Just look at those legs!

They make me so happy!

And my favorite finish to paint over is a dark wood, like this gal with the walnut stained top. My plan is to make her bright and cheery and, of course, distressed.

A furniture makeover? That means, yes! It must be the second Wednesday of the month and time for the Thrift Store Decor Team projects! All of this month’s projects are linked at the end of this post for your DIYing, upcycling, repurposing, and thrift seeking pleasure!

Gameplan

She was pretty cruddy. So I decided to bring her up onto the deck to clean and prep her for her makeover. Rain was on the way so I would be able to bring her into the house quickly should the skies open up.

Of course, since this is one of my projects, it got a little more complicated right from the start. While carrying her up the stairs and opening the deck gate, her top separated.

You are in luck to day friends, because you will get a second tutorial on how to repair a split tabletop!

Repairing a Split Tabletop

This is actually quite an easy repair. Just grab some wood glue and a clamp or two to start.

Sounds simple, right? Until only one clamp is long enough the clamp the tabletop. I remembered I had one of my dad’s old clamps in the garage. I had never used it before so I grabbed it an it worked perfectly. Pop was a woodworker, refinisher, the ultimate DIYer, He could fix anything and I cannot every remember a repairman coming to our house to fix anything. Pop did it all!

Place a liberal bead of glue along the complete length of the broken edge.

Push the top together and clamp into place.

I used 2 clamps. Because I only had 2 big enough. If I had 3, I would have used all three.

I allowed this to set for about 30 minutes and then wiped the joint with a damp rag removing the excess glue.

I allowed the repair to dry overnight.

Before you remove the clamp, you can reinforce the damaged area from beneath with a few screws and a mending plate. This will strengthen the repair and reduce the chance of the split recurring. Smart step, but I did not do this because I don’t plan to use the table for anything heavy. It would still have been a good move but you know me…anxious to get to the paint! I offer you one of my mom’s favorite quips…do as I say, not as I do!

You could even leave the clamps in place to give the entire piece a bath followed by a gentle sanding. I removed the clamps and gave the table a good wipe down with TSP.

Trisodium phosphate helps prep the surface to remove residual dirt, oils, and debris and preps the surface to better receive paint. Read about my be pre-paint prep tips HERE.

Choosing a Paint Color…or NOT

Next step was to sand the table top. I decided that the legs were is great shape with no major mars, knicks or dings.

So I would dry brush over the legs. That was the plan. So no sanding needed there so I decided to go to the more substantial project of sanding the tabletop. The top had what appeared to be a relatively thick coat of either oil based paint or paint with a heavy sealer.

When you work on older furniture pieces, you never know:

• what type of paint is on the piece
• how many paint layers there are
• what type of wood is beneath the paint
• what is the quality or condition of the wood beneath the paint.

It really is a grab bag of surprises. So my #1 rule for reviving old pieces is NEVER EVER BE HARD AND FAST TO YOUR GAMEPLAN. It is critical for your sanity to be fluid and ready to switch lanes during the project. That said, I grabbed the sander to “gently sand the tabletop” so I could get an idea of how well the paint might adhere.

And…that’s where the plan changed.

UNEXPECTED PATINA

That phrase…UNEXPECTED PATINA…gets me everytime. Once see beautiful old wood or gorgeous unique patina, I stop in my tracks and the plan changes. EVERY.STINKIN.TIME.

To most people, that photo above, is a mess. Their first thought is…grab a brush and paint over that mess! Not me…my mind says…oooh…let’s make that better…more fabulous and more unique.

Change in Plans…Imagine that!

So at this point, I put away my favorite teal paint, General Finishes Milk Paint Patina Green. I was looking forward to using it as it had been a while. I used it on this stool pictures below. It’s a great color to use for transforming treasures as it really makes an impact.

So, this patina spoke to me and I had to see, or create, more.

She really was quite nice this way but, alas, I needed to see some wood beneath the patina.

So, I sanded the edges and all of the curves around the table top.

I could start to see some wood. The individual wood planks used to create this tabletop were becoming more defined.

But I knew there was MORE!

As second sanding revealed more of the joints of the boards and more texture from layers began to appear.

I wiped the top down to remove the dust so I could see the surface a little better.

The purpose of the last sanding was to even out the surface and try to unify the piece. Don’t worry though. The top will not be so visible and choppy when it is sealed. You will also be viewing the finished piece from an angle and not a direct over view…which is a little busy and unrefined, I will admit.

I used Polycrylic sealer on the top because it is a resilient and easy to use sealer. I do like the rustic look that is emerging.

Because those legs were in such great shape and so pretty, I decided to give them a coat of hemp oil to bring out the beauty in the wood. Hemp oil is applied with a rag and then buffed to a shine.

Look at how the hemp oil feeds the raw wood and makes the stain shine.

Hemp oil really feeds the wood and brings out those natural tannins.

And so, while my intended fabulous transformation of this antique radio table is not so spectacular a transformation, it is a revival of the wood and that makes my heart pretty darn happy. Who knows…maybe I will tire of the rustic shabby primitive worn look. Or maybe I will finally paint her and gift her to someone. But for now, I love her!

Can you picture her in the corner of the parlor holding the big ol’ radio with the family gathered around to catch the daily state of the nation or an update on the World War?

I think I have the perfect place for her in the house but for now, we will enjoy her for a while out here on the deck.

I have some other projects scheduled for out here, including restaining the deck and revamping this little white dump truck.

It was 85 degrees the other day and some of my perennials are starting to show off. Mia is excited for spring.

So are these snap dragons.

These planters were upcycled almost 3 years ago and the colors are still vibrant!

And here is a good before and after. Special thanks to the sisters who can’t be in the same room together but do love a good project with Mom.

Today is my youngers daughter, IV’s birthday. She is 26. I posted on IG and FB that there aren’t many people who know themselves better than my IV. I’m realizing that maybe she gets a little bit of that from me! I really wanted to paint this table with Patina Green. I really did. But one look at what was beneath 50 some years of paint and I was finished. It had to be natural. There was no fighting it.

So Happy Birthday IV…and you are welcome for this stubborn resistant yet unique streak that you are owning!

And here are the Thrift Store Decor Team’s projects for this month! Enjoy!!!

Petticoat Junktion-Rick Rack Home Decor

Our Southern Home-Spray Paint Wicker Table

Shop At Blu-Upcycled Thrift Store Antique Radio Table

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia- High-End Garden Planter Knockoff

My Repurposed Life-Upcycled Drawers | Wall Shelf

The post Upcycled Antique Thrift Store Radio Table appeared first on Shop at Blu.

As always, if we are renewing, repurposing, reusing, or upcycling you know it is time for the Thrift Store Decor Team monthly projects. I am excited to see some spring projects this month. Be sure to check out the team projects that are each linked at the end of this post.

Step one, I gathered my supplies:

• Craft paint in vibrant colors
• White paint for base coat
• Various paint brushes
• cup of water (to rinse brushes0
• paper towels (for drying brushes and blotting paint when I make mistakes ’cause there will be mistakes)

PAINT!

I started with the easiest flower to refresh…the daisy. I traced the edges of the petals with some bright pink. I just continued around the flower until I had highlighted every petal.

Then, I filled in the lighter areas with a paler color to add freshen those areas. I went back with a few darker swipes of paint to mimic shading.

Next up was the roses. Same process…add color on the edges, refresh the centers, add shading.

I worked my way through the types of flowers and moved onto the leaves and stems, highlighting and adding dabs of vibrant colors.

LETTERING

The last part was the lettering. I selected a bright violet red, a bright purple color.

***And here is where I will pause and say…USE THE RIGHT TOOLS! I was rushing so I grabbed a few paintbrushes that were handy.

Midway through the lettering touch up process, I realized that better brushes suited for lettering were needed. Did I stop and rummage through the supply closet to find them? NO! Consequently, the lettering was a mess. The lines were too thick. They were not crisp and sharp. So I had to wait for the paint to dry to fix the mess.

The good thing about paint is that it is always easy to fix. My patience, or should I say my impatience…not so much. Take your time! Use the right tools! Reduce your frustration level! Do it right the first time. (The project is finished, sort of, but I will still need to touch up the lettering a bit when my temperament is better). LOL.

Slow and steady wins the race! Even veteran creators make mistakes and have to pay the consequences of rushing a project! So give me a few days…and check back for the “really finished” lettering.

Ok, enough side notes…back to the project.

Load your brush and simply follow the lines. There are brushes for lettering and I would highly suggest investing in a few. Some have very flat bristles that will ensure crisp straight edges on your letters. Some are skinny long that allow you to follow the curves of a letter. PRACTICE! The more comfortable you are with the process, the easier it will be. PRACTICE!

Another reason to practice? Dark purples and red paints tend to stain a white canvas. Such is difficult to wipe away and just as difficult to cover. So, if you make a mistake, allow the paint to dry completely and cover the mistake several times. Several times means apply the white over the purple mistake and allow the paint to dry. Only when the paint is completely dry should you repeat this process as many times as needed.

When the paint has dried, use a smaller brush to fill in the letters. I would also suggest tracing out the lines where you want them and slowly fill them in with small strokes to avoid more mistakes.

Good lettering takes lots of practice. So, don’t get discouraged. The answer is PRACTICE.

FILLING IN SPACE

When you are touching up an existing piece of art, it’s really a game of color matching. If I can’t match a color, I get as close as I can and I try to blend. In the photo above, I used a light grey wash and covered the entire canvas OVER the design. This brought coherency to the project. And a little white wash freshens everything.

FINALLY

So here is the final project with the disclaimer that I will go back and touch up those letters a little bit more. Sometimes you just have to walk away for a minute and then resume.

I hope you enjoyed my not so perfect project! Every now and then, the project doesn’t go as planned and you have to pause and regroup and sometimes step away. And that’s okay!

Bundt Pan Bird Feeder My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Upcycle Thrift Store Art Shop At Blu –YOU ARE HERE!

Two Ways to Update Thrift Store Art Our Southern Home

Repurposing A Damaged Stoneware Crock House Of Hawthornes

Small Country Shelf Makeover  My Repurposed Life

Diy Easter Display Petticoat Junktion

The post Upcycle Thrift Store Art appeared first on Shop at Blu.

If you are a regular visitor here, I know what you are thinking. And you are right! It’s time for:

If you are new to Blu or the TSDT, we are a group of 7 creative bloggers who focus on the upcycle, repurpose, and reuse of older or previously used items. At the end of this post, you will find all of the other team projects. We share our posts on the second Wednesday of the month. This is our first post of the NEW YEAR! What new skills will we share this year?? Tools, products, DIY skills and fabulous tips are just a few of our favorites. We hope to see you as a regular visitor. Sign up for an email reminder when new posts are shared. See the signup at the top right sidebar of this page! We would absolutely be thrilled for you to follow our projects! Let’s get to our kitchen utensil decor project!

Inspiration

Shout out to my friend, Daphne for passing these pot lids along.

Daphne has a beautiful lake house where all of her older kitchen utensils retire and bring joy to the family and to friends…like Mr. Blu and me! At the end of every trip to the lake, Daphne grabs items that are no longer needed or, in this case, mismatched. So, I brought them home but, alas, could find no matches. Rather than donate to the endless pot lid shelf at the thrift store, I opted to repurpose them. So here we go! You never know where you will find your inspiration. But the lake really is the perfect place!

Mia say let’s go!

Build a Snowman

Amazingly, the three pot lids are a perfect combination in size to create a snowman! I needed something to mount them on so I headed to the garage where I have a wood pile with a variety of excess wood from previous projects.

I narrowed the selection down to these two:

Always check the front, back, and sides when you are selecting wood. Sometimes there will be a surprise on the back that can eliminate a choice. Like too many knots or rot or oil stains. And sometime you will find a good surprise like unexpected texture or fabulous woodgrain. Such is the joy of wood!

The lighter piece measured 18″ x 27″. It’s always a great idea to dry fit your items before proceeding…to help visualize the finished product, if you will. I set the lids on the lighter wood.

They fit did fit. But I would not be able to put a hat on my snowman. So I tried the longer piece.

The darker piece of wood measured 13″ x 40″. I could fit the snowman and there was plenty of room for a hat. There was extra room above for additional embellishments like a catchy winter phrase or maybe some snowflakes. I will decide later. But this piece of wood was a better fit for the project. I decided to leave the wood as is for a rustic look.

Clean Your Project Pieces

Yes, this is the real first action step whenever I am using wood or re-creating from used objects. Give the components a nice bath with warm soapy water.

Who knows where the items to be rehomed have been? I really mean the wood because the lids were at Daphne’s home. But when you grab an items from a thrift store, flea mall, or even curbside, a good cleaning is always a must. Even the wood from my own garage needed a wipe down. Dust, dirt, and the occasional critter are always a possibility regardless of how clean you maintain your storage area. The chipmunks in our yard are fast little buggers and have been known to seek refuge from the Alabama heat and storms. I gave the lids a cleaning too. I figured why not?

Allow the pieces to dry completely. I just allowed them to air dry by the sink.

Assemble Your Snowman

I laid the lids down to create my snowman. You can lay them straight or off centered for a whimsical look.

Use a sharpie to outline each lid. I wanted us use E-6000 which is a great craft adhesive that dries clear. But, I could not find it in my garage so I grabbed some Liquid Nails instead. Follow the sharpie line and squeeze out your adhesive. If you have outdoor adhesive already on hand, that will work too. Use what you have.

Lay the lid onto the adhesive. Outline the next lid, apply the adhesive, and set the lid into place. Complete these steps again for the third lid. Allow the adhesive to dry. You are ready to dress your snowman.

Embellishments

As I said, I wanted a hat for my snowman. So I grabbed some plaid fabric I had on hand from another project.

Years before I started blogging, I would create primitive decor.

This snowman angel is one of my all time favorites. I made a snowman version with a simple primitive hat was super easy so I decided to follow that design.

I cut out the hat. Just a rough shape will do. And then I rolled some fabric to make a droopy brim. This also give the snowman some more dimension. Lastly, I cut a few strips for a scarf for my snowman’s neck. It’s chilly on the front stoop this week! It’s been 28 degrees the last two mornings!

Next I laid out the pieces where I wanted them and then I used hot glue to attach the hat to the wooden background.

I started with the hat and worked my way down the front of the snowman gluing the hat pieces and then the scarf pieces to the wood.

Continue until you have glued all down of the hat and scarf pieces.

The pot handle in the center of my snowman’s face made for a cute nose. So I just grabbed a black sharpie and drew on some eyes and a mouth. You could also use some black craft paint.

Final Touches

I was putting away my Christmas decor at the time of this project so I kept out a few snowflakes and glued them around my snowman.

I think he turned out great. This was a quick project that did not cost me one penny thanks to Daphne and a garage full of old wood and craft supplies.

What have YOU ever made out of kitchen utensils or gadgets? I’d love to see!

Here is my after Christmas outdoor entryway.

I moved Frosty to storage and added my new kitchen utensil decor snowman.

It’s so cold this week here in Alabama that I could not resist adding my childhood Yankee Clipper sled and Pop’s ice skate. Great memories sitting right here in this corner!

Yikes! I need a winter doormat! Headed out to get one!

Vintage Oak Cane Chair Makeover-My Repurposed Life

How to Style a Glass Cloche– My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Paint A Bamboo Tray -Petticoat Junktion

Kitchen Utensil Decor– Shop at Blu

Using Restor-a-Finish on Thrifted Finds– Our Southern Home

The post Kitchen Utensil Decor – Build a Snowman appeared first on Shop at Blu.

Sarah – SADIE SEASONGOODS

I am starting with the literal queen of repurposing. Sarah has the keenest eye for repurposing thrift store finds. One glance at her blog and you will be amazed at how she visualizes and nails a transformation. With a mid century modern flair, Sarah reinvents new purpose for simple old things. Look at this paper towel holder. Am I right? Be sure to browse her upcycle and DIY projects…and yes, you are welcome!

Gail – MY REPURPOSED LIFE

While Sarah may be the queen of transformations, let’s call Gail Ms. Fixit. In every DIY project where she upcycles a piece of furniture or accessory, you will find a lesson in how to repair, resurface, or stabilize an item. In the midst of the how to lesson, you will be introduced to some fabulous paints and DIY products. If you find a fabulous items with great bones but some small issues, scour Gail’s pages and you will find the quickest solution and a guide to the tools you need.

Christy – OUR SOUTHERN HOME

If you are looking to upgrade your decor, Christy is your girl. She will walk you through the process of creating Pottery Barn style decor from your everyday thrift store finds. Spray paint truly is a girl’s best friend. Take a stroll through Christy’s beautiful home. You will be amazed by the thrift store projects sprinkled through out the beautiful rooms. Take these lovely Christmas village houses as an example. You will find Christy’s detailed DIY project tutorials easy to follow. And the end product…so rewarding!

Kathy – PETTICOAT JUNKTION

Kathy’s projects are always very simple but stately! She has a knack for quick projects that simply light up a corner. Take this project with thrift store vases…such an easy way to make a big statement anywhere in your home. With a little bit of spray paint, some painter’s tape, and thrift store vases, you are all set! From the front porch, to the guest bathroom, to the living room, Kathy’s upcycles are practical, useful, and beautiful!

Pam – HOUSE OF HAWTHORNES

Pam always hits a home run with her repurposed items. With a pension for vintage and an eye for practical use, you never know what she is working on but you always know Pam will find a creative new way to display her vintage beauties. In this project, she pairs two of my favorites…vintage kitchen items and succulents! Check out Pam’s projects for new ways to cherish your vintage finds.

Kristin – MY UNCOMMON SLICE OF SUBURBIA

You tell from Kristin’s succulent, garden, beach themed, and garden projects that she is a West Coast girl! Her projects always leave me longing for sunny weather and outdoor beauty. While many of her projects are perfect for your patio or outdoor rooms, Kristin has completed some fabulous DIY projects in her home. From painting, to room renno to easy tips to get things done, you will find a fabulous mix of DIY and beautiful decor on Kristin’s pages. My favorites, of course, are her succulent projects and her fabulously thrifty decor upcycles.

Enjoy reading through the projects we have gathered for you! I can’t wait to see that new skills, tips, tricks, and always fabulous upcycles the new year will bring for us all!

Enjoy! And Merry Christmas!!

Here are links to the last 2 year’s “Best Of” projects:

The post Thrift Store Decor Team Best DIY Projects of 2024 appeared first on Shop at Blu.

I bet you already knew when I mentioned an upcycle project, that today is the 2nd Wednesday of the month and time for the Thrift Store Decor Team Projects! You will find them all at the very end of this post. I wonder what the team is revitalizing today? Let’s get on with our outdoor lantern upcycle!

Prep your Outdoor Lanterns

My plan is to sand off the rust and use some colorful Rustoleum Spray Paint to refresh these outdoor lanterns. The Rustoleum will have a dual purpose. First, it will stop any rust that is developing on the lanterns and second, it will bring a fabulous new finish to these aging lanterns.

A closer look reveal debris and rust that has accumulated from the lanterns sitting outdoors for so long. So, as with any project piece, lets start with a good cleaning.

First, I needed to remove any glass. These lanterns are aluminum and have tabs that hold the glass in place.

To remove the glass, I simply folded the tabs away from the glass and lifted the glass out.

I dusted off the debris and gave each lantern a once over with a stiff bristled brush to remove any surface rust. Next, I set the lanterns in my sink and added warm water and Dawn dish soap.

I used a bottle brush to scrub the inside and outside surface of each lantern.

I gave the glass a good bath as well so I can replace it to use the lanterns to hold candles in the future.

After a good rinse, I set the lanterns outside to dry. It was a windy day, so I laid the lanterns on their side. After about half an hour, I flipped them over to make sure they were drying thoroughly.

Time for Paint

Once dry, I took the into the yard and gave each a thin coat of Rustoleum I used fall colors that I had on hand from a previous fall project. I used the Cinnamon and the Warm Caramel.

Rustoleum 2X has fabulous coverage and I didn’t even need a second full coat. Also, I recommend the Rustoleum Comfort Grip to hold your can. It eliminates finger fatigue and overspray onto your hands. Great tool!

I gave each lantern a light coat. Rustoleum 2x coverage is so good that I only needed one light coat. I allowed this coat to dry for about 20 minutes.

Then I flipped the lanterns over to finish the insides, bottoms, and any angles that I could not reach previously.

Tips for Spray Painting

Like I said, light coats are preferred because that prevents drips and pooling of paint. If you miss a spot, wait for the coat to dry and flip the piece so you can hold the paint can at a better angle to hit those spots. If you see a drip, tap or dab it lightly with a rag. This usually removes the drip. Sometimes you can go over this area after the paint dries with another light spray, but, amazingly, sometimes the paint self levels and the touch up spritz is not needed.

I like to use this small vintage open wire shelf unit for spray painting because it can hold several small items at one. These lanterns were larger so I would spray one coat and move the lantern aside to allow it to dry. I would place the next lantern on the shelf, spray one coat and remove to dry. Repeat.

I didn’t want to touch the outside of the lantern as the paint was wet. So I cupped my hand, lifted the lantern from the inside, and set it aside to dry.

Once the lanterns were dry, I moved the to the table on our deck until I am ready to use them inside. So many possibilities.

As I said, these lanterns were outside for a few years. The two larger lanterns had rope handles. I will replace them eventually but that is a project for another day. For now, I used masking tape to cover the bases for the handles because I like the chrome metal look.

After painting, I removed the tape. You can see the handle bases in the photo below. Use painter’s tape to mask off any area that you don’t want painted. This is commonly used for hardware, glass, or to make designs.

And here are the outdoor lanterns after being painted.

I couldn’t just let them sit there all lonely and empty, could I?

Look at that dreary sky! For once I exhibited some patience and took some more photos the next day.

That sky is so much happier! My pilgrim is even smiling.

The lanterns look great on our front stoop at the entryway also!

Move the lanterns around to different positions. Use different combinations of mums, pumpkins, and gourds until you find the look that you like.

If it doesn’t look quite, right, move things around again.

Sit a mum inside of a lantern.

Add some small pumpkins or gourds. Use real or faux…whatever you have on hand.

How about using those lanterns inside! Grab some florals.

And some pumpkins.

I even added some feathers.

They make a great centerpiece for an empty table.

The larger lanterns might be a little tall to use for Thanksgiving dinner. You might have trouble looking through them to see your guests. But they would look nice before dinner. Just remove them and replace them with the entrees and the turkey!!

I can see some florals and candles sitting inside of these beauties on Thanksgiving Day.

And here are this month’s projects from my fabulous creative friends!

Refresh Thrift Store Artwork

Upcycled Brass Christmas Bell Decoration

Decorating with a Vintage Toolbox

Repurposed Santa Mug

Refresh Outdoor Lanterns for Indoor Decor – That’s ME! You’re HERE!

The post Refresh Outdoor Lanterns for Indoor Decor appeared first on Shop at Blu.

Many of the most beautiful antique American furniture pieces from the 1800’s and 1900’s were created from tiger oak. Tiger Oak is characterized by very distinct horizontal grain and was featured in 19th-century oak veneer furniture. The stripes appear light in the dark wood because they showcase the medullary growth rings of the oak tree. Tiger oak is a distinctly American style, popular especially with the emerging middle class. Here is an example of tiger oak:

Another favorite antique or vintage wood is heart pine, often used for floors, pilings and poles in the construction of homes. Heart pine, before the 1900’s, was the go to wood for building due to its strength, hardness and golden red coloration. It was nearly extinct due to logging and overharvesting. Before the 18th century, in the United States, longleaf pine forests, covered approximately 30-60 million acres along the coastal plain from Virginia’s southern tip to eastern Texas. These pine trees, 80 to 120 feet tall, require 100 to 150 years to become full size and can live up to 500 years. An inch of heart pine requires 30 years growth. Due to deforestation and over-harvesting since colonial days, only about 3% of the original Longleaf Pine forest remains.^{(source: Google)}

The source of much of the available heart pine found on the market is longleaf pine from old buildings. Currently heart pine for building and woodworking is procured by reclaiming old lumber and recovering logs, felled pre-1900, from rivers. Here are some examples of heart pine:

Both tiger oak and heart pine are super strong and durable. I often find these woods in old doors and old furniture. Here is one project where I refurbished an old tiger oak mantle:

While old wood is fabulous when restored, there is something about old wood peeking from beneath layers of old paint that just sets my creative heart on fire. Look at these doors:

When I closed my antique and consignment store 5 years ago, I had many antique doors. Sadly, some were left outside due to storage limitations and recently, we cleaned up that pile. I was able to salvage a few pieces that resisted the heat and weather. I could not simply discard them.

Just look at that patina!

With fall almost here, let’s make some pumpkins from this antique and vintage wood!

Cut the Wood to Size

I cleaned the wood and headed to the miter or chop saw. This Ryobi compound sliding miter saw is battery operated and my new favorite Ryobi tool. I cut the wood to various sizes that I though would displace nicely together. After all, a pumpkin patch has pumpkins of varying sizes.

Here are pieces of wood that I was able to salvage. Some have more paint on them than others.

I did give these selected salvaged pieces a light sanding to remove some of the dirt that had built up. Light sanding removed the thin layer of dirt and freshened the paint colors.

Here is the practice pumpkin, before I sanded the surface to renew the paint.

Pumpkin shapes are quite easy and simple. I’m considering these to be funky and quirky because, really, when have you seen a chippy blue pumpkin? But isn’t decor about creating and matching your home to your very distinct likes and styles? It’s about making things unique and personal. So here we go.

Creating Your Pumpkins

I cleaned up the wood. I also gave some sections a very light sanding to make the colors pop and remove any lingering residual dirt.

Pumpkins need stems. I grabbed a tree branch from the yard and chopped off sections to use as stems for my pumpkins.

Perfect!

I needed some leaves for my pumpkins. My choices were to cut some leaves out of fabric or gather some leaves from my yard. It seemed so much easier to forage than to dig through my overflowing fabric stash. So I headed to the corner of my yard to grab some beautiful leaves from my neighbor Cindy’s gorgeous magnolia tree. I grabbed as many small magnolia leaves as I could find.

Last month I use some jute/twine to embellish some wooden crates that I made into pumpkins. l liked that look for the tendrils so I planned to use some of that for these vintage wood pumpkins.

I had this old wooden frame in my garage. It’s been waiting for a project. It will make the perfect backdrop for my mini pumpkin patch.

I gathered all of my supplies and began to create my little pumpkin patch right on my mantle. Here is the mantle before:

I added the wooden backing.

Then, I started in the center with the base pumpkins and arranged them to my liking…

I moved them around until I had the look I liked.

Once I was happy with the position of the pumpkins, I added my stems.

Once the arrangement was pleasing, I hot glued the pumpkins…

And the stems into place.

Next up, were the leaves. My Ryobi cordless glue gun was perfect for the job.

I found these silicone fingertip protectors a while back. They are perfect for protecting your skin from that hot glue. With the leaves it was necessary to hold each leaf in place until the glue dried. This only took a few seconds for each leaf but these little doohickeys are a literal godsend. No more blisters for me!

These leaves are the very best for projects for two reasons…they were free and came in a variety of sizes.

After the leaves, I had planned on adding the jute tendrils (YES, THOSE LITTLE SPIRAL FLY-AWAYS ON A PUMPKIN STEM DO HAVE A NAME). But with the chippy paint and the textured leaves, I though there was enough going on so I skipped the tendrils this time.

Sorry my little pumpkins, no tendrils for you!

I might add a little sign or some words later, but I sure do like her just like this!

I finished of the mantle by adding these wooden crates from a project last month for the Thrift Store Decor Team. If you love super quick and even easier projects, click on the photo to see that post.

The mantle came together nicely.

Here in Alabama, the temperatures are just starting to drop to the mid 80’s. Being from Pennsylvania originally (Philly girl), I have a hard time jumping into fall with the vibrant traditional fall colors when I still have my a/c running full blast. So, a few years ago, I started easing into the fall season with neutral colors. I always gravitate toward blues and pale greens so I start with those colors and, of course, whites and beiges. But the time I’ve enjoyed these for a few weeks, we will be into the 70’s. And I can’t wait!

Guess what? Are you ready for some more projects and fall inspiration? How about 11 other posts from my Amazing Creator friends??

I’m joining friends, some new and some old, in sharing some October happiness. Below is a list of blogs joining me. Please swing by and meet some new friends. Enjoy the projects. Maybe learn a new skill. and definitely absorb the inspiration!

Shop at Blu -that’s ME! You are here!

Exquisitely Unremarkable

Gathered In The Kitchen

An Organized Season

Everyday Edits

My Home and Travels

Now Choose Life

Birdz of a Feather

From Farmhouse to Florida

At Home With Kristy 

The Stylish Maker 

Tea and Forget-me-nots

Here are some of my favorite fall projects from the past:

The post How to Make Pumpkins from Vintage Wood appeared first on Shop at Blu.

Thrift store find? It’s time for this month’s Thrift Store Decor Team projects! As always, they will be listed at the end of this post so be sure to check out all of the fabulous thrifty upcylced projects from my super talented friends.

Easy Way to Refresh Any Area

Two years ago we replaced our old deck . We’ve enjoyed using the deck but his year, we are finally getting around to finishing the patio area under the deck. While we have a few concrete projects planned, the area needs a quick fix to spruce up the area in the meantime. Of course, an easy and cost efficient way to immediately add character to a space is with plants!

A Garden Hanging Basket Staple

I had come across these wired garden hanging planters at the thrift store but you can also buy them new. I saw these at Home Depot.

You can buy just the coco liner replacement or the hanger with the liner.

Why buy new and spend money on planters when you can upcycle the planters that you have? I mean, that means you can use the funds you’ve saved to buy more plants? Right? Perfect logic.

I ordered some coconut liners from Amazon. Did you know, the sell it in rolls? I’ve seen the rounded liners and rectangular liners in various sizes. But what if you have a weird shaped planter, like these:

I actually have 4 of these beauties. When I had my second store, The Yellow Building, I bought them from a woman who worked for an interior designer. She said they were from Paris. They’ve been sitting and waiting for their chance to shine. I bought the rolls of coco liners for these planters. Stay tuned as this will be the next project up after my practice run today.

Make a Custom Coco Liner

Unroll the coco liner and spread it out flat. You can trace the form onto the liner with a sharpie and then cut the pieces, like a pattern. Or, if you are a combination of lazy and impatient, lay it over the wire form.

Use the form as a guide to cut the liner to size.

Then lay the liner along the planter and set the pieces into place.

You can use some twine to tack the liner into place. But I wouldn’t get to caught up in making the liner lay flat against the form. When you add the soil, the liner will fall into place.

Trim the tops to be even with the edges of the form but don’t worry too much about it being perfectly straight as your plants will spill over the edges and cover the liner thus hiding any imperfections. I’m all about smoke and mirrors.

Good quality potting soil can be expensive. It also can be very heavy, especially after you water the plants. Can you imagine how heavy this would be if filled with wet potting soil?
So I used some old pots as fillers. Then I simply plopped a round planter into the top. Voila!

Filling your Garden Hanging Planters

Have you heard the phrase spillers, thrillers and fillers? There are several variations of this phrase. But they all basically mean that you need 3 types of plants in your planters. You need a Thriller, or an anchor plant that has some height and will be your focal point. Then you need spillers that will fall over the edges. Lastly, you should add fillers which take up the space between the thrillers and fillers. I grabbed few from Home Depot. But don’t be alarmed, they were all on sale.

I found this Lemon Calypso which resembles a Mandeville. So this will definitely grow upward an can have some runners that will hang over the sides of the planter.

I also grabbed some Caladiums. This is not my normal planter plant so I decided to give it a try. I expect this to bush up a bit. So I can separate it and scatter around my garden.

Like I said, they make coco liner replacements to fit your standard shaped wired hangers. Standard sizes are round, half round and rectangle. They are definitely easier to work with as you simply drop them into the frame and you are ready to plant.

I had some coco grass leftover from a previous project to I just recycled this for my round planter instead of buying a new replacement.

I just set it in the bottom of the round wire hanger and spread it out until it fit all around the form. I did add a small plastic bag to the bottom to help hold extra water for the plants. Then I added the soil. After I added soil, I moved the liner around to cover any bare spots.

Use the following tips to fill any garden hanging planter.

Fill your liner about 3/4 full with soil. Don’t fill to the top because you will be adding your plants and it’s silly to fill it up and then remove soil. Work smarter, not harder.

Add your thriller or anchor plant.

Set your spillers into place.

Fill in the spaces.

Add one plant at a time and before you know it, your liner will be full.

Remember that it will take a week or two for the plants to acclimate and begin to thrive. They will grow bigger and continue to fill the planter.

Adding Little Details

While scouting out the coco liner availability at my local stores (Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Walmart, Home Depot and Lowes), I found this great little sign at Dollar General for only $5! So she came home with me.

I hung the round planter with the chair from a bracket that I attached to the side of the deck.

I will probably be checking it everyday waiting for the plants to plump up and spread out…a literal watched pot! The waiting!!!

And here is the half round garden hanging planter with the custom coco liner.

It really brightens the area.

And my $5 sign…

The area is coming along nicely. Can’t wait to add more garden hanging planters!

Here is a sneak peek of one of the Paris planters in progress…

Is it wrong to want to spend all day in the garden?

Rope Wrapped Hanging Basket

High Top Table Makeover

Thrift Store Candle Holder Makeover

Refresh Dated Art

Turn A File Cabinet Into a Planter

Fixing Up a $5 Broken Side Table

DIY Garden Hanging Planters

Conceal Your Hose with This Simple Flower Pot Hack

The post DIY Garden Hanging Planters appeared first on Shop at Blu.

Look at the design! Can you imagine how long this project took? It is actually made from tiny pieces of gravel. This art form is known as mid century gravel art! Who knew??!!

It is a mosaic, of sorts. How cool are the colors?!

After some research, I found some other examples of lovely authentic MCM gravel art. You can see them at the very end of this post.

Well, I scooped it up several years ago with the intention of using it around Thanksgiving. We had a flood (one of many) while I still had my store, The Blue Building Antiques and Consignment. This item was water damaged. From sitting over the years, the backing on the frame had deteriorated. I suspect this is a Vintage piece that someone created back in the 50s or 60s. At any rate, my love for the artistic design prevented me from trashing this piece when it was damaged.

It’s time to salvage this thrift store art and upcycle it into something fabulous. What better time for up cycling, repurposing and renewing items than Thrift Store Decor Team Wednesday!

If it’s Thrift Store Decor Team Wednesday, that means it’s the second Wednesday of the month! With crisp air and falling leaves all around us, I expect to see some wonderful fall projects in this month’s roundup. At the end of this post, you will find all of the teams projects.

Game Plan

My plan is to remove the artwork from the frame and discard the damaged background fabric.

The frame will need repair as it is quite loose.

I need to determine what type of new background to use for the gravel mosaic. I will attach that background to the frame backing board and secure the mosaic onto that. The final step will be to repair and reinstall the frame around the artwork. Here we go…

Remove the Thrift Store Art from the Frame

Step one is to flip the frame over and remove the backer board from the frame. I used a small screwdriver to pry the staple heads up above the wood surface and then used needle nose and regular pliers to extract the staples from the wood. Sometimes frames use small nails to hold the backer board in place. I find that needle nose pliers, usually do the trick in removing those buggers.

After removing the backer board, the frame was very unstable and actually fell apart. I set this aside to secure later and moved onto removing the background from my mosaic.

This background is a seagrass or grasscloth fabric. As I said earlier, it is vintage art and the grasscloth backing was very fragile and tore easily. However, because it’s fabric I needed to cut the excess grasscloth from around the edges of my mosaic. I used fabric scissors, and a very small set of curved scissors that were very sharp.

I believe these little curved beauties are also vintage sewing scissors.

The curves on these tiny scissors helped get as close as possible to the mosaic when cutting off the grasscloth.

Fortunately, the tiny stone pieces were very securely glued to the fabric, which allowed me to simply cut around the design. I was left with one large appliqué, if you will, that was ready to be remounted in the frame.

I used some Old English for dark woods to touch up the sides of the mosaic appliqué since the edges were white.

I used a paint brush. You could also use some brown paint or stain. Just be careful to allow the edges to dry completely before you glue the mosaic appliqué to the backer board.

Touching up those white edges made a huge difference on the dark backer board.

She is ready to go.

Selecting a New Color for the Background

I moved on to determine what color my background should be. Since I did not have any replacement, grass cloth on hand, I decided to go with a natural or darker wood look for the background behind the mosaic. The backer board on my frame is nothing but a traditional backer board with a very very dark color. The more I handled it, the more I like it. However, I thought I would try to lighten it a bit. So I mixed a solution of one part water to one part bleach and wiped the entire surface twice.

While it did not lighten the backing, it did clean things up and even out the surface so that it wasn’t streaky. The result was a rich chocolatey color. I’ll try this dark background for my appliqué.

Attaching the Mosaic Appliqué

I grab some E6000 adhesive to secure the appliqué. This little tube has tiny applicators that help to get to small places.

I used the tube around the large parts of the appliqué and used the skinny applicator on the smaller parts. After applying the E 6000 to the back of the appliqué, I placed it carefully onto my backer board and pressed it securely into place. I placed a crate on top to hold all of the corners down as the appliqué is rather thick and some areas did not want to lay flat.

The weighted down crate helped apply pressure across the entire surface where needed so that the mosaic applique dried flat. I allowed E6000 to dry for about four hours. In the meantime, I worked on rebuilding and securing the frame.

Repairing a Frame

The frame was in four pieces. Here are the corners where they should meet to form the 90 degree angles.

The repair process is quite simple, in theory.

• remove the old hardware (staples or nails)
• glue the corners to one another and allow to dry
• reinforce the corners

But, if you’ve every tried to repair a frame, you know that the process is quite complicated and frustrating. So let me show you how I managed to stablize the skinny pieces of wood and form beautiful 90 degree angles with the end result of a sturdy frame for my thrift store art.

First, use your pliers, flathead screwdriver, and wire clutters to remove all of the old staples. Grab your wood glue (Elmer’s works in a pinch). You will also need a few clamps. I like the ones with the squeeze grips but I also use the clip clamps as well (they resemble a clothes pin with a spring). And you will need a small block of wood with a nice 90 degree angles (to ensure that your frame ends up with perfect corners). The block doesn’t need to be more than 4 inches long x 1 inches deep x 1-2 inches long. It is just a guide for your corners. You can use a smaller or a larger size.

There are clamps that are made specifically for 90° angles that are perfect for securing or building picture frames or repairing. However, I have not splurged on any of these yet. Hmm, this is the first item to go onto my Christmas list! I will rely on old-fashioned ( cave man style) engineering skills. I used a wood block (with perfect 90 degree angle) and secured one edge of the frame to the block with a clamp. I applied some glue to each of the two frame pieces that would fit together to create the corner and layed the pieces into place at the corners. Then I grabbed another clamp and secured the other side of the frame to the wood block as well. This provides a sturdy support for your frame as the glue dries. A third clamp was placed directly over the 90 degree corner. I need to make a video of this process. Until then, hopefully these photos help.

Once the glue had dried, I used my Ryobi airstrike stapler to staple each side the corners.

I used the crate again as a support for my frame while I set the staples into place. It kept the frame steady and helped me get the staples into place perfectly. Then I repeated the entire process for the other 3 corners of my frame.

And here is the frame!

Reinstalling the Frame

The final step was to place the artwork back into the frame. The best part about reusing the original backer board is that the fit was perfect. I simply laid the board into the frame and stapled it into place.

Isn’t she lovely???!!!

I do like the change in the dark background. I think it really makes the colors so much more vibrant. I will be sure to display this in a room with much light to accent the colored gravel.

She will make a beautiful addition to the mantle. I can picture her with a beautiful potted mum on either side for a very simple yet elegant display.

Somehow, after this sweet project, I know there will be many more thrift store art work upcycles to come!

Thrift Store Decor Team Projects

As promised, here are the other projects from my fabulous Thrift Store Decor Team members. Take some time to enjoy the creative talents of my fabulous friends. Enjoy!

Painting A Thrift Store Lamp My Repurposed Life

Thrift Store DIY Upcycle Petticoat Junktion

Minnow Bucket Pumpkin With Dollar Tree Stencil Organized Clutter

Updating a Rolling Cooler With Spray Paint My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Updating Fall Thrift Store Art Shop At Blu

Boho Pumpkin with All-Natural Craft Supplies Sadie Seasongoods

DIY Velvet Pumpkins Domestically Speaking

Vintage Wooden Bucket Makeover House of Hawthornes

And here is the compilation of lovely MCM gravel art pieces that I found on Etsy:

Can you guess which one of these I just ordered…..???

The post Updating Seasonal Thrift Store Art – Fall Edition appeared first on Shop at Blu.

There was a tree pattern on this three panel room divider but I sprayed it with primer years ago. The back of the panel is white. She has definitely seen better days.

You know I love color. I had grabbed this wrapping paper on sale a year ago with the intention of using it on a tray for my office. I am still loving these vibrant colors so I decided to use this color scheme for my panel.

During the planning stage, I realized at 15 stripes per panel X 3 panels X 2 coats = 90 stripes to paint??That is a lot of stripes. Then you have to consider laying and securing the painter’s tape because, yes, I can paint, but straight stripes freehand? Nope. Lay the tape, prime the stripe, paint the stripe, let it dry, second coat? Again, a hard fast no. The answer was sitting right there…decoupage the paper onto the three panel room divider.

You know what that logo means…it’s Thrift Store Decor Team Wednesday. Welcome, if this is your first visit! Eight of my creative DIY friends and I share one thrifty makeover on the second Wednesday of every month. Wait until you see the fabulous projects for this month! They are linked at the bottom of this post.

Upcycling a Three Panel Room Divider

My go to decoupage solution is Mod Podge. I love the easy application and the easy clean up. The product always results in a nicely sealed finish. I will share some of my other Mod Podge projects later in this post.

I’ve never decoupaged such a large surface and I’ve never used stripes. So this would be learning project for me. To avoid a long and detailed repetitive post, you can find detailed tips and application process in the following posts. I will just highlight the things that I learned from mod podging large areas with striped designs.

I started by laying the Mod Podge on about and 8-12″ section at a time. Brush the Mod Podge onto the screen and smooth the paper over the area. Hold the roll of paper back and brush the Mod Podge onto the next section. Carefully smooth the paper over the Mod Podge to eliminate bumps and air bubbles. Continue until your panel is finished.

You can see a few of the spots where I rushed the process. See the tops of the two outside screen panels. I had to go back and repair these.

Speaking of repairs, I did have a small tear in the paper when this panel fell over. Also, forgive the lighting variations as I’m trying to master the indoor/outdoor adjustments.

I simply lifted the paper and reglued the area. It’s not a perfect repair, but it will do. It isn’t super obvious in the end product.

It is a little more obvious close up. But from a distance, it is really hard to see the repair. It works! I also had to resecure the paper at the top of the two outer panels with additional Mod Podge. You can see the inconsistencies in the photo below.

Adding Interest to the Three Panel Screen

As always, in the midst of this project, I had a great idea! Why not break up the stripes by creating a functioning chalkboard on the center panel? I could use it as a project board and list my upcoming projects on it. And, if used for parties, I could add a special message for the occasion.

So, I taped off the edges with Frog Tape to make a border, and painted the panel with Chalkboard paint.

Because the base was white, I needed to apply 3 coats for full coverage.

Even though I carefully burnished the edges of the Frog Tape, I did have to go back and edge the chalkboard panel. I suppose this was because the three panel room divider is made of canvas. Thus, the paint got under the edges of the panel. No worries, though. My Zibra brush is perfect for edging! It is great for edges and straight lines. It’s also of mine favorite for painting trim and baseboards as well.

The final step was to reattach the hinges to complete the screen. Here was my first try:

This assembly would be great if you are viewing the screen from the right. I reversed the hinges on the panels as I will be viewing it from the left. You can easily switch them around as needed.

Why Stop Here??!

And, how about a dual purpose screen? I had some textured wall paper in the garage from a kitchen backsplash project from some 15 years ago (remember I said I have stuff??).

I grabbed it and added it to the backside of the three panel room divider for a more neutral look.

I used wallpaper paste instead of Mod Podge to attach the wallpaper. I had this paste leftover in the garage from a previous project.

Wallpaper has really really evolved over the last 10 years. The selection of colors and textures is unprecedented. And wallpaper is so easy to install these days with the availability of peel and stick or removeable wallpaper. You should really spend some time in a showroom. The variety is simply amazing. How times have changed!

I allowed the panels to dry completely in the sun for an hour.

Again I sanded the overage off with a sanding block. And I had to secure a few of the edges with some more wall paper paste.

Finally, I reinstalled the hinges. Now I have two options for this three panel room divider: colorful frontside and neutral backside.

At some point, I supposed I will paint this with a nice mix of white, beige and antiquing medium. This wall paper mimics tin ceiling tiles and I love a good patina. What a great project for the future? For now, I am appreciating the stark clean white amidst my cluttered office.

This three panel room divider will make a great staging area for upcoming events like a planned trip or vacations. We moved our travel items into this space as we were preparing for a recent trip. On the morning of the trip our items were centrally located in this spot so we just grabbed our gear and off we went.

It is also a great focal point for messages and celebratory occasions. Have you seen the available variety of chalkboard markers? Write your messages with better control and fabulous colors. And clean them off with water! Crazy cool.

Realistically, though, I will mostly use this as a planner for upcoming projects. I can stage the supplies behind the panel!

This will especially comes in handy for Zoom meetings and work calls when I’m knee deep in a project or have to break from a project due to time constraints. This hide the eyesore of supplies laying in wait.

Instant camouflage! So quick!

I realize that I am just hiding my supplies, but sometimes you just need a break. Or a new view. Once a month, I do spend a few hours sorting and storing supplies back to where they should be in the closet or the garage. But in the meantime, it’s nice to be able to mask the clutter until I can tend to it properly.

You can dress up your trifold panel with a wreath hanger or two.

Bonus…I still have some of the striped paper left to finish that tray that was the original target for this paper.

Thrift Store Decor Team

As promised, here are the projects from my fabulous teammates!

Three-Tier Wrought Iron Plant Stand for Fall My Repurposed Life
Easy Modern Mirror Edge Domestically Speaking
Hanging Candy Dish Petticoat Junktion
DIY Bird Feeder House of Hawthornes
Pumpkin Decor from Straw Trivets Sadie Seasongoods
How to Make A Painted Surface Look Like Wood    My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
DIY Three-Panel Room Divider Refresh Shop At Blu
Thrifted Pumpkin Basket Makeover  Organized Clutter
DIY Felted Leaves Our Southern Home

More Mod Podge Projects

And here are some of those other projects where I decoupaged with Mod Podge. I hope you find some ideas and consider trying some of these new products.

The post DIY Three Panel Room Divider Refresh appeared first on Shop at Blu.

This picture makes the fabric look pretty good. In reality, it was stained and very thin. It had seen better days indeed. So I stripped out the fabric. The hoop had some residual glue along the edges so I used a utility knife to scrape it off.

I’m sharing this project for Thrift Store Decor Team Wednesday. That’s right! It’s the second Wednesday of the month and time for our monthly share of thrifty decor projects.

As always, at the end of this post, you will find links to all of the other team projects for this month. I can’t wait to see what skills the team is sharing for their projects.

Now, back to the creation of a thrift or dollar store DIY spring wreath!

Supplies

• Large embroidery hoop or similar shaped wreath base
• silk flowers and greenery
• glue gun, paddle wire or florist tape (either will work)
• ribbon (optional)

I like the natural wood on this hoop so I decided to leave it as in instead of applying paint. You could paint it, wrap it with fab or ribbon, embellish it with jute or other items. I am going with simpler is better for this wreath. So natural finish it is!

I stopped by the Dollar Tree and grabbed some colorful spring floral stems. I couldn’t resist the faux ferns either.

The next step is very, very important. Be sure to have your assistant inspect the flowers and suggest a design. Maybe you are lucky, like me, and your assistant has a good eye for design.

I laid the hoop on a flat surface and simply placed the greens and florals around the hoop until I had a design that I like. You can make the wreath as full or as simple as you like. I was going for a thin wreath with heavy floral design on one side of the wreath.

Start with a base of greens.

Then add your individual stems one by one.

Continue adding more colors and flowers.

Once you are happy with the design, start to secure your florals to the wreath. You can use hot glue, floral tape, or paddle wire.

I am going to use my wreath on my front door which gets full on southern sun ALL DAY LONG. Because of direct exposure to and the high heat of the sunlight. I opted not to use the hot glue.

Wrap the wire around and through the stems to secure them to the hoop. Just keep wrapping the wire over the stems and under the hoop until the flowers are securely fastened to the hoop. You can also wire your florals and greens together into one large unit and then wire the entire floral unit onto the hoop. Both methods work. Just use whatever method you are more comfortable with.

The wire is green so it blends with the greenery.

Most of my flowers are on wire stems. I can bend and shape them in whatever direction I desired. So I didn’t have to be overly careful on how I wrapped the wire around the stems and hoop. If the flower wasn’t in the optimal spot, I twisted the stem to make the flower more or less visible.

Final Step…Or Not

The last step was to add a bow. I decided on a whimsical and arty look. This ribbon is from Old Time Pottery. At $2.99 to $4.99 per roll, it was quite affordable.

There are many ways that you can make a bow. Or you can simply buy one! I made my own bow.

But, it was little too busy for this wreath.

I just couldn’t get the look I was going for. I even tried the bow on the other side of the wreath.

Remember what I said earlier about “simpler is better”? Whew! I had really added too much to this wreath. So I stripped it down.

I put the bow aside and removed the white flowers.

Much better. Don’t be afraid to start over! I can’t tell you how many times I have walked away from a project in order to return with a clearer vision. Take a break. Clear your mind. Or simply take a break.

I’m really happy with these vibrant colors. I still think they would look great with the black and white whimsical ribbon. I’ll have to think on a project to showcase those combinations. Do you like to combine colors that don’t traditionally mesh

And here she is on the front door.

Will you be using bold colors this season?

Thrift Store Decor Team Projects

And here are this month’s Thrift Store Decor Team Projects. Let me know if you try any of these! We love to hear what you are working on!

Domestically Speaking

My Repurposed Life

Petticoat Junktion

Sadie Seasongoods

Organized Clutter

Reinvented Delaware

Shop at Blu (that’s me…you are here)!

The post Thrift or Dollar Store DIY Spring Wreath appeared first on Shop at Blu.