DIY Book Planter

As I mentioned last week, we had around $10 to go thrifting, then send those treasures to another blogger for an awesome makeover.  The time has come to reveal what I've done with the treasures that Jessica at Decor Adventures sent me!

Of the 4 items sent, the frame and the book called out to me.  The task was to transform these thrifted items.

The frame was the simple transformation.  From the moment I saw it, it said "tray" to me.  What does a frame need to turn into a tray?

Feet (which are actually IKEA knobs) and a little spray paint, clearly.

I put some scrapbook paper in place of the photo.  You could also easily put a fun fabric there or switch it out with your decor.

My pet project, though, was the book.  I'm addicted to styling with books if you haven't noticed.  My first thought was to hollow it out and create a secret 'safe,' but that project, while useful would have been, well, safe.  And let's face it, plants are always more fun.

This was such a simple project but was more time consuming than I anticipated.

The most tedious part of this project was hollowing out the book.

page.  by.  page.

I cut a hole to fit the tupperware, then trimmed the tupperware to the height of the book.

Once cut, I glued the interior, put a piece of parchment paper between the pages and cover to prevent it all from getting glued together, then I clamped.

While waiting for the glue to dry, I made a big mess with succulents.  Fingers crossed that if I ignore these, they'll stay alive!

With the book dry, I put everything together and started swooning.  Why didn't I do this sooner??

Thanks Jessica for the challenge!!  Head over to 58 Water Street and check out what Colleen did with the items that I sent her!

There will be a week full of these awesome projects, today's the first day, but you should head over and check out what these other lovely ladies are doing!

Day 1

Run to Radiance Decor Adventures Year of Serendipity 58 Water Street Don't Disturb This Groove Like a Saturday Artsy Chicks Rule

Day 2 Two Purple Couches While They Snooze The Gathered Home Black and White Obsession Ciburbanity Restoration Redoux Confessions of aSerial Do-it-Yourselfer

Day 3 Primitive & Proper Queen of Everything That's My Letter Finding Silver Pennies Migonis Home Windgate Lane

Day 4 I Am a Homemaker Town and Country Living Thoughts from Alice Our Southern Home Chic Little House SG Style Two Thirty~Five Designs

Day 5 Gourley Girl & Guy The Thinking Closet The Charming Farmer 2 Little Superheroes Shades of Blue Interiors Live Pretty on a Penny

Swap It Teaser

Another week, another snow storm.  I'll spare you the whining this time, though. I'm so excited to be taking part in the latest round of Swap it Like it's Hot (#swapitlikeitshot)!!

The lovely Charlotte over at Ciburbanity is organizing an awesome group of 30 bloggers who love thrifting and creating.  Check out this adorable little teaser she put together:

And now I have that song stuck in my head....

As the video explains towards the end, we had $10 to find anything our little heart desired that could be remade, revamped or redone and then mail it to another blogger.  Admittedly, I went a little nuts at the thrift store, then once home decided which gems to send off to Colleen over at 58 Water Street.  You'll have to wait and see what I sent!

I shared the goodies that I received on instagram when Bear opened the package (ok, maybe he had a little help)

Jessica at Decor Adventures was my generous sender.  My project supplies include a set of red corduroy place mats, a Buddha statue, a book, and a gold metal frame.

We aren't required to use everything that was sent, we just have to get creative and transform something.  Bear's already claimed Buddha as his BFF and I have my target lock on the frame and the book.  I have a few ideas, but you'll have to wait until Monday, March 2nd to see what I ended up doing!

I'd love to hear what you would create with these items!

Antiquey Goodness

Ok, let's try this post- Take 2!  (Take 1 was sacrificed to a frozen computer) I've been really trying not to add clutter to this house.  "Trying" is the operative word here.  The way I see it, when an item keeps nagging at you for almost a month, your intuition is trying to tell you to take it home.

Our story starts just about a month ago.  In my hunt for a cabinet for Millie the fliphouse (there's more story to tell here, but that'll be another day) I dragged Hubby to an antique shop around the corner from our house.  No cabinet fit the bill and we left empty handed.  On our way out, I quickly snapped this blurry phone pic of a rug.

And it proceeded to haunt me.  Why hadn't I asked the price?  Or looked at the size?  Where would I even put it?

A week and a half later it was still on my mind.

I swung by the shop to gather a bit more intel- size/price.  I had in my head going in that anything under $200 would be up for consideration.  Imagine my pleasant surprise when the price tag said $95.  Still, $95 plus the cost of a really good clean.... over $100 invested in a rug that I may or may not have a place for seemed a little steep.  I once again left empty handed.  Did I really need this rug?

I think you can see where this story is headed.

When another week and a half went by and it was still on my mind, yes, yes I really did need this rug.  On a whim this past weekend, I stopped by the shop on my way home.  Like many antique shops, they encourage haggling, so I made an offer of $65 expected to be haggled up to around $75.  After a quick phone call to the shop owner, my $65 offer was accepted with no counter!  Ok, if you insist.

At $65 plus cleaning, under $100 invested, I'm sure I can find a home for this guy either at my own home or as staging for my flips.  After it gets a nice, deep cleaning, it may find a home in our kitchen (as pictured below), our upstairs hallway if it fits, or maybe even Millie's kitchen.

So, do you agree with my nagging intuition- is this an awesome buy or what?