Monday, January 23, 2012

Fabric, spray paint, and a little imagination - desk makeover

     
      Have you ever had a nice little idea, which led to another idea, which led to another...until the little idea wasn't remotely close to the small idea you started out with? Ya, I do that...a LOT. Its really rather a bad habit...that often leads to some very fun results. I've explained before all about my little work space in this post. It is certainly not glamorous, but I do try to keep it tidy and a pleasant place to work. I needed a desk of some sort for my toddler to use for her own "crafts" while I'm in there working...and it needed to be cute if I had to look at it every day. I started hunting for a little wooden school desk at garage sales and such. I though a little vintage looking desk would be darling. Except one never showed up, much to my infinite sadness. I finally found this at a thrift store.


     It even came complete with pre-applied scribbles.


     I do not like "generic" and I do not like "plastic". But, it was $5. And, it was half off day, so it was actually $2.50. For $2.50, I decided I could surrender my plans and make this ugly thing work somehow. My first plan was just to spray paint the whole thing and be done with it. But, after spray painting the legs, I decided they looked dull.


       I had some scraps that would be just the thing to add a punch of cuteness. So I modpodged them.


      But while that was drying, I got to thinking about how wasteful it would be to pitch the leftover scraps. So, I made her a pencil pouch to match.


      The baby was sleeping uncharacteristically long...and I had more scraps....which led to sewing an art apron. Which, needed a pocket with cute rickrack, of course.


      Girls still sleeping? OK, lets add some decor to her corner!


      And then, thankfully, they both woke up, which saved me from my own madness. Painting the floor under the desk might have been next. So, here's my $2.50 project. Still plastic, but not so generic.


       I'm happy to report, she is very pleased with the new arrangements.


      Let us hope we can contain the scribbles to the paper, and not repeat its previous look.


     So, just as a recap, $2.50 is never as easy as it sounds.


       Happy Monday!

Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

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18 comments:

  1. Very cute! You did a fantastic job! Her apron is adorable!

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  2. How adorable! I wish I would have thought to do something like that when our daughter was little. To think of all the ugly plastic that we lived with! Thanks for the inspiration
    Cheers, Andrea

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  3. How cute is she! Great Job! XO Cindy

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  4. This is gorgeous!! Great job! Pinning ;)

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  5. Beautiful makeover! Love the desk and accessories! I was never this industrious during my boys' naptime. Great job! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. You are a genius. Who knew plastic could look so good? What a great job!!

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  7. All I can say is...holy moly...that's beautiful! completely adorable!

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  8. Wow! Everything looks so adorable. What a lucky/lovely little girl!
    New follower here..
    http://myhappilyeverafteragain.blogspot.com

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  9. Seriously?! That's just awesome!!! I usually overlook those bulky plastic things... not after seeing this!! :) So cute!

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  10. Cutest desk ever! I love the fabric you used!

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  11. Adorable! I think it's awesome how one project leads to another, and another :D

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  12. I love this! I hate how children's stuff is so basic and dull- you really made it pop. Modge Podge is awesome! Would love it if you stopped by my linky party and linked up!
    -Melissa
    www.serendipityandspice.blogspot.com

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  13. I LOVE this idea! I'm excited to be your newest follower! Found you at Kammy's

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  14. Just received a check for over $500.

    Sometimes people don't believe me when I tell them about how much you can earn taking paid surveys online...

    So I show them a video of myself actually getting paid $500 for filling paid surveys to finally set the record straight.

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