Organized Clutter

  Probably about fifteen years ago, (maybe more) I had homespun valances and curtains custom made for my den/guest room.  Red was my favorite color, and this red and gold homespun plaid was well suited for my primitive country decor.  (Now I have transitioned to a farmhouse decor style in this room.) The scalloped roller shades are even older.  I purchased them from the old JC Penney catalog.  I desperately wanted to update the window treatments in this room without spending a lot of money.

My church and gardening friend, Huntz, gave me this old cast iron spittoon at the end of last summer. The old spittoon was originally from the local Courthouse, where his father was the janitor many years ago.  Huntz said it was his job to help his dad empty the Courthouse spittoons. Huntz had already painted the cast iron part of the spittoon and put drainage holes in the bottom for plants, so I will just be giving it a makeover.

I purchased this camp style shovel many years ago at an estate sale. The handle had been painted a bright blue. I saw it hanging on the garage wall the other day and decided to give it a makeover.

I found this felt Easter egg banner at Hobby Lobby. The thickness of the felt was much better than the Dollar Tree felt bunny banner, but yet again, the colors were just to bright for my taste.

 I found a package of wooden wood floral appliques at Hobby Lobby   recently. I used them on a new book stack project.

  I found this easel chalkboard at Goodwill last year.

I found this rustic, vintage glass and wood washboard at the local thrift shop recently. It was used a lot and pretty hard from the looks of it!

I found this unfinished wooden tissue holder recently at Hobby Lobby. I got it for 40% off the regular price.

I found this vintage wooden Mid Century Modern style in box/desk tray at Goodwill recently.  It has older felt on the bottom, and dovetailing on the corners. I gave it an easy upcycle!

I found this Santa tray at a thrift store for $2.99. I transformed it into a personalized monogrammed gift tray.

I found this metal jar shaped chalkboard easel at Goodwill.  It has a jar shaped metal chalkboard with it. I decided to paint the jar easel with Fusion Mineral Paint in Ash .

These two slatted, rustic board photo holders with plexiglass are Goodwill finds. Today I used the second holder in a fall project.

Last Saturday I found this old cutting board at a garage sale for $1. I gave it a good scrubbing with hot soapy Dawn Dish Soap water, and a few sprays of Krud Kutter.   The cutting board turned out to be the perfect size for a project idea that I had with decor transfers.

I found this cloth blank banner/flag at Hobby Lobby in the Christmas Craft area.  It has a stiff plastic or coated backing.  Do you ever wonder how to decorate these craft blanks?   I will show you how I finished my banner, and then my decorated fall covered patio decor!   I removed the string and dowel from my Hobby Lobby Banner.  Next, I brushed on two coats of Dixie Belle Chalk Finish Paint in Putty .   I think this paint color takes on a burlap look. I didn't paint the back. Just the front and edges.

  My project today started out with three very similarly sized thrift shop books. I gave them a fun fall makeover WITHOUT PAINT OR STENCILS! Take a look below.

  My daughters picked up this unfinished, hinged, treasure chest shaped box at Goodwill in the Twin Cities. It needs some paint, and probably stencils or decor transfers!

I found an empty barn wood frame at our local thrift shop.  I paid $5. I had a few sheets of chalkboard purchased at Home Depot on hand, and a piece was cut to fit the frame.  I don't think Home Depot sells larger sheets of chalkboard any longer, but a thin board could have been painted with chalkboard paint and added to the frame as well. Now to make it into a great project for my  summer covered patio!

I picked up this fluted terracotta pedestal at the thrift shop recently. (I could tell it was terracotta from the bottom. It was fairly heavy.) The finish reminded me of camouflage, but I'm sure the faux finish is supposed to resemble mossy, aged ruins.

  I love to shop the 40% off galvanized items in Hobby Lobby's Spring Sale. I paid $11.99 for this galvanized metal container with handles.

  Our local Dollar Tree just got in these small hanging wall shelves. I decided to give mine a makeover.