painted flower vase

I had an old glass vase and decided to paint it using ordinary acrylic paints. (I seem to get that urge with many things!) I bought some really well made fake flowers (no plastic)... and although I prefer real cut flowers... there's something about never having to watch them die that makes them really appealing to me. I love this bunch of fakes, they keep the room vibrant all year round!

painted toybox

I had this old box that I bought for 4$ at an auction, and I decided to paint it and use it as a toybox for my little nephews. In a previous (unpainted) life, it was a prop in a children's TV show. My nephews from an early age learned that it was the goody box... and never failed to run and open it every time they came over, to see what new toy or treat was awaiting them!

fused glass hotplate

This is a trivet, otherwise known as a hotplate... used for preventing your counters or tables from burning due to a hot dish or pot. The funky shape was cut and ground from a large square piece of glass. I then used rectangles of leftover glass to create the pattern. I stuck a few (more than a few) clear rubber nodes on the bottom... and it works quite well. Amazing what a bit of leftover glass and a lot of heat can create!