Pap, pap, papioca... PAPER

So do you remember this:

from this post?

Well I bought the paper towel holder at Ross for 2 or 3 dollars. It was white and it had a rooster. I'm not a rooster person, not really. So I made it ME. I had hoped to make more as Christmas presents for my sisters but could never find any for a good price and it was hard to find any that were un-varnished.

Recently I was at my local thrift store and picked up two for $1.50 each. SCORE! They had clear coat on them but I just sanded them before painting.

One of these is for my sister. My other sister has one she likes so I just made over the other one for fun. Maybe I'll sell it at a craft/ yard sale I'm planning.

As always: Pick your coordinating paper, cut it out, mod podge, smooth, mod podge, and put together.

I did a smaller circle of a coordinating paper for some visual interest.

My sister has simple taste and her kitchen is black and white so I just did this paper. Simple, but cute. I could have painted the top black, and if she wants me to I still will.

And for the reveal:

p.s. since I never get to brag

Since I rarely get to brag about fab finds.... I GOT ONE!

I have a little table from IKEA (one of those simple side tables) in my little bud's room. I've wanted some sort of organizing system for toys/ colored pencils or whatever on the table....

LOOOOOOOOOOOOK! $5.00 at a garage sale.

Inside it looks lilke there used to be drawers so I need to buy some of those things like when you're putting together a target bookcase that shelves rest on and then some wood to make shelves, but I am pretty darn excited. I don't even think I have to paint it.

OOOh. Idea. What if! I painted the inside a funky color????!

What color would you choose?

On thrifting and party week

So. I kind of dropped the ball on party week. Sorry about that. I do have more projects to share and I hope you enjoyed the 3 (plus a few from before) party crafts/ideas.
What can I say? Life has a way of sneaking up on you. I am trying to prioritize more and spend more time with my family and less time on the computer. It's hard work!

On thrifting:

Does anyone else feel like everyone else out there has way better thrift stores with way better finds? I do. I go and have some idea of something I'd like in mind or I try really hard to see the possibilities but I rarely seem to find anything that is as wonderful as things I have seen on blogs.
I will say this: I think it is absolutely wonderful that thrifting is 'in'. Five years ago (rough estimate, actually I just threw a number out there) no one would be caught dead in a thrift store unless they were down and out and couldn't afford anything else. Now I can walk into a thrift store and it is teeming with ladies looking for a ready-to-make-it-into-an-absolute-treasure find. (That's where all the good stuff is going!) I think that is one of the most hopeful things to see. How wonderful that it is trendy (an hopefully one that will last) to save money, to create, to refinish... all of that fab stuff.
Now. I tell you what... I wish houses were like thrift store finds. I saw this house... this AMAZING house. Huge white colonial style mansion with a matching greenhouse. I drove past this house every time I visited my dad and I loved it. It was vacant. Oh how I longed to buy and save that house.
Then.
Graffiti (how lame can you get?!).
Then.
Demolition (even lamer!).
I am sure the house was probably condemned, but I hated HATED to see that treasure die.
NOW they are building some modern monstrosity on the property... No charm. No beauty like that found in a period-style, classic home. :(
If I had had the money...
that would be my huge thrift store treasure ready for fixing up.
Oh well.
Have a good night and good luck thrifting!