Rock on! Cool projects with vinyl records

I LOVE thrift stores. I especially love checking out the home decor, furniture, books and music sections. I have done so many cool home projects with the buried treasures at a many Goodwill and Salvation Army stores. One of my favorite projects was making some bowls made of vinyl records for an 80's themed birthday bash. I put candy, chips and various items in the bowls. I don't have the actual pictures of the bowls I made, but I was able to find a few pics on the internet of other creative souls who were inspired like me. In searching for pics of the bowls online, I also found a few other crafty projects inspired by vinyl records. So...rock on! And get to creating!

Tips for vinyl record bowl-making

1. Heat oven to approximately 300 degrees.

2. Use a oven-safe bowl or pan for molding the bowl. I used a small bundt pan and turned it upside down and used that as a mold to shape my bowl. It works best if you turn the pan or bowl upside down to mold the record to.

3. DO NOT leave the record in the oven for long...we're talking like no more than 30 seconds. I wore some heavy duty gloves and shaped the bowls. They mold and harden quickly.

4. Enjoy!

 

 

Cool, right? A record bowl has so many uses - hold cookies, chips, candy or use to organize home office items such as paperclips, pencils, etc. I've also used some in my bathroom to hold cotton balls and my make-up brushes, etc. Pic taken from goodwillnee.org

To make this, you could heat the record and shape the bottom with a rolling pin. Wha-la! Instant mail holder. You could make 3 or more and use them or organize various papers such as outgoing mail, etc. in your home office. Pic taken from 11seconds.com

Who knew a record could be a clock? Simply drill a hole in the center and add a clock kit (found at most craft stores). You could also stencil in colorful numbers or hot glue wood numbers on the clock if you preferred. Pic taken from 11seconds.com

Why being 30 and single DOESN'T suck

So...in taking a break from all things decor...I want to share a little life with you.
Being in your...(gasp)...30s...and (bigger gasp) single and living in the South is quite possibly the equivalent to having a catastrophic disease. People secretly want to know what you are hiding that has left you an old maid. A lot of times, I kinda feel like the 3rd, 5th, or 7th wheel. But that's ok. I've gotten used to it. Because, I mean, let's face it - I didn't marry my high school sweetheart. I didn't meet "The One" in college. But, I am still hopeful (not desperate) that I will one day walk down the aisle with my MAN!  Overall, I still believe in romance and believe my man is out there...and boy, does he have a lot to put up with when he meets me - but that is an entirely different novel. But for now, instead of playing to the tune of "Woe Is Me" in A minor, I thought of a few reasons why being 30 and single is actually not that bad...
1. I do not have to listen to anyone snore.
2. I do not have to explain why it's crucial that I have approximately five decorative throw pillows on my bed. Nor do I have to admit that I have even more in my spare bedroom. Hey, at least I do not collect creepy porcelain dolls.
3. I can paint my room pink and do not have to emasculate anyone in the process. P.S. This new fascination with pink has now sparked my interest in all things shabby-chic.
4. I don't have to explain why half of my paycheck goes to Target...and I only brought home one bag. 
5. Should I do the most unfeminine thing and forget to flush...I'm the only one who sees it. Thank God. P.S. And no it does not happen that often.
6. I can hang out with my friends anytime...we can go dancing...and I don't ever wonder if someone is sitting at home sulking about it.
7. Lucky Charms definitely qualifies as a dinner option.
8. I am the only one who gets to answer my own questions such as "Do these jeans make me look fat?", "How was dinner?", and "What do you want to do tonight?" Which, by the way, the answers are: "Of course not; nothing makes you look fat.", "Dinner was awesome. You're such a great cook!" and "Whatever I want to do."
9. I never, ever, under any circumstances, have to watch a western or football against my will.
10. I can leave dirty dishes in my sink until...well...until whenever.

So...For now, I am 30 and single. Thanks for the compliment.

My first project of the new year

This was an old washing bin that was left at the house I now live at. (More pics soon of the old farm house where I live.) So...this is the before pic.

And the after pic. A little white spray paint gives it a more modern look. I also distressed the paint to keep it looking antique-ish. So, it's a modern antique? An old window frame resting on the top makes it the perfect side table.

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