Creating Winter Warmth

Oh Christmas Tree

Inspired by a couple of Pinterest ideas from my wife's account,

I used scraps left over from the Christmas gift project

to make this rustic "tree".

Not sure if we'll print words on the slats, paint, etc.

but I now have used up two complete cabinet doors!

Chest of Drawers Remodel

 A vintage Kroehler chest of drawers....sanded (above)

and, as of this evening, primed.

One coat of off-white paint has been applied

with the second planned for tomorrow.

Then the trim pieces will be attached and it will be ready to GO!

Found, reasonably priced, at a garage sale this past autumn.

Christmas Gifts & A Solution

 I've been busier than my blog posts might indicate...

Tonight I finished these three chalkboard units.

 I made them from samples of cabinet doors I had stored in our shed

 just waiting to use SOMEhow.

I took them apart, salvaged some parts
(including what I used for hangers),

taped off the "frames" and applied chalkboard paint (spray).

The hooks came from various sources
and were stored in drawers in my garage.

I'll need to "restock the store"!

 And this (above) is my solution to my wife's problem...
another project completed.

The House is Full

 Finished (and willing to sell)...

The House is Full!

Sanded, used a natural stain to preserve the original finish, and covered with satin poly.  Nice desk with two file-sized drawers.

Create & Fix

Jesus' birth into a carpenter’s family was no accident.

Carpenters create new things and fix broken things.  

(Randy Alcorn)

Finished

November Projects

 Two new projects waiting restoration.

I'll try to preserve the light oak finish on the sturdy desk above

while applying chalk paint to the dresser below.

First there are a couple of drawer issues that need my attention.

That completed, let the painting begin!

 It certainly brings out the intricate design of this piece.

Cute Kids' Stuff

I guess we didn't get a picture of this table in the condition
we acquired it in...

but you can see a picture of it while I was sanding the paint off the top HERE.

I had to construct some supports to hold the leaves up, 

then stained and polyed the top.  

We've paired it with two miscellaneous children's chairs
that we had on hand.

This set we hope to sell.

Another End

 This is the "End Product" of the table shown 

in the rough in the previous post.

 We left the distress marks in the table top.

(We think it adds unmistakeable character and charm.)

from Beginning to End

 Beginning - this table...in very rough shape.  

 Square with drop leaves.

One of the hinges was broken....others very rusty.

 Repair was necessary to stabilize the frame.

Ending:  Below is a picture of a table that turned out well

in spite of some frustrations with the polyurethane.

 I ended up sanding it all off, restaining, and then applying several coats

of wax finish.

Such beautiful wood grain!

One Down

One down; two (or more) to go!

See the previous post for the "in progress" photos...

Projects in Process

 We found this table for $1 at a garage sale in Churubusco last weekend.

Its wood grain is incredibly beautiful.

 In another part of the garage is this $2 book shelf...

 primed and ready to paint.

Yet one other of the larger projects in process...

a child's drop leaf table.

No boredom at OUR house!

Busy in the Garage

 First coat of home-made chalk paint on the half-round table...

(Plaster of Paris mixed into regular paint)

See previous post for details.

 ^ Added some dark wax to highlight the grooves
after a second coat of paint.

 Finished two more chalk boards utilizing old frames we had on hand.

Getting There

 From a table discarded in pieces by a roadside

(half pictured above; the damaged "apron" below)

 I began to fashion a half-round table.

 Below:  Ready for sanding and finishing!

Stay tuned.

A New Challenge

 

Currently in progress.

Purchased for $2!