Thrifty Finds

I posted earlier this month my petite armoire I found at my local Goodwill. I'm still excited about that piece. Heeheehee. I also have my eye on a mini bookcase on Craigslist. I am crossing my fingers I will get it in the next day or two. However, my luck hasn't stopped there with the armoire. Here are my latest finds for this month so far.




By the way, that little white cup is a mustache/child/invalid cup. My youngest son thought the cup was so cute, he's claimed it as his teacup. How cute!!!



I also found a mini chest to hide them pesky game consoles and games my boys keep leaving all over the floor. I've tried training them to put them away in our T.V. armoire after every use, but they are boys....always around the armoire, but never in the armoire. So I bought them a wooden chest. It's working. I don't have a picture to show, but it'll definitely be a project post because I simply can't leave it plain.

I am currently working on two mini projects right now, and I can't wait to get them posted. Hopefully next week as I need to find me some pink, matching rhinestone earrings.

Until then,

Toodlepeeps.

A Petite Armoire

Like I need more furniture in my little condo, but when I found this armoire last week at my local Goodwill, I bought it on the spot. I need storage in my condo like you wouldn't believe, so I am using this armoire to store some of my scrapbooking, decorating, and office supplies and files. And it's the perfect size too! It is 49" tall, 36" wide. Now, this armoire maybe small, but it is H.E.A.V.Y. OMG! Carrying this thing from my sister's van to the base of my condo complex's stairway entry was torture. Worse, we wanted to give up after lifting it three steps up the stairs. Luckily, two young men (thank goodness they were around) felt sorry for us and helped. I mean, we began sweating as soon as we slid it out of her van. We didn't know how heavy it was because the Goodwill helpers placed it in her van. This armoire is not particle board material, it is wood. And now, it happily sits in my living room.

Problem....well, at least for me. I can't leave it alone. I mean, I can't leave it black, and I can't leave it plain. I have the itch to add it on my already growing decorating project list. This armoire looks fine, but my head keeps telling me it needs appliques and it needs to be stained a dark, rich brown (mahogany?). I would love to paint it white, but unfortunately, white does not go with my living room decor. Here are some inspirational armoires. So what do you think?


Yes, it's black, but check out the appliques. Ooh, and the knobs.


Yes, it's white, but check out the intricate designs. Scrumptious.


And finally, this one. Lovely. The color is just right for my living room.

Well, it will be a while before this petite armoire gets a facelift (it is on the bottom of my list), but when I finally get to it, I hope to have a decision on color and design. I will figure something out, but until then, decisions, decisions.

Toodlepeeps.

Mini Project #1

So, this is my first project post since November. Yeah! It feels very good to get back into an old rythm. I do need it to keep myself busy....well, at least most of the time. Relaxing is fun but so is creating and decorating. I really do enjoy myself when I'm creating.

I was thinking of doing another category. Mini projects. I'm categorizing Sneak Peek projects as those that require "hard work" such as sanding, drilling, priming, painting, varnishing, hammering, hours of work, etc. Sadly, I don't have very many of those - boo hooey. As for the mini projects, well, I'll categorize them as glue gunning, light sewing, minimal painting, decoupaging, etc. And I do have a lot of those - yeah! However, I don't think they will be sneak peeky.

So with that being said, let me continue with my first project post.



This umbrella (picture above) looked like my plastic, grass skirt patio umbrella. Actually, mine was beige/cream in color. I couldn't find a picture of my umbrella in my own photo files or on the web, so this pink umbrella kind of gives you an idea. Well, due to mother nature, the grass skirt needed a "mowing". So here's what it looks like now.



Not very pretty. Most peeps would just toss this ugly thing. Nope, not me. So I went to my local thrift store for some ideas. What do you get with this and this?



Again, the pics aren't that great. The lighting in my kitchen and living room isn't that great.

Tada or voila!



I just bought a round ivory tablecloth and sewed a pom-pom trim around the edge of it. That's it. Easy Peasy. Now, this umbrella will last a very long time. Plus, I can always try to find round tablecloths in many different colors and designs to change the patio mood. I'm now on the hunt for a pink, white, rosey, and lacey tablecloths. I can already imagine ruffles or fringe trims on them.

I can't wait to post this on Friday's Show & Tell on Cindy's My Romantic Home and on Thursday's Transformation Thursday on The Shabby Chic Cottage.

Until then,

Toodlepeeps.

Lisa

Sneak Peek Project #8 is FINALLY done!!!

Remember this table?

This table took a while to complete, but it is finally done! And you know what? I love the results.

Tada!




Sorry for the poor lighting, but if you click on the photo, you might be able to get a closer view of the details.

Part of me says I added too much detail, but honestly, it looks good and I love it. I was inspired by the many to die for tables on the The Bella Cottage website (www.thebellacottage.com), so I knew the direction I was heading towards when I purchased this table. This table is very petite. I originally bought it for my sunroom, but now I actually use it in my very, petite dining room. I am currently using patio chairs and a bench to go with it, but I actually have four victorian chairs I saved for it. Unfortunately, the chairs do require painting and reupholstering. That, My Dears, is another sneak peek project in the works as well as slipcovers for my patio chairs and curtains for the dining room.

I should have another Sneak Peek project posted before the end of the week so stay posted.

Until then,

Toodlepeeps.

August Thrift Finds

August has been a very busy month for me, but I did manage to find time to find some goodies to share. Now, what I have posted is just some of the fab finds. The others I will post as Sneak Peek projects, so here you go:



The girl statue is actually a lamp. So here she is with a lampshade. I'm not sure if I want to keep this lampshade on her, but in the meantime, it will do. I already have four lampshade in the works. And since they are being hand-sewn, it does take a lot of time.


Now I love, love tapestry. So I was excited to find the petite piece. I'm planning on creating it into a lavendar satchet. A pink ribbon and creamy tassel trimming!! OOh, can't wait to show that off. And the clock? $2.99!! Yes, it's missing the face, but that can be fixed for less than $10. I might put that piece in my guest bathroom. As for the salt & pepper shakers and plate, what can I say? Five dollars each. You can't beat that...well......

Well, gotta work on my next couple of sneak peek projects. Remember Sneak Peek project #8, that bargain, petite table? Well, it is finished. Give me a day or two to get it posted.

Until then,

Toodlepeeps.

Waiting for a new camera

Can't get started on my blogging yet until I get this.



Somehow my Olympus is "missing". No point of arguing for it, so I had to get me a new one. Stylish one too. This is enroute to me. Overstock can have such great deals and that $2.95 shipping, woohoo. Hopefully I will have it in my hands by Monday to begin posting my upcoming sneak peek projects. And boy do I have a lot!!!!! Big house, small house... I have lots of projects and finds to share. I'm not sure where to begin.

Until then,

Toodlepeeps.

Life Changes and Moving Forward

A little over eight months have passed since my last blog entry. And since then, I have made some dramatic life changes. The path I've taken has been a bit bumpy, but I hope with a little faith and preserverance, it will smooth out. After twenty years together, my husband and I have parted ways. Whatever our feelings for each other, we are still united in raising happy and healthy boys. Tristan and Lance are doing well since our breakup. Sure, they've had their moments, but they are fully aware that we will always provide the love and guidance they need. They will always be our focus, my focus. I will try not to dwell on this part of my life but focus on the new challenges/changes that lay before me.

One of the new changes in my life is going from owning a home to renting a condo. Boy, was that a change. It was tough. I cried many nights, but what is gone is gone. The best thing I can do now is make my new home as beautiful and dreamy as my old home. That's going to be a challenge. So, be on the lookout as I continue with more of my sneak peek projects, thrifty finds, and decorating ideas. My list of projects is L.O.N.G! I can't wait to get started; however, I also have a little more unpacking and decorating to do. Please bear with me, but I'm glad to back at blogging.

Until then,

Toodlepeeps