Shelf/Mantel Redo

Morning! So here are the pictures from my redo project. My fireplace is so happy to have a shelf - Here is the start after a little bit of sanding and the feeling that this-is-going-to-take-a-lot-longer-than-I-thought-feeling is setting in.

Up close of one side stripped. 

And this is when I got distracted and quit! The sunset was beautiful and my hands hurt, my gloves were goopy, etc, etc.

Moses was a big help, he guarded the baby orange tree the whole time  for me.

Anyways, time to get back to work, oh 2 weeks later. That smile is a fake, can't you tell!

Final, finished, completed - hooray! (Don't mind the Christmas decor, I promise that is all down).

Last one, up close. I used a mahogany stain, which turned out a lot lighter than it appeared on the box. 

Sorry sorry sorry

I absolutely hate that I have not blogged since December! I have no excuses, especially since I quit my job and I have lots more free time. It is funny how quickly things can fill up that extra time, in no time at all.

I really have thought about my blog at least every other day, but I just did not make it a priority. I have so much I want to share on this blog and also, it is important for me to stay in touch with the right side of my brain! Therefore...I will start blogging again!!! I do have lots of pictures of projects, I just need to post. So I am sorry, to all of my 5 followers and mainly to myself, we all deserve better! :)

Stripping!!!

No, not that type of stripping, get your mind out of the gutter! Anyways, so I received these great white shelves as hand-me-downs from mi madre. Of course, I want them to instead look like, in essence the pottery barn shelves that have the dark wood stain that is popular these days. Ok, so I go to ehow.com and look up how to strip paint from wood. 1. Pick up some paint stripper & brush on wood 2. Let sit for 1/2 hour while your paint magically becomes removable 3. Remove with scrapper 4. Wipe down with paint thinner or mineral spirits.


Ok, no where in there did it mention how freakin' ridiculously hard it is to scrap the paint from wood. Perhaps my mother painted 5+ coats of paint on them or something or applied a special seal. Not sure, but I am just going to blame her.


Well, I promise to post pictures soon, I am getting there. I just did not know my 1 week project was going to become a month-er instead. My fingers are developing some very firm muscles.


Pretty Pottery Barn shelf - what I am currently dreaming about:

Oh yeah, and I think the paint stripper is getting me high everytime I use it. That is the only reason I have not given up yet! ; )

Spoons

I was so excited to see this on anthropologie.com! No, not because I am going to buy $5,000.00 light fixture but it finally gave me the inspiration I need for my Grandma Dora's spoon collection. You see, I was given my lovely Grandma's old spoon collection that she has aquired over her long life span from all around America and a few other countries as well. For the life of me, I cannot bring myself to hang up a spoon rack with them on it, it just screams; well frankly, it says old-person. Sorry, G'ma.

Anyways, this is definitely a great idea for using her spoons to make something fabulous! Thank you Anthropology.

Welcome!

Hi there! I am a blogger virgin I must confess, but here it goes - I am excited to start and hopefully I keep it up for longer than 3 posts. I will be posting my personal projects and those of others that are able to scrap together something from around the house or for really cheap, and make it into wonderful, beautiful decor. Therefore, the name of the blog. See you soon!