Old Window Panes- not a huge pane in the @ss!!!

Yet Another Hobo Christmas find!!

I dug these babies out from the hobo xmas pile across the street from my old apartment. My very nosy neighbour watched me from the window, I felt a rush as I darted across and grabbed two,  They were heavy and I couldn't carry the other 4 that were heaped in the junk pile.  I originally thought I would make them into picture frames for my 3 kids and install coat hooks under each window for back packs in the entrance. But that didn't look as good as it did in my head. so........

Notice the snow, I must have been determined !!

So after I asked THEgoogle many a different time (lol) how to make chalk paint

 - I figured out a recipe!!!

1 qt of flat paint

1/3c H20 (enough to make a paste with the grout )

2-tbl white unsanded grout (found at Home Depot)

(photo cred: +The Home Depot )

Mix it all together!!! 

TADAH!!! cheaper than the stuff they make you buy premade.

So there is no primer required, just slather on the paint, it coats thick.  

Once dry you can sand for a smoother feel.

You can seal it will a clear finish spray paint 

or 

get your hands on some Annie Sloan wax for a proper seal

(photo cred: http://www.anniesloan.com/)

I wanted to make the look distressed, so at first I painted different layers of colours, then once they were completely dry I sanded it down,  This method proved to be long and was very hard on the wood, especially by the panes, the old wood would crumble.  So instead I added brush strokes of white and black paint in corners and throughout the grains.  

Then they sat there for a year, we even moved to a new home and they came also.  Finally I had a stroke of genius after I saw this in a shop window

Our friends got engaged and my hubby was in the wedding party.  I wanted to make them a special gift, since the bride is a diehard Pinterest pal, I knew they would love this!! So that was it!!

I would turn  my panes into something similar

The result !!

I used wire to run along the inside with clothespin to hold pictures- one engagement pic and one for once they were Mr. & Mrs. and in the middle I used just a small tube of Martha's chalk paint (blasphemy-I know) with the song lyrics from their first dance!! i alo installed heavy duty hinges at the top in order to attach to a wall or string wire through like an old hanging frame with a nail <3

Now, I still have the second pane, and I'm just waiting for inspiration to hit again- hahaha!!

Welcome and my first Hobo Christmas find!!

Welcome to the jungle:

So I have been meaning to do this for awhile.  I am now finally sharing my  wicked creations through the years.  I have always had a creative streak and I must say thanks to the millions of blogs and Pinterest, it has lead me to create so many great things.  I also find that certain things I want to try, well there isn't much info on, so I would like this blog to be a tool to help others. I am most in my element either digging in a thrift store or squealing up beside something  abandoned on the street that I see potention in (and kidnapping it in my mom van).  My 4 year old Ginger daughter T loved driving around last June for hobo Christmas  looking for treasures!  I love re-purposing items as well.  So please enjoy the pictures and you may contact me with any questions or if you have an ugly piece of furniture and want to have some love put back into it I would love to help! Cheers!

Hobo Christmas Find: headboard & footboard bench -say what!!

So This was my first major project I had.  My father in law is the master carpenter so he was able to help me with the major part of, well anything power tool related as I was not familiar ( I am now, phew!!) Of course I realize mid project I should take before pics, mid, then final, but alas I have this blurry one with a ghost child.   So this baby had paint upon paint  on it that I sanded down,  He made new front legs from a banister and well thanks goodness for him because I probably would still have a head board and foot board

|Finished bench, ain't she a beaut!!