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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Rag Lamp

 
 
 
 
 
At the Speckled Hen show in Paso, I bought these lamp frames. 
I had seen this project in malls before and now I had a chance to try it myself.
The two frames were $5.00 each.  The larger one was $10.
 
 
 
I purchased White muslin at Walmart (1 yard per lamp and 2 for the big one)
I cut and ripped the fabric in 1 inc increments. Doing this on the fold makes it faster and easier.
I also purchase a skirt at Goodwill that had the white netting and cut it into strips also.
I used the netting at the top. Just tie the strips on one by one and fluff them up.
then I tied the muslin on around the frame. 
I left this one open but you can certainly add more.  Even add colored ribbon to match your decor.
 
I found the lamp base at the Goodwill for $5. and it matched very nicely with my other finds.
 
 
 
And there you have it!  A romantic simple bedside light.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Rags to Riches

I have a bathroom that has red, white and blue wallpaper.  Rather than start over for budget sake, I decided to go with it.  I wanted more of the primitive feel so I decided to use red polka dots and blue starts.  I found fabric at Walmart and got 2 yards of each.  I then cut the fabric into one inch strips and only about 1/2 cut at the fold to tear them into strips with the fraying. 
 
I then added the strips onto the rod with alternating red and blue.
 
 
Love the look. It's a shower curtain valance! 
 
 
Then added the finishing touches....
 
An upside down towl rack repurposed for a magazine rack with a touch of red, white and blue hearts.
Bright red towels finish that wall off.
 
Above the toilet I found an old box with two knobs on it and tied the strips to them in bows. Added a bit of the frayed material to drape over the sides and a beaded doily underneath.  Then found another old doily and draped it over the front.  Added a small bottle, a perfume bottle stuffed with the scraps of material, a red, white and blue star, a red bottle found at a thrift store and the confederate and american flag found at local antique store.  Then added a stack of red, white and blue star boxes to teh counter and two blue towels.  This completed my little bathroom!
 

 


 
 


Sunday, October 21, 2012

Vintage Kitchen Make Over

We just bought a mobile home out in Mid California and I had so much fun decorating it this last week. I thought I'd share all the little vintage touches I added to the home to make it feel warm and cozy?
I did the kitchen in Aqual and Red. So cute! Found the polka dot curtains on clearance at TJ Max. Picked up the polka dot red oven mitten and aqua towels at Walmart. then found some fun vintage pieces such as the little drawers and a little red wire piece at the Speckled Hen show. Then after a full day of antiqueing brought back some old red handled kitchen utensils and put them in an old colandar with red and aqua polka dot ribbons. Found a cool cork piece (hanging on the wall) and a few other toucheds of red and aqua.
I found this awesome little red drop leaf table and chairs at an antique shop and the red and aqua table cloth!  What a great find to add to my motif!

Cork board from Goodwill and red sign from Kohls.
 
Plastic plates from Kohls Clearance - can't beat that!
 
Red and White corelle dishes from Walmart.
 
 
A repurposed rack (?). Tied red polka dot ribbons on it and use it for a drying rack.

 
Finally a little drawer shelf, an aqua bookend, and two old red handled kitchen tools.
 
More to come in the other rooms!  Stay tuned!
 
 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

How to Strip Furniture

I hate stripping paint off of furniture - BUT - I found some amazing stuff that isn't that bad and a few tricks I learned along the way made it really easy.

I found a headboard for sale on Craigs List and when I went to look at it the guy had the whole set, dresser and two night stands on his trailer. They were sadly painted black and white with an obvious failed attempt.  I asked if I could purchase them also and he looked surprised but said sure and they were mine!

I went to Lowes and purchased this stripper...
 

Water based! and very little chemical smell.
I also purchased the necessary tools...


1. old rag
1. green final scrubbing pad
1. paint brush
1. glass bowl
1. putty knife
1. stripping brush
1. drop cloth
1. Dawn dish soap
1. lots of water

Then I got my furniture and placed all on drop cloth.
This is what the set looked like...


At least the whole thing was not covered, but enough to take a awhile.

First you put on the gel stripper with the paint brush. Put enough on that you can see it sitting on the paint. If you don't put enough on and dont get everywhere you will know when you go to scrape it off.  No worries, you can always put more and redo.  Let it sit according to directions.  This one only took 5 minutes!

Then take the putty knive and scrape off the paint. For the hard to get to areas use the stripper brush.
There will be some paint left, no worries! 

After I got all the paint off I could using the tools, here is what I did that basically washed the rest away...

Take the final stripper pad and get it wet - wet. Put a dab of Dawn on it and then with little pressure wipe it all over the piece.  Then go back over it like you were scouring a pan. With very little scrubbing the rest just wiped off!  Be sure to use water to make the suds!  The water will not hurt the peice because you immediately use your rag and get it wet, wringed out, to wipe all the suds and remaining paint right off!


It was amazing!  Of course I had black goopy stuff all over the drop cloth and on me so be careful where you sit and stand!

The end result netted me a whole bedroom set for $150!!!  Can't beat that!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Vintage Kitchen Colors

This shall be the new colors and patterns for my kitchen.

I just love the polka dots and the flowers and especially the colors! I also think these are melamine which is perfect for the lake house! My search for this has not been successful yet but I will not give up!!!

Update:  I was able to find the red polka dot dishes! YAH!!!! www.countrydoor.com

Monday, October 8, 2012

Disneyland Then and Now

Disneyland - How much fun!
Today me and my kids and grandkids are going to the Happiest Place on Earth!

Takes me down memory lane!  Disneyland opened the year my brother we born so we grew up with Disney and Mickey and the Gang!

When I think back on going to Disney as a kid, it's funny but I remember it in black and white, just like the opening day photo...

and the before...

Here are a few more then and now pics for you to enjoy...



 
All from the dreams from one man, but with the support and shared dreams of many over the years!
Thanks Walt and everyone else that made this dream come true!

 
 

 
 


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Make Your Own Birdbath

Just saw this post and loved the idea. Not only is it cute but very green! Saving our environment is important and I just love repurposing things.  This post is from http://chiccottagejunk.blogspot.com/#.

There are so many old lamps and old bowls that you can find at thrift shops and flea markets that this would be very easy to do. I think the old metal lamps would be my choice. I could see how the patina could change over time with exposure to the elements. Don't use anything with dangles though, this will scare the birds away! 

Monday, October 1, 2012

Child Health Day

Today is Child Health Day. October 1. 
Even though we bring awareness to this day in more recent trends with trying to eat healthier, it has been an ageless tradition.  Only did we become so spoiled when we became the "drive through" society.  But I'm so glad that McDonalds and other chains have added a few more healthy choices!

Here's a few nostalgic pictures to see how far we've come!  Hope you enjoy.

 
1950

 1920

 1900