Homemade Halloween

Filth Wizardry has a wealth of ideas for your recyclables including Milk Jug Storm Trooper Helmets. Near the end of the post you will also find links for milk jug batman masks, homemade light sabers and milk jug "treat pots" for trick-or-treating.  Plan to stay a while, this blog is full of great stuff!

Vintage Suitcase Friday! (and The Boot!)

Welcome to Vintage Suitcase Friday and Day 4 of Theme Week: Totally 80s!
Here's what I'm working with today:

It has a good shape but that 

peach ribbon and lace has to go!

I wanted a bluish green wash and luckily I had this paper on hand from Basic Grey (which must be the most ironic name ever).  

Should I have left it like this?

It looks pretty good!

It was hard to decide what kind of "trim" to put at the top.  One of my favorite things about this piece is that curvy line at the top of the boot and I didn't want it masked like it had been with the lace.  In the end I decided on some flower paper, cutting out the petals along the bottom to make a sort of lacy edge.

 

Then I needed some blue paint to match the paper but I wanted it to be somewhat transparent so you could still see the washed look of the paper.  The glitter paint I used on my frame yesterday was the perfect solution!  I mixed it with Mod Podge and piled it on.

Much better!

Click here for the grand finale of Theme Week:Totally 80s!

See how I transformed this!

(You're gonna love it!)

Link up here!

From Mauve to Mahvelous, Part 3: The Beauty

It's Theme Week: Totally 80s!

Here was my idea of vintage when I was a teen in the 80s:

Very "Gibson Girl"!

How romantic.

This wasn't mine but it could have been.

I originally just bought this because it was a cheap frame and didn't intend to keep the pretty girl.  But instead I decided to give this Beauty an update by painting her frame a mix of white and glittery blue.

  

Just a hint of sparkle

Here is what I'm working on now:

I got it for 99 cents!

Stay tuned to see what I'm doing with it.
It's finished!  Click here!

(Those ducks didn't stand a chance!)

Linked to

Great Ideas

Beckie at Infarrantly Creative has a great idea for making an Uncrustables-type sandwich and using the leftover crusts to make croutons.  Love!  Actually she has lots of great ideas on her site, including Great Idea Days link parties.  Here is the link to the March party and there is another coming up on July 9th. I can't wait!
Also check out her "Roadkill Rescues" which are pieces rescued from the side of the road (or otherwise acquired for free) and given new life.

Fresh Coat Fridays

If you love before and afters as much as I do, head over to Life in the Fun Lane's new feature Fresh Coat Fridays!

100 Decorating Ideas and a Dog Bed

Better Homes & Gardens publishes a magazine I love to ogle at Walgreens:100 Decorating Ideas Under $100.  The summer issue is out and it's available only in stores.

There is no information on bhg.com.  The best I can do is point you to the facebook page.  There are definitely some Mod Podge Rocks-inspired pieces in this issue! You can see some of the photos from the magazine on the facebook page, but not the one I want to show you.  They took a table like this

and removed the doors and the top, painted the whole thing white and put a dog cushion in it!  Who knew it would make such a sweet dog bed?  p.s. I own the table above.  I got it for $5 at Salvation Army.  I have seen similar tables at other thrift stores for $40.  Look:

The truth is, a relative of yours probably has one in their basement and would love for you to take it off their hands.  Do them and your dog a favor by making it into a dog bed!

Peppermint

Several months ago, my sister sent me a link to a post by Homebody Holly about a book we had read as children.  It's about a kitten named Peppermint who was born in a candy store.

Peppermint is a "soiled white kitten" who falls into a tub of bluing right before the cat show.

It turns out to be just what Peppermint needed to win first prize.

A good friend of mine was so touched when she saw this because it had been her favorite book as a child.  Right then I knew I wanted to make something Peppermint-y for her, but what?  The idea was in the back of my mind for a while (a necklace? a keychain?) and then I saw this poor wooden cat at the thrift store.  It was so ugly I was tempted to just pass it by:

*shudder*

After removing the "accessories" I painted the cat white and chose two scrapbooking papers to create Peppermint.

  I love the candy look of this one.

The other side:

Oh no!  Peppermint fell into a tub of bluing!

(Apparently I took this picture before I painted the thing!)

After painting, I Mod Podged the papers on and gave it to my Peppermint-loving friend for her birthday.

Note: I don't think people use bluing much anymore, but it is a laundry product used to make dingy or yellowed whites look white again.  According to Mrs. Stewart's Bluing: "Not only does it whiten whites, it also brightens colors and does so without harsh chemicals, prolonging the life of any garment. People are seeking environmentally safe products and they know that MSB is non-toxic and biodegradable."  In the Other Uses section, it is suggested that you can use bluing (diluted) to whiten the hair of a pet.

You Can Paint Upholstery?

This is what I learned from Cassie of Primitive & Proper as guest contributor on The Frugal Designer (now called The Design Confidential):  Yes, you can paint upholstery by mixing one part paint with two parts textile medium and painting it right onto the fabric.  This is awesome news for pieces that are in great condition but need a color adjustment!

before

For details and to see the beautiful after pictures of this unique and uniquely-painted bed, click here.  So impressive!

Custom Chalkboard Colors

Painting surfaces with chalkboard paint is a popular way to repurpose an old picture frame or even an old cabinet door.

Smitten Furnishings on Etsy

I have been thinking of making the door of an old spice rack into a chalkboard but I have been hesitant to bring that dark color into my sherbet colored kitchen.  Enter Martha Stewart's recipe for custom chalkboard paint!  It's made by mixing  flat-finish latex paint with unsanded tile grout.  See the article and recipe here.