Everyday is a gift, that’s why they call it the present.

The pictures below are of some things that I had the great fortune to find.  Nothing special just validating that everything has value and purpose.  I am often reminded each day that we were put on this earth for a special reason.  We were uniquely created and meant to use whatever talents Our Creator gave to us, presents or gifts to bless the lives of others.  It is no secret that I am delighted in taking the old and making it new and useful and our Awesome God does the same for us when we become his children. 

Old Shutter with wicker pouch painted blue.

Miscellaneous items pained silver and blue.

Crazy feather flowers that I couldn't resist!

When Life Gives You Junk........

If you have ever heard the saying "When life gives you lemons make lemon aid" when times get rough.  Another is the glass half full or half empty? Well I apply that to most everything in my life when possible but especially when it comes to found objects.  I always say, "When life gives you junk, make something beautiful out of it and drink up because the glass is over flowing!"    I went to one of my favorite stores to look for something different to work on.  I found two handmade totes for 3.00.  One had a handle to top and the other didn't, perfect!   I could see them stacked and separated by some spindles I had in a box at home. Needless to say I hurried home and got to work.  I decided that the tote was missing something and added a stool for a base.  I an not a wood worker as you well know from viewing my postings but I do love to put things together and slap a coat of paint on it and it doesn't hurt anyone so what the heck. I figure this tote will come in real handy for someone to put magazines, mail, or handwork in.  If this piece had cheeks I would be pinching them right now I think it is so dear...okay overboard but I am passionate about what I do.....

Drop your Drawers Here

February is turning out to be a wonderful month, we are having a very mild winter here in Michigan and I love it.  It makes it nice for treasure hunting too.  On one of my last trips I came across four old drawers and a discarded bench. 

I saw the drawers and just had to have them.  The price was right ...free... my favorite!   I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them.  You see I am the kind of person or quasi-artist that creates as I go along, whatever the catch of the day becomes my medium.  It took me a little longer to put the piece together but take a look and see what you think, it came out just as I envisioned it would.

I used an old door panel for the lid and had to replace the drawer handles because one was missing. I added side and top handles too.  I painted it winter white and used a new method of staining it which I must say worked super and saved me some time.   Funny thing when I went back to the place where I got the drawers I found one more, being that this project was already completed how could I resist the remaining drawer, not possible.  So I am sure in the near future the fifth drawer will  surface and become a creation.

Key Purpose

Keys are very much  in fashion whether it be jewelry or wall art they are everywhere. I found a large key at the flea market last summer and have been hanging on to it for just the right project.  I bought a frame at the thrift store some time ago and thought it was time to get the two together.  The problem was I forgot where I stashed the key.  It did not detour me in the least, paint it and it will come or surface in my case.  I painting the frame a dark brown over the original color and then started to paint blue and white over that while each coat was still a bit wet.  I like the smudgy look and yes that is a word !
I used some script paper and a vintage image I got out of my files for embellishments. As I figured all along by the time the frame was done I found the key in my night stand, its all good!  All I wonder now is what did that big old key open............

Gathering Table

I love nothing better than hunting around a garage full of junk. One day I was doing just that and found a wire basket probably from a freezer or refrigerator mounted on a piece of plywood.  I was inspired by the simple fact that it was mounted to plywood, it got the wheels in my head spinning with possibilities (I am literally dizzy now just thinking about it).  I promptly loaded up the basket in my car and continued my walk through the garden of junk or Eden in my case, junk makes my heart race.  I saw in  the corner buried underneath a myriad of broken chairs a changing table that was falling apart. A match made in heaven -in my overactive imagination anyways.

I took both of my new found treasures home and let the fun begin.  I mounted old doors to the top and the bottom, remember in my last post I stated up front ....never enough doors.....I am not in denial!

I painted the whole piece white and stanined it with some Min Wax and there you have it another discarded item given a second chance to please from the mind of a simple country girl!

Paris Hotel Wash Stand

Well this stand is pretty self explanitory.  I had an old wash stand collecting dust in my store room and thought it was time to give a chace to be loved.  I added an old door and there your have it a catch all for more than just dust. I always say you can never have enough old doors laying around waiting to be stenciled and attached to something old. 

Joyful Bird Table

I love birds and thought it was time to paint another table and plaster it with birds. I have done other pieces in the past with birds and they sell right away but that isn't why I totally painted this table with birds it just looked like a table that needed birds. I wanted to use some colors that I hadn't used before and decided on brown with green. I painted the top with an undercoat of brown so the brown shows through on some of the brush strokes.

I found an ornamental pull and painted that green and attached it to the front to add some interest to the piece. I am not sure if you can see it in the picture, the front is wider than the back.   I am still working on my photography skills and didn't think the picture told enough of the story so goes the explanation. Anyways I like the colors and the birds so I am a happy camper today.