Recycling and Coffee Station Combo

This is a project that anyone could do in those occasion when you are limited in space,

or when you just want to be efficient in using the square feet your house has to offer.

If you remember, right before Thanksgiving,

I tackled this coffee station project.

(project here)

I initially used the bottom part of the table to store my 45lb pail of hard wheat, 

and several pounds of dried beans.

(as a long distance runner, 

I eat plenty of both. 

I love my carbs, vegetable proteins and iron)

One thing though was not working out very well in our kitchen,

and that was our recycling bins situation.

We recycle pretty much 

Glass Jars holder

Most times I am stuck by inspiration in the least convenient moments.

That's not always a bad things...

but can be at times.

I am also one of those people that has to get things done

...now!

So I decided to make a simple glass jars holder.

The wood I had was already a 

Easy paneling update

If you live in a house that was built before 1980ish,

chances are that you have wood paneling in one or more rooms in your house.

I know some of you may cringe at the sight of paneling, 

but I believe that what is an eyesore for some, 

can be updated for very little money and time.

You have probably have heard of painted paneling,

but here are some tips, ideas and projects to turn paneling into something beautiful.

Let's start with our main bathroom.

Project here

This paneling was the "old" kind, 

somewhat glossy.

BEFORE

I washed it with water (you won't believe how dusty walls can get...paneling or drywall alike).

Then I used a 

Fabric lined and painted pine wooden crates

Today's project was one of those impromptu

project.

Fabric lined (on the inside) and painted pine (on the outside) wooden crates.

 

It was fast and turned out great.

I started with two wooden crates that I already had.

The crates are the plain unfinished pine ones.

Until I stained them (about 8 years ago).

Today I added some painted numbers and some dropcloth.

I use those crates to store clothes, 

so I wanted to be able to "hide" the inside by adding fabric on the inside. 

(the easy way)

I drew the 

Cabinets are done

It always feels good to finish a project, especially a big one!

Here how this project all began. 

A couple of free samples from Lowes.

Actually 3 free samples and I bought one, for a total of four of these.

Apple Baskets

Today I decided to add a little something to this two apple baskets I bought a while back.

As usual, the choice of numbers makes it more interesting than just having a plain basket.

Words are also a favorite of mine.

This is one of those projects that can be done in less than

Light at the end of the tunnel

I have been MIA for almost two weeks...and I have a good reason for that.

source

At least I think I do.

Beside life getting super busy, 

and homeschool taking over a lot of what used to be "spare" time 

(for lack of a better word),

about 2 weeks ago I had decided that it would be a good idea to repaint the kitchen cabinets. 

Right! What was I thinking?

 For all you women out there that have your husbands do the dirty work, 

consider yourself fortunate. 

My husband is in no way interested in doing such jobs...and thinking that his dad is a very gifted handy man.

Rabbit trail...

Back to the cabinets.

I had two coupons for free sample of paint from Lowes, 

one was found in

Painted Chair $1 (no sewing)

I have to admit, 
I can sew slipcovers, and I have in the past, but it is a time consuming job (for me).

That said, I did wanted to change up this rocking chair.

It went 

Inexpensive storage boxes and memo board

I was in need of some storage boxes in our entrance, and I was able to customize some free cardboard boxes.

I painted two boxes with this brand new quart of paint found at the ReStore for $1.

Number Sign

Lately I have been drawn to numbers (and metal)...maybe I should play the lottery...then again, maybe not.

Anyway, when I saw this 

Number Sign

on The Essence of Home blog, 
I knew I wanted to make something similar.
So I got a piece of wood from my pile

Wood crate

When I am working on a bigger projects, I always try to include a few smaller ones in...that's because I am a "get it done" kind of person, but with bigger projects (and smaller children) sometime that's just not possible.
So today I did this.

I had this basic wood crate that needed a basic makeover.

Just a plain pine crate from Michael's. 

(I think)...

Easy glass "etching"

So, I never tried the actual etching process, but I found that this will give you similar results as etching.

I like to keep things simple and basic, so one day, while reorganizing our paint stash in our garage, I had a bright idea.
(lesson learned: it pays off to organize your paint stash)

For this project, all you need is a glass bottle, a stencil and 

Fleur-de-lis Wooden Trivet

You know it's a good day for me, 

when I get the chance to go outside and work on a few wooden projects!

I absolutely love to build and create useful and cute things...understanding that both useful and cute are very personal statements.

This time I wanted to build a wooden trivet, perfect size for a pot or pan.

As usual, I got searching in my scrap wood pile for wooden scraps of similar thickness.

I made a few cuts enough for three trivets.

Silver and sparkly magazine

Since I have been in recovery and 

since I have TONS of magazines 

(thanks to expiring miles bonus points), 

I have decided to make the most of this 

sit down-lay down, time.

Here is a slightly different version of this recent book project.

You'll need:

magazine(s)

spray paint

and time

Fold your magazine's pages like 

Second chances

I sometime wonder why things like this seem to call my name. 

I mean,
 it's a piece of wood with holes...
kind of like a cheap version of Swiss cheese.
Kind of...

Yeah, not that attractive.

But for some reason I picked this up and brought it home.

 I really didn't pay more than a dollar for it.

It sat in our garage for several months (like most of our stuff does), until 

Family name sign

I know there are a bunch of you out there that love a good cup of coffee! 

I am one of those people that would drink coffee anytime...as long as I am in good company.

I call myself a "social coffee drinker"

I have had this sign hung in my kitchen for a a year or so, but although I liked the sign, it just looked out of place.

So this is my makeover.

Two coats of HIGH hiding primer.

Carbon copy paper.

 Brush and paint.

Distress (love how it shows some of

Old clock

I am one of those unique people that love to mix...and this is true both for decorating and cooking.

I have had this clock for a while, but it needed a little paint, a little distressing and a place to land.

I like how it turned out.

And now it's resting in our

Chalkboard Barstools

What about painting the barstool? 

That's what I asked myself this morning.

(I know, as if I sit around all day with nothing to do)

The thing is that I have wanted to paint those for a long time. 

I like the reddish wood color, but I was ready for a change.

The barstools came from my mother in law, and few years later we bought our black table and chairs. Now the stools are black too.

Our two girls sit on those when