DIY Towel Rack

I went to my local antique store and was given this awesome thing...not sure what it was... It had awesome stenciling on the back, saying "Patented July 25, 1882" and carpet on the other side. Anyway, I wasn't sure what I'd do with it at first. Then, inspiration struck! I'd make it into a hand towel holder! I quickly unscrewed the foot pedal(?) and then attached it to the rockers with a few screws. Then I used some wired twine(?) that I had in my stash and ran it through the screw holes where the pedal once was. Then I added some hinges to the back for hangers, and voila! A towel holder!

"EAT" Sign, Made From Old Cheese Graters!!

This project was very simple. I already had the graters on hand, ive collected them from thrift stores for a while now. I used colors in my kitchen and stenciled on the letters. They look pretty fabulous sitting above my sink :)

Ammo Crate Table

I found this old ammo crate at an estate sale. My dad and I made it into a table with old tobacco sticks. I am completely in love!

Tobacco Stick Flag

While searching in my Dad's barn, I found a pile of century-old tobacco sticks, gnarled from weather and use...and perfect. I quickly shimmied up the rickety old latter up to the hay loft and threw a bunch out the loft window, onto my truck bed below. A flag seemed the perfect project for these old warhorses, perfectly sturdy, perfectly southern, perfectly American. 

Ok, now for the how-to. Very simple, really. I started with 9 sticks, painted 5 red, 4 white. The red ones started out as blue (oops), but then quickly got a coat of red on top. I LOVE the way it looks, the blue peeking out, highlighting the grooves, bends, gnarles in the wood. The white, I brushed a coat of Americana craft paint over with a foam brush, leaving some wood to show underneath. I blocked off a square and spray painted that blue. For stars, I tore white rags and tied them on, in an alternating fashion, three on each stick. I took another stick and sawed it in two pieces, arranged the painted sticks on top, drilled pilot holes and screwed in the screws. I made sure to use mismatched screws for that eclectic feel. That's it people! SO SIMPLE and CUTE! 

Tobacco Stick Buttons

My dad and I made these buttons today from an old tobacco stick. He cut and drilled, I sanded and polished. Like an assembly line. I love the wood grain and the rustic feel. Also, the history behind the half century old oak. They were used on my Granny and Poppie's tobacco farm, year after year, stacking the tobacco for dying in the barn loft. The sticks are hard and weathered from use, so each button is unique in shape, width and texture.

They are for sale in my Etsy shop. $.75 each. Measures 1" By 1" approximately.

Hook Set, With Vintage Forks and Reclaimed Cedar Shingles

Remember those funky forks I got? Well, I bent them into hooks and mounted them onto some old cedar shingles. I love that you can see the outline of a door handle that was once there. Attached with mismatched screws, the look is slightly primitive/industrial chic. I love it :)

For sale on my Etsy page, $8.

Vintage Cooler Planter

I found this old metal 1950s? cooler at the Salvation Army for $4. I grabbed it up and took it home!
But, I couldn't decide what to do with it...and then, inspiration struck! It'd be a awesome planter! I had this trellis in the back yard. I put it in and put some plants in. That's it!

It even has a drain hole in the side already! How perfect!

VIntage Baby Scale

Isn't this vintage baby scale I found today just the cutest??

For sale in my Etsy shop!

Vintage Candlestick/Plant Stand

I just love the sinuous, almost dragon-like carvings on this one of a kind candlestick/plant stand I made. I also love the color, a bright chartreuse. I love it so much, I'd like to keep it, but I can't trust my one year old around it. So, it is for sale on my Etsy page!

Vintage Star Wars Masks

I just love these vintage Star Wars masks I found! They are handmade, signed on the back and dated 1981. The set is for sale on my Etsy page.

Vintage Mirror

I picked up this ugly old mirror at the local thrift store for $.50. I unscrewed the back and removed the mirror, leaving just the frame. I then sprayed it with some teal spray paint. Teal looks good on about everything, don't you think?

Then, I cut out some scrapbook paper in the shape of the back and mod podged it on. Looks so cute, don't you think?

JUNKING!

I have been thrift store shopping a lot lately, and I just wanted to share some of my finds!

A 1960's ammunition box, $1

A old handle with memo clips (hey, it's neat!), $.50

WWII filing cabinet with files, $12.75

Some old lawn chairs, shown here after I painted them, FREE in the trash at an antique store.

A radio flyer wheelbarrow, $3.50

A KitchenAid pink mixer, $16.75!

Two brown apothecary jars, $.50 each

Vintage Jar Revamp

My dad brought me this old (pickle?) jar he found in his barn, it was definitely really old, but I don't know how old. The bottom has "1875" on it. The lid was rusted on, so that was my first order of business. I sprayed WD-40 around the lid from underneath and let it soak in for about 15 minutes. Then I took my hammer and tapped around the lid. It opened quite easily after that. I washed the jar, but it still had a few spots on the inside I couldn't get out. It was ok, since I think it gives the jar character. I rummaged in my junk drawer and found this green metal candlestick thing-a-ma-jig. I found a wooden knob that perfectly fit on top. I glued it all together with my trusty Amazing Goop (seriously, I LOVE this stuff!) Then I found this stand that matched the green on top and I dabbed a little glue on it so it would stay put and not fall off.

I can't decide what to put in it though. Oh, the possibilities!

Belt Backed Chair DIY

I found this chair in my neighbor's trash (yes, I checked for bedbugs!) They were moving and didn't want to take it. I absolutely loved the arms and knew I had to save it from the trash pile. It is actually a Thomasville Chair Company chair, so it was excellently made and very sturdy.

I took off the seat and ripped off the fabric.

I had some grey primer in my basement from another project, so I gave it two coats of that.

I immediately knew it would look awesome orange, so I went to Meijer and bought some pumpkin orange spray paint, and gave it two more coats.

I had some tan wool fabric in my stash and I covered the seat, stapling it to the underside of the wood base.

It was missing the back, so I decided to use some belts instead. I went to Goodwill and purchased three for $1.50 each. I strapped them around and drilled a screw in the side so they would stay in place.

The ends of the belt were long and were dangling, so I dabbed on some Amazing Goop glue (what I had on hand), clipped some binder clips on and let it dry. I then had my hubby clip off those screw ends with a big clippy tool (do you like my technical lingo?)

(And yes, I am going to paint that ugly pink filing cabinet!)

DIY Coat Rack

I had These Shutters literally hanging off my old shed, and I decided they were a little gem just waiting for a facelift. I knew I wanted to make a coat hook to put by my front door. I had these curtain tiebacks I wasn't using anymore, so I simply attached them with some screws I had. I love the peeling paint and the old hardware. They have so much character, I am so glad I gave a second life to these old Shutters.

I used the hinges as hooks...

Voila!