~ A Few Fun Finds~

I was finally able to get out and do a little shopping.  I went to the thrift store and the local antique mall.

I found this darling vintage apron.  I'm hooked!  I feel a collection starting.  Of course my hubby wants to know where I'm going to put an apron collection.  I told him "no worries, I'll find a spot". He seemed thrilled.

I also picked up this chippy drawer and linen towel.  My hubby thought the towel looked like an ugly rag.

And I couldn't resist this floral runner.  Such pretty colors.

A doily and silver dish completed the antique mall shopping.

And this white pitcher was only one dollar at the thrift store. I can't wait to find spots for my new treasures.  At least I think they're treasures.  I'm not sure you know who agrees.

Janet

Pierre Deux Knockoff

I received this catalogue in the mail and as soon as I saw it I knew I wanted this for my front door. Two reasons not to order it-too expensive and I believe it is made with dried flowers, which would never hold up in the winds around here.  So I took the challenge and decided to make my own version.

The ribbon is what I loved about this basket.  I knew I could never find ribbon like this at stores in my area, so I decided to make wired fabric ribbon.

I cut 3- 4 1/2 inch strips of the main fabric and 6- 2  inch strips for the border.

Sewed the strips together to make three continuous strips,

And sewed the three strips together .

I followed the package directions to apply  heat-n bond to the two outer edges.

Then I folded over the fabric with the wire in the middle and fused the fabric together. 

I filled a metal basket I found at Hobby Lobby with floral foam and moss.  I tied on my wired fabric ribbon and I was ready for the flowers.  I filled the basket with flowers I bought at Michaels.

Now my question for you.  Is it wrong to put a bright floral arrangement like this on the front door in the middle of winter?

Parties I'll be joining:

Make it for Monday

Metamorphosis Monday

Just Something I Whipped Up

DIY Day

Janet

~Fabric Folding Screen~

What T.V.?  Do you see a T.V.? 

There it is.  This was my problem.  I have been searching for some kind of armoire for the television in my bedroom, but nothing was just right or fit into my budget.  I decided to move it into the corner and build a fabric screen.  I used a Waverly fabric that I bought many years ago, at some great price that I don't remember.  I have many yards of it.  So, for the price of some inexpensive lumber, I was able to hide my little problem.

I made three panels.  Two sides and the bottom were made from 1x2 pine boards.  I made the sides 6 feet tall and cut the center to make the width 24 inches. 

For the top piece,  I cut one continuous shape from a 1x6 pine board.  I drew a paper pattern, traced it onto the board, and cut out with a jigsaw.  I then cut the board into three 24 inch pieces.

I attached the boards together with corner braces and L brackets.

I cut the fabric about 5 inches wider than the screen and stapled it to the back, pulling the fabric tightly.  I matched the pattern of the fabric across all three panels, just like wallpapering.  I decided to use folding screen hinges, or double action hinges, so that the screen could be folded back and forth in any direction.  I'm glad I decided to do that, it makes the screen much more versatile. 

Soo...,  after getting blisters from my staple gun, stapling the fabric to the wrong side of a panel, and replacing the hinges because I had never heard of  "double action" hinges,  I finally finished my screen.

After spending so much time on this project, I really want to share it.  I'll be linking to:

I Made It Without My Hubby

Saturday nite Special

Make It For Monday

Metamorphosis Monday

make it YOURS day

Hope to see you there. 

Janet

Sneak Peek

Here is a little sneak peek of the fabric folding screen I have been working on.

Did you know that if you want your folding screen to fold in different directions, you have to buy specialty hinges?  You probably did, but I didn't.  As I was attaching the regular hinges, I kept thinking to myself, "I don't know how this is going to work".  I put them on anyway and guess what?  It didn't work. So I went to my good friend google, and find out right away that you need to buy "folding screen hinges". Duh!  Of course you cannot find them at the regular home improvement stores, so I had to order them.  Now I am waiting, very impatiently, to finish my project.

Janet

Junk Bed

I was inspired to do this post for Transformation Thursday and Furniture Feature Friday.  I purchased this bed from an antique (junk)"shed/barn? ".  One of those crammed full of junk places.  It was buried in the back, dirty, and broken. 

The footboard was missing a few spindles.

I knew you wouldn't see the ones on the headboard, so I took those out and replaced them with new banister spindles cut to fit.  Painted it all out and you would never know.

I also made a canopy.  It is just a piece of plywood cut in a semi-cirlce with a jigsaw.  The lace and fabric are stapled on  and I attached it to the wall with shelf brackets.

To make the quilt at the end of the bed look thick and cushy...

I tuck our regular pillows inside.

I happened to see this bed in Victoria magazine, and I wanted to ask you - Do you think I should paint my bed like this one?  I was never in love with the bright white and this soft gray/green with cream accents is just lovely.  Thanks for letting me share one of my past projects with you.

Janet

~Tired of Waiting~

I'm tired of waiting for the perfect armoir/cabinet, at the perfect price, at the perfect time.  I've been waiting for eight or nine? years - It's-not-going-to-happen!  This is the current TV situation in our master bedroom.

Even as beautiful as this is (HA!), I'm tired of looking at it.  I was flipping through a magazine (always dangerous) and saw this fabric screen.

I have lots of fabric to use, so I decided to put the TV in the corner and cover it with a screen.

I have one frame done.  Two more to go.  I hope to post the finished screen soon.

Janet

Kitchen Shelving Project - Day 3

The Reveal

If  you've read my previous posts, you know this is the "before" picture of the open shelves in my kitchen.

This is what all the cabinets in my house looked like.  I know, right?

When we moved in, I knew replacing the cabinets would not be in the budget.  So I painted some cabinets and I decided to remove one large cabinet and put in open shelving.  I have really liked the shelves, but I was ready for a change. 

So I emptied the shelves.

Removed the cup hooks.

Filled, sanded, and painted the holes.

And filled the shelves with new and collected items.

I have been collecting for these shelves for at least a year.  The rooster dishes I bought at Home Goods.  The pitchers and platters are a mix of new and antiques.  The pitcher on the left is old ironstone.

The platters and two middle pitchers are collected from antique stores, the bowl was a wedding gift,  and the pitcher on the left is from Target.

The cow creamer is also from Home Goods.

And since I removed the cup hooks, I was able to include the counter as part of the shelves.

The shelves feel fresh and clean.  Speaking of clean, I know a lot of people worry that open shelving will get dirty.  I use these dishes everyday, so they don't have a chance to get dirty.  The pieces that aren't used as often, I just toss in the dishwasher when I have extra room.  Wipe the shelves with a damp cloth occassionally, and everything stays clean.

I am going to join some fun parties this week: 

Tabletop Tuesday

DIY Day

Talented Tuesday

Transformation Thursday

Janet