Farmhouse Style Wood & Metal Vase Decor

Your are going to love the transformation our regular contributor, Michelle James, has made with this thrift store find to create an amazing Autumn vase!

Farmhouse Style – A Wood & Metal Vase

Hi there! I am calling this a wood and metal vase because I used it for a fall floral arrangement, but it really could be an organizer, a container or just a box to set somewhere. Whatever its purpose…I love the way it turned out.

I love thrift shopping with my friend, Peggy. She picked this up and could see beyond the ugly. She said look at the wood and the corrugated metal. I was hooked and bought it for $1.50.

Turn an ugly thrift store find into something amazing! #DIY #Fall #Decor #Stencil

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It started out with this pear and this weird springy wire handle.

I removed the pear which was held on with two screws and some glue. And I got that handle off too. It was so much better already.

I painted the wood sides, or fronts, it could go either way, with white chalk paint. I painted two coats sanding in between.

I knew I wanted something painted on the wood sides, so I created a stencil from vinyl with my Silhouette machine.

I used a font called “stencil” and cut the words Farm Fresh to fit the size I needed. Since it was vinyl, I just laid it down on the wood side.

It took two coats of the black chalk paint to fill it in.

Then I removed the stencil, sanded quite a bit to get an “aged” look, and added the wax finish.

I love the way it turned out.

The craft store in my area had their fall décor 40% off, so I got a few things to add to it. What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by!

~Michelle

You’re gonna love this easy DIY project for you home. #Autumn #Fall #Home #Decor #DIY

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Visit Michelle at her blog, Michelle James Designs!

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DIY Outdoor Lighting From Discount Store Vases

Another great DIY project just in time for those Spring and Summer nights on the veranda, in the yard, or on the porch swing! Thank you, Michelle James, our Regular Contributor.

Discount Store Vases to Outdoor Lighting

An Easy DIY Project to Enhance Outdoor Living

Hi everyone! I love creating new outdoor lighting for my patio. Last year I created these hanging lights; so this year, I wanted something to go on my patio table. I headed to my favorite discount store and came up with this.

Brighten your evenings outdoors with this fun DIY Lighting project. #OutdoorLighting #DIY

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To make these super easy lights you need the following supplies:

Vases from the discount store – you can choose from the shapes and sizes but make sure the solar light will rest on the top of the vase without falling in.
Solar Lights – also from the discount store
Oil based Sharpie Markers

How to Make the Outdoor Lights:

You will need to remove the stake part of the solar light so you have just the light part.

Now you will be decorating your vases using the oil based markers. I wanted to make some dandelions. I know they are weeds and I don’t like them in my yard but I do like them in décor. I have seen some really great pins that involve dandelions.
I started with the green stem. I drew one long stem then on the opposite side of the vase I drew a shorter stem.

Now make the lines to form the “flower” by starting at the top of the stem. Draw lines coming out from the top of the stem all the way around to create a circle of lines.

After you have the lines done, use the tip of the pen and make a “dot” at the end of each line.

Now add more “dots” inside the flower. I added them on lines all of the way around and down to the stem.

Then create some fly away blooms by creating short line with a dot at the end. I had them fly up the vase so it looks like they are taking off into the air. So easy!

Once you have your painting done you will need to cure it in the oven. Place them on a baking sheet and put them into a cold oven. Turn the oven on to 200 degrees. Let them bake for 1 hour then turn off the oven and let it cool. Then remove them. I did all of this in the evening so after I turned off the oven I just left them in until the next morning.
If they need to be washed, they should be carefully hand washed.

An easy DIY project to light your nights! #Outdoor #Living #Decor #DIY

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I hope you liked these and will give them a try. I can’t wait for warmer days, when I can sit outside.

Have great day!

Until next time,

Michelle

Visit Michelle at her blog, Michelle James Designs!

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Do you have any fun lighting ideas?

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How do you like to use your outdoor living spaces?

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~Lorelai

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Spice Rack To Cool Vase

Michelle James is back with another fabulous DIY project for your home decor, a Spice Rack to Cool Vase. I know you will enjoy it.

Spice Rack Re-Do

Spice Rack to Cool Vase

I am super excited today, because I leave tomorrow for my son’s wedding in Jamaica! I can’t wait to experience some warm weather, not to mention some beautiful beaches! Before I go, I want to share my Spice Rack Re-Do with you. I love this little guy.

I love to thrift shop, and I try to go whenever I can. I teach a class in Estherville, Iowa, each month, and I can always see the thrift store from her store window. Usually, they close early on Saturday, but a few months ago, I was able to get in there after my class and before they closed. Yay! I picked up a few things.

I found this for $2. I love the “test tube” look of it.

A $2 find at the Thrift Store makes a cool DIY Vase! #DIY #Vase #ThriftStoreFind

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As usual it was very dirty. I think the spices got used up and it was taken directly to the thrift store. No washing needed.

I gave it good bath, and removed the grime and the spice powder from each glass tube. I loved that everything was sparkly and clean when I got done. I also removed the labels. They came off really easily, which I cannot say happens when I remove labels from wine bottles. I was pleasantly surprised!

I took the metal lids and the “rack” part into the garage and used some black, flat spray paint on it. It only took a couple of coats. I was going to paint the wooden base white but decided against it. I liked the rustic “partially painted” look I had created.

That was all it took. I love a nice, easy project that comes out so pretty! What do you think?