Old Dresser Makeover

You know that dresser that you had when you were 12? The one you covered in stickers and the one mom let you bring to your college dorm? Yep, we had one of those still in our bedroom for a LONG time. In this case, it was my husband's. Does that scream 1980's kid or what? I'm pretty sure my brother had the same furniture.

The thing is, you have it for so long you kind of get immune to its ugliness. That's what happened to me. It was real wood, solid, and held t-shirts. I never gave it a second thought until Creating with the Stars happened in March of 2013. 

Each week I had to complete a new project based on a theme and then it would be voted on. Bottom 3 got booted out each week. Well, since I have this little gig on the side called a full-time job, not to mention children that depend on me for food, I had like 12 minutes each night to actually work on my projects. So, each week I pretty much started the next week's theme not even knowing if I made it through to that round. That's how this dresser happened.

(Slightly scratched, eh?)

After round 3, I redid this dresser in preparation for round 4.  Spoiler alert, I didn't make it to round 4 with the map table. It's all good though. I got more than 20 minutes of sleep that week and a re-fabbed dresser out of it.

So here's where I started. The things I really did not like were the handles, the feet, the way the sides stuck up past the top, and those lovely decorative notches chainsawed out of the front edge. The size and shape were good.

So I removed all the drawers and went to town with a saw.

First thing I did was chop off both of the tall side things. Sorry, couldn't saw and take pics at the same time. Safety first! :)

Then, I smacked each handle numerous times with a hammer until they fell off. That part was actually really fun. If you're having a rough day, I highly suggest. There were a few staples to pull out once the handle fell off.

Then we removed the feet. They were just held on with a few screws.

Then I gave the whole thing a really good sanding. Especially the top. (I sawed off the front edge of that "decorative" board right after this part, then sanded that really well too)

Here you can see all the handles missing, the front edge of the top is flat, and how the top is sanded much better than the rest.

I still wanted to see some wood on the piece so it didn't look like a giant hunk of cement. That's why I white washed the top. I pretty much just used my chalk paint recipe and really watered it down. Then wiped the surface with a cloth as soon as I painted it on.

The rest of the dresser was painted with light gray chalk paint normally.

Then I did the drawers in an ombre look making the paint darker as I went down. However, no matter how much black I added, drawers 2 and 3 kind of pretty much look the same color. Whatayagonnado?

After all was painted and dry, I was ready to wax 'er up. I used the same Minwax Paste Finishing Wax I used on my other dresser, my desk, this table, and this table. (I am Sarah and I have a furniture waxing problem).

Buuuuuut.... it was missing something. I know, I can't just leave it alone.

I broke out the DIY Moroccan stencil and traced it onto the drawers.

  
Then I painted over that with some teal paint and a craft brush. Then waxed.

Ahhh, better.  Last step! I bought some Besta Legs from IKEA and 3 Lansa Handles.  Took a bit of measuring to get the handles perfect but it looks so much better!

Ta da! Total cost for this project was $37!

So before you think there is no hope for your old middle school furniture, see what you can change! You might be able to remove/paint enough to make it awesome!

Let's be friends!

Postcard Gallery Wall

So, operation big girl room is still an ongoing process. Ongoing meaning mama's been too busy finding creative places to hide Christmas presents to sew any pillows (these kids could be detectives). But, we did get another project done. A few months back Kaley was invited to an American Girl doll birthday party. All the girls dressed up fancy and had a lovely afternoon "tea" (or apple juice) with their dolls. Very cute. In the goody bag to take home from that party was a book of American Girl Doll post cards.

Now, since I am of the thrifty genus and cannot bring myself to spend that kind of money on a doll (we have the Target knockoff) I was not familiar with American Girl. So, I was rather surprised to find such awesome sayings on the postcards we took home. 

So... I thought it would be cool to make them into artwork for her room. She likes the colors and designs too so it's a win win if you ask me. Off to IKEA!

I purchased 16 Ribba frames in gray for $1.99 each. They didn't really have a color that jives with the room so I knew I'd be painting them.

Then I busted out the brightest purple Rust-Oleum makes and went to town.

After they dried I reassembled the frames and added a bazillion Command strips to the backs. Besides the fact that they don't put any holes in the wall, I always use Command strips for a gallery hanging situation. With 16 frames side by side there is no way you'd keep them all hanging straight on nails. If you stick them up with the strips, they don't move ever. Love it.

So now they hang over her bed and some nights she asks me to read a few to her. My favorite is "What I think matters." I think I like that one the most because I need reminding of that sometimes. So while I'm a little sad her pictures of Disney princesses no longer plaster the walls (she's still rocking a Brave poster though), I'm happy they were replaced with something preaching girl power. Hopefully a few of these tiny messages stick.

If you'd like to see more projects from Operation Big Girl Room, click around below.

Let's be friends!

'Twas the Month Before Christmas...

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Cottonelle, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #CottonelleHoliday  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.

Did you really write a poem about toilet paper? I did. When I got the opportunity to tell you about Cottonelle Triple Roll I thought, what else is there to tell about toilet paper? Then I remembered that fateful night. (Insert dramatic music) It's story must be told. So sit back, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and and let me entertain you with my TP tales... "The Month Before Christmas".

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Twas the month before Christmas, the calendar was marked,

Our party was approaching, tensions were sparked.

The house had been cleaned by the family with care,

In hopes that our friends soon would be there.

The kids made ornaments, the tree was decked out,
A popsicle stick Rudolph was ready to tout.
The music was festive and fun as could be,
And gifts were all wrapped, right under the tree.

The drinks were chilled all snug in their ice,

While mountains of cookies baked warm and nice.

The kids dressed up, even brushed their teeth,

The house was ready with lights and a wreath.

The guests arrived all in droves of twenty,

I knew in a moment, they'd all be hungry.

So into the kitchen I flew like a flash,

To stir the sauce and give the taters a mash.

The best hostess ever, I must say that I was,

Chatting up friends and keeping the room a buzz.

The food was served, libations were flowing,

People were happy, the tree was still glowing.

You could say it was great; the best party ever,

A total success, merry and clever.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a tiny naked booty running ever so near.

In the midst of all the giggles and stares,

I scooped up that child and ran back upstairs.

He'd been shouting from the potty for a mom busy hosting,

"Help! We have no TP!" was the cry he'd been boasting.

To the top of the stairs, to the edge of the wall,

That naked booty came down and announced to us all.

The TP was out and he was glad to share,

Mom forgot the triple roll, all naked and bare.

The guests thought it was cute, downright charming,

But when a toddler's unwiped bum runs through your party, I find it alarming.

So I've learned my lesson, have no doubt,

I done with the single roll, no more skimping out.

Off to Target, we went really fast,

I used this coupon, while supplies last.

Cottonelle Triple Roll 12 pack, that be the ticket,

Free Kleenex too, that's why we'd pick it.

Now the rolls stay full longer, and I can sit back,

The naked booties no longer come to the party and attack!

So, if your party was ever ruined; no TP was the reason,

Pick up Cottonelle Triple Roll at Target and relax; enjoy this season.

The End.
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Do you feel like your holiday is complete now? It's a Christmas classic for sure! Happy holidays!

Let's be friends!

Instagram Time Capsule Ornament

Hi everyone! Have you finished your shopping yet? I'm not even close, so we can scramble all hopped up on caffeine together. :) Today I'm guest posting over at Sew Woodsy as part of their 12 Days of Handmade Ornaments. So click here to head over and check out how to make your own tiny time capsule to enjoy for years to come.

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And don't forget, there's still time to enter the Cricut giveaway. Click here to enter.

Now I need to go shopping!

Let's be friends!

Easy Holiday Gift Idea for Teachers

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Rubbermaid Bento Organizers but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #HolidayBento  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

If you're a working mama like me (you're multitasking while reading this, there's laundry on the dining room table, and the bathroom garbage needs to be emptied... but that's beside the point), you've probably got one or more little ones heading to daycare each morning. Before this year, I had two. At our daycare the kids have a main teacher, but are really cared for by many members of the staff. Since daycare is open long hours, half way through the day teacher two comes in to relieve teacher one. There's another person who covers lunch breaks. Floaters and assistants pitch in on the playground, in the halls, and at nap time. And, there's an office staff who give out lolly pops on Fridays (okay, they do other stuff too but that's all the kids care about). It's a well-oiled, child care machine and I am grateful!

Because it really is a small village that cares for my not-so-baby while I'm working, bringing in one gift for his main teacher just doesn't work for me. So, every year we deliver a bunch of goodies for the entire staff to share... lotions, manicure kits, chocolate, gum, supplies, etc. This year is no different except I cranked it up a notch.

Instead of a holiday gift bag that's just going to either get tossed or regifted next year, I went to Target and got a Rubbermaid Bento Organizer. Oh la la. Even my simple, inexpensive gifts (hit up the dollar section while you're at Target!) look special packed up in their little bento compartments. And, when the gifts have been distributed, they can use the Rubbermaid Bento to keep the office organized. Double giftage!

The little flaps on the inside pop out to make a couple different configurations. I popped them both out to keep all of our goodies separated. (You gotta keep 'em sep-ar-ated!... am I showing my age with that song reference?) Candies and gum, office supplies, pampering goodies all tucked away. No mosh pit of cheer... everything neat and pretty for delivery. AND, if you click here, there's a Target coupon for $1 off the organizer. Our Target here had several sizes and patterns available.

My little elf packed everything himself.

Tie it up.

Head out with your box of joy (and try not to eat all the chocolate before it gets there).

So, what are your go-to, stress-free teacher gifts you put together each year? I'd love to hear your ideas! They're always so creative. Happy gifting.

Let's be friends!