Bloggy Olympics: Paint Project

Have you been following the Bloggy Olympics?  I decided to take part in an event this week: the paint event.

I've had this wooden mirror in my garage for a while.  I got it as part of the dresser set that I painted for Chloe's room, but didn't need the mirror for her room.  I didn't really have a purpose for the mirror, but was afraid it would break if it sat in the garage much longer.  Not like I've ever broken anything in the garage in the past!

Emma and Tyler were very interested in those two dogs in the mirror.  This is the yucky little corner of the backyard where I like to do all of my spray painting.  It's really a dog run/kennel area that we never use, so I don't mind getting paint all over it.


Painting mirrors is so easy.  There is no need to tape off the mirror...get as much paint on it as you want.  All you have to do to get the paint off is to use a razor blade to scrape it off.  It usually comes off easily.

This is after one coat of Benjamin Moore Stunning.  See the primer sprayed right on the mirror and the blue paint?  No problem!

 I was inspired by these gold corners on picture frames by A Thoughtful Place.

Source: athoughtfulplaceblog.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

I used some Martha Stewart metallic paint to add gold corners onto my mirror.

I like the way it turned out and how it looks with the other gold and navy stuff on my mantle.

Here's a little before and after of the mantle:

I still love the Gino Hollander painting that was up there.  It's just found a new home in my living room.  I'll show you more of my living room on Monday, if you want to check back.
Linked to the Bloggy Olympic hosts: Gwen (A Bold Abode), Cassie (Primitive and Proper) and Katie (Craptastic).

Also linked here: Liz Marie, House of Hepworths, My Simple Home Life, Happy Hour Projects

Estate Sale Finds and Link Party Reminder

On Friday morning a friend texted me about an estate sale she saw in our area.  I hurried over and this is what I saw:

It was a little overwhelming, in a good way!  It looked like nothing had been thrown away in decades.  There were half-empty jars of Vaseline that looked like they were from the fifties.  There were numerous (at least 50!) complete sets of china and glassware galore.  Those sticks in the front of the picture above are all fishing rods.

There was so much stuff that it was piled on open trailers.  The lady hosting the sale said that they had to much more that they would be continuing to bring stuff out for at least two more weeks!

I got a couple of small things.

These plates would be fun for a tea party or to serve dessert.

Big K picked out this rocking chair.

I've been looking for a little table for my entryway.  As you know, I usually paint most of my furniture, but I kind of like this dark wood "as is."  The brass cranes were from the sale too.

I got a couple of mirrors.

This bookcase was only $3.  I'm thinking about painting it and putting it in one of the kid's rooms or maybe selling it.  All of this, including some books and another mirror came to $50!  I might have to see what they have next weekend.

Speaking of selling, I finished my first piece of furniture since last September.  As soon as I put it on Craigslist, it sold!  I'll show you some pictures later this week.

Did you get lucky finding any treasures at yard sales over the weekend?

Don't forget, tomorrow is the big linky party/blog hop for the end of the Color My World Challenge.  Link up a post showing how you incorporated a new color into your home.  Your post will show up on all of the Color My World participant's blogs and each one of us will be picking a few features.  Link up and YOU could be featured!!!

The Bedroom

I think my bedroom is probably the most neglected room in the house, which might explain why I've never shown you pictures of it.   Well here it is:

Yes, that would be a gigantic wedding picture circa 1999.

And a pair of mismatched lamp shades:

Big K likes to read children's books before bed....to the three year old who always ends up in our room.

That was one of my first DIY projects - wrapping a lampshade in jute twine.

Just this morning, I decided to see what small changes I could make using things I have around the house.  Coral and gray is a new favorite color palette, so I wanted to incorporate those colors.

I replaced the wedding picture with this sunburst mirror I purchased at Home Depot several weeks ago.  If you're looking for a mirror this one was a bargain at $35.

The lamps got some new lampshades.  I got these at Target on clearance plus it was buy one, get one 50%.

The lamps needed something else, so I decided to paint them.  When painting lamps, I protect the top by tightly wrapping it in tinfoil.

I wrap the cord in tape and then place the remainder of the cord in plastic grocery bags.

Here's the lamp painted with Krylon's Coral Isle spray paint.

I flipped the quilt to the white side, put on some different shams, and moved pillows from the living room to the bed.

It's not perfect, but it's a start.  It's also fun to try to reuse things I already have...OR have gotten for free!  I got a quart of free paint at Ace Hardware.  They are giving away free quarts every Saturday in March.  This is the color I'll be painting my room.

Update: I stopped at the thrift store this evening and found a pair of lamps that I'm going to replace my little stick lamps with.  Don't worry, I'm still going to spray paint them coral.  I'll post pics when I'm done.

Feature Friday: Emily from Sawgrass Home

Today I am happy to introduce a new blogger, Emily from Sawgrass Home.  She just started blogging recently, but you can tell that she has been bitten by the decorating and DIY bugs!  Be sure to visit Sawgrass Home to learn more about the projects below and for some great tutorials as well. 

Buenos Dias everyone! My name is Emily and I am so excited to be
feature here on Saved by Suzy (it's my first featured post!) I
recently started a DIY blog with my hubby Jon (a.k.a Don Juan). We
purchased our first home in South Florida about two years ago. It was
both an exciting and overwhelming experience. The house had been in
foreclosure and needed a good amount of work. After we got the
essentials up and running, it was pretty much up to me to well, make
the house feel like a home. Don't get me wrong, Don Juan does his
share, but this little señorita is apparently very picky when it comes
to decorating... yet I have NO decorating experience or "know how"
whatsoever...go figure.

I found myself venturing out to places like Ikea, Target, & Homegoods
to try and transform my home (on the cheap). Instead, I circled these
stores for HOURS, developed MASSIVE migraines, and left with NOTHING.
I eventually just gave up. But thankfully there was still hope.
After all, I had also learned at the time about a little ol' blog
known as Young House Love. If you're a blogger then you know who I'm
talking about. They were just like Jon and I. Young, on a budget,
and with a dream of living in a beautiful home.

So after two years of reading, learning, and building confidence, I
have finally decided to give the whole decorating thing another try
(and blog about it through the process). My first real moment of
success came this past December when I dared to paint stripes in my
hallway. That's not something the average Joe does but it's definitely
something that bold, courageous, and confident bloggers/DIY-ers would
do! So here's our hallway before...

Talk about lack of motivation eh?

And here she is after!
 

HA! It can be done! I'm NOT a decorating failure! Thank you blog world
and Pinterest!
 

 That's a tiled mosaic mirror made by yours truly! And here are the
shelves I made too!

Ah yes, it's been quite the adventure getting to this point. But
there is no going back now. I have the confidence, I have the
internet, and I have that decorating itch that just wont go away. Up
next, the dining room. Onward!

MUCHAS gracias Suzy for allowing me to share my story on your blog. It was fun!

Tile Mirror Tutorial

As promised, here's a little tutorial on how I created a tile "frame" for my boring builder's grade mirror.  This project is cheap, easy, and quick (AKA - "the holy trinity" in my decorating book).

Maybe it's the angle, but the tile looks kind of wonky in this super-close up picture. It's not. Trust me, it really is flat and smooth.
This mirror is in my girls' bathroom.  As you can see, this room has been sorely neglected.  It's hard to have motivation to decorate a room that is generally covered in blobs of toothpaste.  I definitely did not want to spend a lot of money on a new mirror.  I considered building a wood frame, but that sounded tricky.

Here's what I started with...not very impressive. 

Here's all you need for materials:

I found this glass tile at Lowe's for about $5/sheet.  I bought 4 sheets.  I used this sealant to adhere the tiles to the mirror.

First, start separating your tiles from the mesh backing.  I did this by cutting the tile into strips and then pulling the tile off of the backing.

Next, take your sealant and add a tiny dot to the back of a tile and stick it right onto the mirror.  Be sure to fit your tiles as close together as possible.  Continue this step millions of times and you'll be finished.  Actually it only took me about 2.5 hours total.

Stay tuned.  I've got a couple more projects in store for this sad space.

Linking up to some of these great blogs:

Today's Creative Blog, Sugar Bee Crafts, Not Just a Housewife, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Bella Before and After, Primitive and Proper, Home Stories of A to Z, Savvy Southern Style, DIY by Design, Tip Junkie, Type A Decorating, http://sistersstuff.blogspot.com/, The Thrifty Home, Domestically Speaking, Primp,
A Diamond in the Stuff, Restore Interiors, The Shabby Chic Cottage, Somewhat Simple, Beyond the Picket Fence, Fireflies and Jellybeans,My Simple Home Life,
Addicted 2 Decorating, Just a Girl, Remodelaholic, Miss Mustard Seed, Finding Fabulous, Tatertots and Jello, Under the Table and Dreaming, Thrifty Decor Chick, Coastal Charm, Junker Newbie, Serenity Now

E-Design Update

Wondering when I was going to get crack-a-lackin' on implementing my e-design from Sadie+Stella?  Yeah, me too!

As you can see, coral is my new color.  So, I thought I would start with a little DIY project using coral.

I have had this mirror FOREVER.  It started out an aged gold/bronzey color.  But, I can never let things remain in their original state for too long.  It was most recently this aged white color that blended right into my walls.  It was most recently shoved behind a dresser because I didn't like it.

I used Krylon spray paint's "Coral Isle" to repaint the mirror.  Here it is now:

It's hanging in my entryway that leads into the living room.  I wasn't sure if my husband was going to like the pinkish color, but he does!  Looks like the Coral Isle is going to be sprayed liberally around the room now that it has the thumbs up.

Just a little tip - Coral Isle doesn't seem to be sold anywhere.  I had my local Ace Hardware special order it for me.  I had to order six cans, but shipping was free.  I found the color on Amazon and they were charging almost the same amount that I paid for the six cans in shipping alone.  I've also heard that Sherwin Williams can special order colors for you, but my store wouldn't.

Good thing we like the color because I have 5.5 cans to use up!

Update on other e-design items:

• I have ordered the greek-key trim for my curtains.  It's coming all of the way from Turkey!
• I am planning on buying the paint for the piano this week and getting started on it.  Wish me luck!
• Maybe I'll use the coral isle on some candle sticks.
• We are going to Denver next month for a gymnastics meet.  World Market, Z Gallerie, Home Goods, Crate and Barrel and Ikea, here I come!

Feature Friday #1

I thought I would start a new weekly item on my blog, "Feature Fridays." You, dear readers, can submit some of your most favorite projects to me. If you are chosen, I will feature a few of you on Friday. Just click on the link above, "Be Featured on Saved by Suzy," if you are interested in submitting something. I'm so thrilled to be able to showcase some of the marvelous talent and creativity out there in Blogland.

Here we go with our first Feature Friday. I'm so excited! Up first is the sweet Rhiannon from My Handcrafted Home. She made the cutest little toybox/bench from this black box.

Here's the final product:

So cute for storing all of her little kiddo's little doodads. I love Rhiannon because she says that all of her projects are easy and thus, simple for us followers to recreate. Love that! Go on over and give her a visit here.

I just discovered the blog Crazy Wonderful and I am so glad that I found it! Shelley features all kinds of lovely projects with great tutorials.

I have been coveting a sunburst mirror to hang over my bed when I happened upon her sunburst mirror.

How pretty is that baby! Guess what she's made out of? Wood shims! Shelley provides great instructions on how to put her together starting with only a mirror, shims, glue, and paint. Here's a look at the Before and After:

Can you believe this mirror only cost $26.00?!?!? It looks like it was several hundred dollars in my opinion.

Go visit Crazy Wonderful right now! You won't be sorry.

See you later! I'm running off to the store to pick up a pile of wood shims and a mirror. Have a great weekend.

Remember to contact me at suzanne_keith@msn.com if you would like to be featured on my blog.