Blog Parties

Monday, November 16, 2009

Mirror Makeover & my first chalkboard


Have you met Cindy over at Cottage Instincts? If not, you need to rush over there and get to know her. She is a hoot!! And today she is hosting a "Made it with what I had" party.

We were suppose to make something with stuff we already had laying around the house. Or finish up a project that we've had sitting around for eons. And in my case, that means, sitting around since dinosaurs roamed the earth. And I'm not kidding either, stuff in my garage has been waiting for me to make something with it about that long.

Anyone who has seen my garage, knows I have about a gazillion projects or stuff to make a bajillion things. So I thought this was the perfect opportunity to get every single one of them done.

I know, I know, I was thinking BIG. But you know what they say, "Dream big or go home". And how did I do? I came close, really close!!! I got 2 projects done. What? You got 2 million projects done? No, I think you need to clean the wax out of your ears. I only got 2 done.

And not only did I get 2 projects done, they were pretty easy projects. But that is 2 less things in my garage. Yipee!!! And I got both of them done by 10pm last night. Yesiree, I'm a bonafide procrastinator. I'll even be late posting this. But got them done I did indeedy.

Project #1: Mirror makeover

Here is the before of my mirror. It is ornate & right up my alley, but I hate the ugly gold color. I bought this years ago at a thrift store. It is plastic & very gold. But I knew I could make it beautiful. Someday. And that someday had finally arrived.

And here is the after. Isn't she beautiful? It fits in with my decor much better now.

I spray painted her "Heirloom White". Then I highlighted all her ornate loveliness with Rub n Buff in antique gold & red.

Close up of the rub n buff highlights.

Project #2: My first chalkboard

I forgot to take a before photo. But it was just a plain piece of wood from the Dollar Tree that I've had sitting around for months. It originally was hanging from a piece of jute. I removed the jute, primed the wood & then painted it with chalkboard paint that I bought about 6 months ago. I then added the ribbon. It came off a package that I got in the mail from someone.

I hung the chalkboard from a mirror in my family room. And since it is Thanksgiving time, wrote "Give Thanks" on it.

I am so proud of my first little chalkboard. At least I got it made while chalkboards are still in style. They are still in style, aren't they? Just tell me there are if they aren't.

The final results: Family room wall

Here is the before of my family room wall.

Here is the after:

I took down the larger Paris painting with the gold frame & moved my Paris painting from the wall above my fireplace to this larger wall above my couch. I like this painting better, plus I love the frame it's in. The larger painting with the gold frame is going to reside in our home theater out in the garage. But only after I get all my projects done and out of there. Or hubby throws it all out. Which ever one comes first.

I rearranged a couple of mirrors on the right hand side to accommodate my new makeover mirror. The mirror on the bottom right was in the middle in the before photo. I removed the bottom right mirror in the before photo. I love it, but it would never stay straight. It was always scraping up my wall.

Fact is, none of my pictures stay straight. I have a son who is always hitting the couch up against the wall & knocking my photos.

And I swapped out the keys on the window mirror for my new chalkboard. Now if only I could remember where I put those keys. I took them off for my Halloween decor & I can't seem to find them. I'm notorious for doing that. I stash things & then can't remember where I put them.

Oh well, I like the chalkboard there for now. As you can tell, I love mirrors. And I promise that I'm not vain. I promise!!!

I hope you liked the 2 projects that I made with what I already had. My garage looks so much better since I got those 2 projects out of there. NOT!!!!

Kim

More fabulous linky parties that I'm linking up to:

Do it yourself day hosted by Kimba at A Soft Place to Land

Metamorphosis Monday hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch
It's so very creative hosted by Cheri over at Its So Very Cheri

28 comments:

  1. love the mirror! The grouping looks good! I use rub-n-buff too! love it!
    gail

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  2. Crack me up Kim! I'm so glad you got your projects posted, cause I love 'em. Question. I LURVE that red/gold leaf buff thing you did on the mirror...where do I get that stuff, and is it hard to do?

    Thanks for linking up! Love your sense of humor :)
    peace.

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  3. Oh wow, it all turned out just gorgeous. I love the beautiful vignette you created. It really looks so pretty. Love the rub 'n buff stuff. It is great. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Oh Kim I just love coming by here and seeing all you do...WOW!! that mirror looks like a Million now...and don't you just love buff N rub...Love it all girl and Yes from what I have seen on blogs Chalkboard paint is still the end thing...Hope you have a wonderful day my friend in your part of Ca. Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  5. I've had a can of chalkboard paint for about six months myself. Haven't figured out what I want to do yet. I love that mirror you redid! Looks wonderful now! You accomplished two more things than you had before. Pat yourself on the back!
    Brenda

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  6. Wow! What a difference in the mirror. It looks fantastic. The chalkboard is cute too! Isn't it the best feeling to get a project done AND it looks good? Congratulations on only having 1,999,998 projects to go!

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  7. I love both of your projects...and it's two fewer things in the garage!!
    Painting the mirror frame made such a big difference and I love how you highlighted the details.
    Have a great week.
    Jane

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  8. You know I'm drooling over that mirror, Kim! It came out fabulous! Your little chalkboard is so darling! I love the new wall arrangment! You've been a busy bee!

    xoxo,
    Tina

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  9. Hey! Haha..just found your blog through Cottage Insticts and had to laugh when I read your BIO because you sound like me! I absolutely ADORE the mirror you made. I've never done something like that before, only dreamed about it, but what is the stuff you made it white with? Is it a paint type?

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  10. LOVE that mirror!!! I'll have to find me some of that rub-n-buff. You did a great job!

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  11. Kim:
    I LOVE your "new" mirror. Fabulous job!
    I've just launched my 200th Post Giveaway. Hope you'll stop in to visit.
    Blesings,
    Donna

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  12. your mirror looks wonderful, glad you got your projects finished, love the display on the wall what a good job..

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  13. Hi Kim, good going, you accomplished a couple of really cool projects. I really love the mirror painted white, and I really don't know what I'd do without rub n buff! I use it so much to help out those little things that are just a tad bit "too shabby". Have a great week!
    hugs,
    Debra

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  14. How gorgeous did that frame come out! WOW!!

    I've yet to crack open my chalkboard paint. But I did bring it upstairs. Does that count?!?

    Donna

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  15. All of your projects turned out wonderful.

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  16. The mirror looks great...love your Thanksgiving background!!! Thanks for dropping by Wise Old Owl and commenting on my turkey handprint shirts!!!

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  17. They both turned out GREAT! Love the idea of a wood plaque to a chalkboard - GENIUS!

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  18. Hmmmmm, I have a gold mirror. I haven't decided if I'll paint it cream or bird's egg blue yet, but I really like your rub n buff highlights idea! Sweet!

    Also like the shape & size of your chalkboard!

    Thanks for visiting me @ my blog, Kim. Happy to meet you!

    Zuzu

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  19. Hi Kim,
    Love what you did to the mirror, it looks so shabby chic stylish now.
    Maggie

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  20. I love old frames like that! They have so much detail and don't they always look better painted. I like the rub n buff(ed) details. It really looks good!

    Manuela

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  21. Great re-do. Awesome job on both! And now there's a tiny bit more room in the garage for a new project, right?

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  22. Kim, Oh how I love those scrolly old picture frames ! Your wall vignette looks great!!

    blessings
    mary

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  23. I love the frame you painted. It looks so similar to one I found at a garage sale. Also, where do you get "Rub and Buff"? I think I might need some of that!

    Love the chalkboard, I have yet to make one - but I eye up that chalkboard paint every time I go to HomeD. Someday, soon....

    bye for now.

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  24. BEAUTIFUL!!! I want to find a nice frame like that to make a chalkboard in!!! :)

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  25. You have been very busy!!! I love what you didi!!! I know it made you feel good to finally use that mirror! I tend to put things away and then I forget what I bought! Great job!
    Mama Holli

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  26. A couple of you asked where to get Rub n Buff. I got mine at Michael's. But I'm sure any craft store carries it.

    Thanks for all your nice comments.

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  27. Kim, I ♥ the wonderful transformation of the mirror from the 'everywhere gaudy gold' to the gorgeous gold touched creamy white...great choice! I also like the way you have arranged the different frames above your couch. You get an A+++!
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

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