Lately, I’ve been having a blast experimenting with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP). I truly wish I could find the before picture but it was deleted or misfiled. Sorry about that. I assure you, it wasn’t anything to write home about.

After two coats of Paris Grey followed by some wax, VOILA.

The paint is so easy to work with.

The distressed finish looks rather authentic, don’t you agree?

ASCP is my new BFF:)

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Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Night Special

Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday

Domestically Speaking: Power of Paint Party

Wishing you and your families a very happy holiday!

Enjoy

Are you sure? It’s a tree made with lamp shade parts of course. I just made that up but that is what I did.

I used lamp shade frames in assorted sizes and placed them on a metal rod, all of which I just happen to have laying around. Each tier is held in place by rubber washers. It was the easiest thing to put together. I just slid each tier and used a washer on top an bottom to hold it in place.

This broken clock frame was used for the base.

The rod happen to be threaded on each end so I could screw it into a piece of wood and secure it using a metal washer and nut. Then, I hot glued the clock frame to the piece of wood and painted the base with ASCP Paris Gray.

I used a wooden drawer knob for the topper, but I think I am going to search my house for a lamp finial to use instead.

I thought of this idea to display ornaments at the craft fair but I realized it could be used to display cards at home as well. By the way, the craft fair didn’t go well but I’ll leave that story for a later post.

I adore burlap and love to think of ways to use it. I wrapped styrofoam cubes like a present, secured it with hot glue and added some trim. Again, all things I already had on hand.

Here are a few more closeups. I’m having a ball experimenting with blurry backgrounds. Finally getting the hang of my DSLR camera. Yeah!!

Pine cones are another one of my favorite things.

I love to create things from odds and ends. It’s so much more rewarding and requires that extra ounce of creativity and resourcefulness.

I’m sharing this post with Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Night Special

Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday

Domestically Speaking: The Power of Paint Party

I love how the footstool turned out. In the spirit of the reuse and upcycle craft fair them, I used a flannel shirt to cover it and make the pillow.

I have a thing for flannel shirts. It’s one of my favorite things to wear during the winter. I got these from the thrift store and pleased with the results.

That’s all I have for now. I sure hope I get a chance to take pics of the rest. For now, it’s back to work for me. I will be sure and let you know how it went. In the meantime, if you have any tips for me, please let me know because I am in over my head!

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Miss Mustard Seed: Furniture Feature Friday
Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Night Special

Not too pretty, I know but with a little paint, everything has  potential.

I couldn’t find the before picture of this one but here it is after I primed it.

And this is how they look now.  So much better, don’t you think?

I used craft paint on both of them.

A stencil for this design

and rubber stamps on this one.

I think they have a vintage feel and their waiting for their wax finishing but I can’t decide if I should distress them. Distress or not to distress, that is the question?

As for the inside, although I painted the inside of one, I was thinking decoupage or a fabric insert would be nice too. I really have to decide soon as I plan to sell them at  the Crafted at the Canal Reuse Craft Fair next month. What do you think?

I’m sharing this post with:
Between Naps on The Porch: Metamorphosis Monday

Coastal Charm:Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia:Tuesday’s Treasures

Shades of Amber:Chalk Paint Party

Domestically Speaking:Power of Paint Party

Handy Man Crafty Woman:Wicked Awesome Wednesday

Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Night Special

I have a month pull everything together. The last couple of days I have been brainstorming and planning what I want to make and sell. In the spirit of recycle theme, I am using what I have to create my inventory; I am even trying to use the paint left over from my past projects. I spent today sanding and priming and deciding on what color to paint everything; mostly frames, mirrors and wooden boxes and small home accessories. I keep changing my mind and second guessing myself, wondering if the colors I choose would be appealing to others. Here is what I had in mine.

Both images Better Homes and Garden

While I only had eyes for all shades of blue and brown, I really love how the pops of orange make these rooms sing!

The question is, do I go with what I like and hope others appreciate my design aesthetic? Or, do I try and figure out what the craft fair attendees like and design accordingly? I am in need of some serious craft show schooling, so if you have any tips or suggestions, please let me know.

I love the vintage/retro appeal of this first design. I found it at Lark Crafts and is an exerted from the book, Stash Happy Patchwork. It’s amazing how a bunch of fabric scraps can look so lovely!

How about this two handed quilted design by Jessica over at A Little Gray.

She has a great tutorial if you would like to try one for yourself.

Or this easy design perfect for the novice sewer. It was featured on Design Sponge’s DIY Wednesdays.

I really like this next one because it offers layers of protection and an easy-to-sew quilted design.

Now my knitting skills are really limited but this cable knit potholder I found on Katy Elliot makes me want to change that. Isn’t it beautiful?

How do you feel about loops? You might remember this from summer camp or elementary school?

And this is the green version featured on re-nest is made from discarded tube socks (washed, of course:)

And just in case you don’t sew or knit, there’s always a crochet version.

And since the basket weave stitch creates extra thickness, I’m guessing that one layer square will provide ample protection. If not, layering 2 squares together should definitely work. Or how about a crochet and fabric combo. So many possibilities are running through my head.

DIY potholders are definitely in my future, now that I have my inspiration; I hope I have inspired you as well. And if you decide to make some, be sure and use cotton fabric and yarn and a heat resistant inside layer as synthetic fibers burn easily. Happy sewing, knitting, crocheting or looping, whichever way you decide to go to potholder heaven!

Picture an assortment of tiny homes like this one

Tiny House Blog

filled with makers selling there wares to customers that appreciate their handmade treasures. At holiday time, there would be strands of white lights strung from house to house so that at night it would look like a festive wonderland.

Tiny House Talk

Each house would have it’s own personality; an eclectic mix of these tiny homes nestled on an acre or two of land. It would be a community of makers setting up shop in repurposed structures that have outlived their usefulness.

So here’s when I found out my dream is already a reality. Last week, I was listening to Liz Hamburg who hosts Launchpad on the Joan Hamburg Show, my favorite talk radio show. She was doing a feature on the Dekalb Market, located downtown Brooklyn, New York. I couldn’t believe right in my back yard, there is a market with vendors who have styled their inventory in repurposed freight transport containers. I have to make time to visit this market to see if it indeeds parallels my creative vision.

Do you have a creative dream or unique shopping experience in your area?