Country to Craftsman End Table Makeover

Happy hump day. Hope your week is going well. Just wanted to take a quick sec (ok more than a second) to share my new end tables. I purchased these end tables from the Spiegel catalog in 1990. Spiegel is still around (online) but I don't think they have a catalog anymore or sell furniture. These end tables have moved with me four times. They have been used in the living room, family room and spent time in storage. About a year ago I drug them out because I needed a larger, sturdier end table but never really liked the color (kinda country). I wanted to update them and decided to strip and stain the top and paint the bottom with light green chalk paint. I think this design choice has given them a more modern, craftsman feel. Not bad for a set of 23 year old end tables! Enjoy!!

The  color is a little off in this shot. My couch is red not hot pink LOL. The light green is pretty close though. The sun was pretty bright during this time of the day too.

MORE BEFORE PICS...

 MORE AFTER PICS

Thanks for visiting,

UPDATE 8/7/13 - THIS PROJECT WAS FEATURED
AT THINK TANK THURSDAY #42

Paint Your Own Pottery (Cow Collection)

Here’s a little fact that I have yet to share. I used to own a contemporary pottery studio. You might have one in your neighborhood. You know, the ones that allow you to paint your own pottery. Actually, you pick a piece of bisque (pottery fired once) and paint it with colored glaze that looks just like paint. I sold the shop in 2004 and went back to work full time in my chosen profession but for three years I was the sole owner of a creative little shop known as Paint’N Pottery. The name stayed the same for a while until the second owner sold it. Twelve years, and another owner later the shop is still alive and from what I hear doing well. They moved it to another location but I still take credit for bringing this fun and creative venue into my (at the time) home town. Unfortunately I don’t have any photographs to share. They are somewhere stored away in a box that I will hopefully find one day. I do have a lot of pieces that I made and kept for myself though and thought I would share one set that I called the “Cow Collection”. I hope you enjoy.

Thanks for visiting, 

The Golden Rope Vase

I love love love anything with rope. It reminds me of all things water; boats, the beach, the ocean. I have already done a few projects using rope (here) and (here) but I just couldn’t resist doing another. I think it was the shape of the vase that inspired me. Regardless I love the finished product and its new home on my dining room table. Enjoy.

 

I found the vase at a local thrift store for $6. Love the shape but the peach color..not so much.

 Other Supplies:

ROPE 
Twisted Sisal

 

Spray Glue

 

Gold Spray Paint

I sprayed the vase with the spray glue, wrapped it with the rope
 and spray painted with the gold spray paint. 
Easy Peasy!

Sorry...I forgot to take pictures of the spray painting process but I bet you can figure that out LOL!

Thanks for visiting,

 

UPDATE - AUGUST 7, 2013 

THIS PROJECT WAS FEATURED!!!

Crock Pot Swiss Steak Supper

It's been a pretty hot couple of weeks here and I don't like to heat up the oven when it's an oven outside. For this reason I turn to my crock-post for tasty meals and I turn to the Taste of Home website for recipes. The family was really in the mood for some "meat'n potatoes" and this recipe fit the bill. As with all of the Taste of Home recipes the owner is identified. This Swiss Steak Supper was created by Kathleen Romaniuk of Chomedey, Quebec. Thanks Kathleen...we loved it!

Ingredients:

Prep time is 20 minutes, Cook time 5-6 hours, Serves 6

• 1-1/2 lbs. beef top round steak
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 3 medium potatoes
• 1-1/2 cups fresh baby carrots
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Italian diced tomatoes
• 1 jar (12 ounces) home-style beef gravy
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Directions 

• Cut steak into six serving-size pieces; flatten to 1/4-in. thickness.  
• Rub with seasoned salt and pepper.

 

•  In a large skillet, brown beef in oil on both sides; drain. 
  

• Prepare slice onions, measure out carrots,cut each potato into eight wedges.
  
  

•  In a 5-qt. slow cooker, layer the potatoes, carrots, beef and onion.
  
  
   
   

•  Combine tomatoes and gravy; pour over the top. 
  
   
   

• Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender. 

Enjoy!!!

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (1 each) equals 402 calories, 6 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 67 mg cholesterol, 822 mg sodium, 53 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 33 g protein.