Monday, August 5, 2013

Monday Made It, August Currently and OMG!

Where in the heck did this summer go? Last week, my family and I were enjoying the warm ocean and calm waves in Myrtle Beach, SC. 

We drove straight home to PA (not an enjoyable drive with little ones) on Saturday, and BOOM!!!!! It's back-to-school time! I checked my school email yesterday and saw that our back-to-school night is on Aug 20th (before school begins)!!! Usually, it's always held the 3rd night of the 3rd day of school. So, needless to say, I am in panic mode!!! 

I'm in the process of mapping my year out so it will be easier to plan. I cannot get into my room till next week, so I'm just running to this place and that to get some necessities. Today, I had another run-in with the lady who works at Office Max. She would only let me buy 5 folders at the discounted price. I pleaded my case that I'm buying them for my classroom. No go! I asked her if my son, who was with me, could buy another 5 with cash that I'll give him. NO again! I told her that I'm not committing a mortal sin-I'm just buying them for my stuents-NO yet again! I'm tired of that place!!!

This is the first time I'm participating in  the famous "Monday Made-It" hosted by 4th Grade Frolics.  Just click on the image below to link up.  
I saw this old futon sitting out on the curb in front of my neighbor's house, and I smelled a treasure. Upon mentioning it to my husband, he said, "No way!". He had a billion excuses why I should not take this "well-loved" futon. I do tend to garbage pick a lot, so I let it go...until the next day. It was still there, and that is unheard of in my neighborhood. 
On to Plan B...I rang another neighbor's doorbell-she's a co conspirator great friend (also a teacher). She agreed that it had potential, AND she said I could store it in her garage (sweet!). My husband was then o.k. with it since his main concern was stuffing yet another piece of junk treasure in our tiny 1-stall garage.
Well, you can see the before and after...I am very happy with how it turned out. I spent all of $15 on it (sander rental, spray poly, roller covers, safety pins). I used a lot of what I already had (paint, primer, washi tape-Nick from Sweet Rhyme & Pure Reason would be proud, drop cloths, sandpaper).
Step 1: I sanded it with 2 types of sandpaper.
Step 2: I primed it.
Step 3: Two coats of paint
Step 4: Covered cushions with drop cloths (drop cloths are cheap, heavy duty and look rustic) and safety pins. In the panic mode that I'm in, this girl has NO time to sew (plus I'm not a sewer....at all. Eventually, I'll call good ol' mom to help out with that.
Step 5: Put strips of washi tape on bottom.
Step 6: Sprayed with poly so tape will not budge.
*I have some really cute homemade owl pillows at school that would look perfect. A colorful quilt will also look great hanging on the back.
The whole time I was working in it, I had no worries cause it was free to begin with, so if I made a mistake, who cares? I plan to use this in my class library as a cozy reading spot. The cushions are from about 1940, when things were made well (they even have springs in them and weigh about 10 pounds each)!



Now, for Farley's Currently (short and sweet with no commentary-I know you are all busy too!)...



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6 comments:

  1. You beat me to posting MMI this time around. :) I love your family picture! It's so pretty.

    Your futon was a great find!

    Congratulations on reaching 100 Followers!!! Time to party. :) :)

    Wendy
    Read With Me ABC

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    1. I "used" to be at 100. Ha-ha! The pressure is off....

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  2. Cute blog! What is Knoebels? I live in NJ so I am out of the PA loop :) It is scary to think it is back to school time already!

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    1. Knoebels Amusement Park is located in Elysburg, PA. It is a family owned amusement park that won many awards recently. Free parking, free admission, awesome food (at reasonable prices), family dogs are welcome, ride tickets never expire, bargain ride nights, great rides (also, many for even really young kids), campground, scary haunted house, etc. It's so family friendly. If you are ever in PA, check it out. It's worth it.

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  4. Love the beach picture! That futon turned out amazing! Add a colorful quilt and you are all set! Post a pic once you have it in your reading area! I am also in frantic mode around here...good luck!
    Kheila
    Two Friends In First

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