Hand-Painted Business Card

Never did I dream that my blog dreamingincolor would merge with my design business and Etsy shop Micucci Designs when I started to blog. I still keep the two names but they seemed to become bonded together all by itself!

As I started to redo my craft room I knew I wanted to put Micucci Designs in my space. To brand my room if you will. Make it more a part of my personality. Remember my quote in my profile "a little bit country and a little bit rock-n-roll!" That just means that I like a lot of different things that are opposite of each other. So my craft room will express that.

I decided to use a piece of cabinet door that I bought last year at a yard sale. I knew I would use it for my sign because it had the appeal I was going for.

This is what it looked like when I started....

It had scratches and a crack across the middle. I left it! It added to its character!

I pencil sketched my name and logo that is on my business card and taped off my background for the bold stripes just like my card. I used Frog Tape that I got at Haven. If you haven't used it pay the extra money! It is well worth it to have clean lines!

Then I began to paint filling in my letters and monogram in black and painting my stripes in blue.

Apparently I am not very good with tools! As I was screwing the hanger in the back the screwdriver slipped and stabbed my thumb leaving blood dripping on the back (see smear) yuk! I know TMI!

I use heavy wire because this was a solid heavy piece of wood, as a hanger.

Then I paint the outside and inside borders black to make it pop.

Distressed it some more and it is ready to hang in my room or store!

Do you have a sign in your room? Would you think of doing it now? Can't wait to show you the whole room!

Vintage Magnetic Eraser

For those of you that have been on my Facebook page you already know that I started redoing my craft room. I am up to my shoulders in such a mess!! It keeps on multiplying!! As promised I said I would share some of my projects and pictures.

The first one is a quick project that I did to change up a magnetic eraser I bought from Hobby Lobby.
I will show you how to make it!

I purchased the eraser and thought that the foam blue top was boring but I liked the idea that is was magnetic and would stay on my memo board. Since I like adding the old with the new I wanted the eraser to have a vintage feel.

This is what I started with...1.49 ...not too bad but the boring blue had to go!

I found a graphic on The Graphic Fairy's site that I felt fit the look I wanted and printed it out.

I turned the eraser upside down and traced the shape keeping the graphic centered. Then I cut it out.

I used spray adhesive to glue it down and used my rubber roller to press it in and bond it to the top!

I used some antiquing paints and inks to make it look older. I blotted the paint around the front and used the ink for the sides.

There you have it!! Very simple but an idea that can be very versatile. Add a chevron print, ABC's anything you wish. The best part is that is stays on the metal so you can keep up with it!

One project done it the craft room.....Now I have to tackle the rest of it!~

Told you I have lots of organizing to do! Anyone want to help?!!!!

How To Turn A Bathroom Into Booth Space

I have been at the Arbor in Franklin, Tennessee since February. It is a 5000 sq ft antique mall. I share a space with my dear friend Mary. It works out great because we have similar taste and we help each other schlep move furniture!

With temperatures hitting over 100 for the past few weeks, our room has been uncomfortable for us and shoppers. The other day as we were flipping our booth we noticed the unused bathroom off our room. We have stored a few things in there from time to time. This time we opened the door to find cool air. You see, there is a air conditioning vent in there! The door stays closed so we don't reap the benefits!

We ask the owner, Mitzi, if we could use the bathroom as part of our space. She must have thought we were crazy! But she is a sweetheart! She said sure!

So off went the door! Let the cool air flow!!

I took the pins out of the hinges with a hammer and screwdriver. It was real simple and we will use the door in the bathroom for display.

This is how it looked in there YIKES! Mary and I like challenges so we schemed, planned, and designed!

The first thing we had to do was cover the toilet and sink. We place a window atop the toilet like a table and put a crate over the sink. We stapled burlap to the front to skirt the sink and toilet and give it a more unified look. We added brown paper to the walls by stapling it. I made some banners for the edge of the ceiling and Mary started filling it!

There is a drying rack over the light as a canopy to hang linens! The door sits on the opposite side of the mirror leaning on the wall. Major difference!

We ran out of time to finish but I think it came a long way! What do you think? I think this will be a fun holiday room! Every first Friday in Franklin they have an Art Crawl with wine and hors d'ourves
We will see if anyone notices the change!

French Provincial Buffet {two-toned}

Happy fourth of July! I am busy working on a few projects today so no picnicking for me, not to mention it has been over 100 degrees! Staying indoors is fine with me! This is what I finished this week.

There has been a lot of talk around here about my Purdy brushes I won at Haven. Purdy is not new to me though. I have been using them for years, from painting my walls in my home to painting signs in my business. They are the best that I have used and this is NOT a sponsored ad!!! Although I would love for them to call!

One of the ways I love to use them is painting furniture. If you have been here awhile you know there is a lot of that going on! The bristles stay put! Plain and simple! I love the finish of the brush stroke on the furniture.

This is a project I completed this week. A French Provincial Buffet.

It was beautiful when I got it. The curved front and legs are scrumptious!! But..had to paint it!

I wanted a two-toned look for the piece because of the details. I also wanted something neutral so it would sell fast.

I used both a two inch and 1 inch Purdy brush for this project. I use a one inch a lot, even on the big pieces.

I removed hardware. I love the original hardware on this so I left them on. After I painted the door I took my one inch brush and painted the carving in the door and around top to make it pop.

Then I added back the pulls and lightly distressed and waxed the piece.

While I painted a beautiful mistake occurred! Some of the paint crackled! I love when something spontaneous happens like this! It adds such character!

 

The clear wax was applied all over and then dark wax to the carvings.

I love the look! I also have a hutch and table and chairs that I purchase when I bought this piece. I will not do it as a set so I need to come up with some more ideas for paint color.


Do you ever get stumped on what to paint a piece? The more I do the harder it seems to come up with something!

Enjoy your holiday!

Easy Metal Flower Frames {tutorial}

With Christmas six months away yes I said it gift making is on the brain. Some things can be used anytime of the year. Picture frames are always popular.. I have done a few here on my blog like my pine cone Shabby Chic picture frames.

While on a trip to the dollar store I came across colorful metal flower hooks. I thought they would be cute if I painted them. Remember chalk paint goes on virtually everything! Then I could hang these in my wannabe craft room!

When I took them home a light bulb went off. I love the hand cut metal flowers that adorn picture frames, but they are a lot of work. What if I could use these? They needed to be changed up a bit though.

First thing to go was the middle piece. Cut with a wire cuter.

Next cut off the back hook. You will need some muscle for this one!

The flower will look like this. I did a pink and yellow one. Remember you can paint any color you want!

Now they look boring like this so I fluffed up the petals by bending them forward.

Here is one of the yellow ones. I love that the flowers look like the old Italian chandelier I repainted!

Grab a canvas. Rip off the canvas and you have a wooden frame. A great idea in itself! Many possibilities. You can find them cheap at bargain stores. They are all wood. Add some paint!

 Now to attach the flower. I found these really cool concrete nails. They will become the stamen.

 Hammer on to the corner of the frame or wherever you see fit.

 
 Attach eye hooks to the inside of frame on either side. Twist wire through to hang photos on.

Or you can just use it as a frame. Either way it is a cute gift for any occasion. 

Can you think of other ways these can be used?

Blog Reaches over 600

After all the goodies I went home with at Haven I wanted to give back a little to my followers!! I mean this whole blog was the reason I went in the first place!

I hope when you come here you get ideas that inspire you and make you want to come back!

Thank you all so much for entering the Ticket Sign contest! My Facebook page grew and so did everything else!

Remember if you did not win this givaway this sign and similar ones are for sale in my ETSY shop, so stop in and get you one!!

My Ticket sign has always been a good giveaway!

So without further ado........

Congratulations to Jennifer at Life, Crafts and Whatever

Please send me your info!!

Also a special thanks to Saved by Love Creations and Uncommon for featuring my Paint Stick Flag!!

Dreamingincolor at Haven

Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon posting about their Haven experiences. It helps when running out of an idea to blog about! I have had a few myself. In a nutshell, I had a blast! I met at least a hundred woman (I have that many business cards) with the same likes as I have. Intelligent talented woman! These woman were eager to share their knowledge.

I came home with bags of free stuff and a few things I won!

 
 Annie Sloan paint and a Ryobi  slide compund miter saw with laser and stand. Can you tell I'm excited?

 One problem! Pictures were mostly taken with my phone. Not good! annnddd they were mostly taken the last day which explains the same clothes in every picture ugh! Not good at all, especially since my Canon Rebel was in the hotel room.

There were workshops about Google Juice, Waterfall effects and the scary "M" monster!!!

There were cocktail parties with signature drinks, girls buying rounds, and  waffles!

Intriguing conversations about wood, milk paint and yogurt!

If you don't get it you will just have to go next year! If you do get it you have memories of laughter and brain farts!

Of course all of this was great but the thing that was most important were all the connections made with friends!

Lots of friend not enough pictures taken! 

This blog thing has turned into quite an adventure! I took off by myself and entered a world that was sooo much bigger than I thought.

I was welcomed in and embraced with knowledge and friendship. Thanks to everyone that attended!

I took a leap about a year ago when I helped Layla and Kevin from The Lettered Cottage, traveling alone to help with a redo in Buford, GA. That is were I met Rhoda from Southern Hospitality and she told me about heading up a new conference for Home and DIYer's. I knew that is where I wanted to be!

So take a chance and get yourself out there! There are so many people to meet and adventures to go on. It takes one step in that direction! The rest is a domino effect!

Where has taking a chance with your blog taken you?