It's OK to laugh at this post.

I love this junk-to-jewel project. It's one of the first things I see when I wake up and it makes me smile.



I bought the dresser at a garage sale for $2. Yes, $2. Some of the drawers didn't open and it was wobbly but since it cost less than my morning latte, I took it home anyway.



A closer look at the legs revealed that they were added on by a fellow DIYer sometime in my dresser's former life. On a hunch I tried removing them. Wobble problem solved.

The drawers were more challenging but here's my little secret. Soap. Remove all the drawers then run a bar of soap everywhere that wood touches wood. It may take a few times and the drawers may not slide like new but it will definitely help. The added bonus? It makes an old dresser smell better too.

Finally, the fun part. Time to get creative. This was my first time painting faux wood grain and I'm completely addicted now. Nothing in my house is safe. For the type, I cut letters out of contact paper then painstakingly applied them before I started painting. Little secret #2: paint clear glaze along the edge of your tape or stencil first. This will stop the paint from seeping under and give you sharp, clean lines. The end result is a simple, useful piece of furniture that reminds me every day to be positive. Love it.

Forget the mall, I'm going to the hospital.

A few months ago I started volunteering at a local hospital. It's very rewarding. It screams of purpose and community and all those things that make us feel good about ourselves while helping others. But I'm gonna be honest. The best part of the job is the hospital gift shop.

Stay with me here.

When I signed up I was given the option to work in the gift shop. No thanks. They even dangled a 30% staff-discount offer in front of me, somehow knowing that discounts and clearance stickers make me a little tingly. Still, no. I have no need for cheesy hospital fare, discounted or not.

As I was leaving the orientation meeting , I stopped in the gift shop to “better familiarize myself with the hospital”. It had nothing to do with the big SALE sign in the window. Really.

(Cue gasp) “Oooooooh, look at this.” Followed by . . .

“Oh my gosh, I have to have one.” And then a little . . .

“This is sooooo perfect for my living room!” And on and on and on.

Gone were the racks of hokey, gingham-clad teddy bears and sappy greeting cards I remembered from childhood. In their place were shelves lined with high-end purses, jewelry, candles, and decorative platters. Turn, and there were wine glasses, and scarves, and lamps – oh my. It was like stumbling across a hidden boutique that you've never seen before. The land of OZ for a shopper like me.

Here are pics of some of my favorite purchases. Keep in mind this is a representation of my volunteer paycheck, not necessarily their offerings. I realize not everyone is going to have the same experience I did. But my point is, things change. Even hospital gift shops. Why wait for someone to get sick? Stop in and see if you get lucky like I did. And remember to tell me all about it.













top image: cardinal bird feeder
bottom images, from left: cardinal salt & pepper shaker I just couldn't resist; glass votive holder; beaded votive holder; silver bracelet with quote from Mother Teresa; decorative bird cage

Garage sale before and long, long after

I spotted this little gem during my routine Friday morning garage sale rounds. I had no idea what it's unique design was meant for but fell in love with it anyway. Since then I've learned it's a telephone bench from back when telephones didn't fit in our pockets.

Confession time: sadly, my new telephone bench sat untouched in the corner for a long time. Almost two years. Part of the problem was I couldn't decide what to do. Bold paint or neutral? Patterned upholstery or solid? High gloss modern or something to match the period? So many choices and I wanted to try them all.

Eventually I settled on simple and bold. Here's the finished piece - finally. I'm sooo happy with how it turned out. I hope it inspires you to finish something that's been sitting in your corner too long.

abi

Purseonals Online Open For Business, Toothbrush Not Required

It's official. As of today you can buy Purseonals Greeting Cards and Gift Tags online. No more seeing this fab little card in your friend's cubicle only to learn she received it from her Aunt Barbara five states away. Now you can get your own and don't even have to get dressed or brush your teeth first. Ahhh, the internet.

If you don't know what Purseonals are yet, you gotta click and see. Stylish purse shapes and bold messages make them worthy of that cubicle wall, or even the refrigerator door. Check it out.

purseonalsonline.com



So shop away. Tell all your friends. And don't forget to let me know what you think. You know us creative types, always looking for feedback. Talk to you soon.

abi