A little side reading.

I am back!  Computer issues are a pain.  Finally  had a friend come over and take off Vista and install Windows 7.  What a huge difference!  Love it!  Anyway...

Back in 2008 I found this cool desk while DH was on a fishing trip!  That's what happens when I get left alone!  I posted about it here.  I loved how it turned out then and still do.

Just need to try and keep in cleaner!  ( never ending process ")  Anyway, the little side pull outs had these like mouse pad inserts that I ripped out and was always going to do some thing with.  Well fast forward 3 1/2 years later...  Here is a pic of them before I transformed them.

I was in the process if taking off the glue and part of the rubber backing of the inserts.  I had a grandiose plan of painted them hot pink and using a cool vinyl covered fabric I have, but then I remembered I had to live with it and hot pink maybe was a bit much.  So, I decided to sand and then stain the pullouts, here is a pic.  Sorry for the shadows I was outside.

I wanted to cover the insert with burlap, but it made it to thick and it wouldn't fit.  While I liked the stained effect, I had another idea.  I have been saving a few old dictionaries for this project I found on Pinterest. 
My kids love to play Words with Friends, so was going to make it to go in the hall so they can play each other, even if they don't see each other!  Haven't found the right frame for that yet.  Anyway I got the mod podge out and went to town.  I loved how they turned out.

The pages were already a bit yellowed, so no need for staining.  Now what to do with those darn inserts.  Finally I decided I would paint them!  Would't hurt to try, so I broke out the black gloss spray paint and gave them a few good even coats.

It covered up the grid pattern great.  So now on to gluing them in.  I just used tacky glue and a few heavy books.  Here is a pic before I glued them down.

And they are all finished!

I really love how they turned out and it adds a bit of whimsy to the desk.  They are a little rough on the top so I may give them a light sand, but I think once they are dry and can be closed hey will be fine.
I really hadn't planned this, but since I was dealing with the computer and had to take the tower out and clean the desk, sometimes things just happen!  And it cost me nothing!  I had it all on hand!  The best kind of redo!

Have a great week.

Laura