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Rants, observations, and home decorating... from a woman with no time for a blog.


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Not quite trash to treasure, but I left it better than I found it.

April 30, 2009 52 Comments

Mod Podge is one of my favorite mediums that l use when attempting to turn crap into a craft project…

And? It’s cheap and easy, so if I don’t like it, I haven’t committed a lot of time (bad enough) or money (yikes! worse!) to the project.

Like most frugal/crafty Mommies, I love Goodwill, Target clearance sales and yard sales.

This was a Goodwill find. It was a dollar. (Actually, I think I over-paid. It’s apple green with a damn cow on it for crying out loud.)

green ceramic cannister
This is what it looks like now. Due to my freakish inability to throw away even a scrap of paper, I already had everything I needed.

mod podged canister with monogram

I hated the lampshades on the chandelier in our dining room. The ones I liked were about $20 a piece (multiplied by 6? Um, I don’t think so!) I found these lovelies at the thrift store yesterday for $2 a piece. Much better.

small thrift store lamp shades

I was hurrying because I wanted to post them in time for Xazmin’s Mod Podge event, so I am actually quite unhappy with the lopsided, wavy way the trim was applied to the bottom.

(If anyone asks, I’m going to tell them I did these while I was drunk. Then they’ll be impressed that I managed to keep the rest of it together OK.)

chandelier with lampshades

This project is my favorite. Orchids last forever and I don’t kill them anywhere near as quickly as I kill the other houseplants. This little tin was at the thrift store. It was a dollar as well.

small metal container
I glued on little wooden feet, painted them and the trim with black paint and added some of the aforementioned paper I cannot throw away. Added an orchid. All done.

orchid in planter

Filed Under: Bargain, Before and After, Mod Podge, project du jour

Comments

  1. Anissa says

    April 30, 2009 at 11:50 PM

    Great Job. I need to start trying to do stuff like that. It looks like alot of fun. TFS

    Reply
  2. Dawn says

    April 30, 2009 at 11:50 PM

    Wow! If I hadn’t seen the before, I’d never have believed the jar and lampshades ever looked like they once did. What a difference. Great job and thanks for helping me to think outside of the box.

    Reply
  3. J.J. says

    May 1, 2009 at 12:00 AM

    you are crafty! I need to head over to her blog and check that out ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  4. Xazmin says

    May 1, 2009 at 12:16 AM

    They all look fabulous Vivienne!

    I think the cookie jar is beautiful! I love the other things too though!

    I think I like the phrase “crap to craft” even better than “trash to treasure”!

    Thanks for linking up. I love your projects!

    Reply
  5. Becca @ The Texas Darlings says

    May 1, 2009 at 12:20 AM

    These are so good- and I don’t notice the lopsided trim at all!!

    My problem? I don’t have an ounce of craftiness in my body…..

    You guys are so good at this, you’re killin me!!!

    ~Becca

    Reply
  6. Becky says

    May 1, 2009 at 12:32 AM

    wow~! You are crafty! I wouldn’t even know where to begin to do those things you just did! I think they turned out amazing:)

    Reply
  7. Kara says

    May 1, 2009 at 12:41 AM

    Um, WOW! Every single project is going into my “to copy” file. Love them all!

    Reply
  8. Jen says

    May 1, 2009 at 12:42 AM

    Ok I cannot see beyond the ‘junk’ to get it to the ‘treasure’ stage when I go out browsing, it must be a gift I don’t have – they look fantastic! Evie wanted to know why you covered up the cute cow ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  9. MiMi says

    May 1, 2009 at 1:10 AM

    Wow! Those look great! Gives me a new idea for my chandelier that I don’t like!
    BTW: I didn’t speed up to scare my jogger or anything. But the thought very briefly crossed my mind, the jogger was a person who made me cry on a daily basis in the 4th grade. And yes, it’s pathetic that I remember her… : (
    Macey

    Reply
  10. Amanda says

    May 1, 2009 at 1:36 AM

    They all look awesome, would never have thought of doing that to lampshades. Love it! Your last project is my favorite too, it looks great! You are funny and talented, cannot get better than that!

    Reply
  11. Connie Weiss says

    May 1, 2009 at 1:45 AM

    great job!! I’m amazed!!

    Reply
  12. onegirliegirl says

    May 1, 2009 at 2:00 AM

    You are awesome!!! How do you make it all look so easy?

    Love all those projects!

    xoxo Lisa

    Reply
  13. Housewife Savant says

    May 1, 2009 at 2:38 AM

    I love your craftiness!

    Reply
  14. Alicia @ boylerpf says

    May 1, 2009 at 2:39 AM

    Totally impressed! Love the jar and the lamp shades don’t even come close to looking the same.

    Reply
  15. Katie says

    May 1, 2009 at 3:23 AM

    Oh I love it, I think your Goodwill store is priced better than ours, that cow jar would probably have been two or three at ours. I was there and could not believe the prices, “sky high”. I’ve never attempted mod podge onto ceramic but I love how it came out, there is no way I’d have looked at that cow and been able to see what you turned it into! I also love the orchid container, how clever to add feet. The lampshades came out darling too, I know what you mean about the prices for those. I looked recently and got sticker shock myself. Great projects!

    Reply
  16. Shawn says

    May 1, 2009 at 3:25 AM

    I feel so unworthy!

    I must get back in the swing of things and reagin control of my inner Martha!

    Just in case you have more jazzy paper and cool embellishments my last name starts with a T!

    Reply
  17. Maridith says

    May 1, 2009 at 3:28 AM

    V you crack me up everyday. I love reading your blog. The Crap to Craft is classic!!! I love the Not worth a $1 cookie jar. It is beautiful! Everything is is beautiful too but the cookie jar is over the top. Great job!!

    Reply
  18. Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful says

    May 1, 2009 at 3:54 AM

    Love, love, love every single thing! And what a makeover on that hideous cow ๐Ÿ™‚

    ~Amanda

    Reply
  19. Kasey says

    May 1, 2009 at 4:07 AM

    Can you come to my house and do some fancy projects like these for me? I’m super impressed!

    Reply
  20. Tanielle says

    May 1, 2009 at 4:07 AM

    O.K. those are absolutely gorgeous!!!!! What amazing projects! LOVE them!

    Hope you have a wonderful night!

    Reply
  21. imjacobsmom says

    May 1, 2009 at 5:10 AM

    Your a Mod Podge fool! Actually, you’re pretty darn crafty – sober or not! I would have never thought of covering that little cow canister. you’re an inspiration! ~ Robyn

    Reply
  22. Nutshell Berry says

    May 1, 2009 at 12:10 PM

    What the hell is mod podge? I can sew, but that’s about it. I rarely walk into a craft store because I know the craft police will arrest me for even being there.

    Is this mod podge a technique or a product?

    Reply
  23. kel says

    May 1, 2009 at 12:52 PM

    wow… those are awesome!

    Reply
  24. jennykate77 says

    May 1, 2009 at 2:59 PM

    Ok, this isn’t fair…you’re funny, witty, beautiful…and now we have to add crafty to the list!

    I’m loving the monogramming! Mod Podge is my fav thing to craft with too. I just haven’t had the time to do any projects lately. The lamp shade are sooooo cute! They look great!

    Hope you have a fabulous Friday!

    Reply
  25. Liz @ Sugarplum Creations says

    May 1, 2009 at 3:17 PM

    Oh my goodness, I am impressed. I am beyond impressed (is there a word for super-de-duper impressed?!) Those lamp shades are gorgeous, dear! Can you come to my house and help me with my junk? ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  26. Mama King says

    May 1, 2009 at 5:19 PM

    Wow! It is amazing what you and some mod podge can accomplish, I am amazed! The cookie jar is boggling my mind! I didn’t even know you could mod podge on ceramic let alone have it come out so elegant!

    Reply
  27. That Girl says

    May 1, 2009 at 5:47 PM

    gorgeous crafts!

    Reply
  28. The Chicken Lady says

    May 1, 2009 at 9:39 PM

    For as long as I’ve known you, you have always been able to transform hideous things into treasures. Remember the chair you recovered in Vancouver? I remember being so impressed with how awesome it turned out. You inspire me to keep looking at your blog to see the stuff you’ve done! ๐Ÿ™‚ hee hee

    Reply
  29. Infarrantly Creative says

    May 2, 2009 at 3:12 AM

    Wow and I just thought you were my personal cheerleader…so much more talented than I gave you credit for ๐Ÿ˜‰ I am in love with your damn apple green cow makeover…FABULOUS

    Reply
  30. Sara says

    May 2, 2009 at 5:04 AM

    Super cute projects! Thanks for stopping by and giving me some comment love!

    Reply
  31. Jessica says

    May 2, 2009 at 3:03 PM

    So inspiring!!! I’m heading over to Goodies today to find some deals!!

    Reply
  32. AndreaLeigh says

    May 3, 2009 at 12:38 AM

    wow, crafty girl! you should do a tutorial. i love your mod podge mania.

    Reply
  33. Lisa says

    May 28, 2009 at 2:52 PM

    That is AMAZING!!! And you had me laughing out loud over that one dollar cow. LOL!!! Someone decided when I got married that I needed to collect cows. Somehow word got out. That’s all I’m sayin’. All cow items in my home have since gone to pasture.

    You are SO talented!

    Reply
  34. ~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ says

    May 28, 2009 at 11:26 PM

    I really love your little tin thing! Nice job with the paper you can’t throw out. I have lots of ideas but no paper. Where do you find this stuff (cute paper)?
    Thanks I enjoyed your post
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

    Reply
  35. Kim @ Manning Family Tree says

    May 29, 2009 at 12:02 AM

    OMG!!! You are just too dang funny! I love your posts. And your projects turned out fabulous! I’m going to have to remember that “drunk” excuse. Only problem, I don’t drink. Do you think it will still work? Thanks for the laugh & the fabulous results.

    Reply
  36. A Bushel and Peck and Pigtails Paper Trails says

    May 29, 2009 at 7:45 AM

    The jar transformation is great! You did a superb job on everything!

    Reply
  37. FOR THE SAKE OF TIME says

    June 1, 2009 at 11:17 AM

    Great Work! You are so creative. I loved reading your blog. You make me smile on this Monday morning.

    Charla

    Reply
  38. Kammy says

    June 1, 2009 at 12:42 PM

    Wow, love your finds and what you did – Fab job !
    Hugs ~ Kammy

    Reply
  39. Caren says

    June 1, 2009 at 2:56 PM

    Really great stuff! I especially love the canister…gorgeous! (and boy, was it ugly before!)

    Reply
  40. Mrs. Petrie says

    June 1, 2009 at 3:18 PM

    I want to go to GW right now and get a cannister to fix up! Yours is amazing. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  41. mustangkayla says

    June 1, 2009 at 5:34 PM

    Wow! Great finds and I just love what you did with them!

    Reply
  42. Tiffany says

    June 1, 2009 at 6:23 PM

    Wow! You made that canister look amazing! Very impressive! Love all your projects!

    Reply
  43. Jane says

    June 1, 2009 at 7:37 PM

    First of all, I love the title of your blog. Very funny and so true! Love how those projects came out. Do you use regular scrapbook paper or something lighter? They seem so seamless.

    Reply
  44. Marie says

    June 1, 2009 at 11:54 PM

    Love the jar make-over!
    Blessings,
    Marie
    http://emmacallsmemama.com

    Reply
  45. Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick says

    June 2, 2009 at 1:10 AM

    Holy crap, I can’t even believe you did that with paper! Was it tissue paper? I’m so impressed. Love the decal on the front of the jar! This stuff makes me giddy!

    Reply
  46. Anna See says

    June 2, 2009 at 2:20 AM

    wow! what an eye! i am feeling seriously inspired.

    Reply
  47. Kim says

    June 2, 2009 at 2:45 AM

    I am sooooo looking for a cow canister the next time I go to Goodwill! :o) That turned out awesome!

    I can totally relate to not being able to throw stuff away. Are you my long lost sister??

    Great job on everything!

    Reply
  48. Elizabeth says

    June 2, 2009 at 5:54 AM

    All of your projects look so good! I’m especially intrigued by the canister…I’ve been collecting big canisters from the thrift store so I can make a matching/coordinating set. Did you use spray paint? I’m kind of afraid it will scratch off of the ceramic stuff easily. Did you put some kind of sealer over it? Awesome work!

    Reply
  49. Victorian Lady says

    June 2, 2009 at 3:40 PM

    You were a miracle worker on the cow thing! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Great job!

    Mere

    Reply
  50. HeathahLee says

    June 2, 2009 at 5:06 PM

    I have been looking for black toile decoupage papers…is that what you used on the canister? It’s so pretty!

    Reply
  51. michelle@everyday celebrating says

    June 4, 2009 at 12:09 AM

    I”m really inspired!!!!! Great stuff! Thanks!

    Reply
  52. freebyrdz says

    May 21, 2011 at 4:48 AM

    You absolutely crack me up! You think, talk and Craft crap exactly like me!! I can’t wait to see what you are up to next! PS: LOVED the drunken excuse. You are so “me”!

    Reply

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