Primitive Ladder Shelf

I had three primitive ladders that were setting around and thought what to do with them?  I wanted to make a shelf but I was limited by my lack of wood for the shelves.  I found three wall shelves and decided that they would be perfect to use leaving only the top shelf to provide for.  I had a wire basket that I found at an estate sale last summer and sure enough it fit perfectly. I just had to spray paint it black because it was an ugly white.  I had a nice decorative piece I tacked to the top to add some flair and there you have it.  It is a nice skinny tall shelf that could hold books, collectibles, or whatever your heart desires.  So in the process I used up some pieces that have been collecting dust and created a useful shelf.

Old Scale

I had this old rusty worn scale and tried to sell it as it was because I thought it was awesome. But alas no one was interested in it as it was.  My policy is to try to leave things as they are unless no one wants to claim them then I step in and give them a second chance to be loved.

I merely mounted a metal dish to the top of the scale that I painted black so that it would stand out and accent the rusty goodness of the scale. I was perfectly happy with the rust and I thought that the bowl would give it a utilitarian purpose and would be a super decorator piece.

You can see that I found many uses for the rusty old scale and am so pleased that it now has a purpose!

High Chair Remake

I got this high chair a long time ago, I don't think it was very old and but I liked it. It was missing the tray but I thought I could resell it "as is" and someone would be interested in it for display. A nice doll or teddy bear I was thinking but I guess I was the only one that thought that.  The chair sat there for 2 years no nibbles so I decided that I would take it home and give it a make-over.

I decided to go all out and went through my stash of goods to see what I could partner up with this great little chair and give it a chance to be a part of modern decor but keep a trace of the vintage charm.

I attached a found mirror and some shutters to the top and an old door top to the chair handles.  Next I attached some boards so I could give it drawers.  It is a very one of a kind piece and it sold right away.  It makes a nice display piece and doesn't take up much room. 

 I added a tin tile I had to the back as a drawer stop and accent.  I painted the whole thing white and sanded it up so it looked worn.  Who can figure, I put a pile of stuff out in the middle of the room and just start hooking it all together and then sell it. What fun. I am thankful that there are people that see things as I do and expand there minds to decorate with the unusual.

Got the Scoop

I bought this set of scoops for 2.99 at a thrift store.  They were stained and dated looking so I gave them a make over.  I painted them black sanded the edges and then stenciled numbers on them.

I like their new look. Number art is very popular right now and I think these will fit in with a primitive or a shabby decor.

Little Cupboard Rescue

It has been a while since my last post. My Mother had knee replacement surgery and I was her go-to girl! I stayed with her during her recovery and we had some fun chatting and knitting, some real quality girl time. She has recovered so very well due to the wonderful people that held her up in prayer, a real miracle!

Today I am posting a piece I actually got done before I left to care for my mother.  I just didn't have the time to post it and Mom doesn't have Internet at her house. I realized how much of a princess I really am, I had to do with out the Net, Dish, and air conditioning, but I made it! yeah!

Back to the project, I found this medium sized shelf at the thrift store and brought it home to my hoarder's studio. It had some challenges:

1. Dark stain
2. Top came unglued (I can relate to that one!)
3. No front door to shut!
4. Sides on the front curved making it hard to attach a door.

I found an old picture frame that fit perfectly for the door and then cut a door paned out of some thin plywood for the door center.  I cut down some boards for side pieces so I had something to attach my door to and attached that to the cupboard with some old rusty hinges from my stash. When I re purpose I never throw away old hardware that I take off form my finds, it always comes in handy on another project later on

Next I got busy priming the piece with my reliable friend-Bonding Primer that I have grown to love so well.  Then I painted on a coat of white and trimmed the door and base with my own special mixed Paris gray.  I next painted the designs and stained the entire piece. 

It took me some time to find all the right stuff to make this piece happen but overall it was well worth it.  When I got the painting all finished I realized I needed a magnetic door closure and didn't have one. So naturally I snagged one from one of my own cupboards to make due until I made a trip to town!  It never fails that I lack some small item that I need to finish and with gas so high I have to become even more inventive at times.  Some people play vid games to help keep their minds sharp.  At age 55 I prefer hunting treasure and creating something new and interesting while saving one more thing from become a cast away!

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.

Graceful Garden Tables

 What do you get when you take two old cupboard doors, two shutter door, two sets of table legs, and two sewing drawers?  Two prim garden tables of course!!!!   I just love to take stuff that is sitting around my store room and create decorative pieces.   I also took rusty barn stars and attached them to the front for just a little more pizzaz.  Check out the table on the left, the vine cage I bought on clearance for 2.00 and put it on a metal stand I found for cheap, too cool. I am working on a real cool chair for next week and I can't wait to post it to see what you think!

A Suitable Match

I have been buying every suitcase I find lately.  I found this round one and thought why not, I will buy anything once and give it a go. I had a stool already that had its top replaced with particle board which isn't the best looking so I thought perfect!  I painted the bottom white and the top blue.  I the case to the stool with some screws and glue.  The last one of these I made I used the tradition type suitcase and it sold the first day I put it in my booth, we'll see if this one gets the same reception!

This is a better shot of my dear companion Fred.  I bought him at a flea market too. He was a bargain, he was for sale for 25.00 but because I bought his sister to I got a "two-fer" that is two-fer 40.00! lol I told you I love a bargain!

Love Birds

I actually took before pictures of this !!!!!!!!!!! I am so proud of myself.  This was an old television cupboard from the 70's I bought for 5.00 from a thrift store.  I immediately fell in love with it because of the shutter doors. The back was all broken out where they removed the TV  but it didn't matter to me all I could  see was new colors and birds and a pretty new paint job!

I wish I could find ten more of these !

Garden Table

I went to the Re Store in Greenville the other day and found a really nice door for 5.00- most of the things there are out of my price range but this door was just right.  It was probably once part of a bi-fold closet door in some one's bedroom.  I love making garden tables I have made several and the best thing is you start with a discarded door and just keep adding things.  Right off the bat I knew that I would use two other doors and a drawer making my masterpiece.  I put them all together and started painting away very pleased with the progress and yet it still needed something.  All I had to do was look up....hmmm heard that before and it is always the truth.  When in doubt look up! Well this was no exception for hanging on the wall was a chair shelf I had made some time ago.  I love taking old chairs that don't have all their legs and chop them up some more and make them into shelves. You can buy reproduction ones at the fancy decorating stores but nothing beats a vintage farm chair hanging on the wall piled high with delightful treasures. 

This particular chair shelf had been waiting for just the right time to make its debut.  I needed something to complete this project and I knew that this was just what I was looking for. You know how they say Necessity is the Mother of Invention, she is my BFF we are inseparable.  As you can see the chair was a perfect fit.  I did add another drawer on a shelf on the bottom half, you can never have too many places to stash wonderful things.

This is the chair shelf I have hanging in my house.  I thought I would post this picture so you could see another chair shelf I made.