As soon as the kids go back to school, my thoughts turn to fall. The football. The Halloween costumes. The pumpkin spice everything. But, because I live on the surface of the sun (aka Texas) where it’s still 100-degrees, it doesn’t even begin to feel like fall until most of you already have inches of snow on the ground. So, I have to occupy myself with little fall-type projects while I sit in my air-conditioned house.
We’re getting ready to start teaching our DI kids some costume building skills so they can create their own Halloween costumes this year, so I have Halloween on the brain. During a recent trip to Goodwill, I spotted these teddy bear figurines and a crazy idea came to mind.
I set up my HomeRight Spray Shelter so I could give these beauties a coat of paint in my garage. It was one zillion times easier to set it up in the garage than it was in my bedroom (who knew? Ha!). I put down a drop cloth and then covered a little table since it’s easier to spray paint when your items are waist high. You’ll notice that the drop cloth is smaller than the Spray Shelter footprint – we’ll talk about that in a minute.
I gave the teddy bear figurines a good coat of spray paint (I used flat black in a paint + primer variety).
It was so nice to use the Spray Shelter instead of having to drape tarps over everything that I didn’t want to paint. Even though my control with a rattle can is pretty good, spray paint still leaves a fine layer of dust everywhere.
See?
The “clean” part of the floor is where the drop cloth covered. It’s hard to imagine that such a small amount of paint dust can cause a problem, but it can. It gets on everything in your garage (bikes, tool box, lawn mower) and also in your nose and lungs. Always wear a mask!
Once the bears were dry, I used a red paint pen to fill in their eyes. I thought they would look really creepy like that, and I was right! I feel like they belong in Disney’s Haunted Mansion. Zack had the idea of also painting the eyes of the toy bear that the seated bear is holding, and I love it.
Even though I’m not ready to display these little Halloween figurines yet, I’m even more excited for October to get here. There are so many thrift store or dollar store treasures that you could find to replicate the look. I may have to go in search of some more myself.
To help you get started with this project, HomeRight has offered to give away a Spray Shelter (Amazon affiliate link) to one lucky Makely reader. To enter, simply follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter box below. This contest is open to U.S. residents, 18 and older.
As a HomeRight Brand Ambassador, I have been compensated for this post. The review and opinions are my own.
Rose T. says
Love it! What a great idea 🙂
Kristin Goodson says
The first thing I would paint is my dresser!! I want to paint it a darker color. This product would make painting/spray painting so much easier.
Jennifer Creviston says
Oh, those are creepy!!
The spray shelter is an amazing idea! It would be great for using a paint gun too and that is exactly what I would use it for! Overspray and the mess my paint gun makes prevents me from using it, I’d love to save time by being able to use it with a product like the Spray Shelter!
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Danielle says
This is one impressive makeover! It makes me want to hit up the thrift store and buy a bunch of random tchotchkes to paint!
Amy says
a chair
cassie says
our dark , seventies style kitchen cabinets
Kristin says
I would paint some spooky Halloween figurines too!
Cathleen says
My dining room chairs! Those bears are HILARIOUS…
Ann O'Connell says
The spooky bear family is fabulous! I’m in Minnesota and it’s still hot here, too! I love love love fall and you’ve inspired me to check the thrift stores for some Halloween and autumn projects.
Ann O'Connell says
Forgot to add: two coffee tables would be much improved with paint and the paint shelter would be ever so helpful!!
Jill Nelson says
I would paint a crib turned chair. So many spindles!
Teresa says
I would paint some thriften Brentwood chairs!
Karen H says
Chairs!!!
Thank you for the giveaway!
carol clark says
my old dresser
Claudia M says
A small table
Tami L says
I have about 4 old baskets that need a new look.
Anne Haun says
I would paint some picture frames that are crying for paint.
Jennifer S says
I would spray paint some picture frames.
Marisol says
Such a great idea!!
Heather W says
Just hide those when I come visit, okay? They scare me a little.
Megan says
I have no idea what I would paint, I just think that this shelter is such a cool idea! We live in an apartment so I’m “supposed” to spray paint in the street but I’m too worried about the “dust” getting on people’s cars.
Heatherl says
Another great idea is to spray old roses and their vases black
Ashley says
I would spray some picture frames
Anne F says
When I first saw those butt ugly figurines, I couldn’t fathom what you would do to make them cool. Once I saw the finished project…they are creepily cool!!!
We just moved into a new house, and I’m working on putting our stamp in the house. Needless to say, there are tons of projects on the agenda.
Sandy S. says
What a great idea! I know what I’m going to look for at thrift stores and garage sales!
MARTHAIA says
A patio table & chairs …
Heather says
I would paint some frames and end tables.
Michelle M says
Never would have guessed those bears could look that awesome! I have a list of things I want to paint and the Home Right Finish Max Sprayer has been on my Amazon wish list for quite awhile now. The spray shelter would be great too since it is often too windy here to paint outside. I’m adding it to my wish list too!
Sarah Bonn says
The first thing? Wow, there are so many things on my list. Probably a lamp that’s been on the waiting list the longest, but maybe the kids’ desk chairs.
Jennifer k says
The spray shelter would be a great tool for completing my mile long list of painting… Everything from dresser to scrap wood for the upcoming fall season… Love this idea! Wonderful!
Dale Terry says
I would paint a toy cupboard I am making into a castle for my Grand daughter!
Alina says
This would be great to have for all the crafts I paint! The first thing I’d use it for would be to paint a few chairs I purchased recently at a garage sale that are sitting in storage in my basement.
Sean says
I’d paint shelves I’m using to hang in my son’s room and some frames I’m reusing.
Rebekah says
What a neat idea! The spray shelter is great and you definitely got your money’s worth out of your thrift store find! 😉
Rebekah says
Oh! I would paint some planters I recently picked up at the thrift store… =)
Valinda R says
The first thing I would paint would be a drop down desk for my granddaughter that I picked up.
Colleen B says
Oh I have many projects but probably interior shutters (all those louvers aarrrrggg) and cabinets next.
Susan Miller says
That would be my biggest dilemma….. what to paint first. I bought an old cedar chest about two years ago that I have been going to paint for my daughter in college… Well, it still needs to be painted. Then I have two end tables that I bought this year at an estate sale want to paint and distress. I could probably do them all in one weekend with this!
SONJA HANSEN says
I want to repurpose a 50+year old oak dresser into a buffet. What a help this will be!
stephanie wesztergom says
creepy!
Michael Whitis says
I’ve got a nightstand that’s been waiting for a makeover.
Caz Sultz says
An old china hutch !