tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41746711152481241242024-03-12T22:00:49.540-04:00J. Paris DesignsJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-37053911223856084712013-03-12T11:10:00.001-04:002013-03-12T11:10:40.124-04:00*UPDATE* and where you can find me now!It's been months. It's been months and months and MONTHS! But that's only because I've created some pretty awesome things during that time!<br />
<br />
I opened my shop and packed it full of really awesome redesigned furniture and home accessories. And business has been booming ever since! <br />
<br />
I created a new website (by myself) and I've been blogging there pretty regularly about projects I do for the shop. If you've been a fan of this blog, head on over to<span style="color: magenta;">/</span><a href="http://www.jparisdesigns.com/category/blog/"><span style="color: magenta;">http://www.jparisdesigns.com/category/blog/</span></a> to check it out!<br />
<br />
I will no longer be writing posts for this particular blog. But no worries....I won't be deleting it either! It's as much a source of inspiration for me as it is for you. I often read through the posts and look over the photos and remind myself how far I've come. Plus, it serves as a diary of sorts - a catalog of all of my favorite projects from the past.<br />
<br />
So be sure to check in on my NEW <a href="http://www.jparisdesigns.com/category/blog/"><span style="color: magenta;">Blog</span></a> and <span style="color: magenta;"><a href="http://www.jparisdesigns.com/"><span style="color: magenta;">Website</span></a> </span>and be sure to say HI. I'd love to hear from those of you that have been following me all along! I'm still a tiny dot on the map of the internet/blogging world, but a few familiar faces make it seem like I've reached people :)<br />
<br />
So, Thanks! To anyone who has read this blog, whether it is one post or every post. It means the world!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
--<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Jessica Paris</span></b><u></u><u></u></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Owner/Designer</b><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
J. Paris Designs<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1835 4th St.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cuyahoga Falls, OH<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="tel:330.808.4270" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">330.808.4270</a><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.jparisdesigns.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.jparisdesigns.com</a><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jparisdesigns">Facebook</a>!!</div>
</div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11073203806980513212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-17476618303981903362012-09-22T12:54:00.000-04:002012-09-22T12:55:16.711-04:00Things, They Be a-Changin' - Part 2<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">I left you yesterday with the cliffhanger of Big Changes Are Coming...dun dun duuuuuun! Any guesses as to what those changes are? I'll give you a hint...I've ordered new business cards with an address on them :)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">I am now the official owner of J. Paris Designs - Redesigned Home Furnishings and Accessories. My store will open some time in mid November, just in time for the holidays. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">How did I come to this point? Well you remember I said I had a bad day at work one day? Seriously, that's all it took. Of course, I hadn't been happy for awhile. I would sit at work all day and just think about all the stuff I would rather be doing. I'm sure most people think like that at their 9-5, but mine was deeper than that. I really felt like I had a talent that was marketable. I felt like it was being squandered as a "hobby" rather than a "profession". I needed to do something with it, if for nothing more than my own sanity.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">This is where my amazing and supportive husband comes in to play. As soon as the words "Let's really think about you doing J. Paris Designs full time" were uttered, that was all I needed. From that point on, I was setting my sights on a new business venture - being a true entrepreneur. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">We crunched the numbers and tried to figure out if we could make it on one salary, assuming the worst - that J. Paris Designs wouldn't make a dime for 6 months. Would we be able to make it? The answer was yes, but lots of lifestyle changes needed to be made. It's a comfortable life that we've made for ourselves, and all of that would need to change. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">I went through severe highs and severe lows those first few preliminary weeks. Some days I would think "Hell yes, I can do this!" Other days I would think "What if no one buys anything? What if I fail? What if..............?" I couldn't get over the fact that I was upending our entire life for a dream I was dreaming on a wish and a prayer. Quite honestly, I had no idea if this was going to work. I didn't (and still don't) have a business plan, I didn't have a projected budget, I was just flying by the seat of my pants. The good thing is, no one around here is doing what I'm doing - at least not with a store front. I used that as a comforting thought. I always received such great feedback from my readers about the things I had created, I felt confident that others would feel the same. I can't count the amount of times I've heard "Where do you come up with this stuff?" or "I wish I had that kind of imagination". Those kinds of comments are what fueled the fire of me thinking that others would appreciate the talent that I have. I say that as humbly as possible because I'm still trying to gain confidence in my work as an artist and designer. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">There were days when I was ready to scrap the whole idea and just look for another job that would be a change of pace for me. But Dan's ever constant support and confidence in me is truly what kept me from throwing in the towel. "Every piece you do gets better and better" he would say. When he would brag about me to friends and family, he made my heart swell with confidence. He believed in me, and therefore I had to believe in myself. We are a team and we are in this together. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">I knew I wanted a storefront close to home, so we searched in the surrounding retail areas for "For Rent" signs. Most of the numbers I called were for places waaaaay out of our price range. I got discouraged, and of course started being Negative Nancy, assuming we would never be able to afford anything! One day, a sign caught my eye in front of a shabby looking brick building about four blocks from our house. It wasn't in a prime retail development or strip plaza, but it was close. I called on it and met the man a few days later. The place was in our price range, the landlord was incredibly nice, it was super close to home, it. was. small. Small, small. Like, big enough for a table and a few chairs small. When he showed us the inside, I was devastated. In my head, in just a few short days from the time I saw the sign, I had already moved my stuff in. We thanked him and started to leave when he mentioned the spot next door. It wasn't technically for rent, but I asked if we could just see it. The moment we walked in the door, I knew this was it. Dan, not so much. He couldn't see what I could see. The place had been vacant of a business for over ten years. It had been used as the man's storage area and was packed FULL of stuff. It needed a lot of work. But I didn't care, I wanted it. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">From that point forward, I've gone full speed ahead. I finally had the green light to obtain and stash as much furniture as possible so as to have an inventory. It didn't take long for me to fill the garage then move into the basement, back porch, office, and spare bedroom. My sickness finally had an excuse to run rampant!! I began scouring the internet and magazines for project ideas and inspiration. During the day, my head would be reeling from the ideas running through it. At night I would work until it was dark outside in the garage. Every spare moment has been dedicated to getting everything ready. I lost sleep - and fully expect to lose much more in the coming months - due to tossing and turning and worrying and stressing. I've really been a mess. But I'm making it work.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">When I told my dad (who used to own his own plumbing business) he said "Jess, I did it with a wife and two kids! All you can do is give it a go. What's the worst that can happen? You have to go out and get another job?" That really gave me confidence. He was right. I still had my degree no matter what. I could always find something else if this didn't work out.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">Until now, only our parents and siblings new about the plan. I was very cautious who I told and what I told them. This wasn't something I wanted to blurt out to the world when I was still worried that it was just a fabrication in my head! But it is real....real scary. It is by far the most exhilarating/frustrating/terrifying/exciting thing I have ever done. I'm going to be my own boss :)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">I don't know where this will go, I don't know how long it will survive, I don't even know if I'm doing it right. But making mistakes means I'm doing SOMETHING and that is all I can ask. My mantra has been "Your dream job doesn't exist, you have to create it" and I've repeated that to myself time and time again. I'm creating it, just like I create everything else. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">Besides, if I don't do it now, when will I do it?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">So thank you to everyone for reading this blog and commenting on my projects and supporting me in any way. This is a HUGE adventure I'm starting and I truly appreciate everything you've done to help me on my way :) And if you have any free advice, I would be more than willing to hear it!!</span> <span style="background-color: #cccccc;"></span> <span style="background-color: #cccccc;"></span> <span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><em>NOTE: I'm no computer tech by any means, but I'm attempting to create my own website in the next few weeks. That being said, I'm not sure how well the transition will be from Blogger to Wordpress. I won't be writing any new posts until the switch, but be sure to follow along on Facebook/jparisdesigns!!</em></span> <span style="background-color: #cccccc;"></span> Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-71212543810075304602012-09-20T22:56:00.001-04:002012-09-20T23:19:52.075-04:00Things, They Be a-Changin' - Part 1<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I don't know about you, but whenever I find a new DIY website or blog, the first place I look is the About Me section. I love reading about people's background stories - how they came to be where they are. Especially if they started out doing something completely different. In the spirit of that thinking, I would like to share with you my story:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Making things has always been my hobby. I'm the little girl who used her mom's old-school sewing machine to make Christmas presents and stuffed animals as far back as I can remember. I get it from my mom, who is the Crafting Queen. Christmas ornaments, Holiday outfits, doll clothes...You name it, she made it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">In junior high I "started a business" for handmade clothes (I was going to be the next great fashion designer). I busted out my magic markers and poster board and made a flyer with sizes and prices and showed it to all my friends at school. I gave the business a name and everything, though I'll be damned if I can remember what it was! I even wore some of the clothes I made as examples of my work. Now, you must know, I didn't use a pattern and one of the skirts I made was bright satin orange material from the bottom of my mom's fabric pile. But MAN - I rocked it! Then right after high school, I started another "business" selling things made out of duck tape. It was right when all the bright colors were really popular and I bought rolls and rolls and rolls of the stuff (I also used every last bit of the real deal from my dad's garage stash). I made purses and lunchboxes and tote bags and wallets and roses and pins and....well you get the picture. I sold them at craft shows and to friends at work. It was fun, and I made some extra spending money. It was called "RiDUCKulous" - I'm so clever - and again, I made a big sign that hung on the table at the shows. I was a young entrepreneur and I was going to make it big one day!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Eventually, I got on this furniture kick. Picking up roadside finds. Visiting thrift stores. Making cool stuff out of junk. I still remember my first roadside dresser - boy was that a rush! My senior year of college I even did an Independent Study elective on fixing up furniture and documented the steps. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">When I moved out of my parents' house and into my own apartment, I had accumulated enough furniture that I didn't need to buy anything but a sofa to outfit my new place. Everything in the small apartment was something I had handcrafted in one way or another. Once out on my own, I began to move my furniture collection into Dan's house. The basement primarily, but that quickly spread into the garage and other rooms. By the time we moved in together six months before our wedding, I had enough pieces to furnish the entire house. We actually had to have a garage sale to get rid of the stuff we didn't have room for. That was a year and a half ago and since then, it's only gotten worse. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Hi, my name is Jessica, and I am addicted to furniture.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I openly admit it. I have a problem. I CANNOT pass up a good/free deal. It is in my blood and a definite passion. I can't remember the last day off I had that didn't consist of me working on one project or another. Or if there were other things I needed to do or places I needed to go, I would constantly be thinking about a project I had waiting for me. I would happily spend my free time working on fixing something up. Eight hours would literally fly by with me wishing I had another eight. And when I would come home with "just one more chair", Dan would give me that look, shake his head, and stuff it into the basement. He has no patience for slow drivers, tangled Christmas lights, or a knotted rope, but my goodness he is patient with me. It's why I married him. He doesn't get it, but he gets it...ya know what I mean??</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">It got to a point where family and friends would call me with a "I found something by the road, do you want it?" statement and I would always say yes. That's how I got one of the chairs in our living room.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I always toyed with the idea of owning a shop one day that consisted of all the things that I made. I thought it would be fun, but knew that it was probably a far off dream. So I had gone to college, got the degree, got the "Dream Job" as an interior designer and settled in to a life of routine. Now, I'm not about to bite the hand that fed me for a year and a half by bashing my job, but it wasn't what I wanted. At first, yes. But after a while, it just wasn't challenging me. And if I'm being honest, I wasn't very good at it. At least the sales part of it. I could help people pick out colors and design their kitchen back-splashes all day long, but I just wasn't meant to sell flooring as a profession. I got bored. I needed something to do or make or create....what I was really passionate about. Again, that starting-my-own-business thing was always in the back of my mind, but I always cast it off as a pipe dream. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">And then one day, I snapped. Pressure at work had built up, my anger finally surfaced, and I cried all the way home. The particulars aren't important, but what matters is that it was the catalyst I needed to make some changes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">That was about two months ago and since then, some big changes have taken place. I'll leave you with that, since reading an incredibly long personal story all at once can get boring. And I don't want you to leave and never come back. I'll share the rest with you tomorrow, so make sure to check back to see where these changes are taking me. :)</span>
Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-73388440272746403032012-08-20T09:59:00.000-04:002012-08-20T09:59:15.879-04:00Chair Change-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsAejAN8y1s/UDJAg9h5RXI/AAAAAAAABnA/inQ8os5oHms/s1600/chair+redo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsAejAN8y1s/UDJAg9h5RXI/AAAAAAAABnA/inQ8os5oHms/s320/chair+redo+1.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
Just a quick little before and after of a summer garage sale find. Using the same brown paint as I used on the <a href="http://www.jparisdesigns.com/2012/08/wine-oh.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">wine bar</span></a> and a reupholstery job on the seat, front, and back, it was good to go! No "in progress" photos this time, But trust me, it is not without pictures! I've been trying to take better and better ones with each passing project. Different angles, different camera settings. I'm still not on board with editing each one like some bloggers do. For starters, I don't have Photoshop, but also because it takes a long time.<br />
<br />
Anyways, I hope you enjoy the pictures! :)<br />
<br />
P.S. This one is for sale as well - contact me if you're interested!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hHKqFR5OyF0/UDJAywAjSiI/AAAAAAAABnQ/tV61Ami0yWs/s1600/IMG_2638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hHKqFR5OyF0/UDJAywAjSiI/AAAAAAAABnQ/tV61Ami0yWs/s320/IMG_2638.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOlpZBpUCj8/UDJA0dNMLrI/AAAAAAAABnU/S66-lBRFxxw/s1600/chair+redo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOlpZBpUCj8/UDJA0dNMLrI/AAAAAAAABnU/S66-lBRFxxw/s320/chair+redo+3.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cdDT2Z-oHy8/UDJA1pa_EQI/AAAAAAAABng/ZGbmv_wgDyw/s1600/chair+redo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cdDT2Z-oHy8/UDJA1pa_EQI/AAAAAAAABng/ZGbmv_wgDyw/s320/chair+redo+4.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DmnTWOqnNzY/UDJA20eb0QI/AAAAAAAABno/2tNVr6KRkjU/s1600/chair+redo+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DmnTWOqnNzY/UDJA20eb0QI/AAAAAAAABno/2tNVr6KRkjU/s320/chair+redo+5.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zp1St9G82a4/UDJA31ODnxI/AAAAAAAABnw/7P0kEY13wPk/s1600/chair+redo+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zp1St9G82a4/UDJA31ODnxI/AAAAAAAABnw/7P0kEY13wPk/s320/chair+redo+6.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--UqqcevPFno/UDJA6CtndBI/AAAAAAAABn4/tOO3exSMrBA/s1600/chair+redo+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--UqqcevPFno/UDJA6CtndBI/AAAAAAAABn4/tOO3exSMrBA/s320/chair+redo+7.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wE9o-DfiLtU/UDJA7ObnmkI/AAAAAAAABoA/v4lJ31QVYXY/s1600/chair+redo+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wE9o-DfiLtU/UDJA7ObnmkI/AAAAAAAABoA/v4lJ31QVYXY/s320/chair+redo+8.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLCDeMDMZ00/UDJAj3e5ULI/AAAAAAAABnI/beYEosZ-qto/s1600/chair+redo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLCDeMDMZ00/UDJAj3e5ULI/AAAAAAAABnI/beYEosZ-qto/s320/chair+redo+2.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbuSxBz92CQ/UDJA8hQYMII/AAAAAAAABoI/pfexROSwfoY/s1600/chair+redo+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbuSxBz92CQ/UDJA8hQYMII/AAAAAAAABoI/pfexROSwfoY/s320/chair+redo+9.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-4606464922389099132012-08-12T22:42:00.000-04:002013-01-24T18:40:15.911-05:00Wine-OH!I would like to introduce you to my new pride and joy. I've spent long laborious hours working on this particular piece, and I couldn't be more happy with the way it turned out. And I'm so excited about it, I've decided to show you the After picture first....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn0Xp8l3y6w/UChbJ8BQ3WI/AAAAAAAABi8/g7IdTHq4yr8/s1600/wine+bar+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn0Xp8l3y6w/UChbJ8BQ3WI/AAAAAAAABi8/g7IdTHq4yr8/s320/wine+bar+17.jpg" height="320" kda="true" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zfzFFJNQX14/UChbM_pqVkI/AAAAAAAABjE/HVOW-aEBm1E/s1600/wine+bar+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zfzFFJNQX14/UChbM_pqVkI/AAAAAAAABjE/HVOW-aEBm1E/s320/wine+bar+8.jpg" height="247" kda="true" width="320" /></a></div>
It's no secret I love me some wine. In fact, this past Christmas I received two bottles of wine, two hand-painted wine glasses, a wine bottle caddy, wine glass charms, and an Eiffel Tower wine rack....notice a trend?? <br />
<br />
So it seemed only natural that I create a one-of-a-kind wine bar.<br />
<br />
And I made it out of the most random of objects.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7fOgyf1TRD4/UChcOr4sIHI/AAAAAAAABjU/IUO0nziYrlA/s1600/IMG_2550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7fOgyf1TRD4/UChcOr4sIHI/AAAAAAAABjU/IUO0nziYrlA/s400/IMG_2550.JPG" height="300" kda="true" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
See, I had this large credenza that I got from a client's home (the same client that gave me the radio cabinet I turned into an <a href="http://www.jparisdesigns.com/2012/05/record-player-rehab.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">entertainment stand</span></a>). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d38wAKxJipM/UChcYrkmUlI/AAAAAAAABjc/0F0bV7ALVgY/s1600/IMG_2553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d38wAKxJipM/UChcYrkmUlI/AAAAAAAABjc/0F0bV7ALVgY/s320/IMG_2553.JPG" height="240" kda="true" width="320" /></a></div>
And I had this twin size headboard I <strike>stole </strike>took from the neighbor's trash pile.<br />
<br />
So I sat around staring at both of them for awhile, unsure of what I wanted to do with them. Then genius struck and I came up with this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9zP-3s-1TQ/UChcBKwCocI/AAAAAAAABjM/nZ2kze7OBL0/s1600/wine+bar+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9zP-3s-1TQ/UChcBKwCocI/AAAAAAAABjM/nZ2kze7OBL0/s320/wine+bar+1.jpg" height="247" kda="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And that was as far as I got.</span><br />
<br />
But the longer I stared, the more ideas formed in my head....you see where I'm going?<br />
<br />
The overall process took a loooong time. Like, a really really loooooong time. But I managed to snap a few pictures here and there as the design took shape.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6-J1cRgs9VU/UChei5xB64I/AAAAAAAABjk/u9VbfxOWrDM/s1600/wine+bar+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6-J1cRgs9VU/UChei5xB64I/AAAAAAAABjk/u9VbfxOWrDM/s320/wine+bar+2.jpg" height="247" kda="true" width="320" /></a></div>
I started by painting it with a can of Oops paint from Home Depot. This was the base coat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3-Y1DwT4IjU/UCheryH-CKI/AAAAAAAABjs/Lkb78DAKGg4/s1600/wine+bar+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3-Y1DwT4IjU/UCheryH-CKI/AAAAAAAABjs/Lkb78DAKGg4/s320/wine+bar+3.jpg" height="247" kda="true" width="320" /></a></div>
The second coat was an experiment I read about online. Chalk paint is all the rage lately on the DIY circuit. When I looked into purchasing some of it, it rang in at around $30-35 a quart!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Woah.</span><br />
<br />
I'm too cheap for that just yet. So I made my own using Plaster of Paris and enamel latex paint. Mix two parts paint with one part plaster and you get the consistency of chalk paint. It also helps it sand easier when distressing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fD1GwIxe824/UChj5ww6wAI/AAAAAAAABlY/vQ2GvN1z_QQ/s1600/wine+bar+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fD1GwIxe824/UChj5ww6wAI/AAAAAAAABlY/vQ2GvN1z_QQ/s320/wine+bar+11.jpg" height="320" kda="true" width="247" /></a></div>
A closeup of the distressing I did to the whole piece. It helps it look worn and rustic and gives it a lot of character.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LfihwhelwkI/UCheu0CjcxI/AAAAAAAABj0/T4G_7brGNBQ/s1600/wine+bar+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LfihwhelwkI/UCheu0CjcxI/AAAAAAAABj0/T4G_7brGNBQ/s320/wine+bar+4.jpg" height="247" kda="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8XlhagBxtU/UChj_sRU_aI/AAAAAAAABlo/lG8YOy4sGH4/s1600/wine+bar+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8XlhagBxtU/UChj_sRU_aI/AAAAAAAABlo/lG8YOy4sGH4/s320/wine+bar+10.jpg" height="247" kda="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Just a quick look at my stab at stenciling. I had attached a sheet of burlap to the headboard, just to give it texture and an "old world" feel. I printed out wine words on the computer, used carbon copy paper for tracing, and then colored them in with a brown Sharpie. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6spoeISTPrM/UChhJl3xMfI/AAAAAAAABkA/ugQTz0GLPyo/s1600/IMG_2574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6spoeISTPrM/UChhJl3xMfI/AAAAAAAABkA/ugQTz0GLPyo/s320/IMG_2574.JPG" height="240" kda="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I used our new drill press and hole saws to cut holes in a piece of plywood for the wine bottles in the front.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SCkXSwE-mao/UChieTx7pTI/AAAAAAAABlI/sDlfCJHyCT0/s1600/wine+bar+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SCkXSwE-mao/UChieTx7pTI/AAAAAAAABlI/sDlfCJHyCT0/s320/wine+bar+13.jpg" height="320" kda="true" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I used carpet tubes as the wine bottle holders. There's actually a whole infrastructure inside there that consists of furring strips, nails, glue and braces. No pictures of that though....it remains a trade secret. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now let's talk about those corks. Ohhhhhh boy, those corks. All 350 corks cut lengthwise on the bandsaw making 700 halves that were then hot glued like a puzzle to the top of the bar.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MDFhPRJalM/UChiNVIQ19I/AAAAAAAABkw/RTJoQ3f-_ew/s1600/wine+bar+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MDFhPRJalM/UChiNVIQ19I/AAAAAAAABkw/RTJoQ3f-_ew/s320/wine+bar+9.jpg" height="247" kda="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5E70fTIVIfg/UChiZaQP05I/AAAAAAAABk4/Pep65_4sr_M/s1600/wine+bar+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5E70fTIVIfg/UChiZaQP05I/AAAAAAAABk4/Pep65_4sr_M/s320/wine+bar+15.jpg" height="320" kda="true" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zM0rSnQT4OI/UChibz8eS-I/AAAAAAAABlA/1-9VrlfldYM/s1600/wine+bar+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zM0rSnQT4OI/UChibz8eS-I/AAAAAAAABlA/1-9VrlfldYM/s320/wine+bar+16.jpg" height="320" kda="true" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Did you know you can buy 500 corks on Ebay? Neither did I. But now I have A LOT of corks left over (and a zillion projects in mind for them!).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LrngZaYvlk0/UChj2frGOYI/AAAAAAAABlQ/bodsoVCrUiM/s1600/wine+bar+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LrngZaYvlk0/UChj2frGOYI/AAAAAAAABlQ/bodsoVCrUiM/s320/wine+bar+6.jpg" height="247" kda="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The side doors open up for extra storage, but the center console remains closed off for the wine bottles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m9_h581M-KA/UChj-fyMMTI/AAAAAAAABlg/gACj4yqjA3M/s1600/wine+bar+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m9_h581M-KA/UChj-fyMMTI/AAAAAAAABlg/gACj4yqjA3M/s320/wine+bar+14.jpg" height="320" kda="true" width="247" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That black piece of hardware holding up the shelf is actually a stair railing brace from Home Depot - they caught my eye in the store and were small enough to work.</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Speaking of the shelf, I made that by hand out of cedar planks we had.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8-T68GBM_k/UChk4HzeA8I/AAAAAAAABl4/9LdB5zT7sn0/s1600/wine+bar+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8-T68GBM_k/UChk4HzeA8I/AAAAAAAABl4/9LdB5zT7sn0/s320/wine+bar+7.jpg" height="247" kda="true" width="320" /></a></div>
Each wedge was cut on the bandsaw and nailed to the top piece. I polyurethaned the whole thing and am really happy with how rich the color came out. Cedar is a beautiful wood.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8oElKGVpuS8/UChkEDhmOkI/AAAAAAAABlw/AIyWQnpwfx4/s1600/wine+bar+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8oElKGVpuS8/UChkEDhmOkI/AAAAAAAABlw/AIyWQnpwfx4/s320/wine+bar+12.jpg" height="320" kda="true" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-DiFgDaiSc/UChlt6T-lgI/AAAAAAAABmA/Jb8NFB7n4tg/s1600/wine+bar+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-DiFgDaiSc/UChlt6T-lgI/AAAAAAAABmA/Jb8NFB7n4tg/s320/wine+bar+5.jpg" height="247" kda="true" width="320" /></a></div>
After all of this, though, I am sad to say I have absolutely zero room for this awesome piece in our small and overflowing house. Therefore, it is officially for sale to whomever can give it a lovely home. If interested, please feel free to contact me via email at <a href="mailto:jessica@jparisdesigns.com"><span style="color: orange;">jessica@jparisdesigns.com</span></a>. <i>Update: SOLD!!</i><br />
<br />
And let's just look at it one more time, shall we??<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn0Xp8l3y6w/UChbJ8BQ3WI/AAAAAAAABi8/g7IdTHq4yr8/s1600/wine+bar+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn0Xp8l3y6w/UChbJ8BQ3WI/AAAAAAAABi8/g7IdTHq4yr8/s320/wine+bar+17.jpg" height="320" kda="true" width="247" /></a></div>
I'm so happy with it :) <br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-1976064625640410882012-07-25T21:03:00.000-04:002012-07-25T21:03:32.865-04:00Chair ComboI'm sure you've heard the saying "Fashionably late"? Well that's what this post is about....being fashionably late at getting a job done. Like, two <em>years</em> late<em>. </em>Dan's grandma commissioned me back in 2010 (before we were even engaged) to redo two chairs of hers she had picked up at garage sales over the years. She didn't care what I did to them or what they looked like, she just wanted me to "do whatever it is I do to them". <br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Right on, Mima!</span></em><br />
<br />
So what did I do? I trucked them all the way home from Rochester, NY and promptly put them in the basement to collect dust and forgot about them. Fast forward to July 2012. While searching through the basement for a "quick" project idea to pass the time, I spotted the chairs. Oh boy, how embarassing! They kept getting pushed to the back of the pile. Knowing we would be in Rochester the following weekend for a wedding, I decided to give 'em a go.<br />
<br />
Here's #1:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0hJBksfIrg/UBCQqTTIIII/AAAAAAAABcw/dStO7B2wAgk/s1600/chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0hJBksfIrg/UBCQqTTIIII/AAAAAAAABcw/dStO7B2wAgk/s320/chair.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Simplistic, easy, nothing a little bit of paint wouldn't cheer up. But once I unearthed it from the dungeon of furniture, I noticed a slight problem....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-syS_v45gPq0/UBCQ5cOVMAI/AAAAAAAABc4/mnHaysxPn7w/s1600/IMG_2530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-syS_v45gPq0/UBCQ5cOVMAI/AAAAAAAABc4/mnHaysxPn7w/s320/IMG_2530.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
There was a big 'ol crack right down the middle of the seat. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Bummer!</em></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Determined not to let that stop me from finishing it, I set out on another path. My mom used to have an old wooden chair in her garden with a hole cut in it for a potted plant. Kind of country-esque, chappy chic-y I suppose. Without getting too technical (because it's pretty self explanatory), I will try to categorize some pictures of the process.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0h7UsuR3Rgo/UBCR-q1tWfI/AAAAAAAABdI/tORKKNXKVmA/s1600/chair9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0h7UsuR3Rgo/UBCR-q1tWfI/AAAAAAAABdI/tORKKNXKVmA/s320/chair9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started by marking out a hole that would allow the plastic pot to sit inside.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufMenCP98JI/UBCSCe61W8I/AAAAAAAABdQ/GpwDzu15YNM/s1600/chair3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufMenCP98JI/UBCSCe61W8I/AAAAAAAABdQ/GpwDzu15YNM/s320/chair3.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drilled two holes on either side of the chair to insert the jigsaw</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TKmB8AzLlYU/UBCSFtKNQkI/AAAAAAAABdY/CI6PZWHK_IY/s1600/chair10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TKmB8AzLlYU/UBCSFtKNQkI/AAAAAAAABdY/CI6PZWHK_IY/s320/chair10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holes drilled for inserting the jigsaw</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m1XfyIT_kvg/UBCSIhsMt2I/AAAAAAAABdg/OgGU6T-vMsg/s1600/chair11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m1XfyIT_kvg/UBCSIhsMt2I/AAAAAAAABdg/OgGU6T-vMsg/s320/chair11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using the jigsaw to cut out the circle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2F_k0aAEKdQ/UBCSKr8hGNI/AAAAAAAABdo/L8urGU9OI74/s1600/chair5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2F_k0aAEKdQ/UBCSKr8hGNI/AAAAAAAABdo/L8urGU9OI74/s320/chair5.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inserting the plastic pot to make sure it fits</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
See, pretty easy to follow along? And yes, I did employ the help of Dan the Man - it's his grandma after all! One tip though: we made sure that the circle fit the base of the pot, but that the lip of the pot didn't slip through.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzTKDelW448/UBCSM2q7xeI/AAAAAAAABdw/VqfVCU72_4E/s1600/chair8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzTKDelW448/UBCSM2q7xeI/AAAAAAAABdw/VqfVCU72_4E/s320/chair8.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just a quick coat of paint and it was good to go! I chose lime green because her front door is bright green and I thought it would compliment it well. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's #2:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GlQLAicIk80/UBCTxKs5FYI/AAAAAAAABd4/eocU0Urx9YA/s1600/chair2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GlQLAicIk80/UBCTxKs5FYI/AAAAAAAABd4/eocU0Urx9YA/s320/chair2.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I envisioned it to go in her kitchen which is decked out in black and red (she has a red sink, for goodness sake. How cool is that??). I decided to do something fun with the seat of this one. The chair itself was already full of chippy goodness, so I kept right along with that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S4T_98lFeCQ/UBCT64Zxg-I/AAAAAAAABeY/SYDYSPokcpk/s1600/chair14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S4T_98lFeCQ/UBCT64Zxg-I/AAAAAAAABeY/SYDYSPokcpk/s320/chair14.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was able to use up some Behr samples in the basement from painting the kitchen!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1IRVRZjuVTo/UBCTzHmD7XI/AAAAAAAABeA/bHrC-gUI9q8/s1600/chair4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1IRVRZjuVTo/UBCTzHmD7XI/AAAAAAAABeA/bHrC-gUI9q8/s320/chair4.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I rough brushed the red on, letting the old color show through</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbe4YJj52_k/UBCT0e2lEEI/AAAAAAAABeI/WNyv7CXNb1Y/s1600/chair6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbe4YJj52_k/UBCT0e2lEEI/AAAAAAAABeI/WNyv7CXNb1Y/s320/chair6.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using painters tape, I made a grid and painted the black coat on</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEWUIWKsjHg/UBCT3xt9w4I/AAAAAAAABeQ/NdK6c8my0s0/s1600/chair7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEWUIWKsjHg/UBCT3xt9w4I/AAAAAAAABeQ/NdK6c8my0s0/s320/chair7.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once dry, I removed the tape and Voila!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z8PqB2wNouA/UBCT8LL5d7I/AAAAAAAABeg/yRHD4eUVtwU/s1600/chair12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z8PqB2wNouA/UBCT8LL5d7I/AAAAAAAABeg/yRHD4eUVtwU/s320/chair12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I love the way the seat turned out! I also love that the red shows through the black and it looks just as roughed up as before. My intention wasn't to make it look brand new, rather old and worn and full of life.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IyA_JgzmeDU/UBCVk-1bhoI/AAAAAAAABeo/oPUF1tplvNQ/s1600/chair13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IyA_JgzmeDU/UBCVk-1bhoI/AAAAAAAABeo/oPUF1tplvNQ/s320/chair13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here ya go, Mima.....better late than never?? <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-26695717232311812872012-07-23T22:46:00.001-04:002012-07-25T21:08:51.155-04:00Heavenly Headboard How-ToWell it only took me 8 years to post some pics of the headboard I made for a client. And yes, I made myself one in the process, but I was too lazy to clean our bedroom to take photos....so you'll have to wait on that one. I'm also going to try my hand at another How-To tutorial because I searched high and low for one to use to give me ideas on where to start. There are TONS out there, but none that really show the "best" way in my opinion.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Materials:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-4'x8' sheet of 1/2" MDF board (Home Depot)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-4'x8' sheet of 1" housing insulation (Home Depot)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-Polyfil low-loft quilt batting - 2 twin size packages (Jo-Ann Fabrics)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-Liquid Nails construction adhesive (Home Depot)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-Nail head trim (Jo-Ann Fabrics)</span><br />
<br />
So here is a premise of what to expect. I wanted to use nailheads as trim around the border of the headboard. The comforter on the bed had a pinstrip that I wanted to emulate. The idea behind the shape was to mimick the shape of the dresser-top mirror in the room. I took measurements of the mirror beforehand and using some mad mathematical skills I was able to keep the proportions appropriate for the headboard.<br />
<br />
Drawing the shape on the MDF is pretty self explanatory using a straight edge and a tape measure. The trick is the second layer. Allow me to show you....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26jVpmyxoOo/UA4A0xjeW8I/AAAAAAAABZ0/fQ3tcTjx3ro/s1600/headboard3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26jVpmyxoOo/UA4A0xjeW8I/AAAAAAAABZ0/fQ3tcTjx3ro/s320/headboard3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
See the border? I used a second layer of MDF just along the edge about 4 inches wide. The purpose? Well, the nailheads need something to be nailed into. If I ran the foam all the way to the edge, the nails wouldn't hold. Make sense?<br />
<br />
I chose foam housing insulation because it is cheap and lightweight. A lot of tutorials I found said to use high density foam padding from the craft store. Even on a good day, Jo-Ann's sells it for around $20-$30 a yard. That. Is. Ridiculous. I needed something in the center to provide thickness but that wouldn't make it too heavy to hang on the wall. Housing insulation.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQmRKDf7TN8/UA4DSz2FfjI/AAAAAAAABaM/6V7YyU9TJMQ/s1600/IMG_2064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQmRKDf7TN8/UA4DSz2FfjI/AAAAAAAABaM/6V7YyU9TJMQ/s320/IMG_2064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I need to note that there are several different kinds. I chose one that was pretty firm, considering it might get bumped and would need to resist crushing. Either way though, I think any of them would work.<br />
<br />
So I cut the insulation with a utility knife to fit inside the hollow area. Using Liquid Nails construction adhesive, I attached it to the MDF.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pLCoRkdgMhI/UA4EOYykiQI/AAAAAAAABaU/cgsZmiC-YSg/s1600/IMG_2068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pLCoRkdgMhI/UA4EOYykiQI/AAAAAAAABaU/cgsZmiC-YSg/s320/IMG_2068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lecxkCfpTtk/UA4Cf9qR2II/AAAAAAAABZ8/Rs_im7qrXOg/s1600/headboard5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lecxkCfpTtk/UA4Cf9qR2II/AAAAAAAABZ8/Rs_im7qrXOg/s320/headboard5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Now we are ready for the quilt batting. You don't need alot to make it look padded. I actually put two layers in the center, but left the edges with just one, again so that the nail head trim would attach correctly. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JS3d087920U/UA4FtW-tZOI/AAAAAAAABas/gdaRWnro1pQ/s1600/IMG_2071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JS3d087920U/UA4FtW-tZOI/AAAAAAAABas/gdaRWnro1pQ/s320/IMG_2071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I chose low-loft because it was slightly less expensive than high or medium and would work just the same. Using my pneumatic stapler, I wrapped it around and stapled it to the back.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBC0-2MnOqo/UA4Fa0RB9KI/AAAAAAAABak/K4hVdQ8fPT4/s1600/headboard6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBC0-2MnOqo/UA4Fa0RB9KI/AAAAAAAABak/K4hVdQ8fPT4/s320/headboard6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Ok, so the next step involves the fabric, which was pure white ultra suede and terrified me. I was so afraid that I would get it dirty. So I took things inside and cleared out the living room to work on the floor where it was clean. Because it was heavy, oddly shaped, and I was by myself trying to wrangle it around, I went without taking pictures. But I think you can get the gist. I laid the fabric out face down, laid the headboard on top face down, and made sure the fabric was pulled tight. Starting on one side, I shot a few staples right in the middle. Moving to the opposite side, I did the same thing. Once all four sides had a few staples in the middle, I started over again. Just make sure to alternate back and forth so you get a good stretch.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Last and final step is the nailhead trim. It comes on a roll with coordinating nail heads that get put in every five nails. No, you don't have to attach each nail individually. Whoever thought up this stuff was a genius. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9GXwl12I-E8/UA4IssHORMI/AAAAAAAABbA/tAzPVtdtRus/s1600/IMG_2075%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9GXwl12I-E8/UA4IssHORMI/AAAAAAAABbA/tAzPVtdtRus/s320/IMG_2075%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This fabric is what I used for my own headboard - stay tuned for that one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Make sure to use a rubber mallet, rather than a hammer to make sure the nail heads don't get scratched. Start at one end and work your way around. The trim actually bends very easily for curves and corners.<br />
<br />
All that's left is hanging it. Other websites mentioned adding legs to the overall headboard and attach those to the bed frame. That sounded like a lot of extra and unnecessary work. I decided instead to hang it on the wall, just like a picture frame. I used to work at a custom frame shop, so I had all the materials on hand. But any hardware store will sell a picture framing kit. I used two D-ring hangers, one on each side 10" down from the top. Proper picture hooks are designed to hold anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds each, so weight wasn't an issue. Other than that brief info, you are on your own as far as hanging goes.<br />
<br />
Finished product:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gnksu4pLg1k/UA4KG6iFjzI/AAAAAAAABbI/xOaoVOdMqBw/s1600/headboard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gnksu4pLg1k/UA4KG6iFjzI/AAAAAAAABbI/xOaoVOdMqBw/s320/headboard2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lACSiB1P7zQ/UA4KJSnDmFI/AAAAAAAABbQ/Ea7zR9n4Kd8/s1600/headboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lACSiB1P7zQ/UA4KJSnDmFI/AAAAAAAABbQ/Ea7zR9n4Kd8/s320/headboard.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Side note: Notice the stencil on the wall? I helped my client come up with this idea. She purchased the stencil online and I suggested she have her painter paint the wall in satin finish and the stencil in high gloss (both of the same paint color). It turned out awesome! Perfectly subtle for the decor in the room, but it really pops when the light hits it.</span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And that's all folks. I hope this helps anyone out there looking to create your own headboard. It wasn't complicated and only required a little ingenuity with the house insulation and picture hanging hardware. Good luck :)</span>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-25235766219374193892012-06-27T20:42:00.000-04:002012-07-25T21:04:59.776-04:00Roadside DresserBack in December (yea, it's been that long) I wrote a quick <a href="http://jparisdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/12/dresser-gods-are-smiling-down.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">post</span></a> about a dresser I had found by the side of the road. It was gorgeous, like all discarded dressers that I find. But more importantly, someone had done All. The. Hard. Work. For. Me. A huuuge thanks to whoever decided that refinishing this dresser was just too much work and left it for me to find.<br />
<br />
This is what it looked like the night I took it home. Pre-stripped and sanded, knobs and screws in a plastic bag inside one of the drawers. It was fate, I assure you.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3O9vfbWbM78/T-uk2F9kaNI/AAAAAAAABYY/vFo4ZPDjMqk/s1600/IMG_1447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3O9vfbWbM78/T-uk2F9kaNI/AAAAAAAABYY/vFo4ZPDjMqk/s320/IMG_1447.JPG" vca="true" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm not sure how I ended up not getting any "in-progress" photos. Possibly because it spanned over the course of six months and sat lonely in the garage for most of that time. Either way, I gave it new stain, new varnish, and vintage glass knobs picked up at a salvage store for $8 total.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PBCd3MgNG7A/T-ulxw4xvyI/AAAAAAAABYg/SmxwoCSA1yA/s1600/IMG_2165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PBCd3MgNG7A/T-ulxw4xvyI/AAAAAAAABYg/SmxwoCSA1yA/s320/IMG_2165.JPG" vca="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iG0gSKESOf0/T-ul-Bg381I/AAAAAAAABYo/-kCsdYfpcDA/s1600/IMG_2166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iG0gSKESOf0/T-ul-Bg381I/AAAAAAAABYo/-kCsdYfpcDA/s320/IMG_2166.JPG" vca="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEg_htyp59I/T-umH1Ga_WI/AAAAAAAABYw/Gq6XQ4JCmEQ/s1600/IMG_2167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEg_htyp59I/T-umH1Ga_WI/AAAAAAAABYw/Gq6XQ4JCmEQ/s320/IMG_2167.JPG" vca="true" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ilwOdidd_0/T-umW-oh4BI/AAAAAAAABY4/mwtqzndeuiI/s1600/IMG_2168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ilwOdidd_0/T-umW-oh4BI/AAAAAAAABY4/mwtqzndeuiI/s320/IMG_2168.JPG" vca="true" width="240" /></a></div>
Not bad for a roadside find, eh??<br />
<br />
It sat like this for a loooong time, waiting for a new home (we have ZERO room for it, or else I would have hoarded it for myself). But my mother-in-law graciously accepted it when I told her it was taking up space.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Fz2iem7BTY/T-unbEmo2nI/AAAAAAAABZI/0hGpsKh0u3Y/s1600/IMG_2333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Fz2iem7BTY/T-unbEmo2nI/AAAAAAAABZI/0hGpsKh0u3Y/s320/IMG_2333.JPG" vca="true" width="240" /></a></div>
I snapped this picture quick while visiting in New York this past weekend. She uses it in her spare room for all her jewelry and extra clothes. Right at home :)<br />
<br />
And guess what?? Tonight is garbage night and I've already staked out something good down the street :)Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-50822555725679643942012-06-20T23:39:00.003-04:002012-07-25T21:05:20.134-04:00Mirror, Mirror on the MantelPinterest has been blowing up lately about mercury glass/mirrors/reflective jars/etc. all made using this fancy shmancy spray paint. It's made by Krylon and called Looking Glass. I searched all over for the blasted stuff (Walmart has a huge Krylon section, but no stores within 50 miles carried it), and finally found it at a Hobby Lobby in the area.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1zR59c1Ji_g/T-KLUzwY2aI/AAAAAAAABWY/HUUN_TILozo/s1600/IMG_2328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1zR59c1Ji_g/T-KLUzwY2aI/AAAAAAAABWY/HUUN_TILozo/s320/IMG_2328.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Don't let the pretty pictures and easy tutorials online fool you. Most blogs I visited referred to it as "cheap" mirror in a can. Lemmi tell ya....stuff ain't cheap. I bought two cans to the tune of $12 a piece. And they aren't even normal sized spray paint cans! But I had high hopes and I'm always doing the thrifty thing, so it felt good to splurge a little.<br />
<br />
I wasn't really sure what purpose the end result would serve, but I was itching to see how well this stuff really worked. I started with a garage sale find - a 6 pane window purchased for 3 smackaroos.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RlNe8SEnDoE/T-KMiGgF2jI/AAAAAAAABWg/WXOKgt1mlDA/s1600/IMG_2311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RlNe8SEnDoE/T-KMiGgF2jI/AAAAAAAABWg/WXOKgt1mlDA/s320/IMG_2311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The tutorials and the can itself all said to make sure you spray the <em>back side </em>of the glass to get the best results. So i chose the nicest side of the window and flipped er over.<br />
<br />
I decided I wanted an "imperfect" mirror finish (equivalent to mercury-ish glass) and something that appeared older rather than fresh and clear. Ever see an old mirror that has marks and smudges? Yea, that's what<em> </em>I did....intentionally. <br />
<br />
Tutorials were saying to splash the glass with water droplets before spraying. So that's what I did. Then I applied several light coats of paint, making sure to work from one side all the way to the other without stopping.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvUtbRT46t4/T-KN3hFHEII/AAAAAAAABWo/gmqJsoypM_c/s1600/IMG_2313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvUtbRT46t4/T-KN3hFHEII/AAAAAAAABWo/gmqJsoypM_c/s320/IMG_2313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
One can later, I had a silvery finish on the back side of the glass. I wasn't impressed until I flipped it over, but we'll get to that. I did notice that the water droplets left marks a lot like leopard spots. They weren't as random as I would have liked. So while the paint was still wet, I took my finger and smudged the water around a bit to smear it and make it less perfect. Then I started with the second can and sprayed some more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qs02ZdWMBHI/T-KN_zh8LvI/AAAAAAAABWw/puoe-lbgEhE/s1600/IMG_2314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qs02ZdWMBHI/T-KN_zh8LvI/AAAAAAAABWw/puoe-lbgEhE/s320/IMG_2314.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
See the water droplets? It was really weird how the paint just covered over them but they stayed wet for awhile.<br />
<br />
Once the paint was completely dry (it didn't take long in 90 degree heat), I decided to do another step that no one else seemed to do.<br />
<br />
I used some leftover black spray paint and painted another layer over top the silver.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N3IDLEElWMQ/T-KPVSsOaKI/AAAAAAAABW4/-3T4uGJQaRE/s1600/IMG_2318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N3IDLEElWMQ/T-KPVSsOaKI/AAAAAAAABW4/-3T4uGJQaRE/s320/IMG_2318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
My theory, which proved to be correct, was that once the water droplets dried, the silver paint would flake away and leave clear areas. So the black paint sprayed on the back would make those clear areas appear dark from the front. Which would ultimately add to the "old/vintage/antique" effect. You follow? Not yet? Keep reading...<br />
<br />
<em>Side note: My parents recently gave me a box of old blue tinted mason jars that they unearthed from their attic. Add those to the ones I just bought at the flea market and the ones I already owned, and I had quite the mini collection going. Fast forward to this project where I had no idea what to do with it when it was done and....</em><br />
<br />
I decided to redo the fireplace mantel with softer colors for summer. In comes the new "mirror".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yJEMIjCXDaY/T-KRJlX2J0I/AAAAAAAABXQ/XZwD-4C8s24/s1600/IMG_2323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yJEMIjCXDaY/T-KRJlX2J0I/AAAAAAAABXQ/XZwD-4C8s24/s320/IMG_2323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The paint actually worked really really well. See the dark imperfect marks on the mirror? In person, you would find it hard to tell it wasn't 50 years old. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33Bz838CGTk/T-KRACBkQBI/AAAAAAAABXI/kjlWSVKQX30/s1600/IMG_2324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33Bz838CGTk/T-KRACBkQBI/AAAAAAAABXI/kjlWSVKQX30/s320/IMG_2324.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I also did a little dry-brush paint effect on the window frame itself. My "go to" colors are always blue and green in our living room, so I paired those two with black.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sElWeS9QehM/T-KRUEv1DRI/AAAAAAAABXg/ZMzxbd1RAjs/s1600/IMG_2325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sElWeS9QehM/T-KRUEv1DRI/AAAAAAAABXg/ZMzxbd1RAjs/s320/IMG_2325.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
The reflection, though slightly muddled by the antique-ing, would actually work great as a real mirror. I was admittedly impressed with how well it worked (almost $25 later, it better look good!). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PSGHvWJ1ywk/T-KQ1AmbclI/AAAAAAAABXA/hEasSmj3QMc/s1600/IMG_2326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PSGHvWJ1ywk/T-KQ1AmbclI/AAAAAAAABXA/hEasSmj3QMc/s320/IMG_2326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R54D2nsrOXw/T-KRO2ZqAQI/AAAAAAAABXY/8qYd0-BOo5w/s1600/IMG_2327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R54D2nsrOXw/T-KRO2ZqAQI/AAAAAAAABXY/8qYd0-BOo5w/s320/IMG_2327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DsTw9niGc3I/T-KUWS-JLkI/AAAAAAAABX0/q53IrrIkmcY/s1600/IMG_2330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DsTw9niGc3I/T-KUWS-JLkI/AAAAAAAABX0/q53IrrIkmcY/s320/IMG_2330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nex9h5F7MnI/T-KVN9KgHuI/AAAAAAAABYE/ZzEYV6CLeFk/s1600/IMG_2332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nex9h5F7MnI/T-KVN9KgHuI/AAAAAAAABYE/ZzEYV6CLeFk/s320/IMG_2332.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I love fillin' up a mantel....the thing just looks so boring when it's empty!<br />
<br />
It ended up being a successful project and something I would do again if the right piece presented itself.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-35081769771031492252012-06-14T23:10:00.001-04:002012-07-25T21:06:01.124-04:00Craftswoman Tool ChestFor the longest time, Dan and I have both been wanting one of those fancy, free-standing, rolling Craftsman tool chests. However, neither one of us are willing to cough up $400+ for one, no matter how cool they are. But nevertheless, every time we are in Sears, we pass them by with longing in our eyes (<em>Note: did you know they make a PINK one now??! Whaaaa??</em>). But the more I thought about it, the more I realized they don't really hold that much - nothing big at least. He has the small metal chest he fixed up for his basement<span style="color: blue;"> </span><a href="http://jparisdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/01/dans-man-cave-special-guest-appearance.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">man cave</span></a> for all the little things (nails, screws, small tools, tape, glue, misc.) but he was using an old bookcase to house the drill, nail gun, drill bits, socket set, saws, etc. Stuff that came in big boxes and wouldn't fit in the standard rolling tool chest. I decided to not only remedy this situation, but also finally give us the Craftsman tool chest we've been coveting.<br />
<br />
So the hunt was on to find a dresser. I knew it couldn't be just any old dresser, either. Not like the ones I usually find by the <a href="http://jparisdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/08/dressed-up-dresser.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">side of the road</span></a>. This one had to be specific. I searched some local thrift stores and came home with this beauty:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G35SlsXe6H8/T9qfJa-TzaI/AAAAAAAABUU/_u9QFXpFtl0/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G35SlsXe6H8/T9qfJa-TzaI/AAAAAAAABUU/_u9QFXpFtl0/s320/IMG_2204.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iq0FHewgPA8/T9qfQMhHUaI/AAAAAAAABUc/26U1BrGWrFA/s1600/IMG_2205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iq0FHewgPA8/T9qfQMhHUaI/AAAAAAAABUc/26U1BrGWrFA/s320/IMG_2205.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
The price tag was a little more than I would normally spend (considering I usually get them for free), but I justified it by knowing I found something that would work perfectly!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Can you visualize it yet??</em></span><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
With Dan being out of the country for work this past week, I decided to make it a surprise for when he gets home. </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I started by sanding the whole thing down to give the paint something to stick to. This is a shot of the top of the dresser after about 10 minutes - it was sooo easy! Sanding is by far my least favorite part of a project and I only wish they all went this well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjEC3KCh-lw/T9qhJNavfhI/AAAAAAAABUo/l0TiuBSLVSc/s1600/IMG_2208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjEC3KCh-lw/T9qhJNavfhI/AAAAAAAABUo/l0TiuBSLVSc/s320/IMG_2208.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
After sanding it all down, I applied 2 coats of Rustoleum Sunrise Red oil-based paint. A little messier than latex paint, but it gave it a nice, crisp, shiny finish (the goal was to make it look more like metal than wood).</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
I debated on the color of the drawers. Red or black??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/00965843000?hei=315&wid=315&op_sharpen=1&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" pca="true" src="http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/00965843000?hei=315&wid=315&op_sharpen=1&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00913620000-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://s.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00913620000-1" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
I decided on black because I liked the contrast and didn't want to overdo it with the red.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finished product:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXQMeEVYnTw/T9qjPTg6GtI/AAAAAAAABUw/6zMYBc5D8k4/s1600/IMG_2224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXQMeEVYnTw/T9qjPTg6GtI/AAAAAAAABUw/6zMYBc5D8k4/s320/IMG_2224.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Pretty good, huh? I lucked out with the handles. The existing ones were already perfect for what I needed, so all I did was spray paint them silver.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UxjI_WXQX2Y/T9qkLsBSsNI/AAAAAAAABVE/WOBh9_gzXaE/s1600/IMG_2226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UxjI_WXQX2Y/T9qkLsBSsNI/AAAAAAAABVE/WOBh9_gzXaE/s320/IMG_2226.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I cut off the legs and added rolling casters.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEfHFPwXGD8/T9qkcrUuLFI/AAAAAAAABVM/8kayYKH2uZc/s1600/IMG_2229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEfHFPwXGD8/T9qkcrUuLFI/AAAAAAAABVM/8kayYKH2uZc/s320/IMG_2229.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I added black industrial handles to each side to make it easier to move around.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mafygjcq3hQ/T9qk2PldGdI/AAAAAAAABVU/mdWpLpKm_QI/s1600/IMG_2228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mafygjcq3hQ/T9qk2PldGdI/AAAAAAAABVU/mdWpLpKm_QI/s320/IMG_2228.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I purchased a roll of ribbed vinyl floor runner from Home Depot and used it to line each drawer.<br />
<br />
<br />
And because it looked so darn cool, I posed it with some of Dan's antique tools he has in the garage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yXw1cWM-29A/T9qlTdjgPII/AAAAAAAABVc/aCotVC9eOTs/s1600/IMG_2232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yXw1cWM-29A/T9qlTdjgPII/AAAAAAAABVc/aCotVC9eOTs/s320/IMG_2232.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DT8Ksa7Ya2w/T9qlcLo6wHI/AAAAAAAABVk/KC-XXyi_WAE/s1600/IMG_2235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DT8Ksa7Ya2w/T9qlcLo6wHI/AAAAAAAABVk/KC-XXyi_WAE/s320/IMG_2235.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's even going to be a special tool surprise for him inside :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Total cost was around $75 (remember I spent quite a bit on the dresser itself, but that's because it didn't need ANY modifications!) which is a fraction of the cost of buying a "real" one at the store. Plus, this can hold all the bigger stuff that these chests don't usually fit. Overall, I'd say it's a sweet deal, and a sweet surprise!!</div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-52802222613818015762012-05-24T08:24:00.001-04:002012-07-25T21:06:32.045-04:00Kitchen Redoux - Part 3...finally!Lemmi guess....you just assumed we forgot all about our kitchen remodel since it has been months since I posted any updates? You would be somewhat correct. After we got it back in working order, the little details fell by the wayside. Trim work, painting, and touch-ups were put on the back burner the second the sun started to break and the weather got warm. We moved the party outdoors and left the kitchen to tend to the patio. The ultimate push came when we decided to host my sister's college graduation party. We finally had an excuse/reason to finally finish the little things. With the party being held this past weekend, the kitchen got a thorough cleaning and was ready for its close-up.<br />
<br />
Let's backtrack a minute though, just in case you forgot where it all started. Make sure you've checked in to the first 2 installments (<a href="http://jparisdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/01/kitchen-redoux-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a> & <a href="http://jparisdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/01/kitchen-redoux-part-2.html" target="_blank">here</a>), and the <a href="http://jparisdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/02/silverware-and-curtains.html" target="_blank">accessorizing</a> I did to get to this point.<br />
<br />
Since we last updated our progress, we were able to bust out my new router and table to give the counter trim a rounded edge and look more finished. The cabinets got a fresh coat of crisp white paint, the new range hood was installed, and the backsplash was installed and grouted.<br />
<br />
Here we go!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFUIlnUh9gQ/T7pGQQJpg4I/AAAAAAAABR4/UnCuF2AeGvk/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFUIlnUh9gQ/T7pGQQJpg4I/AAAAAAAABR4/UnCuF2AeGvk/s320/IMG_1576.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before (from living room)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2g5dSd47KY/T7pG_Ym6UMI/AAAAAAAABSI/9MejnRhfKeg/s1600/IMG_2159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2g5dSd47KY/T7pG_Ym6UMI/AAAAAAAABSI/9MejnRhfKeg/s320/IMG_2159.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After (from living room)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O6KdxPl2e9Q/T7pGl2VUEJI/AAAAAAAABSA/vvUiLTWqwhw/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O6KdxPl2e9Q/T7pGl2VUEJI/AAAAAAAABSA/vvUiLTWqwhw/s320/IMG_1580.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before (from dining room)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4npqjZSFOg/T7pHG266cXI/AAAAAAAABSQ/i1kjRDJVOJg/s1600/IMG_2157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4npqjZSFOg/T7pHG266cXI/AAAAAAAABSQ/i1kjRDJVOJg/s320/IMG_2157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After (from dining room)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqvOuuym2f4/T74iEBP_4yI/AAAAAAAABTE/ndVXoUrQeJs/s1600/IMG_1575%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqvOuuym2f4/T74iEBP_4yI/AAAAAAAABTE/ndVXoUrQeJs/s320/IMG_1575%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before (from back foyer)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMzviLFmBJU/T74iyEUedRI/AAAAAAAABTk/fBELPi59WoY/s1600/IMG_2158%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMzviLFmBJU/T74iyEUedRI/AAAAAAAABTk/fBELPi59WoY/s320/IMG_2158%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After (from back foyer)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
We worked really hard! With all the cabinets being original to the 1930s house, there was A LOT of modifications....remember I was planning this for a weekend project (important tidbit I am often reminded of!). But, as a recap, we were able to extend the length of the counter by about 2 inches - it doesn't sound like a lot, but trust me...it is. We also added the angled part to the front of the counter. It really helps serve as a ledge to rest things, and allowed us to pull the sink further from the wall.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mpM7w0WtJAc/T74l5P3BbkI/AAAAAAAABUI/iezL7hywCKI/s1600/IMG_1578%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mpM7w0WtJAc/T74l5P3BbkI/AAAAAAAABUI/iezL7hywCKI/s320/IMG_1578%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before view of behind the sink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TYGFyO1IsmM/T74i7gdyb9I/AAAAAAAABTs/8u6c3F1h0B8/s1600/IMG_2162%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TYGFyO1IsmM/T74i7gdyb9I/AAAAAAAABTs/8u6c3F1h0B8/s320/IMG_2162%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After view of behind the sink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
That tiny smidge of counter you see behind the sink ledge was all we needed to make the new sink sit correctly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's another view of the counter space to the left.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YmWo8An0urk/T74iT-e9noI/AAAAAAAABTM/8VlGP-nnrfE/s1600/IMG_1579%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YmWo8An0urk/T74iT-e9noI/AAAAAAAABTM/8VlGP-nnrfE/s320/IMG_1579%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before - left side of counter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HbmWuuXD-yI/T74jJLU8eoI/AAAAAAAABT8/zwai6WOhOaQ/s1600/IMG_2163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HbmWuuXD-yI/T74jJLU8eoI/AAAAAAAABT8/zwai6WOhOaQ/s320/IMG_2163.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After left side of counter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
We also added some fancy trim pieces for the edges.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCK-iXdgooc/T74iiQlXtHI/AAAAAAAABTU/PyXl99zbRbg/s1600/IMG_2096%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCK-iXdgooc/T74iiQlXtHI/AAAAAAAABTU/PyXl99zbRbg/s320/IMG_2096%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trim being added</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvZ4qz7FqQ0/T74iq1MSn5I/AAAAAAAABTc/KefgqGVUKQU/s1600/IMG_2098%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvZ4qz7FqQ0/T74iq1MSn5I/AAAAAAAABTc/KefgqGVUKQU/s320/IMG_2098%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trim drying</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c_xDIkrPxZM/T74jB7sZ8JI/AAAAAAAABT0/SXV44fxz1QU/s1600/IMG_2161%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c_xDIkrPxZM/T74jB7sZ8JI/AAAAAAAABT0/SXV44fxz1QU/s320/IMG_2161%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trim painted and done!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
And that, my friends, is how you remodel a kitchen! Total budget came out a liiiiiiiiittle bit higher than I planned for, but we did everything ourselves (we considered buying ready-made cabinets for about a millisecond) and we modified existing elements as much as possible. It really was the final touch to redoing our home. Now we need to move so we can work on something else! :) </div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-57804424799229769822012-05-08T13:00:00.002-04:002012-07-25T21:07:10.543-04:00Record Player Rehab<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I gotta admit, I'm pretty pumped about this reveal. I've been searching high and low for a long time for something that our television could sit on, and I finally got it! For FREE - even better! Without further ado, I give you this.....</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVg8cWKxgVQ/T6lFbzAim-I/AAAAAAAABPc/JTRZi7tkdCA/s1600/IMG_2082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVg8cWKxgVQ/T6lFbzAim-I/AAAAAAAABPc/JTRZi7tkdCA/s320/IMG_2082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i_uPKNXFPBI/T6lFx89aDQI/AAAAAAAABPk/1LcO-DDTEJU/s1600/IMG_2083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i_uPKNXFPBI/T6lFx89aDQI/AAAAAAAABPk/1LcO-DDTEJU/s320/IMG_2083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sexy, right? <br />
It's an old AM/FM radio and record player console. The middle flap on the top lifts up and reveals this...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6__lkvINBUc/T6lGMG8QihI/AAAAAAAABPs/k3cAAVHPT_g/s1600/IMG_2084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6__lkvINBUc/T6lGMG8QihI/AAAAAAAABPs/k3cAAVHPT_g/s320/IMG_2084.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
And the side compartments house the speakers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdlOXjrJyH8/T6lGULD8oOI/AAAAAAAABP0/-IQioSradhc/s1600/IMG_2085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdlOXjrJyH8/T6lGULD8oOI/AAAAAAAABP0/-IQioSradhc/s320/IMG_2085.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
The fancy scrollwork was the whole reason I fell in love with this piece in the first place. I was extra careful during deconstruction to make sure nothing happened to these pieces.<br />
<br />
So where am I going with this? Well, first things first, I had to rip that sucker apart!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aZP3YxuvRjI/T6lHIAeiwKI/AAAAAAAABP8/7jtk-ggU-XE/s1600/IMG_2087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aZP3YxuvRjI/T6lHIAeiwKI/AAAAAAAABP8/7jtk-ggU-XE/s320/IMG_2087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I got a studly man to start cutting through the front panel of the console. This is where the components would sit for the TV.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqP67_jJAtE/T6lHRBOzJyI/AAAAAAAABQE/Kv9bZxnnzQE/s1600/IMG_2089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqP67_jJAtE/T6lHRBOzJyI/AAAAAAAABQE/Kv9bZxnnzQE/s320/IMG_2089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
After several hours of demolition, I ended up with this mess and a garbage can full of junk. But the more I started taking things apart and removing stuff, the better the soon-to-be-finished product looked.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qKDl9nea8q0/T6lIQkler8I/AAAAAAAABQM/ib41sn7cJlc/s1600/IMG_2090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qKDl9nea8q0/T6lIQkler8I/AAAAAAAABQM/ib41sn7cJlc/s320/IMG_2090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
After Day One (and after I cleaned up my mess) this is where I was at. It not only looked better, but it weighed about 50 lbs less after all the stereo stuff was removed. <em>Note: the top flap was on hinges and no longer stayed down once I removed the radio attached to it. I later solved that problem by using magnets to keep it closed.</em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WydOzjQot9o/T6lIapXguBI/AAAAAAAABQU/-H11A3wgCV0/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WydOzjQot9o/T6lIapXguBI/AAAAAAAABQU/-H11A3wgCV0/s320/IMG_2093.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I built a shelf in the middle using leftover MDF board.<br />
<br />
The next day I got to work on painting. I decided to make the whole console white, using leftover white paint from our <a href="http://jparisdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/05/bathroom-redo-my-favorite-room-in-house.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">bathroom remodel</span></a>. The fancy scrolled panels were going to be different though, to let them stand out. I laid them out and sprayed them with aqua spray paint I had on hand.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LzEQYciZeyg/T6lJpjwrt4I/AAAAAAAABQc/gEPF6Gd_a_U/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LzEQYciZeyg/T6lJpjwrt4I/AAAAAAAABQc/gEPF6Gd_a_U/s320/IMG_2099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I didn't get any other working shots, mainly because I was anxious to get this thing finished and in our living room.<br />
<br />
But here she is....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zCVr-bdWcbc/T6lLEw7hD0I/AAAAAAAABQk/vdMPOnO9fwg/s1600/IMG_2124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zCVr-bdWcbc/T6lLEw7hD0I/AAAAAAAABQk/vdMPOnO9fwg/s320/IMG_2124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Allow me to point out a few things:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. The blue panels were backed with coordinating fabric I had in my fabric stash and turned into door panels for the speaker cabinets.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. The center of the console was cut out and turned into shelf space for the television cable box.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. The shelves and middle area were covered with leftover wallpaper from the <span style="color: magenta;">stairwell project</span> I did last month.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-74Ro5q-HID4/T6lLN1oFd4I/AAAAAAAABQs/oR1azvzQ0vM/s1600/IMG_2125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-74Ro5q-HID4/T6lLN1oFd4I/AAAAAAAABQs/oR1azvzQ0vM/s320/IMG_2125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The paint job took several coats (like SIX!) but I used a high density foam roller that made sure it was a smooth and even finish all over.<br />
<br />
Before I brought it inside, I had Dan do a once-over to make sure I didn't miss any spots with the paint (he had been pointing places out all along, being anal as usual). This was his idea of being funny, inspecting my work....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rYjLOjLLsY/T6lM0-ebTcI/AAAAAAAABQ0/F1nXpleVcd8/s1600/IMG_2127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rYjLOjLLsY/T6lM0-ebTcI/AAAAAAAABQ0/F1nXpleVcd8/s320/IMG_2127.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bO3KLjtqyAM/T6lM9bEu7iI/AAAAAAAABQ8/vZ6fdQ8AS_M/s1600/IMG_2128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bO3KLjtqyAM/T6lM9bEu7iI/AAAAAAAABQ8/vZ6fdQ8AS_M/s320/IMG_2128.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Luckily though, it passed inspection and we were able to bring it inside.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T9SDWDUKsyM/T6lOA0pw0-I/AAAAAAAABRE/Uzip9YgXZjw/s1600/IMG_2131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T9SDWDUKsyM/T6lOA0pw0-I/AAAAAAAABRE/Uzip9YgXZjw/s320/IMG_2131.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MEh-qaar5_Q/T6lOLg0qUAI/AAAAAAAABRM/kFbtTDkXiT4/s1600/IMG_2132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MEh-qaar5_Q/T6lOLg0qUAI/AAAAAAAABRM/kFbtTDkXiT4/s320/IMG_2132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzQ7goVdDps/T6lOUxS0yUI/AAAAAAAABRU/KyFLi4K9bXA/s1600/IMG_2137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzQ7goVdDps/T6lOUxS0yUI/AAAAAAAABRU/KyFLi4K9bXA/s320/IMG_2137.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
It fits the size of the television so much better than the cheapy Target model we bought several months ago (which is now being listed on Craigslist).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-izIh2PeZZpo/T6lOz_ZeJjI/AAAAAAAABRc/AXfy2iDPTFY/s1600/IMG_2139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-izIh2PeZZpo/T6lOz_ZeJjI/AAAAAAAABRc/AXfy2iDPTFY/s320/IMG_2139.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I added hinges to the blue wood panels, which now serve as doors. A great place to stash junk and Wii games out of sight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JTPSS4IrQu4/T6lPSrh5-GI/AAAAAAAABRk/AN_Oz9SH_rY/s1600/IMG_2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JTPSS4IrQu4/T6lPSrh5-GI/AAAAAAAABRk/AN_Oz9SH_rY/s320/IMG_2138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm soooo happy with the finished product! It looks fantastic in the living room and is the final piece I've been looking for.<br />
<br />
And I know I'm probably the only one who would pair a blue and white console next to a pink chair, but I think it works for me :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jf_DEek2JJA/T6lQBS7v4sI/AAAAAAAABRs/vGPTaCC1Cfc/s1600/IMG_2140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jf_DEek2JJA/T6lQBS7v4sI/AAAAAAAABRs/vGPTaCC1Cfc/s320/IMG_2140.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
You like??Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-75457675381462097742012-04-25T21:34:00.001-04:002012-07-25T21:07:58.910-04:00AloooooHA!We're gettin' bright and cheery and Hawaiian up in here. Today's project is brought to you by sheer boredom and time spent browsing the aisles of Big Lots. It's amazing where inspiration can strike!<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--z1HyG-cbzk/T5ih0M92c0I/AAAAAAAABNk/UrrWxUQZCI0/s1600/IMG_2005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--z1HyG-cbzk/T5ih0M92c0I/AAAAAAAABNk/UrrWxUQZCI0/s320/IMG_2005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
-Two 48 count boxes of drink umbrellas<br />
-One medium round styrofoam wreath<br />
-scissors<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
All I did was open up all the umbrellas and started sticking them into the styrofoam, arranging them as I went.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NcBWv0ISbtY/T5ih-VkPfsI/AAAAAAAABNs/Z4OnECUezPE/s1600/IMG_2006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NcBWv0ISbtY/T5ih-VkPfsI/AAAAAAAABNs/Z4OnECUezPE/s320/IMG_2006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The sticks protruded through the back and I debated cutting them first, but was afraid they wouldn't poke through the styrofoam as well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YbNYOcpr8lE/T5iiHHRv1KI/AAAAAAAABN0/3KjUfKTRLJk/s1600/IMG_2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YbNYOcpr8lE/T5iiHHRv1KI/AAAAAAAABN0/3KjUfKTRLJk/s320/IMG_2007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I kept adding more and more umbrellas, making sure the sides of the wreath were covered too, so you couldn't see the foam.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSp4u_or-fc/T5iiQ0U1FfI/AAAAAAAABN8/GXEmVMW-lmw/s1600/IMG_2008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSp4u_or-fc/T5iiQ0U1FfI/AAAAAAAABN8/GXEmVMW-lmw/s320/IMG_2008.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Some stayed open more than others, and that was okay, because it made for more dimension and helped them fit together easier.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fq2Ys2n8USU/T5iibNoc3mI/AAAAAAAABOE/PuJXTgZBkHY/s1600/IMG_2009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fq2Ys2n8USU/T5iibNoc3mI/AAAAAAAABOE/PuJXTgZBkHY/s320/IMG_2009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5DglNyiOHI/T5iikhF8MlI/AAAAAAAABOM/3flgWnFPpuI/s1600/IMG_2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5DglNyiOHI/T5iikhF8MlI/AAAAAAAABOM/3flgWnFPpuI/s320/IMG_2010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Once completely covered, I had the issue of the protruding sticks. If I left them that long, it wouldn't rest against the door very well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XMBMC3iMnfY/T5iitFFlkOI/AAAAAAAABOU/BoenjdY1SiY/s1600/IMG_2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XMBMC3iMnfY/T5iitFFlkOI/AAAAAAAABOU/BoenjdY1SiY/s320/IMG_2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
So I took a pair of scissors and snipped off as close to the foam as I could get....just enough to cut off the sharp point.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOBagsW45f0/T5ii0Pi_-eI/AAAAAAAABOc/m84dwOMHLRI/s1600/IMG_2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOBagsW45f0/T5ii0Pi_-eI/AAAAAAAABOc/m84dwOMHLRI/s320/IMG_2015.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DL0fk0_0ylw/T5ii8Snm_7I/AAAAAAAABOk/2L5yTR-6xhM/s1600/IMG_2017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DL0fk0_0ylw/T5ii8Snm_7I/AAAAAAAABOk/2L5yTR-6xhM/s320/IMG_2017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
And that's it! A bright and colorful wreath for our back door. Makes me want to hit the beach....or maybe a pitcher of margaritas!!Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-81515339233187855942012-04-18T22:23:00.000-04:002012-07-25T21:08:40.651-04:00Dining DelightI am happy and proud and excited to annouce.......that I have finished the ten dining room chairs I had been working on for a client!!!!! Yes, <u>TEN</u> chairs. It was a big undertaking that spanned over several weeks, two chairs at a time.<br />
<br />
Eight of the ten chairs were seats only. Pretty simple, but still required time. The two head chairs were fully upholstered, legs and everything. They required a lot more work and time....and patience!<br />
<br />
Here is what the eight side chairs looked like before:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ6M0oS5iRE/T49tsmPHMfI/AAAAAAAABK8/3C4gZrYiX3I/s1600/IMG_1911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ6M0oS5iRE/T49tsmPHMfI/AAAAAAAABK8/3C4gZrYiX3I/s320/IMG_1911.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
And after:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fcz1zYCJdIk/T49uYIZtB9I/AAAAAAAABLc/gCH33_9PjJw/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fcz1zYCJdIk/T49uYIZtB9I/AAAAAAAABLc/gCH33_9PjJw/s320/IMG_1912.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6FFWnGCNAtE/T49uBTJ3VhI/AAAAAAAABLM/ZtcCSGHi1yw/s1600/IMG_1913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6FFWnGCNAtE/T49uBTJ3VhI/AAAAAAAABLM/ZtcCSGHi1yw/s320/IMG_1913.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
It was very simple, very elegant gray/silver fabric. There was a slight stripe to it and when the light hits it, you can see a faint silver fleck. Very classic. A far cry from the floral pattern originally on them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G1D4zaiNJqc/T49uJiRBLUI/AAAAAAAABLU/hI_z5xqkBE8/s1600/IMG_1914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G1D4zaiNJqc/T49uJiRBLUI/AAAAAAAABLU/hI_z5xqkBE8/s320/IMG_1914.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<em>Side note: does our grass appear to be super green in these shots?? No camera effects either. Just the beautiful brilliance of springtime :)</em><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JQNdRYHreSI/T49zzLl2_iI/AAAAAAAABM0/mUco6Outmkk/s1600/IMG_2041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JQNdRYHreSI/T49zzLl2_iI/AAAAAAAABM0/mUco6Outmkk/s320/IMG_2041.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The head chairs, or Parsons chairs as they are officially called, were <em>completely</em> upholstered. There was way more to it than removing the existing seat fabric and slapping a new piece on. Most of the time I alotted for each chair was due to removing the existing fabric. Staple by staple. It was a nightmare. But the actual upholstering of the chairs was fun!<br />
<br />
Parsons chairs before:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UG7ju4Ou_co/T49v7uIcFCI/AAAAAAAABLk/O4h0Zu2j1Hk/s1600/IMG_1921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UG7ju4Ou_co/T49v7uIcFCI/AAAAAAAABLk/O4h0Zu2j1Hk/s320/IMG_1921.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NrolEAasegE/T49wLkwf_sI/AAAAAAAABLs/BoExjrBFPsU/s1600/IMG_1922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NrolEAasegE/T49wLkwf_sI/AAAAAAAABLs/BoExjrBFPsU/s320/IMG_1922.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
When I first met with the client to consider fabric choices, she had her heart set on a very beautiful, but very expensive patterned fabric. My suggestion?? Cover the two head chairs in the patterned fabric, and use a less expensive and simpler fabric for the other eight chairs. This not only gave her the material she loved, but it helped her budget and allowed the patterned fabric to really stand out against the other chairs in the room.<br />
<br />
See what I mean??<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GsBdIsd_BF8/T49xHKfDhdI/AAAAAAAABL0/BtRtlJU6YMk/s1600/IMG_2038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GsBdIsd_BF8/T49xHKfDhdI/AAAAAAAABL0/BtRtlJU6YMk/s320/IMG_2038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tn7r01bvaMI/T49xM_OD2PI/AAAAAAAABL8/ZTJ75yCtgrA/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tn7r01bvaMI/T49xM_OD2PI/AAAAAAAABL8/ZTJ75yCtgrA/s320/IMG_2042.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TkbpfCVfsCs/T49xhUfMiCI/AAAAAAAABME/LbedOkdRFes/s1600/IMG_2045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TkbpfCVfsCs/T49xhUfMiCI/AAAAAAAABME/LbedOkdRFes/s320/IMG_2045.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm really proud of these guys, as I'm sure you can imagine why....they were alotta work!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The fancy pleating:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-viX3edPRcBM/T49yk5LuvUI/AAAAAAAABMU/_GepAj0H7V4/s1600/IMG_2044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-viX3edPRcBM/T49yk5LuvUI/AAAAAAAABMU/_GepAj0H7V4/s320/IMG_2044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
The fully upholstered back:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWHIhxqc7QU/T49ytXEORYI/AAAAAAAABMc/9h7NMlAPtNE/s1600/IMG_2046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWHIhxqc7QU/T49ytXEORYI/AAAAAAAABMc/9h7NMlAPtNE/s320/IMG_2046.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I was a proud upholsterer today :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PgiRvqJqyNw/T49zA4pUKCI/AAAAAAAABMk/jAr4NESk9xE/s1600/IMG_2048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PgiRvqJqyNw/T49zA4pUKCI/AAAAAAAABMk/jAr4NESk9xE/s320/IMG_2048.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1PqFhZXNFP4/T49zJFi6ymI/AAAAAAAABMs/Cf7qAoM_Zsc/s1600/IMG_2049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1PqFhZXNFP4/T49zJFi6ymI/AAAAAAAABMs/Cf7qAoM_Zsc/s320/IMG_2049.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
It's not often that I get to photograph my work in its new home - it's usually in the dark dirty basement or out in the driveway where I do most of my work. But I was really excited to take a ton of shots inside her house, especially since I helped her pick out all the paint colors during our color consultation and my company had just finished a complete flooring remodel for her.<br />
<br />
In fact, on another quick note, I helped her design the new kitchen backsplash as well:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b2ibcCNNLmQ/T491Pt64tRI/AAAAAAAABNM/7hunGbLluR0/s1600/IMG_2050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b2ibcCNNLmQ/T491Pt64tRI/AAAAAAAABNM/7hunGbLluR0/s320/IMG_2050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h-AkUCPJM8o/T491XkWPPgI/AAAAAAAABNU/jo_IANSpWTA/s1600/IMG_2051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h-AkUCPJM8o/T491XkWPPgI/AAAAAAAABNU/jo_IANSpWTA/s320/IMG_2051.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LTCLiiTy5hU/T491greXABI/AAAAAAAABNY/4GchBTaomKA/s1600/IMG_2054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LTCLiiTy5hU/T491greXABI/AAAAAAAABNY/4GchBTaomKA/s320/IMG_2054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="left">
Can you believe those cabinets used to be oak??? Oh, the power of paint and glaze. She had herself one hell of a painter, that's all I can say!</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
Well, that bout sums it up. Ten chairs later, she has a brand new formal dining room. And, because there was leftover fabric, we are in the process of discussing a table runner or placemats to finish it off. Fun, fun!</div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-9741093649159611212012-04-17T22:37:00.000-04:002012-07-25T21:09:14.882-04:00OH - IO!!Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, I will forever have a special place in my heart for where I grew up. Not that I've moved far from the tiny town I called home for 23 years; I'm a big city girl now though. ;)<br />
<br />
Another project I threw together last week was a piece of string art I had seen floating around the internet lately. Etsy is full of them, asking at least $65 a pop. While I can understand the reality of charging for a unique piece of art, I can make it for way less!<br />
<br />
Just a few supplies, cost came in at less than $2. Yep, 2 smackaroos!<br />
<br />
Here's whatcha need:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--4Bj20vD6KM/T44ieIBJPWI/AAAAAAAABJ8/f_51uVnfUfo/s1600/IMG_1962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--4Bj20vD6KM/T44ieIBJPWI/AAAAAAAABJ8/f_51uVnfUfo/s320/IMG_1962.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
-rubber mallet/small hammer<br />
-wooden board<br />
-large outline of the state of your choice<br />
-small nails<br />
-string<br />
<br />
That's it. Nothing extensive. In fact, I used a hardwood floor sample I pilfered from work's dumpster (it was discontinued, I'm not gonna lose my job or anything) so I didn't even need to buy that. I just printed the OHIO shape out from Google images and bought a small box of white nails (make sure they have heads on them so the string doesn't slide right off).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vgr1K_WW3ug/T44inFqsjmI/AAAAAAAABKE/U0dD6xq9bW0/s1600/IMG_1964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vgr1K_WW3ug/T44inFqsjmI/AAAAAAAABKE/U0dD6xq9bW0/s320/IMG_1964.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Tape the state to the wood board and outline it with a row of nails. Get them as close together as you can because it will make the overall image look better. Remove the state and make a heart shape in the city of your choice with the nails.<br />
<br />
Now, I skipped a couple of steps - just the part where I go around and around and around the nails with white sewing string. Basically, you start at one nail and tie it off, then wrap the string from the outside nail to a nail in the heart and back again. Granted, you will have more wraps on the heart than you will on the outline because of the amount of nails.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8spthuWCf64/T44izVau_NI/AAAAAAAABKM/OkR_bB8gBUY/s1600/IMG_1965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8spthuWCf64/T44izVau_NI/AAAAAAAABKM/OkR_bB8gBUY/s320/IMG_1965.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
See what I mean? Kinda heavy on the string in the middle as opposed to the outside edges. I suppose if I lived in central Ohio, it might have been easier, but oh well.<br />
<br />
Next step, find a studly man to cut the board down to size. I understand it would have been easier to do this prior to the nails and string, but my studly man was at work when I started and I'm impatient.<br />
<br />
<em>Excellent product placement with the Craftsman toolbox in the picture. Craftsman Execs, if you're reading this, we need to talk.</em><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_GD-L5obzo/T44lMUiuvII/AAAAAAAABKU/sNkEDMsRydU/s1600/IMG_2020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_GD-L5obzo/T44lMUiuvII/AAAAAAAABKU/sNkEDMsRydU/s320/IMG_2020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Because I forced his engineering head to cut without measuring (he notably scoffed at the concept), the cuts were slightly out of square. Easy fix.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg3s7SDt9Js/T44lWOZR9aI/AAAAAAAABKc/2kmr6ZCWgwk/s1600/IMG_2021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg3s7SDt9Js/T44lWOZR9aI/AAAAAAAABKc/2kmr6ZCWgwk/s320/IMG_2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We had some wood shims lying around that were just the ticket. I cut them down to size on the band saw and attached them with hot glue to the outer edges of the wood board.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9uDNYy5TktQ/T44ld7Kt-dI/AAAAAAAABKk/paUCY3rgW_k/s1600/IMG_2027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9uDNYy5TktQ/T44ld7Kt-dI/AAAAAAAABKk/paUCY3rgW_k/s320/IMG_2027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6OfZ6F8r6K4/T44ln6XssLI/AAAAAAAABKs/OjhGnqxvzZ4/s1600/IMG_2028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6OfZ6F8r6K4/T44ln6XssLI/AAAAAAAABKs/OjhGnqxvzZ4/s320/IMG_2028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
They were knotted and rustic enough to be a great contrast with the dark brown wood. Plus, they hid the crooked cut - way to drop the ball on that one, Dan! ;)</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWFH_LZ_4wg/T44m4SFjr2I/AAAAAAAABK0/4y0K9L5BarM/s1600/IMG_2032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWFH_LZ_4wg/T44m4SFjr2I/AAAAAAAABK0/4y0K9L5BarM/s320/IMG_2032.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Ain't it great?! Looks even better sittin' atop my Ohio brick. Not that it's staying outside by the tree, but for photo-taking purposes, it serves it well. Dan has since requested a New York one, complete with Long Island. Now that is a challenge!Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-54907747044155125012012-04-16T09:51:00.000-04:002012-07-25T21:09:42.506-04:00Mirror, Mirror<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are currently going on right now. What does that mean for our house? It means that, although hockey has been on since October, it is now playing 30 games a night in our living room. I can't complain too much (but I do anyway!) because there really isn't anything on television these days. So while Dan watches the games, what do I do? I craft in the living room. </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
My latest project was just something to keep me busy without any preplanning. I actually came up with it on a whim.</div>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I had this mirror stashed in the closet for awhile, not really having a spot for it. It was $3 at a garage sale a couple summers ago.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8t-czm_fBWk/T4wg6B_u_vI/AAAAAAAABJM/WPE_Eckbx18/s1600/IMG_1939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8t-czm_fBWk/T4wg6B_u_vI/AAAAAAAABJM/WPE_Eckbx18/s320/IMG_1939.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I also had a huge 500 piece box of popsicle sticks left over from my snowflake project this past winter. What exactly do you do with 500 popsicle sticks??<br />
<br />
Well,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZhyhncsJSI/T4whWiWX8RI/AAAAAAAABJU/xXSenx8arnE/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZhyhncsJSI/T4whWiWX8RI/AAAAAAAABJU/xXSenx8arnE/s320/IMG_1941.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsmpSTOM_nY/T4whfwlF1NI/AAAAAAAABJc/PNJ7zvYHejc/s1600/IMG_1942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsmpSTOM_nY/T4whfwlF1NI/AAAAAAAABJc/PNJ7zvYHejc/s320/IMG_1942.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I played around with a few ideas. At one point I just got carried away and started covering the carpet.<br />
What can I say?...Hockey can bore me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tB-oUn-TcCY/T4whpnB4yGI/AAAAAAAABJk/WK0r8QvTUDQ/s1600/IMG_1943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tB-oUn-TcCY/T4whpnB4yGI/AAAAAAAABJk/WK0r8QvTUDQ/s320/IMG_1943.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
But I settled on the second layout, kind of like a hardwood floor. I debated painting the sticks, but I liked the natural look with both the light and dark colored wood.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79miq2Zow7g/T4wiWYmYUZI/AAAAAAAABJs/thd5jMSU7Z8/s1600/IMG_1944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79miq2Zow7g/T4wiWYmYUZI/AAAAAAAABJs/thd5jMSU7Z8/s320/IMG_1944.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LKxnH80ihBc/T4wifnJf_EI/AAAAAAAABJ0/8bWWy977-XA/s1600/IMG_1945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LKxnH80ihBc/T4wifnJf_EI/AAAAAAAABJ0/8bWWy977-XA/s320/IMG_1945.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Nothin' fancy, nothin' special, just something to kill time and keep me busy. Thinkin' about hanging it in the <a href="http://jparisdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-finally-tackled-something-that.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">stairwell</span></a> that I just updated in the previous post.<br />
<br />
Keep checking back for more small craft projects....hockey goes until June!!Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-73087440115996044822012-04-16T09:28:00.002-04:002012-07-25T21:10:13.746-04:00Stairway to Heaven...or at least the second floor!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I finally tackled something that spontaneously popped up on my<a href="http://jparisdesigns.blogspot.com/p/to-do-list.html" target="_blank"> <span style="color: red;">to-do list</span></a> in January. I hadn't given it much thought and just threw it on there as a one-day-i-might-get-to-this kind of project. It's amazing what happens when you Pinterest for an hour (yes, I just turned Pinterest into a verb, much like Google e.g. I was googling the other day...). Inspired by what I was seeing in the Home Decor section, I decided to hit up Home Depot on my way home and strike while the proverbial creative iron was hot! Of course, there were zillion other things I should have been doing, but I'll get to that another day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wL8z5WC9_M8/T4wZdYyxd-I/AAAAAAAABHk/BFNMLh-RtKs/s1600/IMG_1983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wL8z5WC9_M8/T4wZdYyxd-I/AAAAAAAABHk/BFNMLh-RtKs/s320/IMG_1983.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yt6F6DvwpFE/T4wZmAeRQOI/AAAAAAAABHs/9zMApTta39U/s1600/IMG_1984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yt6F6DvwpFE/T4wZmAeRQOI/AAAAAAAABHs/9zMApTta39U/s320/IMG_1984.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dx2ou0wiXZI/T4wZudxZouI/AAAAAAAABH0/KxbzedGwsdY/s1600/IMG_1985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dx2ou0wiXZI/T4wZudxZouI/AAAAAAAABH0/KxbzedGwsdY/s320/IMG_1985.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Allow me to introduce you to my ho-hum staircase leading to the second-floor master bedroom. The original hardwood (at least I assume it's original to the 1939 house) also extends throughout the entire bedroom, but let's just focus on the stairs for right now. It's scuffed and scratched everywhere which, honestly, kind of adds to its charm in my opinion. So this makeover wasn't necessarily about covering up ugly, it was mainly about brightening up the small area. I took to the stair risers for this one.<br />
<br />
<i>I'm also exposing you to my dust. Just remember, if we focused a camera on your steps, they would probably be dirty up close, too! </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rEdn6t4ZLJc/T4waEhHYFOI/AAAAAAAABH8/VONGk_4_7iQ/s1600/IMG_1987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rEdn6t4ZLJc/T4waEhHYFOI/AAAAAAAABH8/VONGk_4_7iQ/s320/IMG_1987.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JFAQkdAIGN0/T4waNj4sikI/AAAAAAAABIE/qlCrGgLac3Y/s1600/IMG_1989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JFAQkdAIGN0/T4waNj4sikI/AAAAAAAABIE/qlCrGgLac3Y/s320/IMG_1989.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And here is another step-by-step tutorial on how I took paintable wallpaper from Home Depot and used it on my staircase.<br />
The whole process only took me a little over 2 hours - 15 minutes of that time was me lying flat on my back in the living room because there is a lot of hunching and scrunching and crouching involved in this project and my back killed by the end. So DIYer beware. But all-in-all, it was actually really easy. <br />
<br />
Materials: <br />
-Paintable vinyl wallpaper - 1 roll=25 sq yds for $12.97 <br />
-Hot glue gun <br />
-cutting mat <br />
-rotary cutter <br />
-tape measure <br />
-metal yard stick or straight edge <br />
-Sharpie or pen <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7lJwXmLcTk/T4wbP0XwRiI/AAAAAAAABIM/jVMfKGNYPaQ/s1600/IMG_1991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7lJwXmLcTk/T4wbP0XwRiI/AAAAAAAABIM/jVMfKGNYPaQ/s320/IMG_1991.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JFI8jFWK5oA/T4wbYh0JjwI/AAAAAAAABIU/VwFOcQrJSoY/s1600/IMG_1990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JFI8jFWK5oA/T4wbYh0JjwI/AAAAAAAABIU/VwFOcQrJSoY/s320/IMG_1990.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I didn't want to do anything permanent to the steps, like adhering the wallpaper the way it's supposed to be adhered (it was prepasted, so you could do that if you wanted). I was looking for a quick, easy, cheap fix and decided to use hot glue - the almighty answer to everything! This way, if I want to remove it or change it later, it will peel off easier. Will this last for a long time? Probably not. It will also make cleaning the steps with the Swiffer a little more time-consuming, being careful not to get too much cleaner on the paper itself. But it is paintable wallpaper and relatively durable, according to the instructions on the package. So I gave it a go. <br />
A few tips: <br />
<br />
<br />
-Measure twice, cut once. Only had to make that mistake once. <br />
<br />
-Measure each step individually. Don't just assume each step is the same, especially in an older home. My shortest step was 6 1/4" high and the tallest was 7 3/4" high. They all visually appear the same, but weren't.<br />
<br />
-Don't make your pieces too large, or it will be hard to get them to lay smooth. It won't be noticeable if you come in 1/8" here and there to make sure it fits.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
-Start with a few blobs of glue in the middle of the top edge directly under the stair nose. Work out from there along the top edge, smoothing and straightening until you hit the wall on either side. Then start at the middle on the bottom and work out. This helps smooth the paper as best as possible and prevent an air bubble right in the middle.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VuH9kxE5XDA/T4wb9Z4idsI/AAAAAAAABIc/F-g0YNHVpiA/s1600/IMG_1995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VuH9kxE5XDA/T4wb9Z4idsI/AAAAAAAABIc/F-g0YNHVpiA/s320/IMG_1995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
-Try and find a happy medium between too big of a blob and too small of a blob of glue. (again, these instructions will not work if you are actually wetting the paper and attaching it the correct way)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DUGB51ocd8I/T4wcYNTe5NI/AAAAAAAABIk/WncyUfssxjE/s1600/IMG_1997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DUGB51ocd8I/T4wcYNTe5NI/AAAAAAAABIk/WncyUfssxjE/s320/IMG_1997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
-You really only get one shot at sticking the paper up. It's removable with hot glue, but it will leave a hole in the paper and you'll need to re-cut that piece. Don't hesitate to do so if you're crooked or something, but just have fair warning </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEig_UiPfC0/T4wcoYRSHOI/AAAAAAAABIs/FXYJAxlkaaI/s1600/IMG_1999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEig_UiPfC0/T4wcoYRSHOI/AAAAAAAABIs/FXYJAxlkaaI/s320/IMG_1999.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Even after just the first 3 stairs, I already noticed an improvement. Granted, it was dark outside and I was working by the light of our very dim overhead fan, but the 3 stairs brightened up the area immediately. I think it makes a huge difference! </div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ChkArx_r-8w/T4wdBC2Wd6I/AAAAAAAABI0/WDoK7wJ1PTk/s1600/IMG_2002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ChkArx_r-8w/T4wdBC2Wd6I/AAAAAAAABI0/WDoK7wJ1PTk/s320/IMG_2002.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQkKu4Xj1KM/T4wdQo-hmSI/AAAAAAAABJE/KZWucqS2sBM/s1600/IMG_2003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQkKu4Xj1KM/T4wdQo-hmSI/AAAAAAAABJE/KZWucqS2sBM/s320/IMG_2003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OZOsGw3evqE/T4wdIN3obvI/AAAAAAAABI8/sflWJs3VL3A/s1600/IMG_2001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OZOsGw3evqE/T4wdIN3obvI/AAAAAAAABI8/sflWJs3VL3A/s320/IMG_2001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wL8z5WC9_M8/T4wZdYyxd-I/AAAAAAAABHk/BFNMLh-RtKs/s1600/IMG_1983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wL8z5WC9_M8/T4wZdYyxd-I/AAAAAAAABHk/BFNMLh-RtKs/s320/IMG_1983.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-34317005016908578632012-04-12T23:02:00.000-04:002012-04-12T23:02:55.452-04:00Reveling in Retro - Wall Clock How-ToLet me start by saying, this project was hard! I mean, five solid hours of work hard. I'm talking, power tools, hot glue, and band-aids hard. Now that it's complete, I continue to wonder why/how I get myself into these situations. Also, this is my first attempt at an actual step-by-step tutorial for the Pinterest world out there...so bear with me on the length/detail of this post. I fully understand that not everyone is as crazy as me when it comes to tackling projects!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
The clock hanging in our living room now doesn't work. It's only a year old and cost $25 at Hobby Lobby, but five fresh AA batteries later, the thing still can't keep time. I had settled on it because, even a year ago, I wanted the starburst clock and couldn't find one. It was funky enough to tide me over, but the fact that it says its 12:12 and it's actually 1:20 just wasn't working for me anymore.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztYMllBcGHA/T4eK3mpGP2I/AAAAAAAABF8/fKaHKq9OzcI/s1600/IMG_1960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztYMllBcGHA/T4eK3mpGP2I/AAAAAAAABF8/fKaHKq9OzcI/s320/IMG_1960.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I've forever coveted the starburst retro wall clocks that graced the living rooms of the 60s and 70s (along with shag carpet, rotary phones, and funky ceramic ashtrays). While shopping at a HomeGoods store about two months ago, I came across one that looked truly authentic. It was $30, it was awesome, I didn't buy it. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I kick myself daily for not coughing up the 30 bucks, because when I went back a few weeks later, they were gone. Sad face. After a tiresome effort to Google the heck out of "retro wall clocks", "starburst retro wall clock", "70s style clocks", and the like, I couldn't find one for less than $75!! Plus, the majority of the authentic straight outta the 70s versions were electric. Not cool nowadays. And since I wasn't about to drop $100 on a clock, I did what I always do......I made one instead.<br /><br />So here is what I came up with:</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dU43qCWXM8M/T4eJSs1IOuI/AAAAAAAABF0/gOHwhtJcgLQ/s1600/how+to.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dU43qCWXM8M/T4eJSs1IOuI/AAAAAAAABF0/gOHwhtJcgLQ/s320/how+to.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
1. Small stencils to make the numbers - $1.79</div>
2. Eight wooden spoons - 3 packs of 3 for $1.49 each=$4.50<br />
3. Eight 1" wooden balls - $2.79 for a package of 20<br />
4. *Optional* Metal accents found in the scrapbook aisle of the craft store - $1.49<br />
5. Clock parts - $6.50<br />
6. Eight metal rods of any type - you could also spray paint wooden dowels - FREE from my dad<br />
7. Silver/chrome spray paint - had on hand<br />
8. Wooden cutting board or similar wood disc - $5.99<br />
<br />
Total: less than $25!!<br />
<br />
Now, there are several things I need to point out first before we proceed. First, I bought the stencils for the numbers before I decided to use the face of our existing clock instead. But if you don't have that as an option, then continue with the stencils. Second, I bought the cutting board for $5.99 thinking it would work perfectly. However, as you will see next, it was too thick for the clock mechanism. So something thinner might be a better option.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Here is where I started:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1b0FJ7Z6ZD8/T4eL76GTSiI/AAAAAAAABGE/suxY5uj2pj4/s1600/IMG_1968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1b0FJ7Z6ZD8/T4eL76GTSiI/AAAAAAAABGE/suxY5uj2pj4/s320/IMG_1968.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
With the board wedged in the vice (be sure to use scrap wood on the outside to protect your clock from vice marks), I drilled a 3/8" hole right in the center for the clock mechanism. *The two smaller holes you might see are for the glass clock face, again only in my situation.*</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gesIgBB10wc/T4eMFxib2JI/AAAAAAAABGM/Jo40x4-Vyrg/s1600/IMG_1966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gesIgBB10wc/T4eMFxib2JI/AAAAAAAABGM/Jo40x4-Vyrg/s320/IMG_1966.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
It didn't take me long to realize that the board was too thick. The arm of the clock wouldn't fit through from the back. I had to chisel out a spot for the square clock works to fit. It was awful and messy, but I got to use my grandpa's wood carving tools, so that was a plus. So here is the lesson: make sure to use a board that isn't too thick.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next, using a protractor and my handy engineer husband, I marked out where I wanted the starbursts to stick out from. There would be eight spoons and eight metal sticks. That was my own decision, but you could use as many as you want. Then with the board still in the vice, I drilled where the marks were. The big holes you see are for the spoons and the small hole is for the metal stick. I repeated this all the way around.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ckeiK_Olm8/T4eNVC_FouI/AAAAAAAABGU/KvA15m90qYI/s1600/IMG_1967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ckeiK_Olm8/T4eNVC_FouI/AAAAAAAABGU/KvA15m90qYI/s320/IMG_1967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had a small amount of space on the wall (about 20") to work with, so I had to be careful how big my starbursts stuck out. Here is a shot of be Dremeling off the tops of the metal sticks because they were too long.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WjZzlqfGEDo/T4ePVy55vOI/AAAAAAAABGk/4ct2jwmJ9gE/s1600/how+to+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WjZzlqfGEDo/T4ePVy55vOI/AAAAAAAABGk/4ct2jwmJ9gE/s320/how+to+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next, I had to drill holes in each of the wooden balls. These are going to go on the ends of the metal sticks. I thought about clamping them in the vice, but the best way was just to hold them in my hand and slowly drill halfway into each of them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U0JzxYNWoro/T4eQID3W_8I/AAAAAAAABGs/k1ul3cGmpzc/s1600/IMG_1976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U0JzxYNWoro/T4eQID3W_8I/AAAAAAAABGs/k1ul3cGmpzc/s320/IMG_1976.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<em>Caution: the keyword is <strong>slowly</strong>. This is what happens when you go too fast...and also what I meant earlier about band-aids being involved. It doesn't look too bad here, but three days later it is really sore!</em><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QqHAmlcEjl8/T4eQPhdtN1I/AAAAAAAABG0/ryTuCADTrm0/s1600/IMG_1977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QqHAmlcEjl8/T4eQPhdtN1I/AAAAAAAABG0/ryTuCADTrm0/s320/IMG_1977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
The wooden spoons I bought were of varying lengths, but the spoon itself was the same size. According to my size constraints, I used the band saw to cut the handles down to be all the same size. Then I dry fitted the pieces into the board before officially gluing them in. I used a hot glue gun, my favorite tool, to get the spoons in. The metal sticks were tight enough that they didn't need glue. Then the wooden balls got inserted onto the ends. Is this making sense??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X4t25rO7dRo/T4eSNp9cYKI/AAAAAAAABG8/Ab3UgLJeI6Y/s1600/IMG_1969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X4t25rO7dRo/T4eSNp9cYKI/AAAAAAAABG8/Ab3UgLJeI6Y/s320/IMG_1969.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now here is where you are on your own. I then added the glass clock face from our previous wall clock to the front of the board. However, you're going to have to use the stencils to make the numbers on the front. Or, if you want, you could just use hash marks instead of numbers. Or just 12, 3, 6, and 9. Your call.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Fxd8iZtqKY/T4eThejqkCI/AAAAAAAABHE/WOPah-bZ0jQ/s1600/IMG_1982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Fxd8iZtqKY/T4eThejqkCI/AAAAAAAABHE/WOPah-bZ0jQ/s320/IMG_1982.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here she is! So you're wondering where the spray paint and metal accents come into play? Well, the clock piece came with gold hands (boo) so I spray painted them silver. The metal accents were attached to each spoon as you can see here. Again, this is optional, but I think it adds a little something.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOlZmZDlDZA/T4eUHFFwB7I/AAAAAAAABHM/TyqYSmRIbD4/s1600/IMG_1978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOlZmZDlDZA/T4eUHFFwB7I/AAAAAAAABHM/TyqYSmRIbD4/s320/IMG_1978.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHJMMK9BRbM/T4eUP44XyPI/AAAAAAAABHU/noetYaLE_wY/s1600/IMG_1980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHJMMK9BRbM/T4eUP44XyPI/AAAAAAAABHU/noetYaLE_wY/s320/IMG_1980.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VafMAZcx9NU/T4eUXGD_mqI/AAAAAAAABHc/mxE32DIo45c/s1600/IMG_1981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VafMAZcx9NU/T4eUXGD_mqI/AAAAAAAABHc/mxE32DIo45c/s320/IMG_1981.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I'm not a teacher, I get ahead of myself before I realize I missed snapping a picture, and I didn't set out for this to be a how-to. But I hope it was easy enough to follow along and fix it to how you want. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For a fraction of the cost of the ones I found online, I now have a one-of-a-kind retro starburst clock in my living room :)</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-40514163986800161022012-04-03T22:34:00.001-04:002012-04-04T14:58:18.943-04:00HairpinsI realized as I was compiling the pictures for this post that I never actually talked about how I made the coffee table in the living room. It is a one-of-a-kind J. Paris Designs creation, of course, drawn up from the retro part of my personality. I was going for the kidney-bean shape from the 60s and 70s. I used a 3/4" sheet of plywood as the top and drew out the shape I wanted. I cut it out with a jigsaw. The paint was actually leftovers I had on hand and was watered down a little so the grain of the plywood would show through. I stained the edges of the table in dark ebony. <br />
<br />
<i>Side note: I put several coats of polyurethane on the surface. It was cold outside so I did this in the basement. Bad idea! We slept with the windows open for two nights so we wouldn't asphyxiate in our sleep. Take it outside next time!</i><br />
<br />
You can see another shot of it in this <a href="http://jparisdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/02/ultimate-before-after-living-room.html" style="color: lime;" target="_blank">post</a>.<i> </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wr1vnXxtL_M/T3ussyZBQYI/AAAAAAAABE8/yqaxhbXgD1o/s1600/IMG_1928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wr1vnXxtL_M/T3ussyZBQYI/AAAAAAAABE8/yqaxhbXgD1o/s320/IMG_1928.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The most important aspects, in my opinion, are the 3 slanted legs. They couldn't just be straight up and down or the whole look would be off. I stole the legs from a small tripod table complete with hardware. I went to extreme lengths to get those legs sturdy. The metal brace wasn't enough so I used hinges as supports. The below picture shows a close up of the contraption I came up with.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPHcZXO5Wwo/T3utTNhbBsI/AAAAAAAABFE/cBsQcSUoN1I/s1600/IMG_1926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPHcZXO5Wwo/T3utTNhbBsI/AAAAAAAABFE/cBsQcSUoN1I/s320/IMG_1926.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Also, if you look close enough, you can see how the brace is sorta bent a little. That was due to me trying to pull the table closer to the couch one day and the front leg got stuck in the carpet....crack! It's been sitting like this for 6 months. It's wobbly, unsteady, and can't really move anywhere without risk of cracking the fragile wooden leg further. This brings me to the point of this post. I need new legs.<br />
<br />
Originally, when I was building the table, I wanted authentic retro hairpin legs. But I was trying to be cheap and cut corners. <i>See above story about shotty leg craftsmanship</i>. Until I just couldn't take it anymore. I actually found a website for a company in Columbus that sells strictly hairpin legs, appropriately named <a href="http://hairpinlegs.com/"><span style="color: red;">hairpinlegs.com</span></a>. I decided to man up and spend some moula on the legs that would effectively make my table as retro as possible.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJewwioTcy8/T3uv88LtC7I/AAAAAAAABFM/OZYUGiIuuNs/s1600/IMG_1923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJewwioTcy8/T3uv88LtC7I/AAAAAAAABFM/OZYUGiIuuNs/s320/IMG_1923.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They came on Monday and I was admittedly giddy with excitement. I was proud that I finally purchased what I had been wanting all along. They were raw steel (the stainless ones were twice as much - I was manning up, but not that much) so they needed covered with a clear coat so they wouldn't eventually rust.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-biF1YGr6Qmo/T3uwFSNpFeI/AAAAAAAABFU/OFO4_tHyYjo/s1600/IMG_1924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-biF1YGr6Qmo/T3uwFSNpFeI/AAAAAAAABFU/OFO4_tHyYjo/s320/IMG_1924.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Luckily it dried quickly, so I was able to attach the legs ASAP.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGDNUQU8cto/T3uw3_uFdvI/AAAAAAAABFc/K8L7379_hLQ/s1600/IMG_1930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGDNUQU8cto/T3uw3_uFdvI/AAAAAAAABFc/K8L7379_hLQ/s320/IMG_1930.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>These legs were attached at three different points with the screws spread out about two inches from each other. This made for a much sturdier table in the long run compared to the old legs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1axSkDvFdE/T3uxevlrw3I/AAAAAAAABFk/rwjRESvTphg/s1600/IMG_1931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1axSkDvFdE/T3uxevlrw3I/AAAAAAAABFk/rwjRESvTphg/s320/IMG_1931.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Doesn't it look cool? Straight outta the 70s and into my living room! I love them - so glad I decided not to be so cheap. Plus, I can cross this off my to-do <a href="http://jparisdesigns.blogspot.com/p/to-do-list.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">list</span></a> :)Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-50018448625060031512012-03-27T20:52:00.000-04:002012-03-27T20:52:47.888-04:00Not Your Average Dinner PlateA quick little post about a quick little project that's been several years in the making. <em>Funny how those project ideas I spend years thinking about can be executed in approximately 20 minutes.</em><br />
<br />
Ain't no secret I'm a thrifter...a garage sale, Goodwill, and Salvation Army junkie. <br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Note: Garage sale season is right around the corner (!!!). </span></em><br />
<br />
So, throughout the years I've accumulated a medium sized collection of plates. Random, pretty, interesting plates that had no other members of its family and were destined to be a part of my decor someday. That day is today. <br />
<br />
The fact of the matter is, I'm out of wall space. That's right, our 1100 square foot house has zero wall space left for this plate installation. So outside I go. To the back porch, to be exact. It's the only place that has ample wall area.<br />
<br />
I used E-6000 glue (multipurpose, holds everything) to attach a metal picture hanger to the back of each plate, making sure lots of glue oozed through the hole for better security.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1mwT7Qu-bjA/T3JcrkT91JI/AAAAAAAABD8/WSspl697qa4/s320/IMG_1904.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left">The only nails we had in our nail stash were headless. Not ideal, considering I didn't want the plate to slide right off. To fix that snafu, I pounded the nails in the wall at an angle so the heavy plates wouldn't (fingers crossed) fall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RbJtIJ69IKo/T3Jc1OPDnQI/AAAAAAAABEE/9LRCRVZtwzw/s1600/IMG_1905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RbJtIJ69IKo/T3Jc1OPDnQI/AAAAAAAABEE/9LRCRVZtwzw/s320/IMG_1905.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="left">Working from left to right, I started with the largest plates first. And this is where I ended up...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIYzbOt_JRo/T3Jc83L8TXI/AAAAAAAABEM/FezbDI5XMoM/s1600/IMG_1901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIYzbOt_JRo/T3Jc83L8TXI/AAAAAAAABEM/FezbDI5XMoM/s320/IMG_1901.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left">I was trying for a "sweeping" pattern and sorta kinda got there. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tU6A9sw_5k/T3JfjyA4HLI/AAAAAAAABEk/OjIeiMp-3ls/s1600/IMG_1902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tU6A9sw_5k/T3JfjyA4HLI/AAAAAAAABEk/OjIeiMp-3ls/s320/IMG_1902.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="left">This one is my favorite. Pretty pastel blue and delicate little flowers in the middle.</div><div align="left"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mIc9UAtlCYA/T3JfsHMmlbI/AAAAAAAABEs/Pmh8FUcbFSg/s1600/IMG_1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mIc9UAtlCYA/T3JfsHMmlbI/AAAAAAAABEs/Pmh8FUcbFSg/s320/IMG_1903.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fkfII_2jIMk/T3JfzgRaQjI/AAAAAAAABE0/NlswsOBHsmE/s1600/IMG_1906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fkfII_2jIMk/T3JfzgRaQjI/AAAAAAAABE0/NlswsOBHsmE/s320/IMG_1906.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>That's it. Pretty and simple...my favorite kind of project! <div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-23256694132738386882012-03-26T21:37:00.000-04:002012-03-26T21:37:04.770-04:00Color Ties<em>While errands and a killer migraine kept me from my usual Sunday craftiness, I was able to squeeze out a few last minute projects this past weekend that only cost me about 10 minutes each. </em><br />
<br />
If you've been living under a rock for the past few months, then you probably don't know about Pinterest. It's completely addicting....that's all you need to know. Well, that and the fact that I like to steal some project ideas from there on occasion. And this is one of those occassions, once again formatted to fit my needs.<br />
<br />
The online community is buzzing with crayon art. Yes, crayon art. And while it consists of a bit more than coloring inside the lines, it is still just as fun as it was when we were kids. Case in point, you get to use the WHOLE box. When were you ever able to rip out all the crayons and use every single one at the same time? Or was I the only OCD child who had to put each one back when I was finished with it? Hmm...anyways.<br />
<br />
Here is where we start...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-72J8SwdwUkc/T3ERAAmdG_I/AAAAAAAABCk/BIP13ig5oNc/s1600/IMG_1883%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-72J8SwdwUkc/T3ERAAmdG_I/AAAAAAAABCk/BIP13ig5oNc/s320/IMG_1883%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I bought a smallish artist's canvas for el cheapo...$3.99 to be exact. Don't ever pay the ridiculous price at the craft stores. They are intended for <em>actual</em> artwork with fancy paints and all...not crayons. I hot glued a piece of cardboard to the top. Most tutorials told you to hot glue the crayons directly to the top edge of the canvas. I felt like this would take up too much of the canvas, so I "extended" it with cardboard. Then I arranged all the pretty colors in a rainbow, following the Roy G Biv theory (shout out to my high school chemistry teacher for engraving that into my brain). Then, I got to work.<br />
<br />
Standing the canvas upright and armed with my hairdryer, I turned the heat high and started at one end, slowly melting the crayons. <br />
<br />
<em>Warning: This is MESSY. Cover your work area (found that out the hard way on Dan's new work bench...oops) and be careful of your clothes. When the crayons start melting, the air from the hairdryer will blow the little dribbles of wax all over the place</em>. <em>They dry instantly on whatever they hit.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gS8U3EDAomc/T3ERPj52W6I/AAAAAAAABCs/OJl2xJ98y-E/s1600/IMG_1885%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gS8U3EDAomc/T3ERPj52W6I/AAAAAAAABCs/OJl2xJ98y-E/s320/IMG_1885%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>See the dribbles?? They were everywhere! But the finished product turned out pretty interesting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1Aojl5SPNQ/T3ERYYnJFCI/AAAAAAAABC0/BXqZs66at-E/s1600/IMG_1893%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1Aojl5SPNQ/T3ERYYnJFCI/AAAAAAAABC0/BXqZs66at-E/s320/IMG_1893%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4XjDkSK_15I/T3ERhYcNHuI/AAAAAAAABC8/8XL1tACPY8A/s1600/IMG_1894%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4XjDkSK_15I/T3ERhYcNHuI/AAAAAAAABC8/8XL1tACPY8A/s320/IMG_1894%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At least it looks like all the other crayon art out there in the Pinterest world. It looks even better atop our colorful and layered mantel.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FgCTJ2pMfPU/T3ERnEKpU9I/AAAAAAAABDE/NRNpWzpMsXE/s1600/IMG_1898%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FgCTJ2pMfPU/T3ERnEKpU9I/AAAAAAAABDE/NRNpWzpMsXE/s320/IMG_1898%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My second project was just as quick and easy. One of the many perks of my job is that I receive "points" for selling certain products. These points can accumulate into free carpet for our living room, a 3 piece Vera Bradley travel set with matching purse, a Coleman 2-burner camp stove, a Kindle Touch, and my recent gift, a 4th generation iPod Touch. This new gadget of course required a case to protect it. So I set out to spend less than $50 (which was the cheapest one I found online). I turned to Goodwill for this one. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kG_F1ukC3Iw/T3EWadPcXdI/AAAAAAAABDc/9Fg5ngE3qGA/s1600/IMG_1886%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kG_F1ukC3Iw/T3EWadPcXdI/AAAAAAAABDc/9Fg5ngE3qGA/s320/IMG_1886%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Using a $1 men's necktie, I transformed it into a sleeve. I cut it to the correct length, allowing enough for it to be folded up to form a pocket. Then I hemmed the cut end, as seen at the left of the above picture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C2qhxWsm8oo/T3EXFxNei0I/AAAAAAAABDk/stAtTIEiFKw/s1600/IMG_1888%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C2qhxWsm8oo/T3EXFxNei0I/AAAAAAAABDk/stAtTIEiFKw/s320/IMG_1888%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then I folded it again, making sure that it was still long enough for the iPod to fit inside. Then I stiched along each side. This, essentially, made two pockets. The main one, which holds the iPod, and then a front, smaller one that can hold the earbuds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JO2BH8rGiS8/T3EXnFSgUTI/AAAAAAAABDs/Epubruu57ic/s1600/IMG_1889%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JO2BH8rGiS8/T3EXnFSgUTI/AAAAAAAABDs/Epubruu57ic/s320/IMG_1889%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>See? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--1ga_nwAb0U/T3EX0fu4mqI/AAAAAAAABD0/AAJAblzke6Q/s1600/IMG_1890%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--1ga_nwAb0U/T3EX0fu4mqI/AAAAAAAABD0/AAJAblzke6Q/s320/IMG_1890%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I added a small piece of velcro so that the top flap could close. This way, when I throw the whole thing in my mess of a purse, it won't get scratched up. Easy peasy.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-29229446311768377362012-03-20T20:02:00.000-04:002012-03-20T20:02:09.031-04:00Light Me UpI've been a busy bee ever since the weather broke, moving outside with my projects after being cooped up all winter. My ultimate plan for the back patio is still taking shape, but will be completed by the end of May for my sister's graduation party. Until then, we've already touched on the <a href="http://jparisdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/03/headerfooter.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">bench</span></a> I made for the patio over the weekend, but there are some other details I've been fiddling away with. <br />
<br />
The patio has always been lined with tiki torches (5 of them to be exact - nothing crazy, but it gives some ambiance). They lasted 2 summers in the sun and rain, and by last fall they were ready to be pitched. Purchased for $3 a piece, they had a good run. But that left us with buying new ones for this upcoming summer. That is until I came up with a different idea. Of course, I can't take all the credit; some is due to Pinterest. However, I did put my own spin on it.<br />
<br />
With a trip to the plumbing department of Home Depot and a dip into my uber-huge stash of blue wine bottles, I had the makings for a brand new set of torches.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Let us begin with the basics:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxrfSft6mz0/T2kWpnWyQjI/AAAAAAAABB0/gG3GopHV1q4/s1600/IMG_1768%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxrfSft6mz0/T2kWpnWyQjI/AAAAAAAABB0/gG3GopHV1q4/s320/IMG_1768%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I got 5 pine 2x2's from the lumber section for about $1.50 a piece. I cut them to the height I wanted, making sure to make a steep angle on the end so it could be forced into the ground. Then I stained them with some wood stain I had on hand.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GKfVJSyr-qY/T2kW0qwWXzI/AAAAAAAABB8/QTcGdOOWEGU/s1600/IMG_1874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GKfVJSyr-qY/T2kW0qwWXzI/AAAAAAAABB8/QTcGdOOWEGU/s320/IMG_1874.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Next, I attached a 3/8" copper base plate to the 2x2.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oLY8R4ayqH4/T2kW623w76I/AAAAAAAABCE/XUBHYh5Yn6I/s1600/IMG_1879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oLY8R4ayqH4/T2kW623w76I/AAAAAAAABCE/XUBHYh5Yn6I/s320/IMG_1879.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Then, we get to the bottles. I attached a 1" copper pipe clamp to the neck of the bottle. I used a 3/8" copper coupling wrapped in teflon tape (to create a water-tight seal) that was inserted into the mouth of the bottle. This is what would hold the wick.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFHRHfKoet0/T2kXDefpA_I/AAAAAAAABCM/LculPCPFvBI/s1600/IMG_1875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFHRHfKoet0/T2kXDefpA_I/AAAAAAAABCM/LculPCPFvBI/s320/IMG_1875.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The whole contraption was attached to the post using a 2" piece of 3/8" threaded rod. You can see the overall assembly in the above picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--5as98Ja1QM/T2kXMHSEC2I/AAAAAAAABCU/deqJY5skOQM/s1600/IMG_1877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--5as98Ja1QM/T2kXMHSEC2I/AAAAAAAABCU/deqJY5skOQM/s320/IMG_1877.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I drilled out a space in the top of each post for the copper pipe cap to rest. When not in use, the cap covers the wick and keeps it dry. I didn't want it to get lost when you take it off to light the torch, so the small impression works to hold it.<br />
<br />
I searched high and low for replacement tiki torch wicks - not Home Depot, Lowe's, or Sears had any. I finally found them at a local True Value hardware store. They had a 2-pack for $4.29. Kinda pricey, but I had given up hope of finding them anywhere else.<br />
<br />
After all was said and done, each torch cost about $5. Not bad, considering wimpy bamboo ones can run about that much. These ones will last forever!<br />
<br />
So, fill 'em up, insert wick, light, and enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPelFWi7WW8/T2kXWfcacHI/AAAAAAAABCc/evWPJr2d6hY/s1600/IMG_1873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPelFWi7WW8/T2kXWfcacHI/AAAAAAAABCc/evWPJr2d6hY/s320/IMG_1873.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<em>More outdoor designs coming your way!!</em>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-67921629014531109902012-03-18T21:25:00.000-04:002012-03-18T21:25:28.663-04:00Header/FooterAnother AHmazingly sunny Sunday around here. What does that mean for me?? Another awesome Sunday project to cross off the ol' To-Do list. Wanna guess what I turned these in to?<br />
<br />
<em>Seriously....winner gets a virtual high five...and a cookie. Not really. But take a guess anyway. No peeking!!</em><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-18gZc3_ZjGI/T2aDXBMv5oI/AAAAAAAABAs/ZaAohXbZuNI/s1600/DSC06067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-18gZc3_ZjGI/T2aDXBMv5oI/AAAAAAAABAs/ZaAohXbZuNI/s320/DSC06067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Last summer's garage sale-ing scored me this headboard and footboard combo for $20 (talked them down from $30 - oh yeah). More than I usually spend on a garage sale item, but this was big ticket and antique.<br />
<br />
<em>Still guessing??</em><br />
<br />
A bench!! I know, weird...but what else is new?<br />
<br />
Let's get started on the how-to, shall we??<br />
<br />
I started by cutting the footboard in half down the middle. These pieces became the sides of the bench. I used furniture dowels and drilled holes and attached the sides and...it's getting technical, sorry. Besides, it was dark outside at this point and I didn't get any pictures. So we'll skip the boring parts.<br />
<br />
Once the frame was completed, I used scrap 1" plywood for the seat. I used L-brackets (seen below) to secure the bench seat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IwsdDtmDN4o/T2aDbCXQOsI/AAAAAAAABA0/aVzFdXilc0g/s1600/DSC06068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IwsdDtmDN4o/T2aDbCXQOsI/AAAAAAAABA0/aVzFdXilc0g/s320/DSC06068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then, I added a brace down the middle and an "apron" in the front (also known as a 1x6 pine board).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o6GwiWT6a44/T2aDkPHW5xI/AAAAAAAABA8/QAaFHa9wyGY/s1600/DSC06071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o6GwiWT6a44/T2aDkPHW5xI/AAAAAAAABA8/QAaFHa9wyGY/s320/DSC06071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's the underside with the bench laying on its back.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, before I get to the finished product, let me show you the spot on the back patio where I wanted this bench to sit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PH5UStvHBrs/T2aDqeo9pUI/AAAAAAAABBE/vp1-MvDYW5E/s1600/DSC06072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PH5UStvHBrs/T2aDqeo9pUI/AAAAAAAABBE/vp1-MvDYW5E/s320/DSC06072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;">Yepp, right there, on top of the ivy. Damn that ivy. I've been wanting it gone for 3 summers now. This spot serves no purpose and is wasted space on the patio where extra seating could exist. So I got to work. Has anyone actually ever ripped a patch of ivy out before? Me neither....and I never will again.</div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;">45 minutes in and this is where I'm at...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbb2i8Aq7ME/T2aELcAoFRI/AAAAAAAABBs/HWGV1QY6vug/s1600/DSC06073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbb2i8Aq7ME/T2aELcAoFRI/AAAAAAAABBs/HWGV1QY6vug/s320/DSC06073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>What. A. Mess. The roots are completely intertwined and twisted and thick and DEEP. So deep in fact, that because it is close to the house, I wouldn't be surprised if some of them have reached <em>under</em> the house! Honestly, I was pulling roots out as big as this...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bcGe2Suu3u8/T2aD2R949DI/AAAAAAAABBM/5LxVZZy-Bfc/s1600/DSC06074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bcGe2Suu3u8/T2aD2R949DI/AAAAAAAABBM/5LxVZZy-Bfc/s320/DSC06074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I raked, and hoed, and shoveled, and scooped, and dug....for 2 hours!! Two full lawn bags later, my back ached, my arms were sore, and I was covered in dirt and sweat. Yuck. But I ended up with this....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AWJ1AXAyVs/T2aD7ROIbXI/AAAAAAAABBU/-uSPtEgHZJ4/s1600/DSC06075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AWJ1AXAyVs/T2aD7ROIbXI/AAAAAAAABBU/-uSPtEgHZJ4/s320/DSC06075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I used some leftover landscaping bricks to form a perimeter. I'm aware, however, that the ivy may grow back. Even though I hacked at as many roots as I could get to, I'm sure because it's a vine it will remain hearty despite my efforts. <br />
<br />
Ok, so the bench. Here she is pre-paint:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tbRcGTsdx0I/T2aEGLGQ6GI/AAAAAAAABBk/c_EVLlDit88/s1600/DSC06069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tbRcGTsdx0I/T2aEGLGQ6GI/AAAAAAAABBk/c_EVLlDit88/s320/DSC06069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I used leftover paint from my <a href="http://jparisdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/j-paris-designs-at-your-service.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">studio</span></a> downstairs that matched the fabric I wanted to use for the cushion.<br />
<br />
And here she is painted up:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZTOiaXW0zE/T2aEASPq8bI/AAAAAAAABBc/PoQcWgxUiPU/s1600/DSC06076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZTOiaXW0zE/T2aEASPq8bI/AAAAAAAABBc/PoQcWgxUiPU/s320/DSC06076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I haven't bought a foam cushion yet because they are expensive and I'm waiting for the next 40% OFF coupon from JoAnn's to come in the mail. So for now, the fabric provides a visual and I used 2 spare pillows that matched as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A comfy and colorful summer seat. Weekend project...Check!</div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-13749359905118449272012-03-13T22:59:00.000-04:002012-03-13T22:59:02.586-04:00Tour EiffelAfter my morning run on door decor, I decided to continue on with small craft projects on the back patio where the sun was still streaming through the leafless trees. <br />
<br />
Back in October, when Dan and I went to Paris for our <a href="http://jparisdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/10/parisian-observations.html" target="_blank">honeymoon</a>, we took a gazillion pictures of the Eiffel Tower. After spending your entire life dreaming of it, it was hard not to snap as many as you possibly could every time we passed by....which was a lot.<br />
<br />
So for this project, we have to backtrack a few summers to Boston, Massachusetts, home of the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park. We were visiting family for a week and got tickets to a Red Sox game...Dan's dream. Long story short, he took several shots of the stadium from our third baseline seats. Starting at the left with the Green Monster, moving right. Kinda like a homemade panoramic. We printed them out and arranged them, overlapping, to form a long panoramic of the whole stadium just as we had seen it in person. Pretty cool.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to Paris in October with a gazillion shots of Eiffel. Dan decided to do the same thing. Not that we don't have a million full shots of the tower, but it was cooler this way. He started at the bottom left and just kept moving the camera ever so slightly back and forth til he got to the top.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aV8aeo46tms/T2AFgSEZCZI/AAAAAAAABAM/h8GhrEMHR1E/s1600/IMG_1788%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aV8aeo46tms/T2AFgSEZCZI/AAAAAAAABAM/h8GhrEMHR1E/s320/IMG_1788%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I finally got around to printing them out in black and white and used spray adhesive to attach them to pieces of black foamcore board I had.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZBmcK5VOYc/T2AFn6S-4iI/AAAAAAAABAU/jaibKkzPg3k/s1600/IMG_1789%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZBmcK5VOYc/T2AFn6S-4iI/AAAAAAAABAU/jaibKkzPg3k/s320/IMG_1789%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After several tries, I found a good arrangement. Most of them overlapped each other and repeated the same spot, but I found a way.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vMvdP5h4jMk/T2AGm3BtpMI/AAAAAAAABAc/T2086IIMw2g/s1600/IMG_1792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vMvdP5h4jMk/T2AGm3BtpMI/AAAAAAAABAc/T2086IIMw2g/s320/IMG_1792.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XzJJB9bVcCc/T2AGvsNQBmI/AAAAAAAABAk/dryHMlx58Mo/s1600/IMG_1793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XzJJB9bVcCc/T2AGvsNQBmI/AAAAAAAABAk/dryHMlx58Mo/s320/IMG_1793.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>It's a little distorted and kinda out of whack, but I really really like it! Just adds to the other zillion pictures of the Eiffel Tower that we have. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174671115248124124.post-70129315268980440482012-03-13T12:06:00.001-04:002012-03-13T12:47:39.283-04:00Front Door DecorI opened all the windows and doors today to let in the sun and let out the stale air that winter leaves behind. Once the door was opened, I realized it was empty. We just can't have that. In my crazy Sunday cleaning this past weekend, I took down the oversized popsicle stick snowflake I made without snapping a picture for you. But now I was staring at a blank canvas.<br />
<br />
Fueled by sunshine and coffee, I decided to spend my morning coming up with a Spring themed door wreath. The space between the storm door and main door is not very big, so whatever goes up can't be too thick or stick out too far. I rummaged around my studio, looking for something I could whip together.<br />
<br />
<em>Note: Yes, I have enough craft/junk stuff stashed down there that I can easily "whip together" something on a whim. I'm a packrat, what can I say?</em><br />
<br />
What did I find? A garbage bag full of clothespins, a wire wreath form, and some colored ribbon. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-74n5qtbf_Ss/T19tkwKifOI/AAAAAAAAA_s/Ub6jVHsVcJ4/s1600/IMG_1782%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-74n5qtbf_Ss/T19tkwKifOI/AAAAAAAAA_s/Ub6jVHsVcJ4/s320/IMG_1782%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I arranged approximately 75-80 clothespins in an alternating pattern around the wire wreath frame.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNtCEQwhNtM/T19t8ujnl0I/AAAAAAAAA_8/dZKI5BZaBnk/s1600/IMG_1783%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNtCEQwhNtM/T19t8ujnl0I/AAAAAAAAA_8/dZKI5BZaBnk/s320/IMG_1783%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here is the fully filled wreath form.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo-KrcoP5H0/T19tvYsFzMI/AAAAAAAAA_0/hTCxLKR3KcM/s1600/IMG_1784%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo-KrcoP5H0/T19tvYsFzMI/AAAAAAAAA_0/hTCxLKR3KcM/s320/IMG_1784%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They didn't want to stay very well, so I used the curling ribbon to secure them together. I considered hot glueing them to one another, but didn't want to deal with the mess. So weaving the ribbon in and out, it held the clothespins snug against each other. And yes, those are my pink flannel pajama pants in that shot. I do my best work in my pj's.<br />
<br />
I fashioned a bow out of green mesh ribbon I had left over from the wedding, hung it on the door, and voila!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KdlF8ERW-_Y/T19vvEb5U7I/AAAAAAAABAE/K2ls3JZ27gI/s1600/IMG_1787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KdlF8ERW-_Y/T19vvEb5U7I/AAAAAAAABAE/K2ls3JZ27gI/s320/IMG_1787.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The yellow, orange, and green ribbon not only matches the door, but it's spring-y enough to last through May. A succesful early morning project :)Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02188694035662764610noreply@blogger.com0