The Much Hated Message Board

The boyfriend picked up a message board about a year ago at a thrift store. I think he paid about $3 for it or somewhere thereabouts. Never really needed one and thought this was the ugliest thing to ever come out of the 80s...aside from the stirrup pants, of course. But the 80s are just that...memorable for the music, much of the rest remains somewhat questionable.

So, much like anything else, over time it became ugly and dated. But for some reason he seemed to need it...and felt the urge to actually use it (in which hiding it under the bed wasn't looking like a plausible option). So with a losing battle on my end ..and in the spirit of compromise, I pouted a little and whined a lot. Then I grabbed some supplies and got to work. :)

I pulled out all the hooks and the metal grapes (yes, you read that correctly), filled all the holes with wood filler and sanded it all down.

I taped off the cork and chalk boards and started painting. I spray painted with a primer and then an ivory color (I was all outta white). It took about 3 coats and then I roughed up the edges a little with some fine grit sandpaper. 

As a last touch I decided to paint the corkboard black to match the chalkboard.

I hung it, I stared at it for about 10 minutes, I cleaned the kitchen, fed the cat, grocery shopped, came back and stared at it for another while...then decided I absolutely hated it.

So I mixed up a bunch of colors until I got a color I loved and voila!

The color is a mix of something in between teal and turquoise. I grabbed some scrapbooking paper and covered the backs of the mail slots. It made a nice contrast I think. I'm still using the old hooks but painted them white until I find something else.

I think I can live with this for now...I kinda love it. :)

Best Couch Ever! :)

Guess who went to the Thrift store tonight...no not me! Never! Haha of course me! I practically live there I swear it! I should just get a job there come to think of it.

Got another great steal...this time on ribbon! I've been wanting to buy some pretty ribbon but I find it hard to decide. There's so many and I am THE most indecisive person I know. My friends and boyfriend would tell you the same. Forget choosing food off a menu, it takes me forever! And to top that off, I'm a vegetarian so my choices are severely limited as it is. Ahh well, I go with it and thankfully the people that love me are fully equipped with lots of patience. :D

16 unused rolls and a whole bunch of odds and ends! I love it! $5

Ok so you're probably wondering what the heck my title is all about!
We had a few minutes left before we needed to head home so we went to another Thrift store, one that we rarely ever find anything to buy. My boyfriend sat down on this old couch and started putting his hands inside the cushions. Far be it for me to stop a man looking for loose change. But let's face it...someone else's (whom you don't know) grimy old couch...there could be anything in there and my hands (ungloved) aren't going anywhere near it. Well, it seems I was right. ANYTHING could be in there! Including a gift card for the liquor store WITH an unused balance! I foresee wine in my near future! Thanks boyfriend! :D

So...what have you had your hands in lately? LOL

Fabulous Thrift Store Deals!

So I'm continuously amazed at what people throw away and/or donate. They are, either, very generous or don't know the value of what they have. No complaints here though! I love cashing in on great deals! :)

Anyone that scrapbooks or designs cards will most likely know what these are. Heck you probably have some! Most of these haven't even been opened, they cost $20 each if you buy them new. I got 7 of these 'gel-a-tins' all for $5.99 at the thrift store this week. What a steal! :o) Now I need to go buy a stamp block...lol

I also got all these in a bag for $2.99. There are 3 hole punchers, 1 package of clear stamps and 6 rubber stamps. I can't wait to start using all these. And of course, I found a full, unused bottle of gold acrylic paint for 75 cents, just to top it all off. :)

30 minutes to Paris!

So I'm still packing and moving and, therefore, getting caught up on my blogging and projects. So here's one I did a few weeks ago. I was wanting a corkboard in my craft room but let's face it, they're overpriced and hugely ugly. I've seen lots of projects of covering them in fabric or painting them, so I knew what I wanted to do but still had yet to find one for cheap.


Imagine my surprise, I found an old corkboard at the thrift store for $2 and already had an old frame here that I had attempted to throw out several times. Luckily it is already close to the color I would have chosen and is a little banged up which distresses it just fine for me. Although I am planning on sanding a little more around the edges.

I couldn't decide what to cover it with. I had nothing here that was suitable and I was having trouble finding something for cheap that I actually liked. Then I popped into the thrift store one morning on the way to work and found this gorgeous vintage (I believe) scarf for $2. Since I collect stamps and postcards it suited me perfectly. (Sorry, no before picture...I managed to remember to get the camera halfway through!)

Voila! Took me about 30 minutes to make this and a total of $4.  The hardest and most time consuming part was getting the damn corkboard frame off! But I love it and totally worth it! A little more sanding around the edges and it's perfect! <3