About Me

My Photo
Jennifer Macker
Hi, I'm Jennifer from Southern California. I'm a creative soul who loves thrift stores, spray paint, DIY projects, and giving old things new life. I'm on a mission to find a new purpose for things and making them more beautiful than they once were.
View my complete profile

Followers

Powered by Blogger.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

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

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

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.


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


Monday, October 10, 2011

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

Sunday, October 9, 2011

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

Grandpa's Bookcase #2 Makeover

Just wanted to share a 
quick project I did this afternoon...


I am once again reunited with
one of my Grandfather's
bookcases and couldn't be more happier! 
...
When I began teaching, he
gave me four bookcases and
this one in
particular has been in a few
of my homes, then
in my mom's, and now back with me!
...
Hence, it needed a little love
to bring back it's charm.
...

First, I used my MOST favorite
tool for spray painting and
I highly recommend 
you get one for yourself.

The Rustoleum trigger sprayer. 
The best invention ever! Saves your fingers 
and gives a much more
even coverage.


(about $6 at Home Depot)

I gave the bookcase two
coats of primer, then two coats of a wonderful
yellow, Summer Squash in satin finish,
by Rustoleum.


Sanded a bit for a distressed look and voila!
I'm super excited to have 
another piece of
my grandpa with me.
I think he'd be proud... a little
repurposed charm.



~jennifer

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Shadowbox Vintage Keys



After seeing this beauty online, 
(from Amy over at Mod Podge Rocks)

I was
instantly inspired to replicate
it using some stuff
I already had around the house!
...

I dusted off my shadow box and gathered 
together all my vintage keys.
...
I took out the glass, and the fabric 
backing so I had
only the surface I wanted to paint
exposed.
...
After a few coats of primer


and a few coats of
my new favorite Martha Stewart
paint in Ducks Egg,
I was ready to sand & distress.



After wiping it down, I reattached the 
mirror and padded inside piece.
...
I used sewing pins to hang my
vintage keys and
decided to hang them in
order from longest to shortest.
...
My initial inspiration photo shows
the keys painted and some
scrapbook paper
mod podged in the background,
but I decided to leave
mine simple and
the keys in their original state.
...
Hope you like my afternoon project.
I'm pretty happy with how it turned out
and even more so
that I found the perfect spot for it!
(love when that happens!)


Happy repurposing!
~jennifer
 
Blog Design by Delicious Design Studio