D.I.Y. Challenge: D.O.N.E.

OMG, I have never procrastinated on a DIY as long as I have on this one. I found and purchased a pair of vintage faux bamboo bedside tables on December 31st, and then they sat, and they sat, and they sat... Until one month ago, Kisha over at Chronicled Blog came up with a group challenge, which I thought for sure would be the motivation I needed to get going on this DIY. Well, I still managed to procrastinate until the very last day. Sigh. Why do I do this to myself? There's nothing like a crazy amount of pressure to light a fire under my butt.

As of 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, the bedside tables still looked like this:

Here's all I needed to get the project done: Fine/Medium grit sanding block, Zinsser primer, sponge roller and brush, 2 cans of Rustoleum Ultra Cover spray paint in Dark Grey Gloss :


I paid special attention to the laminate top, giving it an extra coat of primer, since spray paint will not stick to laminated surfaces:


The legs also needed special care and attention, since it looks as though they had been hit by the vacuum a few hundred times over the years:


Here are the tables freshly primed. Thank goodness my office includes warehouse space where I can do all of my dirty work!!

Are you ready for the After? Do I hear a drum roll?

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The entire project only took about 5 hours from start to finish (including drying time), and the huge bonus is that I saved about $400 by doing this myself. Thanks to Kisha for the setting the challenge. I am so glad that I finally got this done!!! I only wish that I could have styled these up real pretty, but that will have to wait until I move to the new place this fall. These tables will be in the new guest bedroom :-)

Check out today's blog posts from the other bloggers who participated in the DIY Challenge: From Inspiration to Creation:

Renee at RB Squared
DaVida Chanel at DaVida Chanel
Kristin at Le Fabuleux Destin
Kandyce at Chota Peelea Auto
and
Kisha at Chronicled Blog

Why the CN Tower Turned Purple & Green

This Friday night, June 15th, the CN Tower was awash in a combination of purple and green. The display is just one of many events planned by the City of Toronto to commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. This weekend, as part of the city's commemoration launch, Fort York is offering free admission to The Encampment, a creative installation of 200 tents running nightly in conjunction with the Luminato Festival. I hope you all enjoy the weekend!!

Photo by Pamela Graham for Cherish Toronto.

Yay for Visits!!

I'm so happy my Mom is arriving soon for a weekend visit. It gives me the perfect excuse to splurge on a few treats, like these fresh flowers.

Have a great weekend, everyone!!

Zipper Dread

This weekend I had one of the longest ever to do lists, and by 1:30 am late, late Sunday night, I managed to complete the last chore. Sundays are always cleaning day. You know, the usual laundry, vacuum, fresh sheets ritual.

This particular Sunday, however, I also had to finish a pillow sewing project for my sister. According to the receipt, the fabric was purchased last August. Procrastinate much? The problem, my friends, is zippers. No matter how many times I have sew in a zipper, each and every time I am faced with the task, I become filled with fear and dread. So relieved to finally cross this off the to do list ;-)

Not one set, but two...

Yay!! Finally done :-)

Glass Completely Full...of Matches

Yikes...I haven't posted in more than a week!! And even at that, I don't have much for you - just a fun little project that I pretty much copied from Jenny Komeda over at Little Green Notebook (such a great blog, btw). It's such a simple project involving a pretty Moroccan tea glass, dollar store matches and salt. Even the most basic things in life can be pretty!! Thanks for the idea, Jenny ;-)

Read Jenny's post with step by step details here.