Tips when painting small projects

My last project was a computer desk, I had some old paint that I had from another project that was about 4 months old.



The two colors I had were complete opposites and I wanted a strong color, not vanilla or white again, so I mixed black and white paint together and created this grape color. I was surprised I thought I would get a gray hue but I got this color instead and it worked. I saved the rest that I did not use and plan to use for a stencil project on a cabinent.



If there is old paint around consider mixing paints to create a new color and using it on a project around the home, is great way to not waste left over paint. Don't let it dry up and waste, keep it out of land fills.

There are paint tray liners that sell for about 8- 12 dollars in home stores, these are great for saving time by letting the paint not reach the tray therefore keeping it clean. Instead of purchasing one of these tray liners, just wrap a plastic bag around the tray and stretch out the bag over the front of tray tightly and place duct tape on the bottom of tray to secure it in place. Wha la, there is free tray liner.

Save money by investing in good long term paint brushes that will last you for many paint projects. If on a limited budget, and the paint brushes bought are inexpensive dollar store brushes, there are ways to make them last for at 4-5 paint projects. When I use brushes that I purchase at the dollar store, I try not to place too much paint on them because its really hard to get the paint off them. I use disposable small rollers and use the brushes for angles and tight corners, even details around furniture. When I clean these brushes I clean off the paint with water and dish wash liquid, I get the paint as much off as possible. I soak the brushes in vinegar and water with dish wash liquid and leave it for two days. This is to keep the bristles soft for future use. If the bristles seem stiff keep the brushes in water another day.



Clean and reuse those aluminum paint cans, these make great organizers around the garage, great planters, and great for its original purpose of storing paints. Use the cans to store the new created paints for up to a few months.

Tips when painting small projects

My last project was a computer desk, I had some old paint that I had from another project that was about 4 months old.

The two colors I had were complete opposites and I wanted a strong color, not vanilla or white again, so I mixed black and white paint together and created this grape color. I was surprised I thought I would get a gray hue but I got this color instead and it worked. I saved the rest that I did not use and plan to use for a stencil project on a cabinent.

If there is old paint around consider mixing paints to create a new color and using it on a project around the home, is great way to not waste left over paint. Don't let it dry up and waste, keep it out of land fills.
There are paint tray liners that sell for about 8- 12 dollars in home stores, these are great for saving time by letting the paint not reach the tray therefore keeping it clean. Instead of purchasing one of these tray liners, just wrap a plastic bag around the tray and stretch out the bag over the front of tray tightly and place duct tape on the bottom of tray to secure it in place. Wha la, there is free tray liner.
Save money by investing in good long term paint brushes that will last you for many paint projects. If on a limited budget, and the paint brushes bought are inexpensive dollar store brushes, there are ways to make them last for at 4-5 paint projects. When I use brushes that I purchase at the dollar store, I try not to place too much paint on them because its really hard to get the paint off them. I use disposable small rollers and use the brushes for angles and tight corners, even details around furniture. When I clean these brushes I clean off the paint with water and dish wash liquid, I get the paint as much off as possible. I soak the brushes in vinegar and water with dish wash liquid and leave it for two days. This is to keep the bristles soft for future use. If the bristles seem stiff keep the brushes in water another day.

Clean and reuse those aluminum paint cans, these make great organizers around the garage, great planters, and great for its original purpose of storing paints. Use the cans to store the new created paints for up to a few months.

Best vintage postcard images from my collection

 Postcards are history saved in time through photos and vintage logos. First US postcard was sent on June 1 st 1873.



The austrians invented the postcards but the germans are credited with design and creation of first postcard.





I am starting to collect vintage Bronx, Puerto Rico and Ocala postcards, I found very few from Ocala, on eBay but found many for the Bronx. It's really interesting to see the sites that you recognize now and how the landmarks have changed throughout the century especially in NY.

This was Bronx Borough Hall in 1906, this building no longer stands, but the base and the staircase is still at same place 177th st and East Tremont Avenue.  The stairs and the base has these arched doors that are sealed in concrete block.  It is currently part of the park on Park avenue and East Tremont, about two blocks away from Cross Bronx expressway.

This is the back of the postcard, look at the penmanship that the writer had at that time , pretty cool

 Glass Boat postcard from Silver Springs

I bought this to send to family but I kept it i liked the beautiful photo postcard of the famous horse farms in Ocala

 This postcard I got on my trip to Puerto Rico a few years ago, this is the famous victorian Ponce firehouse from 1880s.  It is now a museum in Ponce, Puerto Rico. 

This is a postcard from same trip,  classic architecture from old San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Puerto Rico is over 500 years old and so is San Juan so the architecture are examples of spanish and french design.  These old style homes are very european in design and have been around for hundreds of years, along with the stone cobblestone streets.

Best vintage postcard images from my collection

 Postcards are history saved in time through photos and vintage logos. First US postcard was sent on June 1 st 1873.

The austrians invented the postcards but the germans are credited with design and creation of first postcard.


I am starting to collect vintage Bronx, Puerto Rico and Ocala postcards, I found very few from Ocala, on eBay but found many for the Bronx. It's really interesting to see the sites that you recognize now and how the landmarks have changed throughout the century especially in NY.

This was Bronx Borough Hall in 1906, this building no longer stands, but the base and the staircase is still at same place 177th st and East Tremont Avenue.  The stairs and the base has these arched doors that are sealed in concrete block.  It is currently part of the park on Park avenue and East Tremont, about two blocks away from Cross Bronx expressway.

This is the back of the postcard, look at the penmanship that the writer had at that time , pretty cool

 Glass Boat postcard from Silver Springs

I bought this to send to family but I kept it i liked the beautiful photo postcard of the famous horse farms in Ocala

 This postcard I got on my trip to Puerto Rico a few years ago, this is the famous victorian Ponce firehouse from 1880s.  It is now a museum in Ponce, Puerto Rico. 

This is a postcard from same trip,  classic architecture from old San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Puerto Rico is over 500 years old and so is San Juan so the architecture are examples of spanish and french design.  These old style homes are very european in design and have been around for hundreds of years, along with the stone cobblestone streets.