Giving and old bed a new use

found this metal headboard at a thrift store for $10.00.  You should have seen me put it my car.  I thought a bench would be cute to make with it.  Now this was a simple project.  I did buy redwood so it would last.  The bench was $20.00.  (I have enough left over to make a small bench also with the leftover piece).  The 4X4 was also $20.00.  Long wood screws were used.  The tricky part was drilling through the metal of the bed frame.  My hubby added the stain and waterproofing.  I love it and it provides extra seating for my yard.  Total cost $50.00, but in the end I will get 2 benches out of it.  One larger 5 foot bench and the other 3 foot bench. Much cheaper and more sturdy than the ones you buy at the store. Thanks  Earl

before

after

after

I know I can use this for something

When I bought this at the thrift store for $5.00 I had no idea what I was going to use it for.  I only knew it had potential.  I painted it black.  I added a sign we already had to the top with a nail.  I then added long screws.  I covered the nails with electric tape to give it some cushion and to match the black shelf.  I then painted the head of the screws black.  That's it, only $5.00 for the shelf.  Eventually I need to make a wine rack

before

after

hanging above the bar

One man's trash is another mans medicine cabinet

I bought this at a thrift shop for 5.00.  I had to nail in some spots because the frame was coming apart, easy fix.  Now nothing was easier than this project.  Paint, hinges chicken wire and that's it.  I already had the supplies from a previous project.  Now my hubby has his own area. Total cost $5.00

before

after

area hidden, used hinges and a magnetic catch

Glass used to hold swabs

after

what a difference some paint makes

So I am slowly making it from one room to the next.  Every door is dark 70's brown.  It takes a lot of paint and primer to cover it.  Anyways no pictures before hand, but this is my newly painted bathroom with light doors now.  I love it.

newly painted bathroom

newly painted bathroom

This self I bought for .10 at a garage sale.  I painted it and added some chicken wire to keep the glass items in place

I love birds, my little towel holder

newly painted bathroom

newly painted bathroom

This something I added to my other sink area.  Its an apothecary jar I found at TJ max.  I added some organic soap by a company that is locally owned.  We need to support local business.  It smells amazing.

before light fixture

I had this piece of glass cut by Beehive glass.  They finished the edges and drilled the hole for me.  For me it was cheaper than buying a new light fixture.  Gives it a more modern look and I didn't have to install anything.  Total cost was $28.00

So I like green

Leave it up to me to have a rug inspire my newest project.  I love green so when I saw this rug of course I thought "Yep I'm going to paint my cabinet sink  cupboards green.  This project only cost me the paint, molding and of course the rug.  I started out with the ugliest cabinets ever.  1st step sand and clean cupboards (remove them first). 2nd step I glued wooden squares and molding I cut to size, let dry completely. 3rd step prime them, let dry.  I then added some black paint and again, let dry.  4th step add (what makes me smile every time I say it) Happy camper green paint.  I used 2 coats, let dry between each coat.  5th step I sanded edges and molding to let black paint show through. You can always add more paint if you sand too much. which I did to give it move depth.  I just wipe away any excess.  Its easiest for me to do this process with a craft sponge brush.  6th step add hardware.  7th step your husband laughs at you because you accidentally put the screwdriver in reverse.  Now my problem was I only had three matching cabinet knobs left so I had 2 brass knobs that matched.  I sanded them and spray painted them black and then once that dried painted again with 2 coats of metallic pewter.  I always like to add some feed and wax to the cabinets when I am done. Total cost molding $12.00, paint $14.00 and rug $30.00.  it's funny the rug was more than the cabinets, oh well

This is the drawer before

afterwards

after

after

the knobs that were originally brass

the rug insporation

what I started with

Big Brass Beast

What is better than popcorn ceilings?  A giant brass, wood, ruffly glass ceiling fan.  That draws your attention to the popcorn ceiling.  Here is what I did to change the look of my ceiling fan.  1st I took of the arms and cleaned thoroughly (Gross by the way).  2nd I painted the faux wooden blades with a black/gray color with 3 coats.  3rd I painted the brass arms with layers of paints and I just used craft paints.  I started out with a bronze, then pewter, black, copper, then pewter again.  I was going for a rubbed bronze look.  4th I did the same with the fixture on the ceiling.  I am so lazy I didn't mask off anything.  I managed not to do to bad.  I then put everything back together. Added some glass fixtures I bought at a thrift store for $1.00 each.  I already had the paint so total cost $3.00

Oh all the shiny gold

faux wooden blade

after

after

after

Let there be light

I have absolutely no light in my backyard,  I am in the process of trying to figure out ways to make it happen.  All the hanging lanterns (that I like) run around $20.00 each.  I went to a thrift shop and found some glass jars around .50 to $1.00.  I purchased some chicken wire at home depot for less than $8.00.  It gave me more than I would need to do all my lights.  I basically built a cage around the glass to hold into place and created a handle.  You can either put real candles, battery operated candles, or a string of Christmas lights. I have not finished them all, but got a start, now if the weather would cooperate.

so much glass so little time

I already had the black holder,  I added the glasses .75 each. built a cage around the glass with chicken wire.

used Christmas lights in these

Decided I was tired of hanging plants on my shepherds hooks that die way to soon.  using them for my lights now.

Use what you already have

We all know it's great to buy brand new.  I unfortunately cannot afford brand new.  Now our yard is in the process of getting done and we have along way to go.  However after a lot of hard work, we are making the yard look better.  I wanted new chairs, but couldn't afford them.  I bought this patio set years ago.  Nice set for $20.00 but there were no seats.  I just recently made new seats from donated wood.  I primed and painted the wood seats to protect the wood.  With paint already bought.  I made the cushions out of leftover fabric.  My only expense was the foam bought at home depot (camping foam pad) $19.97 and 5.63 for fabric protectant. total cost for each chair, slightly less than $7.00.  cheaper than buying new.  I added new paint to my table $6.00.  bought oops paint for my deck $7.00.  Had the benches already just primed and painted $20.00.  bought the candle holder for $1.00, added a touch of gold  bought the glass holders for $4.00 at a thrift shop, just added the beads and battery candles, already had.  just glued the glass in place.  reused a tin can for the fire pit, bricks were free, did buy the top bricks at .75 each.  grate was on clearance for $7.00 and a bag of gravel to catch the ashes $3.00, also added heat resistant paint $5.00 to make the can look new.  Total cost for the fire pit about $23.00.  So far I love it and it is hard work, but It is looking good.  got a few more projects, but it is coming along and is helping me shed some unwanted pounds just keeping busy

my refurbished patio chairs

newly painted table

my homemade candelier

a closer look

getting things looking nice

earl's fire pit project

newly stained deck

can't wait to use

fire pit

loving the fire pit, made great smores

Bathroom redo

This project started with a bag of cabinet knobs bought at the goodwill for $2.00.  They were brand new and matched so operation bathroom/utility room started. I had left over tan paint from the kitchen.  Painted the walls however ran out of paint.  Lucked out when I went to get a quart of kitchen and bath, they were all out of the quart size.  I got a gallon for the same price $15.43.  My cabinets and drawers were pretty awful.  I sanded what finish was left on them and decided to add some dimension.  Picked up some molding from Home depot.  I need 4 strips at a cost of $9.88. I purchased the small blocks at wood connection for 2 for 5 cents total 40 cents. painted with my leftover black paint.  I attached with wood glue and small brads. added a new faucet $26.63.  made my own candle wall sconces with items on hand except for the mirrors, cost $1.00. repainted and distressed the shelf over the sink.  Wooden box was free, but I had to make. containers were 5.99 and 4.99 each, Total $22.00.  Bought regular soap and wrapped with ribbon (much cheaper than decorative soap, total $4.00.  Hand made medicine chest $25.00, contact paper $5.63, long rug 12.00, small rug $21.00, laundry baskets $8.00, red carrier $15.00, rubber cover $5.00, garbage can $3.00, other misc items $10.00, light fixture which I had to order and not here yet $28.00.  Still need to paint doors and molding, I could not afford new counters or floor, but I love the update. I also have all my patriotic sewing that I have done in there. It fits my antique style.  total cost $164.00

cabinets before, I took off the doors.  They are ugly brown

Hated the ugly wall mirror and the cheap faucet

small spaces are a drag

drawer fronts are in terrible condition

I added detail to the drawer pronys

Its hard to tell with my camera but he cabinets are a black gray color, distressed. I added hardware and my new matching laundry baskets, The shadow makes the wall look yellow, but it is actually a tan

Some of my collectibles hanging on the wall with my cross stitch

more cross stitch, yes I know I have a lot

I just repainted the shelf and distressed, made the box out of scrap wood and added the cannisters

An antique mirror I had forever

afterwards my antique bathroom

love the rug

now everything matches

more cross stitch

yes more cross stitch

afterwards

Love my candle sconces I made for $1.00 out of reused items

my cabinets painted black/gray and distressed with new hardware

love my new bathroom

added new contact paper to the drawers