Recycling Vintage Photos

One of the{{many things}}I love to collect is Vintage Photos. I've picked them up at Estate Sales, Antique Shops & Flea Markets for years. Even though I had no idea what I was going to do with them I still couldn't pass them up. My favorite are hand painted/tinted photos.

I've seen tutorials about printing on fabric but wasn't sure if it was simple enough to do with what I had on hand{or if my printer would work- because it's not fancy at all}.

It turned out pretty good except not all the colors came through, I'm guessing because I was low on ink.

I thought it would be perfect for a pillow cover....

How crazy is it that a photo taken in 1937 at a 4 H Picnic is preserved on a Pillow that now sits on my bed.Very cool!!

Domino Inspiration...

I'm so glad I held onto my Domino Magazines especially since they're no longer around. I remember flipping through this 2005 issue and falling in love with an office they were featuring....

Ever since then I've wanted a Hutch like this. I'm not sure if it was the color or how awesome the piece was, but I've been keeping my eye out for something like it ever since.

I've learned that usually when you're looking for something specific, that's when it's the hardest to find OR you find it when you can't afford it. So, sometimes you just have to work with what you have.

What I did have was white paint{left over from a project}and a swatch of the color I wanted. I took my can of paint to Home Depot and asked if they could match it~ they did, and the best part= it was free :)

I also had this Hutch that I've had for about 11 years~  even though it's more country than modern.... it would have to do for now. 

Even though it's not what I originally wanted, I think it turned out pretty cute~ it gives the room a nice pop of color! Since I used what I already had: paint, hutch & knobs, the only thing it cost was my time :)

Vintage Chair spruce up!

I picked this chair up at a Thrift Store about 7 years ago. I loved the shape, the size and the legs{plus it was really comfy & squishy to sit on}. My plan was to re-cover it...but clearly hadn't gotten around to it. So, finally I decided to do something to it!

The original floral fabric on the back of the chair was in great condition 

so I decided not to cover it up. Until I learn more about furniture upholstery

this will have to do for now{and maybe some paint on the legs}. 

The next thing I'd love to learn is piping~ I can't imagine that being easy!

 

I thought these were some pretty cool before & after re-do's.

1. Before and after: Wreck to gorgeous, 2. Lovers Computing Chair, 3. How I spent my Saturday night, 4. before and after 1, 5. "Circus" chair - before after, 6. Upholstered arm chairs
WOW~ what a little paint and fabric can do :)

Painted Night Stand: Chalk Paint Project

I finally got around to trying out CeCe Caldwell's chalk paint, and I'm really happy with how it turned out!

It's extremely easy to use~ very quick drying, so not a lot of wait time in between coats{if you choose to do two coats, I found that you don't necessarily need two}.

**Color: Santa Fe Turquoise**

I had some paint left over so I painted this old frame{I added a little white to lighten it up a bit}...

then turned it into a Chalkboard.The finish on this frame{after lightly sanding it & sealing it in wax}is SO unbelievably smooth!

Now I'm starting to look at furniture around the house thinking "Hummm, maybe that could use some color". I'm so happy I gave this paint a try♥ I had pretty much given up painting furniture because of all the time consuming steps{not to mention the toxic fumes}, now I'm loving taking something that could use a little TLC and turning it into something wonderful!

Chalk Paint...my new obsession

It's been quite a while since my last post... but I'm still here :) I thought I'd share a project I recently finished. I picked up this night stand/shelf combo{for $25 at the flea market}. I've been impatiently waiting & wanting to try out Chalk Paint on furniture~ so I was thrilled when I found this piece.

Years ago I used to paint furniture that I'd sell at flea markets. I've always enjoyed painting furniture, but loathed the process of sanding, priming and absolutely hated the thought of stripping old paint off a piece of furniture!!!

Holy cow! I can not tell you how much I LOVE using Chalk Paint♥ The fact that you don't have to prime before painting is probably my favorite part. I've heard SO much about Annie Sloan &  CeCe Caldwell's Chalk Paint. After checking out both Companies, I wasn't excited about how expensive it is~ not to mention I'd have to order it on-line{then wait for it to arrive}and I wanted to get started right away. So, I started searching the internet on "How to make Chalk Paint"....

This project was done using a recipe I found here . I bought a paste wax from Home Depot, used brushes I already had and used a soft cloth to rub the wax in & wipe off{although Annie Sloan & Cece Caldwell use a wax brush to apply their wax, I followed the directions of the wax I purchased}. A few things I liked when reading about CeCe Caldwell's paint: the paint has no Volatile Organic Compounds, it's non toxic, has no odor and the fact that you use a wax brush instead of a cloth. 

I decided to purchase a couple sample paints & sample wax{here}. Each 4oz. tub is enough to cover a small piece of furniture. I have the perfect vintage night stand that I can't wait to test these out on! I'll be sure and post the end result.
 

New Etsy Favorite♥

I found the Shop Retrostiletto on Etsy this morning{she also has a super cute Blog}. I bought this print for my daughters room. Luckily they're both too young to date, but when they do...this is the kind of boyfriend I hope they'll have{or that they'll want/expect/know they deserve to have}.
She'll also customize the colors for you{and it comes in 4 different sizes}. This is what she put together for me{below}I can't wait to frame it♥

Decor Inspiration on Flickr♥

1. Aqua Purple Chevron, 2. ye ol' nawfick: THE pink couch, 3. Pair of Pastel Paint by Numbers, 4. Mantel left, 5. mirrored in black, 6. Tresaures, Cahaba Heights, AL

I'd love to find a soft velvety vintage couch like that. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Aqua ♥

Yes, I love this color. I think I have Aqua on the brain! Every time I go to paint something, it ends up aqua/baby blue/turquoise{what ever color you want to call it}. I'm going paint shopping this week and really need to pick out a variety of colors~ all not related to the color blue.
{{Home Decor in my Shop}}

There is something so calming and happy about these colors...

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Etsy Eye Candy:
1} County Fair Print 2} Retro Ice Crusher 3} Vintage Pillow Cases
4} Transistor Radio 5} Whimsy Print 6} Vintage Scale
7} Vintage Glass Set 8} Let them eat Cake Print 9} Beach Print

Ahhh, makes me want to paint the walls Blue!

Craft Room & Studio Storage

I just read the most wonderful post over at Magpie Ethel's Blog. She share's the inside of her Cottage Studio. You have to see it to believe it....it truly is a Vintage lover/Crafter's paradise.
{A shabby shelf in my craft room where I use jars to hold some of my trinkets}

Storage and Decor inspired by Magpie Ethel's Happy Studio{found on Etsy}♥

1. Antique Doll Dresser, by: simplychictiques
2. Vintage Jars, by: designarchives
3. Vintage Labels, by: mushroomandmoss
4. Vintage Kitchen Cabinet, by: thevintagesupplyco
5. Metal Storage, by: TagSaleFinds
6. Antique Striped Luggage, by: BrightWallVintage
7. Metal Tray, by: folkcity
8. Tissue Honeycomb Balls, by: dimestorechic
9. Vintage Floral Tin, by: spacejam

Inspiration on flickr:
1. Vintage Wallpaper Collection
1. File in Style
1. Dresser Drawer-UpClose
1. Milk Crate Storage for Studio

I love seeing how others store and organize their craft supplies and findings~ so many creative and fun ideas!!

Fun Paper Crafts & Decor

I'm not sure what we did before the internet, but I love being just a few clicks away from any project. Here are some of my favorites{each with links to DIY instructions}. They're all pretty inexpensive, in some cases free if you already have what you need on hand. You end up with some really cute & fun handmade decor{not to mention a great way to pass some time if you've got cabin fever especially for those of you who've been snowed in}.
{Paper Pom Pom's}
1. pom poms in the trees, 2. Pom Poms & Paper Circles 6, 3. Hanging Poms, 4. Untitled


{Sewing Pattern Flowers}

{Handmade Butterfly Chandelier}

{Bird Cage Lanterns}


{Pinwheels}

{Banners}
I loved this tutorial title: "A Terribly Unorganized Tutorial On Banners", it made me lol...she's definitely my kind of crafter!