Week 17: Pinterest Project

On Week 17 (way back in April), I had to run to Michael's for a non-fun, non-crafty reason (specifically, I had to buy 5x7 envelopes for work), but when I took a lap around the store, I found some inspiration in the toy section. Technically, I didn't so much find inspiration as I was reminded of something I had pinned a while back. You see, according to whomever decides these things, brass animal figurines are the hotness right now. Meaning - if I were the type of person who "styled" her home (and, trust, I wish that I were), I would definitely have some sort of a brass animal figurine placed just so on my credenza (naturally, I would have a credenza), or bookshelf, or coffee table...

{ 1 - 2 - 3 }

Apparently however, these delightful, albeit totally nonfunctional, brass animals (branimals?) are pricey, so the internet is full of examples of people making knock-off versions. This is all to say that when I spotted a rubber giraffe in the clearance bin at Michael's, I knew that he should come home with me. This wasn't the first time I have turned a Pinterest pin into reality, but it was the first time for this particular craft (if you can call it that), so I decided that it could count for my new thing of the week. Now, pay attention because this is a blink and you'll miss it type of "craft."

Start with a giraffe. My giraffe is called Melvin, but I don't think it matters if your giraffe has a different name.

Introduce him to some spray paint.

 

Go to town.

Place Melvin (or Phyllis or whatever...) atop a pile of books and call Elle Decor or House Beautiful to see when they would like to come over for the photo shoot.

Gettin' Crafty With It

And by "it," I mean the time not spent looking for a job or contemplating the meaning of my existence... I have a lot of "it," so I decided to attempt one of the many crafty projects I have pinned. Last week I decided to attempt this project, so I hauled my cookies to Home Depot for the necessary supplies. I grabbed a bunch of free paint chip cards and then bought a bunch of thirteen cent tiles, a four dollar can of clear spray acrylic spray, and a pack of felt pads that cost a small amount that I no longer recall.

{the supplies}

I love me some paint chips...the subtle shade gradations, the whimsical names. Plus they're just so pretty.

First, I traced the tiles on the back of the paint chip.

{I don't recommend doing the tracing while also trying to take a picture.}

Next, I used the Mod Podge (decoupage glue) to stick the paint chip square to the top of the tile. I put a thin layer of glue on the back of the paint chip and then a couple of layers on top, and I let it dry overnight.  I learned my lesson and did not attempt to photograph the gluey step. The next day I coated the tiles with clear spray acrylic.  After they dried overnight, I sprayed them again.

The last thing to do was slap the felt pads on the bottom. Easy peasy.

The finished product...

Melrose Trading Post

Remember my mission to de-Ikea my apartment? Well, turns out, non-Ikea furniture is expensive. Since I'm not technically employed at the moment, it didn't seem like a good time to be making a major investment in furniture. Enter my new plan - thrift stores and flea markets! Delirious with visions of uncovering hidden gems amidst the junk, I dragged Tom to the Melrose Trading Post.

I had anticipated that more digging would be required, but we found these almost immediately. I almost passed on these guys because I felt like they came too easy, but I have been using empty milk crates as a nightstand for the past month, so we went for it. They are not quite as bright as they look here, but I love the aqua color. Tom negotiated and, $120 later, we have matching bedside tables made of actual, honest-to-goodness wood. They're real grown-up like.

Here are some of the other treasures I found but, sadly, did not purchase...

{lanterns}

{I want the old camera, not the creepy doll.}

{I have no place for this, but I find him strangely appealing.}

{I need to find a reason to buy vintage suitcases.}

{Tom wouldn't let me start a book collection for our currently nonexistent children, but someday...}

{I have no need for this, but isn't it pretty?}

{As soon as I have regular income again, I'm starting a vintage globe collection.}

{I have no idea what one does with other people's old photos, but I loved looking through them.}

{Again, I don't know what I'd do with it, but there's something so cool about it.}

I will be returning to the Melrose Trading Post just as soon as there is a thaw in the spending freeze we have goin' on over here...