Before and After Yard Sale Shelf

I picked this shelf up a few weeks ago when I was driving through town and saw it at a yard sale. I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do with it but actually thought to myself, "This will make a great before and after project!" That's what blogging has done to me. Lol. I paid $4 for it. When I got home, I saw the Pottery Barn sticker on the back with an original price of $29.99, so I think I definitely got a good deal! It needed to be cleaned and even had a few scratches but nothing major... and nothing spray paint couldn't fix. ;)

So here is the before:

I'm in the process of redoing my kitchen, so it didn't take long to decide that's where it's going. I cleaned it, sanded it lightly to rough it up a little, and then painted it black. It looked tons better but was still kinda plain so I measured and cut squares of scrapbooking paper then Mod Podged them to the back.

And here is the finished product:

And a close-up of the paper I found at Hobbly Lobby:

I looove the way it turned out! And it's going to look even better hanging on the wall with a few red pieces I have to display on it (I'm waiting until the kitchen is done before I show that).

Thanks to the ladies hosting the parties I'm going to link to:

Weekly Finds

Have I mentioned that I ♥ Goodwill?! :)
Here are a couple things I found this weekend.

Zebra print curtain panels:


I got six panels for $4.00! They're about 5 feet wide and 7 feet long and in excellent shape!

Close-up:


Now I don't have anywhere in my house that I plan to hang these--they won't match my decor (although I am considering black and white and turqoise in the office... eventually)--but I didn't get them with the intention of hanging them here. I'm helping throw a bridal shower next month, and we are going with zebra print and hot pink for the theme. Perfect for tablecloths, I'm thinking!!

And another find I'm ThRiLLeD about is this white pedestal bowl/compote:



I do looove my white dishes! If I remember right, this was $1.99.

~Parties I Will Be Linking To~

My Deals this Week!

Just wanted to share some of my recent Goodwill and yard sale finds! I've always loved to shop, but I'm so into second hand bargains lately!

I found this plate at Goodwill. Won't it be even prettier with a cake on it?! :)

Thought I'd try some ribbon going through all the holes... I think it's cute!

I love serving dishes! White is probably my favorite with clear not far behind.

A couple vases...


I am planning on redoing my kitchen (walls and cabinets and countertops) in the next few weeks; these are some things I found that I plan to use in the "new" kitchen. I'm going with red, black, and white by the way.

Big plate from Goodwill... I looove this pattern!!


Small red vase:


Pottery Barn picture frame also found at Goodwill:


This Norman Rockwell metal picture came from a consignment shop:

I think I'll hang it in the back entry/hallway that leads to my kitchen.

Scrapbook from Goodwill; I've been wanting one for the pages I've done for Caden:


Speaking of Caden, I also found some things for him, but nothing new there. :) He loves Thomas the Train! This is Thomas, James (red), and Percy (green); James and Percy go when you press the engineer's heads. His Aunt Brandy had just bought him the Thomas one like these.


And a few books from Goodwill and the same consignment shop as the Norman Rockwell picture.


So I spent between $10 and $12 and got allll that! I'm still happy about everything!! I got a couple other things too but am saving them for some before and after posts.

Thanks everybody for stopping by and reading!

*Fun parties I'm linking to*

Workin' in the Yard!

The last few weeks, slowly but surely, I've been getting my yard spruced up... planting and replanting, moving things around, washing and cleaning, painting, the list goes on. And still it isn't all done! I do have a few pictures I want to share though.

Morning Glories always remind me of when I was a little girl; I loved them as a child, so I decided I would plant a few. They haven't bloomed yet--they're only a few weeks old--but they are growing so good up my tiny trellis!



I can't remember the name of this flower, but I planted them to add some color next to my porch; I am loving yellow lately!



My “cigar” or “firecracker” plant that I just bought this Memorial weekend.



Its name was given to it because the flowers resemble a small red firecracker with a fuse, or a cigar with a burning ember on the end. A close-up:



Wish I would've gotten the jasmine plant that was there, too!

And finally, my latest project: a monogrammed flower pot that is now on my front porch steps. Before:



And after, with begonias planted in it:



I had planned to cut the rope handle off but ended up liking the way it looked, so I left it on there. And I punched a few holes in the bottom so water can drain.

Oh and this project cost me less than $5!! Including flowers and potting soil!


Linking to:

Thanks everyone for reading and of course all of you hosting!