February 13, 2012

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


23 comments:

Christine said...

Amazing crafty hands you've got, Steph! LOVE all your makeovers but especially the band box!
And how precious is that? Like mother, like daughter! So sweet!
Happy Valentine's!
Christine

Deppen homestead 1862 said...

Hi, Steph, wonderful job by your daughter~ so cute the kitty with a pouch~
Great re-dos ~love the wall box~
Happy Valentines day~
smiles
Teresa

Angie Berry ~ Berry Homespun Primitives said...

YAY Steph! You go girl, those are awesome makeovers!! Of course, loving the mustard and the black. =] It's definitely worth the time and mess, isn't it? I just love looking around my home at all the things that I have put time into that now looks wonderfully prim.

Way to go on teaching your daughter to follow in your footsteps! Sounds like she is a natural born crafter! =]

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day~

annie said...

They are all just great, you did a terrific job. I esp.love the pocket kitty though!!!!
Have a great one!

Green Creek Primitives said...

Steph, Great job on your makeovers, the painting with different tones turned out wonderful, makes you stop and think when I am at the GW to think outside the box. Thanks for sharing. Vicky

Hillcresthome Prims said...

You did a super job on your makeovers.
Happy Valentine's Day,
Tricia

PrimHearted said...

Beautiful job you did on all the makeovers! I love that wall box and the wallpaper covered box! Your daughters' things are so cute too :)
Nadine

Angela said...

Don't ya just love it when a project turns out just prim perfect? Love the mustard tray and the wall box. The paper covered box is wonderful. But those kitties are just too sweet. Have a great week.
Angela

Traci~Moon Gypsy said...

WooHoo...great make-overs Steph..and too sweet about your little girl. It so special when daughters take after their mommas...love it when mine takes an interest too! Hugs, Traci
P.S. Happy Valentine's Day

alltheseboys said...

I absolutely love your things. They are so awesome. I"m not sure which is my favorite! I can't wait until I get into the house and have that entire front porch to work in. I just have no room in this apartment. I LOVE your daughters things. Oh melt my heart...see this is what I miss having boys. I get a kid who tapes rolls of tape and a tape measure to his belly...you get a little princess who creates with you! I'm so jealous, lol!!! Katie

Jen said...

I love the wallpaper box best of all. And I think I might want to make a couple of my own (believe it or not!). And nothing makes me smile more then your 6 year old creating works of art.

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

Steph, everything is beautiful. I can't believe you had a bandbox and it looks vintage the way you did it. Perfect job!I have to email you I want to ask about the paint formula you used on the
candle box. I love it! That's the color I want to do
my school house desk.
I'm so impressed with everything you transformed.

Hugs,
Susan

Earlene said...

You did a great job! Love the wallpaper box!

Hugs!
Earlene

Ann said...

Love 'em all - my favorite is the whale tale tall box. Glad your creativity is rubbing off on the next generation! ~Ann

~The Boyd Homestead Farm~ said...

You did a great job on all those makeovers!! Love them :) Happy Valentines Day Steph!!

Hugs, Trish

Sheila said...

Happy Valentines Day to you and yours!

Steph, I'm so tickled for you that you found such wonderful GW items to redo! I have to say they all turned out wonderful and the best part was the price. Can't beat that kind of deal when it comes to decorating our homes.
Bless your sweet little girl for showing such interest in creating like her Momma.
Enjoy a love filled day~
hugz and blessings,
Sheila

My Colonial Home said...

Steph, I always love seeing your before and after...you have such a great 'minds eye' for these things...and they turn our gorgeous.
Oh I love your little ones creations...isn't it heart warming.
Karen

Sandi @ The Primitive Skate said...

Wonderful redo's Steph.
Happy Valentines day!!!

Gettysburg Homestead said...

Great job Steph!!!! WOOHOO!!!! AND I'm proud of you for only spending $4.00!!! Isn't it awesome to redo something so hideous into something beautiful?!?!?

I just love the band box the most. Great choice in wallpaper.

Mary

Never So Simple said...

Great job on your make overs. Happy Valentines Day to you and your family. Your daughter is going to be a great crafter you can tell by her work. :)

Donna

Deb said...

Steph, fabulous projects but I especially love your band box, that is spectacular, great job! And your daughters creations are wonderful, what a talented gal to be making her own patterns and hand sewing at her age. She has a very fine teacher and example in you! Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours, Deb

TheCrankyCrow said...

oh, oh, oh....wonderful redo's!! But that little wall box is the BEST!! Gorgeous!! Wow - what a lot of prim punch for $4!!! You go girl!! And lucky you to have three little girls to play crafty with and train up in the handy way.....I thought I had a chance when my son was about 11 and took up rug hooking (shhhh...don't tell him I just said that in public) - but it's been all grease and motor parts ever since.... boo hoo..... Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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