Candle Sticks of Yore

It had been a while since I went sifting through the local thrift store for treasures with spray paint potential. So what better way to spend my Saturday than doing just that? Of course I wanted to bring home everything in sight. To back track a little bit, I was recently inspired by my sister's crafty little candle stick recycle of sorts:

She painted a pair of super old candle sticks (is that what these are even called?) with some beautiful shiny acrylic paint and made them look brand new! So when I saw these oldies, I thought I would be a copy cat (because we know I'm not creative in the least). 

You can see in the second picture that they are in pretty rough shape. We can call it character?

I wanted to spray these guys the usual glossy white just because I think it is oh so pretty, but two trips to Michael's later I still couldn't find it. So I branched out and purchased Liquitex Professional in Neutral Grey. (I always thought the color was spelled gray?) Anywho, I do like the way they turned out - I really do. But who's to say I wouldn't spray over them with some glossy white if I happen to stumble upon it again....

This project is definitely a work in progress. For starters, I can't decide where to put them. So for now they are sitting on my over-crowded dresser (that desperately needs to be re-finished - need to get on that for reals). 

I purchased one other item from the thrift store, which I was going to paint this evening when I got home from work. But considering we are under severe storm advisory until 10pm, it will have to wait. More to come!

I will end with this adorable sequence of pictures of (who else?) Tiny pondering by the window (and fleeing when she caught me with the camera).  

I wish I were as good at yoga as she is!

 

A Frame Story

Unfortunately, I do not have a "before" picture of the nakedness that was the dining room wall, as it held only Sarah's cute little mirror, which has now relocated to a slightly more fitting spot:

I have been on the hunt for affordable white frames that would complement the beige wall and white crown moulding. Molding? Trim? Anywho, I envisioned a food motif (that word is for Sarah) since we love to eat. Plus, it's the dining room, so I figured it was appropriate.


Affordable frames are difficult to come by. Whenever there is a sale, it's always the wrong size, color, etc. But finally I found them. $3 a piece at Walmart.

No, these were not white. So they were the wrong color. Luckily, I had leftover white gloss spray paint from this guy:

So off to Target I went to print my pictures! (And then another Target, since the instant photo machine was out of order at the first one. Figures, right?)


So my frames were all ready for some spray paint, right? Wrong. When I purchased the frames I was unaware of the lack of their ability to hang. So I made a pit stop at Michael's and purchased two packs of sawtooth hangers for less than a dollar each. I then began the process of holding the hook in place and holding the tiniest nail on earth in the even tinier hole, while simultaneously hammering it into the stubborn beast of a frame. I didn't document this process - I was too busy cursing and injuring myself.

Next was the fun part! (Followed by the least fun part: waiting for them to dry.) I liked that the paint gave the frame an almost distressed texture, similar to the dining room table.

The finished product:

 

I apologize for my lack of photography skills! Speaking of which, I must give credit where credit is due. This beauty of the Moroccan hot chocolate was taken by Julia in Portland, Oregon. And the delicious donuts were baked and photographed by Sarah:

The picture of the glasses of sangria were taken at a yummy Spanish restaurant I went to with my sisters in D.C. The cupcake is an image from Pinterest, where else? 

Hello, my name is Leigh Ann; and I am addicted to spray painting.

It came fast, my spray painting addiction. As soon as I laid my eyes on my roommate's Pinterest project, I knew. So I went a little crazy and spray painted five bottles right away:

They can now be found all throughout my room:

Most recently, I found a charming little bird figure at a thrift store and knew he had to come home with me. Feast your eyes on this beauty before I attacked him with the ole spray paint:

Tiny Smalls watching paint dry:

And now, a before-and-after shot. Ta-da!!!

 

Stay tuned for more spray painting (mis)adventures.