I'm going to a Party!

There's a party going on over at Me & My House and I'm heading over to join in the fun. Consider this my RSVP. If you want to come along, just click on the badge below. Hope to see you there!



Most of my junk is not redone, or reused (though it happens occasionally), but is redesigned. That means I usually have to break out the tools and put in some work, but I'm able to use a greater variety of junk and definitely can get better prices on things (often free). I've been junking longer than blogging so here are some of my favorite projects that otherwise might not have been posted. Here's what I'm bringing to the party:

One of my earliest and BIGGEST projects when I began junking a few years ago. A couch made from doors.

A candelier made from............okay, you guessed it, from a coffee table bottom turned upside down.

Who says hall trees have to be elegant?

I waited all day to get this iron wheel from the auction (ended up paying $1) because I knew it would make an awesome mirror. It did.

Those vintage wheels don't just hold photos, they really spin!

Say "cheese"! Or maybe I should say "Can you turn off the light?".

Kind of Pottery Barnish, but it's really pure junk.

I've got the world by a string! Well, at least the birds do, anyway.

Office organization, AND JUNK? Oh, yeah!

Who doesn't love tin ceiling tiles? There's always a way to put good junk to use. And I always have fun doing so.

That's it. Besides, I've gotta go. I have a party to get to!

Midge

Happy, Happy, Tag, Tag

Tag! I'm it!

At least that's what RedNeckChic says. She happy tagged me.



What does that mean?

It means that I have to list 6 random, insignificant things that make me happy. Here goes (in no particular order) --

1. Getting a "pull-through" parking space.

2. Any commercial with William Shatner cracks me up (that guy has taken self-mockery to a new level).

3. Thinking that I'm out of pop and then discovering a forgotten one in the car.

4. When I pull into the driveway and our dog Samson plays "Surprise". He "hides" behind a bush, waits til I start to get out of the car, and then springs out with a smile on his face. (He is over 100 pounds and I can totally see him when he is "hiding").

5. Rocking out and singing loudly, by myself, (if not at the start, certainly by the end) to good music -- usually contemporary Christian, occasionally classic rock.

6. FINDING A GOOD PILE OF JUNK! -- you didn't really think I'd neglect to include some junk did you?

Thanks to RedNeckChic for the tag -- that also made me happy. Be sure to click on her name and check out her blog.

Now, TAG, YOU'RE IT....

artsyfartsy

chiccottagejunk

junkinjane

sassytrash

sewhotmitmot

vintagesue

so, list on your blog 6 things that make you happy, and then tag 6 other blogs and let them know.

Midge

A Tale of Two Kiddies

Anyone who's read my blog knows just how much I LOVE junk. But what I don't mention very much is that even more than being a junker, first and foremost I'm a mom. And I felt very much in mom mode this past weekend. A lot of driving people here and there, a lot of "Mom, I need...", and a lot of "Oh mom, can you...?" The job of parenting is a mighty one. But what really put the parenting thing on my heart over the weekend (and I'm having trouble shaking it -- thus the blogging) is what I observed in a few other families over the weekend.

Saturday night I attended Dan's ceremony of becoming an Eagle scout, one of the highest honors and biggest achievements a young man can attain. Dan, a friend of my son Andrew and a member of my church, graduated from high school a few weeks ago. His mother, a friend of mine is currently unemployed but doesn't make a lot even when she is working. There are two younger kids at home, one special needs (and one high maintenance). The dad has been out of the picture for several years, rarely contacts the kids and provides no support--emotional or financial. The family now lives modestly in our local mobile home park, but has moved around a lot. Dan had to work very hard and overcome a lot of obstacles to become an Eagle scout and seeing him recognized for it, I couldn't have been prouder.

The other family has a son who is friends with my 16 year old son. The mom is also a friend of mine (as well as being a fellow junker). This family is a very stable one and has always lived in their cute victorian house. Both parents grew up in our small, family-values town and they have been married since shortly after high school. They have passed their strong Christian faith down to their 4 sons and are loving, attentive parents. Sadly however, I spent Monday afternoon attending the funeral of their second oldest son (older brother of my son's friend). He should have graduated with Dan and Andrew's class, but the week before went into a coma from overdosing on meth, never recovered, and passed away last week.

Parenting is a blessing and a task from God. It is wonderful, exhausting, fun, interesting, frustrating, sometimes triumphant, and sometimes tragic.... and always unpredictable.
I am praying to work on being a better parent. And of course I'm also praying for Lisa, Jerry, and the boys.

Thanks for letting me share.
Midge

P.S. I'm not very comfortable with the serious, heavy stuff -- much better with fluff, and junk. So I promise the next post will be soon and will be fun. Peace.

Quick and Easy

Okay. I realized that I was falling behind on my blogging and I didn't want that to continue. Sooo... time for a quick and easy post, but I wanted it to include a completed project or two. So I did quick review of my photos to see if I neglected to post any. And, sure enough, I'd posted about disassembling the piano I got, but I never posted any "after" pictures. Well, here are a couple (but I still have some parts for a few more ideas I have).....


The biggie. The piano all put back together. It looks like your everyday piano.

But lift the lid and you'll see it's REALLY a home office. Shelving and plexiglass cover the keyboard area for storing a "keyboard" and other office supplies. The top section houses the monitor, printer, etc. That piece does lift up, but you can also open or close the doors. Down below, another door hides the computer.

The piano is a shell of its former self and on casters, so it can easily be pulled out for accessing the back area. File cabinets drawers and other supplies could be stored there.

Another project from that piano. The piano was a player type and this mechanism was inside. I

mounted little photos onto it and you can make them bob up and down by turning the handle. The tag is from the player roll I found inside.

That's it for now. Afterall, nothing says quick and easy like REDOING A PIANO!

Midge

Put some Junk in your Trunk!

For some people the whole question of dumpster diving is still debatable. But for a true junker, it's a no-brainer. The more items we can keep out of landfills the better. And, of course, you can't beat the price.


Check out this dumpster I came across on a recent drive. Isn't it obvious that they WANT someone to take some of that stuff? That's why they place it front and center.

My getaway vehicle! Can you see what's missing?

Who would throw away a cutie like this? This was the start of yesterday's acquisitions. I had no agenda or map, and I didn't set my alarm. Just a few side streets while I had to go into town anyway.

Lots of chicken wire, and already just a little bit rusty. Useful for so many projects! Okay, this one I admit was actually IN the dumpster, but I didn't have to go rooting around inside or even open the lid. It was setting on top in a pile, just begging to be taken (you can tell).

This was leaning against a dumpster. Couldn't they have easily put it INSIDE it? ..... Of course.

But they obviously were hoping that someone could find a use for it.

That someone was me! Even broken garden tools can be put to good use in the hands of a junker. The handles alone are good to have on hand to be used like dowels. The heads can be used for garden art. But one of my favorite projects using garden tools is an easel.

Here's one I made using the shovels as the legs. (Please disregard the mess behind. One of these days I will reorganize and tidy up my shop. That will be a BIG post.)

I was already pleased with what I got on my simple run into town and was on my way home when I spotted these. So I hit the brakes and the flashers! 11" across and about 55" high, I'm not quite sure what I'll do with them, but my first thought was some sort of floor lamp. But I think I'm not thinking outside the box enough. What if I cut it in half horizontally, or vertically, or slices, or cut out little windows. Hmmm... A local business has something similar but even larger that they set out on a regular basis. I do have a few of those, and if I paid attention, I could have piles of them. Hmmm, again......

This was picked up a different day on a different run into town. I don't think I know ANY junker who would have passed it up. Stuff like that is very typical in a garbage pile, but is so basic to the junker's stockpile of goodies.

I guess what I'm saying is: DON'T BE AFRAID TO PUT A LITTLE JUNK IN YOUR TRUNK!

Midge

Memorial Day in Small Town America!

Happy Memorial Day!
I just got home from the local parade in our small community. Jamestown is a "suburb" of Hudsonville (pop. 9000). Jamestown is a small area out in the country, but they throw one mean parade!

Ready and waiting!

It's all about these guys.

Every paradae needs a drumline.

Depicting Jamestown's first ever schoolhouse -- an old one-room building still standing today, but not used in years. They hope to convert it into a museum.

Churches are a big part of our community and a big part of the parade. (No, the church that has the float is not the one you see in the background).

Tractors were everywhere and, of course, John Deere rules.

Local businesses had to get in on the act, too.

My favorite float! A guy who lives down the street from me (and coincidentally goes to my church AND we graduated from high school together) has a farm and many siblings. So they decorated one of their trailers and provided their own family band. I think they were playing "Battle Hymn of the Republic" or something. I LOVE SMALL TOWN LIVING!

Anyone wanting to join in was welcome.

Oops, can't forget about the horses.

All done. Time to go home and fire up the Weber grill!

Have a wonderful day. And thank you to all the troops, past and present, and the sacrifices made for our freedom.

Midge

An Award from Kathy!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to my friend Kathy from the blog -- Sylvia's Vintage Daughter. Kathy is a shabby chick who loves going on junking adventures and has a real talent for repurposing and merchandising. Be sure to check out her blog. She received this "Kreativ Blogger" award from the JunkFest gals and has now passed it on to me. I'm very touched and grateful (and excited,too).




The receiver of this award must do 4 things:

1.) List 7 things that you love

2.) Link back to the blog that awarded this to you

3.) Choose 7 blogs to pass the award on to

4.) Comment at each of those blogs to let them know you've given them an award



So, okay, here goes my "7 Things that I love".....

1.) God, the Creator of the Universe, and His Son and my Savior, Jesus Christ -- without them I would be and have nothing

2.) My family, of course -- husband-Chris, daughter-Erin(25), daughter-Becky(21), son-Andrew(18), son-Ben(16)

3.) I wasn't sure if I should include him with my family, but I love my dog, Samson -- Old English Sheepdog (6 or 42 in dog years)

4.) My community -- I live out in the country just outside of Hudsonville, MI. A small town I grew up in with freshly mowed lawns, lots of churchs, was "dry" until last year, a love of football and sports in general, and I've never been to the grocery store without seeing someone I know. I love my town!

5.) Okay, I've got to keep it real here -- I love to eat! Spaghetti, mashed potatoes, Diet Pepsi, Chicken ala King, Mexican food of any kind, steak, Chinese buffet, and ice cream are among my favorites.

6.) A Steamy Hot, Lengthy Shower in the morning -- nuff said.

7.) Last, but definitely, definitely, definitely not least -- JUNKING! That encompasses a lot of things: my shop where I do my junk thing, finding cool junk (preferably free), thinking up creative ways to use junk (usually in the middle of the night when I supposed to be sleeping), talking junk with other junkers, and using my tools (they're NOT junk -- just junky).

And now to pass the award on to 7 other blogs. The 7 blogs I'm passing this award on to are:

1.) chiccottagejunk
2.) theramblingsatchippewacreek

3.) jillruth
4.) prissynprimtiques

5.) redneckchic
6.) thesalvagestudio
7.) 365dayorganizer

These are all fun blogs to visit. Be sure to check them out.

Midge

Glass was the word!

My April sale was the first one post-GR Press article. It was a great success and I was very pleased with the turnout, the feedback, and the sales. But now I had to do it all again for
the May sale -- I really want to make sure I'm offering fresh products at each sale to keep em coming back for more. I was so busy making, that I didn't take a lot of time to blog, so this is catch up time.



The week following the sale, one of my customers brought me these adorable "spring" flower candleholders. She made them using some bed springs I had given her at the sale and said she'd be willing to make some for May. Since time is finite and I wanted lots of items, I thought that was a great idea. And it fit in perfectly with my focus for May's sale: smaller items centered around gardens and Mother's Day.

She even let me keep one for myself. This one was my favorite. But now I had to get busy making things, too. As it turned out, I seemed to have a glass theme going on last month. I started by pulling out all my picnic baskets filled with plates, saucers, cups, and glass in general.

I made quite a few cup and saucer bird feeders. Then it was time to try something new...

I'd seen a few of these posted around some sites. These garden totems are just a fun way of dressing up a garden space. They aren't very hard to make. The hardest part for me is.....

decisions, decisions, decisions. I'm terrible at making a decision anyway, but with a room full of glass pieces everywhere and trying to guess what people will like, well let's just say it was a bit overwhelming. That was true all month since most of my projects were combinations of glass pieces. I felt that I didn't make much progress, but I was so happy with the finished products.

Once I determined what pieces to use, it was just a matter of epoxying them together. I used a LOT of epoxy last month. It's great for gluing glass-to-glass, metal-to-metal, or glass-to-metal.

I get the kind that kind of looks like a syringe. This tube was $2.44 from Walmart.

Then you just push down, goop comes out of each tube, and you mix the 2 together for about 30 seconds. You don't usually need much and it needs to be used pretty quickly, so squirt in small batches just what you need.

I wasn't quite done yet. I also put together several cake/dessert stands using vintage plates and glasses, candlesticks, or misc. metal pieces. Of course, it had to come complete with a batch of "mom"ster cookies.

And I also HAD to have some cloches. I've been seeing these everywhere. They must be very "in" so... you KNOW what a trendsetter I am (and if you DON'T know me, you should know how facetious I can be). I'd never even heard of them up until 2 months ago. And by the way, it's pronounced Closh (long "o"), not Cloe-shay -- I had to do a little research for that one, apparently no one in West Michigan was familiar with the word either.

It's basically a glorified glass dome for showing off interesting things or collections. Mine are quite small, but each has a top knob of some sort and rests on a pedestal of some sort (more epoxying), but I've seen them done in a variety of ways.

Anyway, my glass stuff has been put away for hopefully quite a while. My May sale was last weekend, and it certainly was nowhere near the level of April's, but now I have to concentrate on June's upcoming sale. I'm anxious to pull out my power tools and get back to some bigger and more creative things for that. I'll keep you posted and I'll get back to my Tuesday Tool Schools while I'm at it. Maybe we can get the whole world junking! (Oh, and did I mention I'm also a bit of a dreamer).

Midge

Anyone for a spot of tea?

Okay, so I'm a little behind on my blogging. I've been a bit preoccupied with my junk and trying to get more things made. And on top of that, our women's group at church (W3--Women Without Walls) held a Garden Tea Party this Thursday night which I was involved helping with. But what a fun, relaxing, girly night it was.


The star of the show, of course, was the tea itself. Three kinds were served -- Egyptian Mint tea, Sapphire Earl Gray, and a cool Raspberry tea. I tried them all, but I'm not really a tea drinker. And I don't think I've ever been to a "real" tea party before, just the kind with fake tea (koolaid) and cookies.

The tables were beautifully dressed for the occasion. And we used some of my 3 tiered dessert stands. Who knew junk could be so beautiful! The top tier held scones (course #1), the middle held chocolate dipped strawberries, mini cream puffs, and petit fours (course #3), and the bottom tier is empty in the photo, but shortly afterly I eagerly took this photo, out came platters of egg salad on rye mini sandwiches, chicken salad croissants, and cucumber sandwiches for the bottom tier (course #2).

Even more important than the food and beverages served was the bringing together of the women young and old who were there.

Mothers and daughters reconnected (Amy and her mother).

Young girls had the opportunity to get dressed up, experience new things, and practice their table manners -- naturally, using their best British accents. These young ladies were guests of my daughter Becky.

I finished my latest project -- a ladder arbor -- just in time to include it in the festivities for photo ops. An array of hats and boas was provided and the ladies certainly used them to their best advantage.

Grandma, mom, and daughters had pictures taken together all gussied up. These 4 cuties
(Sally, Beth, Alyssa, and Brianna) shared a table with me that night.

Anyway, the night was really fun and special. Love-a-ly!

But now I've got some serious blogging to do. Tah tah.

Midge