reverse glass painting

I picked up this pretty plate for $3 at the Restore but I can't find much information about it.  It is pink glass and the flower decoration is painted on the back.  If anyone knows what this is please let me know.

new projects

I currently have about 10 windows sitting in my kitchen in various stages of work.  These are a couple I have finished.  I think they will make great message board, hanging racks in a kids room, family room or kitchen.  The back of the smaller one is lined with burlap while the larger window has more hooks as well as several spools for additional hanging space.  The glass can be used as a dry erase board.  The perfect organization for a busy family.

designing fabric

When you live in a rural area shopping options are limited.  Sometimes you just have to make do with what you have or make it yourself.  I wanted fabric with words on it for a couple of projects so I made my own.  I used some heavy canvas fabric that had been washed and dried.  I drew lines with chalk because I can't write straight, looked up the lyrics to one of my favorite Beatles songs, and started writing with a permanent Sharpie.  After everything was dry I ran it through the rinse cycle on the washer just to get out the chalk.  I did the same thing with some of my favorite inspirational words on a different piece.

rummage finds

I visited the big big city last weekend and hit a couple of my favorite charity thrift stores.  I spent less than $20 total and came home with some great buys.

jewelry and a pretty glass bowl

Not sure what the wood things are, maybe the bottom of a basket base???

glass divided dish, pretty hand towels and two white bowls.  I also picked up a large shutter for $2, I'm thinking shutter table or book case for that.

towel holder

fun with friends

I had the opportunity to celebrate two good friends birthdays on Sunday afternoon.  We took off for the big city, had a great late lunch, early dinner.  A little retail therapy, ice cream and home by 6.  A wonderful way to spend and afternoon.  I am so blessed to have wonderful friends.  We can not see each other much for weeks at a time and pick up like we hung out yesterday.  I would do any thing I could for each of them and they would do the same for me.

black shelf

Last time I told you how we made the shutter shelf project.  The black weathered wood unit was made the same way except for the finish.  To make this look  I first primed all the pieces except the top with grey spray  primer.  After the two coats of primer were dry I mixed a little black paint into white until I had a shade a little darker than the primer.  I dry brushed that on all the pieces.  If you have never used the dry brush technique the name defines how to do it.  Dip your brush tips into the paint, brush most of it off onto news paper, then brush onto the wood.  After the first coat was dry I did another with black paint.  I wanted a wood grain look so I was careful to drag the brush all the way down each piece before lifting my brush.  It sounds much more difficult than it really is.  Just be patient(unlike me) and if you don't like it, paint over it.  I painted the top black.  It is much easier to paint all the pieces before you put it together.  I think it turned out great.

drawer table

I had a couple of these drawers I wanted to turn into tables.  This one could not have been easier.  I painted the drawer and the legs, sanded and waxed each piece.  I turned the drawer over and used construction adhesive to attach the legs.   I weighted that down and let it sit for 24 hours, then nailed the legs for added support.  Cute as can be.  Cost was minimal, the drawer was a leftover from another project, the legs were $2 for the set and less than $1 for paint and supplies, less than an hour to make not counting drying time.  I love junking!!

One project two ways

I had two sets of these great shutters so we turned them into little shelf units with two distinctive looks.  For the white shelves I painted the shutters, a center shelf and some 1" supports with paint and stained a larger 1X12 then used  polyurethane it for more durability.  AH used two pieces of the 1X as support for the center shelf and a longer piece to help support the top.  We just eye-balled the width we thought looked best and made the top a little deeper and wider than the base.  Wouldn't this look great in a kids room as a bed side table or in any part of a cottage or country style home for holding your pretties?  Come back Friday to see how we did the other shelf.

glass jewels

These glass jewels are one of the crafts KT and I made when she was here last week.  You can buy the the glass marbles at the dollar store or craft store, buy the big ones or you'll regret it.
You will need:
glass flat back marbles in clear
several colors of nail polish, the glitter kind won't work and the polish needs to be fresh or it sinks to the bottom of the bowl
plastic disposable bowl, water, skewer or craft stick
black craft paint
clear nail polish
magnets or jewelry bail and chain or pin back

The video I watched showed holding the stones with forceps to dip but we ended up using our fingers and cleaning them with nail polish remover when we were done. I picked up polish for $1 a bottle.  We made about 30 jewels for around $5.  There is still plenty of polish left.
Fill your bowl about half full and add several drops of 2-3 colors of polish.  Swirl gently with stick to marbleize then dip the flat side of the glass into the bowl.  Remove and lay flat side up on a piece of wax paper.  Replace the water after every couple of dips.
Let the jewels dry then paint the backs with 2 coats of black paint, let that dry then add 2 coats of clear nail polish.  If any of the paint has ended up on the side just scrape it gently with a small knife before you add the clear polish.  Let dry and add a magnet or bail and chain or pin back.

junkin again

I haven't hit many rummage sale lately, there just haven't been too many around here and I've been plenty busy.  I did get some great buys from the Restore last week.  Most of their prices are very reasonable and the money goes for a very good cause.

bundle with a large damask table cloth and 27 napkins for $5.00.  I think I may try dying some of them and turn them into pillows.

white gloves 50 cents

coated wire basket $1

nice silver plate tray $1

a handful of sparkly jewels, most were .50 to $1

The store where I volunteer in Charleston, IL is always in need of merchandise.  They will even come and pick it up for a very reasonable fee.  AH and I put some salvaged windows from the Restore together as a little fairy house,  I think it will sell at the store very quickly.

crafting again

More of last weeks crafting time.  This day KT and I made a Gods eye.  I cut two willow sticks and we used left over yarn to make the bands of color.  All the yarn was very textured and fuzzy which made a big mess on the table and floor.  Five minutes of clean up was worth it for the fun this 9 year old had.  She picked up the pattern quickly and couldn't wait to hang it in her room.  Cost $0 enjoyment priceless.

little people

I've spent most of the last week hanging out first with our youngest grand daughter, Katelyn and then with little guy, Chase.  They have so much energy, wide eyed interest in every thing and are full of humor.  Adults would be better off if we laughed as much as kids do.  KT and I spent part of each warm afternoon crafting.  We made stinky sun catchers one day with the little girl across the street.  Yes the smell was bad but the sun catchers turned out beautiful.
All you need are plastic transparent  pony beads, dump them one layer thick into an aluminum pie tin or muffin tins.  Bake at 400 for 20 minutes, let them cool completely and they will pop right out.  Drill a small hole and thread with fishing line or dental floss.  Hang in a nearby window. You can also make patterns, initials or maybe a smiley face.  If a 5 year old can do it anyone can.  I bought the beads at Walmart and the box made 2 large and 12 small disks with a few beads left over.

Sunday morning and they haven't had their caffeine yet.

more projects

 I live on Main street in our little town and I do most of my painting projects in the drive.  There is a lot of traffic by our house and many people stop to see what I'm doing next.  There's been a lot of painting, cleaning and repairs going on the last few weeks as I prepare for the vintage show I'm doing in September.  Here are just a few of the projects in various stages.

some pieces just need a little glue

I'm not sure what this was originally, it had a strange wood piece nailed in the center that may have been a broken handle

Dark red and stain this will need a primer or 4+ coats of paint

tiny foot stool, paint and a new cover for the center pad

This is perfect with just a little repair.  It's a very unusual step stool

photo bombed again, this woven seat chair will need nothing but cleaned.

same wood box as above just 1 more coat of paint

After pic of stool below.  pale blue and we had to cut and paint a new top the original top started bubbling and looked awful.  Just a little sanding and antiquing to do.

Circus colors, primer and pale blue and it will be ready for more years of use.  Picture program was being a pain and would not let me load the after picture under this one, that's why it's above.  Some times I'd like to pick up the computer and throw out the window.