Found and fancied up

There's something about finding a quality piece of furniture on the side of the road, free for the taking, it gives me a rush,and I cannot wait for "giveaway day"; one day every so often dedicated to people putting their unwanted furniture on the curb in hopes that someone will pick them up, and this time, I feel like I hit the wooden chair jackpot!

These beauts were found a little over a year ago, they have been in my basement along with all of my other pending projects, collecting dust.

It was a slow giveaway day; my 12 year old son and I were out bright and early hoping to find some treasure. We found a few small odds and ends but nothing too spectacular, until...our way home!  I spotted these chairs a mile away and couldn't get to them fast enough!  My son jumped out and immediately started loading them into the car, it was like a furniture game of tetris, but we managed.

I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them but I knew they couldn't stay the way they were, they had way too much potential.  It wasn't until recently that I finally decided I was going to paint them my favorite color; a shade of Tiffany Blue.



With a soapy damp cloth, I wiped away the dust and cob webs (don't judge me, everyone has cobwebs in their basement...don't they?) gave them a quick sand, then I began painting them with a can of discontinued, Lowes "robin's egg blue" paint that I scored for just $6.00!

After 2 coats of this beautiful bluish green, I brought out my sandpaper again and gave them a rustic look.  Another quick dusting with a dry cloth then I hit them with 2 coats of clear coat.  I supposed I could have waxed them, but honestly, I've never done it and it seems like a lot of work!

I am so happy with the results! I have 2 completed so far.  I swear we found 4 chairs that day, but after several attempts of rummaging through my basement and shed, I am convinced I only have 3, which makes me really sad, but at the same time allows me to find 2 more similar press backs and paint them the same color. In fact...I do have 2 more that I found on a yard sale site for $20 (I know, they weren't free but I HAD to have them to go with these ones! See photo below)

Hope you love them as much as I do!

DIY "spell books"

I absolutely LOVE how these "spell" books turned out!

With some old books found at a thrift store, some plastic Halloween toys, paint, mod podge (you can also make your own mod podge by simply mixing water and white glue!) and paper towel, you can create your own spooky Halloween spell books!

Full tutorial found HERE.

Make your own topsy turvey pumpkin ornament

I can't believe I haven't posted this yet! I came across this project on Pinterest last year, and of course I had to try it out! It is SO EASY!  

When I first put this up in my garden, my neighbor rushed over and asked where I bought it! I constantly see people slow down to check it out as they drive by, and just the other night, a knock at the door, it was an older lady who said she drives by my house every day and wanted to stop and ask where I bought my topsy turvey pumpkin ornament! 

I haven't even seen these available in stores...hmm...I may be on to something!

The whole project was less than $10, I even got the mini fall mums free by redeeming airmiles at Rona!

Here is a list of materials you will need for your project:

- Plastic pumpkin pails (I found mine at Wal Mart, $1.25 each) I used 5 but of course you can use more/less, it all depends on personal preference!

- Drill (mine came with a handsome helper!!!) (no just kidding, he was separate but I figured since it was his drill, he would like to use it!)

- Long piece of doweling to thread your pumpkins onto.  (I ended up using a piece of wooden trim, any material should work, the stronger the better since it will be outside)

- Small fall mums (or other plants of choice) to fit into the pumpkins

Directions:

1. Remove plastic handles from pumpkin pails and discard/recycle/do what you want with you don't need them!

2. Drill a hole in the bottom of each pail 

3. Drill a hole in one side of each pail, alternating sides (so on one pail drill on the left, then the next on the right, then the next pail on the left again, this will give it the topsy turvey effect once it's put together! 

4. Place your drilled pails onto your dowel starting at the bottom then through the side

5. Place plants of choice in each hole. I removed the pots that came with the plant just so it was easier to water and they filled the pails out nicer.

That's it! You're done!!!

This is such an inexpensive project that will get you a ton of compliments!

I would love to see how yours turned out! Feel free to comment with photos!