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Dawn: Posted on Saturday, April 13, 2013 1:26 AM
So...I have been wanting to go to an Estate Sale for a while now...had never been! I know...as much as I love flea markets it's simply shocking that I had never looked around at an Estate Sale. Well, there's a first time for everything! And then we were off to look around at an Estate Sale just a few miles away. We came to the sale on 25% off day...whoo hoo! Christi found a couple of old friends to chat with...Ha! Heather stumbled upon a set of hurricane globes for $4.50 and I found a few frames and prints. BUT...this is was my happiest find... a lonely wooden bunny. I found some scrapbook paper that would look great in my home and traced around the wooden bunny. The next step was to Mod Podge the paper onto the wooden bunny. I used a different patterned paper for the bunny tale, eyes, nose and inner ears. Try to get air bubbles out, but don't worry too much...the paper will lay flat after drying. Using my scraps of ribbon, I made a bow for the bushy tail and a bow to tie around the bunny's neck... So, there you have it...my first Estate Sale find makeover. Can't wait to find more goodies... Ahhh...this is addicting! Inspired, Dawn |
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Dawn: Posted on Sunday, October 28, 2012 4:22 AM
As many of you readers probably remember, my childhood best friend has recently moved to Atlanta...a 10 hour road trip for me. I visited her shortly after she moved in...see this post...and another visit was calling my name something fierce. After first looking at airline tickets to fly, my hubby suggested that I just make the drive. GOOD IDEA, I thought. That means if we go shopping I can actually bring lots more home with me :) He will fly me there again next visit, I am certain! I bought Atlanta out!!! We don't have a Home Goods where I live, so it's a must visit when I am out to see my bestie... While I was there to shop, I also took the opportunity to play around in my bestie's house. She wanted some rearranging done and which is right up my alley! I LOVE to go into others' homes and show them how to use what they already have differently. The concept of the day was "groupings" and "a punch of color"! My bestie has some wonderful pieces to work with already and has a feel for what looks good. For example: And I love these decorative items in her girls' bathroom... This gorgeous grouping of picture frames welcomes you as you head upstairs to see more of her home. So...we began to play around in some other rooms in her house. Our first stop was her butler's pantry (which I am secretly beyond envious of!!! LOL) Bestie decided that she wanted this to be a seasonal display area...we started with fall... It's the little details that make the house so homey! I love the Halloween orange and black striped straws...just a fun punch of color for her kids. Those are the little details that make a room fun and inviting! The next task was to introduce some burlap into the home and bring the outside in and using natural elements to decorate with. She had held onto this little piece of inspiration, waiting on ideas as to what to do with the burlap. We had fun adding the natural texture to several rooms in her house. Next, we got crafty and tackled an unfinished letter for her to hang. We used scrapbook paper, Mod Podge and paint to add a bit of whimsy to the room. Of course, we used burlap to hang the letter... And finally...we rearranged the mantel for a final touch. She already had the apothecary jars, we just grouped them together on the mantle instead of having them separated throughout the house. Her 7 year old wanted to get involved so we sent her outdoors to collect pine cones and nuts to fill them for a touch of nature. She already had the collection of vases...we just spread them apart on the mantle and mingled them among the jars. The collection of pumpkins was the final touch. We moved the pointy ball to the top of another cabinet and will show that in another post. It looks a bit less crowded now. Bestie was satisfied! And there you have it...the adventures from my fall trip to see my bestie. Stay tuned...there is more to share, but it's 4 am and I am finally feeling sleepy! ZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZz Inspired, Dawn |
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Dawn: Posted on Monday, April 02, 2012 4:04 AM
 Don't you love the Hobby Lobby 60-90% off sale? I stumbled upon it a few days ago and found a frame that was nicked up a bit, but the price was right...under $6. Yes, I know...I do remember that ~ No. 9257 ~ is a house full of rotten, stinkin' BOYS! BUT...I couldn't resist this frame, despite the girlie characteristics. It was in need of some TLC, so it was purchased with that idea in mind. Here is the BEFORE look... Take a look at the process of Next...I loved the polka dots and wanted to keep them, but the scrapes and scratches needed to be camouflaged. Fixing this was a matter or pulling out a can of paint on hand, which was used in another project, and dry brushing it on. Love this distressed and shabby chic look!  The picture frame could have been used with just the added paint, but I enjoy making life difficult...ha! So, I grabbed my hole puncher and some scrapbook paper...punched out some smaller polka dots and used my fave product ~ Mod Podge ~ to adhere them and give the frame an overall coat.  And then, you are ready to find your favorite pic and display it proudly. Mine will show off a pic of my youngest son in a smart looking pose... If only I can sit down long enough to print it! Hopefully, you will also begin to bargain shop with the "Needs TLC" thought in mind too! Good luck on your finds... Inspired, Dawn |
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Dawn: Posted on Friday, March 23, 2012 7:42 PM
Recently, I was inspired to clean out a cabinet at ~ No. 9257 ~ ...again...imagine that! I found an extra trash bin that I wanted to use in the grandkids room, but it was (oh so) plain. Sometimes I long for the calming, clean lines and not so busy look, but in this room I was going for color. So, my project for the day was to turn this boring white trash can into something a tad more cheery. Here is what I started with... The B was cut using my Cricut. I had several of them on hand too and was happy to find a purpose for one of the monogram letters. Next, it was time for colorful POLKA DOTS! I used the circle dabbers and craft paint for these... Then it was time to bring out the Mod Podge!  I glued the monogram B to the center...but after looking at it I just wasn't satisfied! =( It sorta looked like it just threw up polka dots everywhere! Ha!The polka dots were too small and I wanted some that were larger...scrapbook paper and my circle puncher helped me out.  I also jazzed it up by adding ball fringe to the top... Hmmm...Hmmm...Hmmm? What else to do to it? I still thought it needed another touch of something. So, out came my black paint again to distress it a bit. Oooops! Got a little carried away with the distressing technique! The top looked "messy"... Never fear...mistakes don't scare me! I pulled out the nail polish remover to take the paint off. And this is how it looks with the other room decor... It's too cute to put trash in now... =) Inspired, Dawn |
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Dawn: Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2012 9:44 AM
Yesterday was project day here at ~ No. 9257 ~ My little helper and I headed out to collect a few supplies for a creation that was requested a few days ago. Here is the inspiration piece that I was working from... The sweet grandson was in tow and I wasn't sure what to expect of our adventure to Michaels craft store. He's still a bit unpredictable, as most 2 year olds are! Thankfully, we made it out of the store with only what was on our list and no fits...whew! As a treat, Wendy's french fries was our next stop before our project could be started =) Our toddler didn't even make it back to Nana D's before his nap began, so I had a few minutes of project time alone...invaluable, precious moments! LOL Here are a few of the supplies that I used... You will also need: picture frame foam paint brush & foam circle paint dabber Mod Podge scrapbook paper for letters & E-6000 glue or hot glue gun Last week, I found an unfinished wooden frame, however...the opening was a 5x7 instead of 4x6 AND it didn't have glass or a stand . So, plan B was to purchase an inexpensive frame and just repaint it. Wal-Mart doesn't have a huge selection, but they happen to have had a frame for $3.88 that was the size I was going for. It needed to be painted anyway, so I didn't feel bad covering up the design that was originally printed on the frame. I had prepped my frame the day before, so the paint was dry and ready for something pretty... So, that brings us to this... And then this... Add some interesting detail... Using my Cricut, I cut out letters for two separate frames and Mod Podged them on... Now, for the fun embellishments! For these particular frames, I used feathers ($2 for a bag), ribbon (I found these at Wal-Mart for $3 each and will be able to make several bows out of each spool) and jewels ($2 for a bag of 12+ at Michaels.) I used E-6000 glue to adhere everything, but you can certainly use a hot glue gun as well. It's finished off with my "Handmade" info...DB Decor =) Somehow, I think the messy red unprofessional look on the back of the frame balances the cuteness of the front of the frame...Kidding! Looks like a "Hot Mess!" These labels were printed from www.vistaprint.com, which does make the project appear a tad more professional :) Don't worry...here's a tip for you! Use a nail polish remover felt pad to remove excess paint... Package it up and it's ready to go... Thanks for the challenge, Erica! Hope it inspires someone else as well... Now...back to playing with the little guy. When he calls "Nana" I just can't say no! Inspired, Dawn |
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Dawn: Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2012 8:58 PM
Happy 22nd Anniversary to me... My hubby rocks! I guess he has been eavesdropping and heard that my Cricut had called it quits. So he took it upon himself to visit a couple of stores in search of the best present this stay-at-home artsy, craftsy mom could want. Early this morning he busted out this...the Mack Daddy of Cricut cutters. Beyond thrilled...no words...entirely shocked...happy dance time! He even got the "anniversary" edition. (It appears that Cricut is celebrating their 5th anniversary.) The thought behind this gift truly was most meaningful :) I have to admit, I got tickled at the vision of him traipsing in and out of craft stores looking for this perfect gift. He really does care that I love to create! Thanks dear...now, let the crafting begin! So, first on my list of projects to knock out what finishing this bar stool that I bought at a flea market for just a few bucks. It was ugly and very worn, but nothing a new paint job can't fix...black paint to the rescue!  This is not the original photo. My bar stool looked FAR worse than this and was originally in a bathroom with a silver tub of towels on top...but then my young teen decided to dump it in the attic where it sat very lonely until I found it. It makes for perfect extra seating in the kitchen or even a plant stand...but def in need of a face lift! This is where my Cricut comes in. I cut out my images... Then laid the images out on the top of the stool... Now...ready for Mod Podge! Smooth down carefully...sort of like wallpaper... get the air bubbles out! This pic was taken after a couple of coats of glue. And now, the finished project... I like! Now, won't you come for a visit and try the new anniversary stool out? :) It's waiting on some company... Inspired, Dawn |
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My day started out with a trip with my dear friends to radiation treatment...read here for more details about their cancer stories. (They inspire me!!!) Of course we had to throw in a lunch with my mom at a nice fru-fru place... Thanks a MILLION sweet Momma!
