Not just repurposing, but BEING repurposed......" if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come." ~~ 2 Corinthians 5:17



Wednesday, December 9, 2009

It's No Secret -- Sometimes a Negative makes a Positive

I can't begin to tell you the number of times I've been working on a project and something happens along that at first glance seems to be a setback, but eventually actually becomes an asset. It happened again today so I thought I'd share.


The plan: I took a shutter, painted it white, added a pencil holder (actually a Scrabble tile holder) and continued on making it into a desk/mail organizer.


The problem: The shutter had a weird recessed area.


The solution: I decided to cover the hole with something interesting -- enter this doorknob plate (I know what it's really called, I just don't know how to spell that). I think it made the piece more interesting and I probably wouldn't have added it were it not for that hole.


The finished piece: Almost done.


The finished piece all decked out: All done!


The secret: Well, not only did that cover the hole and add interest to the piece, there's a bonus. I only used a top screw and didn't crank it down tightly -- now the plate can be spun to the
side to reveal a little secret compartment!
So if at first something appears to be a problem, no worry! You're probably just on your way to something even better than you originally planned.
Now go have some fun with junk!
Midge
p.s. I forgot to mention that I did attach a piece of cardboard/paneling to the back side so papers don't fall through. I ran a small bead of wood glue on each rail, set the board in place, set something heavy to hold it down while drying.
I'M LINKING THIS UP WITH DONNA'S SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL OVER AT FUNKY JUNK INTERIORS. HEAD ON OVER THERE AND CHECK OUT ALL THE GREAT PROJECTS.

11 comments:

judi said...

Love this idea Midge...glad you're back to posting on your blog...know how that is with projects before you and not enough time in a day! love all your latest ideas, the vintage tub table is so cool-trying to figure how to use a tub under my tree this year but my stand's legs are too wide(still thinking it through)

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

so true, things don's ALWAYS go as planned in our line of work, now do they? :)
I love me a good shutter idea! Thanks for giving me some inspiration!
Hope you've had a good week.
gail

Marge of Emmas Nook and Granny said...

What a great idea! Love the paint job, too!

red.neck chic said...

That is so cool!!! I like the "oops" that you have. LOLOL

You make me want to go take a shutter down off the front of my house...hmmmm...

I like it Ms. Creative Midge!!!

;-) Robelyn

Chic Cottage Junk said...

Midge, this is super-neat-o-cool! I really love this piece and it would look great in my house! Just kidding - I have no room!

Thanks for the ideas - especially on the neat little hiding place!

Sue

alice said...

Midge! Wow wee! Such a clever girl you are! It is a really cool project. You really did make lemonade!
smiles, alice

Coleen's Corner said...

Love the secret hiding place! Love the way you added the thing you can't spell :)

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

What a great project! It is so neat!! :)

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Nice! I love the eclectic feel of your shutter. It's like it has jewelry. :)

Donna

Maisey said...

This is such a great idea! Thanks so much! I love to work on projects with older things. I recently worked on a vintage tub and this shutter idea will probably be my next project!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh is that perfect or what? A secret compartment and when I saw your scissors in the little lion drawer pull? Love it!