A Little Lucketts Outing

This weekend we braved the weather and made the trek out to the Old Lucketts Store in Leesburg, VA to see what their Spring Market was all about.  Unfortunately the weather did not play along and we only stayed for a little more than an hour.  Oh and we didn’t buy a single thing…

We did see a few cute things.  {Top Left} I liked this book bundle at Miss Mustard Seed‘s booth.  Unfortunately she was busy when we walked past there, so I didn’t get to meet her.  {Top Right} I was in love with these little kiddie play tents.  Don’t they look super easy to DIY?  I have no idea what they cost – I had stopped looking at prices at this point.  {Bottom Left}  These brightly colored school desks were so fun!  I clearly have no use for one of these but I was strangely drawn to them. {Bottom Right} I just love the combination of the blue paint and stained wood.  The lines on that dresser are pretty great too.  It was sold though.

Overall, I’d say if you were looking for redone vintage furniture, there were some good finds and decent deals to be had.  Apparently you should go on a Sunday if you want the good deals.  But if you’re used to shopping at Goodwill and repainting your own dresser finds, you’re unlikely to find much you’d like to spend your money.  You will find LOTS of inspiration though!  I do think I’ll go again in the future, but on a Sunday, and only if the weather plays along.

What did you do this weekend?

Painting Problems & Striped Utensil Inspiration

Although there are many DIY projects on the list, I’ve had limited success getting the completed.  The weather has not been playing along with my spray painting ideas – we have half-painted picture frames, ceramic animals, and a patio table.

I also started repainting my night stand {I went with Tide Pools} but ran into a little trouble.  Yea, I’m having so serious bleed-through. We inherited these night stands painted black, then I primed them and painted one teal (the same color as the drawer) and never painted the other one.  Then they both when dark gray, then light gray.  This weekend I sanded it, and started with the aqua.  Clearly, more prep is required.  I’m thinking of stripping off the paint (rather than just sanding) and then re-prime and re-paint in aqua.

What would you do?

Speaking of painting, I’ve been wanting to tackle a project inspired by these fun pins! {Please pin from original sources!}

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Don’t you think these Ikea utensil set would work perfectly? {It’s just $3.99!}

I think painting these utensils and pairing them with my ombre stripe tea towels would make for great housewarming presents for all of our friends who are moving!

Mid-Century Modern Footstool

If you follow me on instagram you may have noticed the awesome mid-century modern footstool I scored at the thrift store last Friday!  I stopped by on a whim & couldn’t leave without this guy.  It seemed like a good purchase for $15.  Penny approves too.

It needed/needs a little TLC though.  The vinyl was filthy, and the legs need to be sanded and re-stained.  The little brass pieces also need some attention – I’m hoping some brasso will do the trick, but perhaps I’ll have to use rub ‘n buff.

Here’s a quick before and after of the vinyl.  Can you believe it?!  YUCK on that before.

My lovely instagram friend Sarah suggested that I try a Mr Clean Magic Eraser to get through the grime.  Seemed like a great idea, so I grabbed one and started scrubbing.  It was working on the solid parts, but do you see that indented “rope” design?  Well I couldn’t get the grime out of the corners on that.  Next I tried watered down Mrs Meyers and a scrub brush.  Nada.  Vinegar and a scrub brush.  Nothing.  Then I remembered that we have this sonic scrubber brush, so I switched to full-strength Mrs Meyers and the sonic brush.  Which worked!  Success!  I then gave it a final scrubbing with some Method Dish Soap and the scrubber brush & then rinse and wipe it all clean.  What a difference.  I mean it turns out the thing is a whole different shade of orange!

We haven’t quite settled on where it will live.  For now it is Penelope’s footstool to get on the bed with.  I like the addition of pops of orange in our bedroom.  I also like the idea of placing it at the front entry for people to use when putting on / taking off their shoes.  Penelope really likes to sit on it and stare out of the slider when it’s in the living room.  Where would you use a footstool like this?

Linking up at Miss Mustard Seed’s Furniture Feature Friday and Give me the Goods Monday #8!

Pinterest Challenge Cop-Out

Oops, I totally forgot it was Pinterest challenge week…  So instead of doing a completely new project, I thought I’d just share some recent Pinterest inspired projects I completed around the house.  {Click on each photo to read the details of each project!}

DIY Striped Tea Towels

A couple weeks ago, Michelle {from Decor and the Dog} shared some ombre striped tea towels she and her friends made.  And I LOVED the idea.  So I picked up the supplies to make a few of my own.

• craft paint
• tea towels (I used flour sack towels from Target. $3.99 for 4)
• fabric medium (Found a small bottle at JoAnns for $1.99)
• blue tape

Tape off the stripes, making sure to press the tape onto the fabric well, randomly varying the thickness of the stripes.  (Occasionally I had to ask Andy where my next stripe should be, because I can’t really do truly random).  Mix the paint with fabric medium (2-to-1).  Paint the first stripe.  Mix in white paint, paint the next stripe.  Repeat.   When the paint is fully dry (24-48 hours according to my paint medium), heat set the paint (follow the instructions on the paint medium).
Enjoy your awesome new tea towels in your own kitchen or give them as fun handmade gifts to your friends!

I was featured!

Hi Ladies!

Just popping in to say thanks to Jenna {from Rain on a Tin Roof} for featuring my dyed rattan chair covers at the Give me the Goods Party.

You should stop by and check out the other features from this week’s party!  Oh, and check out Jenna’s blog while you’re at it.  Just look at this gorgeous pink dresser she made-over for her little girl’s nursery.

May Goals