see you soon!

Whatever Wednesday: Micki's New Flooring

This is the flooring my husband just put in for my daughters room. It was the last room with carpet. Baseboard is not in yet. But he has done such a nice job throughout our house. It makes me so proud!! I will post a picture when the room is back together.

Tadpole Tuesday: Ghostess with the Mostess

Teri here with Tadpole Tuesday! First off I have to apologize for my kids in pj’s and the poor photography. The lighting in my condo is terrible, and so as a result, sometimes the pictures aren’t great. We had fun as a little family crafting these fun ghosts.

Here’s the supplies you need (monofilament isn’t pictured, but that’s what ours are hanging with):

Here’s the kids having fun with their creations:

We're participating at A Soft Place to Land and Between Naps on the Porch (click the buttons below):

Mystery Monday – Furniture & Paint

Today is a double trouble Mystery Monday….two subjects today that we need some advice on (keep scrolling below the picture for the second subject).

This darling bedside table (?) was a measly $3 at a yard sale. It just needs a little TLC and it will be perfect. Being new to furniture restoration/salvage, some guidance is necessary. What should we do with it to “fix” it? What kind of TLC does it need?

In a replay from last week…What is your favorite brand of spray paint? (Still looking for some suggestions on this one)

We have to apologize if you linked from A Soft Place to Land or Between Naps on the Porch and didn't find a project finished, we just need some help getting started :)

This post is linked to DIY Day on A Soft Place to Land and Metamorphosis Monday on Between Naps on the Porch!