Sometimes it Just Takes Pieces & Parts

Like many newer homes (if you consider our 25 year old home newer) our house has a coat closet right near the front door. The entry hall isn't small, but I wouldn't call it grand either. And like many of you, our coat closet is full of coats. And the vacuum. Isn't that where the vacuum is supposed to go?

Because the coat closet is full of coats and graciously hosts the vacuum cleaner, when people come to visit, we don't have room to hang their coats. Because all of OUR coats are hanging in there. We live in the Midwest, so this is a real issue. Especially when our children and grandchildren come to visit. It would be nice to have a place other than the living room chair to store the coats. And scarves. And gloves. And all the other stuff that goes along with Midwest winters. 

So, as I considered the upcoming invasion at the holidays, I decided it was finally time to come up with a solution to the "coat thing". I started rooting around in my store of precious treasures, which others might call my 'junk pile', and found some wonderful possibilities!

Some random door knobs and decorative wood parts from some old homes and junked furniture.

I have wonderful friends that often contribute to my stock of stuff. Carey and Christie get credit for some of these treasures.

I decided to add a place for keys as well. This hung in our kitchen for several years, but didn't make the cut when we moved into our current place. 

Scrap wood left over from a palette makes a sturdy mounting plate. 

Everything needed to be sanded and sealed to get rid of splinters and lock in the rust. I didn't want to lose the rust, but also didn't want it all over clothing! Polyurethene is my FAVORITE friend!

Then the fun of assembling and mounting it with the able direction of my handsome half. It's nice to have my person to help with executing what I imagine.  

All ready for company!!

And he said, "Come in, blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside since I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels?"

Genesis 24:31

Update: Tested and tried by large and small groups. It's working great! 
(of course, we never doubted that it would!)

Other Family Junk
Resurrection Upcycle

How Did Resurrection Begin?

Recreating old things is nothing new in our family. My dad was a "horse trader" from way back, and I inherited the love of a challenge to get stuff cheap and make it cool. I have a little too much nervous energy for my own good, and I love to create. A good mix? Some would say "lethal mix". But it keeps things fun.

We've lived in our current home for 11 years. Longer than any other place. After moving all over the country, courtesy of the military and the airline business, we landed in the Midwest and settled in for what we thought would be a short stay. When we tied our past record of 9 years, it became obvious that we weren't going anywhere anytime soon! The appearance of the basement space made that clear too!

My better half hates basements. I happen to love them, as long as they're dry. It's a great place to keep "stuff".  Yes, they have to be cleared out from time to time, but the stuff can just reside there, out of everyone's way, waiting to be put to use. I started re-creating junk out of and appreciation for old things and the desire to keep things out of landfills. Amazing what people put at the curb for the trash collectors to pick up. We also had a lot of left over resources from past home improvement projects, so the challenge started with "what can I put together for free from the stuff stored in my favorite room? The basement! And since I love old worn out stuff, I happened on ways to make brand new things look like they'd been around a long time. Magic!

I don't use any particular process to achieve the look. I've never used chalk paint, and have never seen anything done in chalk that really looks old. Don't get me wrong, the things are beautiful, but they look like newer things trying to look like they have a history, or old things that HAD a history made over to look old again, but better, but the history is all gone. Just my opinion. So, I use what I have on hand; mix my own colors from paint left over from other projects, sand it, beat it with an old dog chain, drag it around the garage floor, poke it with forks.......... You get my drift? Whatever it takes to get the look I'm after.

This business may get huge. It may go nowhere. And that's fine. Because all Resurrection Upcycle is about it keeping me busy and out of trouble. And creating less trash. The hippie in me screams for release!!

Here's an example of things rescued from the trash (literally) and made not to look old, in this case, but certainly beautiful again.

I pulled up to visit my mom, and right in front of me, sitting outside of a dumpster, I saw these:

There were three of them. And they sat there for weeks before I finally figured out how to get them into my car. Which warrants an explanation: I drive a small car, so I'm pretty much limited to small projects. And since I seem to be a chair junkie it works. 

So, I got them in the car and drug them home. And they turned into this:

In Welsh, this says "Please have a seat!"

These are a beautiful eggplant color. 

Of course, there was a lot that came in between, but the end result was 3 VERY sturdy, very comfortable, very aesthetically pleasing chairs that have gone on to their forever homes. 

Keep your eyes open for other projects coming soon, complete with pictures of the resurrection process!

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink or whatsoever ye do, 

do ALL to the glory of God."

I Cor. 10:31

Resurrection Upcycle

Other family junk!

Treasures

These lovely pieces are residing in their forever homes. But they'll give you an idea of our style!

Rescued from the trash pile, this beautiful chair was brought back to life with some reinforcement, paint, and a lovely musical note seat.

When construction leftovers are put together, you never know what you'll find! Made to resemble a much used game table top, this became a really fun way to keep the drafts from the fireplace at bay.

Used to document where a local household has put down roots, this "subway art" is truly unique!

After sitting in a dining room for years and looking ho hum, this sweet little cabinet became the heirloom it was always intended to be.

Old, naked, and ignored, this little dresser was brought back into the light of day from a dark corner in the basement. A little paint and creative finishing make it one of a kind! 

Just for fun!

A map from the owners home state make this little antique table a keeper!

And if your guests aren't behaving you might want to remind them in Greek to: 

"Be Nice or Leave"

Beautiful bead work on an antique flatware wind chime.

From our denim collection. Each quilt and pillow is different. 

Therefore, whether ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10:31

If you're lucky enough to be on facebook, take a look at our page there for more pictures and descriptions.  

Resurrection Upcycle