Accent Table Finished

Here's the end result of the accent table I created for work. It looks great and is functional. Sorry for the poor quality of the picture. It's taken from my phone. My camera is being borrowed at the moment so when I get it back I'll update with a better picture.

Oh, I was able to sand down and reuse the knobs that were existing instead of using new knobs.

Recycled Furniture

I found the table for my work bathroom! It's all wood so no problems there. I found it on craigslist for $20 but got it for $15. My inspiration is going to be this picture from this site:

http://www.remodelaholic.com/2010/12/twin-end-tables-painted-green.html, but with my own spin.

My Inspiration

Again I'm going to try to recyle materials to keep the cost low. I'm thinking a black top with the rest being an "Alligator Green" (left over paint from my living/dining room walls) and then I have two wooden knobs left over from the arts and craft center project that I'm thinking of painting a solid black to accent the table top. I'm going to try the black glaze this time. I can't wait to get started! Here's the before picture of the end table.

Stay tuned for the finished product!

Distressed Accent Table

Before Image

I was looking on craigslist for a small table to refinish and put in the bathroom at work to spruce things up a bit. I found this one for $20 but got it for $10. It was apparently part of the Eddie Bauer Home Collection. Unfortunately it had a glass shelf which I was afraid would be a problem for work as it may be seen as a liability (I'm a therapist). I decided I could always not use the glass shelf and fill in the holes.

Since it was for work I didn't want to spend a lot of money so I just recycled supplies left over from other projects. Here's where I found my inspiration:

http://frenchcottageinteriors.com/furniture/tables/ and it is the piece titled, "Rustic Painted End Table".

The stand was all white with some paint chipping off. I used paint stripper and took off the top paint to find wood (I think it was a wood veneer on top of fake wood, but it was in excellent condition). I left some white paint on the sides of the top for a more distressed look. I used a "jaco bean" wood stain color on the top of the stand and the side edge and applied layer after layer with a rag until I reached my desired look. Actually at first I was upset because the stain started to interact weirdly with the wood not leaving an even finish, but then I liked it because it looked more old and worn so I kept applying more finish.

Then I used the same "laughing eyes" blue from my art center and same technique (watered down acrylic paint and a rag to create the antique finish look). I sanded between coats on everything and at the beginning and then sanded down parts to expose the wood and white paint below for a continued distressed look.

In the end I decided I liked the glass shelf so I put it back on. Then I took an old replica glass knob that I have had for a while from another project, drilled a hole and put it on the front of the stand. It looks like a drawer but it's just decoration. I sealed the entire project twice with a clear satin finish. I liked it so much and wanted to keep the glass shelf that I decided to keep the stand. I showed my sister on Facetime and she asked to keep it so that is where this piece will find it's new home. This was a fun project that took about a total of 6 hours over 3 days to complete and cost $10 due to using all recycled materials.

Alas, my search continues for the right end table/stand for the work bathroom. Stay tuned...

Super Simple- Super Cute

I found the idea for this project at the following site;

http://bluevelvetchair.blogspot.com/2011/08/super-simple-diy-frame.html. I thought it looked pretty neat and while I don't have a space for it in my home I thought perhaps it would be a fun interactive project that could be placed in the waiting room of the counseling office where I work.

All of the materials for this project were recycled from things I already had around my home. I had a 12x12 frame with a picture in it that I wasn't using and decided to tear it apart to reuse the frame. I used cotton string, added a little of thin glitter yarn and then decided to use metal clips versus small clothes pins (I had both but liked the metal clip look better). I used an industrial hand staple gun to hold the cotton yarn on and hot glued the glitter yarn around the staples. This was all done on the back of the frame. Added clips, cut some decorative scrap paper in different patterns and colors with the purpose of using them to have people add inspirational/motivational quotes to the board (perhaps when they are waiting in the waiting room)! ;) Including prep time the entire project was created in about 45 minutes.

Scrap- Paper- Tree- Centerpiece

I found this art project from a link on Reddit Crafts (http://www.reddit.com/r/craft) that inspired me to try my hand at creating something similar. Here's the official cite that gives the instructions:

http://www.everydaymomideas.com/2011/03/scrap-paper-tree-centerpiece-tutorial.html.

Hmmm... mine turned out mediocre. Difficulties were that it didn't say what are the best size branches to use nor what size to make the leaves or about how many per branch. I found that I ended up using to big of branches and not enough leaves or perhaps my leaves were also too big. The final look is okay and I think it might actually look even sharper if I had a solid black vase to put it in. However, finding an inexpensive decent black vase is proving to be difficult. Since I'm not sure how long I'll keep the piece I don't want to invest a lot in the vase. I've looked at Goodwill, Family Dollar and Craigslist with no luck. I'll keep looking and if I find something I'll edit this post to show the difference.

My Purchase's/ Art Center Room Decorations

I purchased a piece of artwork from each 6x6 exhibit since it began in 2008. I found a great deal on frame's at Michael's (buy one get one free). Now they are hanging in my art center room and look wonderful.

It was very neat to purchase the artwork and see who created them. One is from a Geneseo College Student, another is an Illustrator, and the newest piece from the 2011 show turned out to a neighbors daughter. Isn't that crazy-out of 5,000 pieces I end up picking a neighbor's!

Artist Trading Cards Received

Here are some artist trading cards I've received upon exchanging. The top two cards are from tomorrowboy and the bottom two are from Jennifer.Dickieson@live.ca