Thrift Store Shopping In Wisconsin

So I have been in Wisconsin for the past 5 days visiting my Dad, Molly & Maddy (my sis) for a family reunion.  While I was there I took my little sister to a few different thrift stores to find a project for us while I was there.  I didn't want to do a piece of furniture because they really didn't have a need for one, so I convinced my little sister that she needed a chalkboard for her room.  And while we were at the thrift stores I figured I might as well look around for things for me right?  so I bought all the stores out of everything they had in milk glass...apparently this is a sickness.  Not only did I end up with like 5 bowls, 4 compotes and 12 vases, I then had to ship out to California 5 bowls, 4 compotes and 12 vases!  Lucky for me all of the piece were like $1.00, so I could afford to do that.  I can't wait until they show up!  I will post some pictures soon of the mirror-turned-chalkboard for my sister soon...as soon as I get them from her!

Mirror Mirror Now Hung On My Wall!

As featured on:

So I have had an entry way that has been screaming for a mirror for some time now. I didn’t mind spending the money to buy something nice..but I just never could find the right mirror for the space. I have a half moon console table, so something square or rectangular just really seemed like it would be off. I thought an oval or circle mirror would be perfect, but I just haven’t been able to find one that I really liked…or at least liked enough to stomach the price tag. Here is what my entry was wall looked like before:

Really dull right? And definitely in need of something. So I have been searching craigslist online for a mirror when I came across this little gem! (and I forgot to take a “before” picture before I started taping…but you can get the general idea.

It was more than I wanted to spend (it was listed for $49), but when I got to see it up close, I quickly realized that it is actually carved wood with appliques! It isn’t that cheapo molding that you usually find on these classically ornate gold frames…so I thought it was definitely worth the price tag!

So I put 2 coats of Kilz stain & odor blocker primer on it...

and then added 4-5 coats (one whole can) of Krylon hi-gloss white spray paint, and finished up with 3 coats of gloss Verathane brand polyurethane (also in the spray can form). I am so happy with the way it came out!

I was a little worried at first, seeing that when I took the paper off the front I realized that some of the spray paint had seeped through and made its way onto the mirror’s surface. I quickly got out the Windex and that solved the problem (whew!).

I have had it finished for some time now, but never was able to hang it up (keep in mind that it is wood and so it is heavy!), but last night my Man Friend helped me hang it…ok, he hung it all himself…and the picky lady that I am made him do it 3 times so the spacing on it was perfect!

It is really nice to see the first-wall-you-see-when-you-walk-in go from this...to this!

Linking to these parties:
http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2010/07/its-finally-finished.html
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://www.inthefunlane.com/
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/
http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/
http://www.firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/
http://itsablogparty.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2010/07/show-and-tell-with-modern-bird-studios.html
http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/
http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/
http://lifeaslori.blogspot.com/
http://www.creationsbykara.com/
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/2010/07/craft-o-maniac-monday-is-here-my-first.html