An "Awesome" Desk Chair

This year, Tristan decided that skateboards, console/computer games, Legos, and zombies/skeletons are cooler than Spiderman and all his other kiddie toys. As for Lance, he's just into Legos and Star Wars. Both Tristan and Lance now have very little interest in toys which I am secretly happy about. I don't mean that in a bad way, I mean it in a good way. I mean I just don't have to gripe about toys all over the house. This change finally means clearing out their room of all those kiddie toys and having a garage (toy) sale. It also means Tristan wants a "cool" looking room. So we are working together for that cool look he is seeking. And because both boys share a room, we have decided that black, silver, red, and blue will do for both of them.

My first project for the boy's room was this chair they needed for their desk.

It's an old collapsible chair I got from a friend's estate sale. I decided that this chair would be a perfect fit for the boy's desk than a computer task chair. So for two days, I sanded, primed, and painted it for that "cool" look. I also added a "cool" feature that my boys loved. I got an "awesome" response. I was so tickled pink! Here it is:


The skeleton feature is a wooden plaque I purchased at Michaels. The minute I saw it, I knew it was made for the chair. I'm not sure I will be adding anymore skeleton features in the bedroom, but I must admit this was a good idea. Plus, the boys loved it!

The next project in their room will most likely be their drabby wardrobe closet. Hmmm....

Until then, I'm off to another mini project.

Toodlepeeps.

See you at Show n Tell Friday at Cindy's>

Halloween Crafts

So last week, the boys and I decided to do some Halloween crafts. I've never been a big fan of Halloween decorating, but this year I decided I'll try just a bit. Tiny steps.

The boys decided to create mini, black styrofoam spiders. The craft supplies included in this project were styrofoam balls, black spray paint, glue, black pipe cleaners, and wiggly eyes. All I did was spray painted the styrofoam balls black and cut the pipe cleaner to size. The rest was left for the boys. They glued on the eyes and attached the pipe cleaner legs to the styrofoam balls. This is what they created.





A very simple craft project that took us a total of 30 minutes. And they enjoyed it. This weekend, I'm going to hot glue them to my glass candy jar and hang them from my living room chandelier. I'll try to remember to post pics.

While they were creating spiders, I was in the backyard spray painting pumpkins and candeliers.


I saw these candeliers at Michaels and wanted them, but decided to hold off. I'm glad I did because I found them at Target for $2.50 each. Michaels wanted $4.99 each and they were black. I saved myself $5; HOWEVER, I did not like the color. So they rec'd a coat of black paint and voila!


Well, my spray painting didn't end there. I had two more things to spray paint. Check out these petit pumpkins.

I bought them at my local dollar store, Dollar Tree, for a buck each. Now, I've seen a lot of pink and creamy pumpkins floating around on many wonderful blogspots, so I decided I wanted some too. So I pulled out my handy dandy cream and pink spray paints and sprayed away. Here they are inside a glass cloche. Not so scary for Halloween, but hey, who said Halloween had to be creepy???


I'm not sure what other Halloween decor plans I might have, but this is just a start.

See you on Show & Tell Friday at Cindy's Romantic Home/

Until then,

Toodlepeeps.

My Decorative Bowl Idea

About five years ago, I bought this metal candle holder for my dining table. The glass bowl that went with it broke while I was washing it. So the metal base sat in the project bin for quite some time. I knew someday I would find a bowl that would fit perfectly inside of this metal base. I searched a year for a bowl at the thrift stores and flea markets but gave up. So into the storage bin it sat.



Then one day, while sifting through many of my back copies of Romantic Homes magazine, I had an idea. I went straight to ebay. You can literally find almost anything there. So for less than $20, I found this.


Put them together, and you get this.


My lonely metal base is now partnered with a vintage, pink glass lampshade. I think they go great together. Just because something seems useless without its original companion piece, improvise. I'm glad I kept the base.

Until then,

Toodlepeeps.

Mini Project #2

This little cast iron mirror/jewelry box sat on my bedroom dresser for a year or two now. When I saw this on sale at a thrift store, I knew it was coming home with me. I never really did like the color until today. All it needed was a little paint and jewelry. And now, it looks like this.



Isn't he such a cutie?


I painted it ivory and did a dry brush antiquing method. It turned out nicely. I then decided to give it a bit of glamour by adding the pearl brooch to the top of the mirror. Now this little mirror sits in my guest bathroom.


Well, another mini project completed and posted on Cindy's Show and Tell Friday.

Toodlepeeps.

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