Tuesday, April 14, 2009

small projects week, day 2


I bought this little side table when we first moved to town...nearly 2 years ago. I only paid $2.00 for it at a garage sale. It's not the cutest thing, but when you add some primer and a little green paint, it looks much, much better. I always love seeing how paint can transform things. I added a little dresser scarf thingy that came from my grandma's house to protect the painted top. I really like it. Now I just need to finish my bento box quilt to go along with it. :)
Also, I finally got around to making some more checkbook covers. I intended to make them for Christmas presents, but April is pretty close, right? The red and the green ones are for two of my friends. When I was making these last night my husband asked me to make one for him in some masculine looking fabric. He picked out the fabric from my stash, but he wanted it without interfacing, which was just fine by me, because it came together even more quickly. He put his entire checkbook-plastic cover and all-inside the fabric one and it fit perfectly! (Yes, I was a little surprised.) I had to look back at my own tutorial on how to make these because I had forgotten how, which just cracked me up. Keeping a blog is useful! For this set of covers, I added a quarter inch to each measurement, so I cut the pieces 7.25 x 13.25 and they fit even better than the first ones I made.

This week may have to be renamed "five ways to use fabulous red polka dot fabric". It might show up a few more times yet....you've been warned. ;)

46 comments:

Kerri said...

your bedside table looks much better green, and it will even look better with your bento box quilt right next to it!!

i don't think i could ever see too much red polka dot. just love it!! :)

Renee said...

The table is much better in green!

Andi said...

Nice work CrazyMom!!

Busy Little Quilter said...

Isn't it amazing how painting something can make it look so much better? I've been known to spray paint a few things!

The checkbook covers look great. I'll have to look at your tutorial and make some for presents, too.

I agree with you that there are advantages of keeping a blog. Saturday my grand children wanted to bake cookies. I couldn't find my recipe for cut out cookies, so I went to my blog and found it!

I love your small projects week. It's a great idea.

Linda said...

For some reason I can just see you and K standing in your sewing room picking out fabric. LOL. J rarely sets foot past the door in mine. LOL he stands in the doorway when he needs to talk to me.
I am loving the red polka dots so keep them coming! :)

Cat said...

You did a great job. It looks better green.

Katherine said...

Ah, the wonders of paint! Nice transformation.

hee hee... I for one will not complain if you show a million and one projects made from fabulous red polka dot fabric!!!

Thimbleanna said...

I LOVE that red polkie fabric -- bring it on!!!

LeeAnn said...

Just consider these check book covers good for the upcoming Xmas! Then feel good about being so on top of things!

Malissa said...

Cuuuuute! I would never never expected a couple of coats of paint to make such a difference in that table but it is awesome!

Robin said...

I love that table...it is much better in green and will look great with your bento box quilt by it...I love the checkbook covers too. I just got some Wonderland by MoMo fabric and am going to use your tutorial to make a cover too!

robinheartsquilts.blogspot.com

jess said...

That table really does it for me! I have some free stands I picked up over the past few years and I have painted them so many colors... I have had to move them to other rooms because my living room was starting to look like Pee Wee's Playhouse. lol.

Nancy said...

I have that polka dot fabric. Don't ya just love it?? I made ine into zipper bags for a giveaway...
http://withthreadinhand.blogspot.com/2009/04/in-mail.html
I need to get more before it is gone...

Philigry said...

i love to paint furniture! it looks great, and i can't wait to see it next to your quilt. i like your small projects. i have been working on my spiderweb quilt, and a really difficult sweater. i need a small project to get through the maddness!

Jennie said...

Your table is adorable! And of course April is close enough! I mailed a quilt that is a birthday gift to someone yesterday... her birthday was in November! Better late than never! ~ Jennie

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

love the side table!

neat checkbook covers too! Although I don't get to use one of those anymore... non one takes checks here!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

to take something not-so-pretty and make it just right for your use! I did a green table, too: http://brunosmom.blogspot.com/2008/11/thankful.html

You remind me - I need to get the other one done!

connie said...

More red polka dots please!!!

Anonymous said...

Love the table Amanda! You are just like me. Buy cheap and transform!! Very cute!

Peggy said...

I love that table! It's looks nice and fresh with the green paint. It's amazing what paint can do, isn't it?

Journeying Five said...

my parents had a table like that when I was growing up...yours is way cuter in the green!

Alf and Lily Creations said...

I made a red polka dot dress for my daughter last week...so cute :)
Karen

Wanda said...

I love your table. It turned out really nice. Working with furniture is something I enjoy too but don't get the chance too often. Your checkbook covers are nice too...very nice in fact!

pratima said...

Green looks so nice for the table.
Your checkbook covers are very pretty. Looking forward to more polka dot goodness :)

Karen said...

Love the side table.....u picked a great color!

bookflutterby said...

Oh it is cute! You could put one of those square baskets on that lower shelf there, with a white piece of material lining the inside and tied to it's corners with green bows. If bows are your thing. :P CUTE! I love re-making furniture!
Courtney

Rachael Adele said...

I made one of your checkbook covers right after you posted the measurements, and I LOVE it. Thanks again!

Leslie said...

the painted table is great...i should take some paint to a few pieces i have around my house and see what a difference it can make.

Casey said...

ver nice table :)

~Niki~ said...

That is the cutest side table! love the green.

Anonymous said...

I love the green table!

Rebekah said...

what a great makeover! That table is so cute!

melissa s. said...

what a great idea, painting the table. did you use spray paint? i have some similar thriftstore-bought items that are raising their hands for makeovers!

heather said...

Love, Love, Love the side table. I'm going to have to use that color in my house somewhere!!!:) Can you go wrong with polka dots???? I think not!!

Lisa said...

Love the table. It looks so much nicer painted green.

Amanda Jean said...

melissa s.,

no, i didn't use spray paint. i used a small roller to paint the majority of it. (i used paint from my recent bathroom remodel.) :)

aj

rachel griffith said...

i SO need to do mine too!!!
love yours.

Anita D. said...

You should have just let us think you're really planning ahead for the coming Christmas.

Jane said...

Oooooo, I've got some furniture to paint too. Again, you've inspired me. Love the green $2 end table.
Can you say P*E*R*F*E*C*T?!!

Too many projects.
Too little time!

Cindy said...

Do you sleep? :)

ctgardengirl said...

I am so inspired! I love end table painted green! Normally I dislike stuff like this, and won't even give it a second glance at a yard sale or antique shops, but now, I can't wait to find one!

lera said...

You've been VERY busy lately with all your "little" projects.

I love your table, twin. I think that's the EXACT shade of my sewing table. Are you surprised????

Sarah said...

Love this little side table!! It is so cute. I really need to start going to garage sales and antique shops...

teaginny said...

So I saw your chekbook cases and had to make one immediately :). Check out the result at my blog www.teaginnydesigns.blogspot.com I also bought two charm packs yesterday to make the stacked coins quilt you designed for Moda's bake shop. Thanks for all the inspiration!!!

Unknown said...

Love your "new" table :) Paint is amazing!

sulu-design said...

In green, that table IS the cutest thing. Aren't you glad you finally got around to painting it?