Anyways, back to this project. I bought this shelf unit for $12.50 at Dixie Trading Post in Louisville. Once I started to work on the shelf, I probably shouldn’t have paid that much but all well. When I saw it, it immediately screamed to me, “Take me to your craft room,” and the paint job was just screaming for help!
The paint job before. OH MY! Bright green paint with white, yellow, and blue circles stamped on it.
So I sanded it down and primed it. And well… ended up having to sand it again and reprime it. I had the hardest time trying to sand the raised circles all the way down so you couldn’t see them. So out came the belt sander- that did the trick for the most part but then also caused more problems for me. This would be the part that prevented this shelf from being an easy project! But after, more sanding, some spackle, and more primer- I finally got it looking like I wanted.
And I spray painted it this fun, sunny yellow. I used Valspar spray paint. Can’t remember the color name. But I didn’t want to leave it plain so…
Out came my trusty Cricut machine. I cut out a couple different shapes and decided what I wanted to put on the shelf. I then used it to make stencils to make it easier.
This is the stencil I made for the top- omitting the “E.” The outside template ripped when I was pulling it out so I had to just trace the outside of the bird. The last picture is of it traced you just can’t see it.
Next, came the sides of the shelf. I cut out two different templates and placed them on either side of the shelf.
Then, I took white acrylic paint to fill in the stencil. I pounced on the paint and then carefully smoothed it out so there wouldn’t be any bumps… again. I took off the stencil and corrected any imperfections and let dry.
Once dry, I changed the stencils to the opposite sides and added another one to the bottom repeating the process.
I just used black paint to make little eyes and then mixed it with my white to make a gray to free hand little wings. These are the sides complete. I love how they came out!
Finished piece.
It is perfect for the storage of what I needed it for in my craft room too! 🙂
Linking up to these parties!
Jemsmom
June 25, 2010 at 6:48 pmGirl!!!! You are so stinking talented!!!! I love it!!
Debbie
June 25, 2010 at 9:44 pmAllison, this is awesome…this reminds me of something sold at Athropologie….it is awesome and thanks so much for joining in on the party.
Bonnie@Creative Decorating
June 26, 2010 at 12:50 amJust stopping by from debbiedoos party! This came out just awesome! It is such a unique piece of furniture and the price wasn't bad! You have more patience than me!!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
June 26, 2010 at 1:15 amso cute! i had to stop over after seeing on remodelaholics so i could tell you so- awesome!!!
Nana's Fun Stuff
June 26, 2010 at 1:29 amAllison, I love it!! You did an awesome job on it 🙂
Rebecca@This Present Life
June 26, 2010 at 3:12 amI LOVE LOVE LOVE this little table. You did an awesome job! It sounds like it was a bit of a pain, but it totally paid off 🙂
Saw you at Remodelaholic.
Mine for the Making
June 26, 2010 at 7:20 amLOVE the birds!
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish
June 26, 2010 at 11:15 amThat is amazing! What a transformation! You are very talented!
Rebekah Greiman
June 26, 2010 at 12:32 pmWhat a cute color combo! I love the cute little birds. Great choices!
Pam @ bibbidi-bobbidi-beautiful
June 26, 2010 at 1:45 pmHi Allison! Thanks for stopping by and for your sweet comment. I love your shelf- that color is gorgeous and the birdies are so sweet!
Julia
June 26, 2010 at 2:06 pmThat table is adorable, and I think it's so cool you have a cat named Patton!
Val
June 26, 2010 at 10:35 pmCan I tell you how in love with your shelf, I'am!!!!
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style
June 27, 2010 at 1:29 amThat is just adorable. I love the yellow and I love birds. I have never used a cricut machine and don't really know what they are for. I see you used it to make stencils. Great job.
The Autocrat: Haley
June 27, 2010 at 5:14 amLove the birds! Fabulous job!
Christina's Creative Side
June 27, 2010 at 8:10 pmI saw where you commented on some of Debbie's finds and was coming to see if you'd finished your shelf. Well you have and it looks awesome!!! You are so talented and creative. 🙂
DesignTies
June 28, 2010 at 1:54 amSo fresh and fun!! Totally cute!!
Great job 🙂
Victoria @ DesignTies
Shelia
June 28, 2010 at 2:13 amHi Allison! Oh, I love your little table! You certainly gave it a new life – love the color and those stencils! Cutest little thing I've ever seen.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Anita@GoingALittleCoastal
June 28, 2010 at 3:43 amThis is just so, so cute! I wish I could make stencils like that. I love the yellow that you used.
Steph
June 28, 2010 at 4:32 amIncredible!! I love it. Great job.
Debbie@Debbie-Dabble
June 28, 2010 at 11:30 amAllison,
What a wonderful project and it came out looking like a million bucks!!
I am in love with the color yellow you chose and the stencil with the birds is just charming!!
Great job!!
Debbie
girlfrugal
June 28, 2010 at 12:28 pmI love the yellow and the birds. Great combo and such a happy one!
Mandy [Mandy's Yellow Corner]
June 28, 2010 at 5:51 pmThis is AMAZING! And, of course, with yellow being my favorite, I love it all the more! But the birds are adorable too. Well done :]
Laura Ingalls Gunn
June 28, 2010 at 7:07 pmNow this is a gorgeous shelf! You are amazingly talented!
♥ Calamity Anne ♥
June 28, 2010 at 8:01 pmWhat an adorable redo!!! Great job!
Annastacia
June 28, 2010 at 10:52 pmWow this is just darling! I love it! Where did you get that stencil?
Victoria
June 28, 2010 at 10:54 pmThat is just darling, you did such a great job! I love it, so sweet:)
Jennifer
June 29, 2010 at 12:21 amThat's just too cute!
Patti
June 29, 2010 at 12:53 amNice! You are very creative! and I need me a machine like that!
miss corner cape
June 29, 2010 at 1:49 ami want this, please. super super cute, and i love the shape of this piece. great job!
Becca
June 29, 2010 at 4:14 amVery cute. Thanks for linking up!
Becca
Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming
June 29, 2010 at 4:17 amAllison this is adorable! All your hard work has paid off – looks fabulous. Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase Party! I greatly apprecite it. Hope you have a wonderful week. ~ Stephanie Lynn
Susan
June 29, 2010 at 11:26 amLove what you did with the shelves. How adorable. I'm a huge bird-fanatic and I think it came out lovely.
Sue
June 29, 2010 at 12:35 pmAllsion, You did a fantastic number on that little piece! Love the color- subtle, yet it makes a statement. And your graphic stencil on it is adorable. I saw Debbie's feature on your shutters, too. How fun. I'll stop by again soon to see what you're up to. Thanks for coming by to comment. It's always nice to meet a new friend.
🙂 Sue
Charlotte
June 29, 2010 at 6:51 pmSmart! You are really clever to look at something and see the possibilities!
Amanda@The Hand Me Down House
June 29, 2010 at 7:43 pmCute! This turned out SO good! I love your birds — perfect!
Emily {Frilly Details}
June 30, 2010 at 4:05 amThat turned out great!! I love the bird detail you added. Super cute!
jen @ {decor junkie}
June 30, 2010 at 5:13 pmWow! I LOVE how this turned out. It was adorable in just the yellow — but the birds really are the perfect finishing touch! They added so much to it! I bet it totally brightens up your craft room now! You did an awesome job.
The Harris Family
July 1, 2010 at 4:18 pmI love how this turned out. The yellow and the birds are so fun!
-Crystal
p.s. I'll be featuring this tomorrow.
Robin R
July 2, 2010 at 3:58 amThis is adorable… love the bird design you used!
Paula
July 2, 2010 at 3:48 pmGreat job! Love the stenciled birdies! Love the color too!
Kati @ Obscured Flair-
July 3, 2010 at 12:40 amI love this, you did an amazing job!!! It's soooo cute!!
Funky Junk Interiors
July 10, 2010 at 7:23 amThis is one sweet design! And how creative of you to make a stencil in order to do it! Turned out awesome!
Donna
muralimanohar
July 11, 2010 at 11:39 amWhoa, that is CUTE! 😀 I just got a roadside score of little table, and I think it is calling for this! 😀
Blue Artichoke Interiors
July 12, 2010 at 5:37 amSo cute, cute, CUTE! I'm such a stencil nut so just one more project that is convincing me that I must invest in a Cricut. Visiting from Funky Junk Interiors.
Ann Marie @ Twice Lovely
July 13, 2010 at 7:46 pmSo adorable! LOVE the color and the little birdies. Oh, how I long for a Cricut! (Santa, are you listening?)
Chic Creations
July 13, 2010 at 8:05 pmI love it! You did a great job. Love the color. Thanks for sharing. Karie @ karieschiccreations
Erin @ Lansdowne Life
July 14, 2010 at 2:10 amSo cute! Perfect for a craft room with those vertical compartments.
jaimee
July 15, 2010 at 3:40 pmThis is lovely! I'm currently working on refinishing a cubby shelf to go in my daughter's birdie-themed nursery — I think I might do something similar on the sides of that piece.
Bonnie @ House of Grace
July 20, 2010 at 2:42 amThis is great! I am going to feature this post. Thanks for linking up to twice owned tuesday party!
Bonnie 🙂
Miss Mustard Seed
July 30, 2010 at 1:32 amThis is so sweet and playful. Wonderful job!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
July 30, 2010 at 1:36 amI love it! Very sweet!
Sarah @ Hennessey House
July 30, 2010 at 3:02 pmoh my gosh. this is SO wonderful!!
Stevie @ Home is Where My Heart is
July 30, 2010 at 4:53 pmI love this! You make it look so easy! Birdies are my favorite, I want to do something like this someday! 🙂
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style
July 30, 2010 at 6:33 pmThat is so cute. Love the yellow and I love the birds.
Carmen
August 2, 2010 at 2:20 amThis is seriously cute! 🙂 I love the yellow.
Lenore @ Lather. Write. Repeat.
September 15, 2010 at 8:14 pmLove love it! You are so talented my dear!
XO
Lenore
Pam
December 11, 2010 at 10:01 amLove it. Nicely done.