Ballard Designs Horse Painting Knock Off

Love this painting sold by Ballard Designs.  Didn't like the price tag.


. . .so I painted my own knock off.

Craigslist Antique Corner Planter

On my recent hiatus from The Daily Iowan (summer semester break) I was feeling a little inadequate.  Although I had a wonderful break (we took our daughter to Las Vegas for her 21st birthday - had a BLAST!!) I was feeling like I needed a little project since it has been so long.

I found this awesome antique planter on Craigslist.  Perfect for a quick afternoon makeover.
I sanded the side panels down to the naked wood and then masked them off.  Spray painted the original painted parts - trim and legs.  Took the masking off the side panels and painted the bird and twig pattern on with a paint pen.  Once dried, I distressed the legs/edges and sanded over the design to lighten it up and make it look old and worn.  Then I stained the wood panels and the distressed areas with a red mahogany stain.  I was going for a hand-rubbed finish.  It probably turned out a little more subtle than I had anticipated, but a fun, quick project for the sunroom.

Now I need to get it planted!! 

3 Years

today :)

Fall In Iowa City

No recent projects to blog about. No, it is Hawkeye football season in Iowa City.  That means there is tailgating and football watching to do.  If you are a true Hawkeye fan, your weekends are consumed with all the Hawkeye Hoopla, leaving little time for much else.  Have I mentioned that Hawkeye fans are the coolest around?  I think I have.  Well, if this wasn't awesome enough. . .Check this out!

This was the scene at the Iowa vs. Northwestern game last weekend.  Yeah, I know.  Pretty sweet.
This weekend. . .Homecoming. . .Iowa spanks Indiana.  Bring it.
GO HAWKS!

au revoir brown armoire

I finished the armoire for T's new apartment.  I probably wouldn't have picked out what we ended up with, had I more time.  But we were under crunch time since move out day is August 1.  I found this 1970's something, somewhat tacky, yet sturdy armoire on Craigslist for $100.  I was thinking of spending more like $50, but when you are under pressure to get something done, you have to cave and make quick decisions.  It goes without saying that it is killing me she is moving out, but alas, it is probably time and I want to do all I can to make her new digs comfortable (and remind her of me. . . selfish?  yes.  I don't care).
A recap of the BEFORE:

Now before I post the after, I just want to remind everyone of the silver/mirrored dresser I did for her a couple years ago.  And the fact that I am not letting her take it with her.  Because of this, I thought it only fitting to redo the armoire in silver.  I had best intentions of ditching the hardware and dated scrolly panels, replacing them with new, glam hardware and possibly fabric panels, but then I got cheap (thinking she may be moving back home in a year - wishful thinking) and this piece may end up on the curb. 

AFTER:

 

I wanted to add some depth to the piece, so I brushed diluted brown acrylic paint over all the accent areas and rubbed off with a rag.  I ended up painting the existing hardware and for a final,

whimsical touch - painted the inside of the cabinet doors with chalkboard paint.

Love you, Roo.

 

Restore It Wednesday

Up Next

My lovely Miss Taylor is leaving me.  Yup.  She is moving out on her own.  I have mixed emotions about it, I'm sure, like every other soon to be empty nester.
On one hand, it will be nice to not have to clean her bedroom and bathroom as often, I will reclaim my back coat closet (which is currently home to a mountain of ridiculously cute Miss Taylor shoes), I won't have to hear "there is nothing to eat in this house" and the best thing - - she is only moving a couple of miles away.

On the other hand, SHE'S MY BABY!!!!! And, I'm getting old!  Time goes too fast.

Thankfully, she has already informed me that she will be coming home every week to do her laundry - - uh, thanks, Taylor.  I will look forward to that.

Anyway, being the selfish mom I am, I am not letting her take the infamous silver/mirrored dresser with her.  Nope.  Too attached to that one.  Which means we needed to get something else for Miss Clotheshorse  Taylor to keep her goods in.

Enter my latest Craigslist find.  Stay tuned.  I gotta get this bad boy done before moving day.

Citra Solv Laundry Project

Just can't get enough of this technique!
I wanted something to fill the space to the right of the train rack in my laundry room, but couldn't
really come up with anything appropriate other than laundry related stuff, so I made my own subway art.

Total cost: $4.50 (half price canvas at Hobby Lobby. . .and yes, I already had the fabric - snap)

hmmm. . .wonder if the fam will get the subtle hint at the end.