in progress: volume 5

 

I feel like I haven't made any progress this month, because the unfinished projects that I mentioned a few weeks ago have yet to be completed. My goal is to have the rocking chair and this ^  side table finished by the end of October.

This fine side table has yet to make a blog appearance, so here is a brief look at the refinishing process (so far). A step by step post is in the works and will be posted here once this side table makeover is complete.

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 > 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)

DIY > scrabble tile magnets

I'm an admitted word nerd - my day is not complete without finishing the crossword from the newspaper. My husband is tired of playing both Scrabble and Bananagrams with me. And my childhood dream was to be locked in the local library overnight. So it's pretty safe to say that my inner bookworm is going to get a lot of use and enjoyment from this project...

 

I'd been on the hunt for used Scrabble games for awhile - I have a few DIY ideas for reusing the tiles other than this one (Pinterest inspired, of course).  

This version was found at a thrift store a few weeks ago for $1.00. 

 

This time I didn't have to bust out the spray paint OR my glue gun (I'm trying to broaden my horizons!). The 'how to' aspect of this DIY is the easiest of all: simply peel and stick the magnet strip to the tiles. Foolproof. No potential for any klutzy-excited mistakes or messes here.

My magnet supply only cost $2.99 at Hobby Lobby (side note: to the best of my knowledge, there aren't any locations in Canada, only in the States... but well worth visiting the next time you're over the border). 

I cut the magnets using a Scrabble tile as a guide. All that was left to do was peel 'em and stick 'em.

That was it! Like I said, foolproof.

After I was finished, I stacked a few hardcover books on top of the magnets for some added pressure and security (worse comes to worse, I'll glue them back together - I'm pretty confident that they will hold well).

Total cost:

Scrabble game = $1.00 (thrift store)

Magnetic backing = $2.99 (Hobby Lobby)

Total = $3.99

~

Time = depends on how many Scrabble magnets you want to make! 

I made about 50 magnets and it took less than 7 minutes (it took me longer to load the pictures and write this post than it did to do the entire project).

mini makeover > wire basket

If I have a free Saturday morning, I am most likely treasure hunting (otherwise known as yard-saling and thrift-shopping). This has been the case over the last few weeks and lucky for me, today was no exception.  There were several yard sales and plant sales in the area today - all fundraisers for fantastic causes. I love my regular treasure hunts and I'm even happier when my money is going to a great organization in our community. It's a win-win situation all the way around.

This wire basket was found at the local Bibles for Missions thrift store - not exactly a yard sale, but definitely one of my usual Saturday pit stops. It cost me less than a buck and took less than five minutes to spruce up. #win.

Total cost:

Wire basket = $0.50

Spray paint = already had at home (but sells for about 6 bucks at Home Depot)

Time = 5 minutes (not including drying time)

mini makeover > mirror

This midsize mirror caught my eye on a Saturday treasure hunt a few months ago...

My favourite part about the mirror was actually the price tag ($4.50!) but I also liked the size, shape, and frame details. At the time, I had just begun to comprehend the power of spray paint and was on the hunt for new spray paint projects. So to find this potential-filled mirror for less than five bucks was a thrill.

This was a VERY simple project... with an extra step or two at the end due to my typically klutzy-excited behaviour. Before spray painting the mirror, I wiped it clean (as the texture of the frame is full of nooks and crannies for baby dust bunnies to hide out in). I then wasted far too much time debating what colour to use (which didn't even matter, because I could always just repaint the mirror...).

After this life altering colour decision was made... I prepped the edges with some old newspapers and painters tape.

 

The final colour decision:

Normally, this would be the end of the project. But thanks to my clumsiness (or rather, sheer excitement for the final results?!) some paint managed to seep through the gaps in the newspapers. Oops. 

A little bit of this paint remover on an old rag took care of my messy mistakes.

(Bonus: The first blog appearance of my pup Freddie. You're welcome.)

Total cost:

Mirror = $4.50

Spray paint = already had at home...

Paint & Varnish Remover = $10.50

Total = $15.00