DIY: Over the knee psudo-leg warmers

As a life long sun and summer worshiper, I normally go into hibernation mode in the winter. Resigning my self to dark evenings spent on the couch under a pile of blankets and pit bulls has been the norm. Decked out in only the sexiest of Old Navy and Victoria Secret Yoga pants and old FSU and AXO t-shirts is how you will normally find me after work, on the weekends, or any other time I can get away with it.

But this year I've been making an effort to wear some more attractive clothing this (admittedly mild by most standard) winter.

I've seen TONS of cute leg warmers around on-line, in stores and on Pintrest....of course!!!

I'm intrigued and inspired!!!!!

So warm!!!

So cozy!!

So I rummaged around the sock drawer and picked out 2 pairs of cute shin-high socks (that might I add were all labeled "knee high" when I purchased them) that I haven't worn to often. The grey ones, are actually super sparkly and matched the scarf I was wearing this weekend.

I cut the toes off, pulled up onto my leggings, bunched them up around my knees and ...........TADA!!!!

Surprisingly enough, in an era of myspace.com/self portrait/ mirror picture overload there isn't really an easy or flattering way to take a picture of your own legs and feet......so this was the best I got.

If I can remember, next time I wear them (or the others I cut up to match my brown boots) I'll make sure to have some one take an action shot!!

Trashy Trashy.

This is an old project, but I still love it (and am still pretty proud when some one notices it) so much I thought I would share it with you all.

The trash can was looking a little ragged after a few months of standard wear and tear of being in a high traffic area.


So what do you do when you catch the crafting bug, need something to fill a bit of time, and are working on a budget?!?!??!?!?!

You got it!!!!!

Mod Podge makes EVERY THING better. This is a fact.

Learn it. Live it. Love it.



We originally got the can from Walmart (this is the closest one I could find) for about $15 bucks. I lightly sanded the surface, and then went to town on it with my pictures in the same way I did on the Crafts and Drafts trays.

21. Re-hab 10 pieces of furniture (1.5/10)

I'm going to count this as a 1/2 completion

because I painted these before I started the list

but I did "finish" them by replacing the cushion.

These cute foot stools were scavenged from my neighbor a few months ago.

I was taking the trash out before work one day and caught her right as she was throwing them out. I had to argue with her a little before she handed them over. She was convinced they were junk and told me that they were older than I was. This may be the case, but with a quick glance you can see that they are NOT junk!!






As was the case with the bed side tables, these babies were used outside, so already had most of the sanding done.



I painted them with some left over teal spray paint, and replaced the old cushion with prettier ones from Pier 1.

Tutorial Tuesday: Decoupage Tray

I know, I'm a huge liar/slacker, and yet AGAIN this tutorial comes to you on a Wednesday!




You will need:
Tray (or other various other flat, smooth surfaced items)
Clear polyurethane (I like MinWax)
Mod Podge (or white school glue)
1 solo cup
1 paint brush
1 piece sand paper
A bunch of images
-magazines
-news papers
-maps
-print outs

Lightly sand the tray (nothing serious, just so the surface is a little scratched up).

In your solo cup, mix 1 part Mod Podge (or your standard kiddie glue) with 2 parts water.

Cover the tray with a generous amount of the ModPodge mix.

Now, arrange your images, and continue to cover with the Mod mix (you want the paper to be wet, it's ok if it's a little soppy, just be careful not to rip your pictures).

Make sure to layer them and not to have them all facing the same direction (if your are going for a more organized look, disregard those instructions) to give it a random, more sporadic vibe.

These are the final products from last nights Crafts & Drafts.

Kyli

Rachel

Allison

Steve

21. Re-hab 10 pieces of furnature (1/10)

Last year, the BF's step mom, Megan (who is also taking part in the Day Zero project) handed over these cute, retro/tiki-ish side tables.

BEFORE

She used them outside on her porch for a few years, so when I got them they had already had a good ol' fashioned desert sand blasting.

AFTER

I covered it (I have 2 but have only finished 1) with a few coats of a dark chocolate stain, and then painted the trim pieces a bright teal.

When I get the other one finished I'll try and post better pictures of the both of them.

Tutorial Tuesday: Cork boards.

I know I'm a day off, but (provided I have technological cooperation) I'm going to try and do a Tutorial Tuesday.

A few week ago I finished up this project. Recovering the disgusting fake wood cabinets in the kitchen (if you look in the top left corner you can see some of it on the doors above the fridge) with a few coats of chalk board paint and a cork board.


I had a few dozen corks left over so I decided to make a smaller one.



Pick out a board. Something flat and smooth.

This is the back of a flooring sample I snatched from a pile, in my old office building.

Get your little fingers to work slicing those babies in half.

Here I've got a cheapo kitchen cutting board, and one of the gracious boyfriends box cutters from the garage.

WARNING!!!
You will get blisters. Be prepared.

Then, work some hot glue and finagling magic and waaaalaaaa!!!!!!!

A gift for my friends Andy and Briar, who provided the initial donation of wine corks that started the mania.

I know this tutorial leaves much to be desired in the progress and instruction department, so next time, I promise, it'll be much better...............and on a Tuesday.