*Random Thoughts of a SUPERMOM!*

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

End Table Redo

{*Alternately titled: The reason I love spray paint!*}

I picked up this end table at a flea market/antique store a few weeks ago. It cost $25. A little expensive considering the condition that it was in, but it was the perfect size and I loved all the details on the trim. I was hoping to find something under $20, but I went ahead a paid the $25 because I could see how great this table would be with a few coats of paint.

I used Zinsser Oil based primer {the stain blocker, bond coat kind} to do my first coat. This stuff is amazing....no need to sand down previously finished furniture, because it will stick to any glossy surface. The table is looking better already.

After the primer was dry, I put on a few coats of my favorite spray paint {Krylon Bahama Sea}! I loved the color, but it was just a little too bright.
So, I tried my hand at glazing for the first time. I took some left over black trim paint and watered it down...approximately one part water to three parts paint. I used a paint brush to apply the watery paint and an old tshirt to wipe it off. I made sure to let the glaze sit a little longer on the trim pieces so that it got into all the little details.

Once the paint was dry, the end table fit perfectly beside our new couch.

Our living room is {slowly} coming together! Hopefully it will be finished soon!

Monday, June 7, 2010

6 Days of Summer Fun with the SUPERMOMS!

Last week I am teamed up with another SUPERMOM {aka Angela from Secrets of a Super Mommy} to bring you 6 Days of Summer Fun!

We wrapped up the week yesterday, but I wanted to post a recap of all 6 days just incase you missed any of the SUPER fun summer ideas!

Day One: Liven Up That Lemonade Stand

Day Two: No Sew Felt Library Bags

Day Three: Welcome Summer Banner

Day Four: Rainbow Pudding Pops

Day Five: Backyard Campout

Day Six: Upcycled Sand Toys

Thanks so much to Angela at Secrets of a Super Mommy for helping make this week so great!

If you decide to try out any of our SUPER fun summer ideas, please send me a link or a few pictures and I will feature some of your projects on my blog throughout the summer.

Now go make your summer SUPER fun!

Upcycled Sand Toys

Upcycling is taking something that would otherwise be considered trash and turning it into something useful.

There are four main reasons that I love this project:

1. It's basically free

2. It's good for the environment

3. If the kiddos lose or break it, no big deal!

4. Easy clean up and storage

Plus the kiddos will have a TON of fun with it:)

****

So here is how to make your very own upcycled sand toys!

****

*First*, collect containers that you think would make great sand toys. I collected yogurt cups {my boys eat the kiddie yogurt so our sand toys have characters on them at not extra cost}, plastic juice bottles, and various small bowls. Clean out all the containers well. You could even try spray painting or decorating the containers if you wanted to. Ours were cute enough on their own, so we didn't paint them.

****
*Next*, you will need a net produce bag. Mine is from a small bag of lemons, but you could use the bigger ones that oranges come in. Use a piece of duct tape and cover the label of the produce bag. Use that space to write your child's name or to decorate the bag a little with a permanent marker.

****

*Last*, put all your new upcycled sand toys in the bag. Weave a piece of ribbon through a few of the holes in the produce bag and then tie up your bag with the ribbon. You can also tie the ribbon at the top so that it makes a handle.

Once your bag is finished, head to the beach, the sandbox, or the playground!

When it is time to leave, clean up is SUPER easy. At the beach, place all your toys back in the bag and dip it a few times into the water. If you are playing at the sandbox, a good spray with the water hose will get rid of most of the sand.