Organize drawers in a snap!

So i was cruzin the 99 cent sore and came across these chip/dip serving trays. They're the perfect shape and the different sized compartments are ideal for storing loose junk and tidying up that always-messy drawer.

the 99 cent store has a BUNCH of containers and other organizational aids that are (duh) only 99 cents and, if youd like, could easily be painted or decoupaged to suit your decorating desires!

my mother always said... "messy bed-messy head..." (before)...

The calming effect that an organized drawer has ones mind is nothing short of amazing....(after!)....

Before and After: Mid-Century Modern nightstand from the Goodwill!

Here's another one for you folks!

I found this Mid-century Modern (thats "Mad Men" style for the fans out there...)nightstand at the Goodwill and it was missing a tag! (my favorite!) The manager gave it to me for $11.00!! What a steal!

Of course... it was in horrible condition... chipping paint... no hardware... It needed some TLC...

But for $11 how could i resist!?

I stripped it and sanded it down then primed it-painted it extra glossy black then handpainted the inside a Caribbean blue/turquoise color.

BUT THATS NOT ALL FOLKS!

my favorite feature... (drum roll please.....)

The fabric lined drawers!!!

Cute huh!

Then i added the handle. It came from a dresser that I am also refinishing and wanted to give a more modern look to. (so no need for these vintage looking handles!!.. but perfect for our nightstand!)

and thats that! a "brand new" mid-century modern nightstand with a vintage twist...

and a great addition to my bedroom!

Designer Duplication: Rattan Vase!

Well, now that you have some beautiful flowers (flower/pens that its..), you're gonna need a stunning vase to put them in! So why not get the designer look for a discount!!?

Natural elements and materials are a great way to give any room a warm, earthy feel and bring the outdoors in. Fall is the perfect time to experiment with different natural materials like moss, sticks and leaves... and even some twine! (like we'll do in this project!)

Right now, Crate and Barrel are selling these Rattan vases for $64.95....

Here is how to make yours for around $3.00!!! (thats a pretty hard-core discount my friends!!):

You'll need the following ingredients:

• twine or natural braided rope (available at any hardware store... but i got mine at the .99 cent store!)
• scissors
• a vase (again- got mine at the .99 cent store!!) or any item that can hold flowers...even a large plastic cup will work!
• glue gun

now assuming you have a glue gun already, you can see how inexpensive this project really is!

alright: instruction time!

First, starting at the bottom, attach the twine to the vase using a small dot of glue and begin wrapping it around.

You dont need to glue all the way around. A pea-sized amount about every inch or so should suffice.

Its really that easy! ... just wrap it all the way up!

I chose to use two different kinds of twine and used both on the skinnier vase. Get creative! you can mix ribbon or different textures to create a unique and custom look to go with any room!

And Voila~ a designer look for a discount AND something you made that you can be proud of!

Enjoy!

And here are the SAME vases featured in this months "Real Simple" magazine! See! they're super "in" and now they can be all yours!!!

(photos courtesy of Real Simple Magazine)

A Bouquet With a Purpose!!

So I was in the bookstore.. flipping through craft books for inspiration, when I came across these simple flower pens. Im sure we've all seen them somewhere before... you know.. the pen with a big silk flower on the end?... well.. I just happen to be in the market for some tabletop decorations and thought, why not a BUNCH of flower pens... in a vase... like a bouquet! Now im not usually a fan of silk flowers but if you're like me, and one of those people who cant ever find a pen when you really need one.. this is little project is perfect! just TRY to misplace these writing utensils now! :)

Below is the (SUPER EASY) DIY guide to making your own!

All it takes is:

• A vase
• 3 or more silk flowers (the kind with the metal running through the stem..)
• florist tape
• a ball-point pen for each flower
• scissors

First, cut your flowers to your desired length (remember, you're gonna attach the pen, so make them about 1-2 inches shorter to compensate)

Next, position the flower next to the pen so about 2/3 are overlapping. Wrap with the florist tape nice and tight.

Last- stick em in your vase!I added a few decoative leafy branches for a more "natural" look.. and Voila! a Bouquet thats both beautiful and functional!

Enjoy! and never lose a pen again!!

~Sarah

Before and After: Wall cabinet from the Goodwill

Being a thrifty gal- most of the items i find to redecorate/hack come from garage sales... but if its not a weekend, the goodwill (or other thrift store) is sometimes filled with potential projects! (but not one of those hoity toity $50 for a vintage t-shirt shops- im talkin' real 2nd hand shit- the browse for an hour and pick up about 5 different items that you swear used to be yours kinda thrift store... )

Just the other week i picked up this piece here for a whoppin' $4.99.....

I was super inspired by this photo here that i found on design*sponge in their before and after section (a GREAT place for inspiration..)

So I went to work....

• First I removed all the hardware and took the backing off.
• Then I sanded it down- a super important step in any refinishing project...
• Once sanded, I simply spray painted the whole thing- remembering to tape off the glass so it would stay nice while i painted

After about 3 coats it was all set.

While drying, I moved on to the back.

I knew I wanted a stencil look, but i wanted to keep the natural wood showing though- so a traditional stencil wouldnt work.

• Instead, I used stickers and tape to make the retro-style image i wanted on the back.**

**Learned it the hard way lesson** next time- CONTACT PAPER! (the stuff you line drawers with). the stickers didnt wanna say and the tape took FOREVER to cut into the shape i wanted!!

• After laying all my pieces just right and making sure everything was on there nice and smooth, i spray painted over the whole thing with a cheery buttercup yellow.**

**Learned the hard was lesson** ALWAYS prime first.... i literally went through an entire can of spraypaint on an area that was no more that 12x24 inches... and it didnt stick to the wood well- it was bad... thank god the lacquer sealer i finished it off with evened everything out!

• Once it was all dry (i know-its SOOO tempting to do it early... but wait!) i peeled off the stickers leaving the original wood showing through and sprayed the whole piece with a clear lacquer.
• After the back was completely dry, I staple gunned it back on the cabinet, re-attached the hardware and ...

voila! new cabinet!

I just love it.. and for about $8 (between materials and the cabinet itself) you just cant beat it!

of course now im thinking i want to make it white instead of black... oh the never ending color choice dilemma...

anyways.... hope this inspires you to visit your local 2nd hand store cause its like they say: one mans trash is another gals retro-revamped curio cabinet!

So to summarize:

A hint of Lavender as you drift to sleep...

I almost forgot one of the best parts of making your own pillows!-- The opportunity to add a little scented sachet bag before you seal up your seam!!I chose Lavender for the pillows on my bed. And boy oh boy is it a relaxing aroma!

Below are a few aromatherapy basics

(according to www.aromanaturals.net) that might help you narrow down your options when faced with the difficult "what scent do i choose" dilemma...

Lavender- especially good at calming the nervous system, relaxing the body and enabling blissful sleep.

Chamomile- Used in aromatherapy, it is at its best helping with those who suffer from insomnia.

Bergamot- does its job by relieving stress and enabling relaxation. Gives a sense of well-being.

Sandalwood- a calming agent; it relieves nervous tension and helps you relax.

Peppermint/Spearmint- used in stress reduction and meditation and can help energize and improve clarity in thinking.

Eucalyptus- can be used to alleviate symptoms of the common cold and help with breathing.

Vanilla-Scientific studies have shown that this aroma brings to mind positive and happy memories.

Enjoy! and take some clarifying breaths with your new aromatherapy (super adorable and affordable) pillows!!

Making Something out of Nothing: Scrap fabric into a dog bandana

Now, everyone says they have the cutest dog in the world... but unfortunately for everyone- I am- in fact- the winner of that award....dont believe me? ok... you be the judge....

Meet Gadget
yeah- i know.. its just ridiculous how cute that little thing is...
and seeing how shes so cute and all, its only right that she have adorable little accessories as well. Now im not your “throw a sweater on her and carry her around the mall in my juicy jumpsuit” kinda gal, but i think every dog could use a cute little bandana! its sporty, comfortable, you can dress it up- or dress it down... (ok im getting carried away...)

But anyways, I was up to my usual crafty business when I thought, “Geeze.. you always have so many little scrap pieces of fabric Sarah ,what should we do with all of them?...hmmm what small thing could be decorated with such a small piece of fabric?...
Lightbulb! A small pet!
ergo: Doggy Bandana!

Below is the (SUPER EASY) DIY instructions on how to make your little four-legger fashion-forward!

Step 1:
Pick out your fabric and cut it into a square. What size square you ask? well... i think the bandana should cover about 2/3 of your pets neck, so measure Fluffy’s neck, then figure out 2/3 of that (this is middle school math here peeps...), Then add about an inch to compensate for when you hem the sides under...
soo... to demonstrate....
Fluffy’s neck is 9’’ around....
2/3 of that is 6’’...
plus the 1 inch for the hem...
that means you’ll be cutting a 7x7 inch square! voila!

Step 2.
Turn edge under abut 1/2 inch and hem so you have a nice seam. Repeat for all 4 sides.

Step 3:
Fold the square in half into a triangle and sew up the side open sides starting at the corner opposite the fold.
Now don’t sew the whole side up... what I did, and found is an awesome little trick to making the bandanas last, is leave a hole big enough for my dogs collar to fit through.
That way, you just slide the collar through the bandana, there’s no need to fashion a strap or tie, and its free to move without getting tangled up on the collar!

Step 4:
Slip your collar though! now if you use a leash that attaches to your collar, you can cut a small hole in the top layer of the bandana where the ring for the leash is the stitch the edges (like a button hole).. This way the bandana will stay in place and you can still use the leash!

Now that you’re done- DECORATE!
I used some leftover rhinestones from another project and glued then on to make a “G” (for Gadget...)

Here are some other ideas that are sure to make your tail wag! Enjoy!

~Sarah





**FOLLOW UP: Heres a photo of Gadget (a little camera shy..) rockin her new bandana!!

More adorable photos to come...