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So You Think You Can Decorate – Week 1

It’s finally here!  Week one of So You Think You Can Decorate presented by Alchemy Junk.  I’ve been working on my projects and I am so excited to finally reveal my entry for the week one theme: Accessories.  Here’s what I submitted…
For those of you who are familiar with my blog, you know that my specialty is furniture makeovers.  When challenged to create an accessory, I wasn’t sure which direction I wanted to go, so I did what I know.  Why not take a piece of furniture and turn it into an accessory?  In this case, I took a $1.00 auction headboard, cut the legs off and turned it into a sign for over my mantle.
The headboard was painted a cream color, but I could tell from the back that it was a beautiful wood.  I stripped off the paint, leaving some on the edges to add to the weathered look I wanted.  Using my opaque projector and text printed in a font I chose from MS Word, I used chalk to trace the lettering. 
I then painted in the letters in a cream acrylic paint and added a few flourishes.
To make the sign appear old, I sanded the letters and gouged them with a paint can opener.  I finished off the entire sign with a dark walnut stain and wipe-on poly.
The sign is a dramatic statement for my fireplace mantle and it only took a little creativity and under $3.00 in materials.  It is paired with a $12.00 thrift store bird cage, free concrete birds from a giveaway, and a homemade moss topiary in a $5.00 thrift store tureen.

So, make sure you visit SYTYCD to check out all of the other entries and don’t forget to vote!  Now, I’m not saying don’t forget to vote for me…I’m saying don’t forget to vote for your favorite.  I am competing against some of my good blog buddies, so I’m rooting for them, too!

Make sure you enter my 1000 follower giveaway for a hand painted “antique” grain sack. 

Miss Mustard Seed

PS – I had a question about the font I used, so I thought I would share.  It’s Old English Text MT from Microsoft Word.

I’m posting this to DIY Day at ASPTL.

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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61 Responses

  3. Hi, I have been a long-time admirer but don't think I have commented before. I just had to say what a gorgeous job you did on that headboard accessory!! I love it on your mantle! I am off to vote for your gorgeous piece! Good luck ~ Tina x

  6. I thought getting on there to vote I needed to give everyone a fair shot and not just vote for yours because i love your blog. What can I say… I love your blog and your sign! I voted you hands down!!!

  13. This is a wonderful sign and a beautiful accessory. You uncovered some gorgeous wood on that headboard. This is a great example of how to turn trash into treasure.
    Jane

  22. Oh my! I love love love your sign! It is fabulous…you are off to a good start!! Woohoo!!
    Your mantel looks terrific!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

  29. Wow, this was an awesome idea. I love to use this font, too. I always enjoy seeing what you come up with next. You always amaze me 🙂

    Have a great day!

  31. I love what you've done with this headboard! Very nice job!

    Goodluck with your entry. Too bad we can't all go through each week with our posts and then find out at the end who the winner is…this is so fun!

    Andrea (Junk Girl)
    @ JunkFest

  36. I'm so stinkin' boring!!! A headboard? I mean, I think you have some kinda special brain juice or something to look at that leaning up against a wall and say to yourself, "I think I'll chop the legs off, paint it and then make it an accessory!"

    It's stunning!!!

  42. I love this, you did a fabulous job!! I love the lettering you used for Antiques. You did such a great job making the letters look like it has been there forever. I know YOU CAN decorate!!
    Take Care,
    Maria
    P.S. I appreciate your help this week. I know you are very busy & appreciate it!

  44. Huge furniture makeover fan here. What a great job you did. And I totally agree with your comment that it's better to buy/use something old. I believe in old! Thanks so much for coming by my blog to comment on my old-new picture wall.
    — Jane F.

  48. Hi

    My name is Abigail Carter. I've just visited your website http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/ and I was wondering if you'd be interested in exchanging links with my website. I can offer you a HOME PAGE link back from 2 of my Home Improvement Guide websites which are:

    http://berkleyhomes.org/ pr4
    http://www.aitong120.com/Links.html pr2

    If you are interested, please add the following information to your website and kindly let me know when it's ready. I'll do the same for you in less than 24 hours, otherwise you can delete my link from yoursite.

    Title: Coffee Table
    URL: http://www.uk-contemporary-furniture.co.uk/pesado-trio
    Description: Big brother of the Pesado Duo, this coffee table adds a bit of drama and adventure to your room!

    I hope you have a nice day and thank you for your time.

    Best regards;

    Abigail Carter
    Web Marketing Consultant
    abigail.carter@berkleyhomes.org

    PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A SPAM OR AUTOMATED EMAIL, IT'S ONLY A REQUEST FOR A LINK EXCHANGE. YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS HAS NOT BEEN ADDED TO ANY LISTS, AND YOU WILL NOT BE CONTACTED AGAIN.IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T CONTACT YOU AGAIN, PLEASE FILL IN THE FOLLOWING FORM: http://WWW.NOMOREMAILS.COM; OR WRITE AN EMAIL TO STOP@NOMOREMAILS.COM.PLEASE ACCEPT OUR APOLOGIES FOR CONTACTING YOU.

  51. Oh thanks so much for the link to the moss stuff, I am loving that particular craft. I agree that it's green but doesn't die, so it's perfect! 🙂
    And I'm going to attempt to paint the chandy again. sigh!

  52. Oh My Goodness!!!! You are so amazingly talented! That headboard is so gorgeous. You have the gift! It looks perfect on your mantle with those adorable accessories.
    YOU INSPIRE ME!!!!!
    Traci

  60. I saw this post on Funky Junk's and I think it's absolutely adorable! I want one (not quite sure what I would do with it or where I would put it) but I want one!

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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