Side-by-Side

And here we have it...finally...a side by side before and after:

I'm just tickled!

Ugly Cabinet / Pretty Cabinet - An Adventure in Thrift Shop Furniture Refinishing

This cabinet has lived in the shadows of our home for many years, first, in a corner in the basement, where we just piled miscellaneous treasure on top of her, to my daughter's room where she held up my daughter's tv, pop cans, candy wrappers, you get the idea.


In preparation for our big move, I wanted to give this baby a coat of paint and make her gorgeous.  I've always known this cabinet had big potential, but I had no idea it would turn out as good as it did.  I'm just tickled!


So......I dragged it out into my driveway on the first sunny day we had (we're in Michigan, enough said)....and began to remove the cobwebs, dust, and gave her a good once-over.

As you can see, this cabinet is just sad.  The top is scratched, the are gauges all over it, no biggie.  


I removed the handles (they are lovely).....and, because I am LAZY....I didn't even sand it.  I used this magic stuff:  (2 cans)

Covered absolutely EVERYTHING.  You don't need a lot, just make sure every surface is covered.  Now came the fun part.  PAINT.


I chose a color called "Well Water" , I got it at Lowe's, and I chose a semi gloss, just because I adore semi gloss.  




I had these napkins, I think I found them a year or so ago at Party City.  The "well water" (it's Robin's Egg, in my opinion), blue in the napkins perfectly matched the blue on my cabinet.  

SO.  I grabbed a foam brush and my trusty Mod Podge and, in a very short time I had THIS:

Isn't she pretty?  I'm just in love with this cabinet now.  I replaced the original handles, and they just give it that finishing touch.  I will still add about 3 coats of varnish to the Mod Podge part, and one to the overall piece, but I just couldn't wait to share this.  After our move, I will show you an "action shot"....I have big plans for this baby.  LOVE.  


If I recall, we paid $10.00 for this cabinet at a thrift store. :)


To say I am just tickled would be an understatement!


COMING UP NEXT.........Vintage Printer's Tray re-do.  


Have a lovely Friday!

Super Quick and Easy Sunday Breakfast Casserole

My family just adores this meal.  

We're in the process of moving ACROSS THE STATE....so my cooking adventures have been a bit pitiful lately.

I always make a huge Sunday breakfast for my kiddos and husband, and they look forward to it...so I felt very guilty when they wandered about last Sunday looking sadly at the empty breakfast table (they're just spoiled.)

I remembered this, and, luckily, I had all of the ingredients on hand.  This can be made in so many variations, so use your imagination.

Here's how I made this one:

You will need:

-cooking spray

-one can of ready-made croissant rolls

-6 eggs

-2 cups of shredded cheese

-shaved ham

-fresh asparagus (blanched)

-salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray

roll out croissant rolls

beat eggs with cheese, pour on top of croissant rolls

top with shaved ham (you could also use crumbled, cooked sausage, bacon pieces, etc..)

add asparagus, salt and pepper to taste.

Cook for 30 minuts or until cheese browns and casserole is bubbly.

Serve with fresh fruit, toast and jam and some juice and coffee and you are A SUNDAY MORNING HERO!

:)

Enjoy! 

Coming up:  My cabinet is done!  Pics to come!  

Have a lovely Thursday!

Ugly Cabinet to Pretty Cabinet

I found this hideous cabinet at a thrift store years ago....it's been in a spare room for quite a while, used for storing miscellaneous treasures.

Time for this baby to shine.....so here's a before pic....stay tuned.  This is going to be just gorgeous when I'm done...and I'll post a tute as well.  

Refinishing old furniture is a favorite hobby of mine.....paint is magic.

Heat Wave!

March in Michigan usually involves snow.  Plenty of snow!  Somehow, we have lucked out this year, and escaped the mountains of snow!  I'm not sad about that one bit!  Our gardens are coming up, there are bunnies hopping about in our back yard, and I'm preparing for the beach!  Here's my newest design, this is a hollow bead that I have filled with the tiniest sea glass I have in my collection.  I love this.  It makes a really peaceful sound when the glass shakes within the glass.  I made one for you, and one for me! <3

I LOVE these!  You can find these in my Etsy shop:  http://www.karmabeads.etsy.com

Where do the weekends go?

We had such a lovely weekend.

What did we do, you ask?  Not a thing. Nada. Of course, there was the usual laundry, cooking, cleaning(minimal)...but ya, not a damn thing, and it was fabulous.  I got up on Sunday morning, showered, and put on clean jammies and that's how I stayed until......well, let's see here, it's 10am on Monday morning now.  

My husband even got the kids up and off to school...ha.  I am ...well, feeling guilty.  Must have needed it.

Last night was the Superbowl, and I was able to stay on target with Weight Watchers, except I may have overdone it on BUTTERNUT SQUASH.  I was so full.  

Yes, I am a wild thang.  (sigh)....In years past, I would have "overdone it" on beer, chips, dip, wings, and brownies, but two cups of butternut squash sent me into a food coma.  My weigh in is tomorrow and I will be tickled.  I can tell.  I feel good.

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and my Etsy is BUSY!  Today will be an all-day studio day, followed with some shopping and karate! 

WOOP!

I have 11 orders to complete and mail by 2pm, better move it!  xoxox

Why am I on Weight Watchers?

SO THAT I NEVER HAVE THIS SELF DIALOGUE EVER AGAIN!  

Ok, that's not the only reason, the health benefits, longer life, blahblahblahhh.......but this here?  THIS will be the big bonus, because I plan to spend the entire summer at the beach in Grand Haven!