Seams of Life

before and after :: kids art corner

Before:

 

After:

 

This project began with the art table project that I posted about over the summer. After completing the table, I realized that I needed to overhaul the entire art corner accommodate my growing girls and their growing creativity.

 

The Create banner idea had been rolling around in head every since seeing the project on the cover of Amanda Soule's book Handmade Home. 

 

This clothes pin display was a simple project. I just hot glued clothes pins to a board and spray painted the whole thing.

My goal was to give my girls a space that they wanted to be in and create in. I believe that goal was met. 
Now, when I suddenly find the house quiet, I look over and there they are emerged in a project or a picture, happy and content in their creativity.

 
 

before and after :: kids art table

 

My Mom gave me this table. She received it for free from her local thrift shop after making a large donation. It's was a decent enough table, sturdy and in good shape. Not very pretty, but I knew it would make a great table for my kids to draw and craft at. They have seriously outgrown their current toddler size art table. But I didn't really want to look at another brown table. And I didn't want to paint it white, the only paint color I had on hand, just to have it ruined with crayons and markers. No, this table (and my kiddos) deserved something a bit more fun and washable than white.

At first I thought to paint the top with chalkboard paint. When I saw all the great colors of chalkboard paint available, my creative juices starting flowing. And then it hit me...

 

...why not paint an ocean.

before and after :: a picture frame

When I came acrossthis tutorial on a newly found blog, Going Home to Roost, I knew I had to try it. All it required were three of my favorite things: fabric, spray paint, and a trip the thrift store.

And it really worked out great because I needed a way to protect my newly completed crocheted table runner. Yep, that's right, this pile of hexagons that I started working on way back in February have at last been sewn together and are now gracing my dining room table. Hooray to me for completed such a large project! (that doesn't happen too often, my friends)

 

before and after :: heirloom dresser

My first family heirloom, this dresser belonged to my great-grandparents. It came to me a little worn, well used and in need of a little tlc.

 
I cleaned and oiled it then replaced the hardware. Now it resides in my bedroom and I feel a wave of joy every time I walk into the room and see it. I'm proud to have this piece of history, our history, in my home.

The workmanship in this simple piece of furniture amazes me. It was certainly built to last, unlike some of the furniture available today. Although it has some nicks and signs of wear, it still is the most beautiful piece I own.

 

before and after

I have really been loving the before and after segment of Design*Sponge. It amazes me how someone can take a piece of furniture that I probably wouldn't give a second look, and transform it into something that looks like it came from a high-end catalog. Fueled by this inspiration, I will be working on my own before and afters. Looking around my home, I should have no problem coming up with ideas. Most of our stuff is second hand and, after years of use and neglect, in desperate need of a make over. Some of the projects will be small, subtle changes (likely just a coat of paint) that make a huge difference. Others will involve a bit more time and elbow grease.

To begin I'd like to share a pair of gourds. We grew these gourds about three years ago. I had planned to make bird houses then but only got as far as painting them white. After years of sitting on the back porch, this is what they looked like:

 

With a good sanding, a few holes drilled, and a fresh coat of paint, they now look like this:

 
 
This project was inspired by the gourd birdhouse I seen here. Most of the gourd birdhouses I've seen are really decorative. But I think that the solid color brings attention to the beauty of their shape.

We planted more gourds in the garden this year and hopefully, before long, I'll have more of these the swinging from our trees.