INSPIRATION vases

I love vases, what could possibly be an easier way of bringing warmth, comfort and happiness into a home than a couple of flowers? And of course how would you possibly display those flowers without a beautiful vase to go with it? But lets face it, sometimes they can get a little...expensive. So lets bring them down from hundreds of dollars...to a couple dollars.

 BLUE VASE ($180): First off find a fabulous vase you love. You can get them cheap at thrift stores, or even at the dollar stores! Find a shape you like or see potential in! Then spray paint! Choose your favorite color and go for it. Personally, I don't like the idea of paint being inside the vase, so I would turn it over and spray that way and let it dry. Then head to your local craft store and find some great appliques! They come in wood, foam and more! Find your favorite and stick on! You can even paint over them before you stick them on, or after using watered down paint on a cotton ball for a distressed look!

YELLOW VASE ($800): I love how funky and vibrant this is; to make your own find a funky vase shape you can't live without! Spray paint your favorite color (follow the instructions above), and use scrapbook rub ons to put the fun decals! Rub ons are super cheap, super easy and come in everything from shapes to pictures to quotes!

TURQUOISE VASE ($200): I wish I could find a cute vase like this around here! Thankfully my local dollar store has cute round vases that are screaming for this! Paint your base color first (in this color scheme that would be gold), let dry and then cut out the shapes you want in painters tape. Measure and place on the vase, once you have them in place (and pressed down tightly), spray paint again with your top color (turquoise). And Whola! Perfection and fun vases for a mere couple dollars! 

I can't wait to see what you guys are doing with your vases! Make sure to send me pictures if you try any INSPIRATION projects! You may just get yourself featured!

INSPIRATION [shiny]

I may be alone in this, but I love all things shiny. Mirrors add instant glam to any room, and show off a saucy personality!

 
MIRROR: The great part about this project is not only how customizable it is to your personality, but how cheap it can be to create as well! Find something sturdy for your backing, this will depend entirely on what size your mirror is. You can find them in any size (and shape) at your local thrift store, and even some home improvement stores. A small circle can be found in your local dollar store as well. For a small one you can use foam board, stiff cardboard, and a larger heavier one use wood. Make sure your backing is bigger than the mirror (how big is up to you) find rhinestones, or mirrored pieces at your local craft store, and apply to the backing, around the mirror using tacky glue, or glass epoxy!

CANDLEHOLDER: This candle holder is so cute, so classy, and so cheap to make! Head to your dollar store, find a small circle mirror, and pick up a bag of rhinestones while you're there! Use your hot glue gun to attach around the mirror and add instant pizzaz!

JEWELRY BOX: Find a wooden box, and use the Look Glass Mirror-Like spray paint to create the look. Adorn the top with rhinestones using hot glue-and whola!

FRAME: A cheap boring frame can be instant glam-a-fied by using varying sizes and shapes of rhinestones. Use larger ones to create a unique shape in the corner, and use smaller ones to grow out away from it, filling up the rest of the frame space. If your pieces are large and are over 50% off the frame surface, use a piece of cardboard to make it sturdy from the back. I suggest using modpodge to apply the pieces into place!

Have you tried one of these projects or techniques? I'd love to see it! Send me a link or picture so I can feature it on my blog!

To find out information about the products used, please click the image to head to Polyvore!
•This may be posted to any of the link parties•

What's in your toolbox?

Yes it crossed my mind to name this post "what's in your wallet" as inspired by the Capital One commercial slogan. But I decided against it for two reasons. 1) this post was titled by a reader when she emailed asking 'whats in your toolbox?' 2) it would be really difficult to fit all these items in a wallet. That said, you're welcome to try and I encourage you to email me a picture of the outcome! ;)

Did I mention I love mail? No? Well I do, so email away! Questions, comments, and pictures are always welcome and encouraged! =)

Back to the question at hand:
Dear Wallet,
What's in your toolbox for thrifting construction and renovation? What 'tools of the trade' do you find most useful in your thrifting adventures?
Sally B.

First off, I love that Sally titled it 'dear wallet' ♥! Secondly, I encourage you to check out my thrift clothes cleaning post if you haven't already. It's a gem of information and already gives you some of the items I'm about to mention. Stay tuned for November when the thrift furniture cleaning post comes out!

Thrift Clothes Restoration & Decoration Toolbox
[is this name too long??]

• Sewing Kit: I'm not a sewer myself, but I do have a little travel sewing kit which makes mending tiny holes, or replacing buttons easy.
• Bleach Pen: This can save a white item from the trash bin, or can make bland shirts/pants awesome!
• Plastic Kitchen Tub: [See cleaning post for this, and other cleaning items]
• Jewelry Pliers: To fix loose or damaged jewelry or just to make your own statement pieces! [See Guest post coming October 23rd!]
• Leather Cleaner: Not only to help clean a leather item, but to moisturize it and give it new life!
• Permanent Markers: [white, brown, and black] To fix scuffs and small marks on shoes and bags!
• Guerrilla glue:  To fix just about anything!
• Rhinestones, pearls and glitter: To make anything shiny and glamourous!
• Safety Pins: Keep things together, or give it a punk look!
• Fabric Glue and Pens:  Give things new life by attaching things, or decorating them!
• Beads Buttons, and studs: Always fun for decorating or making jewelry!
• Ribbon: Makes great trim, patches and decoration!

Thrift Furniture Restoration & Decoration Toolbox
[is this name even longer??]

• Steam Cleaner: Give new life to upholstered furniture by steam cleaning it.
• Tape Measure: You know, to make sure it fits...
• Dust rags & Q-Tips: Used for dusting, staining and painting.
• Wood Oil: Give new life to old wood!
• Wood Stain: Bring something from another century, into this one!
• Spray Paint/Can: Hello to a new life!
• Sandpaper in varying types: So you can stain, oil and paint your new goodies!
• Leather Cleaner: To make your goodies shine like new, and keep them healthy for a long time!
• Permanent Markers: To fix small scratches or scuffs.
• Walnut: (Yes, the nut) Try it, use it on a wooden surface with knicks! It fills it in, even colors it. A little touch up stain and you're good to go!
• Wood Glue: To put things back together.
• Light Bulbs & Batteries: You know, to get these things to work!
• Screws, Nails and a general toolbox: For all the little things. No fancy tools, just a hammer, screw driver, and mallet.

Do you have more to add? Let me know what my toolbox is missing!