Decoupage Fixes Everything, Right?

Decoupage was around in the 70's when I was a kid. I remember my mom and my aunts decoupaging napkins on plaques and wedding invitations on candles. Wrapping paper, greeting cards, pages from a magazine...you name it, they decoupaged it.

Then, we didn't hear about it as much for a long time. It's back, but I think it's often overlooked as a decorator's solution to a quick makeover. With all of the fabulous scrapbook papers out there, there is a plethora of options for anyone who wants to transform an object. I recently completed this project for a gift.

Joann Fabrics and Crafts has paper cardboard letters that can be used for a lot of things. I made one as a monogram for my friend's last name, but you could spell out a child's name to set on a shelf or hang on a wall. Since these are cardboard, they are light weight. For Transformation Tuesday, I'd like to give you some ideas for how you could transform something.

 It stands nearly 12 inches tall.

I traced the shape of the letter on the back side of scrapbook papers and then cut coordinating strips that would wrap around the edges.

I added a couple of extra cut-outs from the paper because they didn't fall in quite the right spot when I cut out the letter. Adding a few extra flowers on the front added interest.

 After the decoupage glue dried, I sanded the edges a little bit just to add interest. I like the shabby look of sanded edges.

 

Think of all of the things you can decoupage! That cardboard box that would make a perfect jewelry box. Or the Oatmeal canister you want to make into a storage container. Or the lamp shade that needs an update...the possibilities are limitless.

What will you transform?

Thrifty Thursday - Making Your Own Stencils

If you'd love wallpaper, or you have a stencil pattern in mind but you can't afford the stencil, why not make one? That's what Brooke from All Things Thrifty did. And she covered her walls with a beautiful pattern that's much more practical than wallpaper.

Check out the full post on All Things Thrifty for a very thorough tutorial and lots more pictures. Brooke, thanks for the inspiration for Thrifty Thursday.

WWYD Wednesday- Small Cabinet

It's WWYD Wednesday (What Would You Do)

I was browsing on Craigslist and came across this little cabinet and I wondered what someone would do with it. Unfortunately, I can't make the photos any larger, but I think you can get an idea of what it looks like.

The description says it has double sliding doors and that it has some scratches. I'm not really sure what its intended purpose was. Maybe it was for a TV?

The seller listed it at $15. So, what would you do if you ran across this at a thrift sale?

1. How would you use it?
2. What room would you use it in?
3. Would you changed the finish?
4. If so, what would you do to it?

On WWYD Wednesday, it's your turn to share ideas, so I eagerly wait for your comments. You always have such great ideas!

Transformation Tuesday- Plastic Storage Containers

On Black Friday, we decided to replace our dinosaur television with a new flat screen LCD. Once I got it in the armoire cabinet, I wasn't happy with the sound. Because many of these newer televisions have the speakers on the bottom of the screen, the sound bounces off the surface of the cabinet. It rattled a bit and the cabinet seemed to muffle the sound. So, I looked for something sturdy enough to prop the TV up on. 

I decided that a pair of plastic storage boxes with drawers was heavy enough, but the white plastic was hideous. I forgot to take a before picture, but it looked something like this. It didn't come in black at the store.

I decided to try out plastic spray paint. I haven't used it before, but this seemed like the perfect sized project to test it out.

I started out coating it a little too thick and the paint ran a little, so I toned it back and did several thinner coats (like the instructions on the can say). I know, I should follow directions in the first place!

I'm very happy with the results! I also used some decorative scrapbook paper and cut it to a size that would fit in the front of the clear plastic drawer. I attached it with a little 2-sided tape and it can be changed at any time. In fact, it would be fun to change it out seasonally. And it hides the DVD's and remotes stored inside.

It's a temporary fix until I find something classier. But, it works and now, I'm thinking of some other plastics around my house that I could transform.