{DIY $20 Vintage-Looking Table}

Do y'all get magazines each month?  I get two: Southern Living and Country Living.  My favorite of the two would have to be Country Living.   When the May issue came in the mail last month, I can't tell you how many times I looked at it!  It is probably the best issue ever, in my opinion.  There was one photo from an article called "600 Square Feet of Thrifty Style" that I think I drooled on.

{Photo by Victoria Pearson via Country Living}

Something about this photo just spoke to me.  I love the peacefulness of the room, the colors, the accessories, and THAT VINTAGE TABLE!  After looking at the photo obsessively many times, I decided that I just had to have a table like that.  I had the perfect wall for it in my craft room, and since my dad is pretty good with tools and building stuff, it couldn't be that hard to attempt to make one like it with his help.  So I took my dog-eared magazine to my dad's for us to come up with a plan.  Here's what we came up with, keeping in mind the dimensions of the wall I wanted to put the table on...

You can click on this picture to see a larger version.

I went to the lumber store near my house to buy the wood, but they didn't have 2x2's, so I had to buy fence pickets, which are the same size.  They were treated, which I hated, but it's all they had.  (That's why the legs in the unfinished table photos will look different from the other wood on the table.)  The lumber cost me $20, and all the other supplies either my dad or I had already.Anyway...First, we cut all our pieces according to the cut list above.  We cut the two 13 1/2" pieces to look like the inspiration table.  (See photo below.)  Then we made a box using the two 45 1/2" 1x6's and the two 13 1/2" 1x6's.  We attached the pieces to each other with wood glue and nails.

When the box was complete, we used a scrap piece of 1x2 to create a brace in the middle of the box to attach the top boards to.

We actually attached the piece sideways--different than my dad (J-Man) is holding it in the photo.  Then we started attaching the three 50" 1x6's to the top with wood glue and nails.  (I promise I really did help on this even though I'm not in any of the photos...)

Once we had the table top attached, it was time to attach the legs with wood glue and screws.  (I neglected to put screws on the supply list, but you could use nails if you wanted.)

At this point I was a bit scared.  It looks like a spindly legged baby horse.  You know...when the baby horse's legs look like they are WAY too big for his body when he's first born.  But I know from experience that there's, more often than not, a stage in a project where it seems like the project will become a weird looking disaster, so I didn't give up on my little pony yet...  The next step was painting the table.  I sanded it down really well.  Then I covered the top of the table and sprayed the bottom with white spray paint.  (I primed the legs with Kilz spray first since they were made from treated lumber.)

A vintage table would not be crisp white, though, nor would it be completely smooth.  So I got out nails, pliers, screws, chains, and my hammer and banged up the table pretty well.  Then I glazed the table base with Ralph Lauren glaze mixed with black paint.  (Brush on the glaze and then wipe it off with a cloth.)

The glaze stays in all the dings and dents, and it takes the new off the white.  When the base of the table was finished, I had to figure out how to make the top look like the inspiration table.  There are many tutorials on the web about using steel wool and vinegar, like this one from Our Adventures in Home Improvement.  I decided to try it.

I brushed it on and waited with excitement...and nothing really happened.  I put coat after coat of the mixture on, but it just didn't look like I wanted it to.  (I neglected to take picture during this part because I was getting really frustrated.)  Yeah, it looked a bit darker, but it wasn't the old barn wood look I was going for.  I did a Google search for aging new wood.  People were saying that when doing this technique, you don't have to sand the wood first.  I guess you shouldn't sand it first.  I saw that you can use lime (definitely didn't have that around the house...), tea, and Clorox to age wood too.  So while the table top was still soaked with vinegar, I brushed some tea on it.  Still not what I was looking for.  While the wood was still wet, I put some Clorox in a cup and brushed it on the top, going with the grain.  THAT was more like what I wanted!  (I'm not sure that you would get the same effect if you brushed straight Clorox on dry wood, so be careful!)  I let the table dry for a couple of days to before I put a sealer on it.

I like to use Polycrylic as a sealer.  I put a few coats on the entire piece.  When I finished, I was so flippin' excited!!!  I have my very own table that was featured in Country Living!!!  Okay, not really.  But it looks A LOT like the table from the magazine, and it only cost about $20 to make!

I am so in love with the finish on the top of the table!

The vinegar or either the Clorox caused the nails to rust, which I love.

I like how the glaze makes the imperfections in the table stand out, which adds more vintage-like goodness.

The table is part of makes this area of my craft room my favorite.

If you haven't checked out the entire craft room makeover reveal, you can find it here.  And before you go, I have a MyMemories giveaway going on until June 2nd.    I would love for you to take a minute to enter here.  Thanks for visiting!

{MyMemories Software Giveaway & Discount Code}

Hey, y'all!  I have an awesome giveaway for you today!  Have you ever heard of MyMemories?  MyMemories is the company that sells MyMemories Suite, a digital scrapbooking program.  I had never tried digital scrapbooking before being contacted by MyMemories about this giveaway, so they gave me a copy of their software to try out.  For my first adventure in the world of digital scrapbooking, I created this page utilizing two pictures of my nieces...

I was really surprised at how easy it was to create this cute page.  When you purchase the software, you can download it and start using it immediately.  The program comes with lots of different digital elements included to create beautiful, layered pages.  You simply choose a layout for your photos, choose a background paper, and then add any embellishments or text you would like.  I love the fact that you can move elements around and change sizes without being tied down with actual paper that, once you cut it smaller, can't be made larger again.  You can buy different digital scrapbooking kits that include embellishments, papers, and phrases that are very reasonably priced.  (There is even a section of the website that lists free kits!)  And unlike paper scrapbooking elements, you can use these digital elements over and over again!  The other cool thing is that you can create LOTS of custom gifts with the pages/photo albums you create using the software.  So I know you're ready to get to the part where I tell you what you can win, right?

Well, you could win your very own copy of the MyMemories Suite Software!  According to MyMemories.com, "My Memories Suite Version 3 digital scrapbooking software is a fun and creative way to keep and share memories, whether you have a Mac or PC. The software's design tools will help you to build entire albums effortlessly using one of the many installed templates, or designing your very own pages from scratch."  (You don't just have to use the software to create photo albums, though.  I made the giveaway graphic above using the program!)  To make it easy for you to enter, I'm utilizing Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you don't win the giveaway, though, MyMemories is still giving you a little "treat."

Pitter and Glink followers can use the code STMMMS3824 to get a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store -a $20 value!  (Copy and paste the code when placing your order.)  Whether you are the lucky winner of the software or you utilize the awesome discount, you are sure to have lots of digital scrapbooking fun ahead of you!  Good luck to you all! :)

{Dollar Store Tray Turned Magnetic Memo Board}

I love going to the dollar store and looking for inspiration, and I love checking out other bloggers' posts when they use dollar store supplies for projects.  When I was working on my gallery wall for my craft room, I didn't want just frames on the wall.  I love gallery walls that have interesting little pieces of art or repurposed items that make the gallery wall unique.  So I decided to use a dollar store tray to create a magnetic memo board for my wall.

I first primed the tray with Rustoleum's metal primer.  I used the primer on my craft room lamps, and it works really well.

Then I sprayed the tray with Krylon's Ballet Pink in the gloss finish.

At this point, the tray was complete.  But a tray isn't a magnetic memo board without magnets to attach memos with.  So I bought some magnets from the craft store and gathered a few vintage earrings from my stash I inherited from my grandmother.

I used pliers to take the backs off the earrings.

I attached the magnets to the back of the earrings with hot glue.  Then all I had to do was attach the memo board to the wall.  I used Command Adhesive Strips.  (I have plaster walls and trying to hang something with a nail is a bit of a nightmare.)  I decided to hang a photo on the memo board for now.

I love that I can easily change the photo later because of the magnets.

It would be fun to hang little mementoes on the board as well.

I love that the oval shape breaks up the otherwise square gallery wall.  Plus, it only cost a few dollars to make.  

If you haven't checked out the reveal of my craft room makeover, you can find it here.  There will be more tutorials to come!

{Stenciled Drop Cloth Valances}

I am so thankful for all the lovely comments I've gotten about my BIG craft room reveal!  I put a lot of work into the makeover, and it feels good to know that others see the beauty in it.  I promised that I would share tutorials for the many different projects in the room, so today I'm going to share how I made the valances for the windows.

When I first started the craft room makeover, I wanted long panels to frame my windows.  Unfortunately, my desk top ended up a little wider than I planned, so I knew the panels were out of the question, and I would have to settle for valances.  I didn't want to buy valances because I knew that I would not find what I wanted for the price I wanted.  I had a lot of leftover drop cloth from my drop cloth pillow covers, so I decided that I would make my curtains out of that.  First, I got out my drop cloth, tape measure, and notebook to create a plan.

I knew how wide my windows were, and two of my Facebook fans told me that my valance should be 2 to 2 1/2 times the width of my window.  I didn't have quite that much drop cloth, but I decided to just go with what I had and make it work.  I had other measurements to figure out, though, and this is what I came up with.

I am not a seamstress by any means, so I hope the above image makes sense.  It makes sense in my mind, but that doesn't mean much!  Please note that if you are making a valance out of material other than a drop cloth, remember to add a seam allowance to left and right side of the valance.  The great thing about the drop cloth is that it already has finished edges.  (If you used the bottom edge along with the side edges of the valance, you could get away with only one inch of seam allowance.)  Also, you can definitely make your valances longer or shorter than mine.  I just measured a valance in another room to decide on the 13" from the rod.  And depending on the size of the curtain rod you use, you may need more fabric for the rod pocket opening.  (In that case you would need to add length to the fold over measurement as well because, as you can see, that measurement came from adding the length of the top ruffle to that of the rod pocket.) After I cut 25" of the drop cloth, I pinned the fabric, which is probably one of my top ten least favorite things to do in the world.

After the valance was pinned, I simply had to sew three straight lines on the fabric where the arrows are pointing in the above photos.  If I can find a marking to follow on my sewing machine, I can actually sew a straight line most of the time!  :)  After the valance was sewn, it was time to make it ME.  I knew the way to do that would be to stencil a design on the fabric.  So I used my Silhouette to cut a damask stencil out of card stock.

Then I just used a small amount of paint to stencil the design on my valances.  When I finished, I liked them, but they needed that something extra.  Since these were going in my craft room, I decided I could be a little whimsical and add something out of the ordinary.  I chose to stencil scissors on the curtains.

Again, the stencil was cut with my Silhouette, and I used a small amount of turquoise paint for the design.

After a bajillion hours of stenciling, I let the curtains dry.  Then it was time to hang them!

When I first hung them, I didn't really know if I liked them or not.  (That happens A LOT to me with stuff I make because I'm a perfectionist...)  After looking at them over and over at different angles, they started to grow on me.  Now, I love the playfulness they add to the room.  I think just the damask pattern by itself would have been a little too plain for me.  The scissors add that extra little touch that says "Pitter and Glink."

I love how well the valances go with the other things in the room.  Plus, they cost me zero dollars because I already had all the supplies on hand.  Seriously, who doesn't love free?!  If I can make a valance, you can make a valance.  So go for it, and don't be afraid to add that little touch of whimsy that will make it shout your name!

{The BIG Reveal!!!}

I'm so excited to finally share my finished craft room makeover with you!  You've seen bits and pieces in the past few weeks, but now you get to see...

Just to make sure this post can live up to all the "hype" above, let me remind you of what the room looked like before.

Yeah, it's bad.  I know.  But I think I can regain my bloggy street cred now.  This is the view from the door now...

Remember that I gave the walls a fresh coat of paint with the perfect gray.  My refurbished hutch is against the far wall.  My dad and I made the table on the right.  (There will be a tutorial soon!)  My revamped lamp is on the table, and my striped, embellished frame is on the wall in a grouping with other frames and art.

This is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE area of the room!!!  I love everything about it!  I love the rustic-ness of the table paired with the feminine elements.  The camera art block is something that was for sale in my Etsy shop, but I decided to keep it for myself.  My dollar store cupcake stand is the perfect size to hold a vintage tin that belonged to my grandmother.  The printable in the white frame came from Landee See, Landee Do.  

I DIY-ed the different frames with spray paint and scrapbook paper.  I will post a tutorial for the oval magnetic board soon, as well as the embroidery hoop art and the B.

The hutch in the corner of the room added much needed storage.

I used different containers to organize all my little do-das that I use for crafting behind the glass doors.  And I couldn't help but create a couple of little vignettes on the surface of the hutch.

I picked up the owl at Home Goods.  The other pieces I just had sitting around.

I'm sure you saw the window beside the hutch.  Did you see the valance I made?

Of course, there will be a tutorial for this soon.  The best thing is that the valance and its twin on the other window cost me nothing!  I used supplies I already had.  Beside the window is my brand new corner desk.

The base of the desk is the file cabinets that I already had, but I revived them with paint and new handles.  My dad and I just created another top for them.  (You know the deal.  There will be a tutorial soon!)

 I bought the rug from Urban Outfitters.  The seating for the desk is the bench I "collected" from my neighbor's trash.  I love the decor on the wall above the desk.

I made over the mirror and created the wreath from a dollar store wreath form.  (I'm not even going to say it.  You know by now.  LOL.)  The other decor on the desktop is mainly stuff I DIY-ed too.

I created the to-do board and the curio shelf, as well as the wire bulletin board.  The lamp was a brass thrift store find that I spray painted and bought a new shade for.

There's another window to the left of the desk, and beside that is my laminate bookcase that I revived.  The swallow art and chevron frame are from previous tutorials.  The little deer blocks are for sale in my Etsy shop.  The other wall is pretty much taken up by a closet with sliding doors, so I didn't take any pictures of it.

And our tour ends where it started.  (I had to take a shot with my lamp turned on.)  This makeover was A LOT of work, but I really did enjoy it.  I love the fact that I pretty much DIY-ed the whole room.  I didn't realize how many of my projects are in the room until I started writing this post!  I love that it has given me so much material to blog about.  (As I'm sure you figured out by now, there will be lots of tutorials to come!)  I hope you like the room half as much as I love it.  It makes me happy to walk in the room and look around.  It's sooooo different from how it started.  I have to admit that a couple of times I've just lain on the floor and absorbed the uncluttered, peacefulness of the room.  And I've really enjoyed doing some projects on my new desk.  So if you have a room that needs a makeover, just go for it!  It will be a lot of work and there will be some bumps in the road, but you will feel so much better when it's made over, especially if you DIY!  :)