Tuesday, November 20, 2012

All Is Bright: Sewing Cabinet Makeover and Christmas Lights

All is bright with me right now.  I want to thank some of you for expressing concerns about the possibility of me burning out.  I won't let that happen.  I promise.  As soon as I stopped stressing about finishing my living room, I got the energy to catch up on my orders, redo a sewing cabinet, work on the living room a bit, and start in with Christmas ideas.  The stress was wearing me out more than all the work I have to do.  I'm going to take my time.



See the cabinet?  I think my son thought I was a little crazy to circle the block and grab this curbside find.  Oh yeah, it was bad.




I removed the "one" door, and gutted the metal contraptions inside.  It didn't have a top, so I unearthed one from the garage.  It worked perfectly.




I also added an applique.  You might recognize it.




It's the same design I used for my clay chalkboard tags.




I just didn't put a hole in it.  I glued it on, and painted the entire piece white.  The finish is a watered down mixture of brown and black paint.  I applied it with a brush, and wiped it back.  I did it several times to deepen the color.  It came out a soft grey.  Sorry I forgot to take shots of the sides.  I just painted right over the missing veneer.  It actually looks very artistic.  I'll have to show you in a different post.




Like I said, I'm playing with Christmas ideas.  I purchased a big box of white Christmas lights at an estate sale last year.  I wrapped them around a branch, and stuffed it inside my large glass vase.




I love it.  Looks like ice when it's lit.  Very simple.




That's one corner of the living room done.





Tomorrow is my birthday, and we're going to my brother's house for Thanksgiving.  Another breather.  I don't have to cook.  Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving.


Sharing With:
Thrifty Decor Chick: Before and After
The DIY Showoff: DIY Project Parade
Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Nite Special
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesdays
Ivy and Elephants: What's It Wednesday












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31 comments:

  1. aarondNovember 20, 2012 at 3:28 PM

    I would have stopped and picked up that cabinet too and just look how pretty you made it. I love the white lights in the vase. I will add that idea to my vases. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  2. Shirley@Housepitality DesignsNovember 20, 2012 at 3:37 PM

    Wow..I am sure you are glad that you circled the block! It turned out beautiful and just love your "custom touch" of the chalkboard tag..it is perfect on the drawer front...what an amazing transformation!
    Glad you are taking a well deserved break.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family...safe travels!!

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  3. ℳartina @ Northern NestingNovember 20, 2012 at 3:45 PM

    You did it again my friend, you turned this piece into a beauty!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

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  4. Kathy @ Creative Home ExpressionsNovember 20, 2012 at 3:59 PM

    Happy Birthday and Happy Thanksgiving, Rosemary! Glad you are getting a couple of breathers in there. : )

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  5. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleNovember 20, 2012 at 4:15 PM

    Of course you turned it into a beauty. Happy birthday and have a great Thanksgiving.

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  6. DownTheLaneWithDaisyNovember 20, 2012 at 5:10 PM

    Please don't ever burn out. Your creativity shines brighter than those lights!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

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  7. Maureen WyattNovember 20, 2012 at 5:25 PM

    Happy Birthday and Happy Thanksgiving! Love the fairy lights. They're always magic to me! ~ Maureen

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  8. Roxanne ReinhartNovember 20, 2012 at 5:30 PM

    Happy Thanksgiving to you too Rosemary!! Am loving that corner of your living room.

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  9. AnneNovember 20, 2012 at 5:41 PM

    Happy Birthday Rosemary! Glad you stepped back from finishing your home.I have been killing myself trying to do that and now I am taking a break.I need to attend to my business I am way behind! Love that table and lights in that jar!Looks so pretty!Hope you enjoy the holiday and your birthday!
    xx
    Anne

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  10. Barbara JeanNovember 20, 2012 at 5:43 PM

    Love the cabinet, and the light idea is great!!

    Mostly glad you are not stressed and stepped back to regain your energy.

    blessings girl

    barb

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  11. susanNovember 20, 2012 at 5:45 PM

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSEMARY!!!! you continue to inspire me DAILY thanks for all you share with us!!!

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  12. Rani EngineerNovember 20, 2012 at 6:00 PM

    Hi Rosemary the appliqués are beautiful and the Christmas lights look absolutely gorgeous!

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  13. PauletteNovember 20, 2012 at 6:46 PM

    Happy Birthday and Happy Thanksgiving

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  14. Eclectically VintageNovember 20, 2012 at 7:31 PM

    You get the last laugh - bet your son doesn't think you're crazy anymore!

    Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    Kelly

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  15. CynthiaNovember 20, 2012 at 7:43 PM

    That turned out beautiful!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

    Cynthia

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  16. UnknownNovember 20, 2012 at 7:44 PM

    Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving Rosemary!

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  17. KarenNovember 20, 2012 at 7:51 PM

    You really have a good eye. You saw the potential in that sad little cabinet and now it's stunning! Your talent knows no limits. Have a happy Thanksgiving Rosemary and enjoy your break.

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  18. KarenNovember 20, 2012 at 7:51 PM

    You really have a good eye. You saw the potential in that sad little cabinet and now it's stunning! Your talent knows no limits. Have a happy Thanksgiving Rosemary and enjoy your break.

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  19. My Dream CanvasNovember 20, 2012 at 10:40 PM

    This looks great. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! I would love for you to visit me and see the centerpiece at my Thanksgiving table I am visiting you from Savvy Southern Style!

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  20. Dom RozaliiNovember 21, 2012 at 4:05 AM

    Super! ze starego grata powstał cudny mebelek. Ładny kolor:)

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  21. BiljanaNovember 21, 2012 at 9:37 AM

    So beautiful, I love all your redo:-)
    Happy Thanksgiving and Birthday!:-)
    Hugs, Biljana

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  22. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresNovember 21, 2012 at 2:06 PM

    How could you not circle the block to pick up this piece. It's fabulous now that you've transformed it. Love the entire look.
    Happy Birthday to you. Today is also my son's 25th birthday:-)
    Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration.

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  23. VictoriaNovember 21, 2012 at 2:09 PM

    Love that cabinet Rosemary and I'm sure your son was ducking down hoping nobody would see what his mom was doing LOL. I grabbed a disgusting, broken up filthy chair from my dad's neighbors over the summer...I made my husband jump out and get it while I hid in my seat:)

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday!!!

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  24. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art BoutiqueNovember 21, 2012 at 2:17 PM

    Love it Rosemary.

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  25. Heaven's WalkNovember 21, 2012 at 6:24 PM

    Beautifully done, Rosemary! You just amaze me! I love the icy decor you created, too. Simple, but what an impact. :)

    Have a very happy birthday and a blessed Thanksgiving!! ♥

    xoxo laurie

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  26. IreneNovember 21, 2012 at 11:33 PM

    That is an awesome transformation. Happy Birthday and Thanksgiving.

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  27. Athena at Minervas GardenNovember 22, 2012 at 5:31 PM

    What a beautiful paint finish, Rosemary, and what a transformation from the before picture to the after! I hope you have a lovely birthday and Thanksgiving.

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  28. AnonymousNovember 22, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    Everything you touch comes away more beautiful!

    Happy Birthday!

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  29. UnknownNovember 24, 2012 at 9:53 AM

    Great save! You work miracles!

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  30. JoselynNovember 24, 2012 at 11:15 PM

    That's a very unusual sewing cabinet. You did a great job bringing it back to life.

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  31. Little Miss MaggieNovember 25, 2012 at 9:37 PM

    Ooh, I love that cabinet, Rosemary. Great details, and to think it was a curbside find.

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