Reloved Window

I’ve always had a thing for old windows.  Years ago I dragged my dad out with his pick-up truck when a local nursery had changed out their windows and there was a stack of the oldies outside.  He was always game for my nonsense and we loaded up his truck.  I hoped to one day make a greenhouse with them but dad is now gone so…. so is that dream. 

I’ve since dug into the stash and done some upcycling.  You can see some of those projects here. 

My latest project is similar to this one that I have over my bed….

I did this one for the shop……

I used waistband elastic to hold the pictures in place.  I glued two strands across each pane on the sides (you can see them below) so that the pics can be easily changed out.

NEXT!

Cape Cod Lobster Crate

I picked up this authentic lobster (pronounced ‘lobsta’ in this neck of the woods!) on Cape Cod last summer. 


WARNING:  The only ‘after’  picture that I have is not even worth showing because the lighting inside the shop (or my less than spectacular photography skills) completely messed it up.  Ditz!

First I washed it by spraying it down with bleach and then I attacked  it with my mouse sander.  I liked the “Lobsters” on top but the fisherman’s initials on the side had to go. 

My mighty Mouse sander to the rescue.  It was a glossy enamel red paint so it took some elbow grease but where there’s a will……

 

Dry brushed with white paint.

Installed some wheels…..

….. and this is the only ‘after’ish’ photo.   I added hinges to the top for easy opening.  

I went back a couple of days later to get a pic but it had sold!

Weathered Window & Wire

While I’m in window mode….why not do another.   I did this one a few days ago.  

The glass was intact so it was perfect for adding my flower pics to.  The next one was a little rougher.  No glass.  (Although they both had the same fuzzies and could have used a shave!)

Chicken wire to the rescue!

 

I didn't have a D-ring to hang it so I improvised.

I used a pop tab from a soda can and voila!

A new place to hang keys, the dog leash, etc.

Installed and ready to use. 

P.S.  If you’ve never used chicken wire, beware… it bites!

Flowers & Weathered Wood

 Two of my favorite things!   As a matter of fact I was supposed to be outside planting flowers this weekend but Mother Nature had other ideas.  So instead I spent my time inside…. printing flowers.

I needed some wall décor for my freshly painted breezeway  /mudroom so I pulled out an old window that I cleaned up earlier.

There was an odd ‘fuzziness’ on parts of it –probably from being out in the rain.

See?  I sanded it off as best I could but it was tough to get at without breaking any glass.

I dry-brushed the paint on and lightly sanded with a sanding block.  That took care of the fuzzies pretty well.  Then I chose the photos for the frames.

I wanted the pics to be removable so that I could change them out seasonally so I added 2 bands of elastic to the back to hold the pics tightly to the glass.    They are  easily removable when I want to change them up.

And this is the final result!  

Easy…and free!
I'm linking up to Catch as Catch Can hosted @ My Repurposed Life

Recycled Christmas

I must admit I am very….ummm….feeble….in the holiday decorating department in my booth. I keep it to a minimum and tend to integrate things that can be used after the season is over.

I use recycled items when I can so it mostly comes down to what I have on hand. A few years ago I came across a daycare center that was replacing their windows and there were stacks of them - free for the taking. (I’m still working on that stash.)

This one is in it’s second life.   Four years ago, I (with help) built a cold-frame so I could start seeds earlier in the Spring. It served me for 4 summers but this year the glass and cross bars were falling out so I took it apart. Removed the innards and bleached the beautifully weathered frame.

I intended to attach chicken wire to make a note board / message center but the roll was 2” too narrow.   Now what?   I was going to staple the inside of the frame.

I started to do this but I found that the wire could be stretched far enough to be stapled to the back of the frame. Perfect!

 

The berry wreath would be my way a Christmas-izing it!

 

See. Feeble!

Nature’s Bounty

I am an outdoor lover.  I love walking in the woods and swimming in the ocean.  I probably should have been born with fur… or gills.  I especially love the crisp fall air.  So, last weekend, I headed out to a local pond.  Snips in hand and look what I found….

 

Makes me think of that old song … “.......and I said to myself, what a wonderful world”. 

Really.  Take a look around.  Mother Nature knows what she is doing!   How blessed are we?

P.S.  The ‘snow’ in the vase is epsom salts.  Such a thrifty project!   More on the frame in my next post.  This is it's 3rd life!

Upcycling Old Cabinet Doors

A few months ago while scouting a local salvage yard (a la Sanford & Sons kind of salvage yard) I came across a trio of old, crackled cabinet doors.  Crackled to perfection.

So, up first.   The first door was upcycled to a frenchy sign.  No sanding and I left the old hardware intact.

Painted, stenciled, distressed and sprayed with a clear spray.  I bought the stencil from http://junkinjunky.blogspot.com/.   (SOLD!)

Door No. 2.  (I feel like I’m channeling “Let’s Make a Deal”)  took a different route.    I painted them both at the same time but I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do.  A few days ago it struck me so I gathered some supplies.

Mason jars, adjustable metal clamps, L-brackets and tools.

Attach L-brackets and clamps.

Insert jars & fill with sea glass.

I love the crackled patina on these doors.

Tomorrow I’ll pick up a few flower stems and off to the shop it goes.

Whitewashed Old Pine Trunk

I have to say my mind can be all over the place.   I typically have my project line-up floating around in my head as each new week rolls around.  This one wasn’t even on my radar.

A beat up old trunk with plenty of dings.

I could either try to sand out the dings or work with them.

I removed the hardware and soaked it in a solution of hot water, vinegar and salt.   I cannot believe the amount of yuck that comes off.  I figured since it’s metal it wouldn’t be too bad.    Au contraire.  I let them soak for at least 24 hours and the stuff that was floating around……well, just yuck.

I decided to whitewash this one.  Mixed up some paint and water and rubbed it on with a cloth.  The dings are even more visible and I’m kind of liking it.  (Plus, not sanding saved on a bunch of elbow grease!)

The wood soaked up the whitewash and it was a little on the blotchy side so I distressed it a bit.

The decorative corner pieces were nixed.  They didn’t “go” with the new finish.  I forgot to take a picture of the side handles but the got a rub down with silver Rub & Buff and were distressed to let a little of the original black color.   Then buffed with Johnson’s Paste Wax and within 24 hours it was “looking for love”  in the shop.
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