Wooden Blocks

I love old toys.  I snatched a moldy (gross) bag of old children's blocks up at a garage sale for less than a buck.  The large baggie had gotten some moisture in it.

I thought they were pretty cute.  I've seen people spell out names, inspirational words & age numbers.

I found these on Etsy, for sale.

Linking up to Junker Newbie's "Would you buy it Wed."  Head over there & see what odd things folks are finding for sale.



*W*E*L*C*O*M*E*

I had an idea one night, while laying in bed.  Do you ever have that...where the light bulb in your head comes on? 

I had bought a stack of cute little picture frames at a garage sale for $1.50.  You can see them in the center of the photograph above.  I decided to spell out a word, putting one letter in each frame.  A long sash could attach them and make a banner of sorts.  The next step was picking a word.  It took me forever to think of a seven letter word that could be versatile. 

The fun part was laying out the patterned paper to see how things would look.  I used Webster's Pages Petite Papers.  They have such cute vintage inspired patterns in the Country Estate & Yacht Club pack.

You can see the baby monitor there?  This was a nap-time project. 

I cut out two fonts on my Cricut before choosing the Old West one.  I always have issues with fancy letters that are hard to read, that's why the Heritage font lost out.

Once I got the look I wanted, I traced the frame backs and cut them out.  Many were missing glass, so this project did not involve any glass.  If they were complete, I totally would have used the glass.  I was also short one wooden back, so cardboard was used on one to hold the paper in.

Once all the frames were filled, I started the task of stringing them.  I was glad "welcome" had an odd amount of letters, this gave me a center starting point: "C"

Hurdle #1: Tying thick ribbon on attractively.  This sounds easy, but was really hard.  The solution finally came to me from trial and error.  Feed the ribbon in through the ring opposite way, going back towards the original side,  then go up and over....coming back through that loop at a down and away direction.  (make sense?)  The little strip of paper is my distance guide to help me space the frames evenly on the ribbon.

Hurdle #2:  Don't spell the word backwards.  When working on a word from the back, turn it around to read it before getting to far. 



oops



After I got things straightened out.  The results were fantastic.  Check this baby out......

Elegant, classy, vintage, crafty & so very inviting. 

I think to hang this somewhat heavy banner, a person would have to hang each frame's ring (on the back) on a small nail.  It would sag too much in the middle from weight & the ribbon would look tight and crappy otherwise.

The frames are so fancy.  I can't help but adore the rose edges & tiny dots.

This post is linked up to Between Naps On The Porch for the 136th Metamorphosis Monday *AND* Dittle Dattle for Amaze Me Monday.

Mom's Hutch

Now that my week of Junky Garden Pics is over, it's time for something more substantial!

My mom finished a fabulous furniture RE-DO.  The hutch that was in her husband's home was needing a face-lift.  She is so brave with paint, and is so good at the task.  Everything always turns out perfect!

                                              BEFORE:

AFTER:

Isn't it wonderful... so cute & trendy? How great is that charcoal color?! The best part, was keeping some original wood showing.  Masking that off adds more work to the project.  It really turned out great & I wanted to share her results with you-all.

 

This post is listed on My Romantic Home's Show & Tell Friday!

Junky Garden Pic #7

Don't discard rusty old pots & buckets.  They can be lined with landscape fabric for a rustic planter.  Rickety old stools make great plant stands.

JUNKY GARDEN PIC #6

Search out clay at garage sales, because it can be kind of expensive in stores.  I've gathered a few with cracks as well.  Stack, tip, cluster and arrange them into a beautiful mess! 

JUNKY GARDEN PIC #5

WATERING CANS ARE MADE TO SIT IN YOUR GARDEN, NOT IN THE SHED!

JUNKY GARDEN PIC #4

FORGET-ME-NOTS RESEED EVERY YEAR FOR ME.  IT'S IRONIC, THEY STAND OUT AGAINST THE BRICKS THAT I TOOK FROM MY CHILDHOOD HOME PROPERTY BEFORE MOM SOLD IT.  THE OLD BRICKS MAKE A GREAT PEDESTAL FOR MY SUNDIAL.  BRICKS MAKE A CUTE RUSTIC GARDEN PATH AS WELL, IF YOU GET A LARGE QUANTITY.

JUNKY GARDEN PIC #3

A FRIEND OR NEIGHBOR MIGHT HAVE A PILE OF JUNK IN THEIR BACKYARD OR ON A PROPERTY.  DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK TO LOOK AROUND, THEY WILL OFTEN BE GLAD TO GET RID OF "JUNK".  FARMS & OLD TIMERS ARE OFTEN GOLD MINES.

JUNKY GARDEN PIC #2

THE TRELLIS IN THE BACKGROUND IS ONE SIDE OF A BROKEN ARBOR THAT I RESCUED.  I LOVE THE SILVER CEDAR LATTICE.  ALWAYS INSPECT BROKEN ITEMS FOR USABLE PARTS.

JUNKY GARDEN PIC #1

FILL AN OLD GRAIN DRILL WITH FLOWERS

THIS WEEK I WILL BE POSTING ONE JUNKY GARDEN PICTURE PER DAY.  IT'S TIME TO ENJOY OUR GARDENS, BEFORE FALL IS UPON US.  EACH PICTURE WILL INCLUDE A SIMPLE GARDEN JUNK TIP.

OLD IRONING BOARD

I GOT AN OLD IRONING BOARD FOR $3 A FEW MONTHS BACK AND HAVE FINALLY FINISHED IT'S FACE LIFT.  IT WAS A HORRID JOHN DEERE GREEN.  THE PALE GREEN ON TOP WAS COMING OFF IN A POWDERY FASHION, WHICH REQUIRED SO MUCH SANDING!

BEFORE



DURING

AFTER

IT HAS SOME CONDITION ISSUES,  LIKE MINOR CRACKING ON TOP.  BUT I'M HOPING SOMEONE CAN SEE PAST THAT AND RELISH THE CHOCOLATE COLOR & FUN LEAF DECALS!  I PLAN TO SELL THIS ONE, ALTHOUGH MY HUSBAND NEVER BELIEVES ME WHEN I SAY THAT!

I LOVE BROWN....AND LEAVES.

                      THANKS FOR LOOKING, STOP BY AGAIN!


LINKING UP TO MOD VINTAGE LIFE  COASTAL CHARM & DITTLE DATTLE .



Lily & Twine

I have a cute twine idea to share, but the lily is an extra bonus.

I've been seeing lots of twine roll ideas on blogs and then I spotted one at the thrift store for 50 cents.  I snatched it up.  Then, at the glorious Grand Rapids Swap Meet... I found a precious lady pin for a buck.  Here are the results of these two items.

I know it's hard to focus with a GIANT lily in the pic, huh?  That is my American Adventure fragrant beauty.  The bottle is pretty dreamy to boot also.  Do you like how I added a cream and a white doily to mimic the "Like Like" colors?

                                                    Back to the twine:

The pin is missing gems, but the photo is so lovely.  It just caught my eye & I had to take it home. I found some plaid ribbon to wrap around the twine & hid the ends under the pin, which attached all together so nice. 

HURRY, ENTER TODAY!

Head over to Junk Bonanza to enter at a shot for VIP tickets, a hat, tote, and FMS magazine!!!!

NO TIME TO WASTE!

Clothesline Frame

                                                           Clothesline Frame

I've seen a few around & wanted to give it a whirl.  So I stumbled on a heavy old mirror at the local cheerleader's garage sale fundraiser.  That, and a Taylor Swift dress for my niece came home with me!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The dark "wings" on top turned out so pure & sweet!  It was a pain painting in the top design, but worth it in the end!

The cards were copies from an old informational bug book.  They were attached to sanded Core'dinations cardstock, then hung from my ric-rac clothes line.  If you don't have mini clothes pins, get some. They are super cute & quite useful.

 

This project is proudly linked up to Faded Charm.  It's a great blog to view all things WHITE.



Plate Rack

I'm not so sure this is a plate rack.  I tired to fill it & they just leaned over.  Maybe it's for sorting mail!  Here is the original condition.

It had some primitive paintings on it, but not to my liking.

I pulled out the wires, sanded it and gave it a make-over.  Red spray paint, that was on sale from Ace Hardware did the job.  A little sanding afterwards made it a but rustic. 

I think this would make a great Christmas card holder, what do you think? 

Oh...you noticed?  One wire WAS missing.  But it adds to the charm of the piece.  I might try and find a compatible wire.

Linking up to Junker Newbie's Would You Buy It Wed..  This is a fun blog to see what others might consider buying.