Junkin’ Projects
I have finally gotten around to a few projects with the junk we found at the junk yard! Here’s the elephant statue all painted up and pretty with a teal pot and pink flowers:
Don’t mind our mud pile of a yard. All this rain has made the place a pit!
We also painted a few pots for the back yard.
And, I painted the little lantern from the junk yard teal as well. It sits on the front porch. I also made a tiny table for a few drinks out of a plant stand and a clay pot bottom. This project was inspired by Crafty Nest, so check out her even cooler project here: http://www.craftynest.com/2009/06/plant-stand-lazy-susan-mini-side-table/
Did you also notice the antique lantern on the floor? That’s from my grandma. It even has a globe made by Pyrex. Very neat. Any suggestions?
Simple Fix and 4th of July Weekend
Sometimes the tiniest details of your home can make life so much more organized, easy, and even pretty. Well, the other day I was very annoyed by my growing collection of costume jewelry. My good jewelry is hung neatly in my jewelry box and some of my most often worn costume pieces are held in jars in my dresser and vintage medicine cabinet in the bedroom. But, the rest of it has been hanging in clumps on hangers and hooks in the closet. You couldn’t see them easily, and you definitely couldn’t grab one easily. Here is the pile that I hurriedly threw on the bed.
So, my grandma gave me some vintage hand crochetedhangers. And I picked up a package of sewing pins with bead heads.
Although the pins didn’t stick into the wood hanger underneath very well, they stuck in the ends enough to keep any slippery necklaces from falling off the hanger. And, viola! Simple, yet cute and organized. What an easy fix. Thanks grandma!
Oh, and if you were wondering why the big bandage on my hand… I burned my hand that night while cooking dinner. Yes, I think it was a sign from God to quit cooking and get some take-out menus. But, the sloppy joe’s turned out well, so Tony didn’t buy that. By the next day I had to go to the doctor for it and my hand was completely wrapped up for the whole holiday weekend.
And, as with most of my projects, the dogs helped of course!
So, on to the 4th of July celebration! We camped at our local park, and it rained here the entire day (of course). That didn’t stop us! We waded through the mud the entire weekend. It ended up clearing up just in time to have amazing fire works! Here’s the guys playing in a horseshoe tournament right through the rain!
You can see all the umbrellas out there! You can also see the river in the background. That’s the rock river, and right were we camp and also sit and watch the fireworks. Here we are playing games together.
Our softball team also won another game Sunday, so we are now 6-1! Yay!
How was your 4th of July? Hope it was a great one!
Lawn Chair Paint Project
I got the new lawn chairs done just in time for the party. Remember these sweet but boring old fashioned lawn chairs we picked up?
Well, with some bright paint and a bit of handy work, they are now unique and look good together!
What do you think? I think pretty soon all of these random tid bits will come together!
Roadside Find
On a quick drive to Peoria yesterday to pick up some new lawn chairs I spotted the oddest, cutest little chair on the side of the road in Kewanee. On my way home it was still there, so I quickly threw it in the back of the truck and sped away!
It’s so ugly right now, but I think there is a lot of cuteness potential under there! That storage could be very useful too! Some scrubbing and some new fabric… maybe even some paint? Mid century lovers should love this one when its finished, so keep your eyes peeled because it will be another shop addition!
Lawn Chairs and Cookouts
Yesterday I finally got the garage sale lawn chairs finished! Remember the old blue metal set we got for $10? The one that looked like it belonged next to pink plastic flamingos in, well, not our yard? Yes, those are nice shiny black now! Before:
Now:
All we needed was a couple fun cushions. Well, that has been a task. Since these chairs are so old no cushions are the right size! And, have you noticed how dull this year’s “summer” colors are? Blah! But, we stopped in at K-Mart just to check, and found a decent, fun and bright set. Not what we thought we wanted, but it will work for this year! They are a bit different shape, but when you sit in them and squish them down they are perfect. I would also like to add a couple red throw pillows to match the ones we would like to throw on the hammock (coming soon!). Here’s what we have so far:
Better! And Tony even helped me pick ’em out! So, we decided to celebrate a productive day (and the fact that it didn’t rain!) by grilling out and having dinner at the picnic table.
The pups even joined in! Have a great weekend!
P.S. Just for the record, the blue on the chairs was a really pretty color. But, we have a lot of red in our yard and it just wasn’t matching what we wanted to do out there. But, after already painted the set black we realized the new cushions do have the exact blue in them! Oh, well, sticking to the plan! Now they are versatile enough to change our minds on cushions all the time! (if they weren’t so ridiculously expensive!)
Counter-Tops!
They are in, and it’s official- I love ’em! Here is a dark before to remind you:
What an improvement, don’t you think!? It is all coming together so nicely. We do have a few more projects in the works. See that vent pipe above the stove? That is getting boxed in, no more tacky-ness. We also have a great set of lights that are being installed which I will reveal later. A few creative touches are in the process as well.
Notice the old microwave is gone and a hood was installed in its palce as well…
What do you think? Suggestions?
Spotted!
Apartment Therapy has featured this and a few other projects of mine on their site! Check it out here: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/painting-fixing-repair/before-after-make-mine-eclectic-083086
Thanks everybody for stopping in and checking out all of our projects!
And by the way, whether it’s harsh or kind, I love to hear all of your thoughts, advice, and opinions! 😉
Some Gardening
Last night I picked up a few inexpensive black, square pots for a few flowers for our porch. I think they (although small) brightened up the front porch and made it at least look like someone lives there! We also hung a strawberry plant in the corner, where it can get a lot of sun. (Again, sorry for the dark, rainy pictures!)
It’s at least a start. So, while I was out there I started pulling a few “weeds” from the rocks around the porch. By the way, I am puzzled as to why the last owner planted three big, beautiful, green plants on one side of the steps, but none on the other. So, if you are wondering, don’t ask me! So, as I was pulling this “weed” from between all of the rocks (it looked like misplaced grass) I noticed it was growing from bulbs! Grass doesn’t grow from bulbs, does it? We are curious as to what it is, and maybe whether or not we should be pulling it!? Here is a picture of what I pulled up, so if you have any info I’m all ears!
Let me know what you think! And, just for run, here is a picture of the pretty yellow flowers growing in the back yard!
Lawn Chair Project
It hasn’t stopped raining here for days, so please excuse the dark, dreary photos. But, I had to share the other garage sale day find with you. Lawn chairs! They were a steal, and they will be fixed up with some paint and cushions, so don’t be alarmed! Right now I think they kind of look like they belong next to some plastic flamingos in, well, not my yard. But, they will.
Really that shade of blue is bright and fun, and has started to grow on me. But, I think it would look out of place in our back yard. I’m not sure what color I am thinking, however. I know we always lean towards black. We are blah. But, black might bring them up to date and they could be dressed up and brightened with some bold patterned cushions. Yes? No? Ideas? Always something to work on, but I love it! 🙂
Also, I wanted to let you all know that I am going to start selling off some of our projects. I love to keep busy and remake fun things, but our house is getting full. So, I am going to keep doing what I love, but start selling the things I make or remake. Right now I have a coffee table in the works, so stay tuned. I will post befores and afters of the items I plan to sell. For now they will be listed on Craigslist, or you can contact me through the blog. But, we are thinking that in the future I might rent a booth at one of our local antique shops. Check back, and let me know if you are interested in anything, or are looking for something in particular! 🙂
Kitchen Cabinets!
They are done. Yes, they are done! I love love it! Remember, as you look at the pictures, though, that the old white on white counter-tops look won’t last long. We will be getting the new dark counter-tops in a few weeks. Also, notice the new cabinet in between the stove and the fridge- now the dog food can be hidden! (It will also get a counter-top!) A before to freshen your memory:
Here you go:
Well? What do you think? I think it feels so nice and new and clean in there! Remember, things will keep changing for a while. In addition to new counter-tops there will be a hood where the old microwave is, and the cabinet above the fridge will change. We also have a few more projects for in here… like new lights and something to do with antique rolling pins… so let me know what you think, and stay tuned!
Make Mine Eclectic 
