Nothing gives me quite the thrill as looking over a new catalog that came in the mail and finding something I like.


Nothing that is, except realizing that I have all the pieces and can make it myself! 
I knew I had an old chippy, round, nautical thingy in my workshop and some rope.
And I knew I had a round mirror.


But how happy was I when I realized that they were actually a perfect fit!

I love it when that happens! 

I glued the mirror to the round metal piece using gorilla glue so it is on there forever! 


Boom!  Instant porthole mirror.


Just like the one in the fancy, expensive catalog! 

A curb alert from a friend brought me this little cutie...

We all love the old fashioned shoe things that we find  in the antique and thrift stores.
But what were they used for before we used them for hooks and hangers? 

Creating from side-of-the-road castoffs isn't all I do...

Our Jack Russell can climb a fence.Don't let that innocent look fool you!

She was climbing up the side of a 2 1/2' dog fence and waking us up every night. 
I know... she's amazing...but that had to stop!
I tried the store bought fences and gates,she either climbed over the top or broke through.
Tried the crate... no luck.
I decided to build a fence myself, this way it could be high enough (I hope) and sturdy.

I toe-nailed together 2x4 pieces of wood.
I attached metal screening with heavy duty staples and screws and washers at each corner. 

I stained the wood with a vinegar and steel wool solutionthen added a little number bling.
After all, if I have to have a dog fence in my kitchen it should look nice.

A decorative solution to a climbing Jack Russell.

I wonder if she can read too..…

Today I'm cleaning out that messy bedroom closet... What to do with all those scarves?

These are recycled t-shirt scarves made from old white t-shirts that belonged to my husband. You would have never guessed! 

A vintage pastry blender...

Today I'm trying the Lysol antiquing solution and comparing it to Sophisticated Finishes.

I began with several buckets from IKEA. 
If you visit the blue links in this post you will be taken to other projects I've done with these products or the products themselves. 
Some are affiliate links and Homeroad will earn a small stipend from your purchase at no additional cost to you. 


The first one I painted with the Rust antiquing solution, here it is wet.

and here it is the next morning. 
They recommend letting the finish cure overnight.

I liked the results. 
The second one I painted with only the Patina Green and here it is wet.

Here it is the next morning.

After taking apart an old whitewashed gate I was anxious to use the reclaimed wood.

This painting is hanging in my kitchen over my farm table.

I started this project with pallet wood, 4 legs,  some shims and a handle.