Prezi Presentation on Fab Mudroom Bench

If you would like to see a more animated how-to tutorial for the Drab Hope Chest to Fab Mudroom Bench project, go on over to http://prezi.com/pfdxx0dul4m5/untitled-prezi/.

Old Wooden Desk into New Coral Vanity

 Yet again, I thought that this project was going to be the simplest one to date! All it needed was paint, no real detail work. Man, was I ever WRONG! Luckily it turned out alright, but it was one heck of a roller coaster ride to get there (and I don't like roller coasters)!

This desk was my brother's desk growing up. I had one too but I liked the style of this one much better with its simple lines and basic knobs. Among my many pins on Pinterest I had some pinspiration to turn it into a vanity for my little closet room that will be in the new house! I'm not a fan of the word "vanity," but I know that's what it is referred to as. I have never, ever gotten ready in the bathroom. Sharing a bathroom with 2 brothers, I always got ready in my room sitting in front of my dresser mirror. Did the same thing living on my own since it takes forever to dry and straighten/curl my hair. So to me this project didn't seem so "vain."

As always, I started off with a priming base over all the areas I planned on painting. Once dried I painted the drawers the cream color first and then turned the desk over on its top to do the first couple coats of paint. I like to do this to get the bottom parts that would normally be hard to reach because of the floor as well as underneath the ledges out of the way first.

Then the desk is turned over to finish the cream coating. You can't really tell in this picture but the only part that is not cream at this point was the top since it would be painted a coral color called Dark Mango. 

While the desk was drying it was time to get the knobs painted. I did not prime these ahead of time, which may have caused the reason for 5 coats... but after doing the top of the desk in the same color with prime it was still an issue. Side note: I'm not a pink person, but sign me up for coral!

 

 Yep, had to get creative on getting the knobs painted! I had to figure out a way to get the knobs stationary so I wouldn't have to hold them and paint them at the same time. So what we have here is the screws poked through the Diet Coke box and once again screwed in with the knob. Now they are ready to paint. Keeping crafty classy!

In between coats on the knobs I did coats of paint on the desk... many coats of paint. At least seven. I wish I was kidding. I tried to pretend that it didn't bother me but ultimately I had to fix the uneven paint. 

It was also during this time that I accidently spilled paint, stepped in it, and then tracked it on the carpet. Pretty sure I saw my life flash before my eyes. Since I'm currently staying at my parents, it was my mother's carpet not mine. Now, my fear of getting anything on her carpet far exceeds my fear of spiders, buses, and needles combined. I frantically called my father who actually ended up leaving work to check on me, shampooed for at least 30 minutes straight, prayed that God would show some mercy on my soul and finally it paid off, mostly.

 As you can see, the top of the desk had some issues with even coating. But I tried to work through it and put the drawers in...

 ... and then the knobs. But then I finally gave into my OCD about the top being uneven. I had to go get another sample container of the paint. Then I sanded the top to get excess paint off and try to even it out. Once that was done I tried out the roller to paint the top. I'm not a fan of rollers because the way it goes on spongy, so my mom was there helping for moral support...

...and then she spilled too! At least hers was on the canvas (which ended up bleeding onto the carpet, hello again Mr. Shampooer). But as you can see it splattered back onto the cream, which I had to touch up. I think the coral color may have been cursed.

However, the roller worked pretty well and it all paid off in the long run. 

 A little close up to show off the smoothness of the Dove Cry's (cream) color, I can't get enough of it!

And this will be the mirror that hangs above the vanity desk! It was a clearance find at Hobby Lobby, my favorite hiding place. Seriously, if you can't find me try HobLob first. I still need to find a cute chair to refurbish to go with the set. I also plan on getting vanity styled lights to put above it, maybe a lamp, and then a smaller vanity mirror for doing makeup!

Hope you enjoyed the final product as much as the roller coaster of a process!

Until next time, 

Audra

Drab Hope Chest to Fab Mudroom Bench

 This project was by far the most in depth one I have done to date. However, it did teach me a lot about the little details and I am proud of the end product.

This is the original piece, my Grandma Chubby's hope chest from when she was growing up. It was just sitting around in her basement so she told me I could take it and fix it up. Naturally, I had many pins on Pinterest just inspiring me to transform this drab hope chest into a fab mudroom bench! I took the idea and ran with with it. 

My first buy was the fabric that I wanted to use for the bench cushion, and then everything just came together from there. Then came the new handles and knobs, followed by making a decisions on how to go about painting it (which took hours of pondering, no lie).

Prepping List:
Hope chest
Wood filler

Bonding Primer
Paint brush
Multiple paint colors
Paint tape

Wood trim

Gorilla glue

Handles and Knobs
Drill

Batting

Adhesive spray

Fabric

Staple gun

Skipped a few steps in the pictures so let me fill you in on what went down first:

 First, I took off the old handles and knob (singular since it was missing one). Then I had to fill the holes with wood filler since the handles were very small and the new handles were much larger. Once the filler settled I was finally able to prime the hope chest, minus the top since that would be covered with the cushion.

  

As you can see I went with a little extra color to go with the design in the fabric. Each coat of paint took 3 coats, including the black.

This next part caused a lot of headache at first. There were groves between the color sections. My initial thought was to get dowel rods to paint them black and cover the groves. I was almost to the hardware store when I realized that using rods would not lay flush with the braided wood trim I had already decided on. No way did I want to sand the rods down to match the curves in the trim, so I was back to square one. So I finally decided to just be a big girl about it, tape it off (which I hate doing since it never seems to work out right), and then paint in the grooves with a smaller canvas brush. It worked after a few coats, but then of course I did a couple touch-ups. 

As you can see, the grooves came out pretty clean. Next, came the braided trim. I had them cut to size and then I sanded the top sections down a bit so they would fit underneath the lid. I was then finally able to paint them before gluing them down with Gorilla Glue. (Warning: use SMALL amounts of Gorilla Glue or else you will have foam coming out the sides, yes, foam.)

 Finally it was time to get the cushion together! Once again I needed a little help with this part, so I put my mother to work. We first rolled up the batting to where it was even on the top of the hope chest lid. When we had it the way we wanted it we used adhesive glue spray to keep the batting in place while we had the lid up and down to staple the fabric into place. There was a lot of tugging, stapling, cutting, and do-overs when getting the cushion stapled underneath the lid. No, it does not look perfect under the lid.... but that's okay for now. If it bothers me enough down the road I may get some more fabric to cover the inside.

TADA! It's finished.

 Close up of the handles... which we drilled new holes into the chest for. I learned the hard way that not all handles from Hobby Lobby are created equally! The top one was half an inch shorter than the others, so I had to make a trip back to the store to get another.

Top view of the fabric! Love it, but the cushion is not completely even yet. The batting needs worn in to become even, so if any volunteers want to sit their derrière on it for awhile come on over!

Little closer view of the braided trim...

... as well as the little knobs. 

I hope I did justice in giving this old piece new life. I can't wait to get it into my new house, with a hanging shelf above it to create the whole mudroom look! Thanks again Grandma Chubby!

Until next time, 

Audra

The Little Green Gossip Table

This little guy is either called a "gossip table" or "telephone table" depending on who you talk to. They are popular retro pieces in the upcycling world.

Now, my parents have one in the kitchen but my dad bluntly said, "You aren't touching it." My response, "Okaaay, and why do you say it that way?" Come to find out, that telephone table was the first piece of furniture my Grandma and Grandpa Reed bought together as a married couple! So there are some pieces you just don't touch for sentimental reasons. (Don't worry dad, I won't touch your hutch either!) 

So how did I get my hands on this one? I have been frequenting Vintage Seasons downtown Buhler and have became friends with the owner. We were talking and she said she would help me out by keeping an eye out at auctions, stores, and garage sales for a telephone table! Less than a week later... this is what showed up for me:

Game Plan:
Sand down the top to get rid of pencil drawings, paint it green, and reupholster the cushion! Easy enough right? Mmhmm.

 

Prepping List:
Gossip table with cushion removed
Bonding Primer
Paint Brush
Paint for the inside of the gossip table
Paint for the rest of gossip table
Fabric
Staple Gun

The first step I always do is use Bonding Primer. This "paint" is such a time saver! No matter the type of wood, stain, or finish it will adhere to what is already there. Once it dries it seems to just grab ahold of the paint where you want it!

 

 After priming the ENTIRE piece it is time to do the inside black, or cracked pepper, with two coats! Normal people would probably use tape to keep the paint from going over the little edge. Me, I don't do well with tape or stencils so I do it by hand. The secret to it is the little wet paper towel you see over the back. If I do get it over where I want it I immediately swipe it away.

More proof I am backwards is how I like to turn the piece over to do the bottom and undersides of boards first. In the "X" that makes the backrest of the chair, I used a smaller brush. Oh, and toothpicks where the paint gathers in the little corners... which drives me CRAZY! This coat of green gets two coats or whatever it takes to get it covered. 

Turned it over and did two coats while it was right side up! Once again with the little brush and toothpicks. 

Time to reupholster the cushion. Isn't the old vinyl one just lovely? It's even more gnarly in person. Surprisingly it was very easy with no need to measure, because it was just a square! What a relief. So I just laid the fabric I had chosen (after contemplating in their isles for an hour) over the old vinyl piece and cut it to size. I don't have pictures of the how we stapled it down underneath, but there is a method to the madness that dad taught me along the way. Fold it over, staple, fold it again, staple again, open it up, make a triangle, staple it down. Makes sense, riiiiight? I will see what I can do about getting those steps in a tutorial sometime, sorry. 

Here is a close up view of the completed Little Green Gossip Table! 

And here he is in all his glory in the natural light the next morning!

I did this project all in one day, and loved every minute of it.
Can't wait to put it in my kitchen, or dining room... TBD. 

Until next time, 

Audra

three.six.five. projects

 The Old:
This blog was previously the Three.Six.Five Happiness Project, modeled after Gretchen Rubin's bestselling book. I posted every single day little things that made me happy. For those of you who followed that, I guess I got burned out on it mid-way through the year. However it did teach me some things about myself that I always knew, but kind of forgot...

The New:
So this blog is officially renamed Three.Six.Five. Projects. What did I learn from the first time around? The things that make me the most happy are reading and crafting. I already have a reading blog... so doing one for my big love this summer,  CRAFTING, just makes sense! 

The Fuel:
If you are here, you probably already know the journey my family and I have been facing in the last six months. Nothing about losing my brother is easy, and time doesn't do squat so don't let anyone tell you differently. It's all in how you cope, which brings me here. I also know that Eli still wants me to find happiness in what makes the most happy. After all, he was the one who always told me "Audra, screw what everyone else thinks! Do what makes you happy." So that's what I'm going to do. Before I was definitely more of a bookworm, but now I just can't seem to focus in and shut everything else off to read for long periods of time. Crafting is the only thing that I have found that can do that with now! I am able to throw myself into these projects and enjoy them, while letting them work as a great stress relievers too. Win, win.

The Layout:
So how is this all going to work? Basically I will be walking the reader step-by-step through my creative processes... scary thought, I know! This will NOT be a daily blog... instead there will be posts when projects are finished so there will be a variance in time posted. For those people who aren't blog savvy, I also will have a Pinterest board called three.six.five. projects (<-- click link) that you can go to and then click on the picture that takes you to each project! Fortunately for you, there will be some comic relief here and there, seeing as this summer is my first time doing furniture upcycling and I'm learning the hard way in some instances. It will take me a little bit to get used to taking pictures for every step, so please be patient with me! I also plan on posting past projects, so there will be some that lack an abundance of pictures to go with directions. Here are some of the projects you may see on here in the days to come:

The (Possible) Buyers:
I have had people joke around with me about starting a boutique... would I love to do that? Of course! But unfortunately that is just not possible at this stage in the game. Teaching will obviously be my first priority for a long time. Crafting is just the hobby I love on the side. That being said, most of the projects that will be posted are ones that I will be doing for my own new house - coming soon - at the end of July! However, I do love doing projects for my friends. So if you are interested in having me do some projects for you please don't be afraid to ask and we can see what we can work out! I was contacted tonight by the local vintage store owner asking if I would want to put some pieces in her store. (How cool is that!) I will do some thinking on that, so it may be something to look out for in the future! 

Hope you decide to stick around and join me for this crafty ride! My first real post will appear tomorrow. See ya then!

~ Audra

Book List Update

So as you've probably noticed I am no longer following the schedule I began at the beginning of the year. Especially when it comes to picking an area of life to focus on... because I think maybe it's better to be satisfied in all areas at the same time. I do have some things to catch up on though, and the first one will be the Book List, no surprise there! :)

 

I haven't read as many of the books on my challenge list as I was hoping, because I'm reading others. Which I've decided is okay because the books that aren't on my list are actually some of my top reads. When it comes time to make my favorite list of the year I have a feeling 80% will be books that weren't on my challenge list. Another thing I need to get up to date is my book review blog, which I am working on. So check there too if you need a good read!

(The New) Variety Book Challenge 2012

Animals:
- Stay by Allie Larkin 1/09-1/11
- I’m Not the Biggest Bitch in this Relationship by Stephanie Klein
- The Purpose of Dogs by W. Bruce Cameron 2/01-2/22
- Cesar’s Way by Cesar Millan
- Walking in Circles Before Lying Down by Merrill Markoe

Celebrities:
- High Voltage Tattoo by Kat VonD 3/13
- Control the Crazy by Vinny Guadagnino 5/10-5/20
- The Fame Game by Lauren Conrad 4/16-4/19
- Sliding Into Home by Kendra Wilkinson 1/12-1/15
- Elixir by Hilary Duff

Comedians:
- Life As I Blow It by Sarah Calonna
- Don’t Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings by Tyler Perry
- Seriously, I’m Kidding by Ellen Degeneres 2/11-2/12
- I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell by Tucker Max 1/20-1/26
- Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey 1/04-1/07

Controversial:
- I am J by Cris Beam 7/27-7/31
- Unplanned by Abby Johnson
- The Chosen One by Carol Williams 2/05
- Tweak by Nic Sheff
- Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult 3/13-3/17

Cultural:
- Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Sold by Patricia McCormick 4/22
- The Secret Daughter by Shilipi Somaya Gowda 6/18-6/24
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie 1/04
- A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

Historical Fiction:
- True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy 1/07-1/08
- The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew
- Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
- Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
- One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

Inspirational:
- 5 Love Languages, Singles Edition by Gary Chapman 6/12-6/14
- How Did My Life Become a Game of Twister? by Mary Pierce
- 20 Someone by Craig Dunham & Doug Serven
- Worn Out Woman by Dr. Steve Stephens & Alice Gray
- Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst

Living Life:
- Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti
- No Regrets by Sarah Ivens 4/23-5/29- Life After College by Jenny Blake
- twentysomething by Margaret Feinberg
- Life is a Verb by Patti Digh

Memoirs:
- Year of Yes by Maria Dahvana Headley
- Sickened by Julie Gregory 7/22-7/24
- White Girl Problems by Babe Walker 2/16-2/20
- Save Karyn by Karyn Bosnak 2/23-2/27
- Happy Accidents by Jane Lynch

Overcoming Odds:
- The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon 2/20-2/26
- Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine 4/1-4/4
- Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper 7/20-7/21
- A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass 7/09-7/11
- Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten 6/12-6/17

Romance:
- There’s Cake in My Future by Kim Gruenenfelder 5/30-5/31- Overkill by Linda Castillo 7/18-7/19
- Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks 8/07-8/10
- PS I Love You by Cecila Ahern 2/12-2/15
- What Came First by Carol Snow 5/2-5/7

Science:
- The Secret Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot 1/20-1/29
- Forensics and Fiction by D.P. Lyle, M.D. 8/05-8/07
- Babies by Design by Ronald M. Green
- Bonk by Mary Roach
- Death’s Acre by William M. Bass

Self-Help:
- Single by Jody Ford
- Why Mean Love Bitches by Sherry Argov 7/11-7/12
- Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey 3/19-4/30
- Make Peace with Your Thighs by Dr. Linda Mintle
- On My Own Two Feet by Manisha Thakor

Series:
- Women’s Murder Club by James Patterson FINISHED!
*4th of July* 3/18-3/19
*5th Horseman* 4/5-4/8
*6th Target* 4/20-4/22
*7th Heaven* 5/1-5/2
*8th Confession* 5/8-5/10
*9th Judgement* 5/21-5/24
*10th Anniversary* 5/25-5/29
*11th Hour* 6/01
- Chelsea Handler Comedy Books
*Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang* 1/17-1/19
- Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins FINISHED!
*Hunger Games* 2/08-2/11
*Catching Fire* 2/26-2/28
*Mockingjay* 3/7-3/13
- Kay Scarpettta Novels by Patricia Cornwell
*From Potter's Field* -1/03
*Cause of Death* 2/05-2/08
*Unnatural Exposure* 3/3-3/7
*Point of Origin* 3/19-3/22
*Black Notice* 4/09-4/15
*The Last Precinct* 6/01-6/26
*Blow Fly* 7/12-7/17
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy by Stieg Larsson
*The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo* 3/4-3/27 AB
*The Girl who Played with Fire* 4/16-4/30 AB

Teaching:
- Choice Words by Peter H. Johnston
- Teaching with Love and Logic by Jim Fay & David Funk
- 32 Third Graders & One Class Bunny by Phillip Done
- 3 Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
- Freedom Writers by Erin Gruwell

Time/Realms:- My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares
- The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger 7/01-7/08 
- 10 Best Days of My Life by Adena Halpern 2/29-3/03
- Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch 6/08-6/11
- Radiance by Alyson Noel 1/23-1/26

Extras:

Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner 1/15-1/17
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 1/26-2/04
Unwind by Neal Shusterman 3/27-3/30
Defending Jacob by William Landay 5/12-5/16
Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samath Van Leer 6/27-6/30
50 Shades of Gray by EL James 3/30-7/27
50 Shades Darker by EL James 7/31-8/04
Total Forgiveness by RT Kendall 9/12-9/23
Choke by Chuck Palahniuk 9/22-9/29
50 Shades Freed by EL James 9/09-10/04
The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom 10/04-10/05
The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner 10/06-10/14
Every Day by David Levithan 10/15-10/20
When She Woke by Hillary Jordan 10/21-10/28
The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King

Little bit of happiness: Just a regular day... pretty uneventful for a Monday, which I am very thankful for!

Daily quote: "Read the best books first, otherwise you will find you do not have the time." -Henry David Thoreau

Cheers to Happiness,

Audra

To Sleep, Perchance To Dream (ft. Camila Recchio)

To Sleep, Perchance To Dream (ft. Camila Recchio)