Non-Consumer Photo Essay — Retirement Funds, When to Replace and a Manga Chair!

by Katy on October 7, 2012 · 43 comments

It’s time for another Non-Consumer Photo Essay, which today features stuff I didn’t buy, stuff I did buy and an rather fantastic chair makeover.

First off I have another goofy savings bank, this time for a “Retirement Fund.” I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of hoping that I’ll have more money than will fit in a small ceramic bank by the the time I hit retirement age. (I do love these save-for-a-specific-purpose-reason banks, as I showed in this earlier post.) Needless to say, I did not buy this bank.

You know that I like to “make do,” and not immediately replace my household items. However, when something is so messed up as to be non-functional, it needs to go. I give you the example of my pastry cutter. Not only had two of the five pieces snapped off, but the remaining three were always bending to the side. In other words, it was freakin’ useless.

So I’ve been keeping an eye out for a replacement pastry cutter at thrift stores, (as well as discovering that food processor pie dough is crazy easy, although I’m not a fan of the extra cleanup.) I was finally able to find an Oxo brand pastry cutter for the low, low price of 99¢ at Goodwill.

Which I say calls for a celebratory pie!

My daughter turns 17 today, which is absolutely flabbergasting to me. How on earth did this happen?! It really does seem like she was a baby just a few years ago. *Sniff*

For her birthday we’re giving her  Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator, which the grandparent and my sister will chip in for. (This is super expensive, although we will use my father’s educator discount.) My daughter has been an artist since the day she ate held her first crayon, and she’s taking two art classes at school this year, one of which is a graphic design class. She will get so much use from this gift, as will I. (Prepare for my blog photos to start looking a lot better!)

But I wanted to give something fun as well, so when I saw this bent-wood chair at Goodwill, my mind started whirring. I’d seen a similar chair on Pinterest, which had been Mod-Podged with a vintage-style poster.

See? Very cool. I really like how the single piece of wood looks when decoupaged:

At $20, the chair was completely overpriced. However, it was one of those brand-new Target items, so there was no wiggle room on the price. (Believe you me, I tried to haggle.) In the end I decided to buy the chair, as I could envision the end product, plus it was, ahem . . . yesterday, the day before my daughter’s birthday! (Leaving gift giving to the last minute is always an expensive endeavor!)

My plan was to Mod-Podge Japanese Manga onto the chair, which is totally up my daughter’s alley, as she’s been studying Japanese since kindergarten. So I spent  yesterday evening cutting and pasting, while my daughter was under strict instructions to not come into the spare bedroom.

So, drum roll please . . . here’s how the chair turned out:

 And doesn’t all the Manga look so cool?!

And of course, a detail shot:

I haven’t given the chair to my daughter yet, as she’s still sleeping.

After all, she is 17 now. Man, do I love that kid, er, umm . . . young adult! *Sniff*

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }

Katy October 7, 2012 at 9:58 am

Update:

My son woke up and loves the chair! Thought it was super cool.

😀
Katy

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AnnW October 7, 2012 at 2:45 pm

I can’t think of any other mother that would do that for her son! One of a kind! I do like the poster put on the other chair. That would be an interesting project. Ann

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Maggie October 7, 2012 at 11:14 am

The chair is super cool! Great job!

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Kelly October 7, 2012 at 11:49 am

Hi! I’m not sure if this is revelevant for your son as you just purchased the programs, but adobe is now doing an option where you can pay per month to lease ALL of the adobe programs ($20-$50 per month, might be less if you are a student) and per year it ends up saving a ton of money vs. buying the programs outright. Since they come out with new versions of the programs almost every year you don’t have to worry anymore about your programs becoming out of date super fast. Just thought I’d throw that out there in case your son wants to pursue graphic design in college and therefore will need adobe programs the rest of his career, aka $$$ (I’m a graphic designer so I understand!)

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Kelly October 7, 2012 at 11:50 am

whoops, *relevant

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Katy October 7, 2012 at 5:29 pm

Good to know. I am making sure to buy the version that includes future updates.

Katy

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Jessica Wolk-Stanley October 7, 2012 at 12:56 pm

That chair turned so GREAT! What a cool idea. I am going to keep an eye out for a chair to decorate for my kids.

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Robin October 7, 2012 at 1:13 pm

That chair is wonderful! And SO personal. I bet he takes it to college with him….

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rebecca October 7, 2012 at 2:49 pm

having moments lately with my son drifting away at 16.5….sniff, sniff….appreciate your post!

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Lois October 7, 2012 at 3:19 pm

I love the chair. There are so many things that could be done with that, I even liked the green solid color on it. And the retirement bank is so adorable, but I agree it would need to be much bigger for an actual retirement fund.

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April October 7, 2012 at 3:35 pm

Super cool chair…a lot of hard work and love. My daughter (the baby) turned 18 today so I share your sense of disbelief….from one mom to another….our precious little ones they will always be in our hearts.

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Bellen October 7, 2012 at 3:50 pm

chair is wonderful and so personal.
While I would spring for the 99 cent pastry blender I’ve been using 2 dinner knives for blending pastry for years. Mine broke and I just couldn’t see spending anything on one – especially since my Grandma taught me to use 2 knives like she did for 50 years.

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Katy October 7, 2012 at 5:30 pm

I did that method for years, but have converted over to the unitasker.

Katy

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Shannon October 7, 2012 at 5:01 pm

Okay a neighbor of mine was moving just two weeks ago and parked 3 of those chairs in the driveway with a free sign. I totally wanted to pick them but my husband was all like no no no quit dragging this stuff into the house, lol

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Katy October 7, 2012 at 5:28 pm

Coulda, shoulda, woulda. 🙁

Katy

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Economies of Kale October 7, 2012 at 5:19 pm

Very cool chair! This may be a silly question, but how does the pastry cutter work? I’ve never seen one before and I usually cut my pastry with a knife. Just curious 🙂

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Katy October 7, 2012 at 5:27 pm

Hard to describe, but a pastry cutter pushes down and makes a number of cuts all at once, with a rounded wrist movement.

Katy

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Maggie October 7, 2012 at 5:31 pm

I’ve only used a pastry cutter to cut up eggs for egg salad. I didn’t even know what it really was for years!

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Jennifer October 7, 2012 at 6:03 pm

You are Super Mom! What an awesome chair. Happy Birthday to Colin!!

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Katy October 7, 2012 at 8:37 pm

Thank you, Jennifer. I am far from being a “super mom,” but I can make a “super chair!”

Katy

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hydra October 7, 2012 at 7:40 pm

Katie, the chair looks great. I’m really impressed (and wondering how?!) that you kept the green edge of the chair. Did you cut the manga to keep the green edge so straight? Is the back still green then?

Nice work!

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Katy October 7, 2012 at 8:36 pm

I initially left the paper overhanging, and then just cut with scissors to the edge of the chair. And yes, the back of the chair is still green.

Katy

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hydra October 7, 2012 at 7:40 pm

*Katy (sorry for the typo!)

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Victoria@SnailpaceTransformations October 8, 2012 at 1:48 am

Great job on the chair. Did you poly coat it?

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Katy October 8, 2012 at 5:47 am

Nope. Just did an overall coat of Mod-Podge.

Katy

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anexactinglife October 8, 2012 at 3:09 am

Best birthday gifts ever, says this parent of a 19-yr-old anime-loving artist!

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Jean Burke October 8, 2012 at 3:48 am

I love the chair!

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Susan Marsh October 8, 2012 at 4:48 am

I am so impressed! Be sure to save the picture for your future frugal lifestyle book which I hope happens. You are very inspiring, Katy!

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mrs.p October 8, 2012 at 5:23 am

I so can relate, My oldest turns 17 next month and she’s already talking about moving out when she’s 18. Bitter sweet. Praying that she stays home and goes to college. But what can we do. All I can do lead and pray that she doesn’t follow my footsteps.

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Jennifer @ Little Blog in the Big Woods October 8, 2012 at 5:45 am

Love the chair!
I can imagine how bittersweet his birthday is for you. I have a 6 year old boy. He is still so sweet, fun, loving and thinks we rule the universe. I try not to even think about the teenage years. I hope your son and the family have a wonderful time celebrating his day!

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Barb @ 1SentenceDiary October 8, 2012 at 6:29 am

Teenagers, ack! My oldest is 16. Scariest day of my life until now was the first time we sat in the front seat of the car, with *him* in the driver’s seat. I adored my kids when they were little, of course, but I enjoy them even more now as they have their own viewpoints and ideas and can hold more “adult-like” discussions. Happy Birthday to Colin!

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Katy October 8, 2012 at 8:51 am

We have yet to starting the driving adventure. Too scared.

Katy

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patti October 8, 2012 at 4:20 pm

I took my son to a cemetery to learn to drive!! Lots of roads and cross roads and very little traffic. He was still nervous but it helped him get used to the car before we hit the highway!!

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Lindsey@BetterAfter October 8, 2012 at 1:34 pm

SO COOL! I bet your son was thrilled. What a thoughtful gift from a loving mom. 🙂

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Penny in Australia October 8, 2012 at 7:09 pm

that chair is coooool! well done 🙂

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Jenn H October 9, 2012 at 4:36 am

Nice job on the chair! I also liked the boxes you did a few weeks ago w/ the decoupage. It would be awesome if you did a little tutorial on the process one day.

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Amy Anderson October 29, 2012 at 5:42 am

SO cool! Love what you did – seriously. Great revamp!

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Katy October 29, 2012 at 5:53 am

Thanks, my son was uber pleased with it!

Katy

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Michelle @ SimplySeashell November 1, 2012 at 6:50 pm

What a cool idea! And one that has so much potential for any style! You could use just about any design to decoupage a chair. I bet your son loved it 🙂

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Jenny March 13, 2013 at 5:42 am

Hi! Love the chair!
Wondering what chair that is – do you happen to have a link? I can’t find it online at Target very easily 🙁 It’s great!
thanks.

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Katy March 13, 2013 at 6:44 am

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