DIY Gold Chargers

 It's the day after the 4th of July....which means it's time for Christmas.  OK, maybe only if you are a craft store, but still....isn't that always how it works?  So....I'm typing this post during Christmas past, but I'm setting it to post now....as the craft stores start pulling out their Christmas crafts, here's a little something I put together last year.  I found gold napkins at Hobby Lobby in the Christmas section last year.  I used my embroidery machine to embroider "Jingle" on each one, and then I sewed a bell to all four corners.  I got the fine china from the dollar tree, and for the chargers.....

I found these for 67  cents at Hobby Lobby in the clearance section-I guess shiny lime green chippy paint chargers didn't work out too well!  I used some plastic primer (which turns them white-but this allows spray to adhere and stay)) and then I layered on some gold spray paint.  I wanted to try out a different color scheme for my Christmas table last year, so this was the perfect solution-I literally spent less than 2.40 on four chargers.  4 bucks on the plate, and 6 dollars on the napkins and I had a whole new look for the season.  OK....back to summer, but...thinking ahead....I'm always on the hunt for ugly chargers I can change up any old way I want!

Flocking a Wreath for 3 dollars.

Here's a sneak peak at my decor this year.  It's so silly to want to change things out, but each year I'm in a different mood.  I like to rotate things around, but....I never want it to look the same.  I recently bought some gold napkins that I embroidered the word jingle on.  I then sewed a bell to each corner of the napkin.
I then went to the Michael's black Friday sell and picked up a few gold decorations for 60 percent off.  LAST, I found a green wreath for two bucks.  I did not LOVE the plastic green finish, so I took a dollar can of spray paint and 'flocked' the wreath.  I tried to record the process using my phone....but I hit slow motion instead of time lapse...oops.....so...here's about a 30 second spraying job that takes 2 minutes to watch, but....seriously, how neat does a can of dollar spray from Walmart change up the whole look of this wreath?  I didn't even have to buy that expensive can of 'snow' spray and I got the same impact.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to go 'flock' everything in my house now.....
In the meantime, here is the video tutorial.

Gold Trash Can

 Exciting things happening at my house!  My brother is moving out tomorrow.  A few months turned into a few years. The one thing I learned (other than a bunch of recipes and substitutions for vegans) was that I can live without a guest room.  So....craft room, here I come.  It's a long process beginning with patching and painting walls and redoing floors, so....no big reveal too soon, but I did start on a few projects including a gold trash can.  I'm doing mostly bright colors, so this probably isn't the perfect trash can for the theme I'm aiming for, but it sure is fun.

I found a silver can at HomeGoods for ten dollars and I got a short cut bottle of gold spray (with a coupon).  I went ahead and taped off the black plastic, and then went to town spraying.  I saw one of these for sale on line (which inspired this project), but it cost 50 dollars and most of the reviews said it was dull and splotchy when it arrived.  Not that I was ever going to spend 50 dollars on a trash can, but...you know....if I was...I just saved myself a lot of money.  They also have galvanized compost bins etc at Home Depot I originally planned to make my trashcan, but then my dog reminded me one of her favorite activities was pulling every piece of trash out of any can that doesn't have lid.  So...problem solved-I found one with a lid instead.  I love it and made mine for just about 13 dollars.  :O)

Gold Lights

Last year I was really into gold....and so everything I bought and made seemed to coorelate with this theme.  I saw this tutorial for making gold stranded lights here and I knew I had to give it a go.
It doesn't get any easier than this.  Buy, or use an old strand.  I pressed cotton balls inside each of the holders so that the hardwar that connects and makes it light up was protected from the spray.  I wrapped a little painters tape around the plug, and then just sprayed away.

Gold Stapler

I'm dreaming of a craft room.  I'm plotting it out.  I'm putting together small pieces.  In truth-I have a craft house, but....it's time.  Unfortunately, or fortunately-depending on who you are-my brother is currently living in the room that will be my future craft room.  For years it was my guest room.  I've decided to give up friends so I won't be having guest visit.  If not that, I've decided my friends love me enough to sleep with my crafts.  One of my first projects for that craft room-a gold stapler.  

I took a boring ol' black stapler and used painter's tape to cover the silver.  I gave it a spray with my gold spray paint....and I had the start to my dream.  In my imaginary craft room...this is going to be super cute.  In my real room-it's a fun little reminder....a girl can dream.  

Gold Dipped Wine Glasses

 I've seen variations of this project around for years, but now....it was my turn.  I mentioned yesterday I'm obsessed with gold....for the fall.  ...and don't even get me started on silver for Christmas.  But first.....I had these wine glasses left over from a project and I decided to jazz up my table and match some name tags I made yesterday.

I tapped off the stem of the glasses, and then I sprayed the bottom of the glass so they look like they've been dipped in gold.  They are hand wash only now, but....it's a fun look/addition to this year's table.