Porch Bench

This has been one of my most favorite projects this year! I absolutely love how this bench turned out.

The even better thing about it, it only took me about an hour to make. 

This bench started its life as a headboard and footboard to two different beds.

I bought the headboard at the DI for $8. The footboard was donated by my awesome mom. The rest of the wood was scrap in my garage.

I started with cutting the footboard right in half and screwing it to the side of the headboard.

The footboard already had a notch cut out on each side, so I used that as the front of the bench, screwing a 2x4 to it.

I didn't have enough 2x6's to do the bench, but liked the look of them. So I decided to mix them with 2x4's.

Screwed them into the frame and TADA! Jackpot!

I lightly sanded and painted with my favorite color, Cottage White. I had planned on antiquing this after, but when I got it on my porch, I decided I like it just the way it was.

Well, except it needed pillows now.

Searching through the stash, I found some cute stripped material I wanted to use. And I was dying to use make a burlap pillow like the ones I've seen around blogland.

I bought a few pillows at the DI to use as stuffing, way cheaper than buying actual pillow forms.

I sewed the new pillows inside out around the old pillows so I didn't even have to measure anything. One of the burlap pillows I stamped with a stamp I've had for years and never used. I used chocolate brown to try to imitate those awesome coffee burlap bags. I then weaved the coordinating fabric through the bottom to tie it in.

On the other burlap pillow, I simply tied bow around. I'm not totally in love with the bow, thinking of making rosettes instead, but great for now.

I love this bench on my porch. I have gotten so many compliments on it. No one believes me that it only cost me $8 and that I BUILT IT!

Art Exchange Swap

You may have heard about the Art Exchange Project: Art Swap that is floating around the blog world at the moment. One of the cute ladies I follow was doing it and opened it up to her readers. I just participated in a Christmas in July swap (pictures to follow!) and was so excited to get my package in the mail. I figured this would be even more fun since you are supposed to get 36 packages in the mail! Woo Hoo! I love presents. I thought I'd open it up to readers on my blog and see if anyone would like to join up?

It is a never ending art swap...all you have to do is send 1 handmade package (it can be ANYTHING handmade) and you will receive 36 pieces of art in return! Sounds simple enough and I'm excited to see how it turns out - of course it will only work out if people stick to their end of the bargain, but even if I only get a couple of packages, that would still be exciting!

So...anyone out there want to join me? I need 6 willing participants - feel free to leave a comment with your email address or send me an email if you want to take part and I'll send you the details. If I happen to get more than 6 responses, I'll be sure to pass your details onto other people who are looking for participants.

Thanks guys :)

Hello?!? Anyone still there?

So my laptop was flung off my bed and smashed into the floor by a puppy broke about 6 weeks ago.

I feel like I've fallen off the face of the earth. Luckily I saved everything off the laptop and have a new one up and running.

Now to get back in the swing of things.

 

I'm so excited, we have 57 followers! I said I was going to have a giveaway at 50, and sometime while I was off the radar, I surpassed!

I'm working on a great giveaway and will post it later this week. I have tons of things to show you. While my computer was down, I was able to craft my little heart out.

 

First up: My darling niece's first birthday.

So of course I had to make her cute outfit to wear. This time I didn't try it on my baby boy like I did at Christmas.

 

 

I didn't take any pictures during the creation; I just made it up as I was going. I started with a white onsie. The top of the cupcake is that soft swirly fabric left over from a quilt. I also added ruffles to the sleeves. The skirt is pink tulle. I tied it in with a hem that matches the cupcake.

 

I also made her a few leg warmers. These were easy. I just bought girls knee highs, cut them and hemmed them.

 

 

Stay tuned for some exciting upcycling projects, an exterior home face lift and how to use old windows (so far I have 3 different projects!)