November 2013 | the ReFab Diaries

Upcycled: Gang-tagged dresser refab

in , , by Candice

I recently moved into a new place and have had a lot of opportunity to upcycle, makeover and refab old furniture. Mostly stuff abandoned in the alley behind my building! Somehow, Chicago provided what I needed when I needed it. And this is the first makeover in a series ... very excited to show you!
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Upcycle: Fab foxy gifts

in , by Candice




I don't know why certain creatures become trendy in art and design, but I enjoy watching the waves. Owls, hedgehogs ... foxes!  I like it. If you know someone who'd like a foxy gift this holiday season, make 'em something!  Here are some fab ideas:

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Upcycle: Shampoo bottles

in , by Candice


Yeah, shampoo bottles. I suppose you could use any plastic bottles, but we do go through shampoo at a rapid rate right? And the bottles are colorful ... ripe for repurposing! The collection above is all about kids (cold-weather, indoor fun?):

1. Awesome shampoo-monster caddies from Madame Criativa

2. Hold-owls ... beautiful tutorial here

3. A flotilla of post-foam fun ... care of Floris Hovers

4. A bold baby mobile ... DIY care of BB Bellezza




Some slightly more grown-up upcycles...

1. A catch-all wall for a kitchen, office or craft room ... full how-to at DIY Enthusiasts

2. Some simple caddies by Floral Chick

3. A grown-up pencil holder and ...

4. labels turned into gift bows... see more here

5. And finally, a bottle-turned-black-cat napkin or phone holder!  See the details here.





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Winner! Paintings in the Post

by Candice



As always, I used random.org to pick the winner and it chose entry #46 ... that's Cynthia Winter! Cynthia, congrats! Expect an email from me later today to get shipping info.  

Remember, all Heidi's daily paintings are for sale - keep them in mind for the holidays ... they're perfect gifts  :)  Also, if you aren't following her via email or Facebook, make sure you do! If you're impressed by the daily offerings, wait 'til we load a full gallery of her work (little taste above). 


Thanks to everyone who entered for your interest and great comments. 



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Repurpose: Bookish headboards, Anthro style

in , by Candice



The Anthropologie store I frequent most is on Southport Ave (Chicago). By "most" I mean I get myself there once every six months, if I'm lucky. And even if their sale section doesn't deliver, some in-store display will make it worth my while. This wonderful version of a bookish headboard was on show a couple of weeks ago and even made my three-year-old stare. 

If you'd like to create some version of this for yourself, I have two older posts dedicated to a book headboard DIYs:  Here and here.  


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Giveaway: A Painting in the Post!

by Candice



Heidi Shedlock is my cousin but, really, the closest thing I have to a sister. Growing up, she always loved to draw and paint. I always loved to write. She is now an artist (and busy art teacher) whose work has been shown in South African galleries. And I, of course, write stuff. :)

As children, our grand plan was to one day create books for kids, together. We'll get to that. What has turned out to be our first joint venture is Paintings in the Post ... a blog sparked by Heidi's decision to embark on a daily painting project. As I write, she's just completed Day #46 and shows no sign of slowing down! Are you inspired? I know I am. Did I mention she also has two school-aged children?? 

Anyway, her entire beautiful (and growing!) collection of daily paintings is now for sale through Paintings in the Post. Why the "post" part? Because Heidi is also a lover of "good-old-fashioned" letter writing. When she ships her little beauties around the world, they are accompanied by hand-written letters. See all the stamps on the envelope below? Your painting will be coming to you from Durban, South Africa.



In celebration of her launch of Paintings in the Post, Heidi is excited to give one of you lovely people a painting of your choice!  

There are lots of ways to enter (through the Rafflecopter entry below) but please note: Only paintings still for sale are available to win (they include a Buy Now button). These are one-of-a-kind oils on primed, canvas board worth approx $80. If you see SOLD under an image, the painting is gone. 

Ready to win one? Here's how it works: 


Giveaway opens 12:01am EST Thurs, 11/14 and ends Mon, 11/18 at midnight. WINNER announced Tuesday 11/19. Open to citizens of the world, 18 and older - if you can get post, you can win a painting.   


NOTE: if you can't see the Rafflecopter widget below, please switch to a different browser (Firefox or Chrome) and try again.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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