Lantern Center Pieces

A couple weeks ago I was sitting in our office with Mr Garden.   My desk is right next to the window and I saw the new neighbors out front weeding and stuff.  It was trash day and he kept hauling stuff to the curb.  I noticed a box of what looked like exterior house lamps.  Since I rent and my landlord is a cheap ass I love to find stuff like this that I can modernize the place with that doesn’t cost him anything out of pocket.  I have learned if it costs him money the answer is always no.

Then I saw the guy walking down to the box on the curb and I threw an old McDonalds wrapper at hubby’s head.  “Hey babe I bet he’s writing FREE on that box!”

Since Mr Garden had already introduced himself to them he agreed to walk me over and introduce me as the wife who stalks their trash from the windows.  Perfect!

And sure enough he did write FREE on the box *grin*.

They didn’t end up being the kinds you can mount on your house.  They are for pillars around a courtyard or at the end of the driveway.  So they needed to be repurposed into something free standing.  And why not a centerpiece?

Love for Ladders

I was telling someone early how I found it funny that you can come across a blog with some brilliant idea and suddenly you NEED this thing you never knew you needed before.  Yep I do it do, you don't have to be ashamed.  This is how I ended up with this new piece of functional art in my living room yesterday.  I saw a blog post of someone who used one as a book shelf and another in a bathroom etc... I just knew I too, HAD TO HAVE ONE!

Since my trunk that housed the throw blankets is now in the formal living area I decided that was much too far for my chunk butt to travel each time I needed a cozy little blanky.  So my new ladder is taking it's place.

I failed to take too many pictures of the "process" since there wasn't much to it.  But taking the ladder apart was more difficult than I originally anticipated.  All the brackets and metal hinges were riveted on! 

(Of course they were because I just can't seem to get into a project and it turn out as simple as I imagined it too.)

It was a bit of a pain to drill them all out. I'd say there were about 12 total. Not too bad though and totally worth it.

Next I sanded it lightly.  I wanted a old distressed look but I had to sand it because I didn't want any splinters while I was wiping my stain on.  Here it was before the stain.

And after...

I didn't work the stain into the grooves of the steps.  I thought it gave it a neat effect this way.



Sorry about my soap opera on the box... it helps me feel like there is another adult in the house lol.

There you have it.  My new blanket rack/book shelf/decorative wall piece.

~Sommer

I've linked up to these parties

I Feel A Project Coming On

Isn't that the most wonderful feeling. When you chatting or blogging, surfing the net and suddenly an epiphany! It's euphoric.

I was over at Primitive & Proper commenting on her workspace today and by the time I finished my comment I realized I had a new project in the works.

See before I moved into the house I talked to the owner about my work and how it's too cold in the winter to work in the garage so I don't do as much. Well it just so happens there is a 2000 sf unfinished basement here and he gave me the go ahead to use it in the colder month for my projects.

Well initially I declined because I thought about all the chemicals and fumes getting into the ventilation system. That was until today.  Cassie was saying how she uses primarily low and zero VOC products because her work space is in an unfinished section of her home as well.

Now the wheels are turning! And I feel a project in the works. I'm talking about taping off the vents in the basement, hanging plastic and laying down painters tarps and building my own paint booth in the basement! I will still sand my pieces out in the garage, maybe invest in an affordable little heater to save my house from any unnecessary dusting. We all know how much I hate to dust! Okay well if you didn't, you do now lol.

So take a look see and let me know what you think... I'll tell you the stairs occupy the middle of the basement.  The pictures start at the bottom of the stairs looking to the back left and keep turning counter clockwise.

I see shelves full of paint and stain and brushes. Plastic hanging on the framework and cement floors covered in tarps. Oooh so exciting I feel all tingly inside!

You see I already have bunches of stuff waiting for me to get crackin!  This stuff is all looking strait at the bottom of my basement steps.

I'm laughing, never thought I would show you all pictures of my dark, dank ugly basement.  Let alone be excited about it! LOL.

~Sommer

Oh I almost forgot!  While typing up this post the doorbell rings... want to see what showed up?  It's clear now, this is meant to be!  Time to start painting.

 

How's it Hangin?

Your keys I mean.  Member those old keys from Hobby Lobby that I took home for a song?  If not you can see them here.  I left you guessing as to what I was going to make with them.  I knew before I found the keys that I wanted to do something like this...

Wanna see?  Well... do you ya... punk?  Yep that definitely sounded better in my head lol.

Here is my new key hook holder!  I used to have one of those mail sorter ones with the slots and the hooks.  It was a light wood with gold cup hooks.  Not exactly my style anymore.  Hubby has been bugging me since we moved in to put something up to hang the keys on.  Even the old holder which I couldn't bring myself to do.

Want to see how I made it?  Oh it was so simple you'll want to run right out and make one!

Get a drawer face.  And with a chisel and hammer knock the back lip off so it can hang flat against the wall.

Now sand it until smooth, doesn't have to be perfect if you plan on distressing it, just smooth.  Then paint and distress.  I didn't take a picture of this part since I know my readers are capable =)  At least I hope so.

Then get some E-6000 glue and adhere your keys onto the front of the board in any pattern you choose.  This took me the longest.  Trying to figure out how I wanted them to lay.  Vertical, horizontal, slanted etc... The possibilities are endless and totally based on preference.

You can see above I also measured and drilled where I wanted my cup hooks to go.  The E-6000 glue takes a bit to set up so I would leave them overnight to set and then it will be like cement.

Next you will need some of this stuff.  Frame hanging brackets and cup hooks of your choice.

Measure for center unless you feel you need a bracket on both sides.  Then I would measure for the center of the bracket to be 2in in from each end of your wood.  Just a few smacks with the hammer will secure this piece on.

Now screw in your cup hooks and hang!  Voila, so simple and totally tres chic!

I've linked up to these parties

~Sommer

Repurposed Crib Bench

For those of you waiting on the completion of the green beast sexy beast, join the club.  I can't wait to finish her.  In the mean time I had this unfinished project lying around in the garage and when I had company and explained to them what the plans were for it I suddenly found myself with a contract to finish it for them =)  This person obviously saw what I saw before it was even started.  This has by far been my most favorite project. 

Remember this free find?  I originally wanted to make a chalk board easel out of it until I realized the foot board was curved.

 

First we had to saw off the pretty little feet since the entire leg was lathed in one piece.  There were wheels on it that I removed, and to get an idea of the age of this crib... the wheels were made of wood!

Did I mention I had dh work with me on this one?  I had my plan all ready in my head on how to tackle this project but being fairly inexperienced I was glad he was there to give me pointers.

This part made me cringe.  We cut the foot board down the middle to create the arms of the bench.  I was so afraid of messing something up and having to scrap the entire thing!  Such a chicken I tell you ha!

Assembly started =)  Thus far I had measured and made all the cuts.  This is where dh's help came in handy.  I had to level and keep it square.  Then he started throwing out numbers and measurements and I got kinda woozy.

Break time.  I learned how to sharpen some tools.  Cool huh?  Just make sure there is nothing flammable nearby.

Then we had a little mishap.  This is where I'll tell you the most important piece of advice you'll ever get on my blog.  Don't by BLACK AND DECKER.  Our orbital sander was running full speed when it came unhinged from the screw plate and exploded into about ten pieces flying throughout the garage at high speed.  It hit my husband and my 9yr old son.  They were okay but it stung and could definitely have been worse.  This picture is of our new Rigid palm sander.  It's the Home Depot brand and the only one with a lifetime warranty =)  I'll take that over an over priced Dewalt any day.

Seat framed.  I was really getting excited now!

Construction complete!  Can I just say wow? 

Are you getting the feel for the end result yet?

Once it was painted it was beautiful but just not complete.  There were some fine engravings in the wood of the crib that we wanted to highlight since they got lost in all the black paint.  Well go figure I couldn't find a brush small enough to get in there!

So we re-invented the wheel with what I like to call needle point needle paint!  Yes... We ended up using a 5ml syringe filled with paint and a long 18 gauge needle to squirt the paint into the channel.  Talk about a steady hand!

And now I introduce you to....  "Her Majesty"

My client saw her today while the polly was drying and fell madly in love.  I'm so pleased that my client is also my mother in this case because now I can visit her majesty anytime I want =)  Being my first re purposed furniture piece I feel some sentimental attachment.