DIY project - by ME!!

So those of you who know me KNOW that I am NOT a crafty person.  It is out of my comfort zone to even be doing this blog, let alone taking time to be 'crafty'.  I must say that I was inspired by a friend (Thanks Wendy) who started reading blogs and then taking the ideas and doing them herself.  As I started looking at others blogs I stumbled upon some who were refinishing furniture and I am hooked!  I have quite a few things in my house that I would love to have but that are not in the 'budget'.  I decided to take matters into my own hands! :)

I have been saying that I need a dresser for Rhyan's room for 2 years (I know, I know) but I hate to spend money on that kind of thing and her closet shelving was sufficient.  Well, I went to a few yard sales with a friend and found a 'beauty' for $5!  Yes, FIVE dollars!  I saw it and immediately knew that it had potential.

I love the legs!

It was a mess!

Beautiful, right?

What was I thinking right?  It is a mess!  Sorry that I didn't get pictures taken prior to the drawers being taken out and beginning to sand.  I was SO excited to get started!

I told Matt what I was doing and he thought that I was crazy!  But, as always, he was supportive.  I had let him know that if this turned out good and I liked the 'refinishing process' that I wanted one for our anniversary or my birthday!     He even went out and bought me an electric sander the next day to do the project!  And so the sanding begun.....

I have to say that sanding is not my favorite part of the process but my new DeWalt Sander was wonderful!  THANKS BABE!!  Not only did he purchase my sander- but he also did a lot of the sanding for me....sweet!!

So it is sanded...now what?  Back to reading blogs to find out my next step!  Primer - off to Home Depot!  Matt and I had a blast together looking for all the things I needed for my project while he pointed out his Christmas 'wish list' as well.  So we leave with not only a 2 gallon bucket of primer (on sale and I know there are more projects to come) but also a gallon of OOPS paint for $5!  Be sure to check out the OOPS paint in your local store.....it is so worth the savings!  The gentleman behind the counter actually had a gallon of white that had fallen off the shelf (was dented) so he tinted it the color I wanted, for $5!!!

Prime time!  If you are going to do a project - be sure to MIX PRIMER WELL before brushing it on! :)  LOL  I shook up the can but didn't use a paint stick to mix.  It was very thin....but I just assumed that was what 'primer' was!  Don't laugh- I said that I was not craft at all!!  After a coat of 'liquid primer' I mixed it up well with a paint stick and then was impressed at how well the '2nd' coat went on.

Time to paint!  Matt and I worked on this together as well- so I will give him some of the credit!

I wanted to put something in the bottom of the drawers and saw on another blog that you can use spray adhesive and wrapping paper!  What a great idea - as there are so many choices for wrapping paper.  I was able to find a cute striped paper that matched Rhyan's room at the 99 cent store!  Took my 50% off coupons to Michael's for spray adhesive and Mod Podge.

Thanks to my friend Lisa for coming over with glass of wine and helping with with this step.  We cut the wrapping paper to fit and inserted it into all the drawers.  Then a thin coat of Mod Podge to keep the paper in place and wahlah!

Wrapping paper in the top drawer.  LOVE the dividers!

I decided to use the sander at the end to 'distress' the dresser as well.  Matt did not agree with me on the 'step' of the process.  He was convinced that I was going to ruin his paint job!  I LOVE it!  Distressed is best if you ask me.

 

There she is - my first project

So are you ready to see the final project?  Take a look and let me know what you think.  I would love to hear from you - so leave a comment if you would.

So I am currently on the hunt for the perfect knobs for the dresser.  I am thinking possibly of using the 'glass' knobs but we will see what I can find.  I am thinking that most of the fun is finding the treasures for my projects!

I found a FREE cabinet type thing at an Estate sale on Friday!  Still not sure exactly where I am going to put it or what I want to do to finish it - but I will be sure to share.

Thanks for taking a look at my DIY project!  Hope it wasn't too boring for you- I had fun!


And by the way- Rhyan loves her new dresser!