To Paint or Not to Paint?

Years ago, I found this terrific metal chair at a local thrift store for $3. It was love at first sight, even though I didn't know exactly where or how I would use it.

Over the years, I collected three more. I picked them all up at the same thrift store. All at different times. All for the same low price of $3. In the back of my mind, I envisioned painting them bright colors and strategically placing them in our vast backyard garden.

They might look at home alongside the vintage bicycle and tricycle.

When I recently pulled the chairs out of the back shed where I had stored them out of sight since I purchased the last one,  I was surprised at how rich the rust and chipping really was.

I like it so much I'm thinking about not painting, but instead, simply applying a clear coat sealant to prevent further deterioration.

What would you do? Paint or not paint? Give me your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Make it a great day!

Linking to:

Thursday Favorite Things

Time Travel Thursday
Fishtail Cottage 2014 Garden Party
Fridays Unfolded
Home and Garden Thursday
Anything Goes Friday
From the Farm Blog Hop

Hosing Around

Life got pretty crazy over the past eight months and not only have I struggled to find the time for general posting on my blog, I've neglected my planned Monday feature, Re:, entirely. 

Re: is a little feature I started to extol the virtues of the six R's--reduce, reuse, recycle, reclaim, repurpose and respect--and offer tips for an earth-friendly lifestyle. 

I'm a huge fan of upcycling or repurposing anything possible and am thrilled to see so many great blog posts featuring new uses for existing items. For the next few weeks, I plan to feature on Re: some of the innovative upcycle projects and upcyclers I've come across who are saving money and a piece of the planet by transforming has-beens into new treasures.

Spring Recy-cleaning

When I left for work on the first day of Spring, the wind chill was zero. The daytime high was 20 degrees below normal. Here in the frozen tundra called the Midwest, spring hasn't sprung, the sun seems to be on permanent hiatus and I can't remember the last time I was actually warm.

My daydreams have turned to yard clean-up, followed by hands-in-the-soil gardening.

Every spring, I look forward to throwing open the door to my potting shed and pulling out my vintage garden ornaments:  the red glider, the 1950s Schwinn, the little red trike and the mid-century scooter.

That is, I look forward to getting past that first heart-in-the-throat, knee-weakening moment of first opening the door, as every year I imagine a giant wolf spider somehow surviving the brutal winter and leaping out onto my face. How's that for arachnophobia?

I can't wait for the garden to transform from this:

to this:

When I clean out my potting shed this spring, I know I have at least two hoses that are past their prime. Holes and leaks galore. 

If they were hanging outside today, this is what they'd look like:

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Hoping to find an earth-friendly alternative to tossing the hoses into the trash can, I did an internet search. A plethora, I tell you. Lots of creative and practical ideas for repurposing a garden hose. 

Here are some of my favorites:

THE PRETTY

Samantha at Two Hearts Together gives a quick tutorial on how to make a lovely wreath from an old garden hose. She incorporates other garden recyclables such as the little pail and shovel head to help create a delightful focal point for door, gate or fence.

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THE PRACTICAL

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Instructables gives a full set of instructions on how to make this cool chair out of garden or other hose.

See how to use garden hose to organize your garage at The Family Handyman.

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This recycled garden hose project is cool in more than one way. It uses a garden hose and a recycled two-liter plastic bottle with holes punched in it. Throw it over a tree branch as a sprinkler for the kids to run through on a hot day (which seems like an eternity away).

If, after taking stock of your garden hoses this spring, you find some have sprung a leak, don't be too quick to toss them in the trash. Use them to have a little fun, create a piece of art or organize your storage space.

Make it a great day!

Linking to:

Creative Bloggers Party and Hop
It's Party Time!
Time to Shine
Outdoor Wednesday
Whatever You Want Wednesday
Home and Garden Thursday
Pin Me

Sit!

On a recent thrift store visit, I unexpectedly came across a find that caught my eye, grabbed my heart and held its grip. And, not just because it was $2.98.

My discovery was something I wasn't even looking for. The seemingly ordinary, vintage wooden folding chair had numerous surface blemishes, but the bones were good, as they say. I didn't really need it, but I snatched it up anyway.

Why? Because this was the same type of chair that my grandparents' country church used for its gatherings in the basement and on the lawn. Fredericksburg Lutheran Church was one of the beautiful, white country churches with the steeple that could be seen from miles away. Over the years, I sat on what could have been that same chair for a multitude of social gatherings, wedding receptions and funeral lunches. I just couldn't pass up this bit of nostalgia.

This honey of a chair deserves a second chance and will be nice to have around when we need extra seating for guests. So, I decided to make it fun with a great Victorian hand graphic from The Graphics Fairy.

I sanded and primed, then painted the chair with two coats of Gray Cloud, which I got free with a coupon from my local hardware store. Then, I distressed it all over.

After printing the graphic on plain paper, I rubbed the backside with the type of soft-lead pencil contractors use. Getting a good transfer requires rubbing in all directions--horizontally, vertically, diagonally. It also helps to put a magazine underneath to provide a little padding. The paper picks up more graphite when rubbed on a semi-soft surface than on a hard surface. 

Next, I trimmed the paper closer to the image shape and size to make it easier to work with. I taped it to the chair--image side out--and traced hard on the actual image. The image transfers to the chair so it can be used as a guide for painting.

 

I painted over the rubbing with charcoal paint and, after it dried, distressed the images slightly so they would blend well with the previous distressing. I finished it off with a satin sealer.





And, would you believe me if I told you Barney can read? Sit, Barney, sit.

Linking to:

The Graphics Fairy

Homemaker on a Dime

Sisters of the Wild West

Her Library Adventures

Under the Table and Dreaming

Under $25 Makeover

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Coastal Charm

{Primp}

Very Merry Vintage Style 

The Colorado Lady 

The Thrifty Groove

Designer Garden

Upcycled Linky Party