Sunday

Apothecary Filler

This weekend was full of tying up loose ends. It seems like the weekends are always the times when I can catch up on things. It drives me nuts to have a million things half done but I think I'm finally finished with most of my projects, for now... ;) One loose end I needed to tie up was finding something to fill these apothecary jars. They have been sitting empty since I took the Christmas ornaments out of them. So, I started with some river rocks from the dollar store, added a little moss (also from the dollar store), and then added a few fern leaves (50% off at Hobby Lobby) I love decorating with elements from nature. Here they are all filled up!




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Friday

"Sew" Perfect!

I have finally finished one of my many projects going on right now. First, I have some great news! I sold my first two pieces of furniture! :) Which means I can start working on some more pieces. I'm so excited to see where this will lead. Anyways, I stumbled upon this little table at the Goodwill for $15. It doesn't look too bad in the picture but the top definitely had some damage so I fixed it up with a little paint and then gave it some distressing to add a little character.

Before...



and after! This space seemed so empty before but now this table fills it in nicely.




and I just love this picture, I'm not sure why, maybe because I have a love for all things beachy? I found it at the Goodwill for $2.98 and it's signed and everything. It looks almost like a watercolor. I'm not sure, but I like it :)



SURPRISE!  It also houses a wonderful old sewing machine.  I was so excited when I saw this part.  I had the man in the store plug it in to make sure it worked and much to my surprise it worked like a charm!



I would have easily paid $15 for just the side table but I was so amazed to get such a good deal for both!  It made my day!


Happy Friday!  I hope to finish up most of my projects this weekend so I can share them!

Monday

Glass Pedestal Vase

I made some vases similar to these in a previous post, but decided to make some more for an event we had at church. I started out with these vases from the Dollar Store. They are such great vases, even if you didn't do anything to them. I can't believe they are only $1!



Then, I covered the outside with newspaper and spraypainted the inside with silver metallic spraypaint.



Turned them upside down to let any excess paint run out and attached the candlesticks (also from the dollar store) to the bottom with some Epoxy.


And here his one of them on the dessert table at the event. Don't those goodies look delicious?!? They were great! :)


and I had trouble getting a good picture of the tables in there but you get the idea...


I think I ended up spending around $3 for each table, not bad considering we were on a pretty tight budget.

We had a wonderful time!  The food and the fellowship were great!

Party!

Check out the DIY party at the DIY showoff today!

The DIY Show Off

and another party...

The Girl Creative



Sunday

Wall Plaques

I have had these sititng in my garage for what seems like forever. My mother-in-law gave them to me because she didn't have anywhere she could use them. I thought they were really nice but I couldn't think of anywhere to use them either. The finish wasn't really my style so I decided to give them a coat of white spaypaint and then see if I could find a place for them. I decided to put them above our pantry door and store closet door in our kitchen. I thought about glazing them to make the details pop but I'm not sure yet.

Here they are before, not too bad...



and after!



Saturday

Chandelier Reveal!

Ok, I am finally done with my chandeliers! It took me a long time to finish these because of some difficulties with the shade. I will share with you what NOT to do as well so you don't make the same mistakes I did. I started out with these two lights from the Restore (they were $15). I'm sure you have seen some like these before.



I found two of these lamp shades at the Goodwill for $1.99. I thought they would be the perfect size/shape for this project. However, the inside of the lamp shades had yellowed and I wasn't crazy about that. So, here's where things started to go wrong. I first got the idea to cover the inside with gray/silver tissue paper but I couldn't find that so I thought a gray napkin would work, boy was I wrong.



I applied it with modge podge and this is what I came up with. I was expecting more of a smooth finish. I knew this would not work so I decided to paint the inside (after tediously scraping every last bit of paper off of it). I started with a brush then moved to spraypaint but neither covered well enough, even after several coats. So, I moved on to some cool wallpaper my mom had, but you could see the paint strokes through the wallpaper when the light was on. At this point I was ready to throw the shades away and start over and I probably would have but I couldn't find the right size in the store. So, my last resort was to use some thick microfiber fabric I had leftover from another project. I applied it with hot glue and used an exacto knife to trim the egdges. This finally worked.  I forgot to take a picture of the shade but you will see it in the finished product.  Here it is with the napkin, not so good... 



Onto the next step. I didn't take a good "before" picture of the light once it was disassembled but the bottom of the chandelier part was completely flat. Since most chandeliers have some sort of decorative ball at the bottom I knew I would have to find something to put there to make it more "chandelier like". I found these apothecary jars at Walmart and bought them on a whim, hoping they would be the right size. After all the trouble I had with the shades I was expecting another problem. Thankfully I was wrong and these worked perfectly! I couldn't believe how well they fit. I just used some Epoxy to hold them in place. (I only used the lid part)



I took the whole light apart.  It's pretty simple you just start unscrewing it and it should all come apart pretty easily.  Depending on how many parts and pieces there are, you may want to take a picture of it so you can remember how it goes back together.  Once it was all apart, I spraypainted it a metallic silver color.  Then I attached some of these crystals from Lowe's to the arms using some fishing line.


ok, after all that, finally the reveal...Most of these are with the lights off because with the lights on you can't really tell what they look like.  I'm going to try to take some more pictures with the lights on later and see if I can get some better ones.  I think they add a lot of drama to our entryway without a spending a lot of money~












Friday

Cloche

I have always had a thing for cloches. They are just so simple and pretty and make everything look better! I had been on the hunt for one for quite some time.  I used to see them all the time at Home Goods until I decided to purchase one.  Now, I never see them there, but that sometimes is the way it goes.  I finally found one that I liked for 50% off at hobby lobby.  I was happy about that, but figured I could probably easily make my own. A friend of mine had given me this hurricane shade and I found a small glass candle holder for $0.49 at the Goodwill. Add a little epoxy to the mix and you have yourself a cloche. In my case it only cost me $0.49! Not too shabby!

Here is what I started with...



and here is how it turned out...



and this is the larger one that I got from Hobby Lobby, I love the milk glass dish that is under it, my friend and fellow bargain hunter gave it to me!

Furniture Friday!

Today I am linking up to Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday Link Party!  A Furniture party?!?  I'm in! :)  Check out all the creativity here!

Thursday

Marshmallows

Ok, I know I have been talking about posting my chandelier for what seems like forever but I promise I will post it tomorrow!  I actually hung it up tonight and I'm really excited about it but, I do have to make a few adjustments to the shade.  So, instead I am going to share a recipe with you that looks absolutely heavenly!  My sister sent me this recipe from a blog she follows called Prudent Baby.  Don't these look declicious!  I can't wait to make them and let you know how they turn out.  I love the brownie box she used to package them in too.  I think this would be a great, unique gift!


COFFEE MARSHMALLOW RECIPE



Ingredients:

3 packages of unflavored gelatin

1 cup ice water, divided into 1/2 cups

1.5 cups granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/4 tea salt (coarse or sea salt)

1 tablespoon coffee extract (or 1 teaspoon vanilla)

you can add food coloring if you want

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup cornstarch
1. In the bowl of your mixer with the whisk attachment, empty the 3 packets of gelatin and add 1/2 cup ice water. Let it sit to "bloom" while you do the other stuff

2. In a sauce pan mix the 1.5 cups sugar, the other 1/2 cup ice water, 1 cup corn syrup and 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt. Put the lid on and bring it to a boil.


3. Remove the lid and let it cook until it reaches 240 degrees. Temperature is important with this. I used a meat thermometer because I couldn't find my candy thermometer. It worked out fine it was just a pain to clean.


4. When it hits 240 degrees immediately remove it and pour it into the mixer on top of the gelatin. Start the mixer at a slow speed so you don't splash 240 degree sugar syrup on your face.


Put the lid on the mixer and turn it up to way-high speed.


5. That is going to be whisking for a while, so prepare your pan. use a brownie pan and cover it in plastic wrap. Coat the plastic wrap with a bunch of non-stick cooking spray. In a bowl mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 cup cornstarch and generously sprinkle it around. Pick the pan up and shake it to coat the top and sides. Pour the excess out and then back in, make sure it is coated really well because your marshmallows will be sticky, and if there's too much you can always brush it off later when the marshmallows are done:


6. Ok, back to your mixer. The whole mixing process will take about 8-12 minutes. Your marshmallows mixture is going to about double or triple in size. it will start like this.


and get as big as this.


You will know it is done when it stops growing. At that point add your 1 tablespoon of coffee extract or your teaspoon of vanilla or whatever flavoring you want to use and mix one more minute.


7. It will be thick and sticky.


Pour it in your prepared pan.


Smooth out the top.


And coat with a bunch more of the powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture.


And put plastic wrap over it.


Let it sit overnight (or at least 4-6 hours). Reserve the remaining sugar/cornstarch mixture.

8. In the morning take the plastic wrap off.

And remove the marshmallows to a cutting board.


Dust off the excess sugar/cornstarch mixture into a bowl. Cut the marshmallows in half, then quarters, then the other direction.


Dip each one in the sugar/cornstarch mixture until it isn't sticky.


Resist urge to immediately eat all of them:


Serve yourself a few:


Tuesday

Chandelier Galore


I have always loved chandeliers.  They are so girly and elegant and can make any room beautiful!  I would have them in every room of my house if I could.  I am currently working on a DIY version of one but something went terribly wrong with the shade I was planning on using so I'm on to Plan B.  Hopefully, all will turn out well and I will be able to share it with you in the next few days!  For now I will leave you with some of the beautiful pictures that inspired me to take on this project.  Can't wait to show you when I'm finished!




image from Home Depot.com



image from Overstock.com



image from decorpad



also from decor pad, love that pop of color...


image from HGTV.com



image from Mason Charles Lamps

and this one just for fun... ;)  (hopefully none of you have this in your home... :))


Talented Tuesdays

Once again I am linking up to Talented Tuesdays at My Frugal Family!  Check out the ideas!



 
And a HUGE thank you to Roeshel at the DIY showoff for making me today's feature!  Check it out here!
 
The DIY Show Off