Dumpster Diving #4

 Not long ago someone called me to tell me they saw a table in the ditch near my house.  When you love junk people start calling you to rescue it.  I went to find it and it was in bad shape.  The top was fiberboard and was standing in about three inches of water.  The legs were dry and wooden.

 When I got it home I realized the legs were in good shape but the top was a mess.  Also there was a lot of duct tape on the bottom. The duct tape had not been holding the table together. My mind raced at what had been taped under the table.  But alas this table is not talking.  I decided the top could not be saved so off it came.

 The base was sturdy and a great size and all it needed was a top.  Off to the junky garage for that.

I found just the right cabinet door.  I got it in Waco, Tx at the Restore for a dollar. It had just been waiting for these legs. A couple of screws, some paint and it will be a beauty.
Before I reveal the finished table I have to tell you my motivation.  I was not painting this table for me or anyone else.  I just painted it for fun.  One of my dreams is to have a three story beach house and the third floor will be devoted to my grandchildren.  Let me set the record straight I have no beach house and no grandchildren but a girl can dream. This open space will have red lacquered beds with all white bedspreads and a circle of big overstuffed chairs in the middle of the room so we and read and talk into the night. Imagine the chair below in red and white stripes.

So when I was painting this table I painted it for my imaginary beach house.

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This is a cute little stool that I traded some signs for.  I love it.  The top needs some love but the base is fabulous.

I partied somewhere new this week: http://www.finecraftguild.com/  Make sure you check it out!

Party Links:   http://www.posedperfection.com/

http://missmustardseed.com/2013/09/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-link-party-11/
http://minettesmaze.blogspot.com/http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

I love maps and Mod Podge!

Sometimes when you are in a crafty state of mind you repurpose or redo something on the spur of the moment and you love the way it turns out.  A couple of weeks ago I was having a crafting Saturday with craftdictator.blogspot.com and we were using an old Atlas that I had bought at an estate sale.
I went upstairs to get something and in the closet I saw an old tub that I had not used in a couple of years.  The inside needed cleaning and painting.  The outside had some imperfections that paint could not cover.  That is when the maps came to the rescue.  I decoupaged the outside with maps. I am really happy with the way it turned out.

Step one: round up some junk to redo.  I found an old tub and a Christmas tray (metal).
Step two: find some spray paint in my junky garage and go to work.

Step three: decide what wonderful old maps to decoupage on the tub and tray.  This was the hardest part of the process.

                                                                            The tub!

                                    I love maps and Mod Podge!
                            I am showing off at:
http://www.glitterglueandpaint.com/throwback-thursday-5/
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/a-treasured-heirloom/
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/
http://www.familyhomeandlife.com/
Love this one!
Party Time at The 36th Avenue, Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home, Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage, Share Your Cup Party at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, Hookin' Up with HOH at House of Hepworths, Talkin' about Thursday at Designed Decor, Live Laugh Linky at Live Laugh Rowe, Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life, The Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush, Made U Look Linky at Made in a Day, Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse, Catch as Catch Can at My Repurposed Life, Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage, Catch a Glimpse Party at A Glimpse Inside, 52 Mantels, Creative Inspirations Linky Party at Embracing Change, Simply Create Link Party at Redfly Creations, What To Do Weekends at Crafts a la Mode

Beach Table

                                                    This is the latest thing to pop into my
                                                     head.  Last week we met friends at the
                                                     beach and I wanted to make something
                                                     for my friend Jan for her birthday.

                                          It started with this cute tray that I found at Goodwill
                                          for only twenty five cents.  I originally was going to
                                          paint it and put it on a pedestal (6inches or so). I thought
                                          it would be cute with fruit in it.  But then I saw a beach
                                          table at Academy and completely changed my mind.

                                                   I screwed a piece of wood onto a spindle
                                                   from the Dallas Restore. Then I glued and
                                                   screwed the tray to the base I had made.
                                                   Originally it was going to be green but
                                                    ended up a different color. 

                                                   We sunk it in the sand and it was used
                                                     all day.  I think Jan was impressed when
                                                     someone came by and wanted to buy it.

                                         HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this link party! You should check it out I have gotten so much inspiration from the posts I have seen there. Definitely worth your time.
 
http://www.mypersonalaccent.com/  is another blog party I love!!!!


                                     

Hall Tree

I completed this hall tree a few months ago.  It has been waiting to be painted but I have decided I may leave it white and antique it up a bit.  This piece would never have gotten made if I had any knowledge of how hard it was going to be to attach the separate pieces before I started.  I think I have told you that I don't have many tools. I have and ancient saw (which I will not take a picture of because if I looked at the picture I might realize I should not be using it), a drill and glue.  If a project needs more than that it is not for me. I came across the main part of this project at a junk store in Galveston, Texas.  I think it had been a porch post, but was burned on one end so who knows what its first life was. The top section was from a bed post that came out of some ones trash.  I used the top part in another project that I blogged about earlier.  The original post that I got in Galveston was too short so I decided to add the bed post to it.  The problem was how to do this.  I went to Lowes.  The person I talked to first said very nicely, "No way!".  I think he wanted to ask why I was let out on the "home for the insane", but he was to kind to do that. The second person told me about double sided screws. 

The one he suggested was about 6 inches long.  He could not really tell me how to use it, but thought it would work.  I came home and googled and basically found out that I needed to drill two holes and then attach the screw to one piece of wood and then the other.  About two weeks later I finally did that.  It was harder that it sounded.  The hall tree was now the correct height and all it needed was a base and arms. 

The base was made out of three pieces of scrap wood that I bought at the Restore.  I glued and bolted them together.  I then attached the base using another double sided screw.  It turned out to be very sturdy.  The final step was to add the arms. The arms were made of scrap pieces of spindles left over from other projects.  Again I used double sided screws to attach them.  I used wooden drawer knobs on the end of the arms to add interest and cover up my bad cutting job. I wish I had taken pictures of the process but I never thought I would finish so, no photos.  I may add some decorative hooks and paint it later.  If I do I will post pictures.
                                                       My first party!

http://www.glitterglueandpaint.com/throwback-thursday-4/

Orange Again!

I am continuing with the orange theme started last week.  I think it is such a great transitional color between summer and fall.  This was made out of some Goodwill finds.

These are some more of the finds from Goodwill.  I got them awhile back when they had a half off sale on their home goods.  I had sacks of great junk when I left that day.  I wanted to make a tall candlestick to go with a grouping in front of my fireplace.  I wanted something summery and light.
I used Gorilla Glue to put the parts together and painted it orange.

This is the finished grouping I made.  I have posted about the crosses that I make before.  The turquoise candle holders are made from vintage spindles.  This is the second set of these turquoise candle holders I have made and I still love them.