No More Junk in This Trunk

Ok, so yes, technically there is still some junk in this trunk, but at least it looks better, right?

To refresh your memory, here is the Before:

This project was really a part of my Unfinished Project Explosion that I blogged about last week.  It’s another one of those projects that just sat there, mocking me.  It just took longer than I thought it would.

My plan was simple.  Spray paint it white and add a monogram.  Easy peasy, right? 

I printed off the letter “K” and a circle, thinking I could somehow make a template out of it. 
Or something.

Ok, maybe not.  Good idea in theory, falls flat on execution.

Plan B.  Use my Cricut (which I think is kind of like a prehistoric Silhouette).  But, it does the trick, and in the process I discover I can cut out some fancy {} symbols, so I’m pretty stoked, thinking this might actually turn out pretty cute.

First things first.  I need to paint this thing white, and FYI – it takes about 23 coats of spray paint to cover a wicker-ish trunk.  In between coats I go upstairs and realize it’s HOT.  Check the thermostat and see this:

Seriously? 

I still don’t know what I did to get it working properly again, but thank goodness it started cranking out the cool air again.  I like to keep my house about the temperature of a meat locker, and I blame it on my mother’s A/C frugality.  I have many a childhood memory of laying on the floor sharing a box fan with my brother, and still remember her telling me, “lay at the foot of the bed, it’s cooler.”

When I finally got back around to doing the actual monogram, my vision fell way short.

Spray painting the stencil just wasn’t going to fly, since the paint bled outside of the lines by the nature of the wicker.  I even used spray adhesive.  Nevermind that my cute little {} symbols weren’t right (I couldn’t cut the stencil like this: {K}.  It cut like this: {}K.  So, I had to piece it together, and I obviously didn’t do it very well.

So, a week or two later I went back and used a little paint brush and a sponge brush to try to keep it semi-sharp.  Unfortunately, there is nothing sharp about stenciling on wicker.   So, I’m accepting it as it is.

But you know what?  My daughter loves it.  She ran up to her room behind me and immediately began putting her things in it.  At the end of the day, that’s what is most important, right?

6 Comments

  • Reply
    Andrea
    August 8, 2011 at 12:31 pm

    It looks great Jenny! Perfect is so overrated!

  • Reply
    BabiesandBargains
    August 8, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    I like it…I think your daughter will love it cause mommy made it for her! My kids never go into their rooms and point out the perfect things I bought its always the things that frustrate me cause I made them and they dont look perfect 🙂

  • Reply
    modern jane
    August 8, 2011 at 2:59 pm

    Very cute. I would have loved to have this!

  • Reply
    Krysta
    August 8, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    Thank you for stopping by my blog! This headboard is amazing. Such a cute idea!

    These are the Days
    http://www.themoesfamilyintexas.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Karen
    August 8, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    It looks gorgeous,perfect for the room.

  • Reply
    Lisa
    August 9, 2011 at 2:43 am

    I love the white and the monogram! Plus you are the ONLY one who will ever notice imperfections. I think it looks fabulous!
    I am on a mission to complete projects too! Don't ask me how it's going 🙂

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