Before and After~ Some serious makeovers

I've been hiding out in my workshop, a.k.a.~ the garage, this weekend.  That small mess I've been working on exploded into a full blown disaster area as I was trying to get some makeovers done.  It was good for me to practice on wood because I have been doing a lot of sewing lately.   My thumbs have blisters on them from sanding so much and my fingers are stained black.  But it's all worth it when you can take a dollar item from GW and turn it into something worthy to put in your home.  For these 3 projects I only paid $4 for.  That makes me :)  I have learned a lot from watching you all do your own projects, and from reading tutorials.  I am so happy with the end results of everything.   

~Before~

This is a dark green paint.  Yuck.  I had to chisel it off with a screwdriver, then stain it, then paint it tan, sweep it in black, then paint it in mustard.  Then I sanded and stained it again.  Whew!!

~After~

~Before~

I just read in the Country Sampler that Wallpaper Bandboxes are "suppose" to be a hot collectors item.  Well, I have a box......I can do that.  So I found this awesome wallpaper at GW to cover it with.  I just applied it with Elmer's glue, then sanded it.  Then I took some brown shoe polish and grunged it up Walla.  2 hours tops.

~After~

~After~  

I feel sorry I didn't take a before picture of this amazing wall box.  I was just too excited to get started.  The color underneath the black is the original wood....so you can picture what the whole thing looked like before.  I thought that a normal black would be just to heavy so I mixed 3/4 black and 1/4 tan to soften it up.  Sanded it, of course.  Then lightly applied a stain to it and wiped it off before it dried.  Oh, I am so excited to put some dried Lilac in it and hang it somewhere. 

~After~ 

Watching her mother create and create.....my 6 year old sat down and made a kitty with a pouch "just like your pockets and dolls Mom" she says.....she has been cutting her own designs out of fabric and hand stitching them and stuffing them too.  I could cry.  She is learning from me and is loving it.  Sooo proud of her.

Thanks for letting me share.  I must put primitive aside and start working on the girl's Valentines treats.  Class parties are tomorrow.  Hooray~ I love Valentines Day so..... with that said. 

HAPPY  VALENTINES  DAY