Restyled Patio Coffee Table

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Cyndee

A friend asked me to give her patio coffee table a new look. She was nice enough to wait until after my son’s graduation, but since she has an event coming up this week I needed to finally get it done for her.

The coffee table I started with was actually just the base. I think originally it had a glass top.

She liked the scrap wood tables I did a while back, so I used that idea as my inspiration. Since I knew I would be dry brushing the top white, I spray painted the base white before I started.

I started with braces across the table width. They were attached with screws through the edge of the table and into the ends of the braces.

Then I went hunting for more wood. The wood I found is wood from the house built in the 1800s a stranger gave me. I’m usually not a big fan of pulling out nails, but these nails were so cool. They were the square peg kind. They’re all rusty, but I couldn’t bring myself to throw them away. I’ve got to find a project for them. Anybody have any ideas?

After sanding off the century old dirt and smoothing the surface, I positioned them on the table. I decided a lip of about 1 1/2 inches all the way around the table base would be perfect.

The top pieces were attached to the braces with wood screws.

The top was dry brushed…

…And the metal base was sanded to complete the shabby chic, rustic appearance.

I hope you enjoy it, Teresa!

Places I’m partying this week:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesdays

Thursday

All Things Pretty

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Weekend

Glass Insulator/Bed Spring Candle Holder

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Cyndee

Glass Insulator/Bed Spring Candle Holder

I’ve seen these candle holders before, but my bed springs have never been ones I thought I could use. That wire is almost impossible to cut through. At least that is what I thought. This past weekend I was out with my husband and we spotted one of these candle holders. I mentioned why we couldn’t do it and he let me know how wrong I was.

This project definitely passes the “Tim Allen Grunt” test. You know…that test that implies your husband will help make it, or will enjoy the finished project because it is a manly-man craft. As close as we are getting to Father’s Day, I think this is a winner.

These are the springs and the glass insulators I started with. See the tiny top portion. The insulator won’t fit in there so cutting a bit off is required. In steps The Man with his appropriate power tool…an air compressor angle grinder. Actually, it doesn’t have to be a grinder powered by an air compressor, but that is the kind we have.

My husband has gotten metal particles in his eyes more than once. Even with safety glasses. Live and learn. He now uses full eye goggles with edges that seal to the face. Because of metal flakes flying through the air, I didn’t take pics of the cutting process. I just didn’t want to get close enough for a pic.

He cut down the spring about an inch or so from the top. The cut wire end was then manipulated with pliers…done by a visiting (male) friend). See? This project is a male magnet! He widened and tucked the cut wire end under the next row of wires. It held firm. No glue, welding or wire required.

The glass insulator was then set inside the top opening. We pushed the insulator down enough to catch the wire of the bed spring in a groove in the glass. This will keep the insulator from falling out.

I only had one of the bed springs shown on the right. This bed spring wasn’t as much fun for The Man. It didn’t require any power tools. The insulator was simply set inside.

Enjoy!

I WAS FEATURED!!!!

Places I’m partying this week:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesdays

Thursday

All Things Pretty

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Weekend

More Stenciled Signs

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Cyndee

I love, love, love the way this sign turned out.

We were invited to the wedding of one of my son’s friends. My son was/is in the wedding, but the rest of us were unable to go as we have company for the weekend. I still wanted to send a special gift. The registry looked like it was pretty well taken care of by other guests, so I decided to come up with something on my own.

I used my Cricut and the fonts I had available to come up with my stencil. This actually took the longest to do.

Once it was cut, arranged and taped the way I wanted it…

…I made up my sign board. I had measured the stencil, so I had a general idea of the size I was going for. Scrounging through the wood scraps, I found enough pieces for the front…

and two braces for the back. I glued the braces and also connected them with wood screws. FYI: The sign size was approximately 19″ x 22″.

Once stenciled, I added two sawtooth hooks to the back braces and it was done.

I didn’t think wrapping paper was going to work for this gift. It was too heavy and I was sure the paper would be torn around the braces before it got to the wedding. Out came my stash of upholstery fabric and a custom tote was made. I, of course, had to add a little bit of shabby yummy-ness to tie the handles closed.

I made several of these signs as graduation gifts. The boards were horizontal door panels from a couple of old doors that were coming apart. I dry brushed the surfaces with flat white paint and made the stencil with my Cricut. The wire hanger is rusty baling wire.

Enjoy!

I WAS FEATURED!!!

Places I’m partying this week:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesdays

Thursday

All Things Pretty

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Weekend

Blue Jean Tablecloths

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Cyndee

Blue Jean Tablecloths

I originally made these four years ago for another graduation party and am finally getting around to writing down what I did. Since they were completely made using recycled jeans the cost was free. With all the expenses of throwing a party, not having to buy tablecloths is a win-win.

You will need lots and lots of old blue jeans. Since I have grown boys and I seem to save everything, I have a steady stash of jeans. My friends and extended family are also great sources for keeping me well stocked.

Each block was a 14-inch jean square. I cut the legs off of the jeans and opened up each leg along the flat-fell seam. Actually, I completely cut off the seams and saved them for other projects.

Most adult jean legs yielded two squares (four per adult jeans). If there was a hole in a knee, I was only able to get one square from the leg. A square can be pieced if needed.

Eight rows of four blocks were stitched together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. I flipped the rows over and pressed all of the seams in the same direction.

I flipped the rows back over with the front facing up and top stitched along the seam, catching the raw seams on the back in the stitching. The top stitching makes the tablecloth lay very flat and prevents seams coming apart from fraying.