$13.74 Fireplace

It didn't start out to be a copper penny tiled fireplace. The wrong stone arrived as we were building the house. I looked at the space and decided that it was a blessing in disguise. Stone would have been too big of a material for the space allotted. I needed something small, perhaps round,with some texture. Pennies popped right into my brain! A mixture of old and new and dull and shiny would be perfect.

What could be cheaper? 

I spent about a few hours for three days jamming to my favorite tunes adhering the pennies to the backing with mastic. I used a sandless cinnamon grout. This was my first penny project which has lead to some other projects such as penny topped tables. I'll show you those on another day. 

  

Buffet with a Surprise

Here is another before and after project. How I love to take an ugly duckling piece of furniture and make it over into something to treasure! This was painted a pickled yellow...It was nasty in my opinion. I obtained this piece from a friend that is downsizing. I thought I could update it with some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

Button table/Before & After

Media Center/Before & After

This used to be a dresser.

This dresser was in sad sad shape. That said, it is over 60 years old. It has had many homes. It used to be in my grandma's bedroom. Then it was in my sister's bedroom. After a little TLC, it now resides in my sister's living room as a media console. 

My sister and I took off those funky drawer pulls. We gave it a little sanding as it was getting a little chippy. We applied two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in my personal favorite color of cocoa. We applied some clear wax to give it a sweet finish. Then we added these awesome knobs that we found at the Restore in her town. 

We now call this a media console. It houses her many movies, video games and equipment. Her flat screen TV sits on top. 

We were quite pleased with the result.  What do you think?

Furniture Facelift/Before & After

This was my Grandma's furniture. 

 It is 60 years old and lives at my sister's house. It was in desperate need of a facelift. My sister and I took on this project last week. First thing we did was prep the surface by cleaning it well and sanding some chipping pieces of wood.

 We purchased some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in downtown Nanaimo. We used old white on this dresser. We painted two coats then waxed with Annie Sloan Clear Wax. We took a trip to the Restore in downtown Nanaimo and bought some fun knobs. We felt good about reusing perfectly good merchandise and saving lots of money while helping out Habitat for Humanity. 

Here's the finished dresser! We were quite happy about the result.

after

 

Cupcake Display

Dawn's 50th Birthday

This is the year that a lot of my friends are turning 50....it's a wonderful time of your life...halfway to 100!  Anyhoo, my good friend, Carol, owns a bake shop called Whipt Cream in Chesterfield, MO. The shop bakes beautiful cakes, cupcakes, mini-bites, cookies, etc. Whipt Cream made the goodies for our friend's 50th birthday party. Carol and I made and painted the displays for all of the delectable treats.

Old drawer on pretty legs

This drawer used to belong in a cabinet but after it's makeover it is a beautiful server for delicious treats!

Old sign on a pedestal

 This server used to be a sign that said "Welcome Friends". After a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and a "50" decal (that was removed) and a hot glue attachment to its base...It is transformed into a brand new one of a kind server.

The dessert station

This is the whole presentation. Carol and I had lots of fun making this day special for our good friend, Dawn.
Should you ever find yourself in Chesterfield, MO, please stop by Whipt Cream. You will not be disappointed...everything is beautiful and delicious!

My First Craft Fair

My sign 

                                                                     My booth

The Market at Innsbrook was held on Sunday over Labor Day weekend. I had never been before and there I was...a first time vendor. I was a little anxious about having enough to sell, having my space look nice and approachable and frankly worried about not  having any sales at all. There were lots of people milling about. I had many compliments on my booth and my products. I also had some offers to help me drink more wine to gather the wine corks I use to make wine cork monograms and peace signs. I did make some sales. The experience was a good one. People are just fun to talk to!
I may do this again.