New outlook

My last Salvation Army "art" refresh is a mirror.  Who can't use another mirror?
Remember this old girl?

 Dried flowers and broken glass.  Poor thing needed a new home.  Someone to appreciate her.  Maybe that is what Amanda Bynes needs too?  What has happened to our sweet little Holly?!  Home girl has gone crazy.  For $5.25 I was willing to see what I could do with her.

Spray paint primer=best invention ever.  Then brushed on some already owned blue/aqua paint!

 Scrap book paper and modpodge!  I love scrapbook paper.  So many options.  Keeps the painting and stenciling to a minimum.  I like keeping a (should be) easy project on the easy train.

 Duck taped some cardboard to the back of the mirror to keep it a little more stable than it was.

 Ta-Da $5.25 and Amanda looks like a new girl.  Too bad it's not that easy for Amanda in real life.

Another (almost) free refresh!  On Monday I will show you the whole shebang together and a final cost for a house full o' art.

SCORE! Part 2

I told you yesterday about my shopping scores this week.

Yes, I was supposed to be working on my roman shade for the half bath, but my mom needed me to create a bunch of artwork for my grandmothers beach house.  I was so excited thinking of all the possibilities until she threw the B word at me.  You know the one.  Budget.  Booooo.  But I like a challenge.  However, this challenge was two part.  She needs it all by Wednesday.  That's right.  One week.

First I scoured all my Pinterest boards.  The art & printables one is where I started.  This was going to be tricky for a house I've only spent a few hours in.  I could not remember a thing about what was there (walls or art!)  I created a board just for this house so I could keep my thoughts organized.  I should tell you that this is going to be a rental so nothing too fancy and if it got broken it wasn't a huge loss.  It will also be dog friendly.

I made a list of things I wanted to do and supplies I would need.  Grabbed my Michaels coupons and left my mom with the babes!

I stopped at Salvation Army first.  Just to check in and see what I could find.  Here is my loot:
2 big matching frames (always a score in itself, in my opinion!) 1 mirror (another score in itself, only because I think it's hard to find either of these items!) 2 4x6 frames 1 5x7 and one triple frame in white wood and connected by rope...very beachy already!

Since I was there and shopping ALONE I had to look around.  That is when I found this:

No, I don't need it, but I thought it was too cute..well, it could be.  I also had one person in mind. I've already committed to doing her nursery when it's time!  I think this will be perfect.

Ok, back to artwork...I then went to Michaels to finish getting my supplies.  They had a great coupon for canvas packs (40% off each canvas purchase...NOT just one!!)!!  Super, because I needed 12x12 and I needed 9.  I got 2 seven packs ($19.99 each +coupon).

 They also had 11x14 frames in the clearance section for $6, I needed 3.  11x14 already matted!  Score!

Next week I will fill you in on all things ART!  Like how I am going to make 6+sqft of artwork for less than $19.99!

Just Frame It

Our house was a DIY dream. Slowly but surely we have worked our way through a list of projects! We have learned many things, sometimes too late.

One of our first was replacing a vanity in a guest bathroom. It was much higher than the one we took out. Which means the mirror that was above it, no longer fit. Oops! We called and called. No one would cut the mirror for us. And no one, including the habitat restore would take it!

(Side note: I am an expert at wallpaper removal, email me if you need tips!)

It sat in our garage. Like a lot of projects it sat there for quite awhile. Until I decided that we needed it in our dining room!

With some help from my trusted carpenter husband and a miter saw we had a new dining room mirror!

Mirror, Mirror..

on my wall!!
I found a mirror, I had to have! It's a bit cliche to have a mirror over a fireplace, I know, but I wasn't sure what I wanted above ours. We had a large picture, but it was a winter print, dark, snowy...DREARY.
Then....I found this mirror. I usually don't have any trouble finding anything here, but finding something affordable and large can sometimes be a problem. However, I studied it for awhile and carried around the picture and thought...I can make that! Then I studied it some more.
I couldn't have the exact mirror, especially once I learned that the frame is actually metal. I thought it was wood. One of the reasons I really liked it. I LOVED the size. I went to Micheals to see what I could find. They had mirrors, but not the 8.5"x11". I settled for 8"x8", they were still beveled, which I felt was the important part.
I then went to Home Depot and found some trim I liked as well as liquid mirror and a hanging kit and set out to make my mirror. I had the stain, plywood and wood glue at home. A few cuts of the plywood and trim and I was ready to stain.
Once all the wood was stained I attached the mirrors and trim. I let everything set and then attached the hanging pieces to the back.
After a few holes were drilled in the wall (yes, a few...it was late and I was anxious!) I had a new mirror! I then took pictures and sat down to enjoy my new mirror. I sent out the pictures to a few friends, who I am sure were tired of hearing about my mirror project. By the next morning the mirror was sold! I have until the new owner drives up from Florida to make myself a new one.


I think it would also look good in a variety of colors or distressed white! Let me know which one you would like!
And that my friends is my fireplace refresh!