Finding a Balance

My parents are very good at keeping stuff around "just in case" and growing up around all that stuff made life seem a bit too cluttered and cramped.  So when I got married and started my own home, I decided I wouldn't have much stuff around.  But recently I've realized that having some select, beautiful things to decorate with, hang on the walls, etc, helps a house feel like a home.  I'm trying to find a balance and have been scouring thrift stores and yard sales lately in search of things to do just that.  I've definitely found some fun things and have also definitely piled up lots of projects that may or may not take me forever to complete!  We'll see. 

But a few days ago I did find a chair that I am absolutely in love with.  I paid $35 which is more than I would have liked to spend, but it's so beautiful and surprisingly very comfortable.  It makes me happy every time I look at it.  Or sit in it.  Or walk by it.  I'll post pictures soon. 

Mirror to Bulletin Board

On one of my few recent trips to the thrift store I found this mirror made to look like a window, with a shelf and pegs underneath.  I loved it and thought it had great potential (although not in it's current red state, at least not for me).

My son holds it up while my daughter does what she does when I tell her to "Smile!"

I took the screws out of the back (thank goodness for power tools!) and took the mirror out.  I had to paint about 4 layers of white to get the red to stop showing through.  Although I could have either stripped off the red, or primed it first to help.  

Ah, that's better!

Thankfully the pegs came out very easily, and I filled the holes with caulk (although I think I should have used wood filler).  Then I mixed some brown and white paint to make a lighter brown and very lightly brushed it on with a dry, stiff-bristled brush. 

Kind of gives the effect of chipping paint without the mess or potential lead!

Then I added the new hooks I bought (being careful to avoid the peg holes).  For the cork part I SHOULD have just purchased a roll of cork sheeting, cut it to the size of the mirror and secured it to the backing board, but unfortunately I didn't have that thought until after I had already started meticulously measuring and cutting cork tiles to fit each rectangle in the "window". 

The finished product! (I had to make every caption have an exclamation point)

I'm linking to this party.

A Quick Little Project

I bought this beautiful little vase (about 8" tall) at a thrift store recently.  It was very nice just the way it was, but I wanted to add a little more dimension and color, as well as have it stand out from our cream colored walls (which I can't change right now because we're in a rental).  I painted on some brown craft paint mixed with Liquitex Gloss Medium to thin it out a bit, making sure to get in all the little crevices and grooves.  Then I wiped off the excess with a dry paper towel (in the future I will buy some rags to devote just to my projects).

Voila!

I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

Blog Re-Launch

I've decided to re-launch my blog!  [Ok, it's more like starting a new blog, my previous blog was under a different name and was basically devoted to digital scrapbooking.]  I want to start documenting all the different hobbies, talents, interests I have and all the projects I do that go along with them.  I will post some things having to do with my businesses, but most posts will probably be personal ideas, projects and creations.  I don't plan on posting every day (as I have two small children, a husband and a home to care for, as well as several small businesses to run), so be sure to subscribe or follow to stay up to date. 

Also check out the links on the right for my two Etsy shops.  Cat on a Limb is (currently) devoted to vinyl decals (wall art, decor, picture frames, and laptop decals).  Textiles, Naturally is all about natural fiber fabrics, trims and embellishments. 

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you around again soon!