Puff Stitch End Table Topper

One thing's for sure--my home is a hodpodge of new things, used things, handmade things, and store-bought things.  In May, I'll celebrate 10 years of marriage and I must say that my style has morphed and evolved over this past decade--and I can only imagine that the cycle will continue.  With that understanding, I really don't put a whole lot of money into a lot of the smaller pieces of furniture that I buy.  All of our end tables are thrift store finds, and as you know, thrift store finds often come with their own... character.  (Read: flaws, nicks, dents, scratches.)  

I'm grateful to buy things that have been pre-loved, because then I don't feel the pressure of perfection.  It's a nice burden to be free of.  

The table topper I crocheted (last year) covers a cute little cast-off end table that I bought at Goodwill for $13.50.  It was a Target reject (still had the Target label attached) that has one tiny flaw in the veneer on the table top.  A vase of faux flowers has covered the flaw for a few years, but last year I made a puff stitch table topper, mostly because I just LOVE little puff stitches.   

I started with these instructions as the first rounds, and just kept going--increasing appropriately, of course.  So, yeah, pretty easy, and it was made only using yarn I had on hand.  It's all Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, in case you're curious.

I'm sure I should add some more details or some funny anecdote to end this post, but it's Spring Break and my eldest just woke from a nap--so, I'm checking out! Go forth and crochet!

DIY House Number Plaque

Hey!  Today I have for you the simplest of crafts that adds a fun touch to the exterior of your home.  I bought an old Lenox platter from a thrift store and hung it inside my home for a while.  The only problem was that it was exactly the color of the interior walls of my house (I know, white walls, we're SO boring) so I never loved it.  

Since it already had a plate hanger on it, I decided to try it outdoors.  Cool, but it needed something.  So, natually I went to Hobby Lobby, grabbed some of their numbers (and paid for them, I might add) , glued 'em on with E-6000 and the rest is history.  And I literally mean history--I actually did this project two (TWO!) years ago and I'm just now sharing it.  But hey, now you know the glue lasts outdoors--I have proof!

Supplies:

Thrifted platter

Numbers (or letters could be cool, too)

Strong adhesive (E-6000 should be in every crafter's arsenal.)

Plate hanger

Glue the numbers on your platter/plate/tray and let cure according to adhesive directions.  Then hang it. Pretty straightforward stuff, right?  Really, it's just a good jumping board--imagine the possibilities of what yours could be!

My total project cost was around $5-6, because I can't quite recall how much I paid for the platter but it was inexpensive.  And you guys know I love cheap crafts.

Much love,

T

I am going to be in trouble...

...when my husband comes home tonight.

I bought a piece of furniture without consulting him.  It wasn't expensive--but it was a furniture purchase nonetheless.  We typically consult one another before such purchases--regardless of the price.  It's only fair since we live in the same space.

But, I needed it.  You see, yesterday Sharon and our friend Laura and I were shopping in lovely Historic Downtown Melbourne.  I saw a lovely sofa table at a thrift shop, but I wasn't ready to commit.  But after a day of not being able to get said table out of my head, I went back and picked it up for $25. 

Isn't she a beauty?  I like the feel of it and I also like the small scale--it's hard to find a good sofa table that's made on a small scale.  You can't blame me, right?

I got the table home in my somewhat trusty Volvo wagon and got busy making it "work" in the space.  I have two other places that the table would fit, but I'm going to try it in my cozy nook for a while and see how it goes.  If you don't recall my recent Cozy Nook Transformation, you may want to take a peek.  Here's a shot of the transformation as of a few weeks ago...

I think the new sofa table made a HUGE difference in making the cozy nook even better!

Here's to hoping my husband doesn't shake his head in disapproval (yet again). He's usually a pretty good sport when I nest--as long as I don't leave a path of destruction--which I have been known to do.

And on that note, I'm off to clean up my path of destruction.

Fancy-Schmancy Heart-Shaped Stool

I know that some of you will read the title and think I'm talking about a heart-shaped bowel movement.  I'm not.  I'm definitely not.  That's not crafty.  That's gross.

Anyhow, I recently noticed a need for a stool in Junebug's bathroom.  She's washing her own hands now but I have to assist with helping her up and down to the sink.  Being a terribly independent little gal, she's not always so keen on having mommy help.  So, I thought a stool would make my little big girl happy.

I found this beauty at my favorite local thrift shop.  It's just one of those generic bare wood pieces that you can find at most craft shops--I noticed from the tag on the bottom that it originally retailed for $9, but my thrift shop listed it for $3.  SOLD!

I spray painted the stool bright yellow (left over from my mirror) and once it dried, I mod podged a lovely piece of scrapbook paper over the top.  (Since Mod Podge is both a sealer and an adhesive I coated the top of the stool with a thin coat before and after the paper was applied.)

You won't see the strokes once the Mod Podge dries.

Once the Mod Podge is dry, spray with a clear sealer since feet and who knows what else will be stepping on the stool.

Badda bing, badda boom.  A darling one-of-a-kind stool.

Here's where it gets really real.

I thought I'd take a pic of the stool in action.   You know, I thought you'd like to see it.

Terrible idea.

You see, Junebug, just like her momma, is short.  Like majorly short.

I told her she could use the stool to wash her hands but... it still doesn't get her to the faucet.  Which is terribly frustrating if you're two years old.  Apparently lots of things are frustrating when you're two.

See?  I keep it real.  Really real.  I'll share with you my ugly 1985 builder-grade grey bathroom with blue tile (seriously, who picks blue tile?!) AND my fit-throwing toddler--all in the same post!  You're welcome.

I think I may need to get one of these awesome inventions to complete the bathroom:

Found via Pinterest. 

And here's the stool again, in all its finished glory--sans screaming toddler:

Cute, huh?

Think Thrifty

 

Do you ever see something in the store and just fall in love with it? I mean the must-have-right-this-second kind of love? And then you get a glimpse of the price tag and suddenly you don't really need it. This happens to me all the time. Call me cheap or fickle, but I think I'm just being thrifty.

 

Most recent example... I saw these beautiful garden urn vases at Jo-Ann. I wanted them. I needed them. Until I peeked at the price. $39.99? Uh.. maybe they're not that beautiful. Needless to say, they did not make it home with me.

I'm so glad I didn't buy them. When I got home I remembered a thrift store piece that I had purchased months ago, and it was just sitting on our bookshelf being used as a book end. It looked just like the garden urn vases from Jo-Ann. Duh, because it was a garden urn vase. I think it even has more character than the other ones I saw. And I bought it for $3.99. That's right, $3.99.



Add a couple of faux ferns from Hobby Lobby, and I think we have a winner! I love it! As a side note, I have been looking for a classy and elegant way to bring greenery into our living room, and I think I just found it. It doesn't have a permanent home yet. We are holding out on getting a gorgeous buffet style TV stand and a flat screen TV until after we move in a couple of months, but I think the urn vase will go beautifully on the stand next to the TV.

I found thrifty inspiration by looking at higher priced items and thinking of ways to mimic the look without having to spend those dollars. Luckily, I had the answer sitting on my bookshelf the whole time.
I hope you find your own thrifty inspiration!

{Thrift Store Makeover} Bird Branch Jewelry Stand

Don't you love a good thrift store find?  I sure do.  Like really.   I really love a good thrift store find.  I brag about them for months--just ask my friends.

I recently had the pleasure of walking into my favorite thrift shop and finding this little diamond-in-the-rough.  Nice shape, huh?  I paid 2 bucks for it--boo yah!

It reminded me a lot of the Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters jewelry stands that are popular right now.  Urban Outfitters currently has this Love Birds Jewelry Stand online for $39.   

I liked the shape of the one I picked up at the thrift shop, but I wasn't loving the wrought iron look.  So I washed it down (it was SO dusty) and spray painted it with a couple of coats of ivory spray paint.

Pretty awesome for $2 and a little elbow grease, huh?  What have been your latest and greatest thrift store finds?