Pinterest Project #1 - Filing Cabinet Makeover

Can you actually believe that I finally have the spare time, energy to do my own Pinterest project?  I can hardly believe it.  It seems like forever since I was able to start and complete a fun project!

After unpacking everything we own, I realized how desperately I needed a filing cabinet.  After looking at all the cute upcycle ideas on Pinterest I figured this could be a fun yet totally practical project.

Here's my first project from start to finish.  I am also happy to say that this was all completed in just one day, for a grand total of $47, including buying the filing cabinet!

STEP #1: PURCHASE & PICKUP FILING CABINET

I found a 4 drawer filing cabinet on Craigslist for $20 and the kids and I went to pick it up this morning.

Filing cabinet in original condition

STEP #2: PREPARE CABINET FOR PAINTING

I removed all the drawers, sanded the entire cabinet, drawers too, and then wiped it all down with a damp soft cloth so I'd have a clean surface to work with.  For the sanding I used a fine grit sponge sanding block {shown below}.

STEP #3:  SPRAY FILING CABINET AND DRAWERS WITH PRIMER

I read several other blogs and people have done this both ways, with primer and without.  I figured to go with the primer.  I didn't want to regret it afterwards.  It only took an extra 10 minutes.

I also primed the grey plastic pull handles since they couldn't be removed.  

The neutral primer color will match the fabric better than the original grey color.

STEP #4: APPLY LIGHT COAT OF PAINT TO CABINET EXTERIOR

You can learn from my mistake here.  There was a little, white plastic piece on my spray paint nozzle when I removed the lid.  I made the mistake of pulling this piece off instead of pushing it in.  I didn't realize it was the actual nozzle!! {I have not used spray paint in a LONG time!}  It's a LOT smaller than the older version, so I didn't recognize it as the nozzle.  So here is my botched first coat of paint.  I also wasted TONS of paint because of this mistake.  I could of probably or very nearly finished this cabinet with one can of paint instead of two.

STEP #5:  BE PATIENT & APPLY MORE COATS PAINT

Even though the first coat looked HORRIBLE, I knew it would even out if I was patient and waited before applying a second and even third coat.  This paint dries so quickly, we even had time to take a break and go to the park!!  Give yourself lots of time to do 2-3 coats of paint and it will be worth it!

See?!  Nice and even :)

STEP #5.5 - MOD PODGE FABRIC {OR SCRAPBOOK PAPER} TO DRAWER FRONTS

I chose to use fabric for a couple different reasons.  I liked the idea of the texture and the flexibility of the fabric.  It just seems more forgiving and even maybe more durable than scrapbook paper, and since I found five co-ordinating pieces for $4.47 how could I go wrong?

I started working on the drawers between coats of spray painting the cabinet.  I used a wide, flat brush to smear a thin layer of mod podge over the entire surface of the drawer.  I even smeared it under the handle so I could put the fabric all the way under the handle.  I cut a slit in each corner so it would fold nicely.  I used tons of extra mod podge on the edges and corners so that I wouldn't have any lift down the road.  We'll see how that plan turned out...

STEP #6:  WAIT FOR EVERYTHING TO BE THOROUGHLY DRY

I gave the cabinet and drawers plenty of time to dry, so that there wouldn't be any smudges etc.

STEP #7:  PLACE DRAWERS BACK IN THE CABINET

After making sure everything is dry, carefully place the drawers back in the cabinet.  Voila!! Filing cabinet makeover complete!!

So what do you think?  Do you like the color selections?  What would you have done differently?

Thanks for sharing in my first Pinterest project!

Jenn

Relocation

Many of you have figured out that The Burnett Family are no longer residents of Abilene, Texas. This is such a bitter-sweet situation for all of us. It all happened so quickly that we only had the opportunity to say goodbye to our dear friends, The Crumpton's on September 7^th. We literally had 7 days to decide where we were going to live, to find a new house, and to move before Mike had to return to work. It makes me so sad that I didn't have the opportunity to personally say goodbye to many of you. I do hope that we can keep up with each other through Skype, text, email, and Facebook!

What happened to India?

The wind farm project in Karad, India will still be happening and Mike will still be going overseas, but we decided that with all the delays that it was best if the kids and I stayed home this time around, since we still don't have a concrete date of when Mike will be headed over there. His employer is saying mid-October now, but that is just a best guess. Our understanding is that the monsoon season has been extra long this year which has severely delayed the beginning of construction. That partnered with the high demand in the USA has kept Mike state-side for now. He is currently working near Wichita, Kansas.

Where do you live now?

With Mike having to be gone so far away, and for such long periods at a time I really wanted to live closer to my family for support. On September 6^th we loaded up a Budget truck and headed north to Whitefish, Montana. My family is 3 hours away from here, just on the other side of the Canadian border. I am so happy to be able to just hop in the car and go and visit them! Grandma & Grandpa are so excited they have planned their first visit for this coming weekend!

We have been incredibly blessed to find an amazing home to lease. Our closest neighbors even have two girls that are 4 and 2, just like Harrison & Heidi, so it's been really fun getting to know them. Our other neighbor is from Ireland and brought us some fresh veggies out of her garden as a welcoming gift. So sweet!

Whitefish is absolutely stunning! From the quaint downtown area to the majestic Rocky Mountains to the deer on my front lawn everything about it screams “HOME” to me. The only thing missing is Mike, but hopefully {and prayerfully} that can change in the not too distant future. We believe that this is our last major relocation. Yay!!!

What now?

For now I am focused on:

• getting Harrison and Heidi into pre-K programs
• enjoying the fabulous fall weather and all the outdoor activities Whitefish has to offer
• unpacking & organizing our lovely home
• recreating a priority for exercise and health in my personal life
• learning how to use my new SLR
• getting involved in a new church community

If you haven't received an address update from us please text, call or email and I will make sure you have all our up-to-date contact information.  Check back soon for a virtual tour of our new home!! 

Much love,

The Burnett Bunch