Recently, I met a new blog friend named Joy, The Joy Of, and if you haven’t already met her, you must check out her beautiful blog. She’s all the way up in Canada, so really far away, but I just love her creativity & love of thrifting like mine. We are kindred spirits with the yardsale finds & bargains & I love to see all the beautiful paper crafts she comes up with. Well, she just celebrated her 2nd year anniversery of blogging with a giveaway & I was the lucky winner! Above is the stash that Joy sent me, a pretty handmade clipboard adorned with vintage wallpaper & postcard, buttons, ribbons & stickers, glass glitter which I know I’ll have fun with (I haven’t used glitter since grade school, maybe?!), a Paris eraser (at least that is what I have deduced from taking it out, touching & smelling it), a cute Halloween sign, & a set of oh, so pretty fall leaf napkins, which I will have the opportunity to use very soon. Thank you so much Joy…you made my weekend with all of this! Go & visit Joy, you won’t be sorry!
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I did get in a small bit of yardsaling on Saturday, nothing too wonderful, so don’t get too excited….I’m easily amused.
My 2 old tired beach chairs that were over 10 years old, finally gave out & we really needed some new ones. We sometimes go out & listen to outdoor concerts & needed some chairs to take, so I figured that eventually I’d find a pair that would work for us. They need to be sturdy, as my hubby is not a little guy. So, I found a pair of these on Saturday for $5 each. They are sturdy, have a cup holder & they’re in great shape too! I’ll take ’em.
Fitz & Floyd brand new, still in the box, Christmas plate for $2. I think I’ll keep this one for Christmas this year, it’s really pretty.
I’m always on the lookout for cheap (but good quality…let me clarify that) jewelry. The black necklace was $2 (made by Premier) & the other set was $2 (brand new too). You know I love leopard stuff, so this necklace & earrings will be great with my outfits…and I love black.
The weekend was the beginning of the paint projects…the bookcase got some moldings added & the painting has begun. Remember, this is the before pic. I decided to paint both the bookcase and the TV cabinet with a chocolate brown paint that I already have on hand, called Turret Stairs by Ralph Lauren. I used this color awhile ago in one of my guestbaths on the bathroom cabinets. It’s a rich chocolatey brown shade, very yummy.
Picked up the rope molding and the little feet at Lowes. I figured out how much I would need on each side of the bookcase for the rope & being cheap, would have had to buy two 8′ lengths of rope molding, so I looked around in the staircase & railing wood section & saw these 2 little pieces that are perfect for a base on my bookcase & added the extra 5-6″ I needed on each side. The rope piece was $12 and the little feet were $6 for both, so for an additional $18, my bookcase will be tricked out just right & be a whole lot more interesting.
And you’ll remember the nightstand I bought?
It got a good coat of primer and will be ready for it’s coat of black satin paint. I still have to buy that yet.
My trusty miter box that I bought 2 years ago has really come in handy for these little projects. It’s an easy way to get things done if you don’t want to mess with power tools. I would love to have some power tools, so maybe one day I’ll get a few.
Rope molding & feet in place on my bookcase. Used wood glue to hold it all in place til dry. Remember when you’re doing a project like this, the caulk gun is your friend. I used lots of it in the corners of the bookcase shelves to fill in the gaps & also around the molding I added. Really makes a finished look & the paint just looks better when everything is caulked. Just a little tip for ya!
There she is waiting for the wood to dry. As of right now, I already have one coat of chocolate brown on both the bookcase & the TV cabinet & they are both looking good! I use a small 2″ foam roller on my furniture painting. They work great & get in small places, really puts the paint on smooth. If I was really on the ball, I would pull off the cardboard backing on this bookshelf & replace it with beadboard. For now, I’m leaving it as is, but somewhere down the line, I just might do that! Esp. if I find a small piece of beadboard laying around somewhere that will fit.
TV cabinet primed & ready for the brown paint. One coat down already & I can’t wait to show you the finished product. I’m lovin’ it already! My hubby has already mentioned to me how much he is enjoying his office. Since we are getting a new TV in there, we needed to get another DISH receiver, so we are upgrading to a duel DVR. Can you say wooo-hoooo with me!? I’ve heard all about Tivo & DVR’s, but we just hadn’t done it yet. I think we are both excited to have this new little gadget in the house & it will be loads of fun skipping through those commercials. 
AHA! Thank you for unveiling the mystery of adding moldings. I am very interested. I specially appreciated the step by step photos. Have you ever considered writing a book? Seriously!
Questions: how do you wipe off excess calk? Do you paint with latex? Do you have to do anything to a piece before you spray prime it? Thanks in advance.
Are you going to keep the knobs for that nightstand? I hope so, I love them! That is a great idea to spruce up the bookshelf!! We have an old wood bookshelf in my son’s room. At the very least it needs a new coat of paint, but I’m glad I haven’t done it use because I will now look into putting some sharp looking trim on it to spruce it up and make it look less utilitarian! Whee! Thanks again for the marvelous ideas! Congrats on your blog give away win! Give aways are so much fun!
Another question to add to Martha’s set, do you need to remove any paint before gluing molding to the wood?
I love Joy’s blog too! She is amazing, and you are lucky to have won her giveaway!
Love your little projects! We are painting a mirror and hanging some stuff this afternoon. We end up with so many little things to do around here. I get tired of seeing things laying against the walls waiting to be hung! I just keep buying more, guess I should stop doing that until we catch up!
xo,
Melissa
I love seeing before, during, and after pictures! I think the book case will turn out beautiful. A few years ago, I figured out the caulk trick on a project. We had replaced a window and the old trim (original trim to our 1894 house) did not go back on very well. I got a tube of paintable caulk, filled in the gaps, and voila! That window is the best looking window in the house. (I have since done several other windows in the house, but I have a lot more to go. We have 26 windows… lol.)
Thanks for sharing! I can’t wait to see your final product!
Wow, I am always in awe of people who tackle such big projects! You are a true inspiration. ( I’m lucky if I can get the vacuuming done… LOL. ) I can’t wait to see how all your paint projects turn out. 🙂
xoxo,
Mary
Ok, girls! I should have taken a pic of my little paint roller that I use on furniture. It’s a tiny 2″ foam roller that works great on small pieces. That and a 1″ paintbrush is all I use on furniture pieces like this. The roller goes on smooth. That’s what I used for the primer (Kilz water-based primer in a can), roll it on & let it dry over night, then you’re ready for paint.
Martha, nope, I haven’t considered writing a book..as least not yet! LOL Have a damp old rag handy to wipe off that caulk with. I do paint with latex paint, so much easier to clean up. I hate oil! As far as priming, I just prime & then paint 2 coats of whatever paint I happen to have around, wall paint included. This Ralph Lauren paint I’m using is just Satin wall paint. Priming does help to seal a piece & get it ready for paint. I did go over the big TV cabinet with a product called Liquid Sandpaper. It is supposed to degloss the surface & make it ready for paint. I did it only on the big TV cabinet, as it had a bit of a shiny finish. I’ll show ya’ll all these products & tools in another post when I get all of this finished so you can see if all at one time. I primed the TV cabinet, but did not prime the bookcase. It didn’t have a shiny surface, so I think it will be fine. I just use my judgement when I’m doing a project & it usually works for me.
Kristi, as far as gluing on with woodglue, that stuff works well. I didn’t sand the bookcase, it wasn’t real shiny, so I just spread the glue on & then taped it down with that painters tape to keep it in place til it dried overnight. I think it will stay on there fine. It shouldn’t get a lot of wear & tear on it anyway, once it’s in place. I’m keeping the knobs on the nightstand, but I will paint them with my Sophisticated Bronze paint to make the look better on there. Same with the TV cabinet.
Glad you girls are inspired! Feel free to ask any other questions..I’m glad to share.
Rhoda
You are so welcome Rhoda! Glad you enjoyed your prize pack!
Love all of the projects you’ve got goin’ on…
Rhoda, you just amaze me! Do you ever get tired??? I love the things you come up with, and your energy inspires me a lot!
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)
Rhoda, everything is going to look great with the changes you are planning for them!
You are one very busy, busy lady.
Blessings,
Sher
You do find such great things! That little angel is really sweet.
Great solution for the molding! You’re so clever! That bookcase is going to look so great when it’s all done. The TV cabinet is a big piece to paint! Can’t wait to see it all done. You had busy weekend!
Congrats on winning all that cool stuff!
Manuela
Manuela
I swear, you have the greatest luck at yard sales. What finds!
I was so interested in the moldings. I loved the step by step process. I love the knobs, too!
I will check out Joy’s blog.
Congrats on winning Joy’s drawing! You lucky duck, you!
I’d never have thought of taping the trim down, either. How smart!
Rhoda,
Don’t you just love Joy? Your gifts are so wonderful. Congratulations!!
I love how many projects you have going at one time. You work, decorate, rejuvenate and cook!
Love,
Julie
Rhoda! Looks like you are still up to your transformations. I always enjoy seeing what you come up with.
Rhoda, What a nice suprise to receive in the mail. Thanks for the link to the blog.
I look for your yard sale finds each Sunday. I love the leapoard print jewelry, perfect for you! I don’t like shopping at the malls either, especially that I know I will eventually find what I want at a fraction of the cost.
Your dh’s office is going to be wonderful and I’m sure he is thrilled with the cost. I love the way you are dressing up the bookcase. So nice of you to share your steps and you should write a book!
WOW! I wish I had the energy to do all that. I have so many pieces I want to paint and stain I just don’t know where to begin. I front door needs to be much darker so maybe I will stain that first then go from there. Show us the after pictures of your book case, I’m sure it will be nothing less that beautiful.
ginger
fritz for $2…what a steal…love the project…your ideas always excite me… you’ll love tivo…blessings, rebecca