Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Crackalicious

I have had this old dresser for several years--bought it as a garage sale.  It has been hanging out in manland in the basement, holding video games and apparently, dirty dishes.  I decided it would be much happier in someone else's home, where it would be loved rather than ignored and abused.  The lovely crackle finish on it just can't be duplicated.
 I gave it a light sanding--there were cream, dark green and a peachy tan paint layers--and then added a coat of turquoise, sanded that and added stain to bring out all of those beautiful crackles.

Excuse all of the pictures of this baby, she just is too beautiful to not show all of them.

 I did add a mirror as the original piece did have one, based on the ledge on the back of the top.  I also added the glass knobs because I only had half of the original wood ones.  This darling is an oldie--made with square nails.  Now she awaits a new owner...sigh.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Motivated Mondays--Getting Creative With Message Boards

Okay, so I am giving up on a linky party sharing what you have done based on my Motivated Monday challenge--it just confused too many folks.  However, I hope you will still do the challenge, let me know and I promise to feature you :)!  This week's Motivated Monday challenge came from what I am working on right now, a message center.  It is not quite ready to show you, but here are a few examples of other ones I have made:
 This one was made from old fence boards, a freezer basket, the outside of a thermos, and a small metal bucket.

This one was made from an old screen door with a sewing machine drawer for mail and garden fencing to hold magazines and letters.
Here is one using an old ironing board with an enamel refrigerator lid for a magnet board and a measuring cup to hold chalk.
A locker basket and old hardware drawer were added to this ladder message center.
And this one had a freezer juice holder as a mail keeper and coat hooks and collapsible metal cups for pens and pencils.

The fun part for me is collecting the various items to use on these message boards.  What will hold mail, notes, keys, etc.?   Here is your challenge--create a message board using items in a different way than originally intended.  Collect and gather--look for something for a magnet board, something for hooks, something to hold mail and pens or scissors.  What will you attach all these to or what will be your backboard?  Get funky, think outside the box, create, and most importantly, have fun!  If you do this challenge, please let me know--I'd love to show it off!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Sunday Verses

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; 
I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Friday, January 27, 2012

Rolling Along

Remember this sketch
rolling cart storage scrap reclaimed wood http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/01/rolling-along.html
inspired by this?
rolling cart storage scrap reclaimed wood http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/01/rolling-along.html
I made my own version of it, quite different from the original, but inspired nonetheless.
rolling cart storage scrap reclaimed wood http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/01/rolling-along.html
I used plywood (sand well to avoid splinters) and 2x4's, some paint colors I love, stain.
rolling cart storage scrap reclaimed wood http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/01/rolling-along.html
I had to think a bit about the construction of this, mechanically minded I am not.  I am so sorry I do not stop and grab my camera when I am in the process--I just get in the zone.  I will try to explain it: I screwed down through the top of each square plywood into the 2x4's, making sure to countersink the screws.  I then stacked them and drilled through the 2x4 at an angle on the inside--if you look closely you can see the screws.  There is a probably a better way to do this, but this is what worked for me.
rolling cart storage scrap reclaimed wood http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/01/rolling-along.html
I added some wheels, some feet would work too, but I liked the industrial look the wheels gave it.
rolling cart storage scrap reclaimed wood http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/01/rolling-along.html
Find more ideas at Miss Mustard Seed's , My Repurposed Life
Finding Fabulous at Funky Junk Interiors and at French Country Cottage and at

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Under $100 Linky Party

Stir crazy?  Have the winter blues?  I have the opposite--the lack of winter blues.  Montana was recently dumped on with FEET of snow, except where we live.  It would cloud up, and then the clouds would part, the sun would reappear, and nothing.  Winter lover for nine months I am not, but goodness, I live in Montana after all, I do want some snow, some winter.  I guess on the positive side, the garage has been more bearable to work and driving is good.  How about you?  Do you like winter, want more?  Does winter bring out your creative side or is it harder to create when it is cold?  Many of you have certainly been busy, such as:
Shabby Love's pallet table for kids is perfect!
I love the pop of color Fab Rehab Creations added with these stripes on a bench.
Photobucket
If you do have snow, Burton Ave. shared a great way to store your snow gear.
Confessions of a DIYaholoic redid a chair with a fabulous fabric and homemade chalk paint.
Owl bet Oskar and Owlivia's  little guy loves his nursery--I sure do.
A little paint and fabric was all it took for Too Much Time on my Hands to transform these outdated chairs.

What a chic ruffled ribbon pillow from Adventures of our Family and she gives a great tutorial for it.
IMG_1771

Thanks for linking up and for sharing you with us :) !!
Under $100 Linky Guidelines:
1. Please link to the specific post, not your blog!
2. Please only post ideas that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you share the cost of your project, but not necessary.3. Please include a brief description in link up.
4. Grab my Under $100 button on the sidebar and include it in your post or a link to Beyond the Picket Fence so people can find you and more great ideas.
5. Please check and make sure your link works. If it doesn't you can delete it and try again.
6. Please no direct links to sales sites, i.e. ETSY or just a plain ol' commercial site, we are looking for inexpensive ideas we can recreate, thanks!


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Door Knobilicious!

Using a section of a paneled door that I cut up MANY years ago to make a trunk (I think??), I made a coat hook with 4 fun and different vintage door knobs.
 The color as well as the doorplate were the originals, with a little sanding and stain added.
 And the live simply just needed to be there.
Linking up at Restore Interiors and at My Repurposed Life and

Monday, January 23, 2012

Motivated Mondays

 *STOP--Before you link up, PLEASE read and see what THIS linky party is about--thanks so much!!
I have been good about following my blogging resolution to prepare posts ahead of time...except today.  I did not get my motivated Monday post ready and do not have the time to do so :(.  But, I am going to still post the motivated Monday linky for you to share if you have done one of the challenges.
 The first challenge posted HERE is about using a common item in a new way or the second challenge posted HERE--using a magazine to springboard a new idea!  REMEMBER, this is NOT my Under $100 Linky Party--that goes up on Wednesday nights--THANKS!


Sunday, January 22, 2012

Sunday Verses

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

Friday, January 20, 2012

Cupboard Door Turned Sofa Table

I have had this, what I presume large cupboard door for quite a few years.  I picked it up off a pile of roadside trash and it has been living its life as a place to store things on top of in the garage rafters.  I pulled her down and did a preliminary sanding.  I was overjoyed to find orange and turquoise/old time green underneath.
I built a base from 2x4's, and a lot of sanding later (the top coat must have been good enamel), some stain and I had a great sofa/entry/buffet table.


 The lines or striations are from the wood (?) grain, I like them :). If I had been making this for me, the legs would be orange or turquoise, but this one is for sale and I think the stained legs with the fun top will sell better.

Find more fun ideas at Donna's Funky Junk Interiors! and at

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Under $100 Linky Party

Ah, sitting here, under a blanket, drinking a caramel latte (no doubt 5000 calories!), watching it bluster out--I love blogging!  For those of you who aren't, or perhaps are regular readers of my blog, I have started a new feature on Mondays to motivate you to do something different, get you out of your comfort zone.  I will often have linky parties on Mondays for you to show off what you did if you take on the challenge or assignment I give you.

I must say, this past Monday confirmed what I have suspected for a long time--many of us do not take the time to actually read blog posts, we just like to look at the pictures.  I am NOT pointing any fingers, I have been plenty guilty of this and it made me laugh.  So, sorry if I confused any of you.  Monday linky parties will pertain to my motivated Monday posts, Thursday's (ok, Wednesday night's) linky parties will be all about your fabulous under $100 ideas, like these:
At Home With K has been working on a mudroom makeover, like those doors!
This balsamic pork sandwich from Changing My Destiny makes my mouth water.
Balsamic Pork Sandwich with Cilantro Cabbage
Twiggy Studio shared a sweet Valentine pillow.
I have tried to get over red, but how can you with pieces like this from The Salvage Collection.
Fab Rehab Creations made a cozy daybed.
Photobucket
I love a good ladder as you know, Homeroad made a  fantastic craft organizer with one.

Meg and Mum's roadside rescue turned out beautifully.
 


Thanks for linking up and for sharing you with us :) !!
Under $100 Linky Guidelines:
1. Please link to the specific post, not your blog!
2. Please only post ideas that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you share the cost of your project, but not necessary.3. Please include a brief description in link up.
4. Grab my Under $100 button on the sidebar and include it in your post or a link to Beyond the Picket Fence so people can find you and more great ideas.
5. Please check and make sure your link works. If it doesn't you can delete it and try again.
6. Please no direct links to sales sites, i.e. ETSY or just a plain ol' commercial site, we are looking for inexpensive ideas we can recreate, thanks!