Art by Debbie Saenz

Mod Podge Monday: Lamp Shade Redo

It's amazing how quick Mondays roll around! Well, here is another Mod Podge project for ya...

 

This week my daughter will be heading back to college. It's sad to see her go, but I'm hoping this year will be just like last year when we had the privilege of seeing her most weekends when she made the drive back home.

Last summer I was all consumed with beautifying Sarah's dorm room and worked really hard, even through many nights, to have everything done by the move in date. You can see how it all turned out in the post I wrote about "My Daughter's Dorm Room". Now, we're dragging everything out of storage and are ready to set up her space once again.

I thought I would share this simple project with you all today. I gave one of my yard sale finds a redo for the perfect bedside lamp for Sarah's room. 

Here are my instructions:

1. Make a template of the lampshade using a large piece of newspaper; Cut out 1/2 inch larger on each side and the ends. 
2. Trace around the template on the backside of desired fabric; Cut out.
3. Apply Fabric Mod Podge on the outside of lamp shade until evenly coated. Make sure you go back over any spots that might have dried. 
4. Position your cut fabric piece over the lampshade and smooth out with your fingers adding additional Mod Podge as needed. Overlap the seam and fold the excess fabric toward the inside of the shade for a finished look. 
5. Attach trim along top and bottom of shade if desired. 

You might have an old lampshade that could use a little revamping too!

 

My New Studio: Curtains, Before and After Chair, and more

Yea!! I completed the curtains, all five of them. They are hung, and wow! I'm always amazed at how curtains impact a room by giving it a more finished look. 

I think burlap gives a natural "earthy" feel, and to add color, I used some of my favorite fabrics I had on hand, sewed them together forming a band which I added along the bottom. I left the selvage frayed edge of the burlap raw along the bottom edge. Love it!

And now....

I found this chair at Goodwill for $20.00. I had vision for it the minute I saw it.

I'm really happy with the way it turned out! And it's so comfortable too! Originally, I wanted to create a whimsical look by piecing different colorful fabrics together kinda like a quilt, but, in the end, decided to go with the turquoise. I made the pillow to give it a pop of color. This was one of the seven pieces of furniture I refinished for my new studio. 

This is the little stool I sit on at my work table. Now it has a fresh new seat! I didn't get a before picture of this one, but let me tell you, it wasn't pretty...dingy with paint stains all over it.  Now it matches the other chair I upholstered. 

I acquired this cute little stool over 20 years ago from the landlord of the apartment my hubby and I rented just after we were married. He said if I didn't want it to throw it in the trash. Of course, I kept it! It's been painted twice and it's now on it's third seat. I love it! 

NOW...for the BIG Question about my armoire. Well, after all the wonderful comments, we've dicided to keep it like it is, at least for now. In the future, I might paint the chalkboard paint a different color. I'm actually very happy with it the way it is! When I read the comments to my hubby, this is what he said,....

"I throw in the towel"

It's been fun setting up my new studio with him, but I do wonder about his taste, like where is it?...or actually, he wonders about mine :) No, he really does have good taste, he just doesn't get Vintage Chic! 

Next, look for a post about my new FINISHED Stuido! Whew! After so much hard work, it's about time!

My New Studio: The BIG Question...

Hubby is having a cow over my armoire. Ugh! I really don't see the big deal with the chalkboard paint on the front. But, he does, so, I would love to know your opinion. PLEASE!! (If you would simply leave me a comment after seeing what we are debating :)

Everytime hubby walks into my new art studio he tells me how horrible my black and white armoire looks and says I shoud paint the chalkboard paint on the side instead of the front then paint or Mod Podge something more colorful on the front. Despite all his complaining, we are actually having fun with this....

I know I haven't showed you the final reveal of the room just yet, but I wanted to completely finish before doing so. I am SO close.

My hubby and I found this antique armoire at a local antique shop and I was so excited. You can go here to see what it looked like before. Yea, it was cute, for a baby's room. However, it is now in my new Art Studio! It HAD to be transformed. 

My hubby and I each took a side and wrote out our thoughts...

AND

Ok, what is your honest opinion? We would LOVE to know!

Tomorrow I plan on showing you how my curtains turned out; and the other chairs. I REALLY can't wait to begin using my new space. 

Mod Podge Monday: Recycled Birdhouse

I remember when I was a kid. I loved creating fun projects with whatever I could get my hands on. I only wish I knew about Mod Podge then! Elmers glue is just not the same! Oh, the things I could have made...

If your kids love to make things with their hands, don't deprive them of the magic of Mod Podge! This recycled birdhouse would make a fun summer activity that could be finished in one afternoon. You can find my complete instructions here. 

I designed this recycled project for Plaid and if you missed my Recycled Purse project, you should also check that one out. 

UPDATE ON MY NEW STUDIO: Three chairs upholstered and curtains almost done! I ran out of thread yesterday and need to make a run to JoAnn Fabrics. Also, my hubby and I have very different oppinions about the chalkboard paint on the front doors of the armoire. To ease his mind, I told him I would ask for your honest opinion....Pics coming soon :)

My New Studio: Before and After Chair

 

Well, I didn't cross off everything on my to-do list this week, but here is one of the three chairs I have been working on for my new studio.

This chair was on the side of the road waiting for trash pick-up before I rescued it! And it was UGLY and very dirty, a hideous pink and full of mildew! She waited patiently in our garage for almost as long as the black desk I recently revamped. And yup, hubby threatened to rid of this one too :( 

But, her day came...and she got a lovely make over :) New paint and even a seat. Now she can reside in the house with the rest of us.

I love the pattern in this material and I can't wait to use this chair with my new studio desk.

I've finished two other chairs as well...look for them real soon, also for the curtains that are in progress, Yea!! At least the idea anway. I've decided to use burlap with a band of colorful materials pieced together along the bottom. Will see...execution is tomorrow:) And I'll show you when they're up!

Mod Podge Monday: Studio Desk - Before & After

Whew! Setting up my new studio has been loads of work...here is one of the seven, yes seven, pieces of furniture I've worked on this past week. I transformed this one with a bit of Mod Podge, which gave it a totally new look!

After lots of sanding, distressing, and decoupaging, here's my new desk. It's all ready to be set up in my new studio. I bought this desk several years ago for $15.00 at a garage sale. It sat in my garage for about two years and my hubby constantly threatened to set it out by the road to be picked up with the trash. I always told him it had good bones - after all, it is solid wood. Ha! now he finally sees the vision I had for it!

I found the perfect paper to match the color of the walls, which I've finally finished painting! I was thrilled to have the glass knobs in my stash. Perfect!

I can't wait to show you more of my new art studio in the days to come! It's really taking shape, but still lot's to do. I'll be back soon with more progress!

Mod Podge Monday: Spice Rack Before & After

I seem to be picking up lots of spice racks in my Yard Sale ventures and visits to Goodwill stores ( I must have about 5). I finished one of them with my trusty Mod Podge and Scrapbook paper scraps. 

Don't you see what this dated and very ugly spice rack could be? I do!

Mod Podge to the rescue....and a little paint! It's been transformed into a cute little storage space to hang on the wall next to my work table. 

Fully loaded and ready to go! It helps keep my work table clutter free...well, I try! 

Next time you see and an old unwanted spice rack for sale, think of what it could be. Oh there are lots of possibilities! Not only for paints, but  how about sewing supplies, or even make-up!

My New Studio: An Awesome Find

After hunting for just the right piece for my new studio to help hold some of my art supplies, I found this amazing armoire. My hubby and I were perusing local thrift shops and ended up  in a little antique store. 

The minute I saw this vintage armoire, I knew I had found just what I was looking for. 

I feel especially thrilled to have this piece of furniture after talking to the owner. She said it was in her sons room and held all his little cloths. She shared that her sister-in-law was the artist who painted the front. 

I have lots of vision for this piece of furniture. It's going to be perfect!

I just love the key hole. It adds so much character and tells it's age...I think somewhere around 100 years old?

Here's the artwork on one of the doors. I hate to do this, but, sadly, I will be painting over this part. I'm thinking chalkboard paint on the doors. 

Sorry Natalie...I'm sure it was painted with lots of love and enjoyed for many years, but it's about ready to get a new life. 

I've already given my new armoire a good cleaning and it's now, after a few alterations, it's ready to be the star of my new studio, which looks amazing now that it's all painted! I'll show you when I do the final reveal. For now, I still have lots of work to do....

This lumber will become the new shelf to hold all my paints. Yup! lots of work yet to do...I'll keep you posted! 

Mod Podge Monday: Recycled Matchbox 'Chest of Drawers'

 

When Plaid asked me to design several Mod Podge projects using recycled materials, this is one I came up with. 

This cute little Chest of Drawers has lots of possibilities!...perfect for organizing jewelry, office supplies, or any kind of Stuff you can fit in the drawers. 

Next time you're wondering what to do with those empty matchboxes, well, now you know...turn them into a nifty little organizer. This is an easy project to whip up in about an hour. You can get my complete instructions here. 

Speaking of organizing, I will be doing lots of it as I move my studio from the small bedroom upstairs (where I currently work) down to the larger room in our basement. Yea! I'm so excited. I have some big plans for my new studio space. I want to make it fun and airy so I will begin with painting the walls a pretty blue. That's my plan for today. And I promise to share pics of the process :) 

 

Mod Podge Monday: Glittered Dove Ornament

At our house, the Christmas bins are out of storage, the tree is in it's place waiting for it's final touches, and Christmas music is drifting through the air. Oh yes! It's looking a lot like Christmas around here. I love this time of the year. My hubby calls me Mrs. Christmas. However, I always wish I could be just  a bit more organized to be able to pull off getting all of our Christmas preparations done before Thanksgiving...including decorating and shopping! Oh, maybe one year. 

Here's a fun & quick project for your tree...even little hands can help with this one! 

I made about 30 of these glittered doves to decorate our church Christmas tree. We added white lights, gold berries, glass pearlized Christmas ball ornaments, draped the tree in white tulle then adorned the top with a beautiful angel. So so pretty! 

 

Make only one or a whole flock...All you need are a few basic supplies and a little time. 

• Mod Podge
• Cardboard from empty cereal boxes
• Bird Template (below) 
• White craft paint
• White glitter (I used Diamond Dust)
• Eyelets (Optional)
• Silver cording
• Scissors
• Paint brush
• Hole punch
• Download Template for Glittered Dove Ornament

You can get several birds out of one cereal box if you lay it out right. Simply use the provided template to draw the birds on the back of the opened up box and cut out the birds. Paint with white paint; let dry. Apply a coat of Mod Podge over paint and pour on the glitter; gently shake off excess. Allow to dry then punch hole, add eyelet (not necessary) and cording. Done! How easy is that?

Just another way to use Mod Podge along with empty cereal boxes! 

Happy Decorating