Thankfully, New York City sponsors a local drop off for paint, computers and household items for proper disposal. Although it will be disposed of properly, the fact that I am contributing to the landfill in this way disturbs me. I want to do better.

So here’s my question. What can one do to avoid this problem? Is it possible to purchase one gallon of white paint at a time and use tint to achieve my desired colors? Despite my efforts of transferring to smaller containers, sometimes I just can’t avoid the crusty paint lids or semi-dried up paint. Do you have a system for avoiding paint leftovers? If so, please share. Like I said, I want to do better:)

Linking to:
Domestically Speaking: Power of Paint Party

Better Homes and Garden

Apartment Therapy

Marie Claire Maison.com

Equally, I am enamored by the varying colors as I am about the ingenuity behind these upcycled designs.

And how about these mapping treasures:

Image Remix

I hope you will stop by and take a look at this transformation for yourself. The before condition of this piece would have made most people turn away.

Now take a look at this map chair makeover by Jessica at Nouvelle Vie.

Nouvelle Vie

Could a map be any more appropriate for this schoolhouse chair? You can check out her inspiration for this piece here:

So clearly, maps and globes are not just about geography, they can also be a creative tool as well.

What do you think? Have any global or mapping treasures of your own?

Linking to:

Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday

Beyond the Picket Fence:Under $100 Linky Party

DIY by Design: Swing into Spring

Domestically Speaking:Power of Paint Party

Faded Charm:White Wednesday

Handy Man Crafty Woman:Wicked Awesome Wednesday

Primitive and Proper:Piece of Work Wednesday

Primp:Primp Your Stuff Wednesday Link Party

Restore Interiors: Restored It Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style:Wow Us Wednesday

Miss Mustard Seed:Furniture Feature Friday

My Repurposed Life: Catch as Catch Can Party

My Romantic Home:Show And Tell Friday

Redoux:Friday Feature Party

Simple Home Life:Simply Creations

Tatertots & Jello:Weekend Wrap Up Party

The Charm of Home:Home Sweet Home

The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday

Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Night Special

Beneath My Heart: Best DIY Project of the Month

The only reason I bought it was because I had plans to repurpose the china section. Immediately, I sold the bottom portion at a consignment store.

I’ve been using it for our family library. We have lots of books and the glass doors are great for keeping them dust free. It was on my “to do” painting list but that never happened. Although it was displaced to No. 2 Son’s room during a renovation that has yet to be completed, it’s original home was on the second floor landing. But now that I wanted to incorporate our books into the main family areas, the size of this piece didn’t leave me too many placement options. I thought. why not cut it into two sections so that I can place it on either side of the media console in our basement family room.

Step 1- Remove molding.

Step 2 – Make the cuts. Mr. DIY taped and cut off the side edges from the center section.

First the top,

and then the bottom

And now we have three, but not for long.

I decided to cut off the side sections rather than splitting it down the middle because I wanted the doors of each cabinet to open from the center. If I had cut it down the center, both doors of each finished cabinet would open from to the left or right and it would have required the addition of side panels as well.

As for that curved cut out, originally to make room for the flourescent light fixture, I am not sure if I will fill it in or leave it as is. Sometimes I like the quirkiness of things like that. You know, a conversation starter so to speak. Maybe, maybe not. I will decide that later.

Step 3 – Adhere the two side sections together to match it’s twin, the original center section.

To do that, I had Mr. DIY add a thin piece of wood between the two sections to compensate for the wood loss during the cutting process.

Step 4 – Use a heat gun to remove the trim residuals left behind.

And there you have it, all glued up, sanded and waiting to be primed. It’s twin is ready as well.

Wow! that was a lot of work but there is so much more to go. Not entirely sure what color to paint them. Same color as the media console or another color? Not a fan of matchy, matchy, but I think that might be the way to go. What do you think?

I sure hope you will come back to see the rest of this transformation. To be continued…….

There were other things that got in the way too – like the task of laying out No. 2 son’s 5th grade yearbook.  Oh my goodness! Despite being part of a three person team, sixty pages of photos and content was truly and overwhelming process. Originally, I thought I have experience with page layout and editing (newsletters, directories, instruction sheets, etc.), it will be a piece of cake. WRONG! I was clueless about how challenging it turned out to be. I’m not too sure I would volunteer for such a project again. But I never say never anymore. Life just has a funny way of testing such a position, so I don’t:)

And sadly, Google Connect broke my heart when it decided not to support WordPress bloggers anymore. My followers gone in an instant, like a puff of smoke. Having to start all over with Linky Followers after all this time is such a hard pill to swallow. And if that wasn’t enough, for some reason, I cannot figure out why my posts stop posting to my Facebook page. Is this a conspiracy or a test for survival of the fittest? Okay, I’m done with the pity party:) I now have it all out of my system and I am ready to start over.

With that said, I’m looking forward to attending Haven to get some ideas and mold The DIY Spot into what I had envisioned. Although I bought my ticket early on, I am not entirely sure I will be able to attend. It all depends on No. 2 son’s graduation date so fingers crossed and positive thoughts it won’t present a scheduling conflict.

How about you – have any of you had similar issues? What did you do to resolve them?

I have no doubt this is what my doctor would tell me. I don’t know what it is lately, but I have been encountering more and more creative stumbling blocks. I think I can attribute it to lack of time and not being able to blog hop as much as I used to. Honestly, there are so many great ideas out there and I love taking bits and pieces of what I encounter and adding my own personal spin to come up with a unique project.

With that said, I find that when I am super busy, my ability to focus is hampered and the creative part of me shuts down. Does that happen to you? I find this unfortunate because that is the part of me that nourishes my soul and allows me to tap into the essence of who I am. Does that make sense?

I noticed this feeling usually hits me in the winter when I cannot get out in my garage and go at it. I have written about this before and at this point, I think I should give it a name; SCD, Seasonal Creative Disorder perhaps? LOL. Finding humor is part of my therapy, but in all honesty, I am off kilter. Really! Santa brought me a Silhouette and I have yet to take it out the box and use it. That’s crazy!

Rather then self medicate, I want to find the right prescription. What do you do when you are creatively tapped out? Or are you feeling inspired lately, on a creative role and popping out the projects? Whether you have a prescription for my SCD or a project to share, I would love to hear from you.

Note: As you may already know, Google Connect will no longer be available on March 1 to WordPress users, of which I am one, so I have switched over to Linky Followers. However, since I can’t automatically transfer you, I would be so appreciative if you would take a moment to follow me by clicking on the Linky “Follow Me” on the sidebar so we can stay connected. Thanks so much!

Sharing this post with

Beween Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday

Primp: Primp Your Stuff Wednesday Link Party

House of Hepworths: Hookin Up with HOH

No Minimalist Here:Open House Party

Saved by Suzy:House Party

Already a follower? As you may already know, Google Connect will no longer be available on March 1 to WordPress users, of which I am one, so I have switched over to Linky Followers. However, since I can’t automatically transfer you, I would be so appreciative if you would take a moment to follow me by clicking on the Linky “Follow Me” on the sidebar so we can stay connected.

Thank you for taking an interest in The DIY Spot. I appreciate every visit and heart all your wonderful comments.

XOXO
Joselyn

I couldn’t find a way to display them that pleased me. I tried using lace and twine and concluded that I need a lot more of them in different sizes to perhaps cascade them from the tiers. Since time is at a premium these days, I nixed the tree and switched gears to a wall display instead.

I added burlap backs to the empty frames on the striped wall in my dining room and used double stick tape to temporarily adhere the hearts.

Initially I sewed the layers together, but a sharpie pen can be used to create faux stitching just as well.

I use strips of red burlap and slid it on a metal heart frame I had sitting around to create this luscious one.

I love the unraveling burlap texture.

Added a couple of embellishments pulled from a holiday wreath to some.

Shaped a vine into a Valentine wreath and placed it front and center along with some Love on the side.

And there you have it, an embellished wall that let’s you know Valentines Day is here!

Happy Valentines Day!

Sharing this post on:

Monday:

Between Naps on the Porch:Metamorphosis Monday

Mod Vintage Life:Mod Mix Monday

You are Talking Too Much:Monday Link Party

Apron Thrift Girl:Craft Catwalk

Crafts Keep Me Sane:Motivate Me Monday

Tuesday:

A Bowl Full of Lemons:One Project at a Time

Coastal Charm:Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Wednesday:

DIY by Design: Fall into Fall

Domestically Speaking:Power of Paint Party

Faded Charm:White Wednesday

Handy Man Crafty Woman:Wicked Awesome Wednesday

Primp:Primp Your Stuff Wednesday Link Party

Restore Interiors: Restored It Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style:Wow Us Wednesday

Miss Mustard Seed:Furniture Feature Friday

My Repurposed Life: Catch as Catch Can Party

My Romantic Home:Show And Tell Friday

Remodelaholic: Anonymous

Simple Home Life:Simply Creations

Tatertots & Jello:Weekend Wrap Up Party

The Charm of Home:Home Sweet Home

The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday

This guy was in bad shape and needed some love. The veneer was chipped and the finish worn. So I repaired the chipped veneer with wood fill, primed and painted it.

If I am not mistaken, the original use was for magazines or record ablums (remember those?). But I thought it could be used in an office to hold current files just the same. I was planning to stencil it but then I decided to go with a grain sack aesthetic instead.

And I shared you this little guy with you earlier but I never showed you the before. Check out the needlepoint cover.

This foot stool was a little shaky so I took it apart and re-glued the joints.

The finish was a mess too.

So I used some ASCP Old White and the remaining section of a flannel shirt I used to make one of these pillows

to cover the cushion.

What do you think?

Partying and sharing on:

Saturday:

Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Night Special

Monday:

Between Naps on the Porch:Metamorphosis Monday

Mod Vintage Life:Mod Mix Monday

You are Talking Too Much:Monday Link Party

Apron Thrift Girl:Craft Catwalk

Crafts Keep Me Sane:Motivate Me Monday

Tuesday:

A Bowl Full of Lemons:One Project at a Time

Coastal Charm:Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Shades of Amber:Chalk Paint Party

Sweet Little Gals:Turquoise Lovin’ Party

Wednesday:

Beyond the Picket Fence:Under $100 Linky Party
DIY by Design: Fall into Fall

Domestically Speaking:Power of Paint Party

Faded Charm:White Wednesday

Handy Man Crafty Woman:Wicked Awesome Wednesday

Primitive and Proper:Piece of Work Wednesday

Primp:Primp Your Stuff Wednesday Link Party

Restore Interiors: Restored It Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style:Wow Us Wednesday

Three Boys:Vintage Furniture

Beyond the Picket FenceOpen House Party

Thursday:

House of Hepworths: Hookin Up with HOH

No Minimalist Here:Open House Party

Saved by Suzy:House Party

The Shabby Creek Cottage: Transformation Thursday

Friday:

Finding Fabulous: Frugalicious Friday

French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday

Miss Mustard Seed:Furniture Feature Friday

My Repurposed Life: Catch as Catch Can Party

My Romantic Home:Show And Tell Friday

Remodelaholic: Anonymous

Simple Home Life:Simply Creations

Tatertots & Jello:Weekend Wrap Up Party

The Charm of Home:Home Sweet Home

The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday

Here is some of what I learned:

1. Hauling furniture from my home to the fair and then back again which included a flight of stairs is just not for me. If I were to ever do it again, I would stick to small home furnishings and accessories.

So instead of these

I’ll stick to this cutie

She wasn’t so cute when I found her though. ASCP took care of that.

2. Perfectionism has no place when producing hand crafted tems for resale. I found myself doing and redoing trying to meet my self-imposed high standards which greatly hampered my productiviy. Somehow, in the frenzy of the preparation, I forgot that handmade is all about the beauty of imperfection. Each item is suppose to be uniquely it’s own, distinguishing it from mass produced items.

Although I was going for the distressed finish, the nightstands didn’t turn out like I had envisioned. I thought I would give it that Miss Mustard Seed touch as you see here by decoupaging the damaged sides with sheet music. Works with french country, not so much with mid century modern. Another lesson learned.

However, they did come a long way from when we first met. The laminate was buckling and falling off in some places yet in tact in others.

And two of the drawers were in serious distress.

3. Knowing the craft fair before making the commitment is a must. I knew this but I was wooed by the reuse, recycle theme and thought it would be the perfect place to be. With that said, this was a first time event with no track record.

Sadly, after all that work, I didn’t sell a thing. None of the vendors sold much of anything. This event was not advertised. Vendors were required to use their Facebook contacts to publicize the event. The Build It Green customers had little or no interest in our wares.

I wanted to have the experience and I did. Don’t get me wrong, I would have much preferred to have made some sales, however, what I learned during the process made it worth my while.

A couple of accessories, I will probably keep for myself. This one for sure.

I think it would be a cute way to store rubber bands, paper clips etc. As for the rest, there’s always Etsy or Craigslist. Right?

Have any craft sale stories, advice or tidbits to share?

I’m sharing this post with:

Beyond the Picket Fence: Under $100 Linky Party
DIY by Design: Fall into Fall

Domestically Speaking: Power of Paint Party

Handy Man Crafty Woman: Wicked Awesome Wednesday

Primitive and Proper:Piece of Work Wednesday

Primp:Primp Your Stuff Wednesday Link Party

Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday