It's the life-sign

Gotta love the ReStore. Let me re-phrase that...I {LOVE.LOVE.LOVE} our local ReStore. I used to ask for Hobby Lobby gift cards but now, I'd really just like ReStore store credit! Is that possible? I don't know for sure but it would be right up my alley! Don't get me wrong, I turn to mush once inside Hobby Lobby but in so many different ways and for so many different reasons then before.

 On a recent trip--well...actually, it's been 3 weeks or more ago--I picked up 4 matching unfinished cabinet doors. It's no secret that I scour the cabinet doors and the hardware as soon as I can get the toddler in the cart and cart wheeled in the right direction. So with 4 of these, I wasn't sure what to make. Make them all the same, create a table with one (I may still do this), make them all different, paint 'em, make chalkboards, embellish with vinyl. Oh the list goes on and on and on in my mind that NEVER shuts off! What your mind shuts off?? How.do.you.do.it?? LOL

So, yeah...here's what I did with one door.

BEFORE:

I didn't sand and I didn't prime. I maybe should have sanded but...I was going for a shabby/worn look anyway. I put two coats of Eddie Bauer's Bittersweet on and let dry overnight. Did it need to dry overnight? Probably not, I just needed to get some sleep. lol

I created an Up Words & On Words vinyl design and used my Silhouette to cut out the design.  I used scrap pieces of yellow. (eww...yellow! detest that color. Oh sorry, where was I?)

I measured and used application tape to transfer the vinyl to the board.

I used a hinge method on both pieces. The hinge worked good for this project but I don't always use it.

I used a warm damp rag and wiped over the application tape. This helps the application tape release the lettering.

Oh...Don't you love the golden yellow on the brown?? I don't! =)

I then used Sherwin Williams Divine White and put a coat over the lettering and the center portion of the cabinet door. I wanted the outside to stay sold brown to create a "framed" look.

Then I sanded it to create a worn look.

And painted two flat metal hardware pieces a blue I mixed up from another project. I hot glued them to the sign. I just wanted a little touch of color in my neutral matchy-matchy world.

NOW:

This saying is so absolutely true. I stumbled across it while out shopping one day. I saved the wording in my cell phone because I knew it would be great for a vinyl design. I have designed it several times, in several different ways. I even had it on my wall.

But, I really like this!

How 'bout you??

Partying @ the Following:

SNS #84 @ Funky Junk Interiors

Sundae Scoop Link Party @ I Heart Naptime

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage

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

Have a great day!

Carri

I've Been Featured!

*First off...I want to thank all of you who stop by my blog, who have left such wonderful encouraging comments and for those of you who have chosen to stick around and follow me. I FINALLY reached 100 followers a few days ago! YAY! That excites me. =) It's a neat little milestone to reach. So again~~>thank you, thank you, thank you.*

*~OK~*

A few of my projects were featured on two blogs this week!

I am SUPER excited and so very thankful for the nod.

Bryana @ Coupons On Caffeine featured information about me as well as my

DIY Milk Bottles

and my Chippy Shutter

You can view my feature on her blog here.

You can also toodle around and see what she's been up to!

AND, my cabinet door turned Shabby Chic Tray

was featured by Katie at Little Katie on the Prairie.

You can view it here as well as the rest of her

 A Few Of My Favorite Things.

She included me among many, many great projects.

WOW~exciting!!

Be sure to toodle around her blog too!

Bree and Katie:

Thank you so much! I truly appreciate it!

Carri

A Little Bit Stronger Sign

Do you ever get a song stuck in your head? You know...the one that runs the same line over and over and over again? Where you can't help but bust out in a full blown concert no matter where you are? Oh...that only happens to me? Swell.

Anyhow...I have had, "a little bit stronger," run it's untiring legs through my brain for the last few weeks now. Has it been that long??? Eeek! It's a great set of lyrics though...a little word blast of encouragement with a catchy melody. So, I decided who couldn't use a reminder every now and then?

How's this for encouragement?:

I started with an 11 1/4 x 11 1/4 pre-primed mdf board that my hubby cut and added a routered edge to.

I spray painted it Rust-Oleum's Metallic Dark Bronze. {LOVE love LOVE}

Then I created an Up Words & On Words vinyl design. I used my Silhouette and cut the lettering out in white vinyl. I covered the lettering with transfer tape and added the vinyl to the board.

I could have left it like that but I had other plans for it! So, I gave it a coat of Krylon's Dover White.

(ummm...no picture...white on white?? bleh)

I should have let it dry a little longer though. When I started to peel the vinyl off, the paint kind of came with it. Not to worry...I planned to sand it anyway. ;)

I peeled the lettering off and sanded the front. Distressing the edges and lettering. This exposed the Dark Bronze underneath. Neat-O!

I added a decorative metal hardware plate (from the ReStore) that I also changed from gold (brass?) to Dark Bronze.

Ready? Are you R-E-A-D-Y?

Here it is:

I am pretty impressed that even with the lettering in STRONGER not being "perfect" it still turned out pretty cool! I thought there for a minute that this project was going to fail. But, even on my weakest days, I get A LITTLE BIT STRONGER!

=) tee hee

Partying @ the Following:

Show and Tell Linking Party @ Blue Cricket Designs

Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello

Fun-Day Friday @ Little Lucy Lu

VIP Party #17 @ Designer Garden

Everything But the Kitchen Sink @ A Little Knick Knack

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

SNS #84 @ Funky Junk Interiors

Sundae Scoop Link Party @ I Heart Naptime

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage

Thanks for stopping by! Following me for more, "what I'm up to these days."

Have a great day!

Carri

Thrift Planter-Redo

Oh yes! Look at what I found the other day. Just screaming for a little Redefining C makeover.

BEFORE:

(plain ol' unfinished wood crate & terra cotta pots)

It came with 3 terra cotta pots and a plastic tray for catching excess water. FUN!

So...outside I went with it. No sanding, no priming! I spray painted a coat of Rust-Oleum's Textured Dark Brown. Why textured? I was experimenting to see if it would sand differently. (no, it didn't.) Then I covered that with a coat of Krylon's Dover White. Then a light coat of Krylon's Outdoor Fern. AND just for kicks, I added another light coat of Dover White. =) I wanted the brown to antique it, the green to create that "old" green look and the Dover White for shabby-NESS!

I used Rust-Oleum's Cabernet (love) and spray painted the pots. You may be wondering by Cabernet?? Well, once I decided what I was going to fill the pots with...Cabernet became a complimentary color to my matchy-matchy world.

I filled them with cactus. Hens and Chicks cactus. (chicks and hens? tomayto...tomot oh??) I already had a plant pot full. Why not thin it out a little?? These little eye candy offer subtle spring greens tipped with burgundy almost purple tips. Oh la la! Oh la la!

(yep, cabernet=matchy, matchy love)

AFTER:

I am OH SO happy with this little project! Just enough of everything. And if you happen to notice...pot one has 1 plant, two has two plants, and three has three plants. Can't wait to see which one thrives the best!

Partying @ the Following:

Show and Tell Linking Party @ Blue Cricket Designs

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day!
Carri

Turquoise Wooden Pedestal Bowl

I went thrifting over the holiday weekend. Couldn't help myself! I found some diamonds in the rough. Or well...I hope they will turn out to be diamonds. LOL. I found a sturdy wooden bowl in good shape. Does it's shape really matter if my plans are too paint and shabby chic it anyway?? =)

BEFORE:

I gave it a quick sand. Nothing special. Just needed to rough the surface some. I mixed Americana craft paint using Desert Turquoise and Bahama Blue to come up with my very own color. ;)

I gave it two coats of my very own color.
Once dry, I sanded the edges. {LOVE}

AFTER:

I filled it with brown candles, smooth rocks in neutral tones and YES!! the pencil starfish! I LOVE the pencil starfish. It happens to add just the right beachy feel for this landlocked, only been to the ocean one-time in my life, Montana girl!

Although this doesn't match ANY of my decor, I'm still swooning!

Partying at the following:

Show and Tell Linking Party @ Blue Cricket Designs

Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello

Fun-Day Friday @ Little Lucy Lu

VIP Party #17 @ Designer Garden

Everything But the Kitchen Sink @ A Little Knick Knack

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

SNS #84 @ Funky Junk Interiors

Sundae Scoop Link Party @ I Heart Naptime

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day!

Carri

Easy, Decorative DIY Frames

While shopping yesterday...I picked up some items to create a couple fun frames.

Here's what I used:

2 unfinished picture frames

2 pieces of scrapbook paper

2 pieces of felt

Bahama Blue craft paint

Fern craft paint

Walnut Distress Ink

Mini Clothes Pin

Mini Metal Clip

Mod Podge

Sandpaper

Here's what I did:

First, I painted both frames.

One Bahama Blue and one fern.

(I used Distress Ink on the green one...just to see if I liked it. lol)

I traced the outline of the frames on the

scrapbook paper and cut out the outline.

I put mod podge on the front of the frame

and placed them front down on the paper.

Once dry, I used an xacto and cut off the excess paper.

I sanded the edges and distressed with Distress Ink.
I cut felt pieces to size and place them in the center.

I tied hemp string around both and

added a mini clothes pin and the metal clip to each.

Yes? They turned out super cute!

Thanks for stopping by! Follow me for more fun!

Partying @ the Following:
Market Yourself Monday @ Sumos Sweet Stuff
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple
Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop @ Homemaker on a Dime

Run With Glitter Link Party #11 @ Running With Glitter
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog

Show and Tell Linking Party @ Blue Cricket Designs

Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello

Sundae Scoop Link Party @ I Heart Naptime

Have a great Memorial Day!

Carri

? Can't post comments?

What the hell??

I can't post comments on blogs. Any suggestions??

*updated: as it seems, I am not the only one who can't post comments to other bloggers or even on my own blog. SO...check your email, I may be leaving you a message there. AND please know that I appreciate your comments and welcome email messages*

Thanks!