Hat Box Makeover

I got this hat box FO FREE and decided it needed a little makeover since I'm not really a fan of floral.  There was a sticker on the bottom for $3 from Dollar General or one of those other 'fake' dollar stores so it isn't anything fancy.  (My grandmother loved to frequent dollar stores, thrift stores, garage sales, etc. and she always called Dollar General a fake dollar store because items were more than a dollar.)

I kind of have a thing for maps so I stole some maps from my Dad and modge podged the map onto the outsides.  I made sure to get Cincinnati on the top of the box.

As always... Clove loves to help me out with projects.

For the inside and bottom, I painted with the pink paint I used for the outdoor table (a little more coral/salmon than pictured).  Next, I sprayed a clear coat over the map part and let it cure.  Added the string and here is the final piece:

We're probably going to use this as a little memory box for Cora.  We already put in our wristbands from the hospital and the journal I have for her of notes from us.

sidenote:: don't judge me by my streaky table.  I didn't notice the sealing coat we put on it was yellow-tinted and has yellowed over time... I've added it on the list to redo.

Nursery Inspiration

I may only have half a room to decorate for the baby, but there are so many cute things that I want to do.  Here is some inspiration for the nursery area:

+Globe with name/birthdate like this.

+Art that includes maps and a quote like this.

+I love everything from this photo... globe, maps, giraffes.

+I am obsessed with this quilt and is on the top of my list to make.

I have a couple projects planned using some old maps I got from my dad.  I also have quite a few sewing projects that I want to make.  I will definitely share those whenever I get around to them.

Map Inspiration

Lately, I've been spending a lot of time looking through map art and daydreaming about traveling.  Here are some of my favorite map inspiration pieces:

Apartment Therapy via Haley on Pinterest

Christy Brown via Haley on Pinterest

WinterBerryCottage@etsy via Haley on Pinterest

Apartment Therapy via Haley on Pinterest

Apartment Therapy via Haley on Pinterest

 Would it be overboard if I decorate my whole place with maps?!

Side Table Revamp

This side table was a hand-me-down from my brother about 3.5 years ago.  A little more than a year ago, I was sick of looking at it so I decided to redo it.  I sanded it down, put a couple coats of white paint, spray painted the hardware black then let it sit there for a year before I thought about finishing it.

I've finally gotten around to finishing the drawer.  My obsession of maps is starting to take over and I got a map of Ohio to cover the inside of the drawer.  I cut out different sections to cover each of the four sides and the bottom of the drawer.  Using a 1:1 mixture of Elmer's glue and water, I 'mod podged' the paper to the drawer.  I wanted it to be a little wrinkly to add to the map feel so I didn't bother too much with laying out the pieces flat and smoothing them down perfectly.  The map part only took me about 30 minutes tops.

Finally finished!  Here are the before and after pictures: