~patriotic sign re-do~

I love making signs, and especially for the holidays.

So when I saw this, I knew I had to recreate it in my own "neutral" way!

Here is how it turned out:

And here is the before:

A $6.99 thrift store sign/clock thing.

This just goes to show you don't need to find the prettiest things while out thrifting, just things with good bones.

I didn't have to do a thing to the frame, and I simply painted the whole piece white and added the black lettering.

Side by side comparison:

Much better!

I am way behind on my holiday decorating.

Not that I usually do a ton for the fourth, but usually more than this!

I do have a good reason though.

We have been super busy working on a BIG project that I will be sharing here on July 3rd.

You won't want to miss this one!

xoxo

~thrifty thursday~fab furniture find

I am sure you know by now how I love to go to thrift stores.

There's something about finding that special unique item and hauling it home.

Most items need either a little work, a make over, or make under, but I am happy to do just that.

I want to show you this piece that I picked up recently at Value Village for under $100.00.

When looking at furniture at thrift stores, don't be intimidated by their color or hardware. That can all be easily changed.

With so many paints to choose from now days that require no sanding or priming, things are so much easier.

Instead look at the character each piece has.

The details,

How easily the drawers slide open and closed.

I decided not to paint this piece.

Instead over the course of 2 days I sanded it down to raw wood.

I removed all the hardware and replaced with wooden knobs

{ran 2 short, another trip back to the store!}

I still might wax it but I'd like to keep the color.

I could not have got around all that detail without this sander.

Lifesaver to say the least!

It has a tip that you can add on to get into really tight places and unlike my other sanders, the sandpaper is pre cut and velcros on!

I am still unsure if I will keep these knobs or do old white porcelain ones.

Can't wait for you to see this in place all styled up!

xoxo

~oh deer, it's a holiday thrift shop challenge~

Alice from Thoughts From Alice asked if I'd like to participate in a challenge making over a holiday item from the thrift store. Since thrift store is my middle name, 

I didn't hesitate to say yes.

I found these 4 matching deer ornaments at my local thrift shop for $3.99.

I thought they were pretty cute as is, but decided to dress them up a bit. 

I bought 4 of these unfinished wooden shield plaques from Joanne Fabrics, along with some vintage looking floral scrapbooking papers.

The first step was to cut the paper to fit the tops of the plaques. I did this by flipping the plaques over and tracing around them with pencil onto the paper and cutting out. 

Modge podge them onto the plaques.

Any excess paper can be sanded off. 

This step also helps create a worn vintage look.

Drill holes through the tops of each one so you can hang them as ornaments on your tree.

They should look like this at this point.

The next step is to age them. I used Annie Sloan dark wax and a rag, but you can also use stain.

Go over the outside edges and smudge it onto the paper a bit as well.

Let dry.

Before and after the dark wax.

Use ribbon, or twine to tie a bow.

I used liquid nails to attach the deer to the center of each plaque and let them dry overnight.

I love how they turned out.

I wish there was more than four!

I hung them on my tree in our dining room.

This tree is new to me this year too.

It's a narrow frosted frazier fir from Balsam Hill.

I've always wanted a frosted tree and this one looks so real!

Don't forget to check out everyone else's thrift shop makeovers:

Glam Christmas Throw Pillows by Thoughts from Alice

A Deer Thrift Store Makeover by Ciburbanity

Ugly Ducklings (Thrifted Sweater Stockings) by Maison de Pax

A Deerly Beloved Thrift Store Vignette by Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Holiday Thrift Store Challenge: Deer Mount Advent Calendar by Primitive & Proper

{Vintage Cookie Tin} Cake Centerpieces by Little Farmstead

DIY Embroidery Hoop Wall Hanging: Holiday Thrift Store Challenge by Simple Stylings

DIY Christmas Decorations from Thrifted Books by T-Shirt & Jeans

Christmas Cloche by Craftberry Bush

A Vintage Mantel for Winter by Finding Silver Pennies

Holiday Thrift Store Challenge - Christmas Chalkboard Globe by Heart Rocks in My Pocket

Thrifty DIY Part One: Faux Fur Throw Rug by Creating Vintage Charm

DIY Holiday Walling Hanging by House of Hipsters

Holiday Thrift Store Challenge: Modern Christmas Village by Number Fifty-Three

Christmas Decor from Thrifty Find by Town and Country Living

The Trellis Tree by Cozy Little House

Holiday Thrift Store Challenge Blog Hop by Shabby Love

DIY Centerpiece Tray by Cherished Bliss

Holiday Thrift Store Challenge – Vintage Sock Stretcher Stocking by Alex Inspired

A Merry Thriftmas Challenge: Re-purposed Holiday Tablescape by Home Remedies

Light Fixture Update - a Thrift Store Challenge by Nest of Posies

Holiday Thrift Store Challenge: Simple Christmas Decorations by Two Purple Couches

Rustic Christmas Tree by Delineate Your Dwelling

Oh Deer, It's a Holiday Thrift Shop Challenge by My Sweet Savannah

Simple Elegant Winter Vignette | Holiday Thrift Store Challenge by Cloth and Patina

DIY Shabby Chic Picture Frame365 Days of Crafts

DIY 3D Christmas Star Wreath - Holiday Thrift Store Challenge by The Chronicles of Home

DIY Crocks by So Much Better With Age

Simple Holiday Vignette | A Thrift Store Challenge by Restoration House Interiors

Thrift Store Christmas Decor Challenge by BrocanteuseRose

xoxo

~how to shop for furniture at a thrift store~

When you walk into a thrift store and peruse 

the furniture section, it can be a bit overwhelming.

At first glance you might not see anything that catches you eye.

However, if you keep the following in mind, you might just come out with a treasure.

1~ Look for overall quality. 

You do not want something that is warped, has veneer peeling off, or broken drawers. 

There is too much good furniture out there to waste your time on fixing something that is broken, unless you like doing that sort of thing.

2~Ignore the color or finish.

Everything can be painted. If something is neon green, do not dismiss it. Try and picture it a creamy white, or whatever color fits in with your color scheme.

There are many paint products out there now that do not require a lot of prep.

3~Make sure it is the right size.

I keep measurements written down of the things I need or the spaces they will be going in.

There's nothing worse than hauling a heavy piece of furniture home only to find out it won't fit through the door.

4~Look for things in pairs.

I have found it really hard to find 2 matching anything.

If you find matching pieces and you love them, scoop them up before someone else does.

5~Don't think too long.

Because while you are wandering around the store contemplating buying them, someone else may swoop in and scoop them up. 

6~Shop on sale days.

Most thrift stores offer specials where furniture will be half off, or discounted. 

There is also senior citizen days as well as other promotions that thrift shops offer. 

You can also get coupons for donations.

Even though the stuff is cheap to begin with, why not save more?

If you do go on a sale day, plan to be there at least 15 minutes before the doors open.

I've also been known to go the night before a sale day and if I find something I love, go back the next morning right at opening and head straight over to it.

7~Shop around.

There's plenty of thrift stores. If you don't have luck at the first one, head to the next.

You have to have patience, but great pieces will surface eventually!

8~Details.

Look for furniture with great lines. 

Curvy pieces, appliqués, fun knobs. {although those can be changed out}

If something has great "bones" you are good to go.

9~Only buy it if you love it.

If you are kinda wishy washy about a piece, maybe it's not meant for you.

Or, maybe it needs more work than you are willing to put into it.

Pass it by, something else will come along.

10~Re purpose.

When you see a piece, for example, the shelf below that is in my master bathroom,

 try and visualize it as something else.

At the bottom of this piece 

{not shown in the picture}

I added hooks to hang jewelry knowing it would be going in my bathroom.

 The shelf above was a really tacky dark brown color and it was dirty, very dirty.

But it was $6.99 and it had great bones.

I knew with a little paint and some new hooks it would make a lovely shelf to hold toiletries on.

I searched for years

{not even joking} 

for smallish dressers that I could use for night tables.

I happen to walk into a thrift store one day right at opening and saw 2 of these that had just been put out. They were $59.99 each if I remember correctly. 

I literally stood by them until a sales clerk walked by me so I could have him mark them sold.

I did not want these getting away!

Here is what they looked like before I painted them and added new knobs. 

They really weren't that bad, but the colors didn't go with the rest of the room, so they got a mini makeover.

Hopefully that helps you when you are out in search of the perfect piece of used furniture!

Just remember, there is nothing a little elbow grease can't fix.

xoxo