8.27.2015

Curbside Makeover - Take 2

This is the second time I've made over this curbside find, 
that I threw into the back of my car when we lived in
Newport, Rhode Island. You can find my first post HERE.

Curbside Makeover Before & After Furniture

I am over the moon with how this turned out and 
can't wait to get started on my next paint project!

First I sanded off the stenciled design off the top.
I wanted to make sure the top would have a smooth 
surface and not leave a flower impression once I was
finished painting. It's the only portion of the piece I
actually sanded since I knew I would be using the
ever-forgiving chalk paint.

I'm also partial to foam brushed when applying chalk
paint, they are inexpensive and I love that I can squish
them into small areas if needed.

Curbside Makeover Before & After Furniture

This is after the first coat of Americana Decor
Chalky Finish "Yesteryear". It's a beautiful pale
grey color, which I love...but I was going for a 
different look to coordinate with the bathroom
mirror where this piece was to reside.

Curbside Makeover Before & After Furniture

I pulled out my Waverly Wax in Antique and started 
applying it with an old t shirt. If you don't want your
dark wax to look so dark, apply a clear wax first.

Curbside Makeover Before & After Furniture


I quickly wiped on the Antique, working with one 
side of my piece at a time. One I'd finish applying, 
I'd start wiping off the wax and rubbing it in, till
I achieved the more worn look.

Curbside Makeover Before & After Furniture


This is after the Antique Wax has been applied 
everywhere. You can see that I didn't put wax
inside on the bottom sections. I had a different
idea for the inside...since the top piece normally
would've held a drawer which was broken
when I first picked up the piece. There was a 
funny little lipped section that I wanted to make 
smooth....

Curbside Makeover Before & After Furniture

Before I get to the insides:
Here are two easy clean up musts.
1. Wipe top of containers with a damp
paper towel, so you can easily unscrew 
the lid again.
2. Wear gloves so your hands don't look 
as fantastic as mine did when I finished!

Curbside Makeover Before & After Furniture

 Here is my fix for the bottoms of the insides...
little pieces of wood. I was going to use paint sticks
but Home Depot was out of the large ones. I found
the next best thing and my hubby introduced me to
the saw, watch out world!

I cut them all to fit using the cool little laser light
and that sassy blade and I'm proud to announce,
I still have all of my fingers!

Curbside Makeover Before & After Furniture

 The back corners of the top section had these little 
pieces that stuck up, so my DH helped me cut the
notches out for those pieces to fit inside.

My sweet helper, Satine...she loves her Mama
and I can always count on her to be nearby.

Curbside Makeover Before & After Furniture

Next I pulled out my Americana Decor Chalky Paint
Everlasting, a nice bright white. Painted all the small 
wooden cut pieces and let them dry. After a second 
coat I quickly sanded them down a bit to make sure
they were nice and smooth on the edges and tops.

Curbside Makeover Before & After Furniture

A bit of Elmer's Wood Glue and some golf balls 
did the trick for easy installation of the wooden
pieces and then only one step to go...

Curbside Makeover Before & After Furniture

Just one coat of Minwax Polycrylic Clear Satin
protective finish and I'm proud to say this beauty
is done!!

Curbside Makeover Before & After Furniture


Here she is in our half bathroom holding 
a few bathroom essentials...

Curbside Makeover Before & After Furniture

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Please view my Linky Fun tab at the top of
the blog to see a few of the blog parties I like to join!

8.19.2015

Lego Birthday Party Ideas

I love planning parties...but
my kids usually get the short end of the 
party planning stick since Mama is running
around like a crazy last-minute lady! 
(crafting party items for LeroyLime on Etsy)

Lego Birthday Party Ideas

If I haven't mentioned before...well, I don't do cakes, 
I'm more of a paper gal, so if you need a paper cake,
I've got you covered but those tend to not like flame.

I asked the lady behind the cake counter for a lego cake and 
my son was happy, so win win for this Mama...
and onto the decorations and party favors.

We held my son's 5th Birthday at the bowling alley,
(he's now 7)
which makes for easy cleanup and is a great venue
if you are looking for something fun for the kids
to do without breaking the bank!

The party patrons weren't many, so I opted for a small
box of legos for each child and made a "thank you" lego
bookmark, that I had my son color for his friends. 

I printed out a lego man online, typed a little thank
you note, attached to a piece of 
cardstock and added a piece of bakers twine. Bam!

Lego Birthday Party Ideas

Pizza, Cake, Legos and Lemonade 

A simple party that everyone enjoyed...
just wish I had taken more photos!

Below are a few of my favorite Pinned Lego Party Ideas,
if you've got some great ones, please link them
in the comments!

Betty Crocker nailed it with these lego cakes using
marshmallows!! Pure genius!

If you'd rather have cookies than cakes at your Lego
Party, check out this fabulous Lego Man Cookie
tutorial from Sweet Sugar Belle.

Surviving the Stores created a fun post
on how to have a Lego Birthday Party
for under $100.

For more fun Birthday Boy Ideas, click on 
my Pinterest board below...