SNS #28 brings you - an old dresser dressed up

Intro

Welcome to Saturday Nite Special #28!

If you're new here, join in! There are two categories to link to, Home Decor as well as Crafts, Sewing, Recipes, so feel free to post your DIY project in the applicable area below.

Party starts at Fri night and ends Sunday 11pm, so you have all weekend to join!

I LOVE to highlight inspiring posts during the event on the sidebar, so make sure you check in several times over the weekend. You may be next. :)

~ DIY Feature~
A dresser gets dressed up

Remember when I told you about my big junkin' day awhile back?

I found this old vintage dresser among my treasures and had to have it. Why?

Quite simply because the features and patina were amazing! Look at the layers of trim in this one corner! And TRY and crackle a finish like this! I fell instantly in love.

And just take a look at the hardware. Why the handles were all different is beyond me! But my goodness... could it have been any more made for the way I personally decorate?!? :) Aren't they amazing?

But a dresser is only a dresser if it's just a dresser. So I had an idea. If you've been following me long enough, you know I love to mix oddities together for an interesting look.

I took one of my rusty old gates (oops sorry, this is a) headboard from my junkin' day, cleaned it up, then sprayed on a clear coat...

... then added some ivory paint on the rust, to further mimic the fading original white patchy paint patina.  Using ivory acrylic craft paint, I dabbed it on quite dry with a stencil brush. I wanted abit of lightness to tie in with the dresser.

Juuuust right! And below is how I used it.

Tadaaa! The headboard offers extra interest to this dresser, creating a unique frame around the mismatched mirror. I love how the rusty tones of the headboard tie in with the dresser hardware and mirror frame.

The top of the dresser got a clear coat (from a spray can) which brought out the original oak tone through the crackled paint surface. I love the two toned effect it has, that was achieved with no effort! The white pillowcase on the left is from my mom's stash.

And that's not all. This lovely teapot was my mom's wedding gift! I'm not generally one for shiny gold but...

... in this case, the gold just works on everything! I found the lamp, oval mirror, and old clock at a thrift and they all share the same gold trim. And that white jewelry box? My mom's. :) And it's chock full of her costume jewelry just the way she had it, which I LOVE browsing through on occasion. Because it's her. :)

Curious about that lampshade, aren't you? I'll tell you how I did it in an upcoming post as this one's long enough. :)

~ Surprise themed link below! ~

 Many of you in the big Link Critique post said you preferred themed linkups. If you look below at the links, you'll see the two we normally have. PLUS a new one. This weekend it's called Dressers Dressers Dressers! because of the dresser feature of course. :) 

~ What will it be next week? Lampshades! ~

For the themed link,  feel free to link up an older post so you can join in! Or better yet, get to work on that lampshade this week you've wanted to tweak forever anyway. I can't wait to see what you come up with. :)

Let me know in comments what you think on that ever changing EXTRA themed linkup idea! Let's give it a whirl this weekend and see what happens.

~ SNS blah blah linkup rules ~

1. Please link up your intended post, NOT your blog homepage url. (post, then click the title of your post, cut and paste that url)

2. Please put a link in your post that leads back to the party so others can see what's up! (scroll button on sidebar if you wish)

 3. This party is geared for DIY type projects we can all attempt to make ourselves. Items for sale may be linked up IF your entry is posted on your blog and in tutorial style (unless making the item is self explanatory).

5. Please link projects up that are new to SNS and within 1 month old. (*the NEW 3rd themed link can be an older post) If you can't decide which category to enter yours in, please just pick ONE and go with it. It's all good!

Happy party and weekend inspiration to all!

I'm inspired by Flea Market Trixie

I love this idea. Maggie at The White Farmhouse is hosting a monthly Thank-you for Inspiring Me link party. My first thought was, how on EARTH can I choose just one?!? Thankfully, there will be more, so I can disperse the love around. Whew! The pressure! :)

Someone who's been on my mind lately is

 Why? Her style is simply impeccable. 

 She has a wonderful way with junk. She knows how to make it look GOOD. You're looking at galvanized rust here, however the staging with the florals and flowers just bring this little corner to life in the most beautiful way. Sometimes my own junk creations look abit 'cold'. She's inspired me to pretty it up!

She's not afraid to try new things never done before. This headboard was created out of a settee and closet doors. She simply built the puzzle until it was a pleasing end result and put it to work. I think this headboard is wildly creative and such a head turner!

Her staging efforts leave you desiring to be there. I mean, when I first saw this photo, the condensation on the glasses spun me around, making me feel thirsty. The coconut cookies had me wanting to bake these and I don't even like coconut.

Her sign skills. Signmaking is an art in itself. Being a signmaker for 15 years, you have to know your scale, white space around your graphics so things don't feel too tight, how to mount, what looks good, etc. T's signs in my eyes allows you to appreciate their beauty, breathe around the graphics and simply enjoy the unique way they're mounted. A hit in every aspect.

Her use of her fav colour. I'm not a colour person myself and use it sparingly. However T knows how to use her fav tone without overpowering a room. It's there, it's beautiful and soothing but the room isn't encased in it like a cave. The balance and distribution are perfect. It's a pleasure to view one of decorating world's hottest trends used in such a stylish way!

And then there's her photography skills. Look at any of her blog photos. She only uses the best shots. And those best shots make your work absolutely shine! I know the work that entails. I take up to 100 shots of any one given item and choose only the best. It's my bet she clicks like mad and does much of the same.

In my opinion, Flea Market Trixie has nailed all the components of a great decorator and wonderful blog friend. Her disposition is very sweet and supportive. She continues to show ME the beauty in normal everyday things and how to use colour. I knew she'd be a top runner when I first spotted her in blogland. And I have to admit, I'm generally right, as I was this time. :)

Thanks T, for inspiring ME! :)

Who inspires you? Jump on over to The White Farmhouse to link up!

You asked for it so I'm delivering!

Something new is up at SNS each weekend and I'd like your opinion. All can still link up, so see you there!  Bring along a previous 'dresser' post ready to link up if you wish to play on the new feature. :)

When a tomboy gets bling - Part 1

I stopped wearing jewelry a LONG time ago.

Honestly, when my ears got fussy and demanded real deal gold, and I had to stop wearing rings and such because of my work, I sort of just forgot about the girlie bling and went for the mac jacket and workboots look instead. :)

And then I got lucky.

For my old crate stairs on So You Think, I won...

(above pics courtesy of  So You Think)

this amazing gorgeous 'lacy cuff' from T's etc. Custom Jewelry! EEP!

Oh. My. BLING. When I first opened the package, the sparkly beads stopped me in my tracks! I was instantly converted into girly mode once again and giggled and snickered as I put it on quick like! I felt like an 8 yr old girl on Christmas morning, you know, when you get the perfect power tool doll you've been pining for ALL YEAR LONG. 

The bracelette is sparkly and pretty and oh so glamorous! I love wearing black, especially when I get gussied up abit so this one is right up my alley. The button closure was geniusly woven right in with the beadwork making it effortlessly easy to take on and off. And it's comfy too! I forget I have it on.

This is where I have to tell you something funny. I attempted a photo shoot with the bracelette on. Good grief. My hand looked like something out of a Halloween bin with a non exsistent poorly done manicure and did the bracelette a total disservice. You gotta make a hand DO something I've found . So here's the shot I could live with.

I mean.. hello! Tell me I don't look hot now while workin' the power tools!  Wonder if steel toed heels are avail yet at the local workwear haunt?!?

Thanks Teri, for helping me look like a real gurl. :) I love it!

Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry? I have one more fav to show you but that'll be in another upcoming post soon.  I think I could get use to this! 

(Disclosure: this item was given to me for free, and my opinion is my own)

Art that hits my heart

Wait until you see this. Oh my word.

I received a package in the mail yesterday. I had no idea it was on it's way so I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was from my blog friend, Christine of Jaz Creations.

You've seen Christine many times over at FunkyJunk. She's a digital art whiz.

When I opened the package, I couldn't speak, move, breathe, nothing. I went blank. I honestly THREW the wrappers aside and held this in both hands with widened eyes and mouth open in utter and complete awe.

This is my alltime fav picture of my mom, son and myself taken at my son's birthday one year. You can truly see love in our eyes. And I just adored how my son hugged Grandma! It really portrays how close we were so this shot is special to me.

I  always meant to blow it up and frame it. But.. just never did. I'd like you to look really closely at what's to follow.

This isn't the photograph. This is digitally painted. I removed the painting from the glass frame so you could capture the beauty without the glass glare.

The colours are so warm yet vibrantly alive. Christine focused on the smallest most special details and highlighted tones where they were washed out in the original photo. This is the most lovely rendition of a photo I have ever laid my eyes on.

And this is the gorgeous frame it was in. It's ultra elegant, a tiny bit rustic...

... and perfect for our home. And this amazing picture.

The artwork captures us perfectly. Christine even removed the truck keys I had in my hand in the original picture.

I knew where it was to go immediately. I have it sitting in the middle of the upstairs, to the right of my blog office and kitchen. I see it all the time because I adore it and it makes me smile. For so so many reasons!

Christine, you couldn't have sent a more thoughtful meaningful memento at this time. I miss my Mom so very much, however what a wonderful way to cherish what I loved about her all day long. I am in love with this picture more than I can even express in words.

I'm very proud to call Christine my friend. xo

Hey.. I think I have a new profile picture. She knocked about 10 years off me with this one! :)

Edited to add: Do you have a special photo or artwork that is near and dear to your heart? I'd love to hear about it. I love stories. :)

Blog friends come by for the Studio Tour!

If you've been following, on Sat and Sun, I sort of invited the entire town to tour my place. :) My invite to everyone local to join in was HERE.

Oh, it was fun! It was like visiting with like minded friends all day long.. for TWO days!

Did they love the house? After I finally led them off the...

stairs, (they didn't fall over Polly, but pretty close!) they wandered through every room at their leisure.

Demos, well, I sorda did that. I had a master list on the wall and asked my guests to point to whatever they wished for me to teach them. But most were satisfied with just looking. Apparently there's alot to take in. I don't get it. I mean, isn't my place just normal? :)

And blog friends came by! To see my house! And me! And my mac jacket... I was asked a few times, "where's your jacket?" What. EVER. So I went and got it for the pictures below. I totally promise I don't wear this thing ALL the time. Just most of the time. :)

Wanna see who came over?!?

Catherine from Peace Love Sweater!

Catherine is a DOLL. And she lives sooo close to me. And I was soo touched when Catherine and her sis Cory came! Oh and she brought me gifts! Some cool looking bottles and Pottery Barn catalogues I can't get ahold of myself. SO COOL.

I knew pretty darn quick we three didn't have nearly enough time to natter about all things blog and decorating. They eventually left and I still had so much to say. So we'll have to do that again!

Oh! Catherine just added a post about our visit! Click HERE.

And here we have... the bottles from Catherine! Ok, that is true, but look who snatched MY fav jacket! This is Carrie from The Passionate Home!

Carrie has a lovely shabby chic kinda shop in Langley, BC, so if you are EVER out that way, you must stop in! Her website is HERE.

Rarely was there a moment of normalicy with Carrie around. (it was all HER I tell ya!) You should have seen  when she hit my bedroom. SQUEAL she did. :) And Catherine, she so fell in love with your bottles I allowed her to have ONE. Yes, I was truly generous was I not?!? (NOT)

Carrie also added a post about our visit! Cool! Click HERE.

These are the only gals I was organized enough to fiddle with pictures. Sandy is also a follower and I'm not sure if she has a blog! And a group of other followers also came just to see my digs that don't have blogs. I felt a little like a movie star of the hour. :) Thanks so much all for your wonderful visits! You made my day!

So, the place was littered with the WHAT WAS IT signs. AND I had to flaunt my recent So You Think wins too of course. :)

And this is the disclaimer I used when I didn't have something complete. Sounds much cooler than DARN IT NO TIME, eh?

The bucket of ballots displayed where interest was. And many were interested in attending a workshop, so I'll be finding out where most of the interest is and start formulating classes to suit! If you're local and didn't make it, I'll be blogging about the upcoming workshops, or you can email me to be on the workshop email list at signmakergirl@hotmail.com.

I'd also done abit of updating with the room displays, so I'll be doing a few more room shots to cure your curiosity in due time. :)

The tour was alot of fun with non stop banter about all things DIY. Many that visited couldn't wait to get home and do this or that to their place which was so cool to witness. I LOVE it when passion hits! It's so fun to watch. :)

Now that the house is pretty much complete, I'm going to start creating smaller things to sell come December for the town wide Christmas Craft Crawl. I've already been doing some inventing so I'll be showing you my Funky Junk Originals soon! :)

Thanks to everyone that came and helped make the weekend one big DIY party! And to all of you for your feedback on what your own thoughts were. So much appreciated!