Quick Change: Re-purposed Coffee Can.

Being a naturally creative person is quite challenging at times. Although I enjoy doing creative things and completing projects, my mind is always spinning with ideas to do this or that (I'm sure I drive Mr. S bonkers sometimes!). So, never one to succumb to boredom, I got a crazy idea to re-purpose an empty coffee can. I love taking objects that serve a specific purpose then making them over into something completely different! Total cost of can: Zero dollars (we had it already thanks to our shared coffee addiction). Total cost of scrapbook paper: Zero dollars, as I already owned it. Taking care of the 3 R's (reduce, reuse, recycle) in one project: Priceless. Here it is in all its metal glory before the ol' makeover:

And after:

Here's a shot of the back. Since my scrapbook paper wasn't wide enough to cover the can, I simply cut a small strip at the top of the paper and just attached it to create a seam. No ruler needed! No, it's not perfect, but it doesn't need to be since no one will see it. This coming from a Type -A control freak, mind you!

This project literally took five minutes from start to finish, and it's such a simple yet fun addition to our home office. All you need is a coffee can, some scrapbook adhesive (glue or double-sided tape would work just as well), scrapbook paper (I used acid-free scrapbook cardstock) and some little jewels with a sticky backing if you want to add some bling. That's all there is to it! F-R-E-E pencil/pen/colored pencils/thingamabob holder! An added bonus? It smells like coffee still, even though I washed it out before snazzing it up. Score!

The Beginning of the End?

It's finally happened. We have officially cracked under the pressure of home ownership. We are nuts, loony, loopy, bonkers and ______ (insert another word for "crazy" here). Maybe I should back up a bit. 


Shortly after we moved into our (first) house, we discovered that along with inheriting three bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths and a fenced-in yard, we were also the proud new owners of a leaky dishwasher. However, this old, shy dishwasher decided to fully introduce itself only after we signed on the dotted line. Oh, and did I mention that we have hardwood floors in the kitchen? Yes, home ownership is a real paininthebutt  joy. Seriously. It is. 


So, with the water damage graciously bestowed upon us (courtesy of our dishwasher), we came to the conclusion that we need to refinish the hardwood flooring in our kitchen/living room/dining area. The damage is actually fairly minor, and we really hate the idea of ripping up an entire wood floor that is in pretty good shape. So, refinishing it is! 

But why are we bonkers/crazy/totally insane? So glad you asked! Actually, my husband is the crazy one - I'm just along for the ride. I joke, I joke. Anyway, we are "nuts" because we are considering refinishing the flooring ourselves. Yes, sanding, staining, polyurethaning...the whole enchilada! The main reason, of course, comes down to dollars and sense. Although our home owner's insurance covered the damage and gave us the funds to refinish the floors professionally, we are suckers for saving money where we can. Obviously, to the point of insanity. And in case you are wondering, no- we are not in the construction business. We have never done anything like this before, and we have no clue what we are getting ourselves into. Awesome!


But in the spirit of the DIY craze that has hit our nation, we are totally on board for learning this whole home-renovation thing as we go along. We're up for the challenge! Sure, we might lose a few limbs along the way or discover that my husband is not, in fact, "the master of  the circular saw". But, we're in this together... severed limbs and all.