WIP Flip Flops

Wanted to share my current WIP's (works in progress) today since I don't have anything newly completed. These have been in progress for quite some time, but got overlooked in my painting frenzy.

I picked up some inexpensive flip flops sometime in May with the intent of crocheting embellishments on them. I didn't anticipate how time consuming it would be... Or that I wouldn't find any patterns I liked. After some trial and error (and frustration) I figured out how to crochet around the straps as my foundation row. I've finished one of each so far:

The reddish orange is made with a Lion Brand bamboo cotton yarn. I only crocheted one row of single crochet in addition to the foundation, because any more was looking bulky. Then I found an easy pattern online for a rose and made that to sew on the top. 

For the dark teal flip flop, I used a yarn I picked up a long time ago at a garage sale! I don't know what type of fiber it is, but it's significantly thinner than the bamboo cotton. this meant a lot more stitches in the foundation row, which is why it's taken me so long to just finish one of each. I stitched three double crochets into each foundation stitch to create the ruffle effect. I think they came out so cute!  

As I'm looking at them now, I'm thinking of attaching some kind of heel strap to lessen the flip-floppiness and hold them on. I'll probably try it and see if I like it. But first I need to finish the pairs. 

I have another WIP going that I can't wait to share. I've been working very hard on creating crocheted edgings for the bedroom curtains my mom sewed for me. I'm going to wait and write a whole post about them when they are finished, but here is a preview of the work I'm so proud of: 

I've been thinking long and hard about how I want to make over my telephone table. And while I'm at it, I'll probably makeover this little guy as well:

This little table is a dough box table. I found an article online which explains that these were used for mixing bread ingredients together and letting the dough rise. Read up - it's pretty interesting! http://www.homethingspast.com/dough-box-kneading-trough/

For this piece I think I've decided to try the Annie Sloan chalk paint I've been hearing about. I found this image on Pinterest of the graphite color after being distressed and coated in wax, and I think this finish would look really nice on the dough box. 

Credit: http://gypsy-couture.com/2011/10/22/be-still-my-heart/

Thoughts?

Now for the telephone table I can't do the same finish, mainly because I just got my black vintage rotary phone, and it wouldn't stand out on a black surface! I'm just not sure what direction to go in. I want the piece to stand out but still coordinate with the room. Olive walls, neutral couch, medium-dark wood furniture, and off white bookshelves... Plus my accessories and decor incorporate beige, burgundy, green, and brown mostly. What would go with this color scheme?? Help! Suggestions most welcome! I'm more concerned about what color to paint the wood than about the upholstery fabric. That will be easy enough to find. 

Seriously, suggestions please. I have a long weekend coming and could get to work if I know what I want to do!

Garage Sale Hauls

Spring and Summer weekends mean garage sales around here! My routine has been to get up early on Saturday to hunt around for good sales, keeping my eye out for estate sales or things like church rummage sales. Sundays have been spent doing some roadside rescue during my hometown's "bulk collection" period. Bulk collection in a nice little suburb means people put pretty nice stuff out at the curb because they don't want it anymore.  I've scored some great treasures the past few weeks!

This had to have been my best haul so far... 

Everything in this photo was free except for that super large embroidery hoop which was $3.  So far, I cleaned up the barrel piece on the left and use it to store some crochet WIPs. I also scraped off a bunch of chipping paint from the window frame, and I have plans for what I will use it for. The hoop I'm holding onto for a a project I can do once my bedroom is painted, and the frame has been joined by two other ornate frames waiting to be created into something. 

Picked up this basket last week for fifty cents. Not sure what I can use it for, but I feel like it could have some kind of purpose hanging like cubbies. 

I got a box of small shutters at another sale last week. Some are brand new unfinished wood, and a few are painted white. I found some fantastic ideas on Pinterest for projects using shutters, and that's something I'm really looking forward to working on. No photo yet, they are tucked away in a closet. 

I found this dough box end table a couple months back at a school rummage sale in town.  I needed an end table, so this has been utilitarian since I got it home. I definitely plan to revamp this piece, but I'm undecided on paint vs stain, and what colors. I think it could be something really special. Ideas?