Reclaimed Mannequin

I went to the flea market on Memorial Day and found this great mannequin form for 2.00.  It was cracked in several places but I love mannequins and just had to have it. I knew immediately what I was going to do with it. My mind never stops when I am at a flea market the problem is the rest of me can't keep up ( that is why it took a month to get to this project).  I patched up the cracks with some plaster wrap and went on to the next step.

I took an old door panel I had and primed it and then painted it dove grey.

Next I covered the entire mannequin in plaster wrap.

This is the stuff that every kid in school makes a mask out of in art class. It is the best stuff ever. I know I could have made my own plaster wrap but with this piece I wanted the wrapping to give it more stability and stick to the plastic mannequin.  Sometime you have to go the distance and pay the man.  I just ordered some more on line from Jo Ann fabrics. They sent me an email for 50% off one item and free shipping...cha-ching! I got the 5 pound box! Can't wait to make the wings I have planned!

I put a board up the back so I would have something I could screw to the door panel

Here is the finished piece. I really like it. After the plaster wrap dried I covered the mannequin in vintage magazine pages. I used some brown paper for the sash and the gold wings are some I just had on hand from another find. I made the roses out of an old quilt and other fabrics.  The star is an old ornament reflector and I used black tulle to make a skirt.  I put some trim around the waist with pre-made roses. (Can you see the purse to the right of the mannequin? I am working on that and will post it later on).

Paris Stool

This is a cool little trunk that I mounted on a study little stool.  I decoupaged some graphics to the top and one the inside where there used to be a mirror. I don't have good luck with glass stuff so I opted to go with graphics instead of replacing the mirror.

End of the Month Projects

Saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it would be fun to make. I found a spoon holder painted it white. Then I sanded the edges to make it look worn and pasted a post card on the top.  The post card came from my clip are file. I happen to have some old hankies to finish it off.

This is just a little crock I picked up and then modge podged a pretty label to.

On the left you can se this great looking wooden owl I bought for a buck. It was very dated looking with the pinecones and funny looking base. I painted the owl a metalic silver and then with a wash of black.  I mounted him onto an old bunson burner I picked up at a flea maket. I figured he would be really cool at Halloween he is so ready to keep watch over a fall brew!

This sign is a door panel and a carved fish that I had. I added some netting to set it off. I think it would be super in a man cave!

Subway Art Table Restore

This is a table I got free from a really nice guy. He gave me several things to remake. It was missing the glass top so I pieced the top together using some boards I had in my stock pile.



Subway Art Table Finished.


I painted the main part a dove gray and then just started using the colors I had that I mixed to fill in the top.  I used mainly stencils that I already had and just had a real good time filling in the blanks on this piece.

Trust Bench

This has been a super busy week. I had training for all new computer programs at the Township where I work. Yesterday my head was swimming and I was ever so grateful to be able to treasure hunt today.  I hit one really great sale and got some really cool things that I will post later on.  Today I am posting the other half of the bench from last week

This is what I started out with a very long bench that was all tattered and torn.  I decided to remove the end cap from the half that I worked on this week so the I could keep the piece uniform.  I then had to cut the bench down just a bit more to make it the size I wanted.  I had purchased 2 tables so I could use one with each half so I was pretty well set on how I was going to assemble my bench.

This is the bench from last week just so you can see how different they turned out.

 This bench began from some very humble beginnings, my favorite kind of project.  I attached the bench top to the table with some carriage bolts and then painted the whole piece in a gray blue.  After that dried I added the flag to the upper portion of the bench.

Next I added the word phrase using a stencil that I had.

I really like this saying and really do believe that hard work and trust in God is the key to a happy life.

I took the bench into the shop today and put it in my booth. I won't be at all disappointed if it doesn't sell, I will just bring it back and put it on my porch!!!!!!!!!! Fingers crossed, I give it 2 weeks and it is mine! LOL

Painted Stuff

 I love old drawers that came from old sewing machine cabinets.  I bought a ton of them several years ago and these are the last of them.  They were cut apart from the original cabinet and I just gave them a top and some paint.

 This is a nice old table I bought for 2 bucks and painted blue. I decided to leave the folding chairs as they were because they had some great lettering on them.  I painted the basket antique white and filled it with dried hydrangeas.

 This is another one of my garden chairs. I bought four of them this is number three, one left to go.  I just decorate them with whatever I grab out of my stash boxes.  I love the blue twig heart planter I attached to the top. 

Red White and Blue

I always make an arrangement for the waiting room at my work and usually try to make is seasonal. I love using things from my stash to make unique decorations.  I had this old crate and a set of 2 wheels that was enough to get me going. Next I found the red legs that really used to hold a shelf, I only got the braces to the shelf but I knew they were useful so it was all good and here I was able to prove my theory correct.  I just had to cut a little piece to make a bar handle and I nailed that on. I think it is cute enough to be on the cover of Country Sampler!

 Here is an old box I painted and stenciled on the word "needfuls" and a wood wagon I bought for 2 bucks and painted patriotic. I am in my fourth of July mode now, patriotic never goes out of style as far as I am concerned!

I went to a yard sale a couple of weeks ago and found this great vintage Coleman cooler. I thought it was really cool and would be great to put my groceries in this summer until I get home from the store. It gets so hot in my car now that my AC is out!!!!!

I primed and painted it and gave it 2 coats of top coatI really like it, the best part is that it is vintage! I left the little Coleman tag on the top just for fun.

Church Bench Make-over

I went the shop to deliver some things to my booth one fine Saturday and the owner of the shop told me that he wanted to get rid of this old church bench he had sitting out in front of his shop.  It hadn't sold in 2 years and the finish was shot and he was just sick of it.  He said Catherine, you might as well take it home and give it a make-over. I know I heard my husband groan but I told him that it was just fate that he was with me and that he had the truck.  He still wasn't convinced so I laid on the how I do all the laundry, cooking, cleaning,and work 2 jobs and I had him. I don't like to resort to those tactics but it was necessary, this was a free church bench for goodness sake!

The bench was in pretty rough shape and the veneer was peeling, one of the end pieces was missing, and the legs where broken too.  So I begged my dear sweet loving husband to cut the bench in half and then I would take over from there. He offered to make some end pieces for it but I didn't want to press my luck I might need him in the future and his truck and I felt I could take if from here.

I went to the thrift store one day and found 2 well built tables that I thought would be great to bolt my half bench to.  They were 4.99 less 10% (Senior discount...oh yeah, if I am old at least I can save some money so I can become an old lady hoarder).  Once again I was with my husband who still thought I was out of my mind I am sure, he hasn't committed me yet so I guess he figures there is still hope for me!

After some paint, glue, screws and a few miscellaneous parts I now have a little bench that is so solid I can hardly lift it.  I have the other half a bench to finish and I probably will give that one a different look.