Repurpose

Repurposed Decoupage Photograph Shadow Box

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I was very excited recently, when I received my prize in the mail from Ray’s Sew Crafty‘s Labor day giveaway.  A lovely book filled with different designed scrapbook paper. I was eager to use this paper on a project and share it with all of you.  Once again I want to send a big thank you to Diana at Ray’s Sew Crafty. Be sure and stop by and check out her blog!

Labor Day Giveaway

 

I had a set of three different sized black shadow box shelves that I wasn’t sure what to do with.  I decided to repurpose the medium-sized shelf into a photo shadow box.  I gathered my materials:

Shelf

Scrapbook paper

Photo

Mod Podge/Foam craft brush

Hot Glue Gun

Black Fine Tipped Marker and Scissors

I traced the four sides of the shelf with a black marker.  I cut the tracings out with a pair of scissors and placed them aside.  I applied Mod Podge to the outside of the shelf with a foam brush, and carefully applied the scrapbook paper to the outside.  Once dry, I applied Mod Podge over the top of the paper to seal it.  I used the hot glue gun to carefully glue the photo to the back, leaving a small space at the top if I decided to hang it on the wall.

Photo Shadow Box

 

I wish the edges had come out better, as I accidentally touched them before they were dry! Overall I loved the project and what a wonderful way to display a favorite photograph!

Sports Fan Inspired Upcycled Laundry Room Folding Table

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My husband and I have been working on each room in the house, cleaning reorganizing and coming up with new ideas for old items.  One of the areas that needed attention was our basement/laundry area. Our basement is damp and unfinished and keeping it clean is quite a challenge. It also serves as our laundry area.  We have a table in our basement we used in our kitchen for many years. We now use the table for folding and basement storage.  When we moved into our home six years ago, our kitchen was too small for such a large table so it was delegated to the basement.

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I am blessed to have a husband that helps with the household chores, especially the chores I hate!  One of these chores is doing laundry and he graciously does the family laundry every Sunday evening.  He is also a huge Phillies fan through good times and bad. While we were grocery shopping, we came across a Philadelphia Phillies plastic table-cloth in a bargain bin. It was priced right at $1.69.

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I thought it would be great to redo the grungy basement table into a Phillies fan table, and a great way to thank the hubby for all of the laundry he does!  My only concern was that the table cover was plastic.  As stated in previous posts, Mod Podge doesn’t always adhere well to certain plastics.  I thought this would be a great experiment as I had never used a plastic table-cloth for decoupage.  First, I cleaned and painted the table surface with a white latex primer.  This was important because the table cloth was white and the brown surface could potentially bleed through the white table-cloth.

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Once the paint was dry, I generously applied Mod Podge to the table surface with a large paintbrush.  I carefully layed the table cloth on top of the Mod Podge table surface.  This was the most challenging aspect of the project as the table cloth material is thin and prone to wrinkles and air bubbles.  The table cover also is spread across a larger surface area.  I smoothed out the table cover as best I could and applied Mod Podge over the top of the cover and allowed it to dry. I used scissors to carefully trim away the excess table cover hanging over the edges.

DSC_0915I used two coats of a polyurethane clear coat to seal the table surface, I allowed the first coat to dry for 4 hours and the second was left to dry over night.  I applied additional Mod Podge to the edges to prevent any minor curling.  This project was certainly not without its challenges, but despite these I think it turned out great.  The hubby may have lost his sports room to a playroom, but his laundry room is on its way to becoming a surrogate man cave!

Phillies sports Fan Table decoupage table cover

Follow “On The Upcycle” on Twitter

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Follow On The Upcycle Now on Twitter

Now there is another new way to keep up with the “upcycle”.  You can follow my blog “On the Upcycle” via my new Twitter account.  I have never “tweeted” before so this should be interesting!

Upcycled Coffee Cans and Glass Jars

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It has been a hectic few weeks and my upcycling ways have suffered a bit.  My free time has consisted of some travel, household chores, decorating for fall and getting my craft space in order.  I have a few projects in the works, but lately I feel like I am coming up mostly empty-handed during my Goodwill lunches.   During these lean crafting times, I try to work on the craft room.   I am hoping to share it one day, but alas it is far from finished.  I am still finding ways to organize supplies, and just hung some shelves: Progress!

A great way to organize paint brushes and general supplies are old coffee cans and glass jars.  I like to cover them with fabric using Mod Podge.  Glass covered jars not only make great lamps, they also are a decorative way to organize craft room supplies. Simply measure the fabric, cut,  and apply the Mod Podge and fabric to the outside of the coffee can.

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Similar method can be used to apply fabric to glass jars, such as pickle jars, and spaghetti jars.  The possibilities and uses for these items are endless, and it is a great way to repurpose and recycle throw away items. What’s better than craft room storage for free?

For The Kid In All Of Us: Upcycled Justice League Of America Adult Fan Chair

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Poor abused dinner table chair!  I managed to spill paint on it,  drip hot glue on it, and just made a general mess out of it.  It became a place to craft on with the intention that one day, I would give it a new life.  I have a set of four that belonged to the kitchen table we owned previously.  The table was broken, but we kept the chairs.  They are about as basic as it gets, similar to the one picture below.

Windsor ChairWhen I finished the Kids Justice League Of America Chair a few people including the hubby, suggested I create an adult version for all the “grown up” Justice League fans out there. This chair seemed like a good candidate for a super hero makeover.  The chair was heavily lacquered so a white latex primer was a must! Once primed, I trimmed and applied the print to the seat surface.  I found a great image featuring The Justice League Of America characters.  These characters had a more adult feel.  I used Mod Podge to adhere the image to the seat with a coat of Mod Podge applied over top to seal.  I then painted the entire chair with Red, White and Blue acrylic paint. This was the most labor intensive part of this project and required multiple applications of paint, but proved therapeutic after another stressful week.   I applied Mod Podge to the entire painted area of the chair to seal it.

Decoupage Justice League Chair

Super Hero Fan Chair

Upcycled Super Hero Chair

To make a “Super” Chair you will need:

Old chair

Comic book pages or printed image

Acrylic paint

White latex primer spray or brush on

brushes, scissors

Mod Podge

It’s Raining Black Cats: DIY Upcycled Decorative Halloween Lamp

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Hands down, Autumn is my favorite time of year.  From Pumpkin coffee to homes decorated with colorful mums, It is apparent fall is here and Halloween is just around the corner.  What better way to celebrate the most fun and certaintly most spookiest of holidays than with an upcycle craft celebrating All Hallows Eve?

I visited Joann Fabric and picked up some festive material featuring very scary black cats in different poses.  I thought the orange-colored background would look nicely when the lamp light shines through it.

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Materials:

Halloween fabric of choice

Small lamp base

Dollar Store Glass Vase (You can also use a glass jar)

Mod Podge

Scissors/Paint Brush/thin tipped black marker

Twine/String

First, I wrapped the fabric around the outside of the vase and trimmed with scissors.  I traced the bottom of the glass vase on the back of the fabric.  I cut the circle of material out and placed it aside,  I applied Mod Podge to the outside of the glass with a brush and carefully wrapped the material around it smoothing it out with my hands.  I cut a piece of twine off the spool and tied it around what would be the base of the lamp.  Doing this helps add a decorative touch and holds the fabric in place while drying,

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I  stood the vase up and applied the last piece of fabric to what would be the top of the lamp.  Once applied, I covered the entire outside with Mod Podge.

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Once the piece was dry, I added one additional coat of Mod Podge to the lamp and fabric.  What is great about these lamps is the capability to use one lamplight base and switch out different decorated glass jars and vases to create new decorative lighting looks.

DIY Decorative Halloween lamp made with Mod Podge and fabric

Hope you enjoy my festive feline Halloween lamp!  ahhh I can taste the candy corn now!

Pretty As A Peacock: Side Table Redesign

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I picked up this side table at Goodwill.  I loved the design qualities it had, but this piece was in poor shape.  Most of the finish was worn off, and it had issues with sturdiness.  Due to these shortcomings, this table was priced right at only $3.99.

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It sat for a while collecting dust.  I wanted to do something really special with it, but my vision was stifled.  I used it to work on projects, but this table certainly deserved a more dignified life, A trip to Jo Ann Fabrics changed everything.  They have a new super store less than a mile from home and it stocks row upon row of fabric.  I came across a beautiful peacock inspired fabric.  It made me think of the side table and I decided to buy about a yard of it.  I liked it so much I wanted to have extra to use in a future project or two. It felt nice to treat myself a little, plus I had a 40% off coupon!

I took the table outside cleaned it, and tightened it up as best I could. I used a can of white spray primer to prepare the table for painting.

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Once dry I brought it  back inside the house to the craft room.  I flipped the table over tracing the table on the back of the fabric with a black fine tipped marker twice, once for the top surface and once for the middle shelf.  I cut the fabric with scissors.  I applied the Mod Podge on both shelves and carefully place the fabric down, smoothing it out with my hands,  I applied Mod Podge over top and allowed it to dry,  Any excess fabric, I trimmed with a box cutter knife.  I also applied extra Mod Podge to the corners where the fabric meets the table .

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I used two coats of black and white acrylic paint to paint the remaining areas of the table. Once the paint was dry, I used a Polyurethane clear gloss to seal the table and give it a shiny appearance.

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Before and After:

peacock table before and after

 

Want to strut your stuff and make a peacock inspired table?  Here is what you will need:

Table

Peacock inspired fabric (From Jo ann Fabric)

Mod Podge

Acrylic Paint

Spray on Primer

Polyurethane clear sealer

Box Cutter, Scissors, Fine tipped marker

Paint Brushes

 

Stepping through time: DIY Cemetery Flowers And A walk through St Peter’s Cemetery, Staten Island, New York

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Yesterday, my daughter and I took a trip to visit my aunt in New York.  During the trip, my sister and I traveled over to St. Peter’s Cemetery in Staten Island to visit several ancestors memorials.  I called the cemetery office and spoke with Pat who was wonderful!  I e-mailed her with a list of names I suspected were interred at the cemetery. She responded back with several and provided the grave plots and locations along with a cemetery map.  I planned on photographing the graves, but also wanted to leave something for them out of respect.

I found some old artificial flowers and glass candle holders in our attic as well as some left over styrofoam packing materials.  I decided to use these items to come up with a small tribute to each grave as I visited.

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I had to create five total and did not have enough styrofoam for the bases.  I used two glass candle holders instead with a small piece of styrofoam inside to attach the flowers.  I used scrap fabric, paint and hot glue to put these together.  I was also stopping by to visit my grandparents and made a special one for them with my daughter’s picture in it.

Repurpused Grave Memorial Flowers

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My daughter visiting her great grandparents

Stay tuned for more of the genealogy series!

The Cats Meow: Repurposed Cookie Jar Planter

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In my kitchen recently while organizing and cleaning, I came across this great white cat cookie jar I had for many years that I picked up at a yard sale.  When I originally purchased it, I knew nothing about it.  It had a slight crack in the front.  Through the years, the straw hat was broken and missing, and it sat for 7 years collecting dust on the top of the kitchen cabinet.

I took it down and gave it a look.  Thanks to the internet I discovered it is a Metlox Cookie Jar.  Turns out they are vintage and very collectible when in good condition. Online they go for between $35.00 to $125.00! Of course this cat had seen better days, and wouldn’t be worth anything with a cracked nose and a missing hat.

I am starting to begin to think my upcycling ways are beginning to rub off on my husband.  When I scratched my head as to what to do with it he suggested a planter!

Upcycled Broken Metlox Cookie jar

What a great idea!  I purchased a small fall mum and placed it inside the jar.  Since there are no holes at the bottom of the jar, I left the mum in its original container so the water can properly drain away from the plants roots. Recently, I lost my beautiful cat Clyde at the age of 17 to kidney disease.  I created a memorial garden in his honor,  and I thought this would make a great addition to it. A great way to upcycle an old cookie jar!

Metlox Broken Cookie Jar Upcycle

Feline Memorial Garden

 

My daughter was more interested in the wind chime, but loves to help mom in the garden and in the craft room.  She is my little toddler apprentice after all.

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And The Winner Is…. Me!?!

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Good Morning to all my blogging friends!  It is a happier Monday than usual, thanks to Diana at Ray’s Sew Crafty.  I just wanted to personally thank her for making my day!  She has an amazing crafting blog, and is a lover of cats as I am!  Be sure and check it out! Diana sponsored a Labor Day Giveaway on her site and I happened to be the very lucky winner of a book of beautiful scrapbook papers (Can you say decoupage?)

Scrapbook paper winner!

Congratulations also to  Laura (from the Sew Frou Frou Quilter ) She won the cute Hugabook story book panel.

Also… If you missed it, be sure and check out my friend Elise from 2 Geeks and a Grandma at Cheeky Geeks Blog.  This month, Elise is featuring all things “Geeky”  Sci Fi, Retro you name it!  I was honored when Elise asked if I would be a guest blogger, my very first guest blogger position! My contribution is a  full tutorial on how to make a retro upcycled kids table and chair featuring an old Strawberry Shortcake record.  Be sure and stop by and check it out! Elise will be featuring all things “retro” this week.   Visit her for more to come, should be lots of fun!!

Enjoy your day my friends!

Cheeky Geeks : Geek Month Celebration