DIY... The Beginning....

Over the past few weeks I have been doing a lot of blog reading.  And when I say 'a lot' of blog reading... trust me, I mean A LOT.  I've found some great looking blogs (stay tuned- redesign of mine is in the works and thanks to Mr. Sherwood it's gonna be awesome!... some unbelieveable recipes (trust me on this, I am going to post a to-die-for brownie recipe later this week).. a lot of wonderful decorating ideas (coming in the next few months, my laundry room remodel)... and a lot of interesting do it yourself (DIY) projects. 

Sooo... can you tell I'm not working right now and have lots of extra 'thinking time'.  Joe can sure tell.  And I think he's about ready for me to be healthy enough to go back to work.  Because I keep thinking of jobs like this one for him to do.... (yes, that is Joe cleaning the plant shelf above the kitchen...)

Anyway... after reading post after post about DIY success and the ability to take things that look like junk and turn them into nice household decor, I decided... I can do that! (I think...)

We went to Savers the other night to look for Colin a heavy winter jacket for our upcoming trip to Flagstaff.  That kid is so warm blooded, and we have so few cold days here, it really isn't worth the money to pay full price for a heavy winter jacket.  He'll probably wear it in Flagstaff and maybe one other time before he outgrows it.  We actually got lucky and not only found a nice, heavy, not horrifically colored jacket for Colin ($12) but we also found a pair of bib snow pants for Julia ($7).  This will be great for her because she gets cold so easily (seriously, are my kids related?) this way she might be able to play in the snow a little more.  After our success in the clothing department, I wandered through the household items just looking to see if I could find something to 'transform'.  I found this great little red storage box for $2.  Perfect size for the living room, perfect shape, and perfect price (especially since I'm pretty sure I am going to mess it up and it's going to end up back at Savers when I'm through...)  My plan is to refinish the box in a dark brown color.  Here's the storage box before I started...

First lesson learned regarding this DIY project: Even though you waited until the kids went to bed before starting, and it was cold and dark outside, you really shouldn't sand a red box in the garage.  It makes a HUGE mess.  Sanding should be done OUTSIDE. 

Seriously,  it took me longer to clean up than it did to sand the box.

Here are a few photos of me in the garage working.  (And yes mom,  I know that in addition to my glasses and the ear protection I should have worn a face mask.  I will buy face masks next time I am at the store.  Also, just for reference, I really do have to start watching what I eat again... I don't believe I can blame all that roundness in the mid-section on  surgery swelling still!)

So, here is the box now.

 I sanded the entire box (inside and out) using medium grit sandpaper.  I then followed with a fine grit sandpaper inside and out.  I washed the box well, and I believe that I am ready to spray paint the box tomorrow (slightly worried that I didn't get enough of the red off, but hey, that's what experimenting is about right?). 

I may think about doing this while the sun is still shining... outside of the garage... when it is nice and warm (and I won't kill myself with the fumes).

I will keep you updated as this DIY project progresses.....

Night all-

C