Shabby to Chic

Cover the backside, of your shelf, that is.

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Add interest and color to any shelf, or even hardwood stairs!

Cover the backside of anything really, using fabric and... wait for it... liquid starch!

Cut fabric to the size of the shelf you're covering.

Using a paintbrush, apply a thin coat of liquid starch to the backside of your shelf.

Press the fabric onto the shelf and then paint a thin layer of starch over the fabric.

My boring white corner shelf is now a focal point in my dining room!

The best part is that the fabric peels off easily without damage to the shelf if you change your mind about the fabric!

It's not always good to "show off" what you've got!

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Even if everything in our homes has a place, it can still seem cluttered!

I decided to stop "showing off" what I've got and cover it up! (in a cute way).

I like to read a little before going to sleep but, with the books showing through the glass cabinet my room felt a little cluttered.

Some fabric attached to the back of the cabinet door took care of it!

When it comes to storage there can never be too many drawers. With glass that would show anything inside, I didn't want to put anyting these drawers. A little scrap book paper attached to the inside solved my storage issue (in a cute way)!

Take your food to the next level! (literally)

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How many summer parties will you be hosting this year?

Make your buffet table one to remember by creating fun serving platters!

Serving your delicious summertime recipes on platters

at all different heights makes for a beautiful and interesting buffet table. If your not a good cook, no worries!

It's all about presentation!

These blue and white serving platters are made from a vase and matching candlestick that I used keep in my room. I used a super strong cement glue to stick the dessert plates on top and let them dry overnight.

Many years ago my sweet Grandmother gave this platter to me. The base is a candlestick that my Mom decorated our home with every Christmas when I was growing up. Just used the same super strong glue.

Found this candlestick and little silver basket at D.I. Glued them together to make this cute candy dish. This would be good to have by the front door. Kids are always happier when it's time to go home if they know there's candy waiting for them at the door! I know I am.

When you think flower pots, don't just think flowers. This one is upside down and glued to a coordinating plate that I found at the dollar store. I'm a collector of ribbon! When in doubt, add ribbon!

Why get rid of a darling lampshade base just because the shade's no good anymore? It makes a cute serving dish! I added the blue stones and velvet blue ribbon because that's my favorite color.

Have the stuff but not quite sure how to put it all together?

Let me know! I'd love to help set your table!

A "hole in one", or two, or three pairs of jeans!

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Girls can play rough, just as rough as the boys sometimes. As the mother of three girls, one of whom is very hard on clothes, it seems like every day that I find holes in the knees of another pair of cute jeans! The weather is warming up, so it's time to make those holey jeans into cute summer shorts. Add ribbon and a little embroidered flower (no way did I embroider the flower) and my little rough girl will at least look feminine this summer.

My girls won't listen to me when I tell them to stop growing! If the jeans fit around the waist but are a little too short, just cut them a little shorter to make capris. Add a little ruffle or just fold fabric as you sew, like I did on these. No measuring. As long as it looks even, it's even.

I've been framed! But that's a good thing.

2012-04-29T22:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it can be hard to find wall art for the room your decorating that has all of the right colors in it. While shopping at my local scrapbook paper store the thought came to me that all of this beautiful paper could become wall art! Love pretty scrapbook paper! I love it so much I decided to frame it!

This beautiful paper with birds on it is actually wrapping paper. I found it in France when I was visiting my parents. I couldn't imagine wrapping a present with it and watching as the recipient ripped it apart while opening the gift, so I framed it. The frame used to be a wood color but I painted it white.

If I happen to choose a piece of scrapbook paper that doesn't quite work when I get it home that's okay! It only cost 10 cents and I can use it to make a

birthday card for someone later on (that could become a good post).

TRY IT! SO FUN! SO INEXPENSIVE! SO CUTE!

I have seen the light! And I think it's pretty cute.

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I found this lamp (minus the ribbon) at Home Depot for $8. The shade was plain and the whole thing was looking a little shabby. A white shade with a white lamp = not exciting. So I went through my ribbon and found some coordinating colors that matched my daughter's room, plugged in the glue gun and voila' (as my Mom would say).

Any woman or anyone with daughters knows how fast jewelry boxes fill up. Even the dress up necklaces have their place in the jewelry box with the ballerina that twirls when you open the lid.

These hooks, that you're supposed to use for car keys, are the perfect size for hanging jewelry! Each set of hooks has little holes on the sides so you can attach them to the wall with screws. Instead of doing that I pulled ribbon through the holes and tied a knot. Then with my glue gun, I glued 2 strands of ribbon underneath each side of the hooks. Adjust the length of the ribbon that hangs down so that your longest necklace hangs nicely without draping over the hooks below. Pull the ribbons that hang down through the holes that are on the bottom set of hooks and tie knots to make it stay.

You won't cry if you spill milk on this one!

2012-04-27T19:55:00.000-07:00

Pillows can be pricey! Cute pillows especially! I decided to make my own but I don't like to measure fabric or follow patterns or anything like that. I found some cute cloth napkins on clearance at Pier 1 and decided to make pillows out of them. The front is this floral pattern and the back is just a plain brown napkin.

Talk about easy to sew together. I put right sides together and sewed around the edges leaving some undone so I could turn it inside out. After it was turned inside out and stuffed with a pillow form from an old pillow I didn't like anymore, I hand stitched the few inches that were still open. (You could also just stuff it with batting.) There you go! A cute pillow for about $6. I may add some fringe or something to the edges later, but for now this is it!

Pier 1, TJ Maxx and my favorite, Anthropologie, all have way cute cloth napkins! You may even find some in your linen closet!

Hey, if someone spills, at least I know it's washable!

My 7 year old, Avery said, "That's weird! They don't even feel like napkins!" Love her.

Create something from nothing.

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"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that wasn't there before." Dieter F. Uchtdorf .

This is a blog that's all about creating. I find something that most of us would call shabby, and show how to create it into something chic. It's about using what I already have, or what is least expensive, and creating something useful and beautiful. Hope you will visit often and try these ideas yourself.

"Everyone can create. We don't need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty." Dieter F. Uchtdorf.