Dresser Makeover Ideas

I have this dresser in my studio, and I've been thinking that it needs a bit of an update--let's face it, it's a little bit boring and was probably last painted about 50 years ago (so likely oil paint too, boo)



I've found a few ideas so far of what I could do to jazz this dresser up on Pinterest.

I love the use of fabric on the drawer fronts, but it might be a little tricky on this one, given that the handles can't be taken off.

Source: betterafter.blogspot.com via Gillian on Pinterest

Maps though--I am a sucker for these, and I actually have a few old ones lying around I think!

Source: abeautifulabode.com via Gillian on Pinterest

I enjoy the stencilling, but let's face it --I'm so not sanding this dresser down to the wood. But perhaps if the stencilling would look okay over paint...hmm, something to think about.

Source: anthropologie.com via Gillian on Pinterest

Source: browndresswithwhitedots.tumblr.com via Gillian on Pinterest

I love the alphabet but possibly not so practical to actually do

Source: dreambookdesign.com via Gillian on Pinterest

Mostly, I think paint is probably my friend

Source: etsy.com via Gillian on Pinterest

Source: ohjoy.blogs.com via Gillian on Pinterest

Source: atticmag.com via Gillian on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Gillian on Pinterest

Chalkboard paint is mighty tempting --I really haven't painted anything with it, and I've been sort of dying to jump on the bandwagon!

Source: tipjunkie.com via Gillian on Pinterest

Also some pretty paper drawer lining is in order

Source: consignmentphinds.blogspot.com via Gillian on Pinterest

Perhaps even some new hardware, especially since a Lee Valley opened up in Waterloo. Am I the only one who drools over the Lee Valley hardware catalogue? Probably.

Source: littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com via Gillian on Pinterest

I'm also digging the writing on the drawer fronts--pretty fun!

Source: ohdeedoh.com via Gillian on Pinterest

Which idea do you like the best? Do you have any other ideas you'd like to share with me to spiffy up my dresser? I'd appreciate any and all!

♥ Craftzilla

Crafty Show and Tell: Finished and Unfinished Projects

I thought  I'd share some of my finished and on the go projects of late on this first day of a looooong week, since I ran out of room in my post yesterday!

Here's a finished work (though made by Zen not by me, since I'm the master of starting to cook things and then somehow getting him to cook them for me) --pastrami, onions, cheese and gravy sandwich --so tasty!



This is supposed to say "Home Sweet Home" but not sure if it's clear enough...and I might add a heart to the left hand side to cover up what's supposed to be a flower.



Case for Circular needles! Hopefully I'll get some more pics with needles in it soon





I found some fun Christmas ornaments I'd cross stitched ages ago and decided to start finishing them





I made some pins, which refused to allow themselves to be photographed clearly..will try again another day. I think they might need something else too that I haven't figured out yet.



I'm also working on a cute fleece backed baby blanket... though finished a few others with the same front (just no fleece backing)




♥ Craftzilla

Five Favourites of Late

1. Poutine from the new Smoke’s Poutinerie that opened recently up the street from my house

 

2. Sewing Patchwork triangles –my mom just taught me a super quick way to do them which I’m enjoying --tutorial to come soon!



3. My parent’s dog Paco is really quite adorable..I sort of miss him. Though Jesse is of course still awesome

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4. I’m loving the colours in this new quilt I’m working on –batik fabrics are amazing and I'm still enamoured with it. Hoping to make more progress on it soon!



5. My 30 Days of Lists album is really quite fancy –making lists is fun--I'll share my lists for Week 1 in a few days!



 ♥ Craftzilla

Things I made and saw: Parks, Pottery and Blended Drinks

It's been a busy, hectic week --I've been crazy busy at work, due to the regular lead being away in Cuba and me filling in, so lot of stress! It's been nice to do some relaxing things this weekend and unwind a bit. So here are a few photos from my weekend adventures for you to enjoy!

I've actually been getting to the studio a fair amount this week, so have gotten some pretty things made! Here's a few sneak peeks:

New table runner made --i love all the flower prints!

pillows! my mom gave me this great remnant piece of fabric last time I visited

Hello Kitty snuggles up under a doll blanket

New fancy pouches!

The boy and I took the pup on a garage sale-ing adventure yesterday when it was beautiful and hot out.

"Guelph: Making a Difference"

pretty flowers!

We walked by the market, but ended up with garage sale treasures and didn't end up going in :(

When we came back, we were super hot and thirsty, so the boy made up some homemade Orange Julius-type drinks in the blender. I've never had the real thing before, so I don't have a point of ocmparision, but they were mighty tasty, refreshing and energizing!

Today, I made a trip to the local clay-painting place,  Play with Clay and painted a cute gnome for my Dad for Father's Day (a little belated I know, especially given firing time).

The outside

Some finished pieces on display

Some of the pieces available to paint

I was technically crashing an 8 year old's birthday party, but since she's one of the Brownies, and was more hanging out with a friend who is one of the other Brownie leaders and helping to supervise, I didn't feel too badly :P I may have also eaten a lot of ice cream cake which always puts me in a good mood!

Some of the choices of things to paint for the party

My gnome, before being painted

My gnome after he was painted (but before firing) --T.V. are my dad's initials

♥ Craftzilla

The Long Promised Studio Tour

gaze upon the fanciness of my serger!

At long last, I present the long-awaited tour of my new studio! I'm super excited about having this new space to sew in, as my current apartment just doesn't have enough room for me to spread out and leave a giant sewing mess (not to mention everyone kept finding pins in the rug....with their feet, which is never fun)

Keep in mind that these are *very* much before shots, as I've still got a lot of stuff to bring over as well as much organizing to do. Also I think myself and the other two ladies in the studio may undertake some decorating of the whole space at some point, which is a super exciting prospect!

Anyways, without further ado, here's the brief tour--enjoy!

The studio is in a historic buildling in Guelph, and is one room in a midst of a few open plan studios on the first floor. I'm sharing the room with two other ladies, and it's a great industrial sort of space, that is quiet and open, with a lot of natural light. 

The view of my corner of the studio-still have to bring in my other table

My messy work table, up close, in process of unpacking stuff

New dresser --needs some new paint and lovin' --to hold bits and bobs

I like how some of the previous owners left their mark --one top drawer is "Dolores" and the other is "Donna"

Studiomate's workspace

Other studiomate's space --moving in soon

Hope you all enjoyed the tour! More to come as I get things organized and think of some fancy crafts to make the space feel more my own! Any suggestions that anyone has would be most appreciated :)

A few more photos can be found here