Jazzin' Up an Old Desk to Make into Coffee Bar

My husband actually suggested this project after finding this old writing desk on Craig's List. He thought it would make a nice coffee bar for my office. Up until this time, I was using an old (small and wobbly) end table, not very functional. So we purchased it and painted it... it turned out awesome! Now it is one of my favorite pieces!

What You'll Need: 

• Desk or furniture to refinish
• Sandpaper
• Primer
• Paint
• Paint Sprayer (Optional but highly recommended) or paint brushes
• 24-48 hours

How To Do It:

• Rough up the furniture piece with sandpaper.
• Using a paint sprayer or paint brushes apply 1 primer coat. If using a paint sprayer make sure to do a test strip first. We used cardboard to get the flow & coverage desired. Follow paint directions on dry time.  
• Apply 1st & 2nd coats of paint. Again following the paint can directions for between coat dry times.
• Since we were using red paint, we ended up doing 3 total coats of color. Red can be hard to get even so we played it safe and coated another time.
• Let dry for 24-48 hours before using and decorating.

That's it! It is very easy; just takes a little time and effort... However, it is sure to wow your friends!

Below are pictures of the entire process!

Amazing Wood Photo Blocks

I orginally saw this project on BuzzFeed via Pinterest. I immediately loved it and knew I had to give it a try. It is easy and turns out great, I have a few of these picture blocks in my office at work and they are always commented on!

What You'll Need:

• Picture printed on paper. I originally tried a photo print from Wal-Mart, which DOES NOT work, just print a picture from your home printer or have it printed at a copy shop, I went to Staples, since I wanted a larger finished product.
• Wood. I got my from Lowes in the building area. It was orginally a long board, they cut it to 10x10 squares for me.
• Gel Medium. You will find this in a craft supply store in the artist section or at an artist store. I got mine at Hobby Lobby.
• Modge Podge. I swear every project I do is Modge Podge'd.... Love it!
• Overnight. This does take overnight to dry before finishing the project.... just a head's up on the timeframe.

How To Do It:

• Sand the edges of the wood.
• Trim print to size.
• Cover surface of the wood with artist gel medium
• Let dry overnight
• Using a wet wash cloth, gentely wash the of the paper from the wood block. The wet paper becomes pulp and easily washes away while the image remains on the wood via the medium.
• Clean all paper residue off.
• Let dry.
• Coat with Modge Podge to seal and give it a shiney finish.

Tips:

• If you are going to do a saying instead of a picture remember to reverse your image in a photo program before you print and the image is reverse on the wood.

Below are pictures of the entire process...

Making Glass Sparkle!

After I finished making my frames shine, I naturally turned to glassware. I loved the affect the glitter had on the glass frames and knew it would work for any glassware so I tried it on a candle holder.

What You'll Need:

• Candle holders, vases, glasses... really anything glass will work!
• Glitter
• Modge Podge
• Drop Cloth

How To Do It:

• Modge Podge your glassware.
• Sprinkle glitter over the glue. (Make sure you do this over your drop cloth, glitter has the tendency to get messy!) Shake off excess onto a paper plate or paper towel so you can reuse later.
• Let it dry & repeat the glittering process for coverage.
• (Optional) Apply glitter over some of the surface area and shake on a new color fading it into the previous color. (Picture below) I got this idea as the glue was drying in stages and I got to tell you I love the affect!
• Modge Podge one last coat over the dried glittered surface so you will have less chance of glitter everywhere once you start using these.
• Let dry and dazzle your room with this finished product! Enjoy!

Below are pictures of the entire process...

Revamping Old Frames to Fabulous!

As I was packaging a load of tired & old items ready to ship off to a second hand store, I had an Ah-Ha moment and this was the result....

What You'll Need:

• Old Frames
• Glitter
• Modge Podge
• Drop Cloth
• A cup of coffee... naturally!

How To Do It:

• Modge Podge your tired old frames. I had a variety of frames, so I glittered some on from the front surface and some of the glass ones I modge podge'd the back for a different look as the glitter shines through the glass (These are the ones that turned out to be my favs!)
• Sprinkle glitter over the glue. (Make sure you do this over your drop cloth, glitter has the tendency to get messy!) Shake off excess onto a paper plate or paper towel so you can reuse later.
• Let it dry & repeat the glittering process for coverage.
• Modge Podge one last coat over the glittered surface to adhere it to the frames so you will have less chance of glitter everywhere once you start using these again.
• Let dry, add pictures and dazzle your room! Enjoy!

Below are pictures of the entire process...

What Do you think of my glitter frames?