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












31 comments:

  1. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  2. 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!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  9. 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

    ReplyDelete
  10. 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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy Birthday and Happy Thanksgiving

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

    Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    Kelly

    ReplyDelete
  15. That turned out beautiful!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

    Cynthia

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving Rosemary!

    ReplyDelete
  17. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  18. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  19. 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!

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  22. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  23. 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!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. 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

    ReplyDelete
  25. That is an awesome transformation. Happy Birthday and Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
  26. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Everything you touch comes away more beautiful!

    Happy Birthday!

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

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

    ReplyDelete

I love your comments, and would love to reply if you have a question. Please make sure you are not a No-Reply comment. I can't respond if you are. If you are not sure, read my post "No-Reply, Noooooo", or send me a regular email. Thanks so much for your readership. I appreciate each and every one of you.