Completed Dresser Project

Wow, I can't believe it's taken me this long to post the final update on my dresser project! Clearly the last few months have been crazy busy for me, and this little blog of mine has been pushed to the back burner. But I'm back! And hopefully I'll have the time to post a little more often. ;)

As you'll recall, over the summer, I was working on a dresser refinishing project. I found a lovely (albeit worn) mid-century modern dresser in the local classifieds, and in my spare time nursed it back to its former glory. Actually, I think it's even better in its new colour scheme! All it needed was a good thorough sanding, a few coats of dark walnut stain and varnish on the drawer fronts, and a creamy white paint on the outer shell. I'm so pleased with the results! This piece now has a proud place in my bedroom, housing my sweaters, socks and unmentionables.

For comparison, here is the before picture:

 

This was the inspiration for how I was going to refinish it: 

And here is my finished dresser, all set up in my bedroom:

I think she looks great! The sanding was hard work, but I loved doing this project, and I'm so proud of the results. I've officially been bit by the refinishing bug. I have many more projects in mind, but I'll share those another day.

Favorite Things!

Last night I had a quiet evening at home, enjoying a few of my favorite things. A glass of white wine, chocolate mints, watching 500 Days of Summer, and crafting! One thing I love about that movie is that you don't even have to be fully absorbed in watching it to enjoy it. The soundtrack alone makes it worth throwing on. The Smiths, Regina Spektor, The Temper Trap... So good! I think most people will either relate to Tom or Summer when they watch it. I'm a Tom, through and through. I feel for the guy. Hopeless romantic (emphasis on hopeless), open-hearted, and a little misguided. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, if you're reading this, I'd be happy to recreate the IKEA shopping scene with you any time.

And what did I create in between drooling over JGL and munching on chocolate? Well, I got out my jewelry supplies and fixed a couple of broken necklaces, and made 2 new ones as well! Using chain and pendants from my local craft store, as well as some charms salvaged off a pair of earrings I don't wear, I created 2 funky, sort of bohemian necklaces. Here's the final result:

Great Event in the Kawarthas!

If you like handicrafts, vintage items and vegan and gluten free baking, and you're in the Peterborough/Kawarthas area, you need to see this! My crafty friends over at Rabbit & Bumble are hosting an open air market on Saturday August 18th. Check out their fabulous poster and visit their blog and facebook page for more info! I wish I could go, but alas, I'm working that day.

DIY: Message Board

I'm always searching for functional objects that are also beautiful. Most people have a message board somewhere in their house. A place to write grocery lists, honey-do lists, and jot quick notes to your family. Most of the dry erase boards I've seen in stores are, lets face it, ugly. Utilitarian, simple, no style to speak of. So I decided to make my own. It's super simple and inexpensive too! I went to my local dollar store and picked up a picture frame, some scrapbook paper and a pack of dry erase markers. I cut the paper to fit in the frame and assembled it. That's it. You can use dry erase markers on pretty much any non-porous surface, so it doesn't matter if the frame has glass or plastic in front. Here's how mine turned out:

I used scrapbook paper, but you could also use wallpaper remnants, a favorite photo, a cool image clipped from a magazine, sheet music, or even fabric. Although, if you choose fabric, I would recommend taping or gluing it to a thin piece of cardboard so it doesn't slip down inside the frame. One final tip, I would use a fairly light colour scheme so that the marker shows up over it. Happy crafting!