Getting there...

April 17, 2012

Last night I loaded up my thrift store spinning thingy with my technique swap samples. 

Now all I need to do is give it a spin to be inspired to try a new technique!

Over the weekend I made a quick dash out to IKEA and picked up a couple of kitchen racks to accomodate more punches.  See the new longer rack on the very bottom?

I added a smaller one here for more punches and I found a space for my flat SU! punches too!

I was a bit bummed that they didn't have the same kind of rack as what I started with but this style is ok and with all the punches you can't really see the rack!

I also finished my mother-in-law's birthday gift - I made her a bronze and gunmetal chainmaille bracelet. 

Until Next Time!
Marie

Wooden Desk Chair

April 16, 2012

Today I had to take my car in for service and there happened to be a thrift store on my way home.  Luckily I had my Pathfinder with me because I scored this great wooden desk chair for $10!!

I'm thinking about spray painting it - black?


UPDATE - here is the finished chair



Until next time...
Marie

Thrifting...

April 13., 2012

Today I did a little shopping at a couple of local thrift stores and I even hit a consignment furniture store.  I'm getting in the habit of checking in at these places at least once a week.

My daughter is moving out to a house she'll share with 3 other poor university students. So I'm looking for specific items and I'm being very choosey.

That's an empty house so that means she'll need pretty much everything from can opener to couch!

You already saw the chairs that I'm spray painting for her - yep I found those at a thrift store!

Today I saw lots of cool items but I only bought 2 things - and one of them was for me!

First I found this vacuum for the DD's new place.  We've got central vac at home so I can't bring our vacuum to help her clean up on moving day.  This little guy should do the trick.

Then I bought this for me....

it's one of those spinning alpha thingys.  I plan on using it to organize my technique samples.

I'm also a Freecycle member and this morning I picked up a table to go with the chairs - that is after I spray paint the white parts black and stain/seal the top. 

This table seats 6 and it was Free!  Thanks to Donna!

The girls would really like a farmhouse style table like this one for $700 but they'll just have to be happy with the FREE one!

Consignment Canada (on Pemberton in North Vancouver) is an awesome place to go if you are looking for good quality second hand furniture - a big step up from the thrift stores - and they are jam packed with tables, chairs, couches, and more.

I've got some more painting to do this weekend and maybe a trip to IKEA.

So I'll finish off this post with a few photos of some interesting things I saw at the thrift store....

Old luggage for $15 each...

 this one had a purple satin lining!

This dresser/sideboard was solid wood and only $50!

I would have loved to have picked this one up and spray painted it a fun colour like this one from Pinterest.



But it's too big for DD and I have no space for it at my house! Darn!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Until Next Time!
Marie

Keeping me from my craft room....

This is what's keeping me from my craft room!

I picked up some cheap wood chairs and I've been spray painting them.  Black of course!

Don't they look nice?

I also got 2 ornate frames spray painted - Heirloom White - can you believe someone just left this out with the garbage!!

I'm going to add a burlap or cork backing and my daughter can use it to display her jewellery.

Have you seen the new trend for Starburst/Sunburst Mirrors?


photo from Pinterest


I have my eye on this one but I just don't have anywhere to put it!

Click HERE to see how you can make your own out of wood shims.

Until Next Time!
Marie

Kiss me I'm Irish!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

 from my dog Sam (who really is Irish)

and his brother Murphy (he's Irish too!)

Yes they are both wearing green scarves for St Patrick's Day!

Until Next Time!
Marie

Lack of blog posts but staying busy...

I'm sorry that I haven't been posting much lately - is anyone still out there and visiting my blog?

I've been busy with other crafts (maybe I should change my blog title?).

Here's what I've been up to...

Mostly crocheting flower pins, scarves, cowls, and infinity scarves to stock up for next winter's craft shows and gift giving.

Also I recently learned how to make chainmaille jewellery.  Isn't this pretty?

And Until Next Time!
Marie

Unusual Uses for Copic Markers

In the last few days I've had to grab my Copics for the most unusual fixes.

1.  Last night I touched up my gray roots but afterwards I noticed that I missed a spot.  So out comes E49 Dark Bark and I touched up the area.  Voila! it's gone.

2.  This morning I noticed that I had a bleach mark on one of my favourite black tops (not from bleach but probably from a lemon).  So out comes 110 Specail Black (I could have used 100 but I grabbed this one first).  I just dabbed a bit on the bleached out spot and Voila!  It's gone.

3.  In my den I have dark espresso stained cork flooring.  It's beautiful but the rollers on the desk chair scrape away at it in spots.  So out comes E27 Africano and E49 Dark Bark (again) and quick touch up fixes it fast.

Do you have any unusual Copic uses you'd like to share? 

If so please leave a comment here - I'd love to read them!

 Until Next Time!
Marie