Guest Project — Pottery Barn-inspired Clock for less than $10!

 

What fun to be able to do a guest post on Jennifer’s blog!

My name is Selina and I come to you from Creative Juices Décor.  What you will find on my blog is lots of inspiration for all your Creative Juices! 
I LOVE home design/decorating, thrift store shopping, healthy recipes
and crafting.  I have 3 young kids so I also have fun thinking of crafts
for them to do.  Come stop by, I think you’ll be inspired! 

 

Isn’t this pottery barn
wall décor just beautiful?  If only we could re-create for less
everything we see in that magazine.  Well today’s post will give that a
try – Pottery Barn for under $10.00.  
Yep, that’s right, this next
project cost me around 6 bucks. 

Thrift store board – $1.50

Here is the lovely BEFORE picture

 

And here is the AFTER:

Now how I got there. 🙂

 

Prime board – let dry.

 

Spray on one coat cream colored paint. Dry

 

Cover with crinkled tissue paper and apply mod podge or a glue/water mix over the paper.

 

This is hard to see but it left little crinkled lines and indents throughout the piece.  Let dry completely. 

Apply one more coat of cream spray paint.  Let dry and screw on a hanger in the back

Paint and glaze the board.

 

 

Apply
tacks, buttons, or whatever you have on hand as the main number spots. I
actually had to drill the holes first before hammering these tacks in. 
It was scary since I am so bad with power tools! (see this bread box post!)

 Print
and cut out Roman numeral numbers as a template. (I just took mine off
the computer with free images)   Trace onto board, and fill in with
black paint.

 

Am I done?  Sure, why not. 🙂  I think it looks just as good as the EXPENSIVE pottery barn clock décor, don’t you? 

Cost break down:

Circular piece of wood: 1.50 (thrift store!)

Cream paint: 3.25 (I had white on hand but wanted it creamier)

Glue: 0.34

Tacks: 0.25 (I paid about 1.00 for 30 of them – thrift store)

I had all the other paints on hand from other miscellaneous projects.

So grand total I spent: $5.34

For those that want more pictures and in depth details of how to accomplish this project please click Creative Juices Décor and get the “Long Extended Version”! 

 

Thank you so much Jennifer for having me on your amazing blog!

Thanks Selina! 

Wow – what a great project and you made it for such an amazing price!! Here are some other projects I love from Creative Juices Décor:

{Monogrammed Plates}

{DIY Coffee Table Redo}

Selina also has great recipes on her site, like: 

{Rock Candy}

{Gluten-free Cookies}

Be sure to go over and say hi at Creative Juices Décor! 

PS — Be sure to head over to Naptime Crafters for Round 2 of American Crafter. This round’s theme is SNOW and the projects are really fun!!

xoxo

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Guest Project — Pottery Barn-inspired Clock for less than $10!

 

What fun to be able to do a guest post on Jennifer’s blog!

My name is Selina and I come to you from Creative Juices Décor.  What you will find on my blog is lots of inspiration for all your Creative Juices! 
I LOVE home design/decorating, thrift store shopping, healthy recipes
and crafting.  I have 3 young kids so I also have fun thinking of crafts
for them to do.  Come stop by, I think you’ll be inspired! 

 

Isn’t this pottery barn
wall décor just beautiful?  If only we could re-create for less
everything we see in that magazine.  Well today’s post will give that a
try – Pottery Barn for under $10.00.  
Yep, that’s right, this next
project cost me around 6 bucks. 

Thrift store board – $1.50

Here is the lovely BEFORE picture

 

And here is the AFTER:

Now how I got there. 🙂

 

Prime board – let dry.

 

Spray on one coat cream colored paint. Dry

 

Cover with crinkled tissue paper and apply mod podge or a glue/water mix over the paper.

 

This is hard to see but it left little crinkled lines and indents throughout the piece.  Let dry completely. 

Apply one more coat of cream spray paint.  Let dry and screw on a hanger in the back

Paint and glaze the board.

 

 

Apply
tacks, buttons, or whatever you have on hand as the main number spots. I
actually had to drill the holes first before hammering these tacks in. 
It was scary since I am so bad with power tools! (see this bread box post!)

 Print
and cut out Roman numeral numbers as a template. (I just took mine off
the computer with free images)   Trace onto board, and fill in with
black paint.

 

Am I done?  Sure, why not. 🙂  I think it looks just as good as the EXPENSIVE pottery barn clock décor, don’t you? 

Cost break down:

Circular piece of wood: 1.50 (thrift store!)

Cream paint: 3.25 (I had white on hand but wanted it creamier)

Glue: 0.34

Tacks: 0.25 (I paid about 1.00 for 30 of them – thrift store)

I had all the other paints on hand from other miscellaneous projects.

So grand total I spent: $5.34

For those that want more pictures and in depth details of how to accomplish this project please click Creative Juices Décor and get the “Long Extended Version”! 

 

Thank you so much Jennifer for having me on your amazing blog!

Thanks Selina! 

Wow – what a great project and you made it for such an amazing price!! Here are some other projects I love from Creative Juices Décor:

{Monogrammed Plates}

{DIY Coffee Table Redo}

Selina also has great recipes on her site, like: 

{Rock Candy}

{Gluten-free Cookies}

Be sure to go over and say hi at Creative Juices Décor! 

PS — Be sure to head over to Naptime Crafters for Round 2 of American Crafter. This round’s theme is SNOW and the projects are really fun!!

xoxo

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Guest Project — $7 Yard Sale Nightstand Makeover!!

Hey Y’all! 
I’m Myra from The Casabella Project and My Blessed Life. 
I’m thrilled to be here at Tatertots and Jello! 

{Thank you, Jen!!}

I’m a yard sale, thrift shop, spray paint, craft and decor junkie and I’m excited to share my yard sale nightstand makeover with you!

I spotted this nightstand/end table at a yard sale for $7. I hesitated slightly when I saw that it was laminate, but it’s actually good quality with a dovetailed drawer and solid wood instead of particle board under the laminate. The shape is just adorable and the price was right, so I bought it. I couldn’t wait to give it a new look!

1. I lightly sanded it down with a coarse sanding pad. Old stringy tape was stuck to the sides {eewww}, so sanding took care that.

2. Then I primed the nightstand with white Rustoleum American Accents oil-based spray primer and let it dry for a few days.

3. I used Rustoleum American Accents Blossom White spray paint in a few light coats to finish off the paint process.

{lookin’ better!}

After a few days of forcing myself to allow the paint to dry and harden, I lightly distressed the nightstand’s edges. I also distressed the drawer a bit. I love how it added texture, color and depth. The knobs are from Hobby Lobby where I scored them for 50% off – only $2.50 each! Woo to the hoo!

Now for the really fun part… stenciling!!

{supplies I used}

1. I divided the top into quadrants so I would have the center vertically and horizontally. I couldn’t find my hard measuring tape, but a sewing measuring tape and a ruler worked just fine.

2. Then I taped down my stencil with blue painter’s tape.

3. I squeezed Americana’s Bleached Sand acrylic paint onto a foam plate {fancy, I know!}.

4. Then I lightly brushed the paint onto the stencil with a foam brush. The key here is to not saturate the brush, but to lightly and repeatedly add more paint to the stencil. You could also use a small foam roller for this step.

I continued stenciling the design all over the top of the nightstand. {Don’t you just love those sweet little fingers peeking over the edge?} Once the stencil was dry, I sprayed two light coats of clear matte spray paint on it to give it a little bit of extra protection.

{swoon}

I’m thrilled with how my nightstand turned out!

It was easy and inexpensive to makeover. I only spent about $12 for supplies that I didn’t have on hand.

{more eye candy}

We all love a good before and after, right?

I hope you’re inspired to makeover a piece of furniture or even to stencil something in your home. I would love for you to visit my blogs – The Casabella Project and My Blessed Life.

Again, thank you SO much for having me, Jen!

Such a great project, Myra. I adore that stenciled top!

I can’t wait for the weather to get warmer so I can get out to the yard sales again! 

If you haven’t been over to My Blessed Life or The Casabella Project, this is what you have been missing: 

{Valentine’s Day Vignette}

{Before and After: Mirror Makeover}

96%

 {DIY Nursery Decor}

And now with her new blog, the Casabella Project, Myra and her husband are redoing a 1950’s home and showing us all of the DIY projects. I am so excited to see what they do! 

Don’t miss out on all the DIY goodness going on at 

The Casabella Project and My Blessed Life!! 

xoxox

PS — There’s a super sweet deal at GroopDealz today from my friend Brittany at {Love Stitched}. She is selling these amazing Cabochon Rings for 1/2 off — $5 each!! 

These would make awesome Valentine’s or Birthday gift for your mom, sister, best friend, neighbor, babysitter, teachers — anyone who loves cute things!! 

Check them out here.

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Guest Project — Make Thrifty Chevron Bulletin Boards {get organized}!

Hi – I’m Heidi from Budget Wise Home and I’m so excited to be guest posting today! 

For me, the new year is all about getting and staying organized–all on a budget, of course! These fabric covered bulletin boards are my latest office addition to help keep my desk neat and tidy. They were so easy and cheap to make.

I knew I wanted some over sized bulletin boards for my office, so when I came across these two at the thrift store, I snatched them up. Just $3.00 each! One had a little more wear and tear, but nothing a little fabric couldn’t cover up.

These are easy to find at thrift stores. I always see a few every time I go.

I spray painted them with 3 coats of the same red I used for my new thrift store chairs.

I cut my fabric to size and then used good old Fabri-Tac to glue it in place. I just worked in small sections gluing and smoothing the fabric as I went along. The fabric is Premier Prints ZigZag Village Blue/Natural from fabric.com

There were a few gaps around the edges, so I gave it a finished look with some ribbon using more Fabri-Tac.

Here they are all ready to go.

I use these to hang pictures, fabric samples, design ideas, paint chips, and anything else that gives me inspiration.

Here is the cost breakdown.

Bulletin Boards: $3.00/each

Fabric: $6.00/1 yard

Ribbon: $2.00

I already had the paint and Fabri-Tac

Total cost for both boards: $14.00!

These are so simple and way more fun to look at than a plain bulletin board. You can customize them to match any space. I hope you’re inspired to make your own. 

Happy organizing!

Wow – those bulletin boards are beautiful Heidi!!
I love that chevron fabric!! 

Heidi’s blog is awesome – I love all of her organizing ideas and thrifty makeovers!!

{Dresser Revamp}

{DIY Wrapping Paper Station}

{How yummy is this Tiered Cupcake Stand that Heidi made?}

{Children’s Artwork Display}

Let Heidi help you become more organized in 2011 at 
 Budget Wise Home!! 

xoxo

PS — the winner of the

Giveaway is Kim of Nick and Kim!!! 

 Be sure to keep Vintage Wanna Bee Boutique in mind for beautiful, handmade items!!

PPS — Shelley from House of Smiths is selling this adorable Simplify Decal at GroopDealz today!! For $6!!! Such a great deal!

to get your own, head on over to

groopdealz.com

<img alt=”” width=”1″ height=”1″ src=”http://ads.havenhomemedia.com/image_serve.php?cid=2581&t=1&ch=hhm.totsandjello%2Fdiy.homepage%2F300x250″ />

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Keeping it Real: Friday Edition

Do you ever have one of those weeks where it seems that you are running around ALL DAY LONG – EVERYDAY? I feel like I am going crazy, too many things to do, not enough time. Just keeping it real.

+++++++++++

But I have got a few things done – or started anyways!

• Square foot garden:

• Helped plant a community garden:

{the kids had a great time making a worm farm}

• Mulch in the flower beds:

{started planting the pots}

As I sit here at 11:15, still in my sweats with no shower, I am thinking of the zillion things I need to do before the kids get home at 1:50 (early day):

• Plant the seeds in the garden
• Water the plants in the garden and pots so they don’t die
• Get Hannah dressed at some point
• Grocery store
• Post office
• Mow the lawns
• Clean the house (hasn’t been done all week)

Thank you for being such great blogging friends. And thanks to the sweet friends who have given me awards this week. I love you all. I will try to post about them as soon as I have a few minutes without children hanging on me demanding food.

+++++++++++

Am I the only one???

What’s on your list today???
XOXOXO

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New Family Project

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hi and sign up for my giveaway. I will post the winner tomorrow morning!

**********************

This year we are starting a new family project: a Square Foot Garden.

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This project is going to fit in with our family goals this year of: being healthier, saving money and spending more quality time together!
(My sister, Wenderful, had a square foot garden when she lived near me and it was a great project for her family.) We did a little re-landscaping last year and I think I now have an area that will be perfect for this project! This is a great way to have a high-producing garden even if you don’t have a big yard!

Square Foot Gardening:

• Much less work (raised beds = less weeds)
• Water savings
• Pesticide free
• Easy to access (good for kids)

Here is what we are hoping to grow:

• spinach
• lettuce
• cauliflower
• broccoli
• corn
• cucumbers
• tomatoes
• sweet peppers
• eggplant
• raspberry
• basil
• chives
• rosemary

Have any of you done this? And do you have any thoughts or tips for us as we start this? I will keep updated as we embark on our new family project!

Have a Super Day!

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Thrifty Tuesdays: Madberries?

Have you ever heard of Madberries? It’s a site that has fabulous FREE giveaways each day! It’s a lot of fun – take a peek. Here my favorites they are giving away right now:

{Juicy Couture Crystal Watch: $195 value}

{Club Monaco Tricia Tote: $350 value}

{Viv & Ingrid earrings and Banana Republic jewelry case: $171 value}

{Coach Penelope spectator wristlet: $128 value}

{Lomography Diana F+ camera: $95 value}

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I hope you had a Terrific Tuesday!

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Thrifty Tuesdays: Do you Hulu?

Have you ever missed an episode of Lost or wanted to watch a classic like Karate Kid, but didn’t want to spend the money at the video store? Hulu.com is an online video service that lets you download more than 900 prime-time TV shows and movies for FREE. So the next time you miss The Biggest Loser, The Office or Flipping Out (I love that one!) — go over to Hulu.
On another thrifty note, my issue of Real Simple came with the cutest shirt for Spring. And guess where you can buy it??? JCPenney – can you believe that? JCPenney is unveiling a collaboration with designer Charlotte Ronson called I Heart Ronson and it will hit the stores this Spring. So instead of spending $180 for one of her shirts:


You can get this one for $22 bucks! (And knowing, JCPenney, it will go on sale it’s first week).

Have A Thrifty Tuesday!

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Favorite Thing Wednesday: Is it Spring yet???

I don’t know about you, but for me Winter seems to drag on forever! I think we had a snow day last year in April! Maybe I am feeling fidgety because of my trip last week, but I am ready for some warm weather.

Which brings me to my Favorite Thing for this week. I saw these at Target and I just couldn’t pass them up! And for $20 it gives me the hope that someday I will be wearing these babies, sitting on a lounge chair, sipping a cool lemonade. Hey, I can dream, can’t I?

{I love the cork wedge heel, the tan color and the fun circle shapes with the light stitching!}

{I love these because (again) the wedge heel and the color which is a really pretty red with a blueish undertone }

And now for my Un-Favorite-ist Thing:
If you remember my post a couple days ago about the toilet paper, you might appreciate this evidence I found this morning:

{Ella — “Mom, there’s no toilet paper!” Hmmm…..}{When I go in to investigate, there is a roll of unwrapped toilet paper on the table right next to the toilet... not actually on the roll.}

Also, I spent my afternoon putting together the project for Ella’s room and my Pay It Forward giveaway prizes. They are coming along and I can’t wait to show them to you on Friday!

Have a Super Day!

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Creative Fridays: Chair re-do & real life

About 8 years ago I discovered an unexpected decorating resource: JCPenney.com. It kind of flies under the radar. I have bought quite a few pieces of furniture through them. You DO have to put the furniture together, but it’s usually pretty easy assembly.
A few years ago I bought a couple of chairs to go at the head and foot of my kitchen table. I liked that they were upholstered, although I didn’t really care for the off-white, generic fabric that they came with. I was planning to recover them right away. Well, three years (or so) later, they are still the off-white material, although now they also have the bonus stains and spills that come with children who love to sit in that comfy spot.So the other day I decided to get rid of those gross cushions. I found a shower curtain in a bright, paisley print (I am a sucker for paisley) with a sturdy material at WalMart. I got out my trusty, extra-strong staple gun and went to work!

After reattaching the cushions on to the chairs, I attached some coordinating ribbon and voila! A brand new look! I think they bring a little Spring sunshine into the kitchen!

Now that we’re done being crafty, let’s talk about real life. My friend Sarah over at Clover Lane has a great post today about our love/hate realtionship with blogging. Go on over and check it out. While I love blogging and love the people I have met, it does take up time and add stress to my life. While I am checking on blogs or writing mine, I am feeling guilty for not spending time with my kids or cleaning my house. And, while we’re keeping it real, I have two questions for you:

1. Are you the only one who takes the toilet paper up to the bathrooms?
2. Are you the only one who actually changes the toilet paper rolls????

Arghhhh!!!!! Now I am going to stop blogging and go spend some time with my 4 year old!!!

Have a Fun Friday!
–Jen

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