junking score

Things often come to me in the most unexpected ways, so I always keep my eyes open when I'm out and about.  There is no big secret to scoring great junk beyond being open for it and letting everyone know your a junker.  you also have to go out searching for things on a regular basis, but that's the best part.

Found this new pillow in a thrift store on half price day, cost $1.50.  It had a $36 price tag on it

A fried droped this off at my house out of the blue thinking I might like it.  Full size hand crocheted bed spread with thick fring it is absolutly gorgeous.  I may use it as a spread but it would make a great table cloth too.

junking score

I do not collect depression glass but some how it keeps finding me.  I came across this pile of swirl pattern plates and bowls at a free site and they just had to come home with me.  The average price these are selling for is $7.00 on E bay.  There are 6 7" plates, 6 dinner plates, 3 bowls and two saucers.  pretty good for free.  I've had several questions about free sites and stores.  Around here we have free cycle, a couple of places that offer goods for free or a donation and some of the churches have free rummage sales.  If you look around your community I'm sure you'll find something similar.

home sign

I saw a sign similar to this at a recent street fair.  I loved the simplicity and colors.  A window is used for a frame.  I used Masonite as a backing, painted it black, used Elmers glue for the crackle and tan as the top coat.  After that dried over night I cut a star and letters with my Cricut.  I transferred the designs with carbon paper, yes they still make it.  I painted the star and letters by hand then antiqued the whole thing.  Attaching the painting to the frame and a saw-tooth hanger and it was done.

metal tray redo

I've tried a little zentangle on a couple of chairs and these thrifted metal trays.  I used a paint pen and drew on my basic design with chalk before I started.  A little spray of clear sealer finished the job.

game table

Frame+chalkboard paint +vintage legs+cat assistant= game table. A simple formula for a great piece.  The bricks and towel are there to weigh down the top until the glue dries.  Dusty, she just wants to help.

More projects

The project making continues here.  Our sun room is almost unpassable and the over flow is in my sewing room and our bedroom.  I need a studio I don't have to share with anyone, but I don't think we can put any more buildings on our property.

re-purposed cabinet door with decal saying then antiqued

This little stool was red, yellow, green and falling apart when I got it, now it's pale blue with a simple stencil.  It would make a great plant stand or table for a child's room. 

Some times I find thing  it don't need any work.  I'm keeping this hand made cutie as a cash box.

rummage finds

I visited the big big city last weekend and hit a couple of my favorite charity thrift stores.  I spent less than $20 total and came home with some great buys.

jewelry and a pretty glass bowl

Not sure what the wood things are, maybe the bottom of a basket base???

glass divided dish, pretty hand towels and two white bowls.  I also picked up a large shutter for $2, I'm thinking shutter table or book case for that.

towel holder

more projects

 I live on Main street in our little town and I do most of my painting projects in the drive.  There is a lot of traffic by our house and many people stop to see what I'm doing next.  There's been a lot of painting, cleaning and repairs going on the last few weeks as I prepare for the vintage show I'm doing in September.  Here are just a few of the projects in various stages.

some pieces just need a little glue

I'm not sure what this was originally, it had a strange wood piece nailed in the center that may have been a broken handle

Dark red and stain this will need a primer or 4+ coats of paint

tiny foot stool, paint and a new cover for the center pad

This is perfect with just a little repair.  It's a very unusual step stool

photo bombed again, this woven seat chair will need nothing but cleaned.

same wood box as above just 1 more coat of paint

After pic of stool below.  pale blue and we had to cut and paint a new top the original top started bubbling and looked awful.  Just a little sanding and antiquing to do.

Circus colors, primer and pale blue and it will be ready for more years of use.  Picture program was being a pain and would not let me load the after picture under this one, that's why it's above.  Some times I'd like to pick up the computer and throw out the window.

We're done YEA!!!

The patio we've been working on since the beginning of summer is done, well almost.  We are still in discussion on what to do with the stump at the end.  My idea is to put a stacked ring of bricks around it and form a flower bed.  AH wants to have the stump ground out and carry the bricks all the way across to add extra square footage.  When we christened the patio last weekend with neighbors, family and s'mores we really could have used a table.  For now the patio is usable and we really enjoy it.  I'm still having nightmares about cleaning bricks but at least my shoulders and neck don't hurt all the time.  A big project like this is hard work but we do get a lot of satisfaction from completing the job.  The total cost was about $500, most of that was the fire pit at $300 and the sand at around $100.

Great looking fire pit we bought as a kit at Menards.  In the background is the bench we made from a head board and a table made from the base of a bird bath and a pizza pan

Cool vintage chairs spray painted just the right colors.  Even cooler grand daughter.

Nina and Kathy, they have listened to all my moaning and groaning all summer long

That paddle in my grandsons hand is a bug zapper, I don't think there were any bugs on his mom

Dose this guy ever put his phone away???

instant garden bed, 8 clearance plants, 5 bags of mulch a couple of decorations.  We put this all in in less than an hour.

We still have a brick pile just much smaller.  The stool is what I cleaned all the bricks on so it has to stick around.

The end of the patio for now until we decide what to do with the stump.

Thrifted vanity chair, spray paint and when the fern wouldn't stay up right a couple of paint sticks to keep it level.

I put all my buckets and big pots of herbs around for color and scent.

junking finds

I have managed to hit a few rummage sales this year but I've been hitting it big at the Habitat for Humanity Restore where I volunteer lately.  Most of the prices are great and there is a high turnover on merchandise every week.

little tables $5 each just a little paint and repair on one of them and they will be great

Beautiful oak dresser mirror, AH's dresser needs one

what not shelf, paint it white and distress

this is the biggest colander I've ever seen, soon it will be a hanging planter

kitty yard art $1

perfect marriage

Sometime I find a great piece when junking and know exactly what I'll do with it.  This marriage of a glass candle stick and a gazing ball were just meant to be together.  Keep your eyes open, you never know when you'll find the perfect marriage of pieces.

rummage fun

This past weekend was our community yard sale.  I love the small town wide sales, so much fun without having to drive for miles.  I managed to fill my car twice for about $60, way more than I usually spend but I got some great buys.  Here are just a few.

wall shelf, just needs a clean up and new paint

heavy iron lamp.  I'll take out the wires and it will make a great place to hang a pot

I didn't count them but there are at least 25-30 little angels made of capiz shell and wire for $2

Service for eight dishes $15 with aqua.  No marks so if anyone knows what they are please contact me.

I didn't buy this, someone left it by my back door.  Great tin divided box.  When you have the junker rep, sometimes things just appear.

metal chandi. $4 I'll remove the wire and hang it outside with candles.  It's sitting on a fun bench $2 that will get a paint job.

5 spindles to be used for legs $1

I only showed you a tiny amount of goodies I got most of it is still in boxes and bags in my sun room waiting to be unwrapped.  Where else can you have this much fun for two days?

What is it?

I found this little stand at a show and even though I have no clue what it is I had to bring it home.  So far the guesses have been a coat holder for fairy clothes, an upside down plant holder and a very tall lightening rod. It's about 4' tall and the base is 8" across.  If you know please contact me.

curb shopping

We were driving down one of the busiest streets in the big city when I saw this table on the curb.  I had AH go around the block and park around the corner.  I checked it out then went to the door and politely asked the man if he was giving it away.  He said yes so I drug it to the car and we shoved it inside.  We were down the road in less than 5 minutes.  The table is a wood base with an enameled top.  It is filthy but as soon as it warms up again I'll clean it up and it will be perfect.  Always keep your eyes wide open, you never know when you could come upon a treasure.

Already being put to use outside

Idea store finds

I made a quick trip to my favorite store yesterday.  It's called the idea store for good reason.  My imagination just takes over every time I go in there.  I spent just $5.00 for all these goodies.  Wood turned legs, maybe a stool or candle sticks.  chop sticks, I'm thinking the beginning of a star burst mirror.  Fabric crayons just because I've never tried them.  Added a pile of wooden spools just because they are cute and you don't see them much anymore.  Now I just need the time to go and create.  How do you find time to create?
The first  picture is because Callie kept telling me to take her pic on her most favorite thing, a freshly folded  basket of warm laundry.  Honest she would not move out of the basket or stop meowing until I took her picture.