REFURB-RECON-REPURPOSE: old suitcase, new doll case

I've always loved the idea of making something old, new again, and when I saw these on Etsy, I knew I could easily do it myself.... and then, the hunt was on for the perfect case....

And, I found one....  

Actually, Mr. Monkey found it on his very first trip with the girl-babe and I, to our nearest Bibles for Missions thrift store.  This pretty blue case was sitting on the floor with a bunch of other sad looking cases.... a diamond in the rough for sure....

The price tag.... a WHOPPING $3.00!  Yes, folks, this was the steal of the day!

So here it is.... the transformation....

original condition, ok, but, not really... and still has it's keys!

let the stripping begin - woo-hoo!!!

interesting.... butter cookie packaging as backing.... repurposing, I LOVE IT!

original lining stuck.... ah, no biggie

completely NAKED!

vintage sheeting fabric, batting, glue gun, and many-many-many glue sticks

pretty trims, not sure what to use just yet....

fitting and gluing the batting, really just winging it....until....

OUCHIE!  why does this ALWAYS happen to me?

burnt fingers forgotten.... bottom lining finito!

glue and press, glue and press.... top lining also finito!

cutting, trimming, fitting and attaching the pretty flowers

oops, forgot to take a shot of the trim being applied, my bad, here it is finished

the monkey-girl throwing in Bear's clothes before I could finish, love her excitement

'take a pitcher of me, mommy!' (heart melting)

DONE!  and PACKED!

I had so much fun whipping up this project!  In total, it took me about 4 and a half hours.... well worth my time and effort just to get that HUGE smile from that BEAUTIFUL girl....

I think, later-later, I'll add some clear pockets to the top to house the socks and shoes, and maybe paint the monkey's name on the outside.... I'll be sure to add that as a REFURB-RECON-REPURPOSE post too!

I hope this inspires you glue-gun toting craft-goddesses to tackle your own repurpose projects.  Have a lovely day my friends  ;)

The bed....

I have to say, of everything I've found for the girl-babe's bedroom makeover this is, by far, my favourite item....

The bed.


It's beautiful.  It's chipped.  It's worn.   It has great lines.   And the best part is.... she. loves. it.

What about that nasty looking brass, you ask?  Well, you know that's getting painted.... probably the same smoky purple as the brass on the milk glass lamp.... at least that's what's on the blueprint in my mind...

So, the re-do on this little lady will be pretty simple.  Sand down the loose chips and give it a nice coat of fresh paint.  And in the words of Forrest Gump, "...that's all I gots ta say 'bout that."

I found this bed at an antique fair that was held at a local antique shop.... there were many vendors that cold and rainy weekend.... some stayed, some left.... I'm just glad she stayed otherwise I wouldn't have found this wonderful piece of dreamy-ness (or my colourful collection of fiesta, for that matter).... Anyhow, these pretty pieces of aged metal set us back $70 dollars.... 

Honestly, I didn't know if I was getting a great deal or not.  The vendor assured me I was; but, you know people, they just want to unload their wares for the most they can get.  We actually left both the bed and fiesta, and as soon as we got home, regret set in.  I sent Mr. Monkey back right away to pick up everything.   It wasn't until Mr. Monkey and I took our weekend anniversary trip, that I realized how great a deal the bed really was.  In a little shop in Thornbury (beautiful town), I found a very similar bed for double the price!.... I'm so thankful that in all of my frugality (a-hem, cheapness) I could see the greater picture and knew that my little-lady-love would be happy with her new big-girl bed.

Have a happy day everyone  ;)

Perfect for a vintage monkey....

One of my proudest thrifty moments came a little over a week ago.... The girl-monkey and I were shopping at Value Village, scouting out a lamp suitable for a "big-girl" bedroom-to-be....

There were disney princess cast-offs, 90's pink ceramic, nursery-room types with blocks and bears, 70's era junk (that I LOVED!).... and this is the one she chose....  All. on. her. own.

I spotted it as soon as we started looking at the several lamps available, and had secretly hoped she would like it too.  I had decided before we even entered the store that she should be able to pick out something without any input from me, and that it would be coming home with us regardless of how I felt about it.... after-all, she is her own person with her own likes and dislikes and who am I to say otherwise?  This pretty little thing set us back a whole $4.99!

This is white hobnail milk glass.  Hobnail refers to the shape of the bumps.... they get that effect by pressing the melted glass into molds.... Milk glass dates back to the 16th century; but, wasn't actually called milk glass until the late 1880's.  Milk glass was seen as a symbol of household status.  During the depression, it lost appreciation.  Around the 1950's, the glass company, Fenton introduced their hobnail pattern, that brought lovers of milk glass back to the checkouts, and from then on, there was a resurgence in popularity, that still holds today among collectors.  More history in a nutshell :)


Anyhow, you can imagine how proud and amazed I was when she pointed to "dat one" and asked, "Can I take it home witt me, Momma?"  How could I say no to that?!  After we gave it a good cleaning, and tested it out.... perfect working order.... we decided it was the best choice for her vintage and thrifty room-to-be.  Judging by the electrical cord and fixtures, I figure this little lamp probably dates to the early 70's, maybe late 60's.  Still a very serviceable item.... and the brass, well, that has to go.... it's going to receive a fresh coat of smoky purple spray paint or something that will accent well with everything else.


Have a great day everyone   ;)

Lots going on....

I have tons of stuff to show you over the next couple of weeks.... most of it will be re-finished, re-furbished, re-worked, re-purposed for my girl-monkey's room.  I've managed to pick all of her large bedroom items:  bed, dresser, magazine rack (a little project that's going to house some special items), chair... at second-hand shops, used and consignment shops!

My middle monkey, while watching American Pickers last week, turned to me and said "Mommy, you're like an American Picker guy."  I was so surprised that he would compare the way I like to shop for things, to these guys.... I guess when you think about it, I am kinda-sorta like a picker.  Only difference is that I'm not educated when it comes to antiques; and I'm really only trying to find things for my home that fit my vision and aren't cut from todays' cookie-cutter manufacturers.  Ok, so maybe I'm not a picker.... I'm more of a junk buyer :)

Anyhow.... Here's an itty-bitty piece of the dresser, we'll call this the before shot....

Sorry about the picture.... right now, it's living in the garage piled high with, well, garage-type-stuff.  I picked up this nice stick of wood at a consignment shop in my own little town.  Heavy solid wood, well-constructed, in near mint condition, complete with dove-tailed drawers.... and the price, you ask?

$75.00; I know, it may seem a little more money than what I'd normally like to spend.  But, when it comes to furniture of this construction, there's no way you could find a new piece even close to this quality at a reasonable price point.

Of course, I'm going to rough it up, strip it down, re-paint it and give it a lift with some new (or used) hardware.  I'm thinking the colour will end up being some sort of creamy white.... I'm hoping to remember to take step-by-step photos when I start the re-furb.... but, that remains to be seen.... knowing me, I'll remember halfway through the process.

Aaaanyway, it's dull and rainy here today, the perfect day for makin' soup, I say.  On today's menu:  Butternut, sweet potato and red apple soup.  A great soothing fall soup that will go well with tonight's meatloaf and rice dinner.  Yum!

Have a great day all ;)

Thifty fun....

So, while perusing Value Village, looking for clown costumes for my boys, I spotted this baby....



My first thought: "I must have it."

My husband's reaction: "What?! Where are we gonna put it?"

I don't know. Does it matter? It's perfect.... to go.... ummm, it'll fit.... somewhere?....

It reminds me of an early television set, I love the legs, I love the concave shape of the drawer fronts, I can live with the colour.... but seriously, why, when I have such a great source for spray paint, thank you Home Depot....

But, really, I think I've found another addiction. I can't pass up little pieces like this. I know I'll find the perfect spot in my home for this little cutie.... and if I don't, I'm sure one of my friends will.... although, truth be told, we all know this will NOT be leaving my house.

This thing is solid with one little blemish on the top.... nothing that can't be fixed with a little elbow grease and sand paper. Living in a small house, I think you're forced to seek out anything that will be able to house 'stuff'. That, for me, is certainly criteria for a piece of furniture coming through my doors.

Aaaanyway, drumroll please, the sticker price on this amazingly retro feeling stick of wood....

$9.99 .... cue fireworks....

Have a great day everyone ;)

The before: the story of a beautiful lamp in the making....

That's right folks.... I'm tackling this worn out, diamond in the rough this weekend. So here's what she looks like today:


a little scarred and marred, a little tired and old.... but her bones are good. She has a nice solid wood base that will take a sanding quite nicely, I'm hoping.... I'm not sure if I'll strip it down completely (a messy job that I've done a few times before... but am thinking is not totally necessary with this girl; of course that too could change once I get started....)

I have a love of refinishing old and new wooden pieces.... I'm NOT; however, in love with chemical stripping; but, sometimes it's unavoidable.... Aaaanyway, hopefully next time you see this little lady she'll be dressed in her new digs and casting a soft glow upon my new guest bedroom.... The fella in my beloved THRIFT STORE says she's sure to light up a room; unfortunately when he tested her for me, I had my back turned. Go figure. Ahhh, well, a wiring job is not an impossible task either (something I've tackled with another lamp project.... pretty easy and straight forward).... which brings me to another point that I want to make:

Ladies. You don't always need a man for small refinishing and re-wiring jobs.... my dad always thought it was important for me to know how to use tools (power and manual) and to be able to do small fix-it jobs around the house. His way of thinking is that sometimes there's not always a man around (or one willing to do what you're asking) so it's best just to do it yourself. A valuable lesson/skill/what-have-you that I've learned, and now in my adulthood I've come to embrace my confidence as a quasi-pseudo-handywoman.... there's nothing like the feeling of tackling something that people would otherwise think is man's work, yourself :D And, AND! I know my husband appreciates the fact that I can help out with the fixing and remodelling instead of running off to fix a chipped fingernail (btw... who has time for painting fingernails when you have several littles chasing after you???)

Aaaanyway, I digress.... So stay tuned in the next week for the sequel of the lamp....

The after: renewed and grounded and happily living in my basement

Have a great afternoon everyone ;)

Makeover complete and a tissue paper pom pom....

I finally took a picture of my dresser and nightstand with the freshly painted hardware attached.... and now, they truly are a happy pair.... this is what they should have been dressed in from the day they were born....


I love the way they turned out. And needless to say, I am now addicted to the idea of spray painting EVERYTHING! Watch out little thrifted lamp.... you're next!

And today, I even dragged my friend Sherry to a thrift STORE.... not the THRIFT STORE of the same name that I adore; but, one that I have been meaning to venture to for some time now. And I was NOT disappointed. The pricing was exactly what I expected, which is to say it was inexpensive and, dare I say, thrifty.... just the way I like it!

I came away with a pair of capri pants, and 3 books for just over $8.... and for a mere $2. and change, Sherry purchased a new-to-her summer skirt and an easter book for my little Hammy (Hammy says thanks).... All-in-all a FaNtAsTiC thrifty day....

And, in other news.... while surfing the wonderful-world-wide-web for inexpensive centrepieces for the THINK PINK Tea Fundraiser that my teammates and I are hosting in May, I remembered this great tutorial for tissue paper pom poms from Martha Stewart. I picked up some tissue paper today to do a mock-up of this pom pom, only I left one side flat so that it would sit nicely in the centre of our tables.... can you picture these in the right shade of pink, THINK PINK pink????


What do you think? Too simple, or simply fun?

From brass to black satin....

Saturday's always make me feel like working around the house.... so in keeping with the remodelling, redecorating, refurbishing of our guest bedroom, that by the way is very close to being ready for me to paint (thanks to my machine of a husband), I decided to tackle painting my dresser hardware. I removed it all yesterday, then this afternoon I sprayed on a couple coats of primer.... after much research, the consensus seems to be that Krylon is the best spray paint for smooth non-porous surfaces like metal. And the added bonus (for me, as I am thrifty-minded) is that it is $4. cheaper than the other brands. I checked out the Krylon website to see where I could find the paint here in Canada, and as luck would have it, it's available at Wal-Mart, which we all know is the cheapest place to buy just about anything.

And, as with most of my projects, I forgot to take a before picture.... the hardware is brass, enough said. Ok, ok, let's not knock brass. I know there are people out there who love it. And in defense of this particular set of hardware, I can't say that they were the ugliest brass fittings that I've seen, they did look like they had some kind of antiquing done to them.... but still, for me, they were brass... bleck :P

So here's a shot of one of the pieces flipped so you can see that they are, in fact, brass.... and this too, is not a true depiction of the original finish as this is the backside, but you get my point.... yellowy, brassy, tacky finish.... am I conveying my true feelings of distaste for brass here???? And another shot of what they looked like with just the primer coat.... a GREAT improvement already, I say.




And here they are almost ready for adorning the dresser and night stand.


Such a small thing, changing the colour of your hardware.... giving something a new lease on life.... a great way of getting exactly what your were looking for without having to search here-there-and-everywhere or paying way too much. One itty-bitty thing off my guest bedroom to-do list.... I'll post a picture of the dresser and night stand all decked out in their new duds tomorrow maybe.... and speaking of tomorrow.... I'm tackling my thrift store lamp re-do.... stay tuned.

It feels almost like a sit on the deck with a glass of wine after the kiddos go to bed night.... ahh, maybe a little to soon yet. I guess the couch and a good movie will have to do. Have a great night all ;)