Second Chance: Vintage Steel Cabinet

I got this old steel cabinet as a freebie when a local business moved last summer. It's been hanging out in the kitchen being utilized as a "pet station" where we keep all the items we need for our pets and foster kittens. I knew I wanted to bring it back to life using a vintage color and these cabinets were only manufactured in a few. I love the original pistachio green, however I felt something a tad brighter would suit us better. 
 
After removing the handles, I started sanding the entire thing down with fine grit sand paper, then wiping the dust off with a damp cloth. I taped off the Formica top and got to painting. 


I'm pretty pleased with the outcome. It's bright and is actually noticed, rather than blending into our wall. I'm looking forward to more second chance projects in the future.

Rainy Day Candle Globe

I've seen these everywhere on Pinterest and I couldn't help but try it out. Here is what you'll need:

Reinforcement labels

Small circular labels
A glass "globe" (I used a jam jar)
Spray paint
*Soapy water
*A Brillo pad or fine grit sandpaper
(*-you will only need these if you used a jar like I did for removing the label and adhesive)


First, make sure the "globe" is clean. If you are using a jar, soak it in hot soapy water. The label should slide off easily. Use the Brillo to remove any excess adhesive.


 



 Next dry the globe and stick on your labels in a random pattern alternating the reinforcement labels with the solid circular ones.








In short strokes, paint the entire globe upside down. If you decide to do this inside make sure you are in a well ventilated room and cover anything you don't want to spray paint.



 Allow paint to dry and the pull off the labels. Drop in a tea light and admire your creation!

Studded Vans

 
This idea was inspired by another tutorial out on the interwebs:

I love the look of these however there's two things I'm not crazy about. One, I don't think I would ever wear pastel blue shoes, and two, these were created with glue on spikes.... a peeve of mine.


I have a pair of well worn Vans Authentics that I will be using for my DIY. You will also need cone spikes (I had English 77's laying around), a butter knife, and you may want to use a hole punch that is made for tooling leather, or in this case pre-punching holes for the flanges on the spikes.

 Start out near the laces, beginning with your center stud and moving outward on either side. This is how you will set the spacing and pattern for your studs.

 Using  butter knife, press the flanges into the center of the cone spike. Doing so will prevent the flanges from catching on your socks or rubbing your feet.

 This is what your first row should look like! As you can see I took the laces out, it made using the butter knife much easier!

 Now stagger the pattern slightly and continue studding down to the toe. Remember, you don't have to be perfect, that's why DIY is soo much fun! The closer to the toe I got, I did have to do some pre-punching.


Here's the finished product! I can't wait to wear them! They were a fun lazy Sunday project!