Dear Hobby Lobby, Have I told you lately that I love you? And if I ever cared before, it all just escalated when I walked down your 90% off aisle the other day. I found doo-dads & tchochkes at prices that made my heart pitter-patter. You’ve given me freedom I never had before. Freedom to paint and re-paint, freedom to purpose & re-purpose, freedom to cover anything that doesn’t move with moss, freedom to accessorize something and then change my mind & decide to put it somewhere else. A love like ours is sure to last. (At least as long as I have craft money to spend.) See you soon! Julie
Yes, it’s true. There were mirrors and vases and stuff with no names. And I came home with my fair share. Here is a peek at some of my findings. (I’ll tell you about the other parts in future posts).
The great thing was that I found a couple mirrors on this aisle that were exactly what I had been looking for. Here they are in their “before” state, an absolute steal at $1.30 each.
My plan was to paint them white, and their dark finish made them perfect candidates for distressing. Once again, I used craft paint, the 99-cent makeover-in-a-bottle. I brushed on a couple coats of white, and let them dry overnight. It’s very important, when distressing, to make sure the paint dries thoroughly before proceeding to the next step, which is lightly sanding. I recommend a 220 grit sandpaper, which is very fine. The goal is to remove some of the paint to let the dark finish show through.
I just gently rubbed the sandpaper over the raised edges of the mirror. By the way, I have found that the best candidates for distressed finishing are pieces with an un-even surface, such as these mirrors. Be careful not to sand too hard in one area, or it may take off more paint than you want to.
Just sand off as much or as little as you want until you get the look you want. There are other methods of achieving distress, but this is the one I prefer because it’s super easy!
My new “old” mirrors are now in their places on either side of my brand new canvas. {Click here to see this canvas & other new products I just added to my shop!}
We seriously need Hobby Lobby up here in MA!!!! AC Moore and Michaels just aren't cuttin' it! Very impressed with all the stuff you bought, totally jealous!
I love it…I bought those same mirrors the other day at my HL! Along with some other items that look similar to the others you showed. Gotta love clearance! Not sure what I'm doing with mine yet, but those look great! Your intro cracked me up…I feel the same. đŸ™‚
What a find! …and your work is just wonderful! I'm in love with your intro… you should have that little diddy published somewhere or even made into t-shirts! until later…
I love those two things in the left side of the picture. I looked at those too but didn't buy them. I might just head there tomorrow to see if they are still there.
I totally want those mirrors. I've been wanting to distress something…I may be up all night hunting for something in my house that I can do this to. Great post, I love the DIY details!
You did such a great job and made it look so easy too. Don't you just love clearance isles. I like the one at Menards and Home Depot too. It's Friday Follow and New Friday Friday, I'm your newest follower, at the moment that is. Take care and have a blessed day.
Julie, have I told you lately that I LOVE you?!?!?!? You are SO inspiring!! I too have a strong LOVE for hobby lobby & I bought those same mirrors last week (& a bunch of other things for under $2) & I'm going to do this project! Great tips! Also, the bunny topiary is so stinkin' cute!…I'm gonna have to do that too…also gonna have to put your adorable 'button' on my blog, love it! Keep the great ideas coming!=) ~heidi
Since you are BFF with Hobby Lobby can you ask them to bring one to my neck of the woods? I'm so jealous. You did a nice job and I can't wait to see what else you'll do with your other finds.
Julie, Your little white mirrors are so cute…don't you just luv those HL deals? I sure do! Come by and see where I have featured you on my NTT HIGHLIGHTS…I have a cute little starfish button for you:)
I love your blog! I'm so glad that I found it, I have spent so much time today looking through it! Love your topiary's, might have to try a few myself!
Jessi
March 18, 2010 @ 11:55 pm
Gorgeous makeover. And so thrifty! I wish I had a Hobby Lobby…everyone gets such awesome deals there!
Jessica Hills
March 18, 2010 @ 11:59 pm
Great tutorial. Those are SO pretty! I really love them. Come stop by my Favorite Things Friday Party if you would like to join in!
ASHELY
March 19, 2010 @ 12:01 am
We seriously need Hobby Lobby up here in MA!!!! AC Moore and Michaels just aren't cuttin' it! Very impressed with all the stuff you bought, totally jealous!
One Cheap B*tch
March 19, 2010 @ 12:11 am
Boo! We don't have HL here. Waaaaaaa! You found some great items. I love how you shabbied them up!
Krista@thegatheringplacedesign
March 19, 2010 @ 12:30 am
I love it…I bought those same mirrors the other day at my HL! Along with some other items that look similar to the others you showed. Gotta love clearance! Not sure what I'm doing with mine yet, but those look great! Your intro cracked me up…I feel the same. đŸ™‚
Mary Beth @ Live. Laugh. Make Something
March 19, 2010 @ 12:50 am
What a find! …and your work is just wonderful! I'm in love with your intro… you should have that little diddy published somewhere or even made into t-shirts! until later…
Melanie
March 19, 2010 @ 1:50 am
The mirrors turned out really good.
I love those two things in the left side of the picture. I looked at those too but didn't buy them. I might just head there tomorrow to see if they are still there.
Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage
March 19, 2010 @ 4:49 am
They look gorgeous and 90% off totally rocks!!!
Design With the Bishop's Wife
March 19, 2010 @ 7:25 am
I totally want those mirrors. I've been wanting to distress something…I may be up all night hunting for something in my house that I can do this to. Great post, I love the DIY details!
Raymonde
March 19, 2010 @ 12:15 pm
So clever, I really like!
Popping over with New Friend Friday!
Have a super Saturday and a blessed Sunday!
Happy Blogging ! xxx
Stephenie from Decorating Addiction
March 19, 2010 @ 12:20 pm
They look great. I am really into distressing everything lately! I never knew what grit of sandpaper I was supposed to be using, so thanks!
Nati Girl
March 19, 2010 @ 12:33 pm
Now that is adorable! Love Hobby Lobby. Great job! NG
The Girl Creative
March 19, 2010 @ 12:57 pm
What a funny post! đŸ™‚ I love Hobby Lobby too! You made out like a bandit huh?? đŸ™‚
Julie
March 19, 2010 @ 1:03 pm
You did such a great job and made it look so easy too. Don't you just love clearance isles. I like the one at Menards and Home Depot too. It's Friday Follow and New Friday Friday, I'm your newest follower, at the moment that is. Take care and have a blessed day.
Amy @ Positively Splendid
March 19, 2010 @ 1:31 pm
Those little yellow Hobby Lobby stickers make my heart skip a beat, too!! You did beautiful things with your fab finds. đŸ™‚
Karen
March 19, 2010 @ 5:17 pm
wow! awesome find and makeover! i'm gonna have to mosey on over to hobby lobby soon! đŸ˜‰
found your blog on the new friend friday links at the girl creative! i'll follow you now!
Walking by Faith
March 19, 2010 @ 5:17 pm
Julie, have I told you lately that I LOVE you?!?!?!? You are SO inspiring!! I too have a strong LOVE for hobby lobby & I bought those same mirrors last week (& a bunch of other things for under $2) & I'm going to do this project! Great tips! Also, the bunny topiary is so stinkin' cute!…I'm gonna have to do that too…also gonna have to put your adorable 'button' on my blog, love it! Keep the great ideas coming!=) ~heidi
Mel Tales
March 19, 2010 @ 8:08 pm
GREAT JOB! Here from New friend Friday!
The Tidy Brown Wren
March 19, 2010 @ 11:50 pm
Since you are BFF with Hobby Lobby can you ask them to bring one to my neck of the woods? I'm so jealous. You did a nice job and I can't wait to see what else you'll do with your other finds.
Linda
March 20, 2010 @ 2:53 am
Julie,
Your little white mirrors are so cute…don't you just luv those HL deals? I sure do! Come by and see where I have featured you on my NTT HIGHLIGHTS…I have a cute little starfish button for you:)
Blessings,
Linda
Lori
March 20, 2010 @ 3:09 am
Way to go! This looks great!
Thanks for joining Get Your Craft On Thursday at Life As Lori… Please join me next week for another great party!
Wendy @ The Shabby Nest
March 20, 2010 @ 4:20 am
Love them!
ApachesPrincess
March 20, 2010 @ 4:37 am
I love your blog! I'm so glad that I found it, I have spent so much time today looking through it! Love your topiary's, might have to try a few myself!
Jenny
March 21, 2010 @ 12:02 am
….ooooh….ahhhhh….I love Hobby Lobby BUT I didn't know they had a 90 percent off aisle. I wonder if ours does.
I'm a new follower of your super cool blog.
I came to visit from New Friend Friday!
Off to see some of your older posts now!
Shayna Mills
March 22, 2010 @ 1:51 pm
I'm a late follower from New Friend Friday, so glad I found your blog, loving it.
All Thingz Related
March 24, 2010 @ 1:21 pm
ok….This is awesome too..just added you to my favorites! I think I need to be a follower too!
~Bridgette