Potterybarn Number Canvas Knock-Off

So, I have been eyeing many

wonderful blogs featuring the tutorials 

for the well-known

Potterybarn Number Canvas Knock-off

and am thrilled to share with

you my finished product!

...

Here's my inspiration and

many thanks to Jennifer

at PaisleyPinkPolkaDots

for the great tutorial!

 (photo courtesy of Potterybarn)

 (photo courtesy of Potterybarn)

Here is my final product:

I love how the mod podged newspaper

gives it an aged look!

I started off by mod podging strips of

newspaper onto my canvas.

Next, I painted over the newspaper with

Antique White acrylic craft paint.

...

Then, I printed out my numbers onto

sticker paper. Some of the larger numbers took two 

sheets of sticker paper. 

...

I used a brayer to make sure the numbers

were as flat and secure as they could be.

Next, I gave my canvas two coats of 

flat black spray paint.

...

When it was dry, I carefully peeled off

the number stickers.

...

I gave the numbers a little walnut stain wash

and then sanded the edges

of the canvas.

Finished product makes me quite happy!

It fits right in on my entryway wall

full of numbers and letters!

Bathroom Makeover

I'm so excited to share

with you my

bathroom makeover!

...

In just a few hours (3 to be exact),

some $.25 Oops Paint

from my second home, Home Depot,

and some painter's tape I already

had on hand, I 

was able to transform my bathroom

to something I've

been imagining in my head as

I've found things

on my many thrift store adventures.

Took about three hours total to

wash the walls, measure out the lines,

apply the painter's tape, and

paint every other

line with two coats.

Easiest and fastest transformation ever!

You'll also notice almost everything in the

new and improved bathroom is

either something I already

had and repainted or

a thrift store find! 

Feels good to repurpose!

The mirrors used were spray painted with flat white, 

then sanded. The cream medallions

on the wall are from

The Denver Polo Club many years ago.

I picked them up from

a friend while on

my summer road trip with Ari.

Candlesticks and tray were espresso

brown before and 

were spray painted flat white,

then sanded for some distressing.

You'll also notice I added some chicken wire

to the shelf I redid last month.

I measured, cut, spray painted

it with Oil Rubbed Bronze,

then stapled it to the doors.

Love, love, love how everything has come together!

And love even more that

most of the items

I've added to this space are on their

second and third "lives"!

...

Happy Repurposing!

Thrift Store Treasures!

Had a wonderfully successful day thrifting with Ari! 

Here is a quick pic of my findings:

I'm so excited to get these repurposed and

to find their spots in my home.

...

I was also quite lucky to bring home this beauty:

I spotted her right as I walked in to

one of my favorite thrift stores.

I couldn't bring myself

to spend money

on something "just for me" and

not for the home.

...

Ari ended up buying her

for me...an early birthday present!

I'm so giddy with excitement!

...

She will fit perfectly in my bedroom

with that small pop of color 

like Ari suggested.

"Thank you, Ari!"

...

Happy repurposing!

~jennifer

Photo Blocks

Just a quick glimpse at one

of the projects I completed this weekend

during the 24-hour Survivor Crop.

I was inspired by this version I found on Pinterest.

(from the blog: New England through Yummy Mommy's Eyes)

I followed Michele's tutorial for her 

photo blocks exactly and am

very happy with how they

turned out!

...

They're not exactly repurposed, but

they definitely add some charm

to my home. 

These can be changed up for any season

or holiday, just use your letters

to spell out something else on 

the bottom of the blocks...flip them over when the 

season changes!

Now, that'd be repurposing at it's finest!

~jennifer

Repurposed Headboard

It all started with this beautiful bench I recently

got after what seemed like
many weeks of layaway payments.

(so thrilled layaway still exists)

I have always planned on making

my own headboard 

out of MDF, batting, and material, but

when I had the idea

to repurpose the previous headboard I

had hanging in my other

home, I practically screamed in the aisles

of Home Depot. 

(I quickly left before purchasing the MDF)

...

For those who have followed my crafting experiences,

you know that over the last few years
I had six wooden frames made

from an IKEA kit and some fabric from Jo-Ann's

hanging above my bed. They made the perfect base

for my newly updated headboard.

I started by measuring the size 

of all six frames together.

I decided to leave the current material on the 

frames in case I wanted to 

go back to that colorful headboard, as well
as it also provided a stronger

base for my new headboard.

After ironing my material and

cutting down my batting, I placed all six frames

on top, being sure to center them.

I wanted to secure the six frames into one

piece, so I reinforced them by

stapling the frames to each other.

...

Next, I started stapling my material
 in the center of each side of the piece, pulling 

taut as I went around.

Then I stapled all the way down each edge.

Do your corners last, wrapping them

like a present, nice and flat.

Here is what it looks like after you're done stapling.

Last step, I added some nailhead trim
that I purchased from Beacon Fabric & Notions
in French Natural. Using a
nailhead trim kit makes the application
so much easier - you only have to hammer in
one nail for every five spaces, and you
can get an even, straight line. Brilliant!

I used a french cleat to hang my headboard. Very easy to use!

Altogether, this project took me about 2 hours.
I'm pretty ecstatic with my repurposed, charming headboard
that goes so well with my new bench.

Cost Breakdown:
Wooden frames: FREE (already had for a few years)
Batting 2 yards: $6
Material 2 yards: $8
Nailhead trim kit: $20
French Cleat: $7
Total Cost: $41
(and the best part is I still have over half of my nailhead trim left - do I hear another project calling!)
...
Hope you like it!

~jennifer

Thrift Store Lamps Makeover

Something I've been wanting to do

for awhile now - a

thrift store lamp makeover.

...

I've been on the hunt for some old

lamps for quite awhile and

knew I'd find just

"the right ones" with time and

when I did happen to find

"the right ones"... I'd know it.

...

Well, last weekend, I knew it.

I had found them.

They were sitting amidst a bazillion of 

mismatched, dusty old lamps, practically

calling out my name.

I answered and here's what I came up with

 in just a few short hours this

past weekend.

...

I'm smitten.

 (be sure to cover and tape up the parts you

 don't want the spray paint to hit - plastic zip bags and

painter's tape work well)

 (I was hesitant to try such a pastel color, but I wanted an aqua and you get less choice

when you opt for spray paint. I most definitely wanted spray paint for the smooth and easy coverage.)

 (the color is definitely not pastel at all, so I'm quite pleased with the outcome. love.)

The best part is they remind me of the lamps my parents had

when I was little, shiny gold and all. 

Now, I can appreciate the similar

shape, yet with an updated, repurposed look.

~jennifer

Bathroom Cabinet Repurposed

Yes, it's been a BUSY weekend

to say the least. I've finished three projects

this weekend and almost a fourth.

I repurposed my previous

wall hanging into 

a new headboard, but still 

need to add a few details before revealing that beauty!

...

This is another wonderfully

 made over gem. 

I still can't 

believe I found it.

It has the perfect, and I mean

perfect measurements

for what I have been looking for.

...

This horrendous piece of 

furniture was just

sitting there waiting for me... in the

clearance aisle at HomeGoods.

Missing knobs, horrible paint,

a broken corner. But, I

knew I could

give it some charm!

And I did.

I started by sanding off the 

red coral paint on top

and removing

the front paneling. Ick.

Gave her a few

coats of my trusty 

Zinsser primer.

This time, I used the water-base type

because I was working

indoors, in the bathroom. Less smell.

Next, I gave her a few coats of

Martha Stewart's Sunken Pool

paint from a sample

size I had on-hand.

(still have 1/2 of that tiny container left!)

...

After the paint was dry, I used

some walnut stain I had lying around the house to 

help give her an aged/worn look.

Using a lightly damp 

sponge or rag, add stain to furniture in a circular

motion, then wipe off with another rag

or paper towel. Work quick, it dries fast!

(oh, and notice my newly discovered way

to paint finnials, legs, anything that rolls, etc. - a cardboard box!)

Lastly, I sanded her with my palm sander; first with 

medium grit, then with super fine.

This gave her a nice

distressed look.

Also, added some knobs that 

sort of complement

my shower curtain rings.

I am in love. 

Just need to add

a few more towels and 

things to the top,

possibly some old mason jars or such.

I'll keep you posted.

...

Until then, happy repurposing

and don't forget

to find the beauty in the not-so-pretty!

~jennifer