Inspired by Elena's Horse Picture -- Inspired by The Vampire Diaries

Quick update on what I am working on.  I am a big "inspired by" person.   Not a copy, but an inspiration, a feeling, a mood.
My latest "inspired by" is an art piece.   I love the art over Elena's bed in The Vampire Diaries.  It is called "Lock and Load" by Mary Leslie.

See below.

Now, I do want to preface this by saying "Inspired By" does not mean copying or infringing on an Artists Copyright.  I am a firm believer in an Artists Copyright.

So my "Inspired By", is old.  In college I took a black and white photography class. Around the block from my house, there was this house that had all these old broken and battered mechanical horses.

The picture I took at the time was a long line of them like 6, not heavily cropped, but very heavy on the contrast.  What I am looking for is a muted feeling of a horse.

I did do a copy shot of my original picture. (I am sure the negative is in a box in my garage).  Currently cringing as my garage is such a mess.

I am in the process of editing it.

Now to choose.

A.

Or B.

I haven't chosen yet.  It is......TBD....to be determined.

When I do choose, I will take it to Costco and get the biggest print I can, and as it is old and a copy shot of my work, it may be a little grainy.  I will take that.  I am thinking kind of a huge ornate frame.  Hmmmm.

I will post the finished project.

Inspire yourself.

Covet-- Sawhorse Desk....No other words needed.

I am currently coveting a sawhorse desk.  Nothing original, nothing fancy, just a sawhorse desk.

The one below is part of a style series by The Everygirl, if you haven't checked out their blog, or their personal blogs, you should.

My take below is from Woot.  If you don't Woot, you are missing out.  They have a daily deal as well as other great deals like this metal sawhorse for $35ish.  Seriously great deal.  Yes, I would spray paint it.

Not feeling the metal.  Head to your local home improvement store for some sawhorse brackets and wood, paint and you are good to go.  Or......what if you went industrial and left the sawhorse brackets the metal color, and stained your wood. Hmmmmm.

Either way.  Do a project, imagine something you covet.
Or in the immortal words of Tim Gunn, "Make it work.".  Well said.

Gray Sofa Love

I need a gray velvet sofa.  What I have is an old tan futon.  Hmmmmm.  It needs to be gray velvet.

I love the 10  12  08  in the picture below.  That would be easy to do art.  I will put it next on my list.

Now, on to the wish for a gray sofa.

 I love a gray velvet sofa.

Gorgeous.

File this under, things I want.
I am sorry, I do not have a source for these photos.
Enjoy.

Martha Stewart Shooting Star - Fun DIY

I made this star several years ago, from a picture in a Martha Stewart Magazine.  I believe now you can buy them from her website. 

It is simply a large star with garland I purchased at Party City, the star is wrapped in lights, and I used light strands for the tail.  I may have to make a few more, if Party City still has the stars.

My neighbor called the other day, and said her kids were waiting for me to put up my star.

I guess I better get busy.

The luminarias are only done on Christmas Eve, as we are on a luminaria tour.

Are you decorating yet?

Martha Stewart Silver Metallic Paint on a Dresser

Happy Thanksgiving.  I hope wherever you are, you get to take a minute for yourself and enjoy anything you find special.

 

If you have some left over time and want to contemplate a project.....below is one I did....dare I say almost a year ago.

 

I can't believe it has been over a year since I painted this dresser silver.  I posted about it in our office upgrade, so I thought I would bring it back front and center again.  Sorry I don't have the before but trust me when I say it was a sad old dresser with great lines.  Brown with water marks, scratches, fingernail polish droppings, etc.

 

 

I have always loved the silver painted furniture, so while browsing Home Depot, I ran across this paint.  It is Martha Stewart Living.  Two coats and one jar, there is some left for touch ups.  The coverage is great, allows a hint of brown to poke through as wood grain.  Deep coverage, and looks amazing.  The way it wears?  It has been almost a year since I painted it, and I have yet to do any touch ups.  It has been in the bedroom, and now in the office to hold my jewelry supplies.  Can I just say I love it. 

As to painting this piece, I scuffed it lightly with fine grit sandpaper, and washed it well with vinegar and water, then let it dry.  I wanted the antique look like you see in Pier One, etc. 

I have enough left to possibly paint the legs on the desk you have seen in photos.  Hmmmm.  More projects.

The paint color is Thundercloud.
Martha Stewart Living Metallic Paint.  Love it.
Not a paid post, I just love this paint.  I used the copper on a highboy, (again an older post) and can I say love as well.

Happy Thanksgiving.  Remember, it is not what you want, it is what you have.  Enjoy the small things.

Windows and Doors In

It is official. New windows, new doors.  Now let the painting and touch-up begin. 

Still plenty of summer left.  Oh, and how much do I love patios in the fall as well. 

Make it an amazing week. 

Weekend Warrior

What I am working on this weekend. 

Patching around newly installed doors. 

Hopefully painting the doors. 

Putting in new windows.  

Working on outdoor kitchen sink. 

I am already tired thinking about it. Oh we'll one project at a time. 

Saturday here I come. 

Bathroom Must Haves

It is official --- I have become my mother. I have a fan in my bathroom.   

Seriously, below are a few of my must haves.  

I love the red pad,it is really a pad for hot pots but I rest my curling iron on it when I am using it.  The holder came from Target and it holds my items as they cool down. The fan ---- just keeps the super tiny bathroom bearable. 

Art.  I have to have art in my bathroom.  I love black and whites. The top one is a framed postcard. The bottom is an enlarged photo printed at Costco.  

Ruffled ombré shower curtain, found at Home Goods.  

Black toilet seat --Walmart.  

Oh and last but not least, old nasty tile painted black. 

This is a very tiny bathroom, the door hits the toilet.  But it functions fine.  

What are your bathroom must haves? 

White Nightstand -- Pretty Little Liars Mirror

Yes!!! I finished some projects.  This great nightstand is now white.  I love it.  The lamp is from Costco.

 

The Pretty Little Liars mirror is lavendar and in the closet.  This mirror came off an old dresser, and needed a new home.  It is perfect in the closet to get dressed, do make-up, see your outfits, and adds a pop of color to the closet.

I am very excited about getting a few projects knocked out.

DIY Lavender Mirror

I am a huge Pretty Little Liars fan.  

Love Hannah's Lavender mirror in her room.  But I digress. This huge mirror is a leftover from a dresser I repurposed for my daughter. It went on top of the dresser and leaned and looked kind of sad.  So, a bit of taping off and a can of spray paint later and...I love it. Now to take off the paper and find a home.  Check back to see where we put it, and to see the room makeover.  

Can't wait to show the after. 

Cedar Chest - Before and After

I have had this Cedar Chest for ever.  It has some damage on the bottom and is scuffed up.  While I am waiting to decide where to put it.  It tends to move around the house.  I have covered it with some left over fabric.  I like having it up here by the front of the house.  It is a great place to sit, take off your shoes, drop the mail, your purse, whatever.

Nothing fancy on the cover.  Just left over fabric tucked around and tacked.  If I like it, I will decide on a permanent fabric.  Best part, it was free.  My chest, and left over fabric.

Try something new in your decorating.  You can always change it back around.

Dog Proofing

I call this "Getting Ready for Layla".

 

My daughter's dog is coming to visit me for a week.  Yay Layla (yep, I will post some pics).  Anyway, I am dog proofing.  You know, putting up things that might be appetizing, or look like a play toy.  In addition, just covering some furniture.  This time of year in the southwest, it is windy, dusty, and full of elm seeds, and I want to be able to quickly get rid of the dirt etc.

 

Pic below is my padded headboard -- still love it.

 

While getting ready for Layla, I decided to cover my bed with an old white sheet, again, ease and convenience for cleaning.  I think I look the look of a white bed. Hmmmm.

Yep, she likes that chair to look out and watch the world go by.  Chair, ready.

She loves to lay on the ottoman, it is getting a little old and haggard and I have contemplated making a cover for it.

So, I grabbed some fabric from another part of the house, and quickly hand sewed the sides to themselves and made a quick cover for it.  Just layed it over, and folded the sides, sewed them at their meeting point and tucked under the rest.  Ignore the splotches -- light glare. 

I think I like it, now to find some fabric and give it a real looking cover, not sure what would work.  But for the week, it will do. Oh, and ignore all the dust on the floor, I give up with the 50 mile an hour winds.

How do you dog proof?  Admit it, I know you put blankets and sheets on your furniture.

Painted Metallic Mirror - Silver Octagon Mirror

I love mirrors.  They just give light and life to any place.  You can always make room for them.

This one, is a Goodwill find for $5.  It was originally a weird whiteish goldish color.  So I got out the spray paint, right out of the garage, and sprayed it to match the hardware on my daughter's dresser, and vanity/desk.  I love it.  Now to get it to her, or hold it until she relocates.  Either way, it will look great with her furniture.

This great hardware is waiting for me to refinish her nightstands.  Better get on it soon.

Now for the weekend.  To make a veggie garden or not?  Drought here in the Southwest, so........
Oh, and to make more jewelry for my store.  Click the Etsy link on the left.  Lots of great things and prices.

Make it a great day.