Tuesday, April 14, 2009

My Worst Craigslist Buy...Ever!

I have hidden this in my garage for 6 months.

August. Pregnant. Shopping the Craiglist classifieds late, late at night.

I nabbed a giant (too big for the station wagon) painting for my husband's office wall. When my mom saw the photo, she begged me to cancel the sale.

It was too late.

The owner, who cut the price in half, offered to deliver. (That should have been my first clue.)

Besides, I just knew it would look better in person.

If possible, it was even worse. I'm talking gold-glitter-in-the-chunky-paint worse.

My husband laughed. He's a good sport.

Short of selling it to a Chinese restaurant, I didn't know what to do.

(to be continued)

31 comments:

Whitney said...

I think it's kinda cool. It may not be right for your house, but I can see it working in a funky modern home. I would put it back on CL!

Empty Nest Full Life said...

Do you have a surprise for us since this post is to be continued? Jackie

Kim said...

Can you use the frame for something?

I'd try to resell it - can't hurt.

Anonymous said...

Meredith,

I would varnish the top and make it a coffee table.

Anonymous said...

The frames seams nice...

Angie @ Many Little Blessings said...

LOL -- it *does* look like it should be in a Chinese restaurant!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Have you considered painting over it and putting a design more in keeping with your decor. Even pieces of fabric could be modpodged or varnished on to it.

Roxie700 said...

I had to laugh out loud when I read that it should be in a Chinese Restaurant...there is a little place that David and I love here in town; one of the paintings on their wall is very very close to that painting.

I am sure that you, with your talents, have managed to turn it into something wonderful. Thanks for sharing your 'finds' with us.

DairyQueen said...

I'm sure you've done something great with it...I can't wait to see!

Ruthanne said...

Regift!!

Just kidding :)

ancient one said...

Yep, you got us wondering... I'll be back to see what wonderful thing you did with it...

Tubo Family said...

Love the suspense! Looking forward to finding out what you did with it.

Kim said...

Need a blackboard in the kitchen? I'm thinking spray paint.

An Adventurer in the World said...

ooooo, a cliffhanger!

What Whitney said, my exact thoughts.

deb m

Michelle said...

I might have taken out the Modge Podge and scrapbook paper, but I'm sure you have a great idea waiting for your next post. Can't wait to see!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the giggle.

Debra said...

I'd put it back on Craigslist. I bet there's someone else out there who would like it. Unless you're doing something really cool with it - can't wait to see...

Meredith said...

Yes--the SMART thing to do would have been to relist it immediately, recoup my $15 or even make a little more.

But I was so hot and pregnant and tired (and embarassed) that I stuck it in the garage instead.

It's taken up a massive amount of space in there since summer. Elise and I just finished re-using it, and I'll show you the pictures later today.

It's not that great of a re-do, but it's a lot BETTER and I'm using what I have.

Cassandra said...

My husband and I actually really like that painting. If we lived in the same town, I would have asked if we could buy it from you. lol

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Well, I really love the frame! I bet you're gonna save this & make it really special. Can't wait to see!

Aimee said...

As an art teacher, I recommend that you let the children paint over it and then display it in your husband's office. It has a great frame. When I taught kindergarten, I used to have the class study (art history lesson) and paint Monet's Japanese Bridge. I broke the large canvas up into quadrants and off they went (with guidance, of course). The results were beautiful and the parents loved the painting, which I displayed at our kindergarten art show.

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

Oh, hilarious!! How brave of you to post this!

Steph

Christina said...

I kinda like it and the frame is really great, but wonder what you will come up with. Of course somethings look better in a picture than in real life.

You always have great ideas, so I'm looking forward to your reveal!

Workin' MAMA! said...

Meredith -

Girlfriend - I don't know if I can actually stop laughing -
Your post was hilarious -

hot- pregnant - tired - on craigslist - sounds like me and my midnight escapades on HSN.com - way too colorful bangle bracelets I'm stuck with to this day -
Waiting on an '80's theme' birthday party to sport them.

Acutally the chinese restaurant might pay big for the pic -
double your money and trouble...
You're such a good sport -
no need to feel embarrassed! can't wait to see your re-do pics!

latrice -
lol!

Rhonda Parker said...

I was sure that you'd turn it into a bulletin board like Rhoda

southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/2009/01/zebra-bulletin-board.html

But then again, I got two frames for FREE (yardsale leftovers) for this purpose, 2 months ago, and they still aren't bulletin boards yet. :)

Mrs. Darling said...

Oh my Im with you. That is awful! ROFL!

Narrative Threads said...

I saw the After picture which is lovely), but I have to admit to having liked the Before picture too. In fact, I liked it enough that I was inspired to cruise on over to craigslist where I found this gem:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/art/1122769727.html

What are the odds? Honestly, I would buy this right now, but the price is a bit high. I do hope that you did not pay $500 for your masterpiece.

Amanda on Maui said...

The original would look perfect in my house, but the after looks great with your new wall color.

ravengal said...

I absolutely love this piece. I also love what you and your dd created as an "after".

Sandy said...

It's not that bad! Not sure it goes with your house though? How about putting it back on CL! Hee Hee.

Will you be having a large yard sale again this year?

I think I will ... in between everything else!

Come see my beautiful red TULIPS from my yard :)

Happy Springy Day, Meredith!

Anonymous said...

I might die that's so funny. :)