ShabbyNChic

Cute and Easy Tutorial: Storage

2012-01-25T10:45:00.000-08:00

I love this idea because it is easy, fast, inexpensive, uses items you probably already have and in the end you have more storage. What more can we want, right?!

Supplies:
- glass jar (with a circumference of less than 12 inches)
- scissors
- ruler or tape measure
- pencil or pen
- decorative paper (long enough to go around the jar once)

Really, that's it!!

Find decorative paper that you love. (This is my favorite part.)

Measure the height of the jar where you will be placing the paper. Then mark that measurement across the paper longways.

Cut the paper across following your pre-measured marks.

Roll the paper enough to fit it in the jar and place it inside.

That's it! You have a pretty jar to store office supplies, craft supplies...

Be creative. Use vintage paper, wallpaper, comics, kids' art work...

Hollywood Regency Decor

2012-01-13T11:21:00.000-08:00

The new rage in home design is Hollywood Regency style. It really is what you would think from the name - stylish, over the top, dramatic design. Nothing plain and simple here.

www.housebeautiful.com

Elements associated with Hollywood Regency:

Glitz and glitter and shiny surfaces like metallic finishes and glossy or lacquer-finish on furnishings.

Mirror from Double Rainbow Finds

Classic, yet glamorous designs.

Chandelier from Antique Addictions

Ornate details in light fixtures, furnishings and this checkered floor. I love this floor!

www.hgtv.com

Fabrics in bold, but simple color and rich in texture.

www.blogmedia.designpublic.com

Drama, don't forget the drama of Hollywood!

Gold Chair from Fabulous Mess

What do you think of Hollywood Regency style - love it, hate it or somewhere in between?

Side Table - Before and After

2012-01-03T13:38:00.000-08:00

I found this side table in great structural shape, but it needed beautifying. First, it was filthy so I cleaned it up.

I liked the cream color, so I repainted it cream, but gave it a boost with a robin's egg blue for the drawer.

I love how it turned out!

Featured Artisan: Toteally Bags on Etsy

2011-12-28T09:03:00.000-08:00

I enjoy getting to know crafters and artisans and love to learn more about those who create something I really like. I spotted this bag on Etsy about a year ago and it has been in my list of favorites ever since. So I wanted to get to know the woman behind the bag. Here is my Q and A with Donna of Toteally Bags...

Q: Tell me about what you make and how you got started.

A: I have loved to sew since I was a little girl when I would make doll clothes and little gifts for people by hand. Then my mom got me a little "Sew Easy" toy sewing machine that sewed real stitches! I thought that was the best gift ever. I have since graduated to a real sewing machine, and I still love to make gifts for people. I started designing tote bags and diaper bags to give as gifts, and people kept asking me if I had any for sale, so now I do! I make mostly purses and totes, along with some fun things like sock monkeys and vintage-style aprons.

Q: I know you sell on Etsy at your shop Toteally Bags. Do you sell anywhere else?

A: My bags can also be found in a shop called "Postcards From Delaware" in the Delaware Welcome Center on Highway 95 just outside of Wilmington, DE, where I am a featured "local artisan".

Q: Of everything you make, what is your favorite?

A: I think mother/daughter tote bag sets are my favorite thing to make. As a mom of two daughters, these sets are very close to my heart. I can just picture the moms and their little girls carrying their matching bags, and that makes me happy :)

Q: What hobbies do you have? What else do you enjoy making?

A: I am always working on some kind of project, whether it's sewing, home decorating, baking, scrapbooking, or anything else crafty. There are many, many projects in the back of my head just waiting for their turn to be created. So many projects, so little time! I love taking good ideas and making them even better, and I can often be heard saying, "I could totally make that!" (a comment that usually gets an eyeroll from my teenaged daughters).

Q: What do you find most challenging about selling online?

A: The most challenging thing I have found about selling online is time management. I usually don't find the amount of time in the day that I want to dedicate to my Etsy shop.

Q: Any tips or ideas to help others who enjoy crafting?

A: Another challenge I have is keeping my fabric organized. I work better if I can see what I have to work with, and I needed some way to store my many pieces of fabric in a way that was organized but visible. So, here's what I did: I took an old hutch that was in the attic from a previous homeowner and painted it white. I stacked it on top of a white dresser, and voila! A fabric storage unit, where I can fold and stack my fabrics, and organize them by color or type. This was the perfect solution for me, and could be done with any old bookcase or similar piece of furniture.

Visit Donna's shop at Toteally Bags or
like her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToteallyBags
and learn more about her on her blog at toteallyreal.blogspot.com

Before and After: My Latest Projects

2011-12-19T13:02:00.000-08:00

Before

Very shabby candle holder pair that I thought would be cute in white... Really any color would be an improvement.

After

I think these would look great with a pair of the glass inserts for holding tea lights and votives.

Before

Then I found this large candelabra and I had to have it. It had to go white. I like white for candelabras so that any color of candle can be used. I think it adds an elegance to it as well.

After

It took several coats of primer and paint, but I am very happy with how it turned out!

Before

Finally, for my Christmas "undo"; a recipe card holder. The gingerbread is cute, but he had to go - sorry.

After

Of course it went white and I had just gotten these vintage images and had to use one for this project. This little girl with the roses was perfect!

My Favorite Things...

2011-12-15T13:48:00.000-08:00

I haven't done a post of my favorite things in awhile, but I have been motivated by the time of year. It is the time of year for comfort foods! Here are some of my favorites...

I start every cold morning with a cup of hot tea and black tea is my favorite. I love tea so I'm not too picky about the flavor, but my favorite is definitely French Vanilla. I could drink it everyday and not get tired of it.

Southernplate.com

My favorite real meal comfort food is absolutely baked macaroni and cheese. It has become a favorite for just about everyone in my family. My brother-in-law now requests that I make it every Thanksgiving. My secret is using at least 3 different types of cheese to add a lot of flavor and vanilla almond or soy milk for a little sweetness.

Sweetandsara.com

Speaking of sweet, I have a major sweet tooth! Because of that, I have two sweet favorites. Who doesn't love marshmallows? I drove an hour to get some of these vegan marshmallows. I love the toasted coconut covered marshmallows. Really, I went just for the marshmallows...and they were worth it!

Traderjoes.com

Just last week I discovered my other favorite comfort sweet and it is chocolate, of course. I went to Trader Joe's and while waiting in line I spotted these dark chocolate peanut butter cups. I am really not a dark chocolate person, but my mom is so I bought them for a stocking stuffer for her. Well they sat on my kitchen counter for 2 days and it ended up being 2 days too long. It's like they were talking to me, "Come on, try me. It's okay, no one's looking." So I did. Shhh, don't tell my mother, but I have eaten almost all of them now. There is just something about the peanut butter and the dark chocolate doesn't have the flavor that is usually to strong for me. These are only $.99/bag! I can't wait to go back.

What's your favorite comfort food?

Craft Room Storage

2011-12-06T10:13:00.000-08:00

Storage is fun for me and I love the challenge of making it functional and cute (or at least not ugly). Craft rooms often require creative storage because craft spaces tend to be small and those of us who craft have a lot of supplies! In addition to supplies we still need space to actually craft. So here are some ideas that work for me...

I love glass jars and received these in my favorite color from a friend. They are perfect for small items like lace, loose ribbon and glue sticks. They are clear so you can easily see inside, but since they are colored what's inside doesn't look cluttered.

I love vintage and antique items so I use them as much as I can. I found this old juice bottle and use it to store my wooden clothespins.

It is easy to get a little out of control with supplies and having more than needed. I don't need that much ribbon, so I limited myself by using this basket which I painted white. It fits rolls of ribbon perfectly and will store the amount I need. Any more than will fit in the basket and I make myself part with some.

Plastic tubs are almost unavoidable as they are such a great solution for so many items. I love them because they stack easily, are clear so I can see what is inside, and they come in any size you may need! These are shoe box size and only cost $1-2.00 each. I put only one type of item in each one (e.g. stamps) and then label them to make it even easier to find what I am looking for. I store mine under my crafting table so they are easily accessible too.

You need a spot to sit or for visitors (usually kids) to sit. I found this old toy box in the perfect color for my room and added a couple of pillows.

What's even better? Multi-functional pieces. Of course there's tons of storage space inside, so I use the toy box to store my record collection. I love listening to old records while I work!

Storage space can be found anywhere! I found this wicker shelf which was pumpkin orange and I painted it white (surprise). I love it because it is taking advantage of the vertical space in the room and serves as a shelf for decorative pieces, but also has more storage in it. It actually stores my computer cords and software disks.

I am always looking for more ideas for storage. What are some ideas you love or areas you struggle with?

Guest Tutorial: Fabric Covered Button Magnets

2011-12-02T08:15:00.000-08:00

A fabulous tutorial of fabric covered button magnets from Dena Designs. Enjoy!

This is the perfect project for a group crafting party - kids and adults will love it. You need very few supplies and you can make multiple magnets in one short session. If you're like me, you have tons of scrap fabric lying around - use them for these wonderful covered buttons.

Gather:

Self-cover button kit (find these at your local fabric store)
½” magnets
Assortment of colorful fabrics, a small print works best
1” strips of colorful tulle
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Needle nose pliers

Create:

Cut out circles of fabric to cover your buttons, the circles should be twice as big across as the buttons that you want to cover.
Before covering, use your needle nose pliers to remove the wire loop from the back of the button. It will be easier to attach the magnet if there is a flat surface.
Follow the instructions on the package to cover each button with the fabric of your choice.
Begin adding cute ruffles or flower cutouts to the back of the button with your hot glue gun. Cut a 1” strip of tulle that can be tightly gathered at the back of the covered button. Secure with hot glue. For my buttons, I added some fabric flowers that I cut using a Sizzix die cutting machine. You could even add hanging ribbons or paper streamers.
Once you have decorated around the button, hot glue a magnet to the back so that it can be used.

Place six or so lovely magnets in a pretty box and you have the perfect gift for a special friend.

Visit Dena Designs for more inspiration and you can follow her on Twitter. I do!

Before and After

2011-11-30T07:52:00.000-08:00

I found this wall shelf at a thrift shop. I loved the curvy shape of it and that it had a mirror and a great little shelf perfect for a vase.

It had a good coat of varnish on it that I had to sand off. This is it after sanding and wiping it down, before painting.

I originally pictured it in white but decided to paint it yellow - something a little different. I like the rustic look to it.

Thanksgiving Decorating

2011-11-18T11:17:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I am excited about getting ready for it! I love Fall colors and incorporating them in the home for Thanksgiving festivities is ideal. Here are some of my favorite ideas...

Bring the outdoors in.

Just go outside and look around at the all that Autumn brings us: pine cones, leaves, twigs, pumpkins... Create a vignette near the door to welcome guests.

bhg.com

Use what you have.

Be creative with what you have. I love this idea of a plant stand holding pots that can display flowers and hold all of your necessities for the big meal.

countryliving.com

Simplify.

A statement doesn't have to be made with a lot of work, materials and mess. A row of pumpkins on a mantle definitely says Autumn and is something anyone can do.

acountryfarmhouse.blogspot.com

Incorporate vintage and antiques that have been in the family.

Fill vintage candy dishes and glass jars with nuts. Set a row of old dishes across the back of your mantle or a shelf and place Fall colored leaves in front. It gives Thanksgiving and old-fashioned feel and reminds us of family.

starshinechic.blogspot.com

Add color.

We all think of orange when we think of Thanksgiving and Fall, but you could do an all yellow table or all purple. Pick any color or combination of colors you love and gather whatever you can find to create a table that is warm and inviting for your guests.

purestylehome.blogspot.com

Remember the meaning.

Thanksgiving is about being thankful. For me, it always goes back to family and friends. Set out photocopies of pictures of family and friends who will be with you on Thanksgiving and those who cannot. It makes for a great conversation starter.

countryliving.com

Think about your centerpiece.

When thinking of decorating for Thanksgiving, a lot of thought goes into the centerpiece since a lot about Thanksgiving revolves around the dinner table. My biggest pet-peeve about centerpieces is when they are too tall, thus making it impossible to converse with the person across the table without standing up. Think about scale and it doesn't have to be a bouquet. I love the simplicity of this idea of stacking tea cups and saucers and accenting with richly-colored roses.

bhg.com

Wishing you and yours a fabulous day of thanks on Thanksgiving!

Two Before and Afters

2011-11-14T08:02:00.000-08:00

I recently found these little wooden shelves on a trip and loved the shape and the fact that they were a pair. I thought they would look cute staggered on a wall with 1 item on each, like a milk glass vase or small candle holder.

I decided to paint them blue because the shape reminded me of clouds. The strong color would make something like white milk glass really pop.

To buy

Now for an indoor/outdoor project...

I found this rusty old plant stand and thought it was a cute because of the size and the flowers on the sides.

I love rust just as much as the next person (especially outside), but this was not cute rusty. It was "Help me!" rusty. So I scrubbed the rust off, primed with a rust-proof primer, then painted it this light green.

I love how it turned out and that it can be used indoors or outdoors.

Tutorial: Fire Starter

2011-11-10T15:18:00.000-08:00

In a desire to save money and do something better for the environment, I researched fire starters for the upcoming winter season. It is getting cold where we live and we're planning to do a lot of fires this winter, but don't want to buy fire starters. So after looking for ideas, here is what I came up with - something that is easy to do using materials you can find in your own home.

Materials:
- cardboard egg cartons
- parrafin wax (canning wax)
- dryer lint
- mulch (saw dust, dry leaves, tiny sticks)
*Optional: coloring and liquid fragrance

Start by laying out all of your materials, then begin melting the wax on the stove using a double boiler method. I used 2 pans that I already had set aside for wax, but you can also melt the wax in a large tin can in order to save your pans and hold the can with plyers. Be careful not to burn yourself. The wax takes a few minutes to melt. *At this point you can add coloring or fragrance to the wax as desired.

While waiting for the wax to melt (it will take a few min.), fill the compartments of the egg carton(s) with the dryer lint and mulch. The dryer lint is great to top the cups off with because it packs the other materials down well.

All that is left is the pour the wax into each egg compartment filling them as much as you can. All of the materials you put in the egg carton are highly combustible and burn quickly. The wax slows the burn of the fire starter, giving the wood time to catch fire.

Allow the wax to dry and cool. I recommend setting the cartons on a paper towel on a surface that the wax won't damage if it soaks through. Once cool they are ready to use by simply tearing off one or two of the egg cups to put in the fireplace or fire pit and lighting. If you want it to look nicer or to give as a gift, put 1-2 of the cups in a plain paper sack and tie with cotton string. This entire thing can be put in the fire, so the bag does not have to be opened.

Be warm and safe!

Clothespins Galore!

2011-11-04T13:30:00.000-07:00

Clothespins aren't just for laundry anymore! I started selling wooden clothespins in my shop because there are so many things you can do with them.

www.blogs.babycenter.com

I enjoy covering them with pretty paper or vintage maps and then you can attach magnets to them. You can do the same with fabric by simply pre-cutting to the size of the clothespin. This looks really pretty when the clothespin has been painted first.

www.missparty.net

The creativity of people amazes me. This mirror wreath is perfect for this time of year and could be painted any color or a combination of colors and hung by a ribbon.

www.countryliving.com

Another great idea for the upcoming season is this use in gift-wrapping. I think I may try this one. What's great is that they can be re-used by the recipient.

www.prudentbaby.com

And who knew clothespins could be an architectural feature? I don't think anyone would know those are clothespins.

www.countryliving.com

Any other ideas you have seen or done?

A Trip to Mount St. Helens

2011-11-01T16:53:00.000-07:00

I have lived in the beautiful, picturesque Pacific Northwest my entire life and can't imagine living somewhere that doesn't surround me with endless green beauty. The beauty is everywhere so I have yet to experience it all. I recently experienced Mount St. Helens which erupted in 1980 and greatly affected a very large area.

I had no idea the magnitude of that day on the natural surroundings here in the Northwest nor of the resulting understandings for science.

We traveled about 3 hours from home to see this amazing site. The elevation is so high we were literally driving through clouds! My kids opened their windows hoping to catch some to take home.

Many trees have been planted to begin to reforest the area destroyed. So much has grown back, yet it still appears almost desolate. One can be fined and prosecuted for walking on the land over 5 miles from the volcano because of the delicate growth.

My children enjoyed the trip and learning about the volcano, my mother loved it, and my husband and I enjoyed it. It is a great experience for any age. I am glad we went and am still surprised by how amazing the nature there was considering what we are surrounded with on a daily basis here.

We stayed in cute cabins just a 30 min. drive from Mt. St. Helens. Even in the cabin area we saw nature unlike what we see at home.

Deer walked around like there wasn't a human for miles. This picture is not zoomed in. The deer was eating grass less than 5 feet from the road and we stopped and watched him for several minutes.

It was an experience I wish everyone could experience and highly recommend it for anyone who has the opportunity to go.

Multipurpose Before and After

2011-10-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

A Before and After of a project I recently completed. This is one that I added to my Etsy shop and is available for purchase. It is a wooden box I came across - actually I came across two of them, but the other one had a solid wood bottom and the whole thing looked so shabby and cohesive that I left it that way.

The bottom of this one was clearly a different shade and therefore was begging to be painted. So I used a classic white with a distressed, white-washed finish and I love how it turned out.

I love old wooden boxes because they have so many uses:
- holding plants
- planting a succulent garden
- hanging as a shelf or curio
- setting on a large table as a base for a grand centerpiece
- drilling holes in the sides to fill with candles and hang for an indoor/outdoor candelier...

A Trip to the Oregon Garden

2011-10-23T08:47:00.000-07:00

Although I live just 30 minutes from the Oregon Garden, I only recently made my first trip there. I am so glad I went. I love gardening, gardens, flowers...and this was a treat!

With over 20 specialty gardens and features there was more than enough to see and enjoy. Upon arriving we immediately took a tram around the park to get a quick tour of the grounds before exploring on foot.

The water garden was one we enjoyed the most because it is very unique. They have a water monster and a rock-climbing fish! We saw large fish which was neat, but one was literally getting about 2/3 of its body out of the water climbing the rock wall surround, probably with a food motivation. We watched that little guy for several minutes - quite entertaining!

Here's the monster that lurks in the water. My kids love the attraction, but don't worry - my 4 year-old swears it's not real.

If you have kids, the Children's Garden is wonderful! It is a bit of a resting spot for adults and there is an excavating sand box area for the kids, a rabbit hole, a ship and so much more.

My kids loved all of it and were especially intrigued by the large train set-up they have. I think they could have stayed there and chased that train for an hour.

I love this flower pot family. I am thinking we need to make a flower pot person for the small children's garden we created this past summer at our house.

One of my favorite finds was the creative use of household items in the garden. They have a complete bathroom...

...and a real flowerbed.

That day we saw trees (including a 400 year-old Signature Oak), flowers, water features, birds, fish, small snakes (my daughter's favorite). It was definitely worth the trip! I can't wait to see it in the Spring.

Vintage Apothecary Jars

2011-10-19T09:12:00.000-07:00

I had one old glass apothecary jar that was my grandmother's. I always remember it in the display cabinet above her beautiful wooden secretary and it was always full of sugar-free candies. That was a big deal because Grandma never had candy at her house.

picture from robomargo.com

I recently started collecting more to go with that one. I especially love the curvy ones and they must have lids! But once you have them, what do you put in them? Right now mine are filled with sea shells, but here are some other great ideas...

Here is another take on beach decor.

picture from decorchick.com

Making a terrarium is the next thing I want to try with mine.

picture from potterybarn.com

Of course candy always looks great in a glass jar.

picture from ehow.com

These jars are beautiful and can be used to display just about anything: rocks, vintage reading glasses, antique watches, marbles, small toys, clothespins, lace or ribbon...

picture from robomango.com

They make great, clean storage in the bathroom and kitchen as well. They take up so little visual space that it won't look cluttered on a counter top.

ShabbyNChic jar pair

Find a variety of apothecary jars for sale in my shop if you are looking for your own to fill.

ShabbyNChic Tall Jar

Please share any other ideas you have for how to use these glass jars.

Before and After

2011-10-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I have posted and I thought I would start back with a Before and After project since those are so much fun to see. I found this small shelf and it was dirty and has sealer spilled on it, but it was a cute and sturdy piece of furniture.

When my 4 year-old saw it she said, "Mommy, this looks icky. You should paint it." And yes, I did!

I chose turquoise because you really can't go wrong with that color, especially recently.

What do you think? It's now for sale in my new booth at a local antique shop.

I think it would look precious with pink items on it or a collection of white milk glass.

My Recent Vintage Finds

2011-05-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

I had a great weekend of treasure-hunting. I spent most of Saturday shopping and searching for vintage treasures with a friend and my daughter. I came home with probably a couple dozen finds, but here are a few of my favorites that I cleaned up and wanted to share.

I found this classic white teacup and saucer made of fine China. I love the extra curvy details of the saucer. Secret: it's not really a matching set... but you wouldn't know from looking at it. I love it and am excited to add it to my collection.

Then I found this great antique wooden bobbins. I have wanted some of these for awhile and was excited to find this pair. I just love the way old wood looks - worn and used with patina that shows its age. I think I am going to put these in my living room.

Another find I have been on the look-out for is a two-tiered silver serving tray and I found one of those this weekend as well. I have a one-tier tray in my shop and plan to add this one soon.

Finally, I fell in love with this beautiful blue glass snifter. It is my favorite color of blue and I have really been into glass lately, so I had to have this piece. My daughter wants it for a fish bowl, but I was thinking it could possibly work as a terrarium. I haven't yet decided if I'll keep this one or put it in my shop, but for now it's out and I'm admiring it.

Which one is your favorite?

An Afternoon Tea Party

2011-05-16T18:20:00.000-07:00

I have been away from my blog for a bit (just over a month), but the ideas haven't stopped flowing. I attended a Sunday afternoon tea yesterday with a friend and that was it. The cup over-floweth and I couldn't not post! So here it is with pictures and all...

It was held at a former bed and breakfast and it was just beautiful.

Aside of the great architecture of the old house which is something I always enjoy and admire, the decorations for the tea were so sweet.

Each table was decorated differently - some elegant, some bright and cheery, others subtle and feminine. I am currently planning a tea party for my daughter's birthday next month (her idea) and I was able to get a lot of ideas for it.

The flowers were cheerful and I am looking forward to putting arrangements together to decorate our tables. I have decided to do a table for the kids and a table for the adults using different schemes and colors.

We admired the pretty desserts as we enjoyed peppermint, lavender, and rose teas along with scones. Then came dessert which included many options of cookies and candies - a great end to the tea in my opinion (sugar addict).

We were able to tour the home after the tea party which was an enjoyable end to a very nice afternoon.

Scenes from a Warm Climate

2011-04-05T16:36:00.000-07:00

We recently returned from a much-needed vacation to a warmer climate - much warmer! We went from 50 degrees at home to 80s and 90s in Arizona. Now we're back in the cold, but looking at the pictures helps so I thought I'd share some. Enjoy!

Your Before and After

2011-03-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

Here's a Before and After of a napkin/mail holder that I posted about on my blog not too long ago. I asked readers to tell me what to do with it and received a lot of great ideas. Here's the one I used...

I painted it a light blue/turquoise color, then a light coat of white and distressed it. I really like how it turned out! What do you think?

Shabby Chic Mail Holder

My Quick Home Improvement Project

2011-03-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

I love wood...possibly something to do with being born and raised in Oregon. So a few years back when it was time to buy a new front door for our home, I had to have a wooden door - unfinished! My husband liked metal for the security, but I wanted wood. The sales people recommend painting it, but I like the wood so I insisted on staining and sealing it for beauty of it. They insisted it would be a lot of work to maintain, but they don't know me. I love painting which is basically what staining is, but with a slightly different medium. You do have to keep up with re-staining and sealing and sometimes sanding it, but to me it's worth it!

Upon returning from vacation the other day, our front door welcomed us home looking a little shabby (and not in the good way). So I got out my stain and a brush and got to work. Thankfully we had a rare sunny day - important as you don't want it to be too cold or wet (or too hot for that matter) when you stain.

It will need to be sanded the next time I refinish it, but this time I simply cleaned the door and used and stain and seal in one product. I use a lighter color stain as we have a darker color house and the light door really pops. Simply put a light amount of stain onto your brush (I like to use foam) and "paint" the surface going in the direction of the grain of the wood.

I love the finished product which was almost dry in this picture. It is not only important to me because it is our front door, but also because it is the background of almost all of the pictures in my shop.

Upcycle Your Recycleables - A Cute Tutorial!

2011-03-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

We are die-hard recyclers here in Oregon, but reusing or upcycling is even better for the environment than recycling so I am always looking for ways to reuse everyday items.

We use a lot of aluminum cans and this project will work for any size can. You simply need to adjust your other materials to fit. In my example, I used a large can that held juice (pineapple juice if you must know - it's my favorite).

I first used spray primer to prepare it for several coats of pink paint until it was covered to my liking. (You should coat yours to your liking.) I then selected a piece of decorative paper to match both the paint color of the can and the colors in the picture I wanted to use.

Selecting the paint color, paper, and picture is my favorite part of this project. This is where you get to be really creative! Cut the paper large enough to leave space for the photograph you will be using and small enough to fit on the can.

You can use a multitude of adhesives for this project, but of course some will work better than others. I used double-sided tape which worked well. I tried scrapbooking tape, but that did not hold. When finished you can use your now beautiful can for storing just about anything!

Amazing Versatility of Old Ball Jars

2011-03-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

I love old glass jars of any type, but finding Ball jars in great shape is always exciting. Whether clear or blue, they look great and have so many uses! I love the look of the blue jars but as I mostly use mine for storage, the clear jars make it so I can quickly find what I need. Here's a look at my storage use for Ball jars...

But what else can you do with Ball jars? The possibilities seem endless. Here are some of the great ideas I found on Etsy. Enjoy!

Necklace

Have you seen any other uses for these beautiful jars? Share them in a comment.

A Peek at ShabbyNChic's Creative Space

2011-02-24T18:39:00.000-08:00

I love to feature artists' workspaces because I love to see them myself. So I figured, why not share mine? This is just a peek as I am still re-organizing my space. I will share more in a future post. This space is where I work on small projects, projects with detail, and it is where I store everything that is for sale in my shop.

my teacup collection

I have a space the size of a typical bedroom in the downstairs of our home. Because it is downstairs, I had to use light, bright colors - mostly light green and white. I love my white tab-top curtains - so simple and bright. I love the shadow through the curtains on sunny days from the lavendar plant outside the window. I put the same curtains over the closet where I store the items I'm selling in my shop.

Craft rooms/studios/office spaces easily get cluttered, like my slat back chair which is currently storing magazines that I need to go through. No worries. I do have another chair elsewhere in the room that I can actually sit in. I love this chair that I found at an estate sale for $5.00! It goes great with the old desk I got online for free. I love bargains!

I tried to keep the decor simple, yet still welcoming and inspiring. I found this great wicker shelf with drawers for storage for $1.00, but I should have taken pictures. It was a serious 1970's orange. I took care of that with a couple of coats of white paint.

I love this wooden box I found at a sale for $1.00. I thought I heard the woman wrong when she told me it was a dollar, then I happily scooped it up! It is more seating and when opened...

It is storage for my records. I love my records and I have to have music!

I love listening to music while I work. My husband bought me this "vintage-looking" record player that can also play my cd's. It sits on the table where I work.

I hope you've enjoyed this peak at my craft room.

Shabby Chic Before and After

2011-02-20T10:38:00.000-08:00

I found this piece at a thrift shop and loved how delicate it was, but it wasn't very cute...and I like cute! So of course it had to be painted and white was the way to go!

So after filling in the hole at the top, sanding, cleaning it, priming and painting it and then distressing it, here is what I have...

Shabby Chic Candle Holder

It can be hung or sit on a piece of furniture. I can imagine how beautiful it would be with the glow of a candle in it, reflecting in the mirror on a dark evening. What do you think?

I want your 2 cents!

2011-02-17T08:21:00.000-08:00

If you follow my blog then you may remember the last time I asked for opinions on a piece I had. Usually items I find "speak" to me and that is what inspires me to determine colors, finishes... Occasionally I find pieces and am not sure what to do with them. Well, here is one of those.

I really like the rustic look to it. My own home is a sort of rustic cottage style. However, not sure that's the best fit for my shop or for this piece. I am thinking of painting it white (of course), but the large knot in the wood makes me nervous about that. The fact that the wood is burnt also makes me think that white may not be the best choice.

So...should I do a white-wash finish or paint it another color: green, blue... or just leave it as is? Oh! By the way, it is a napkin holder that can also serve as a mail holder. Please comment with what you think.

A Re-do on a Budget

2011-02-14T07:25:00.000-08:00

A guest post from Autumn of Pulp and Palette - a very fun story to accompany these fun chairs!

My husband and I decided to shop the local market looking for a basic side chair so that we could paint it, and re-cover it. After weeks of searching, we decided to go back to the 1st market we went to weeks prior and went to the very back of the building, where no man really goes. From a distance we found these awful brownish vinyl, 60's era chairs. They were ugly as sin. Perfection!

Priced at $35 for both of them, we stood there looking at them and discussing when the stall owner noticed and came over. My husband asked, "so, these are $35?" Stall owner: "no". Hubby: "But they're priced $35. They aren't more are they?" Stall owner, in his barely-understandable-heavy-Greek accent, "for you and wife, $5." Hubby & me, in conjunction: "$5?! Each?!" Stall owner: "No. $5. Both." Hubby & I: "We'll take 'em!!"

So we left the market with our 2 ugly as sin, but perfect finds, only $5 lighter.

So off to purchase fabric and paint. Long story short, we purchased 2 little pots of sample paint from Bunnings {Australian version of Home Depot} for $10. Next stop: fabric purchase.

Now, I gotta explain myself a little bit and my fabric and paint colour choice. For about 5 min's during 2009, I was into this bright; funky; retro, phase of design. It was during that 5 min's that I decided to do this project. Thank goodness, it only lasted for 5 min's. I'm planning on re-covering my re-covered chairs in something much more subdued; vintage, and simple...much more my style. I digress...so, fabric. I chose 2 black and white patterns, complimentary of each other, and enough of each to cover the seat cushion and the back cushion. From memory, I bought just 1 metre of each design. Fabric was on sale, so, $8, for both. As a side item, I purchased the teal trim for about $5.

There you have it. My DiY chair recover/refurbish project for $28 - for everything! And the chairs are actually quite comfortable.

Follow Pulp and Palette on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/pulpandpalette

Giveaway Winner Announced!

2011-02-06T09:36:00.000-08:00

The winner of the Vintage Craft Kit is...

Zoe of Sealed with a Kiss on Etsy.

Congratulations Zoe!

Check back for more giveaways coming soon.

Before and After: Guest Post

2011-02-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

This Before and After features Paige, a guest blogger with a simple fix for a beautiful result.

She started with a faux-wood mirror (that's right, not wood) that did not go with the decor in the room, so...well I'll let her explain.

Call this the lazy girl's way to re-paint something. It won't work for every project (if you're dealing with a glossy finish, for example) but for my cheap faux-wood mirror, skipping the sandpaper and primer was the way to go. I just applied three coats of paint with the foam brush. I allowed drying time between each layer, and used even strokes to avoid brush marks.

That's it. Didn't even tape off the glass, though I kind of rolled the dice with that one. Feel free to do so if you're worried about having a steady hand.

A beautiful end result that shows that we can refinish pretty much anything which means even less going into landfills and it can look amazing!

Look at Paige's shop of feminine handmade and vintage jewelry - LittleWhiteChapel to see her other talent. You can also see more of her talent on her blog at: finalclothesout.blogspot.com

Quick Craft Kit Free Giveaway!

2011-01-31T10:06:00.000-08:00

This is a quick giveaway - ends this Friday! If you are crafty and love new projects, this one is for you...

This is a vintage 1978 kit to make a plaque featuring a Bonnet Girl that comes with:
- wood plaque (5.4 x 7.5 inches)
- one bonnet girl print
- one piece of sandpaper
- instructions for completing the plaque
- sawtooth hanger (I added to kit)

*You will also need some type of adhesive glue to adhere the picture to the plaque.

Rules:

1. Open to U.S. and Canada residents only.

2. Ends Friday, February 4th at midnight PST.

3. Winner will be chosen at random and
   contacted via information provided in
   comment entries within 24 hours.

4. Each contest entry requires a separate
   comment.

To Enter:

- Follow my blog (or tell me you're already
   following).

- Visit my Etsy shop and tell me what your favorite item is.

- Post on Twitter or Facebook about this
   giveaway.

- Follow me on Twitter at @ShabbyNChic.

**Remember to post a separate comment for each entry.**

My Favorite Things...

2011-01-24T12:57:00.000-08:00

In honor of Valentine's Day which is just around the corner, my favorite things are my favorite chocolates this time. I recently tried a new bar - Lindt's White Coconut. I love milk chocolate, but I also love coconut so I had to try this when I saw it. I wasn't disappointed. There are actually small pieces of coconut in this bar that not only tastes delicious, but smells wonderful!

Lindt

My simple, fall-back, always hits-the-spot chocolate is Dove's milk chocolate. It is the smoothest chocolate I have ever had (and I've had a lot of chocolate)! If you love milk chocolate that melts in your mouth, this is the one. It is affordable and probably at your nearest store. Sorry to tempt those who don't want to be tempted, but it's good to give in sometimes!

Dove

Behind the Scenes with Glynt Pottery

2011-01-20T07:40:00.000-08:00

I recently discovered the beautiful pottery of Graciela from Glynt Pottery. I love seeing the workspaces of creative people and I really love sharing them! And amazing work comes from this studio, especially when you consider the size of the space: 10 x 10 feet.

Green & Blue Tumblers

Every available wall surface has shelves to hold everything, from pieces in various stages of drying or waiting to be glazed, to towels, to underglazes and molds.

The kiln sits at the back of the studio with clearance from the walls as required.

On the wall by the front (under the window), she has a 6 ft carpenter's table with a mini slab roller on top and a sturdy piece of wood to serve as additional table space when the slab roller is not in use.

Graciela says “I love my window because it lets in so much sunlight!” That has to be my favorite thing about this space as well. What a smart spot to put a workspace!

She adds, “I have a deck in front of the studio so that, on nice days I can throw open the doors and increase the size of my work space. Picnic tables on the deck allow me to set work down to dry and do my glazing there. We've run a hose from the house around the back of the building and connected it to an old sink by the side of the studio so I don't have to go into the house when I need water (except in winter when I do get warm water from the house).”

I can imagine it now!

Giveaway Winner Announced!

2011-01-15T10:23:00.000-08:00

My most recent giveaway ended at midnight last night (PST) and the winner of the two Paris paintings is:

Ruth of WhimsicalWinston

Congratulations!

More giveaways coming soon...

Art - Shabby Chic Style

2011-01-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

This time of year most of us are looking around our homes and wanting to freshen up our decor. One great way to do that is with art. There are so many great options no matter what your taste. I found some great pieces in 3 different categories:

Paintings...

Flapper Hat

Pink Roses

Mixed Media/Assemblage...

Memory Box Assemblage

Shadowbox

Photography...

Pink Flowers

Thread Spools

Blooming Flowers

Valentine book

So many to choose from! I love them all, but photography may be my favorite. . . today. What's yours?

My Favorite Things...

2011-01-07T07:09:00.000-08:00

A new feature on my blog this year is "My Favorite Things". This is where I will write about items I have and love. I could live without these things, but I wouldn't want to! The two items I have featured here are perfect for the currently cold winter weather.

The first is fleece pajamas. I have two sets and I love them because they are extemely warm and soft! These are the warmest, softest pajamas I have ever owned. My favorite of the two I own has a black and white damask print, but I love this simple pink set too. Thankfully fleece pajamas are quite popular this year, so you can get them just about anywhere in any price range.

fleece pj's

My other favorite item is also featured for its warmth. They are these soft, comfortable boots that match with just about everything. I like this darker brown color as they won't show dirt as easily as the lighter tan color. I also bought the shorter fit because I'm not very tall and they seem less cumbersome to me. Wear them over your skinny jeans or under your bootcut jeans. I wear these boots almost everyday - when I'm not working. (I have not yet found a way to make these look right with dress slacks and a blouse.) They feel like you are wearing slippers. Finally, a pair of shoes you won't want to kick off right when you get home!

boots

Free Giveaway

2011-01-04T09:14:00.000-08:00

Let's celebrate the new year with a new giveaway - it's not one, but two pieces of beautiful art for free! Both of these painting are of Paris. The larger painting has a sticker on the back that reads "Les Editions Braun, Paris" with a copyright of 1959 - "Utrillo, La Basilique du Sacre-Coeur 1926, Collection dr Roudinesco". Maruice Utrillo is the artist (on the front along with the original date of the painting. It is just over 10.25 inches by just over 8 inches.

The second smaller painting has much less information. It is simply stamped "PARIS" in ink on the back. It is 6 inches wide by just under 4.5 inches high. Both are on stretched canvas. You can frame these or hang them as is. Either way, there's no better price for art than free!

Rules:

1. Open to U.S. and Canada residents only.

2. Ends Friday, January 14th at midnight PST.

3. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via information provided in comment entries within 24 hours.

4. Each contest entry requires a separate comment.

To Enter:

- Follow my blog (or tell me you're already following).

- Visit my Etsy shop and tell me what your favorite item is. Visit ShabbyNChic

- Post on Twitter or Facebook about this giveaway.

- Follow me on Twitter at @ShabbyNChic.

**Remember to post a separate comment for each entry.**

A New Year and A New Look!

2011-01-02T15:35:00.000-08:00

With any new year comes change and for my blog, it was the right time! I hope you enjoy the new look. I will not be changing the content, but do hope to post more frequently. I have several giveaways lined up as well as a new regular topic I'm excited about: "My Favorites" which will feature some of my favorite things. Along with the fresh look is more space for ads on the right-hand column. I hope you like the new look as much as I do!

Art on a Budget

2010-12-29T09:19:00.000-08:00

My most recent project for my own home was a photograph of a door in Europe taken by a woman I met at an art/craft fair. She sells her photographs at very low prices currently, so I got this 8x10 for $4.00. I know - unbelievable! I had a rustic wood frame that I thought would be just perfect for the photograph. I found the frame at a rummage sale months earlier for $1.00! It had a picture of the 3 Stooges in it, but I could look past that to see the frame...that was what I wanted. Now I just needed matting for it. I went to a framing store and was surprised to find that they didn't have a cream or beige matting for my 8x10 photo.

So I went home disappointed, then realized that I already had what I needed. I had matting that would fit in just the right color in a frame that I wanted to refinish anyway. So that was no additional cost - we love free! So for a grand total of $5.00 I have this beautiful photograph and frame on my wall and have received so many compliments on it.

Holiday Traditions

2010-12-22T09:44:00.000-08:00

We all celebrate holidays differently. Traditions are important to have and pass on to our children. I wanted to share a few of our family's Christmas traditions.

One that I always had growing up was a Christmas tree. It may sound like something typical that most families have, but when I was in high school and my father passed away, we did away with a lot of traditions (just too difficult I suppose). So my mother sat us down and asked each of us children what holiday tradition we wanted to continue and she would do those every year, no matter what. I chose having a Christmas tree and I continue that with my children even if we are not going to be home for Christmas. We each get or make a new ornament every year, so the tree is quite meaningful for us.

Another tradition I grew up with and continue with my children is stockings. This is another common tradition, but we just love it! My mother made the stockings when we were very young (and now sells them in her Etsy shop). I think filling people's stockings, then watching them open them is my favorite part of Christmas.

Finally, we do Christmas crackers which I believe is an English tradition. I am not sure when it started, but it was one we added to our family's traditions as adults. I think I bought some once and we all enjoyed it so much that it stuck. This year, the kids and I made them and they have been so excited to give them to family and friends. They are typically filled with a paper hat, a toy, candy... We have also used lottery tickets or money, but this year it's all candy!

Please comment with traditions you and your family share.

Before and After - Upcycling

2010-12-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

Here's a find that I redesigned and sold recently in my shop: a chalkboard. It started out gold with a dark distressed look and a gold cord attached to the top. I love gold when accompanied by white, so it had to be painted!

I painted it white and distressed it so the gold would show beneath. I didn't love the gold cord either, but thought a pretty white ribbon would add even more of a pretty, feminine look to it. So here is the result...

Super Easy Recipe!

2010-12-08T09:53:00.000-08:00

If you follow my blog or know me personally, you know that I have a very busy schedule. I rarely enjoy spending a lot of time cooking, so I am always looking for quick, easy, healthy recipes. Last night I tried something new for dinner and it turned out great, so I am sharing it...

I will call it Easy Baked Cornbread Chili. First, you mix a package of cornbread according to the instructions on the package.

Second, open 2 cans of chili and pour them into a baking dish. Easy, isn't it?

Then pour and spread the cornbread mixture over the chili and bake according to the cornbread's instructions.

When the cornbread is golden brown, dinner is ready. It's that easy! You can add cheese to the chili and a side salad to finish out the meal. Enjoy!

*Obviously you can make your cornbread and chili from scratch which would be even healthier, but that wouldn't be as easy.

Our Trip to Tillamook

2010-12-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

Although it is only about 1.5 hours away, I have only ever visited Tillamook Oregon once when I was a child...never since then. After deciding that we needed a brief getaway, I selected Tillamook since it is not too far and there appeared to be a lot to do there. See, this is Oregon and we would be going at the end of November...it's not a warm or dry time, so we had to have indoor activities.

So I found a hotel with a pool, a museum I thought the kids would like, and 2 cheese factories (dairy country). The famous Tillamook Cheese Factory was a must-see, but we really didn't know what to expect - and that was fine with me! Honestly, we didn't even look up directions. Maybe stupid, but at the time it felt adventurous!

So we left at dusk and drove 1.5 hours in the dark and pouring rain and most of it was winding roads barely wider than 2 cars with a cliff on one side. Once we got there we were so excited to hit the pool...one problem...

At check-in we learned that the pool was under maintenance and would reopen the day we were to leave - great. That was our only planned evening activity, so that became TV watching after tiring of the few games we brought. Well, the kids also enjoyed jumping on the beds. What? If the hotel staff doesn't like it, they can fix the pool faster. :P

The next day we visited the Blue Heron factory which we all loved! They had animals we could feed: donkeys, llamas, goats, sheep, chickens, and emu. My daughter loved it!

My son loves animals, but more from afar. Touching and feeding them is not really his thing. In his defense, they did drool...not that he knew that though since he wouldn't get within 5 feet of them. He did have a strange bond with a sheep though.

We had a great lunch and found a lot of goodies for Christmas for friends and family. Not only do they have specialty cheeses there, they also had an entire case of assorted chocolate truffles. We bought caramel apple and pumpkin pie flavored truffles. (We ate them too quickly to get pictures.)

The Tillamook factory was very different. There were samples to try as well of cheese, fudge, and ice cream, but it really felt like a factory. I told my husband it reminded me of Ikea. My son loved the ice cream though! I did enjoy the shopping there too. We found honey sticks, vegan jam, and more Christmas gifts.

Finally,we went to the Pioneer Museum. I homeschool my son and we have been reading the Little House book series, so I thought this would be a great connection to that. I was amazed at how big this museum was and how much they had there. One room of the basement had 5 different wagons from different periods. It was great to see that up close.

One room looked just like a log cabin back in the 1800's. I was so glad the kids could see that. We probably spent over an hour at the museum which is a long time, especially with a 3 year-old! I highly recommend this museum if you visit the area.

Of course I had to end the trip with a little shopping. I found an antique shop and a thrift shop on the same block! I found some pieces to refinish and a vintage Fisher Price Little People boat to add to my kids' collection. They were excited to have a toy to play with...especially since we were on our way back to the hotel which now did not have a pool to play in.

On our trip we also went on a scenic drive to see the coast. We couldn't find beach access, but when it's 42 degrees one doesn't feel much like spending time on the beach. I was happy to get some great pictures and then get right back in the warm car.

On the scenic drive we found the Octopus Tree which is a tree that somehow grew multiple large limbs in place of a trunk. It is over 105 feet tall and 250-300 years old. An amazing site that was worth the short hike in the cold to see it!

All in all it was a really fun trip. I think next time we visit will be a day trip, but we definitely want to go back. They have an aviation museum we'll probably visit next time.

What I'm Thankful For...

2010-11-24T19:41:00.000-08:00

In honor of the Thanksgiving Day celebration, I decided to make a list of what I am thankful for. Sometimes life moves so quickly and can be so stressful that we can lose sight of what we have to be thankful for.

Giving Thanks journal

After a rough week, this could not have come at a better time for me! I was surprised that as I started my list of 5-10 reasons to be thankful, it just came pouring out and quickly grew to this list of over 20!

Blessings bookmark

I am grateful for:
1. Healthy, happy family
2. Supportive husband
3. My health
4. My new enjoyment of running
5. My mother (for many reasons)
6. My brother just got a full-time job
7. I have a comfortable home
8. I can afford my needs and most wants
9. I have jobs that I love (yes, jobs)
10. Freedom to do what I want every week
11. I get to take my children to swimming
12. Homeschooling my son has gone great
13. My son and I enjoying books together
14. A regular schedule that I didn't have last year
15. A safe, reliable car that fits the whole family
16. Friends I absolutely love
17. Recent weight-loss
18. Music - couldn't live without it
19. A vacation that's coming soon
20. When my son helps his sister
21. When my daughter cheers on her brother
22. When my kids play nicely together
23. People I have met online through Twitter and my blog
24. My education
25. Being bilingual...

Gratitude journal

I could go on and on with even more!
Leave a comment of something you are thankful for.

Fall Leaves

2010-11-22T08:28:00.000-08:00

Fall is Fall because of all of the leaves that fall from the trees this time of year. The colors are absolutely beautiful before and as they fall from the trees. Our neighborhood is lined with numerous Oak and Maple trees of many varieties making for a rainbow of trees this time of year. But as the season states, they fall.

My husband and son raked all of the leaves in the front and back yards and swept them off the patio. These are pictures from the very next day. Oh yes, they fell!

My son looked out the window, put his hands on his face in a way that reminded me of the boy in Home Alone, and said "Oh no! Not again!"

So off they went to sweep and rake again. When finished, they were tired but relieved. And my daughter reminded us that there are reasons to enjoy the fallen leaves...

What is it??

2010-11-18T07:52:00.000-08:00

So I acquired this wonderful old metal can. The person I bought it from said that it was an oil can and that she believes all of the parts are with it. I have searched online and have been unable to find either an oil can or a gas can like it. It is gold, metal, and has another metal piece inside of it. It is about 5.5 inches tall (not including the funnel) and 6 inches in diameter.

Is it really an oil can or could it be something else? Please share your thoughts in the comments as I am anxious to figure out what this is! I appreciate any information you have to share.

You voted...here it is!

2010-11-16T10:18:00.000-08:00

So last month I asked you to comment here on my blog what you thought I should do with this old drawer. I had so many ideas and was delighted with even more that people came up with! You can view the original post here if you want to see all of the great ideas:

http://shabbynchic.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-do-you-think.html

I decided to go with the idea of making the drawer into a tray by attaching handles to either end. I only had one handle, so it took awhile to find 2 matching handles that I liked.

I loved the idea that many offered to add decorative wall paper to the bottom. Unfortunately I don't have any and the bottom is actually 2 pieces of wood which makes for a less than flat surface. So I painted it white and added brush nickel finish hardware for a classic cottage style look.

Definitely an improvement from what it was! What do you think?

Click here to see the finished project in my shop.

My Autumn Garden

2010-11-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

Autumn, Fall...whatever you want to call it... Even though it is getting cold and raining more and more, I still love it! How can you not love the beautiful colors we only see for a short time during this season?!

Even the Japanese Maple trees that are a bright reddish-purple all year change color in the Fall. The red they display now is incredibly bright!

My favorite is Nandina - I have 4 of these shrubs throughout my yard. The leaves are various colors all year-round and this season is no exception. This is a picture of one of my less mature Nandina shrubs. Isn't it cute?

My favorite picture I have from the Autumn season this year is definitely this one! My 3 year-old spotted this rainbow after a real downpour and am I glad she did! It is so beautiful coming up from behind the trees with varying colors of leaves. I hope you enjoy it too!

Before and After

2010-11-08T08:43:00.000-08:00

I chose to share this Before and After project because it shows how easily something can be "fixed" to work with your decor. This is a vintage ceramic pedestal that I found at a thrift shop.

As you can see, it started out a golden color. It may work for some, but it was not the cottage style look I love.

So of course, I painted it white! When in doubt, paint it white. That's what I say! It is now a gorgeous white pedestal candle holder ready for any color candle. All it took was a good cleaning, 2 coats of white primer, and some white paint.

And the Winner is...

2010-11-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

The winner of my Vintage Supplies Giveaway is...

Danielle Jeanne who blogs at:
http://fromthebriarpatch.blogspot.com/

Thanks to all who entered. Keep watching for more giveaways to come!

Giveaway - Vintage Supplies

2010-10-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

Time for another free giveaway! I had a hard time deciding what to giveaway, but have been feeling creative, so I chose this great collection of vintage supplies so that you can express your creativity.

Included in this giveaway is everything you see pictured. The winner of this giveaway will receive:

20 pages of vintage sheet music tied w/vintage ribbon
over 20 pages of vintage book pages
3 wooden clothespins
5 already made tags
6 large aged shipping tags (aged in apple cinnamon black tea)
small envelope of vintage buttons
small old photograph
4 apple cinnamon sachets (ready for soaking in hot water)

*A $20.00 value.*

Rules:
1. Open to U.S. and Canada residents only.

2. Ends Monday, Nov. 1st at midnight PST.

3. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via information provided in comment entries within 24 hours.

4. Each contest entry requires a separate comment.

To Enter:

- Follow my blog (or tell me you're already following).

- Visit my Etsy shop and tell me what your favorite item is.

- Post on Twitter or Facebook about this giveaway.

- Follow me on Twitter at @ShabbyNChic.

**Remember to post a separate comment for each entry.**

Many of these items can be found in the Supplies Section of my shop.

It's Costume Time!

2010-10-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

Whether you like Halloween or not (and I do), who doesn't love dressing up? Whether a child or a child-at-heart, we can all dress up and play pretend. I recently searched Etsy for costumes for the whole family and I found some fun ones!

I love these custom capes that allow every member of the family to be a super hero - what fun!

Perhaps Dad is not into capes... so there is a classic Charlie Brown style shirt.

And one for your special little guy too!

I absolutely adore this monarch butterfly costume. What could be cuter?

For older children, I found this fun chef costume. I love the festive pants!

I love fairy tales and this Little Red Riding Hood costume is too sweet to pass up.

And for us moms?? So many costumes for women are a bit too revealing for my taste or not very cute. I found this sexy, but not too revealing costume of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz.

Which is your favorite?

A True Crafter's Storage Solutions

2010-10-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

Owner of both a jewelry and supply shop: somewearintyme and SquidooInk clearly enjoys crafting: jewelry, scrapbooking, knitting and more! Organization is a challenge for anyone, but this dual shop owner has some creative solutions that she was kind enough to share.

Her yarn fills 2 baskets which contain the yarn and look great!

Lights decorate this green framed cork board which holds her finished necklaces and bracelets. "I just use a push pin...and hang the chain over it."

My favorite has to be this pretty memory board which holds her completed earrings. They slip behind the ribbon and don't get tangled up anywhere - a great solution!

Finally, the workspace...it is right in front of a large window which is endlessly inspiring.

Everything is at the tip of her fingers while maintaining plenty of workspace. I love the chair and had to know the story behind it. Her mother found it...

"It's the original fabric and lace and the wood around it is solid cherry wood. We've had to fix the bottom recently because the original burlap, had finally fallen apart. As my mom and I peeled the hand tied metal bits back low and behold beneath it was hand sprung coils and it was stuffed with horse hair! So we put on fresh burlap, and I in my stash had some old vintage nails...and used that to hammer it closed."

A beautiful work space that shows that organization doesn't just have to be functional. Her work space is just at beautiful as her work!

Follow Squidooink on Twitter.

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What Do You Think?

2010-10-10T16:06:00.000-07:00

Occasionally I run across items that give me too many ideas. I have had this old drawer for a few months now and cannot decide what to do with it. One option is to list it in my shop as is, but I really don't want to do that. It is 12 inches front to back and 9.5 inches wide.

One option is to paint the outside of the drawer and another is to paint the entire thing - inside and out. I would then attach the brass handle.

So if that option is the choice, what color would I paint it? White is typically the choice, but would another color go well with the drawer handle?

Another option is to add hanging hardware to the back and make it a hanging shelf/curio. This option would preclude it from being used on a flat surface.

So... What do you think? Please comment and help me narrow down my options.

A Fun and Fabulous Studio!

2010-10-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

The talented and multi-faceted Rebecca of Phoenix Art Studio on Etsy has been kind enough to share her glamorous work space. Rebecca has been painting her entire life and completed a BFA in Illustration from Ringling School of Art and Design. I have always loved stories and have a large collection of fairy tales from all over the world. I find them fascinating!

This love of stories is what eventually led me to theatre and costume design. While I had always made necklaces and things as a kid, I think that this was my first official venture into accessory design. After that, jewelry making was a way for me to convert my artwork into something wearable.

Her creativity is just as visible in her work space. Rebecca's love for the Art Nouveau period is quite apparent in the decor, especially the stained glass. I love the baroque style mirror she uses for self-portraits and the pink on the walls looks energizing and sure to get those creative juices flowing! Gretel is the puppet behind the easel. Rebecca made her a few years ago during her time as a costume designer.

Since she often has many different projects going on at once, Rebecca has two different tables in her studio as well as an easel. The table by the window is a drafting table and is often used for her watercolor paintings and ACEOs while the large table is used for her polymer clay work. The easel is used for her larger paintings. Because it is a rather small room, she placed everything around the perimeter and away from the center to keep the space open.

I asked Rebecca to share some organization tools she uses in her work space. Here are a few:

1. Above my drafting table I keep a "project board" that holds ideas, sketches and inspiration for pieces that I'm working on.

2. I keep a large portion of my painting/drawing supplies in a single drawer tower. Everything is labeled for quick access (brushes, colored pencils, watercolors and drawing supplies, pastels, charcoal, etc...)

3. Keep frequently used books and flat materials handy. I keep mine on this shelving unit: watercolor and drawing papers, jewelry catalogues and reference books.

When asked what makes her work unique, Rebecca said "I love antiquities and spend hours scouring though antique shops looking for treasures, but the one thing that I realize I love most about ancient artifacts is that they have a preciousness to them. So much detail! You can tell that so much time and effort and love was put into these pieces. That is what I try to do with my work. Create something precious.

Something that you can tell has hours of work placed into it and a lot of love. I think that this is what makes my work unique. Whether it's a small miniature painting you can wear around your neck, a meticulously painted and beaded polymer pendant, or a detailed ACEO. Whatever it is, I put my entire heart and soul into it and am not afraid to take that extra time for the little details that make it special."

Follow Rebecca on Twitter (where I found her).

My Collection: Tea Cups and Saucers

2010-09-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I haven't shared these before, but I collect and adore tea cups and saucers. My collection started when I was 16 years-old. My angelic grandmother passed away and I was given this dainty cup and saucer with purple flowers that had belonged to her. I didn't drink tea or have a desire to, but I loved my grandmother dearly so this became a very meaningful posession. It is Bone China called Sweet Violets from the Royal Albert Collection.

I was also given this cup and saucer when my other grandmother passed away. It is not a family tradition, just coincidence. This one is larger and more stout than the other. For years, these were the extent of my collection.

In recent years I started really looking at tea cup and saucer sets at antique shops, estate and garage sales and anywhere else I could find them. I love the shape, the flowers, the pretty handles... These two are pretty ones I found a couple of years ago - both Bone China.

Ironically, I never drank tea until about a year ago and now I am hooked! I drink black tea every morning with breakfast, another tea with caffiene mid-day, and usually a cup of chamomille tea in the evening before bed. Also ironically, I have yet to have a cup of tea in any of my collected tea cups.

This is my most recent set I received from a friend. It is Summer from the Duchess Collection. She knows me! I love the dainty sets the most and there is something about pink and yellow that I love!

Finally, one of my favorites because it is a 3-piece set which I think is rare (but don't really know) and I found these pieces at two different sales over the same summer. With all of the gold, it is a bit gaudier than what I usually like, but I love that it has 3 matching pieces to it. It is Phoenix Bone China, made in England.

Perhaps one day I will actually have a cup of tea in one of my tea cups - imagine!

Upcycled and Repurposed Treasures

2010-09-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

I absolutely believe in upcycling and repurposing. I not only enjoy finding previously loved treasures and getting them at a great price, but also knowing that I am not buying something new. One of my favorite finds from Summer (my busiest treasure hunting time) is a pair of glass containers that I actually found at two separate sales.

Do you recognize them? They are globes from mid-century light fixtures. They make perfect candle holders that go with a variety of decor styles, depending on what they are paired with. One vignette here uses tealights and a rustic decor style. The other a lighter, softer cottage style and uses pink votives.

Whatever your style, you can't go wrong at 25 cents for one and 10 cents for the other! One candle costs more than both of these together!

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

2010-09-11T16:40:00.000-07:00

A lot of recipes lately and I'm not sure why that is, but I hope you enjoy them! This one is definitely a comfort food and great one for the cold weather that's coming. I love it because it's easy, it uses just a few ingredients which you probably already have, and everyone will love it! It's macaroni and cheese!

Here is the enormous ingredients list of 4 items...
- macaroni pasta
- 2-4 different cheeses (about 1.5-2 cups grated)
- milk (about 1/2 cup)
- water
Who doesn't have all of those?

Step 1: Boil water. (Hopefully I don't have to explain this step further. If I do, you probably shouldn't be boiling water.) You can grate the cheese while you wait for the water to boil since you'll just be standing there anyways.

Step 2: Add the pasta to the boiling water. Stir occasionally and drain the pasta once it feels like the texture you like when eating pasta. *You can use pasta other than macaroni for this... You will just need to change the name to spaghetti and cheese or penne and cheese or zitti and cheese. You get the idea.

Step 3: Pour half of the pasta into a large oven-safe casserole dish with a lid. Cover the pasta with half of the grated cheeses. Pour the other half of the pasta on top and then cover it with the rest of the grated cheese. Pour the milk over the pasta and cheese.

Step 4: Bake at 350 degrees with the lid on for about 30 minutes. When you take it out the cheese should be melted and the milk should be completely absorbed (not all sitting at the bottom of the dish).

Step 5: This is a difficult one because it is going to smell really good! Wait a few minutes for the pasta to cool before serving. This would be a good time to prepare a vegetable side or two if you haven't already.

Enjoy!

Upcycle Your Baking Pans

2010-09-03T17:56:00.000-07:00

If you're like me, you don't like throwing things away. I often have items that I know I could use for something else, but sometimes have to think for awhile about what to do with them. Here are several ideas of how to reuse or upcycle your baking pans.

Cookie sheets can double as serving trays. It's as simple as putting a pretty napkin over it and setting the goodies on top.

Cookie sheets also make great magnet boards! If your looks a little less than something you want to hang in your home, just clean it thoroughly and paint with silver spray paint. That's what I did with this one which was pretty well used beforehand.

Bread pans are very versatile! They are perfect for storing office supplies in a drawer or on a desk surface. They would also work great in a junk drawer or to organize drawers in your kitchen or bathroom.

Larger bread pans can also store mail or stationery. These could also be spray painted and one could get quite creative with the colors! Think of the savings (economical and ecological) when you reuse pans rather than buying a new container at the store.

Here is a very creative upcycle use for a cake pan by MCDB on Etsy.

Muffin tins can be very useful! They are perfect for holding small items such as:
- jewelry
- beads
- buttons
- hair accesories...

The possibilities are endless! Feel free to comment with your ideas for more upcycle uses for baking pans.

Strawberry Lemonade - A recipe!

2010-08-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

For your Labor Day barbecue or just for a sweet, refreshing drink - strawberry lemonade. Now I love recipes with few ingredients, so just buy some delicious lemonade and strawberries and you can make this!

I recommend using both fresh and frozen strawberries. The fresh berries look much better and have a more pleasant texture, but the frozen strawberries add a lot more flavor!

Start by cutting the fresh strawberries in halves, thirds, or quarters depending on the sizes of the berries. (The riper the strawberries the better the flavor.) Put them in your pitcher along with any frozen berries you will be using.

Add the lemonade. Refrigerate for at least an hour. The longer the strawberries are in the lemonade, the more their flavor will mix with the lemonade. If you let it sit long enough, the lemonade will be pink when you pour it into a glass.

You can use a spoon to scoop out some strawberries to add to the glasses or just place a few slices in each glass before pouring the lemonade. Enjoy!

The End of Summer

2010-08-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

A blog post I am not excited to write, but is necessary... Summer is coming to an end and as sad as it is, I em enjoying reflecting and remembering all of the fun times we had! With family and sometimes friends, we enjoyed so many fun activities. Perhaps this is why it's so sad to see it end.

I will remember the fun activities with the kids.

They visited children's museums.

They went to a fun park and played miniature golf for the first time.

I will remember ALL of the baseball games...

...and my daughter's obsession with the team mascott.

My son was more interested in collecting balls, bats, and autographs from the players.

We also had a lot of projects...many of which are still not complete. The kids finally got their dad to build that fort they've been talking about for years.

It just needs paint now. Thank goodness we still have a couple more weeks!

I will also miss the simplicity of summer: barbecuing, picnics, trips to the park, flowers, bugs, fresh fruits and vegetables... I hope you enjoyed your summer too!

A Day of Oregon Beauty

2010-08-13T17:28:00.000-07:00

We spent an afternoon at Silvercreek Falls earlier this week. It was the coolest day of the week and overcast, but it did not detract from the beauty.

There are waterfalls and miles of trails through the forest.

The last time I visited this State Park, we saw a baby bear - exciting and a little scary. We didn't see any wildlife this time, but we enjoyed all of the views!

There is also a stream that is full of people cooling off on hot days...not this day.

We enjoyed a picnic and played soccer and frisbee. A fun time for everyone and a beautiful trip if you are ever in Oregon!

Before and After

2010-08-08T07:54:00.000-07:00

I love before and after pictures of projects and post as many of mine as I can. I don't always remember to take the before shot and sometimes get too excited to get to work that I miss the before picture. Well here are a few that I did get...

I found this shelf at a thrift shop for $15. It is wood and is exactly the size I was looking for for my daughter's room. So I cleaned it up (a lot), primed it and painted it a fresh coat of white and it looks brand new. It is now full of her toys and she is very proud that her "Mommy did it".

An item that is now in my shop is this pretty vintage tissue holder that I painted white and distressed. It was tempting to leave it, but it was a bit rough. A good amount of the gold was damaged and there was this old tape that I had to remove from all 4 corners of the top - that took awhile!

Tissue Holder at ShabbyNChic

Finally, a shelf that was unfinished and just needed some paint. I decided on a creamy white as it goes with almost any decor style and any color palette. Amazing what a couple of coats of paint will do! This is also currently in my shop.

Creamy White Shelf at ShabbyNChic

My Dominican Rice Recipe

2010-08-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

This is an exciting post for me. It is my first recipe! This summer, a houseguest and friend of ours from the Dominican Republic cooked a delicious rice recipe he had told me about. It has coconut milk in it. That was all I needed to hear. I had to try it! I am vegetarian, so I have slightly altered his recipe. This recipe is also vegan, so we can all enjoy this one!

[Warning: I measure nothing. I cook by texture, but there are notes along the way to help.]

Here's what you need first:
- long-grain white rice
- 1 can of coconut milk
- vegetable broth (or vegetable bullion mixed with water)
- cooking oil (I use olive oil.)
- cilantro
- small amount of veggies (I use peas, green bell pepper, and celery...or any combination of these.)

1. Brown the rice by putting in on medium heat with a small amount of oil. The rice should be shiny with oil, but there should not be excess oil in the pot. Stir often so that the rice does not burn. I usually use 2-3 cups of rice.

2. Add a "good amount" of vegetable broth and the can of coconut milk. (Your quantity of broth will vary, depending on how much rice you use.) Bring to a boil, stirring and then lower heat to Low and put on lid.)

3. The rice will take 30-45 min. to cook, depending on actual cooking temperature, quantity of rice, and how often you take off the lid. Why would you take of the lid? Because you don't know exactly how much liquid to add, so you will need to check periodically. *My rule: If in doubt check. If in doubt about adding more broth, add more a little at a time.* If the rice sticks to the bottom of the pan, you didn't add enough - just add more broth and let the person in your family who likes slightly burnt food eat what's at the bottom.

4. While the rice is cooking, chop your cilantro and vegetables (except for the peas because that would be silly). I put in 2/3 cup or so of chopped veggies. Add the cilantro first (It adds a lot of flavor! Oh, I put in a palm-full. That's metric.).

5. Add your veggies when you think the rice is at least halfway done cooking. You will know the rice is completely done cooking when it looks fluffy and when you bite it, it's soft. (If it hurts your teeth to bite it, it's not done cooking yet. Put that lid back on!) Doesn't it look good?!

6. Eat it, of course!! I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine. (I had to go make some after writing this post.)

ShabbyNChic Free Giveaway Winner Announced!

2010-08-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

The winner has been selected in my most recent giveaway: One-of-a-Kind ShabbyNChic Wall Hook.

And the winner is...

Janet of Birdland Treasures! Congratulations!

My Vegetable Garden Mid-Summer

2010-07-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

Our intentions with our vegetable garden are always grander than what we have time for. As much as we love our fresh, organic fruits and veggies, time with family and friends always takes first priority. We live in Oregon where nice weather doesn't last long, so lazy summer days are a luxury! That said, we were able to accomplish more than I expected...

This year we have: corn, spinach, lettuce, peas, beans, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, cucumber, strawberries and pears (on our pear tree). We also planted broccoli, radishes, and carrots, but they did not survive to yield anything. I share this because gardening is not always successful and I do not pretend that it's as easy as in looks when everything is flourishing.

The peas are pretty much done and we are still awaiting the squashes as well as the corn and beans. There is not much happening on our pear tree, but I am optimistic that they too will come.

In Spring we prepare the garden by weeding and adding new compost. I find the new compost to be the most important determinant in how our crops will do. Then, we decide what we really want in the garden and how to lay it out. This too is more complicated that it sounds as you must consider: time in the garden, space, sun...

Then the fun part - planting! That is definitely my favorite part...well, aside of eating the bounty. The maintenance is the other challenging part: watering regularly and weeding. My husband is in charge of those tasks because he does a lot better at them than I would.

In the end, we get to enjoy fresh, healthy, organic, ripe fruits and veggies straight from the garden. There really isn't much better than that!

Amazing Rummage Sale Find!

2010-07-24T14:07:00.000-07:00

Custom frames are very expensive and I often have something I want framed that is not a typical size. This can get quite expensive! Well I got lucky recently when I found a frame that appeared to be what I needed for a map I have had for over 3 years and not yet framed. (With 2 young children, I'm amazed the map is still in one piece.)

So I found this beautiful wood frame at a rummage sale. The deer had to go! Nothing against deer - I really think they are gorgeous creatures, but not really something I would hang in my home.

So after peeling off some well-glued cardboard on the back, I removed the deer picture. I then cleaned the glass well and replaced the picture with my copy of a Mercator map of Europe that I had received as a gift. I then moved the hardware on the back for it to hang horizontally rather than vertically.

I am very happy with how it turned out and more than pleased with what it cost. It was only the cost of the frame = $1.00! Can you believe it? Definitely one of my best finds!

ShabbyNChic Giveaway

2010-07-19T09:42:00.000-07:00

For the first time I am giving away a one-of-a-kind piece from my shop. I love the soft, romantic look of this cottage style wall hook. It is made from a plaque with a beautiful floral paper adhered to the front. I painted the plaque a creamy off-white color, then attached an upcycled metal knob that I painted silver. The entire piece was then sealed. It will arrive ready to hang. Wall hooks are great for hanging a jacket, purse, apron, dog leash...

Rules:

1. Open to U.S. and Canada residents only.
2. Ends Saturday, July 31st at midnight PST.
3. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via information provided in comment entries within 24 hours.
4. Each contest entry requires a separate comment.

To Enter:

- Tweet on Twitter about this giveaway.
- Post on Facebook about the giveaway.
- Visit my Etsy shop and tell me what your favorite item is.
- Follow me on Twitter at @ShabbyNChic.
- Follow my blog.

**Remember to post a separate comment for each entry.**

My Summer Garden

2010-07-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

If you follow my blog, then you saw my Spring post with pictures from my garden. We are now in the midst of the heat of Summer and flowers that were blooming in the Spring have subsided while others are at their full glory.

I wanted to capture the beauty of our Summer blooms. The hydrangea is my favorite hands-down. I absolutely love blue flowers and I don't think it gets better than a hydrangea in blue full-bloom!

Of course we still have roses blooming. Isn't that a staple in every garden? I love the multi-color varieties we have, but they were no longer blooming by the time I got the camera out. These salmon-colored roses are beautiful in their own right. Who doesn't love roses - a gorgeous work of nature.

Bees are all around in the summer as well. I love this shot of a bee about to land on this pink flower. Do you see it?

My herb garden recently took off and now needs a trim, but the fullness is marvelous to see! I have lavendar, sage, two varieties of thyme and cilantro here. I also love basil (again, who doesn't?), but for some reason I have better success with basil when I grow it in pots.

*Future post on our vegetable garden coming soon...

Cottage Style Decorating with White

2010-07-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

Most people think of white when they think of cottage style. White is a staple in cottage style decorating and sometimes the focus. Although it seems simple, decorating almost soley with white can be intimidating. I found some pictures of great examples of rooms done very well with a lot of white.

I love the brightness of white. It is so crisp and clean. A space can often feel large when white is used on the walls, furniture...as there are not a lot of colors breaking up the space.

White can be a cold color. Adding a touch of warmth, such as a piece of wood furniture, can "warm up" a mostly white space. There is not just one white. There are many shades of white and using multiple shades can also add warmth to the room.

If you have one piece or a collection with some color, it can really "pop" when surrounded by white. It really adds drama to a piece that may blend in or get lost in a more colorful space.

*Pictures from bhg.com.