Wednesday, July 25, 2007



Well, I'm off to MN early thursday morning. I'll post if I can. I'm a nervous flyer so I'm a bit anxious, but not real bad. All this Te**or**m talk is making me more nervous. I won't be taking any cheese with me on the plane that's for sure. :)

You all have a great weekend, and I'll touch base as soon as I can.

I'm Off!!!!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

wonderful magazine


If you get a chance to pickup this magazine don't pass it up.
The Fall 2007 Issue of BH&G Do it Yourself features several easy to do and T2T projects for your home. I'm always happy to see something new and this issue has it. From the 4 great weekend projects on page 7 to turning an old entertainment center into a laundry center on page 88. I especially love the home featured on Page 30. This home features an old door into a shelf, a great post mounted clock along with several other T2T projects. There is a primer on stenciling onto a wall, as well as instructions to several other projects. There is a great whimsical room on page 48 that uses, among other things, Old Drums as end tables. And on page 68 is an article on turning cardboard tubes into accessories for your home. Some of these are really clever. So pick it up if you can. I highly recommend it.

Monday, July 23, 2007

I'm such a home body.


I am preparing to take a little trip this weekend. I'll be traveling to Minnesota with my oldest Son for a family wedding. He will be taking the pictures. I'm always conflicted about leaving home. I am looking forward to seeing my family, and have the change of pace, but I also really love being at home. Because I'll be gone, I'm spending as much time as I can in the workshop because, I won't be able to for a full 6 days. Maybe I'm addicted to creating??? I am looking forward to visiting Stillwater MN for some antique shopping and sight seeing. I'm also looking forward to seeing if I can find any Junk places during the visit. But it will mostly be time with family, and not working. I hope that I can let my life and obligations go for a time, and enjoy the trip. I don't know if I'll be able to check my blog or my email much while I'm gone. Where I'm staying is out in the country and uses dial-up, so it's very slow. So if you don't hear from me for a few days, don't worry. I'll be back and hopefully have wonderful pictures and stories to share.

Don't forget to vote for you favorite color in the post below. I'm leaving on Thursday so they'll be a few more posts before I go.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Please Vote

This is my latest Garage Sale Find:

I've already fixed the broken leg and added the applique on the front. More embellishments will be forthcoming. I'll also be adding a glass knob with an old key hanging from it instead of the knob it now has.
Now as how to paint it? I'm asking for your help.
either this green

or this Cream

I really don't care and I think either color would look good, so My readers will decide.
I'll tally the votes on Tuesday afternoon.
here's a pic of the inside

And here is my other great GS find for this weekend.



don't forget to vote by responding to this blog.

Friday, July 20, 2007

What's in a Name??

So many of the other bloggers I read have named their home. We have thought and thought and can't really figure out a name for our dream home here in East Texas. It's in the woods, among the pine trees. It's yellow, it has a great porch... It's a little piece of Heaven in my opinion. But the best I can come up with is "The Yellow house on the Hill". So that is what I'll name it. Here is my Yellow house on the Hill. Now if we ever paint it a different color, I'll have to change the name.


Recently I had a local artist (friend of a friend) do a portrait of my home. I loved the result and it hangs proudly in my Study.

So that is my House on the hill, that is full of my Trash to Treasure and it's my little piece of Heaven on Earth.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Numbers & Letters


Numbers and letters are real big these days. I'm even starting to see Dinnerware that is simply a white plate with a large black number or letter on them. And they are not cheap.


I've been wanting some black on white tags for various projects, but have been unable to find exactly what I'm looking for. So yesterday I went on the hunt for something that would work. At first I found these little "make your own" tag rings at Michaels.

they came with a template so you can cut just the right sized circle and were very easy to use. I also got some black numbers/letter stickers and I was able to make these tags.

After I found those at Michaels, I headed over to Office depot where I found these

You get a lot more for your money, but they are only 1 size.
So I came home and I started crafting. First I spray painted some of the smaller ones in yellow and pink. Any color would work. Red/White/Blue for the 4th. Red/Green for Christmas, Pastel for Spring/Easter, Orange/brown/green for Fall etc.

They took the paint well and when dry turned out real sweet. Then I started playing and made these projects


Basket tie-on

Friends Sign for my Friends board...

Then I started labeling everything in sight.

I can think of many more projects for the tags and letters. I'm thinking scrapbooking, hand made cards, little signs to hang for holidays, the possibilities are endless. So I hope you take this inspiration and make something beautiful today for your world.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Itchin for a change

After reading many of your wonderful blogs, I decided I wanted a change. I have this little alcove which is actually the inside portion of a dormer. I didn't take a before, but it was somewhat primitive with a little wooden thing under the window and some pictures on the wall. I was wanting a more cottagey look, but not too froo froo. So I went shopping in my barn and made a transformation. I took several pictures because it's such an awkward space, I couldn't get my camera far enough away to get it all in one picture

I brought in a side table that I had added some ceiling tin into as an insert.
I already had the stained glass windows hanging up, so no change there.

I hung one of my window shelves, and added a few accessories to it from the barn.


The chair and bear were already there, I changed what was in the basket to be some linens and a tassle as well as some old shoe forms that you can't see. The lamp was in my attic so i brought it out for some height. The shade was also in my stash and was purchased at a garage sale.
I'm pleased with it, and I didn't spend any money, just moved some stuff around. What do you think. If I were to add up what all the new stuff cost, before I worked on it, It's under 10.00. The other accessories I already had in the previous decor.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Project Updates

I thought I'd give you an update on a few Garage sale (trash) Items that I had posted about in the past, and their updated (treasure) status.
Take a look at the items in this picture, total cost about $14.00.

See the 2 folding chairs on the Right? Well here they are now. I Painted them white and then added a sweet rose stencil.

Now look at that end table in the center, what you can see of it.
Well I painted it, and then added an old ceiling tin panel to the center. It looks better in person. You can also see it behind the white chairs above.

See the little wooden shelf on the side table in the center? I added a shutter to it and painted it and...

And lastly that step side table on the left. I painted it, added new hardware some 1/2 spindles and it's done.

So there are a few updates, on garage Sale Treasures Found. It's amazing what some paint and a little bling will do.

Friday, July 13, 2007

The Barn is filling up


Because My barn is filling up,
I'm actually thinking of moving my Barn sale up, but I probably won't. I'll just probably back off making so much stuff, maybe work on some smaller projects. I've added prices to my Barn Sale page , and most of the items are available for shipping. Larger furniture is not though.

Let me know if there is anything you want. I also take special orders.

Barn Sale Info

Thursday, July 12, 2007

I Blew It.

For those of you who read my blog regularly, you know that my New Years Resolution was to stop buying so much CR*P and become less of a consumer. That really sparked my whole T2T hobby, because I do like changing my home a lot, and if I don't want to buy new, then I have to buy used etc. Well I've done real good. Most of my purchases this year have been old stuff to re-purpose. Except for clothing, food and supplies. Well today I blew it. I was at Hobby Lobby to buy "supplies" and I started browsing. They have their fall stuff out now, and Fall is my favorite time of year. I love fall colors, and everything about it. So I'm only looking right? right. So I see these cute little fall leaf ornaments. They are ceramic with wire details. and they are on sale so I give in and I begin looking for more.

As I'm looking for more, I see that the 4th of July stuff is 80% off, and they have bells. Well I've wanted large bells to fill a basket for Christmas for over a year now, but they are just too expensive. Of course they had red, white and blue in 2 large sizes. So I got mostly red, some white and 2 blue ones and loaded up my basket. So I did backslide ever so slightly, but everything was on sale and I had been looking for bells for awhile... so It wasn't really an impulse buy right???

Well here are the bells and ceramic leaves. The color on the leaves is off in the picture, they are teal and brown, I just love them. and all of it only cost $12.00.
I think the red and white bells will look great at Christmas time. For now I'm leaving up my 4th decorations.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Today's Treasures

Well since my blog is about creating Treasures from Trash I thought I'd stop talking about the rain and start talking trash.

Today, I was really itchin to go bargain hunting. So after work I went to an Antiques store that I don't go to very often, but almost always find something good. And I found this little suitcase.
And it was a bargain at $5.00, but wait, it was 1/2 off, so even better. I scooped it up. For the short term I'm gonna use it as a display at my Barn Sale for my paper and scrapbooking stuff.
.

Now for some projects, I thought I'd show you the project and then tell you where I got all the elements. First project is this shelf unit.

The shutter sides, shelf wood, and top detail all came from garage sales, and all parts were dirt cheap. Shutters were bought with a bunch of others, the wood was $3.00 and i got a lot more and the top portion was part of a shelf that was .50c.
Put it all together and you've got a nice little shelf.
Next project, Small shutter cabinet.

Shutter door was given to me by a friend who is remodeling, sides were part of the 3.00 lumber purchase above. Base is an old wooden gameboard also purchased at a GS and the top was part of an old table that was damaged $2.00, but I used the base of the table for another project so this is only a part of that cost. The little feet are scrap wood from leftover bits.
Here's another shelf unit

I bought the shutter at a Flea Market years ago and have never used it, so I thought I'd turn it into a shelf unit. The shelves were beadboard that someone was selling at a church sale for practically nothing. and the triangle brackets are leftovers.

That's the junk now for the adventure. I sold my crib bench to a woman in Mass. So the adventure is getting it packed for shipment. I found a box, but now I've got to fill up all that empty space. I'm using other boxes (empty) to fill up most of it then I'll probably dump some peanuts to fill in the gaps. I should be ready to ship it later this week. This is the first time for me to ship something this big, I'll let you know how it goes. It's pretty sturdy so I'm not too worried about it. Here it is so far.


Well that is what I've been working on this past week. today it is too hot and humid to do much out there. I slapped some paint on a few small projects and then came inside to cool off. It did rain a bit today but nothing to write home about.

Take care, stay cool

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Rain Rain Go Away!!!!!

I am so sick of this rain. For those of you who don't know, I'm in East Texas. And I believe it has rained everyday since my son's birthday, May 21. I thought it might be dry all day yesterday, but at around 8:00pm, it sprinkled again. Not much to speak of, but it did keep the daily rain streak going. Today I got up early and started mowing, as I was mowing it started to sprinkle on me. I was able to finish thank goodness, but now it's not only raining, It's pouring. My yard is washing away, and I have puddles on top of puddles. We don't really have any risk of flooding our home because we are on a hill, but our yard is a swamp. My troubles are nothing, as I have friends whos home is flooding and there is nothing they can do but wait for it to dry out. I checked the 10 day forecast and rain is in it everyday this week. AHHHHHH!!!!! Last year drought, this year flood. Where is Noah when you need him. Here's a pic of my yard.


As I was mowing, I saw lots of sand washed down, and little "creeks" that have been formed naturally in my yard for drainage. The other day I noticed that a little gully that we have for drainage had a little waterfall going in it. "Oh" I exclaimed "we have a water feature". Well I'm sure God knows what he's doing, but my paint won't dry and I've got moss growing on everything. "Lord, can we talk about this? I know I prayed for rain, but you can stop now."

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Day Antiquing

My DH and I decide to go East of Tyler to a town called Marshall for some antiquing today. We drove about 1 1/2 hrs and finally arrived in Marshall. We drove around, found downtown, and...nothing. Among all the old buildings downtown there was not an antique store in sight. So discouraged we stopped at a hamburger joint for lunch. I asked the people there for a phone book and I looked up the Antiques section. Found that there was only 1 store listed in Marshall but many stores listed in Jefferson. We inquired as to how far Jefferson was (20 mins north) and set out to go there. But first we had to find the 1 store in Marshall. It wasn't hard and I'm glad we went. Although I didn't buy anything, I met a very nice lady, Ginger, and saw many of her T2T creations.
The name of the shop is "The Little House" at 206 E Fannin St 903-938-0113. Ginger sells on Ebay under GingerE, check out her stuff. Here are some pictures of her T2T creations.

This is a bookshelf, storage display made from an old window and some old shutters

This is a great display, using 2 glass-less windows, hinged together with spoons hanging from them. This could be used to display hankies, ornament or just about anything.


These 2 old windows have been attached to this cupboard as doors.
After visiting with Ginger and getting the 411 on Jefferson (she has a booth there too), we headed off. Jefferson was a neat town, and full of antique shops. I was able to find Much t2t supplies there, and took these pictures.

Look at this pile of spindles




Old Windows to die for.

the ultimate use for old windows. Cat perch :)
It was a great day, Met a new friend, explored 2 new small towns, found some treasures and spent time with my DH. My Feet Hurt.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Happy 4th To everyone



I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone an Happy Independence Day.
I also want to reflect on what this day means to Americans. It is a day that we look back at the wisdom and courage of our country's founders. They went up against amazing odds to create this country. Those people who settled in this land were a special kind of people. They left their comfort zones to venture out into an unknown place to make a new life. That takes courage, strength & perseverance. And that is where we come from. The blood of these ancestors runs through our veins and makes us strong. For me I have the blood of courageous Irish, Scotch, German, Welsh & Cherokee ancestors within me. I Thank them for their sacrifices and their courage. We can have this day to celebrate with family and friends because of what they did, the vision they had. Happy Independence Day to everyone.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Trash picking story

What is worse than throwing away a perfectly good crib, changing table and rocker? Dumping it on the side of the road. But that is exactly what someone did and I'm am the benefactor of this careless person's littering.

I decided to take a short cut down a back road and low-and-behold I spy a Genny Lind crib and assorted other items. Of course I pulled over, trodded through mud, high grass and ant hills in my sandals, and loaded it all into my tiny car as quickly as possible.

Here are the spoils, as well as my silly DH.



I can't wait to see what all of this becomes. I'm now re-invigerated to go out and create.

Also, I took my camera with me today to snap a pic of this great shutter display. This is a local Florist shop and I just love this that they have on their porch. It's such a great color. I think I'm going to try and copy it. I have the shutters and I think it would look great somewhere outside. Now to get the color just right.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Sunday

I promised pictures of my Canton Finds so here goes. As I said below, I mostly got things I needed for my creations.
Here is a stack of spindles and some other wood trim pieces.

Here are a bunch of metal objects, Keys door plates etc.

And here is the thing I picked up for myself. First let me say I am a sucker for bulletin board alternatives, and unique picture display ideas. So I couldn't pass this up.

It has these little spring clips with numbers on them. and the same is on the other side. Right now I have it in my workroom to hold inspiration pictures.

So those are my Canton treasures for this month. I'm already putting some of the keys to use, I've added old key earrings to my earrings collection.

The best thing I got at Canton was my New Friend Linda (see post below). It was so much fun visiting, cooling off and resting in Linda's shaded booth. Thanks for the visit Linda
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