Humpty Dumpty and Mod Podge to the Rescue!

 If you've read this blog very long, you know that I LOVE taking something "ugly duckling-ish" and turning it into a swan. Well, I have completed two such transformations this week.

One was a big old ugly "plastic" mirror ... now all white and prettily distressed;

  

and this little ceramic "Made In Japan" spice drawer set.
All three drawers were smashed to pieces and the little box had surely seen better days.

This is what the inside of each drawer looked like before transformation.
Now somebody tried to glue Humpty Dumpty back together again...but
it just wasn't getting it.

 My brain begin to whirl...what could I do to the drawers? Replace, make new ones?

 How about repairing the old ones with our old friend, Mod Podge?

Mod Podge to the Rescue!!

First, I covered the drawers on the front outside with several layers of

tissue paper and MP. Then I repeated the process on the inside.

This is the middle drawer that lost its knob.

Picture of the three drawers with the beginning layers of tissue paper.
After securing the tissue with layers of  MP, I set them aside and let them dry.
Next, I painted the beat up little box, blue...then black and distressed it.
I added Annie Sloan dark wax and buffed the black to a soft sheen.



I painted the insides of the boxes, blue and orange and MP'd again.

Then I painted the fronts of the drawers off white, clear waxed them and then dark waxed with AS wax.

I buffed them and after a while decided to paint a similar design to the original ones on the fronts.

I distressed them and added a flower where the knob should have been on the knobless drawer.



This is the result of the rescue.
BTW: Note that one leg is different from the rest.
(This little chest has been through it!)

I lightly sprayed a polyurethane finish both inside and out.
I have no idea how this will hold up, but it appears to be a good fix
for something that was headed to the garbage can!!

Transforming is good,

Mod Podged Matchbox Covers

I feel the footsteps of Christmas nipping at my heels! What about you? I get into a dither about this time every year. Even though I've had plenty of time to do something about it, I haven't done the first thing!

 Between knee surgeries this summer I bought an inexpensive embroidery sewing machine. It's the Brother SE-400. It's the teeny tiny baby Brother to all the fabulous machines on the market, but the hubster knows me well...I never met a craft I didn't like...at least, for a while. So to prove that I really want a nicer machine (one with more bells and whistles) he'd only ok the teeny tiny Brother. And I must admit, so far it's been just fine...

I wanted to craft some inexpensive gifts for little "remembrances" at Christmas...and so I teamed up with burlap, Mod Podge, ribbon and vintage jewelry to make covered matchboxes. I have made small ones before, but these are the large boxes which hold 200-250 matches.

Let's cut to the chase and show you how to do this (and don't worry if you don't have a monogram machine, I made some without monograms for you, too! The principles are still the same.)

Gather your supplies:

Matches were very inexpensive for two boxes.

Mod Podge, large boxes of matches, and your fabric for the top and bottom of the box.

I monogrammed my burlap before starting this project but you could easily purchase an applique if you'd like...this will, however, increase your costs considerably. 

You will need assorted ribbon, twine, glue gun, black acrylic paint and vintage jewelry.

Step one: Remove the tray of matches and paint the top AND bottom of the cover with black acrylic paint. Stand on end and let dry. This is to "erase" all the writing that might show through.

If using light fabric, you may want to use Gesso or white acrylic paint.

After the paint has dried, cover the top with Mod Podge and attach a fabric piece that has been cut to fit the top. You may have to trim the piece a little after the MP has dried.

Press down on the fabric so that it adheres well. Do the same for the other side of the cover.

After the underside of the top fabric has dried, I Mod Podged the topside...but I did skip the monogram.

Now this was a quandary.

 I wasn't sure I wanted to MP the top, so I made this box for myself as a trial run.

Turns out that I like it better without MP'ing the whole thing.

While the MP was drying (which took a while with the burlap),

I assembled a bow and picked out my vintage earring. I removed the clasp.

I wrapped some ribbon around the entire cover.

 (You may want to remind your recipients to strike the match away from the ribbon or they may have one hot mess.)

 Burlap is still drying. :(

Then I attached the bow and clasp with hot glue to the front of the box.

You may notice that the burlap looks a little wonky.

I re-stretched it and neatened it up a bit.

Also don't forget to trim the sides of the burlap so that they fit the box evenly.

I trimmed AFTER this picture....I know, I know.

I followed the same steps with this fabric covered box except

I did NOT Mod Podge the top of this fabric, but I DID MP around all the edges to cut down on fraying.

The same for this burlap...it was easier to MP just around the edges.

I do so love this earring!

Here's the whole happy little matchbox family!

The other four boxes are now residing at Dwellings, my little shop on highway 49 south just outside of Florence, MS...if you are in the area, please, drop by!

Happy Veterans' Day to all who have served our country.
This includes my father, Robert H. Alexander, who was a Naval Aviator and my father in law, John R. McInnis, Jr.  who served in the Army and lost his life in the Korean conflict.

God Bless the USA (please),

Mod Podge a Pumpkin Candle Holder

When you are in need of a gift and have just a little time to spare,
here's one that's fun and reasonably priced.

I found the glass bowl/candle holder, matches and candle at $ Tree...

I  Mod Podged orange tissue paper strips lengthwise over the glass.

Then I Mod Podged green twine around the top and added two burlap leaves..

MP is still wet in the picture...I also dabbed it around the leaves to prevent more fraying.

It lights up nicely.

(Light bulb: a baby food jar would be cute done this way! Maybe use a battery tea light!)

I used some scrapbook paper to cover the candle and matchbox!

Added some candy pumpkins and wrapped appropriately...

cute little happy!

 (Of course, a more expensive candle would be..well....more expensive!)

Now, I know you know somebody who needs a little pick me up!

No excuses,

Make Mine Vintage...Clinton Olde Towne Market

My friends, Larry & Fran Gatewood are the proud owners of "When Pigs Fly", a delightful little shop full of vintage items in downtown Clinton, MS. If you've never been to "Olde Towne", as Clintonians call it, then you've missed a treat. It's just like being in a Jan Karon fictional town! Recently Fran invited me to come to the downtown merchants once a month market and show some of my "re-constructions" of vintage items. This month's theme was "Make Mine Vintage".

So off I took (BY MYSELF...I might add...Hubster had the state track meet...grandson was busy...and old Grandmother had to put on her big girl drawers and drive, load, unload, set up and demo and knock down ALL BY MYSELF!) I am happy to report that I handled it all quite well, thank you very much. My only real problem was that I didn't have too much time to shop. I couldn't desert my demo post.

Here's a shot before I got everything placed.
The wind was quite brisk and I was prepared for a rather hot day, but it was downright cool all day. The market lasted from 9am until 1pm. Much to my delight, my booth was situated right across from watercolor artist, Wyatt Waters' studio. I got to meet him and he is such a nice person. It made me like his art work even more than I already do. BTW: he and Chef Robert St. John are collaborating on a new cookbook. If you've never seen their books, run, don't walk, to a bookstore and purchase one. They are beautiful!

I took anything that had "old" connected to it (including myself) and that had been repurposed...for instance, the flag stand is composed of three old pieces of wood; the pictures you've seen before and were made of old patterns, tissue, papers, beads, etc....the little red chair is an apple crate that was made into chairs for the little girls in my Grenada, Mississippi, Merry Morning Kindergarten class...I mean I actually sat in that little red chair as a 5 yr old...I put my ballet slippers and tap shoes in the little area underneath! An old Ball jar holds vintage tomato pin cushions and strawberries.

The felted chicken pin cushions were bought on Ebay from the seller, Prim Penny, and sit on an unfinished quilt square and a miniature hooked rug.


Pictured above was the "pink" table...pin cushions, pillow, and shadowbox and memorabilia frame.

This Crazy Quilt pin cushion was a Mother's Day gift for my mom.

She kept in on her dressing table.

Below is an old cigar box with tiny matchbox drawers and the items related

to sewing were a big hit.

I found this plaque at HOB LOB and re-purposed it...Christmas ornament from sheet music is on the left and my business cards in the little bird holder. I am hoping some of the ladies that took my cards will join us on the blog! BTW: the new word for re-purpose is UPCYCLE.

1930's Sheet music wreaths, etc on this table. Do you see the MOD PODGE hiding in the upper left corner? Couldn't do a demo without the Nectar of the gods...ha!

My booth "neighbors" on my left were the Hackney's who made wonderful honey...Spring and Autumn. I have posted their card, so if you are interested, you might contact them.

BTW: I bought Spring...yummo! They also have goat's milk and honey soap and lotion.

My neighbors to the right were the Sumrall's. Johnny Sumrall has written a great book on Rock and Roll in Mississippi! A fun read and a super friendly couple...

BTW: I bought a copy of the book.

Also available is a CD with Rock and Roll songs from the 50's through the 1970's. Mrs. Sumrall and I had several laughs and she watched my booth while I scouted out the merchandise.
The day was perfect! Cool, sunny...but not too sunny... and I met some of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. I hope next time Clinton has such a gathering, you will take the time to drive over and enjoy the day. BTW: the day's events were coordinated by Tara Lytal, and she was one busy lady...but I never saw her without a smile on her face.
I'd like to thank Franster (aka Fran G.) for the invite...she provided my tent and a much needed cardtable. Make sure you go visit Fran and Larry at "When Pigs Fly"....you will thank me, if you do!!

Hope you like "Vintage" as much as I do,

Angela

Old Book...New Planter Tutorial

I am working on a project that I hope you will find interesting...I'll tell you about it later this week, however, I've been diligently pulling everything together for the past few weeks. Today, I finished another "spoke on the wheel" and thought you might like to see the fruits of my "labor." (A little Mother's Day pun..ha.)

The finished product is pictured above. Let me explain how we got to the above state of being. It all began with a yard sale find...

Three of these little planters were crying out to be taken home a few Saturdays ago. So for 50 cents each...who could resist? They have never been used, are wood overlayed with paper and each has a plastic insert inside...they were also marked $19.99! What?! Who in their right mind would pay $19.99 each for these things?

I decided to cover each side with old book pages. I marked black around the sides in case my overlay of book pages didn't quite meet on the sides.

I traced the sides, cut out four sides from the pattern and Mod Podged the sheets of an old science book onto each side. Using Tim Holtz Distress Ink, I aged the paper sides and MP'd again.

Ok, but rather Plain Jane if you ask me. So if a little is good, a lot must be better!!

A few floppy flowers, some velvety leaves, polka dot ribbon and feathers....and wahla... Cutie Pie!

Let's try her outside! Cute but oh, the sun will kill her!

Brought her inside and let her sit next to Peter's Pottery bunny! Yes, that's much better!

I love the colors and the overall look here. I don't know what I'll do with the other two planters, but this one is ready for next weekend...

I am linking to BoogieBoard Cottage & Amaze Me Monday (Dittle Dattle)...see buttons on right and come and join the party.

Hope you can find a fun, cute project to do,