Burlap sack projects and repurposed items

Pillow from part of coffee bean sack

coffee bean sack pillow

back side of two larger pillows made
from drop cloth

cutting sack apart

coffee bean sack w/embellishment
 

the coffee bean sacks all made into
pillows

the first two pillows I made

flea market chair repainted
and reupholstered w/coffee bean
burlap sack

I had to leave the sack's tag on

full view of chair

view of chair back

close up of seam before
hand stitching

and after hand stitching.

I turned an old casserole stand
into a lovely tray

I cut and covered a piece of particle
board to fit into the casserole stand and
glued it in place from the bottom

I just love the two metals in this stand

I was an easy project and ended up
looking

It holds several items for the make-up
table

An old frame fitted with fabric and
batting turned into a pic cushion
or earring holder

Isn't this a lovely trio of items

I removed the inside of this book
and turned it into a secret storage
box

then placed a pad and pen inside...it
makes a great gift

 

A little wellness, please!

This year is half over and I really would like to start it all over again.  I have not had the best of health this year.  I started the year with continual sinus problems and asthma flair ups only to slip into bronchitis and flu like symptoms.  In March I was in the hospital three days for pneumonia and out of work on sick leave for three weeks.  I have not been 100% well since then.  In the middle of May I began feeling ill again with a raw throat and what felt like an ear infection.  I just knew I had strep throat, but it was not strep.  Whatever it was held on like a tick on a hound dog!  I had a cough that would almost make me pass out because it took such hold of me; and I couldn't lay down due to the sinus drainage. There were three Rx's for antibiotics, one oral steroid pack and one steroid shot, five doctor visits, cough syrup, antihistamines, ear drops, nose spray, prescription gargle, salt water gargle, heating pad, and ibuprofen by the handfuls.  Two months later my voice is just starting to sound normal, but my ear still is stopped up and my hearing somewhat impaired due to that.  During all this time I have had moments of extreme sweating and the feeling that I was on fire and a low grade fever at night.

I want a clean slate...I want to feel better...I want to have more energy...I want my life back.  Is that too much to ask???  There are so many projects in my basement garage just waiting to be done, but I have not felt 100% , so haven't started them.  I would also like to have the $5000 plus that I have spent on trying to get better!

It is not my intent to sound like a bitter, whining, unfortunate soul.  I have so much to be thankful for.  Through all this I have had a wonderful husband to take care of me and see to my every need.  For this I am ever grateful - I hated having to put him through so much as he already cares for his father.

I am able to work, able to drive, able to shop, and able to do so many things many people can't due to a debilitating illness.  So, I am very fortunate in so many ways - I just want to be over this!

So, now that I have spewed out all that was pent up inside regarding this long lasting down period in my life, I will move on to things on the up side.

Until next time...I am taking my vitamins every day!!!

Three Way Credenza Repurpose

Credenza and shelf unit

and the cabinet maker is...

nice center unit with shelf
and the doors are bifold.

 

Shelf unit used for record storage

everything gets a
 white paint job.

the original base was
cut into three sections
 

my husband working
on the base

my daughter is
painting the inside of the
center cabinet

the drawers are also
looking good



placement of each unit...open spaces for chairs.

one of the sections of the two person desk
w/desk top in place
The tall table at the left was made using the
original credenza top - just added legs with
apron between them for stability.

This was a great project and done with love for my daughter and her boyfriend.  The credenza and shelf unit was purchased at a local City Thrift (proceeds to the Disabled Veterans of America) on a Senior Day for a 30% discount and was all less than $50.  The boxy shelf unit was probably never part of the original credenza, but may have been added by the previous owner.  It was a good piece and was put to use immediately for storage of vinyl records. 
The credenza stayed on the new owner's front porch for 10 months until it could be worked on.  The first thing we did was to separate the credenza base from the cabinetry - there were actually three sections which worked out to be perfect for our project.  There is an alcove in the upstairs studio of 12 feet by 28 inches in which the couple wanted a two person desk/work station.  This made placement of the credenza sections very easy.  Then all that was necessary was to paint the pieces and put them back onto the bases.  My husband was the carpenter who actually did the retrofit for each section by adding 2X4 pieces to the cut out sections to form the square base for each unit.  We then purchased two six foot sections of cabinet grade wood for the desk top.  The original credenza top was removed when the sections were separated and was used for another project - a jewelry bench at which my daughter will work while creating her unique jewelry pieces. 
We still have one last work day before the project is completed.  The desk top needs to be stained and sealed and permanently attached to the three sections.  I will post a picture once we get that done.  I may be a few weeks, though.
 

From Floral to Drop Cloth Gorgeous

Over the last two days my daughter, Paige, and I have been tearing apart and reupholserting this chaise lounge.  It was not working in her living room with all the floral and green velvet; but it had some great bones and wonderful updating possibilites.  So here are the before, during, and after photos.  For those who may be squimish...many, many, many staples were sent to the trash from the removal of old fabric process - so look away!

A co-worker and friend wanted a simple desk painted teal after she saw the dressing table I had painted for my daughter.  So, I told her I would keep my eye out for an old desk on the cheap that I could paint for her.  Well I found the desk for $5.99 at thrift store.  I completely sanded it down to bare wood (there was much carving of unsavory nature done by previous juvenile owners).  She had picked out some really pretty knobs that were a wonderful pop of color.  I mixed some different paint colors to come up with a close match of the knobs and painted the drawers all but the front with that color.  So here are some before, during, and afters.  I was really pleased with it and so was the new owner!