Decoupage Bookcase

Hi everyone, I hope you're have a good week!
We have been busy preparing to leave for vacation.
I know, I know, poor pitiful souls!
But really, cleaning, catching up on laundry and packing has kept us going.
Yesterday morning the boys' job was to clean out the Denali.
They worked together getting out the "stuff".
Then they each had an extra job to do to earn a little spending money.
James vacuumed with the Shop Vac and Joseph cleaned the leather and trim.

While they took a fun break to ride bikes, I took a few minutes for myself.
I really wanted to finish my bookcase before we leave on Friday.
I figured this was as good a time as any.
So, here it is...
THE BIG REVEAL, TUTORIAL STYLE!!!

Here we start with a very sad and unloved bookcase.
It actually belonged to my baby sister when she was little.
Like I said, it's long since past it's time!
Don't ya love how Maggie makes her way into pictures?
She's such a ham!


After sanding and wiping it down, Joseph applied a coat of KILZ primer.
I really should have used a dark primer, but I used what I already had.


Now we're starting to get somewhere!
Here's the bookcase after I painted it black.
I used a foam roller and latex paint for two coats.
My secret time saver?
I spray painted the hard to reach places with plain black spray paint!


The bookcase backing was looking very tired.
I decided to use a beautiful toile print to cover it.
Here's my 12 x 12 sheets of scrapbook paper.
I love using my heavy duty paper whacker to trim things down!


My next step is to apply a layer of Modge Podge.
I used a cheap foam brush for my project and tossed it afterwards.


Now I attached my paper to the board and smoothed it down.
I used two additional layers of Modge Podge to seal it.


I sat the backing outside for several hours to let it dry.
It actually spent several days in the garage waiting for me to finish it.
We'll just say that was extra drying time! ;>


Once I picked back up with the project yesterday, all I had left to do was attach the backing.
In my time away from my project I got new hair... You Like??


My sweet boys even helped me nail the backing in place.


Ok, so I won't be earning a living as a handy man.
It seams I had a few wayward nails.


FINALLY,
after weeks of dreaming and days of work I now have a super girly bookcase for my office!
I'll update pics once I put it in place and accessorize it.
What do you think?!


And just for fun, here's an update from my last furniture project.
It sits in the corner of my office and holds all my educational info.


Don't you just love these chalkboard tags?
I use them everywhere, they are super fun!
I got them here on etsy.


This corner cabinet makes me smile every time I hand out info.
And really, that's what a home is all about, right?!
God's blessings on your day and thanks for visiting us here,
At Home With The HInsons. :D

Truthful Tuesday

James has now been sick for three days.
And I'm gonna have to tell the truth...
I need him to either get well and go to school
OR
be sick enough to sleep!

He's better enough to be bored,
yet sick enough to whine.

SO...
what's a mom to do??

I wanted something easy but educational.
We tried this...

It's a video clip on how things are created.
We watched the clip on how tennis balls are made.
Then, while I cleaned my bathroom, James watched the one about making bubble gum.
It kept his attention for a little while, just not long enough.

Time to lay aside my "to do" list!

I've been looking at my hallway for awhile trying to decide what it needed.
It's been empty, except that one lonely picture, since we moved in.

Oh, and the duck bank that I use as a door stop.
My niece can and has spent hours feeding that duck!

Yep it's sad I know.
But remember, it's May and I just put away my glitter Santa!

This was the perfect time to have fun and still be productive.
With James itching to do something, I put him to work.
I washed his Jones Soda bottle from Friday night.
I attached one of my new and adorable chalkboard tags.
Then I wrote Smile, because I was needing that reminder.
James filled the empty bottle with some leftover "english peas" from a past project.
They were kinda messy so we wised up and used a funnel.



While James finished up the vase, I went "shopping" around the house.
I found a great unused table in Andy's office.
A lamp in Joseph's room that wasn't even plugged up.
My new favorite picture of me and the boys. ( Thanks Aunt Rach, you do beautiful photography! )
Last but not least, I decided to use a few books to top it off.

James was such good help.
We're both pretty proud of our finished project.
My desired look was warm, but not fussy.
After all, this hallway is the boys' favorite place for sword fights!


I'm sure I'll end up changing it around, but for now it's just what I needed! ;>

The Big Reveal... My Corner Cabinet Redo

Earlier this week I started with this hideous cabinet. The doors didn't close and it was ugly. It was sitting between the garage doors and quite frankly it was in the way. But, I needed a cabinet for my office and I really wanted a bargain. I was encouraged, by Life In Grace, to rescue some of the things around the house that needed to go to Goodwill. I knew my sad little corner cabinet was the perfect piece to try my hand at redecoranging!

I removed the cabinet doors and used wood filler to patch the holes. I sanded the finish off and applied primer. I'm a tinge OCD so I actually applied two coats of primer. Followed by two coats of white paint.

Now it was time for my second trip to Lowe's. The cabinet was shaping up but it needed a little personality. That's when I decided to add some stenciling. I also took this time to apply white caulk around the edges of the trim. Bye, bye uneven trim!

Last but certainly not least, some much needed antiquing. The white was g-l-o-w-i-n-g before, but much better afterwards.

So here it is, the big reveal as they would say on HGTV. I am so pleased with the results! Thank you Nester for teaching me that "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful!" I'll post new pics once I have it in place. I have plans for baskets with the most fabulous chalk board tags!
Thanks to the great blogs that gave me inspiration and my Mom and Sister for cheering me on. But most importantly thanks to my sweet hubby for all his encouragement. You never once laughed at me. Even when I had to work the book fair at the primary school with one white hand. You even bought me dinner when I forgot to plan anything. Thanks baby, you're the BEST!!!
I encourage ya'll to start your own project. With a few supplies, imagination and hard work you can redecorang... FUN!!!