Damask Countertop Redo

I am always looking for ways to improve my craft studio, and last month I decided to cover the long counter in oilcloth. I found the black and white damask remnant for $2.50 and grabbed that baby up, because I knew it was perfect for my space.

Ooh aah!

My room has lots of black and white prints and book page covered storage boxes, plus several covered in black and white damask print tissue paper. With lots of turquoise and red pops of color, this room makes me happy everyday. I'm so lucky to have this space!

The Welding Man and Insanely Creative Christy built the counters and shelves for me. This is a ten foot long counter and perfect for craft storage and projects. I used yardsticks on the edge of one shelf and like it so much I'm going to put them all around the rest of the shelves, too.

And we scored big time when we found this shelving for $2 each at the Habitat store. We bought everything they had in stock! I used double stick carpet tape on the edges to hold the oil cloth in place. This is strong and sticky stuff.

Once the tape was in place I laid the oil cloth down and smoothed it over the edge. This went so fast and was so easy.

It looks good, it goes with my whole design mix in here and it cost less than $3!! That's a win win. The oil cloth wipes clean with a damp cloth and since it is not permanently fixed, I can use it later for a cute black and white tote bag if I want.

I'll be linking up to the parties in my sidebar. Come visit and enjoy the creativity in blog land. You'll be glad you did!

Black and White Halloween Decor

I love seeing all the creative ways bloggers decorate their fireplace mantels for each season. One smart lady even built a fireplace facade and mantel so she would have a focal point for decorating. Since I don't have a mantel, I utilize what I do have and that's a neat baker's rack The Welding Man made for our anniversary one year.

This year for Halloween I've shopped the house and the Dollar Store and loaded it up with all black and white decor. Though usually I am all about bright color, I really like this crisp combination.

I added some of my wired foam bats which I anchored in a bottle I spray painted gloss black. I made a wreath of the vines off our fence and once it dried painted it also. It looks great but it sheds ragged pieces of dried leaves EVERYWHERE, so it's not moving until after October 31st. A Dollar Store candelabra cutout and my silver decor ball are also on the top shelf, plus a couple of cloth pumpkins.

Fake cobwebs drape the bottom half over a bit of black fabric and lace scraps. The black netting fabric is from the Dollar Store. The jute wrapped apothecary jar is full of balls stamped with all the family's names. Insanely Creative Christy made it for my birthday and it looks great with this display.

Here's a shot showing the ruffled garland I made out of a Dollar Store plastic table cloth. So easy, and I'll be posting a how to on that soon. The square wrought iron piece usually hangs on the wall in my bedroom.

The bottom shelf has two Dollar Store cutouts which are really well done for the price. Fabric pumpkins sit on more glassware that I've spray painted gloss black. They look great! The little glass bell cloche sits over a plastic spider, you just can't see it in this pic.

Here's another look at the top shelf and my silver button decor ball draped with cobwebs next to my patchwork fabric pumpkin. The Dollar Store candelabra cut out will soon be on a door wreath, and I'll post pics when it is finished. Here also is another look at that dried vine wreath. I LOVE the spooky twisted vine look of it but Lord this thing sheds!

I've seen a few other black and white vignettes for Halloween and loved them, tho I have a tendency to LOAD THINGS UP. I understand the concept of less is more, but then I start putting things together and soon you have an eclectic mix with lots of visual appeal and interest. But hey, I like it.

I'll be posting on the linky parties on my sidebar. Take a moment to check them out, there are always some wonderfully creative projects to be found.