Throwback Thursday

I have been blogging for 5 years?

5 years? Really?  My how time flies when you are having fun.

I like to look back at my beginning posts.  Oh, the pictures were so bad (they still aren't great, but I do try!).  But, the projects were fun and decent and me.  

One such project was this cabinet I made from old wood and a drawer.

I made a door from the old wood

and then added some shelves, croquet balls for feet, and a croquet stick for a handle and "crown molding".

I do recall attaching those feet was tough, but worth the effort.  Hmmm, I have some newly acquired drawers and a croquet set in the garage...

Industrial Barnwood Side Table

An overhead projector?  What is that?

This is what my daughter asked me when I told her that this little cart most likely held an overhead projector.  I didn't even have the luxury of having an overhead my first years teaching and now kids don't even know what they are because they are so old.

Sigh...But the new technology means these little carts are obsolete.  When I spied one at the thrift store I knew it would be perfect for a side table.

Some paint (I used Chalk Paint as my first coat--the red so thr paint adhered well to the metal.)

and a barnwood top secured with screws from the underside

transformed this out of date school fixture

into a fun rolling table.  A bonus is the height can be adjusted.   

Find more ideas at A Stroll Through Life

Sunday Verses

Meet Scrappy

Scrappy is a good puppy,

energetic and happy.

He likes to run and play,

and make you smile every day!

Find more ideas at Donna's

Home and Family Shout Out

My pallet bench tutorial finally got a shout out on the Hallmark's Home and Family Show.  They shared the wrong blog address, but oh well!  I have asked them to change it on the web page.  It was still fun to hear it mentioned!

Chippy, Happy Chair

Color makes me happy.

It reminds of wonderful things such as the ocean and the beach, Mexico or the Caribbean, the mountains and streams--happy places.

This "wood-upholstered" chair puts a smile on my face.

It is whimsical and fresh, something it definitely wasn't when I started.  I forgot a before picture, but it was blonde, scratched wood with a plastic covered, fabric seat.  

Now it is cheery and invites you to have a seat.

The back of the chair was already the two wood pieces so I just painted each one a different color.

Have a seat, I will get you a margarita.

Sunday Verses

New to Me

Where have you been all my life?  That is the question I sometimes ask myself when I find a blog that is new to me.  Such was the case when I discovered The PORCH and Antelier.  I am not sure I even know what that means, but her pictures and vingettes inspire me.

They make me want to breathe deeply

and take in their loveliness.  The pictures are small, but you can click on them and view them larger.

some many fun ideas if you take the time to peek in the corners and under things.

Check her out today!

4th of July Decor

Love this simple holiday decor from Itsy Bits and Pieces

simple, sweet, not over the top! How do you decorate for the 4th?

You Have Questions!

I am in the woods somewhere, by a lake, "roughing" it...

Thought it would be a great time to answer some of your questions.  Number one question still is, "What paint technique did you use?"  Refer to this post:

And what colors do I use?  I change them all the time--mix and match.  My best advice is to peruse the paint chips at your favorite paint store.

Where do you get your wood/ barnwood?  Much of the wood I use is from pallets--find pallets at hardware stores, cart part places, plumbing supply.

I was blessed to be given a few lovely loads of barnwood from a friend.  If you are not so lucky, find different friends ;)!  You can search the countryside for falling down buildings and ask the owner for the wood--some will give it to you for a fee, some are happy to have you remove the dilapidated building.

Also be on the look out for fences coming down--cedar stains beautifully,

or old play structures/ swingsets.

How did you build that?  Almost all of my construction is simple and easy and starts with a 2x4 rectangle.  Check out my tutorials listed above--once you build one or two, your creativity will soar.

How did you letter that?  Some simple signs are hand lettered,

Sometimes I use pencil or chalk to transfer the design as I show here

Sometimes I use stencils

And sometimes I use vinyl on my cricut like in this prayer sign.

Hope that answers a few questions--I know you will have more!  Happy Day!