Would You Buy It Wednesday - Oak Library Card Cabinet

Happy Wednesday!

It's been a few weeks since I've been able to join Stephanie @ Junker Newbie for "Would You Buy It Wednesday" so I'm happy to have something to link this week.

 While out thrifting last weekend I came across this oak library card cabinet that needs a little TLC.

 The cabinet has good bones.  It is sturdy and intact.  The finish on it is shot and the hardware needs a good cleaning.

Although this cabinet needs some work, I have always wanted one and so I bought it.....for $20.00.  

 I'm going to work on it this weekend and see how it cleans up.  I'm hoping I can sand it down and re-stain.  But if that doesn't work I will be painting and distressing.

Would you have bought this piece?  And what do you think....stain or paint?

Thanks as always for stopping by!

Jane

Crochet Thread Pumpkin

I know it's still August and I know we have a lot of hot summer days ahead, but my brain is shifting gears to the beauty of fall.

Remember this tray of crochet thread I showed you in Saturday's post?

Who knew they would make such cute little pumpkins?

I took some twine and thread it in and out of the holes of the spool to create the pumpkin segments.  I went outside and found a fallen tree branch, cut it to size, and then wrapped twine around it.  I glued on a fall-colored leaf and then added some coiled wire tendrils (Thanks to Vicki @ Rusty Rooster Vintage for giving me the idea to add the tendrils.  She embellished the pumpkin project she posted today with some and I think it's the perfect finishing touch!)

 Then I inserted the stick in the top hole of the "pumpkin".

Quick and easy!

I'm linking this project with Amy @ WhisperWood Cottage for:
The Talent Scouting Party.

The link for the party opened today (July 16, 2012 - this is a post from last year but updated to be included in the party) and it's an open call for Autumn Decor.  The winning project will be featured in an upcoming issue of Cottages & Bungalows magazine so if you have a fall project you would like to link, head on over to WhisperWood Cottage for  full details.

Have a great evening!

Jane

Bullseye Molding Picture Display and Altered Cabinet Card

Today was one of those days where I seemed to go from project to project with no real direction.

I started the day removing the seats and then cleaning and sanding these two chairs (thrift store find for $1.00 apiece).

 I did manage to get one painted (dark gray) but I'm not sure I'm loving it so I decided to move on from that project and come back to it at a later time.

I then saw five yardsticks on the workbench so I spent some time turning them into more stars.  These are going to the craft show with me in October.

Then I decided to alter a cabinet card for Halloween.

Yesterday I made a trip to one of my local antique malls to pick up some cabinet cards that could be altered.  There's a booth at the mall that has 1000's of cabinet cards and several can be found for 50 cents apiece....those are the one's I bought.

So with some leftover scraps of paper, buttons and a stamped phrase I made this.  Nothing too elaborate but fun for Halloween.

And since I wanted to display the card, I decided to make a display stand.

I started with this old bullseye piece of molding and added a couple of nails at the top (which will actually be the bottom of the display).

I wanted this piece to stand but I also wanted it to tilt back just a little bit.

I found a wood block and cut it at a slight angle.  Then I glued it to the back of the molding.

 The nails hold the cabinet card in place and the head of the nail keeps the card from sliding.

I think the two pieces work well together.

Now, back to the cabinet cards I purchased......

 I found some fun cards that I think will be perfect to be altered for Halloween.

I thought I would share a few with you.

Feel free to copy and use for your own projects.  

If you use any of these I would love to see what you make.

I'm linking with Mary @ Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday

and Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Have a great week.

Jane

Crochet Thread Spool Vase

This morning I found a great lot of old spools of crochet thread at the thrift store.

Twenty four spools for $2.00!

Since the theme this week for the Saturday Nite Special party hosted by Donna @ Funky Junk Interiors is "Things Used As A Vase", I thought I would make a little vase out of a couple of spools of the thread.

This is a very simple and inexpensive project.

Stack a couple of spools.

Insert tube and fill with water.  

The tube I used was found at the thrift store filled with spices.  I think floral water pick tubes would work well too.

Arrange flowers and you're finished.

Wouldn't these be cute to display fabric flowers?

I've got a couple of other ideas for the crochet thread spools I will posting later.

Enjoy your Saturday!

Jane

Repurposed Vintage Slaw/Cabbage Cutter and Box

I love a super simple project and this one could not have been any easier!

A few weeks back I was cleaning out the closet in my studio and I came across this vintage slaw/cabbage cutter that I have probably had for a couple of years.  I decided it was time to get it out of the closet and repurpose it as a display piece in my kitchen.

I have repurposed a slaw cutter before.  This past spring I posted a tutorial showing how to make a memo board out of a slaw cutter (tutorial here).

My repurpose idea for this larger cutter was a lot easier.  All I did was lay it on it's side.

The box is now storage for salt and pepper shakers (The shakers were a thrift store find that were originally a faded red.  They got a fresh look with some white spray paint).

The metal cutting surface is a perfect spot to add a few recipes with magnets.

And the upper ledge gives me a little display space for a few small plates.

The ironstone bowl with the dog treats sitting in front of the display.....I found it and a matching smaller bowl this week at a thrift store for $1.00 apiece!

It was late in the day when I got to the thrift store and I was so surprised to find these bowls sitting on the shelf (I guess not everyone is as obsessed with ironstone as I am).

Now that I have my new countertop display in place, I can't believe I let that slaw cutter sit in my closet for two years.  I think I better go check out what other treasures I might have hidden up there!

Since I am on the subject of kitchen displays, I want to show you one last picture of a recent thrift store find.......this wonderful aluminum mid-century canister set.  I found this set (it also includes the flour canister which is not pictured) for $4.50!!  Love it!

I'm linking my vintage kitchen pieces tonight with Debra @ Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

and

Liz @ Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday

Have a fabulous weekend!

Jane

Flea Market Style Magazine Fall 2011

I can't begin to tell you how excited I am.

The Fall/Winter edition of Flea Market Style magazine will be hitting the stores soon.

The cover is fabulous......I love how Ki has repurposed old suitcases into unique shelving.

And inside the magazine are pages and pages of wonderful junk makeovers.

So what could make me more excited than finding this magazine in my mailbox today?

Opening the pages and seeing this (on page 33).......

Back in April, Flea Market Style magazine contacted me and asked if I would like to be included in their favorite bloggers article.  I was at my hairdresser's when I read the e-mail and you should have seen the look on people's faces when I let out one big scream!  I couldn't e-mail back fast enough to say YES!

I can't say thank you enough to everyone at Flea Market Style magazine for this opportunity.  This magazine totally resonates with my love of all things vintage and how I incorporate flea market finds into my home.  Being included in this issue is a dream come true.

I'm not going to give out any other information about the magazine because I know you will all have your hands on it soon enough.  All I will say is make sure to set aside an entire evening to pour through all the pages.  You won't want to miss a detail!

Have a great evening.

Jane

Embroidery Hoop Container

I hope you all had a good weekend!  Mine was very uneventful and that was just what I needed to get a few things done around the house.

I did get to a couple of thrift stores and I found a few things I'll save for another post.  What I am going to share today are these embroidery hoops.  I am always seeing embroidery hoops when I'm at the thrift stores.  They are plentiful and inexpensive.

Another inexpensive thrift store staple are tin containers.

 I decided to combine the two to make a super easy embroidery hoop container.

Because I didn't want the top edge of the tin container exposed, I layered a piece of fabric over the edge before I started adding the embroidery hoops. 

 To assemble I opened up the embroidery hoop (I only used the outside part of the hoop), slid it over the tin container and then tightened.  I only needed five hoops to completely cover the tin container.

 After church this morning we were given one of the alter bouquets to take home.

The bouquet fit perfect in the embroidery hoop container.

Super easy and it only cost me $1.55 to make!

I'm linking with Mary @ Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday,

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday,

and with Passionately Artistic

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Jane