In with the old, out with the new.

Ingo-bought at Ikea

 

Although I really like the clean look of modern furniture, there is something about the texture and look of old pieces that I really like. 

I recently bought a hand held sander of my own and thought I should try it out, so I started a new project: converting my Ikea Ingo table into an older rustic table. (The colour of this table is inspired by the Bekvam Ikea cart remake which can be found at http://www.homeroad.net  which is another great blog).

I had to purchase some materials I needed so I went to Rona. I didn't take a list with me as it was only a couple of items: paint, nails, tape and sandpaper for my new sander. I spent quite some time looking for the right can of paint: white and cheap. Rona should make small cans of recycled paint because the other stuff is expensive. I found the chain I had to purchase. It costs $160 for the roll...I got a rather questionable look when I told the sales clerk I only need a foot. I guess not too many people buy only a foot of a heavy-ish chain. I purchased the wrong nails. I didn't notice until I got home that I had purchased concrete nails. I did notice however that I forgot to purchase tape. I guess I should have brought a list after all. However after making sure I had all the materials, it was time to begin this new project.

tape..then paint

                                                                                                                                                                               The first thing I did was tape the edges of the table top and then painted the legs and skirt of the table white. 

Because it was unbelievably hot hot outside, I didn't even have to wait for the first coat to dry before applying the second.

sand the legs and skirt

I then used a heavy-ish chain and a hammer to beat the entire table giving it an older look.

This was followed by sanding the top, the skirt and the legs of the table to wear off some of the paint and the old stain that was left on the table so that it looks more natural. 

sand the top

I added tacks to each leg and the corners of the table top as well as some randomly placed tacks to give it and old used wood look. Lastly I added 3 tacks to the centre of each side for decorative purposes.

add some random nails

add nails to the corners

add nails to the legs

                   a little decorative touch

    all finished!

The look of the table brightens the room up nicely!

That is an inappropriate donation!

Today I was working in the donations room where we also sort books. While I am not accepting donations, I take a bag or box presumably full of books, sort them according to condition and separate the movies, Cd's and books. Sometime working in the thrifting field has it's challenges.

As I was grabbing a bag from a bin to sort through, the bag hit my leg and began to vibrate!!! of course we don't always think much of this as often we get battery operated nick knacks and singing Santas and such. However this was a different type of toy. I am ashamed to even tell you what it is. But I am sure by now you have all guessed what was in the bag. As a clue, this is not the type of toy that you buy at Toys R' Us. okay fine I'll say it. it was a freaken dildo!!!!! (and other related items). EEW! who donates that? there was also some money in the bag...probably apology money.

Apology not accepted.

                                                                                          

                                       

Le Doors and anti-hooligan gates

There are people from over 17 different countries reading my blog! Neato!

"Le doors"

So last post I mentioned that I would post some pics of some projects I/we were working on. The first one was the french doors. We had an office in our house which could potentially be a second bedroom. we have a day bed in there at the moment but without doors it's not very private. So my dad made small french doors that swing both ways that we could put in our doorway. I had to have them made because this particular door way, like our appliances are much smaller than the standard size.
I went to Ikea to pick up fabric to make curtains for them, since they have plexi-glass panels. So i got to the store and they have an entire roll, brand new still in the plastic in stock. I needed the same fabric that I have on my living room curtains. Anyways I am looking at the hanging sample of the fabric I need and as I was calculating how much I need, this lady takes the entire roll and puts it in her cart! Who needs the entire roll?? They were even chatting about making shower curtains while taking the fabric....umm you can't use that material for shower curtains! helloo??!! I had to come back the next week to get my fabric. Now we have a second bedroom so guests can have a private space...until we have kids, then that will become the nursery.









(bragging rights to the first person who can tell me what major thing I changed in my living room. and no its not the pillows. you might need to check other blog entries to figure it out.)

the anti-hooligan gate

The second project was the baby gate. Okay to be honest with you, we haven't completely finished this project. The idea was to make a gate out of shoe racks and hinge it to the door way to prevent Olive from running onto the streets like the hooligan that she is. The gate itself is together but  it hasn't been mounted yet as we have also been using it in other door ways. So for now it is just a blockade. either way I save a tonne of money on a real baby gate. Don't have a hairy kanipshun  now! I know that you are all thinking that I would use this as an actual baby gate but I wont. Relax. it's just for the dog.

I painted the shutters on our house. Did I mention that already? or did I say I was going to? Anyways I did. I painted them. they used to be a light/faded gray. They are now black. I also freshened up the mailbox and the lamp, and added two flower pots to balance out the black shutters since my other window doesn't have any. It really made the house "pop".

before

after

new flower boxes

I've also been busy with a bit of gardening. We expanded our vegetable garden. This year we are growing corn ( way more that we planned, infact it's so much I might debate borrowing the harvester from my parents! Okay that might be a bit too excessive.), cauliflower, kale, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, beets ( but I don't think they will survive) green beans ( Which my husband swears are not green beens, but they are). We are growing some other things too but I can't think of them. Oooh and we have raspberries and blackberries , but they are small plants still so we wont see any this year i don't think.

My "rock" garden

Hens and Chicks

our rose a 1 yr anniversary
gift from my in laws

front garden

our vegetable garden.
 Twice as big as last year!

That's it so far I think. At least until a new project comes along or another price tag enrages me.