You Oughta Love This Ottoman

Okay, you may not love it, but I am quite enamored with it.  Especially because it started out looking like this:

I painted the legs and distressed them and then recovered it in an old curtain panel of mine.  Sorry, I was so busy working I didn't take pictures of the recovering process.  I cut a reactangle larger than the piece and ironed under the edges.  I then stapled to the underside. 

The legs were tricky,  I had to cut the fabric and fold it under and use upholstery tacks because I couldn't remove the legs (they were attached well and I was worried they would break in pieces if I forced the issue).  I did a little pleat on the corners. 

I also put a piece of fabric on the underside to completely hide the nastiness of the original piece.  

I am quite pleased with the results and would keep it if I still had these colors, but alas, it will be sold.

Sunday Verses

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

--Romans 8:28

This verse may be familiar to you--it is one often shared with others when something bad happens.  As my pastor says, "We Romans 8:28 everything."  and I know I have used it many a time in difficult situations to give comfort.  What does it mean and what does a flower picture have to do with the verse?  I was thinking about how God can take dirt, something not so pretty, something that I don't enjoy this time of year because it comes in the form of mud, and an often ugly little seed, throw a little water and sunshine in and He comes up with beautiful, amazing flowers.  For those who love and follow God, He does the same thing for us.  He takes the ugly stuff, the dirt and creates good and beauty out of it.  He adds his touch, even to the things that seem impossible, horrific, deplorable and changes them into something good and beautiful.  Do you need the Master Gardener to do a little work in your life?  Let him.  Trust Him.  Believe that He can make everything come together for good.

Drop Your Drawers

...or pick them up to make a few fun things.  I made these two projects at my job at the Antique Barn.  Sorry, these are quick photos I took, they aren't staged all cute.  I started with 2 fabulous older, solid drawers.  I sanded then some, to get some of the crusty stuff off, but tried to leave some of the crackle finish that was oh so drool worthy.  I painted 1 yellow and one white.

To the yellow one I added legs painted grey.  I first glued the legs to make attaching them easier.  When the glue was good and dry, I used 2 long screws through the drawer bottom to secure them.  I then made a barnwood top that I brushed some yellow and grey on.  I added two boards to the inside lid to keep the lids secure and so they don't slide around.  Sanded and stained everything and ended up with a great little side table with storage, perfect size for next to a couch.

I added a barnwood top to this one too and a rusty handle and casters.  I could see this under a coffee table, great storage piece.

Find more fun ideas at Funky Junk Interiors! and at Shanty 2 Chic! and at Tatertots and Jello!

Under $100 Linky Party

Bloggers are...industrious, creative, generous, sweet, and all around amazing!  Give yourself a pat on the back for being so fabulous.  Speaking of fabulous, check out these bloggers:

A Very Dandoislion Life upcycled a little drawer into a great spring display--love the yellow.

High Fructose Craft was inspired to make this cute vintage lunch tray picture display.

Modern Wivelyhood made an adorable PB flower wreath knockoff.

Lucy Designs made the cutest dragonflies from table legs and fan blades.

What a fun project to do with the kids from Red Ted Art's blog.

All Things Heart and Home shared a sweet bird nest project.

This recipe for jelly filled donut muffins from Singing With The Birds looks so scrumptious.

Finally, no picture but check out Organize It! for some great spring tips on paper clutter.

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!

A Tiskit, A Tasket, A Red and White Basket

How to line a basket 101:
Start with a basket and fabric.  This was an old picnic basket that I painted--it will be part of our junk fest giveaway.

 Measure the height of the basket, add a couple inches.  Remember height or write it down :).

Measure circumfrence of basket, add 3 or 4 inches.  Cut a piece of fabric the length and width of the circumfrence and height of basket.

Iron under the width or the short side of the fabric.

Start hot gluing the fabric.  Glue the ironed edge first.  Glue it with the right side in the basket, so that you are looking at the wrong side of the fabric.

Keep gluing around the basket.  The top edge can be a raw edge.

After you are done gluing, flip fabric inside the basket.

The edges will overlap.  You can secure them with hot glue and secure the fabric in a few places in the bottom of the basket with hot glue.

Trace around the bottom of the basket on a piece of cardboard (if you shop at Costco you will have a plethora of cardboard).

Okay, I forgot a picture or two here.  But, you cut out the cardboard a little bit smaller than what you traced and then cut out fabric to cover it.  Cover and glue the fabric on the cardboard and glue to the bottom of the basket.  Note the bit of embroidery in there, initials and the year '58.

You will have to check back mid June to see all the goodies we are stuffing this with for our 3rd annual junk-fest.

Under $100 Linky Party

My life will slow down someday, right?  But, not for the next few weeks I am afraid--thanks for you patience with sparse postings, thanks for linking up and linking back to me, for commenting on other's blogs, and for being you!  Here are some links you may have missed last week:

An adorable nursery alphabet from Kara's Korner.

Love this driftwood sunburst wreath from The Little Apartment.

How fun is this pink credenza from Chrissie's Collections?

Brown sugar pound cake with caramel glaze from Singing With the Birds, YUM!

I will be trying this tute on making your own wire baskets from The Blissfully Content Life.

And the sweet little chair from Primp makes me smile!

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!

Sunday Verses

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and

hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will
clap their hands.
Isiah 55:12

Last night was my son's senior prom.  He went with a group of 12 couples, all mostly just friends.  Most of these kids, especially the boys have all been in youth group together for years.  We parents made them dinner, an amazing spread that included prime rib, pasta, salads, cheesecake, and much more.  It was so  fun, the kids had a blast and were full of much joy, as you can see from this enthusiastic picture. Their exuberance and joy spilled over to the stressed out parents.  Just think if each day you were led by joy, joy that made you want to jump, joy that spilled over to those around you, how would your life be different?  I realize there are many things that zap our joy--worries over money, illness, broken relationships.  But my challenge to you this week is to go out in joy and let your actions be led by peace, what could it hurt, right?  Oh, and don't forget to do a little jumping too!

Ski Montana, Vintage Style

Inspired by vintage ski posters, I painted this sign on a few old wood boards.

I free handed the design, not perfect by any means, but I love the vintage feel. 

I still may add hooks to the bottom, you know I love a good coat hanger. 

 Find more ideas at Funky Junk Interiors.

Under $100 Linky Party

What a fun surprise to get home from vacation and see so many wonderful links.  It was like a gift waiting for me.  Here are some of last week's "presents"!

Rustic Renditions prettied up some basic books.

A Turtle's Life For Me shared an EASY no sew Easter pillow.

My heart went pitter patter at the sight of Homeroad's junky memo board.

Can you believe this classy looking headband holder from Designer Garden started life as an oatmeal container?

Serendipity Chic Designs shared the greatest little table made from scraps.

This globe repurpose from Vintage Skye is simply delightful.

this corn and black bean salad from Rhinestone Beagle looks not only delicious, but healthy too!

Looking forward to seeing what you have been up to this week! 

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!