Turquoise lamp redo

 I found a lamp for $5 at a thrift store a while back. It was an awful fake gold color. I don't have a pic of that, but I'm sure you all know exactly the color I'm talking about. First order of business: paint it turquoise. I first wanted to make a new lampshade for it, but after three failed attempts, I bagged the lamp idea, so I ripped out the cords. I then had just an empty lamp and the blue was too bright. See above.

 So I sanded the blue. Some of the gold came through. Then I smeared dark brown paint over it to soften up the color.

 A few stems of forsythia and it sits pretty happy in my bathroom by the tub.

Happy redo-ing!
Summer

Easy and Inexpensive Window Valence

I came across these adorable little gift bags at the store one day and I thought they went perfectly with the theme and color scheme that I am doing in my little girl's room:flowers in pinks and greens. So I bought a few bags. I also had several cardboard boxes just laying around. They had held picture frames so they were all the same size:

about 9" X 13" and 2" deep.

Then my glue gun and I sat down and got to work

and this is what we came up with:

First, I glued several boxes together end to end. Then I cut one box in half and glued a half on each end perpendicular to my box chain. Then I unfolded the bags and glued them around the boxes. I covered the end caps with tissue paper and added a few ribbons to smooth out the seam lines. Then I poked a hole in each end and slid the curtain rod through.

Because it is so light weight, the curtain rod is strong enough to hold the valence up on its own and I didn't have to punch any new holes in the wall to hang it up.

Gifts - Make 'Em Stand Out!

I had a realy fun present... with a very boring presentation. I wanted my creative bridal shower gift idea to shine a little - maybe even stand out. :)

So I took a boring blue box and covered it with some cute striped wrapping paper using elmer's glue (I was out of good stick glue). Then I tied a simple brown ribbon around it.

It was cute, but not sassy enough for a bridal shower.

So I found some hot pink feathers, buttons, beads and a little hot glue.

Now we're talking!

But don't forget to make the card cute too!

I just glued wrapping paper to cardstock and pulled the same centerpiece trick on the card that I did on the box. It was a hit!

And of course, I filled it with games, candy and a little "eye-candy" for her fiance. :)

~Jannie