Crate Love

Remember this?

A mess, I know. But I'm working on it. The pile has gotten significantly smaller. Several things have been scrubbed and put to use, including the large crate. After removing a layer of dirt, I discovered that there was writing behind all that white paint.

A little sanding later and I could finally make out what it said.

Millard Brothers Ltd.
Motherwell
Lanarkshire (that's in Scotland)

A little more sanding revealed the contents of the crate. Apparently this crate was once used to ship shotgun cartridges.

I added wheels from the same pile above. Mr. Man was thrilled. Now I'm nervous. He asked me where he could find his skateboard helmet.

I added some white yarn to soften the industrial look. And to prevent slivers. We don't deal well with slivers in this household.

A perfect place to hold blankets. And a perfect fit beside the couch. So much better than just a pile of blankets beside the couch. Now the fort making, sumo wrestling, tv watching blankets have a place to call home.

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One Man's Junk is This Girl's Treasure

A few weeks ago, I climbed to the very top of my dad's workshop and came across a few treasures. I know most people would call it junk, but I see something much different. I see a bin for blankets, a bed for sneakers, an organized office, a display for Little Miss' sculptures, shelf brackets for Mr. Man's room, planters and maybe a few more things. What do you see?

Look What You Can Do With Three Scarves!

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Yesterday it snowed. A perfect day to make some new pillows from warm fuzzy scarves. And a great excuse to take a break from painting.

Now the pillows in our TV room are looking rather pathetic. So last time I was thrifting I picked up three winter scarves and a down pillow form. Now I usually don't tell Andrew about the pillow form. He gets grossed out. I only pick pillows that are good quality with a zippered cover that I promptly remove and toss out. I WASH the pillow form. So really, like new. And what Andrew doesn't know...
Besides, Sneakers is always on board.

My three little scarves became these three lovelies.

Pin It The black and grey wool scarf became my favourite pillow. It is so soft and warm. Perfect for snuggling on a winter's night. I loved the fringe so much, that I had to incoporate it into the pillow. I love how it turned out.

The wool and linen scarf became a two-sided pillow. Since the scarf had a ruffled line on one side, and a plain line on the other, I thought it would be fun to show both sides.

The third scarf, cream and polyester (yes, I know, polyester, but it is soft) got some love with a few stiches by hand.

All ready for a night of tv with the family. Storage Wars here we come!

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And now I'm off to do some painting.

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Vintage Finds

Yesterday was Andrew's last day of vacation. Not ever. Just for a while. We took the kids to see Tintin. We all liked it.

Once back home, we realized that Andrew forgot his gloves at the theatre. Back in the car I go (Andrew was cooking up a storm). Having to go back out was the perfect excuse to stop at a couple of thrift stores along the way home. I'm so glad I did. I found some lovely vintage table cloths and fabric that will soon be made into items for my Etsy shop. I can't wait to get creating!

Getting Ready for Christmas Part Three (Or Thrift Store Wreath)

Our side door was in need of a little Christmas cheer. Several weeks ago I found these lovelies at a thrift store.

Glass. Vintage. I'm in love. Many still had price tags. 39 cents for some 99 cents for other bundles. Many came from Eaton's.

So let's get crafting, shall we? With my amazing power and strength, I turned an ordinary hanger into a circle with my bare hands. Amazing, eh? Snip off the hanger part. I used wire cutter for this part, not my bare hands.

And that is where my amazing power and strength end. With no strength left, I taped the two ends together.

I simply began by winding the wire that was attached to the glass bobble around the wreath frame.

 They were so wobbly at first, that I thought I would have to change tatics, but the more bobbles I added, the less wobbly they became. I started with the largest size and worked my way down to the little ones.

Until I had this. Shiny. Happy. Cheerful.

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Vintagey Goodness

On my way home from work, I stopped at a thrift shop. Hidden amongst all the tacky items were these gems.

I love that most of the items were made in Canada.

And I know just what I'll make with them. Stay tuned!

Possibilities

The other day a came home with a van full of possibilities.

To many people it looks like a load of junk, but I see something different behind the rust and grime. I can't wait to get working.


All these lovely, rusted things came from my dad's workshop, high in the loft. My dad helped me get them down. We walked carefully over a creaky ceiling/floor, on beams, down two different ladders. At one point there was a loud bang and the floor of the loft (which is really the ceiling of the shop below) dropped a bit. My mom screamed. I may have too. I'm not sure. My dad calmly said, "Oh, I guess there's too much weight up here. Don't worry there's a large beam holding everything up". Great. I started standing just on the beams. Not easy, considering the beams were round - logs, still with the bark on. But it was worth it.

All these things belonged to my great-grandfathers and a friend of my dad's. They once had a purpose. And will again soon, but they won't be used for their original purpose.

Do you see the old keys? Love.

Happy

No glass. In need of paint. Odd sizes. 50 cents a piece. Happiness. Possiblities. Soon to be lovely.