Re-do Cabinet Handles

The "fix it" list for a home seems never ending. There's always something to fix. The list has it's priorities too. Whatever is a dire need is what gets fixed first. Other things just have to wait. Some things you just learn to live with.

Finally I got to one of those things that was near the bottom of the "fix it" list. 

My kitchen cabinet handles.

The good part is that it was about $10!

They were old, some broken, or missing, and UGLY!

I lived with it because it was mostly just a cosmetic fix and it was going to cost a little too. Maybe not much but other things would usually have more priority in our monthly budget.

Thanks to blogging I've learned so much about upcycling and repurposing. So a new coat of spray paint was what they needed!

I can't believe the difference it has made! I really wish I would of known to do this earlier.

Here's how.

Step 1) Unscrew the handles and clean. I soaked mine up in a bucket of diluted ammonia. I used ammonia because many of then had years of muck and grease on them. Especially the ones above my oven.

Step 2) Once cleaned and dried spray paint a coat of primer on them. I used Krylon Black Metal Spray Paint. Do light coats to avoid drips. I did two coats.

Step 3) Once the primer dries spray paint the finishing coat. I used Krylon Black Oil Rubbed Bronze. Again light coats to avoid drips. I did two coats.

(I love this color because it leaves a tint of brown shine on it).

So much better!

Since I had some missing I replaced them with a drawer handle. I'm glad this is a style now. (It would of been hard to replace them with the same exact ones).

I love this spray paint. I found another thing to paint too!

My front porch railing was looking pretty old. So used the same paint to fix it up! Now I'm looking at what else I can paint!

Linking to...

A Bowl Full of Lemons

Lil Luna
A Little Tipsy
Not Just A Housewife
Someday Crafts
At The Picket Fence

My Oven

I have to admit something...

It is soooo embarrassing...

And disgusting...

Something I've put off for far too long...

But I hope I'm not the only one who is guilty...

Hoping...

I have lived in my house for over four years now and never cleaned the inside of my oven!

Ever!

The task seemed so daunting.

Actually it was daunting because I don't have the luxury of a self cleaning oven. I so wish we could just buy a new one, but that won't be an option for a long time.

It took me all day.

But I did it!

Thanks to the prego nesting itch.

Finally!

Yay!

Here it is on the outside...

(I do clean it on the outside often. It was the inside that was scary!)

Now the BEFORE on the inside...

Look away if you must!

I told you! GROSS!

This picture just doesn't give it justice.

It's worse looking in real life.

But it's okay now. Here's the AFTER

I can also thank this stuff...

Just spray, wait, then wipe.

Open a window too. The fumes almost killed me!

(It also likes to leave a white film. I just used diluted vinegar spray to get that off)

And thanks to this stuff too...

My new cleaning love, Organge Shine.

I used it on the outside. Great for getting those tough grease stains.

I even separated the oven doors to get the drips in between the best I could.

Then another trick is to put the grates in a garbage bag with a few cups of ammonia for a day.

I also do this for my stove burners.

Give it time to soak that in.

Put it outside so the fumes don't choke ya.

Then just rinse and wipe.

Here it is all finished!

SOOO MUCH BETTER.

You can add some aluminum foil at the bottom for a quick clean up.

Linking to...

A Bowl Full of Lemons

Lil Luna
A Little Tipsy
Not Just A Housewife
Someday Crafts
At The Picket Fence

Dried Leaf Candle Holders

I gotta say that by far Autumn is my favorite time of year. My living room has an Autumn type of feel to it year round. So before Thanksgiving is over I wanted to squeeze in just one more fall craft before Christmas.

Once a month a few of friends get together and have a Craft Night. It was my turn to host in November. I will say that there are not very many Thanksgiving crafts out there  (at least one you can do with 5-6 people for real cheap).

I saw this done on Pinterest using a mason jar. I had these vases sitting in my "to craft" box that would go perfect. (I got them at Dollar Tree).

So off to the park to collect REAL leaves! That was kind of fun on it's own too.

Anyway here are the supplies:

Real fall leaves (you don't want them too large or too dry). They need to be flexible for best results. Different kinds and colors too make it fun.

Vase or jar of some sort

Mod Podge and sponge brushes

Scissors and glue gun

T light (I'm not comfortable using real candles in these)

Embellishments if desired like ribbon, pine cones etc.

Step 1) First collect your leaves and press them flat in a large book for a few days.

Finally my husbands school books getting some use lol. 

He wont let me throw some of them away yet.

The leaves were still a little flexible after a few days which is perfect. The drier they are the more difficult they are to manipulate and stick to the glass.

From the pics above I put the different leaves in sheet protectors which made it easier for the group to choose what leaves they wanted.

Step 2) Mod Podge a section on the INSIDE of the glass that will fit your first leaf.

Then place your leaf in it (the more colorful side facing out) and hold as long as necessary.

Tips: It can be tricky at first. Some leaves will stick nicely while others wont. You can use more Mod Podge. But less is better. Or try another leaf if one is being stubborn.

I snipped the stems off too.

Also, if possible, try to keep your Mod Podge brush strokes one direction. It will look smoother once dried.

Just be patient. I promise it will look good when finished.

Step 3) Continue same as step 2 with more leaves.

More tips: I liked using small to medium sized leaves most. It may depend on the size of your vase.

Also the yellow maple leaves are nice because the light can illuminate through them where the darker ones not as much. 

So I would mostly use yellow leaves and then other colors as an accent.

And to have some spaces between the leaves will help light shine through them too.

Step 4) Once you fill your vase to your heart's content Mod Podge now the all the back of the leaves on the INSIDE to seal them in.

Step 5) It should look like a very goopy Mod Podge mess!

But TRUST me it will take a few days to dry completely. The girls at Craft Night were a little nervous about it but I promise it will turn out.

Step 6) You can stop here if you wish or add some cutsie embellishments if you like.

Now turn the lights out and go OOOh Awww!

Linking to...

A Bowl Full of Lemons
Lil Luna
A Little Tipsy
Not Just A Housewife
Someday Crafts
At The Picket Fence