mini makeover > thrift store wreath

Our front door has never really been naked in the three years that we've owned our humble home. And by naked, I mean wreath-less. Just add this to my list of quirks: I strongly believe in curb appeal and accessorizing your front door (consider a wreath the equivalent of a great statement necklace?).

I've rotated a few wreaths that I've bought, made, and rescued over the years; this is my latest victim...

I recently found this wreath at the local MCC thrift shop for four bucks... enormous bow included. I saw past the bow and knew it was a prime candidate for some spray paint lovin'.

(This may not be the first mini makeover that this wreath receives - I can see it being a wreath of all seasons with a fresh coat in a different colour, depending on the holiday season...)

Total Cost:

Wreath = $4.00 (local MCC Thrift Shop)

Spray paint = free (leftover from a mirror makeover // Rustoleum Painter's Touch in Green Apple)

Total = $4.00

mini makeover > swappin' frames

I found this print while treasure hunting at the Salvation Army back in July. It reminded me of a tattoo that someone would have on their arm, the word "Mom" scripted on a heart, probably involving a banner in the background and some flowers. (Kind of like this?) And so for $3.99, I adopted this thrifty print with the intentions of swapping the frame for something simpler...

 Total cost:

Print & original thrift store frame = $3.99 (Salvation Army)

White frame = already owned (RIBBA from Ikea)

Total = $3.99

mini makeover > candlesticks

I spent the last week not blogging. Instead, the hubby and I unplugged and headed north to spend a week with 52.5 members of our extended family (and I'm not exaggerating - that includes immediate family, aunts, uncles, cousins, cousins' kids, and one cousins' kid in utero!). Overall, a week full of swimming, sand, and sunshine plus a handful of family traditions.

I finished this little mini makeover yesterday afternoon - spray painting always takes priority over unpacking and folding laundry. (Right?!) The candlesticks caught my eye at last month's Caledonia Townwide Garage Sale. According to the price tags that were left on the bottom, they were initially purchased at Eaton's for $19.99 a piece (at least 14 years ago... probably back when I was still sporting sweatshirts from Northern Getaway).

Anyways, like a good garage-saler, I haggled and convinced the lady to let me have the set for five bucks. I liked their shape and knew they just needed a fresh coat of spray paint...

 

 

 

 Total cost:

Candlesticks = $5 (Caledonia's Townwide Garage Sale...
aka: the most wonderful time of the year)

Spray paint = $6.99 (Rustoleum's 'Lagoon' // similar at Home Depot)

Total= $11.99

mini makeover > itty bitty jewellery box

Confession alert: this itty bitty box has been in my possession for a few years. Many Christmases ago, I bought this plain wooden box intending it to be part of a gift I was going to make for my dear friend Linette... I was going to surprise her with a personalized travel version of our favourite game: Ten Pennies. Unfortunately, procrastination won out and I never did present Linette with her very own Ten Pennies Kit (I'm sorry, Linners). 

I started off by giving the box a healthy coat of spray paint. I had found some cute wrapping paper in Target's dollar spot recently, and cut out some of the flowers. Using ModPodge, I attached the flower cutouts. Even with the drying time, this itty bitty jewellery box didn't take long to complete!

Nowadays, this jazzy little box is used to house part of my jewellery collection... hopefully Linette will forgive and forget (and let me win a round or two of Ten Pennies).

Total cost:

Wooden box = $1.00 (Dollarama, at least 3 years ago)

Spray paint = leftover from other projects

Wrapping paper = $1.00 (Target) 

ModPodge = $7.99 for 16 oz (Hobby Lobby)  

Total = $9.99 

mini makeover > wooden storage unit

Once upon a time, I posted about some projects in progress... remember? This wooden storage unit (and I really don't know what else to call it... a drawer unit? An organizing system? Nothing short and catchy is coming to mind...) is one of those projects.

I don't know how long I've had this wooden storage unit, and I also don't remember how much I paid for it. All I know is that it was discovered at the GBF, a few months or years ago. I fell in love with the potential organization that these wonderful wooden drawers possessed. I did not fall in love with the butterfly decals, however...

 

Buhbye, butterflies... 

Rookie mistake: not trying to at least partially remove the decals before spray painting... I think that sanding them down a bit would have made a bit of a difference. In the end, though, you can't tell that butterfly decals once graced these drawers (mission accomplished).

Total cost:

Wooden storage unit = estimated $5.00 from the GBF (similar products from IKEA)

Spray paint = extra from other projects (Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze)

Total = $5.00 (ish)

mini makeover > personalized pillows

One of the goals on my bucket list is to somehow turn my handwriting into an actual computer font. I have no idea yet as to how to make this happen but figure I am still young and technology keeps improving, so the odds are in my favour. (I used to still beam with pride if someone takes the time to comment on and/or compliment my handwriting. Weird, I know. I can't help it.)

With these personalized pillows, I originally thought I'd do a pattern of stripes (one of my favourite things besides penmanship), polka dots, or circles... but somehow I scrapped my plan to practice with a rough copy and started doodling me and the hubby's initials on the cushion covers instead. And am fairly happy with the spontaneous results.

 

 

These pillows were inspired by the fine folks of Young House Love. If anyone has had a chance to check out (and be inspired by!) their book, it's #193 (pages 252 and 253).

The only requirements were some plain pillow cushion covers (GURLI x3) plus a paint marker (Tree House Studio).

Since I scrapped the rough copy, Freddie supervised my free hand initial-drawing...

The paint marker didn't show up as sharp or as crisp as I had expected it to. The final effect is on the vintage-y side, in that it looks a bit faded and worn in, which is okay by me. Overall the paint marker was super convenient to use, and I was pleasantly surprised that there wasn't a harsh smell (I assumed it would have stronger fumes, like any other permanent marker).

Total cost:

Cushion covers (x 3) = $14.97 (GURLI from Ikea) 

Paint marker = $3.47 (Tree House Studio from Hobby Lobby)

Total = $18.44