Re purposed canvas painting

 Found this little painting at D.I.

 Vinyl lettering from Hobby Lobby.

 Paint over everything lightly. Whatever look you like.

While paint is still wet, peel off the vinyl.
I made this for Zoe because she loves all things French, except this painting :) She ended up painting over it and had me write Amore on it in black. Whatever. She knows what she likes.

Painted jar with blossoms

 Take an old jar that you like the shape of.

 Paint the inside your paint color of choice. Let it dry.

 I filled mine with dry beans. I followed Martha Stewarts tutorial to make this stick with paper blossoms on it.

It makes it feel like Spring, even if it doesn't feel like it outside.

Tutorial: Framed dry erase board

1.Get an old frame from a thrift store. Just choose a size you like.

2. Take out the glass and picture and backing. Clean everything really well.

 3. While you could easily spray paint the frame any color you choose, we painted because we had the paint we wanted to use. Craft paint dries really fast. Because the frame was a dark green we first painted the frame a pale pink as a primer. Then we painted over that two coats of a darker pink.
Just paint your frame until you are happy with the way it looks, then let it dry completely.

 My daughter did almost everything on this project in an afternoon. Super easy, super fast project.

 4. Choose a fabric that you like, that matches your frame. Cut it the same size as the glass. We ironed ours so that no wrinkles would show.

5. Replace the glass in the frame, then the fabric and put it all back together. Use dry erase markers on the glass.

New custom-made dry erase board: $3

Refinished credenza

 I have been looking for a credenza to house the flat screen T.V. that we didn't yet own for a long time. Travis texted me a picture of this nasty old thing that he found at D.I. In the picture he texted me it looked like real wood. When he got it home I realized it wasn't. It was a veneer, and a pretty crappy one at that. There were many times throughout this process that I cursed myself for even trying to refinish something that should have been in the dump. But I had a vision and couldn't stop. Now I am happy I tried because I am pleased with the outcome and now I know that if I can make a piece of junk functional that I am excited to try on some real wood.
I followed a few different tutorials online. Basically Travis lightly sanded the veneer. Just enough to take off the shine.

 Then we primed the entire outside. We didn't even bother with the inside, because, frankly, this credenza isn't going to last long.

 Then I painted a couple coats of Behr Ultra with Primer. The color is Behr Darkest Grape. We used the finish that is in between Semi-gloss and Flat. What is that? Satin?
These pictures DO NOT do it justice. This is looking almost dark lavender. The piece, while certainly purple, is deeper than this.

Repurposing: flare leg cords to "skinny" cords

 I mind as well call this post "I am cheap", because that is pretty much what this comes down to. I just got some boots with which I need to wear skinny jeans. I don't have any skinny jeans, due to the fact I just don't think I should wear them. I am "curvy" and I don't think that they are made for curvy ladies. They are, after all called "skinny" jeans. But I love my boots enough that I will wear skinny jeans, or in this case, skinny cords.

 Here are some old cordoroy flare leg pants that someone gave me (that is how I get most of my clothes :) I decided I wanted to be able to wear them with my boots. I had turned some flare jeans of Zoe's into skinnies and they worked out so well, I decided to try for myself.

 I think they turned out okay. I will wear them anyway.

I also tried with some jeans and they worked out great as well. Now I have two pairs of skinny jeans and spent no money. Also, I don't have to say I broke my vow never to buy skinny jeans.

Repurposed dress to skirt

Someone gave us this little corduroy dress that is cute, though really not Zoe's style. She does have a skirt that she loves and wears all the time. So I thought, why don't I make the dress into something she can wear.

I took the favorite skirt and laid it right on the dress, cutting it out with some extra for seam allowances (also I made it a little longer so she could wear it with tights as well as leggings). Put on a waistband and a zipper and button in back. Some little detailed pockets in the front, done.

So, I thought it looks really cute on her. She has not worn it yet. In fact it took her over a week JUST to try it on (I was going crazy, but I have learned not to push  :) She doesn't have a lot to wear it with. I don't know if she will wear it, but at least I got it out of my system.

Before and After, Throw pillow

$1 thrift find (I don't think I could've found an uglier specimen)

My first experiment with cording/piping. Love how the yellow pops with the charcoal color of the pillow.

Not the greatest picture, will post more when I get the matching drapes finished and hung.