Old Fashioned Mini Gate

This little cabinet door was a super good find. I found it amid the other cabinet doors at the local ReStore and scooped it up. I searched high and low for it's soul mate but came up one hand empty. :( My trip prior to this one, landed me 2 NOT 1 but 2 larger cabinet doors like this. I was uber hoping to find the other mini door but alas, nothing. I was going to take the larger cabinet doors and create old fashioned style wooden gates out of them. I thought they would great to display on a mantle. They are a little heavy so imagine my excitement {inside squeal} when I found the mini one. OH YEAH!! And off we go.

 BEFORE: (mostly)

I sanded the lil door down. Then cut a broken ruler with an exacto knife and some carpentry knife the Mr. had in the garage. I placed the ruler and drew the angle lines and cut it. I am not a math whiz...I DO NOT work well with numbers...I REFUSE to work with percentages or ratios or angles or well...ruler marks that aren't 1/4", 1/2", 3/4" or full inches. Weird right? My Mr. is a MATH superstar. Yay, me!

Oh yeah...on with it. I used gorilla wood glue and glued the ruler in place. I used paint tape to hold it there.

Once it was dry, I primed it.

I dry brushed it with Eddie Bauer's Bittersweet and painted the line where the panels meet.

I was hoping the dry brushing and filled lines would add a little extra once I sanded it. I painted it Sherwin Williams Divine White and sanded it. I distressed it with Walnut Distress Ink. Sadly, I think I need to purchase more Distress Ink. It's sooo much fun!!

And here is my mini old fashioned gate that will hopefully sit on my one-day, yet to be built mantle.

NOW:

I plan to add hinges so hopefully my next trip to the ReStore will offer up some FUN hinge options. Can't you just picture this with Rustoleum's Anodized Bronze hinges?? MY, oh MY!

Partying @ the following:

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage:

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/

Hookin' Up With House of Hepworths @ House of Hepworths:

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2011/03/30/hookin-up-with-hoh-42/

Catch A Glimpse Party @ A Glimpse Inside:

http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/2011/03/catch-glimpse-party-22.html

SNS #75 @ Funky Junk Interiors

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Partying at the following:

Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff:

http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/2011/04/market-yourself-monday-hair-candy.html

DIY Show Off Project Parade @ DIY Show Off:

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/search/label/DIY%20Project%20Parade

Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple:

http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/2011/04/motivate-me-monday-64.html

Mad Skills Party #47 @ Mad In Crafts:

http://madincrafts.blogspot.com/2011/04/mad-skills-party-47.html

Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle:

http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/2011/04/amaze-me-monday-19.html

Sundae Scoop Link Up @ I Heart Naptime:

http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/2011/03/sundae-scoop-link-up_26.html

Tip Me Tuesday @ Tip Junkie

http://www.tipjunkie.com/homemade-projects-add-yours-6/

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/04/some-little-updates-around-here-welcome.html

Anything Goes Party #11 @ Type A Decorating:

http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/2011/04/anything-goes-party-11.html

Show & Tell Wednesday @ Blue Cricket Design:

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
Wow Me Wednesday @ Polka Dots on Parade:
http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/2011/04/wow-me-wednesday-4.html

Thanks for stopping by! Follow me and let's create some fun together.

Have a great day!

Carri



Sweet Simple Spring Sign

I'm still not convinced that Winter is going to lay dormant and Spring will come to life. But I went ahead and jumped on the "spring" sign bandwagon.

BEFORE:

I started with a 1/4 x 4 (really 3.5) x 2 plain board.

Sorry- painted it before I grabbed my camera. WHEN will I ever learn??

I mixed a little Ace Hardware Besalt into a smidgen of Ace Hardware's Polliwog (green) and stirred. =) Ho humm...so I added a little of the blue concoction I made the other day and a dab of Benjamin Moore's Cloud White. FOCUS! Stirred it all up.

And ended up with this...which you probably can't see very well:

*I did not sand or prime...I just went for it!*

I dry brushed Eddie Bauer's Bittersweet across the front. In no particular fashion.

I let it dry then I rubbed walnut Distress Ink into the corners and along the edges.

I created a Spring vinyl design and cut it with my Silhouette. *Memory card full* No pictures for a few steps. Sorry. I applied application tape to the vinyl design.

In the meantime, I painted the inside of a toilet paper roll Copper Glow and the outside with a mix of Burgundy craft paint and BM's Cloud White. Once it dried I made a cute spring flower. I first saw these little nuggets of goodness on the DIY Show Off's link party.

Allison at: A Glimpse Inside

 has a great tutorial on how to make these little beauties:

http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/2011/03/flower-garland-tutorial.html

I painted a clear button burgundy and strung twine through the holes. And hot glued it to the flower.

Oh. so. cute!

I put the vinyl on my sign making sure to measure, measure, measure. I gave it a good dry brushed coat of Cloud White. And peeled the vinyl lettering off before the paint was completely dry. Once dry, I hit the edges and corners again with the Distress Ink. And in some spots across the front but not very many and not with much pressure.

AWESOME!! Sign is dry & has been distressed! I wrapped one end in hemp about 1" wide securing it with hot glue in a few places. I made an X in the front and shoved a brown thumb tack through it. ;)

I hot glued my pinkish and orange buttoned flower made from a toilet paper roll to the other end. A neat lil Spring sandwich. Sorry, couldn't resist.

And here is how it turned out.

NOW:

I used hemp string attached by...again...thumb tacks on the back for hanging. It's VERY light.

Thanks for stopping by! Follow me to keep track of what I'm up to!

Find me at the Party!
Show & Tell Wednesday @ Blue Cricket Design:
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
Anything Goes Party @ Type A Decorating:
http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/2011/03/anything-goes-party-10.html
Wow Me Wednesday@ Polka Dots on Parade:

http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/2011/03/wow-me-wednesday-3.html
Creative Juice Thursday #16 @ Momnivore's Dilemma:
http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/2011/03/creative-juice-thursday-16-features-and.html

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage:

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/

Hookin' Up With House of Hepworths @ House of Hepworths:

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2011/03/30/hookin-up-with-hoh-42/

Catch A Glimpse Party @ A Glimpse Inside:

http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/2011/03/catch-glimpse-party-22.html

SNS #75 @ Funky Junk Interiors

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff:

http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/2011/04/market-yourself-monday-hair-candy.html

DIY Show Off Project Parade @ DIY Show Off:

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/search/label/DIY%20Project%20Parade

Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple:

http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/2011/04/motivate-me-monday-64.html

Mad Skills Party #47 @ Mad In Crafts:

http://madincrafts.blogspot.com/2011/04/mad-skills-party-47.html

Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle:

http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/2011/04/amaze-me-monday-19.html

Sundae Scoop Link Up @ I Heart Naptime:

http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/2011/03/sundae-scoop-link-up_26.html

Tip Me Tuesday @ Tip Junkie

http://www.tipjunkie.com/homemade-projects-add-yours-6/

Tutorial Tuesday @ Hope Studios:

http://hopestudios.blogspot.com/2011/04/tutorial-tuesday.html

Have a great day!

Carri

Cabinet Door- Wall Coat Rack

Yep...another cabinet door. Another cabinet door redefined. Hey~> for $2 you can get pretty darn creative with these little jewels.

BEFORE:

(almost missed..note the tad bit of primer already on there?)

I sanded it down with fine grit sand paper and cleaned the dust off. Then primed.

All primed!

And because I was painting at night, late at night...I couldn't get a good pic of the colors I used. For the first coat, I used Kilz Casual Colors Blue Ox. I gave it one coat of the blue and let dry. Then I added a coat of Ace Hardware's Treehouse. I was hoping for a good color combo. Kinda of a Spring vibe yet relaxing and homey. "Homey" love that! The next morning, I sanded it and used Walnut Distress Ink. 

Then I used the power drill...by MYSELF! I know it! I have evolved!! The other day my Mr. showed me how to pre-drill holes for adding knobbies. (lol, knobbies...funny word)

It was kind of trial and error but I refused to give up. NOW, I didn't say pre-drilling holes was rocket scientry-I said trial and error. =) I may or may not have stripped the first bolt completely. Ugh...eee gads! Oh well. Hide the evidence and move on.

With ReStore drawer pulls turned coat knobbies:

The color turned out quite nicely. If I must say so myself. And the knobbies are straight! The reflection appears otherwise. But they are eyeball straight by golly! Tilt your head if you don't believe me. =)

Those lovely brass knobbies will be redefined as soon as the weather gets warm enough to spray paint. And then, it will be oh so right on.

BUT, and there is always a BUT, it just needed a little bit more. So I sat down and created a warm vinyl saying to embellish it with. I used my Silhouette to cut the vinyl, applied application tape to the lettering and backing paper for the transfer process and then transferred the vinyl to my wall mount coat rack.

(hello lovely run on sentence)

NOW:

Kind of hard to read but it says: MAY YOUR JOURNEY always lead you home

Sorry about the all CAPS, but that is how it reads. I'm not yelling at you.=)

**(anyone know how the hell to turn the flash off on my Canon Rebel??...detest it)**

There ya have it! A cabinet door redefined!

Thank you for stopping by! Follow me and join in on the F~U~N.

Have a great day!

Carri

Partying at the following:

Tip Me Tuesday @ Tip Junkie

http://www.tipjunkie.com/handmade-projects-add-yours-4/

Blue Cricket Design Show & Tell @ Blue Cricket Design:

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

Anything Goes Party @ Type A Decorating:

http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/2011/03/anything-goes-party-10.html

Wow Me Wednesday@ Polka Dots on Parade:

http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/2011/03/wow-me-wednesday-3.html

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage:

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/

Hookin' Up With House of Hepworths @ House of Hepworths:

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2011/03/30/hookin-up-with-hoh-42/

Catch A Glimpse Party @ A Glimpse Inside:

http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/2011/03/catch-glimpse-party-22.html

SNS #75 @ Funky Junk Interiors

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff:

http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/2011/04/market-yourself-monday-hair-candy.html

DIY Show Off Project Parade @ DIY Show Off:

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/search/label/DIY%20Project%20Parade

Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple:

http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/2011/04/motivate-me-monday-64.html

Mad Skills Party #47 @ Mad In Crafts:

http://madincrafts.blogspot.com/2011/04/mad-skills-party-47.html

Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle:

http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/2011/04/amaze-me-monday-19.html

Sundae Scoop Link Up @ I Heart Naptime:

http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/2011/03/sundae-scoop-link-up_26.html

Tuesday Glam Party #22 @ Giggles, Glitz & Glam

http://gigglesglitzandglam.blogspot.com/2011/04/tuesday-glam-party-22.html

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/04/some-little-updates-around-here-welcome.html

Paint Projects Link Party @ Centsational Girl:

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/04/paint-projects-link-party/
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog

Old Window Love

While leaving the ReStore a few weeks ago, I happened to ask the nice man there if they ever got any old windows in. His reply, "I don't usually take them." WHHAAATTTT!!! :( So I kindly asked him to snatch some up for me if he had the chance. And he DID! {oh yeah!} I started out buying 3. Then decided I might want a few more so I got 2 more. They are actually in pretty good shape for older windows. I was excited to get them home.

Yesterday I worked on one for my house. I thought I better test my skills before I started re"defining" them for sale. Good thing I practiced!

BEFORE:

This is a similar window. I forgot before pictures of mine. This one is identical to mine only mine doesn't have the handle. I will add one to my window as soon as the weather gets nice enough to spray paint.

Pretty good bones!

I sanded mine down. And I sanded and I sanded and I sanded.

I did wear a mask...you NEVER know where lead based paint will show up. ALWAYS WEAR A MASK. I don't know if these have lead based paint or not. I could tell they had been painted at some point. As I mentioned, I sanded my brains out. Whatever paint these were painted with is pretty unforgiving. I will have to get a darn rough sandpaper for the next one I do. I got off as much I as I willing to continue sanding.

*ugh* Right before I decided enough was enough~~>the glass broke. [cry]

Darn it!

So I had to have the Mr. instruct me on how to get the caulk/grit/grime/ crap off the back side of the window to get it to release the glass. He eventually had to help me. Thankfully the glass came out fairly easily. What a great Mr. I have!

Ok- well that changed my plans for the window. But only slightly. Which in turn actually saved me some time and vinyl.

I used Walnut Distress Ink and gave it a few once/twice/three times overs. (?) I put a saw tooth hanger on the back and hung it on the wall around our last name monogram and est date in metallic copper that I created. I was going to take the vinyl down and put a new one on the glass. BUT...no glass...no go. Luckily it was a perfect fit!!

NOW:

 

I do wish the paint would have distressed a little more but it turned out pretty good. I am sure I won't be able to leave it alone. But for now...this is what it looks like and where it shall call home.

Thanks for stopping by! Become a Follower and let's create together!

Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple:
http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/2011/03/motivate-me-monday-63.html
DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Show Off:
http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2011/03/diy-project-parade_27.html
Tip Me Tuesday @ Tip Junkie

http://www.tipjunkie.com/handmade-projects-add-yours-4/

Blue Cricket Design Show & Tell @ Blue Cricket Design:

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

Anything Goes Party @ Type A Decorating:

http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/2011/03/anything-goes-party-10.html

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage:

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/

Hookin' Up With House of Hepworths @ House of Hepworths:

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2011/03/30/hookin-up-with-hoh-42/

SNS #75 @ Funky Junk Interiors

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Have a great day!

Carri

Sunday raking and Nascar win

The Mr. rented a power raker today so the boys and I helped rake. I helped until I got too cold. I am a sally pants, I admit it. So, I came in the house and started a new project that I will post tomorrow. Can't wait to show it off and see what you all think.

I had a nice Sunday hanging out with my little family and watching Nascar. Nascar on Sunday's OH YEAH! And it just so happens that Kevin Harvick won. He drove so awesome the last 5 laps. We are always saying, "if he only had 5 more laps." Welllllll... today he took the last 5 and didn't look back. Way to go Happy Harvick!!

Hope your Sunday was a good one. See you all tomorrow with something fun!

Have a great night!
Carri

Shutter-Color-Music Love

I found a pair of these shutter closet doors at our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. They were $5 a piece! SCORE. I needed them, wanted them, HAD to have them. Thankfully I assured the Mr. that they would turn out pretty cool. He wasn't on board but he loaded 'em up for me anyway. {aww...love him}

BEFORE:

Love the darkness (for sanding purposes)...detest the wood grain. I am SO not a wood grain kinda girl. :(

My apologies. I will work on embracing non-matchy matchy and non-symmetrical attributes.

I washed these babies up and gave 'em an all over sanding with fine grit sand paper. Cleaned the sanding dust off and primed only one of them with spray primer. Once dry...I gave that one two coats of Krylon's Pebble spray paint. {ohh la la} Then sanded it with my hand sander. I made sure to get that dark stain exposed. I went up and down the shutter part too! OH YEAH! I also used Walnut Distress Ink on the edges for a little deeper color where the sander (sander-person) took too much off.

The Mr. is a believer

NOW:

I set it in the corner of our great room.

(forgive the stand there...not sure what to do with it)

And placed my late Grandfather's guitar in front of it.
I can hear him singing, "Waitress, waitress...pretty 'lil waitress."

This may very well be my most FAVORITE picture of this duo. Look at how worn the guitar is! Dub played music like mad. He was a very talented musician. My Dad entrusted me to take good care of this morsel of our family history. [pride]

I dig this pic too.

I redefined the K. I scooped it up from the Mr.'s man cave, took it from black to a custom mixed blue for a pop of color. I distressed it with~~>YEP, you guessed it Walnut Distress Ink. Which is so much fun to work with. I wrapped it with brown satin ribbon and pinned the ribbon to the back of the shutter. Hello shutter-color-music LOVE.

Here's the trio.

$5? Umm...yes please!!

Linked to:
SNS @Funky Junk Interiors:
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
Sundae Scoop Link Up @ I <3 Naptime:
http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/2011/03/sundae-scoop-link-up_26.html

DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Show Off:
http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2011/03/diy-project-parade_27.html
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple:
http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/2011/03/motivate-me-monday-63.html

Tip Me Tuesday @ Tip Junkie

http://www.tipjunkie.com/handmade-projects-add-yours-4/

Blue Cricket Design Show & Tell @ Blue Cricket Design:

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage:

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/

Hookin' Up With House of Hepworths @ House of Hepworths:

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2011/03/30/hookin-up-with-hoh-42/

Tuesday:

Spray Paint Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day!

Carri

Vintage inspired COFFEEHOUSE sign

While toodling through the daily blogs I stalk follow, I found this little nugget of (Oh my gosh...I need one)  LOVE at Gail's Decorative Touch:

Very cool Gail!

Find it here to see for yourself!! Amazing!

http://gailsdecorativetouch.blogspot.com/2010/10/coffeehouse-sign.html

Be it known...I have a deep and growing love for coffee and all things coffee. So, inspired by her coffeehouse vintage sign...I went into create mode! I have to admit~Gail's is FABULOUS and she did a wonderful job. Mine isn't as fab, lol but I still like it!

I used a 31" x 3.5" pine board. I'm not real sure if I bought it that way or if it had been modified.

First, I sanded and wiped clean. I gave it a good coat of primer.

And waited for it to dry.

I painted the board, Bittersweet from Lowe's.

Once dry, I applied COFFEEHOUSE in vinyl lettering.

Gave it a light coat of Sherwin Williams Divine White

and peeled the vinyl away before it was completely dry.

??? No picture of that ???

I used my hand sander with medium grit sand paper and distressed it to give it just the right aged look.

I used Walnut Distress Ink on the edges and across the front for some wear and depth. 

Here's my COFFEEHOUSE sign:

Thanks Gail for the great inspiration! Love your sign!

Leave a comment below or be my newest follower! Would love to have ya!

Linked to:

VIP Party #8 @ Designer Garden:

http://designergarden.blogspot.com/

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage:

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/

SNS @ Funky Junk Interiors:

http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Sundae Scoop Link Up @ I <3 Naptime:

http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/2011/03/sundae-scoop-link-up_26.html

DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Show Off:

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2011/03/diy-project-parade_27.html

Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff:

http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/2011/03/market-yourself-monday-recycled-barbie.html

Mad Skills Party @ Mad in Crafts

http://madincrafts.blogspot.com/2011/03/mad-skills-link-party-46.html

Tip Me Tuesday @ Tip Junkie

http://www.tipjunkie.com/handmade-projects-add-yours-4/

Blue Cricket Design Show & Tell @ Blue Cricket Design:

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

 Anything Goes Party @ Type A Decorating:

http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/2011/03/anything-goes-party-10.html

Wow Me Wednesday@ Polka Dots on Parade:

http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/2011/03/wow-me-wednesday-3.html

Hookin' Up With House of Hepworths @ House of Hepworths:

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2011/03/30/hookin-up-with-hoh-42/

Tutorial Tuesday @ Hope Studios:

http://hopestudios.blogspot.com/2011/04/tutorial-tuesday.html

Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog

 Have a great day!

Carri

Week in Review:

Welcome to Redefining C's First "Week" in Review:

Wednesday the 17th:
Thrift Store Desk Redo
http://redefiningc.blogspot.com/2011/03/california-olive-desk-re-do.html

Thrift Frame Upcycle

http://redefiningc.blogspot.com/2011/03/picture-frame-upcycle.html

Friday the 18th:
Thrift Frame Upcycle 2
http://redefiningc.blogspot.com/2011/03/thrift-frame-upcycle-2.html

Saturday:

Coffee Order Board

http://redefiningc.blogspot.com/2011/03/coffee-order-board.html

Sunday:
Paradise found sign with
Up Words & On Words-
vinyl lettering
http://redefiningc.blogspot.com/2011/03/paradise-found.html

Monday:

Word of the Day Chalkboard

http://redefiningc.blogspot.com/2011/03/word-of-day-chalkboard.html

Tuesday:

Subway Art Canvas

http://redefiningc.blogspot.com/2011/03/subway-art-canvas.html

Cabinet Door Decorative Tray
http://redefiningc.blogspot.com/2011/03/cabinet-door-decorative-tray.html

Wednesday:

Cabinet Door HOME sign

http://redefiningc.blogspot.com/2011/03/cabinet-door-decorative-tray.html

Breathe Subway Art-esq Canvas

http://redefiningc.blogspot.com/2011/03/breathe-subway-esqe-art-canvas.html

Thursday:

Just a Sample

http://redefiningc.blogspot.com/2011/03/wooden-ya-like-to-be-board.html

*vinyl from Up Words & On Words

Check out other designs and items available at:

http://www.upwordsandonwords.etsy.com/

Leave a comment...let me know what you think

about my first "week" in blog land.

~*~*Become a follower and grow with me!*~*~

Have a great day!

Carri