Upcycling

Last week I was home sick a couple days and got a chance to watch some daytime television.  One of the shows I watched was The Nate Berkus Show.  That is where I heard about 'upcycling' - where you take an old item and make it in to something new and better.  It turns out that I love doing this and now I know what to call it.  I found this really disgusting 3 drawer dresser and thought that looks perfect for my friend Rhonda - Ha Ha!!  Actually, that is what I thought.  Here it is...................

It really was kind of gross, but I liked the segments separating the drawers.  I knew I would be able to paint them black and white and that would make the piece pop.  I sanded it down, cleaned it up, and painted primer on it.  I drew out a design and the colors I wanted to use to get an idea of what it would look like once it was finished.  This really helps me to visualize the color placement and if I need to make changes.  Once it was all painted, I used a sharpie paint marker to draw swirls (or as Steve, Rhonda's husband, calls them - springs) on the top, a few on the corners, knobs and around the bottom.  Each side has different wordings on it.  One side says "Celebrate Life, Cherish family & friends, Create memories" and the other side lists the Fruit of the Spirit "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control".  I finished with a gloss coating and embellished it with mirrors.