Getting Organized With A Tool Bucket

Have you met my tool bucket buddy?  He goes everywhere with me.  Let me introduce you.

 While beginning one of my latest projects, I could not find any of my supplies.  That was it!  I was not doing any more projects until I got organized.  This is not an original idea, but I've always thought it was a good one.  It's just a paint bucket from Lowe's and a tool belt.

I gathered all my must have supplies...

And started loading up the tool belt.

I used this craft organizer from Wal-Mart for all my screws and hanging hardware.

I put everything in the bucket and I was ready to go.  The beauty of this is that not only can I find everything, but even I can't find an excuse not to put the stuff away.  Now I'm not saying I put the bucket away, but as long as I can find the bucket, there's no more searching all over the house for my tools.

Janet

Because I Loved The Color...

Seven-Up Soda Crate

I found this soda crate? or carrier? for $6.00.The colors and patina were so perfect, I just had to get it.  I'm just not sure what I want to do with it.

I could put it on the dresser in my family room.

Of course I could use it as a serving tray.

And I can always use more storage in the kitchen.

Or how about some candles on the coffee table?

Decisions, decisions.  I love these kinds of decisions.

Janet

I will be joining Show and Tell Friday and Frugalicious Friday and Frugal Friday.  I'm also joining SNS for old crates theme party.

Basement Challenge #3 ~ Ladder

Ladder With A French Twist...

When Donna at Funky Junk Interiors announced the theme for her Saturday Nite Special as "Ladders", I thought, "I have an old wooden ladder."  And where else?  In my basement.  So this was the perfect inspiration for Basement Challenge #3.

I brought the ladder up from the basement and gave it a good cleaning.  Added some books, a vintage print, a basket of dried flowers,

And some linens.

It makes a nice backdrop for the great room.

One more thing out of my basement. Yeah!  But the best part of this ladder is that it belonged to my Dad.  The paint splatters are a combination of his projects and paint from my first home after I was married.  Years of memories.

I will also be sharing this at Metamorphosis Monday and Show off Your Cottage Monday at The House In The Roses.

Janet

~Basement Challenge #2 - Footstool~

Well, I'm continuing the challenge to clean out my basement by bringing up one piece at a time.

This was an old footstool from our previous home.

I gave it a coat of stick-to-anything primer.

A coat of paint.

And then, because I wanted it to be poof-y, and plush-y, and posh-y, I added a pillow to the top.

Then I covered it with quilt batting to hold it in place and smooth the edges.

And do you remember my "Faux French Linen"? You can see how I made it here.  I used the extra fabric and the same painting technique to make the slipcover.

So for zero dollars, I have a "new" footstool.

Tea anyone?

I'm going on a trip for a few days, so I haven't decided on challenge #3 yet. 

I'll be sharing at:

Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
DIY Day


Janet

~Basement Challenge #1 - Metal Shelf~

A few weeks ago I began cleaning out my pantry.  I had waay too much stuff in there. I kept buying things I already had just because I could not see it.  So when I made the menu for the next couple of weeks, I used at least one thing in the pantry for each meal and before I knew it, the pantry was very empty. 

So what does this have to do with my basement?  My basement is overflowing with "stuff".  Good stuff - architectural pieces, furniture bits and pieces, shelves, etc.  So to clean it out, I decided to bring up one piece at a time and challenge myself to put it somewhere, make something out of it, or get rid of it.  I was going to give myself a time limit, but that was just too much pressure.  So I'm going to try to do it in about a week.

So this is my challenge piece.

It's a cute shelf, and the color is ok too, but it just seemed a little more shabby than chic.  So I sprayed it with Rustoleum American Heirloom white and hung it in my powder room.

More chic than shabby?

So now I have decoration on a bare wall and a little extra storage for the cost of a can of spray paint.

Basement Challenge #2 - worn out footstool.  Let's see what I can do with this.

I'll be joining some parties~

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Rescue Crew Review at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home

Frugal Friday  at The Shabby Nest

 

Janet

~Friday Thrifting~

I don't get to do a lot of yardsale-ing because I work a lot of weekends, but I did manage to hit the thrift stores on Friday after work.  I think I hit the jackpot this time.

I found some great pieces to add to my kitchen shelves.

These cute glass dishes.

A few pieces of red and white dinnerware.

And this colorful planter.

I added them to my shelves right away.  I displayed two of the plates on the top shelf.

The pictures don't show it well, but the color of the glass is a perfect match to the plates.

And I added the planter underneath to hold extra towels.

And these sweet birds are new from Pier 1.  Only $3.00.

A freshened up look with some thrifty finds.


Parties I'll be joining...

Todays Thrifty Treasures
Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays


Janet

~Love At First Sight~

You see something from a distance. A little gasp - oh!  You move in a little closer.  Your heart goes pitter-pat. Yep, you're in love - with a hat.

I never know when true love will strike, or why.

Is it the perfect shade of natural "tea-staining"?

Is it the beautifully tattered roses?

Or is it simply the remembrance of times past?

Whatever the reason, the hat came home with me.

I will be joining 2nd Time Around Tuesday and Vintage Thingies Thursday. I hope you do, too.

Janet