Monthly Archives: July 2011

Do you remember last month, when I was so happy about having “finished” Ellie’s room

It looked like this...

and this (note the crib)

Well, it turns out that I wasn’t done.

A couple of weeks ago, I had popped by the Goodwill and seen a piece that I SHOULD have bought right then.  I didn’t, and went home regretting that decision.  The next morning, I thought I’d try my luck and see if it was still there.  Ellie and I piled into the Suburban and headed out to Tualatin.  I was disappointed, but not surprised that someone had snatched up the piece, but then heard Ellie Graye say, “Mommy!!! It’s a PRINCESS DRESSER!”

I looked up, and there was the perfect dresser for her bedroom – along with two side tables.  I glanced at the price and about fell over.  Without sparing a minute, I claimed the pieces – with a little three year old jumping up and down with excitement! As soon as we got home, we started dismantling the furniture that was in her room, cleaning the new furniture and discussing how things should be arranged.

The mirror was included!

In a total spur of the moment decision, I decided to take convert the crib into the toddler bed.  I had been putting it off for a while, but with some input from Nanny Ashley, decided that it was time.  Taking the drop side off and replacing it with the toddler rail was a job and a half, and it involved calling the store where we bought it, the manufacturer, and finally the delivery person who put it all together!  It took nearly 2 hours, but eventually, we had our transition bed all set, and she was just fine with it.  It has been several weeks now, and there really hasn’t been an issue of her getting out of bed and into mischief – which is quite a relief!  She’s definitely emotionally attached to the crib, though, and has said countless times that she does NOT want to EVER sleep in the big girl bed.  She’s totally fine with hers.  Hmmm. I wonder how long that will last!

On one of my many trips to Joann’s Fabrics for Ellie’s birthday, I had found some beautiful pink lace that had accents of purple.  It was on clearance for $6 a yard (originally $35); I couldn’t pass it up, though I had no idea what I would use it for.  After sitting in the room enjoying the feeling of accomplishment over my furniture purchase, I realized that I knew EXACTLY what that lace was for: her bed.  I shot down stairs, quickly sewed up a pillow case for her body pillow that is supposed to protect her head from the head board, hemmed the piece that would be used as a bedspread, and voila – the perfect touch!

I say not bad for $100 dollars ($70 for the furniture and $25 for the lace)!  I wonder if I’ll EVER be finished with that room!

While I’ve always loved spray paint, it took my mother’s reminding about its amazing transformative powers!  She had several pieces of furniture that were…well, how do I put this…um…”meh” would be the best word, I think.  After putting some elbow grease and spray paint to them, they turned into pretty cool pieces!  With the pool house in desperate need of some fresh furniture, I followed my mother’s example and went to work.  The old pieces were refreshed sufficiently (even if they’re not my ideal pieces, they’ll work until I find just the right ones), and suddenly spray paint was helping me with everything!

It isn't the Ritz, but I do think that it's welcoming...I refuse to buy furniture new unless I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

I'm still searching for handles for this dresser. I bought it at a garage sale for $5. It was an incredibly dark stain (to match the handles)...the paint is a step in the right direction

The book shelves were dark brown and peeling...now they're aged white 🙂 I just need to fill them with books!

The decor for Ellie’s birthday didn’t escape the spray can either.  I needed white cake stands, so I improvised!

Candle sticks, plates, gorilla glue and, of course, spray paint (don't worry, I didn't put food directly on them)!

Cake stand: candle sticks, metallic spray paint, shelf glass, and scrapbook paper; Vase: Green (Eden) spray paint and $1 vase from TJ Maxx (was eventually filled with flowers); Candy Tin: $1 tin from Target, purple spray paint

Yes, indeed, I went a little paint crazy, but am super happy with most of the results (though some things looked like crap after I did a poor job of sanding and some very lazy prep work).

Ellie's faded and worn out picnic table got new life!

The $3 doll highchair that I found at the Goodwill looks awesome in pink!

An old metal mirror that had been tossed into the shop looks great in pink, too!

A cool carved wood frame I found at the Goodwill for $2 is gorgeous in green!

It's just a cool frame like this...I think I should have left it this way! Goodwill: $4.99

See what I mean? It might look better in Green. Going to try that tomorrow...if not, I'll strip it and refinish it!

Speaking of refinishing…I also refinished a table that I had bought when I was in college. Yes, at a garage sale in Whittier.  I think I paid $4.

I’m not sure if it’s poverty mentality or just the fact that I love to save a penny, but no matter what our finances are like, I still love rescuing pieces and giving them some good elbow grease and making them new!  It’s just so darn rewarding!

So that’s SOME of what else has been going on around here…aaah, life is good.