Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Friday, April 20, 2012

Back Porch Re-Purposing


I have had a very busy week.
The weather has finally started to feel like spring and I had some projects that were calling my name.  
This watermelon sign is one that I made last summer.  
The wreath was one that I had hanging outside on the shed for a couple years.  The weather over those two years turned the vine to a soft gray color.  I found a scrap piece of plywood and cut a crescent shape on Steve's band saw, then painted it in this watermelon design.
 
These are some yard sale finds that I wanted to play with and use on my back porch.  The bed is twin size and I have two of them . . . I think that I'll use the other on the front porch, later this summer.  
That will be another project.

Here's my finished bench.  I used only scrap lumber and left over paint.  The only money I spent was on a little fabric to cover a cushion I had stored in the shed.
I am delighted with the way it turned out!

Here it is at the end of our porch table.  
I like how it breaks up having only chairs 
around the table. 

Here's what I did with the little 
round wicker topped end table.

Just a little bit of painting.

Doesn't it look perfect here.  

Now I really like how this table turned out.  I painted the legs, then sanded off 
a little of the paint to look stressed 
(you can see this in the finished photos) 
and I applied a circle of plywood 
that Steve cut out for me. 

I painted the wicker drawer 
with white spray paint. 

I painted a little brown on the top 
before applying the white paint.  
Just to give it a tiny amount of 
uneven color and look a bit more 
antiqued and worn. 

Then I used my cricket cutter 
to make a stencil. 

It worked very nicely. 

Finished table . . . it will be used as 
a small coffee table on my porch. 

A view of the table top. 

These projects are the perfect touch to 
finish off my decor on the back porch.

I am so ready to invite my girl friends over for lunch.  Steve and I always enjoy breakfast on the back porch and just sitting out there and watching the birds take a bath in the birdbath and the squirrel (so far we have only seen one) come down for a snack. 
I hope I didn't bore you with my back porch re-do.  If you liked any of my projects, please leave a comment.  
I love hearing from you and reading your ideas and comments . . . sharing ideas and making new friends is what blogging is all about to me.  Have a great week, Connie :)

 
Posted by Picasa

46 comments:

  1. Connie, we must be telepathic! I was just sitting down with a cup of tea to pop over and have a look at your blog and next thing, in comes a comment from you! I couldn't believe it! Now, my dear, you are my hero....you do all the things that I say I am going to do, but don't! I have a shed full of things to do up the way you have, but I haven't! I cannot choose between them, they are all so great, but that watermelon table is delicious! Your back porch is a credit to your creativity, love and a lot of elbow grease! Well done and have a happy weekend :)Jane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just found your charming blog. This chair is so lovely, what a fantastic job you did and not just on that. You're like King Midas, everything you touch turns to gold. Please accent my invitation to come over and visit and who knows maybe even follow my blog, too. Your newest follower, Connie :)

      Delete
    2. Woops Connie, I think I may have been muddled up with someone else! I am follower number 50, remember? The Potato one! I wish I had done a fantastic job on a chair but sadly I haven't! lots of love to you:) Jane

      Delete
  2. Connie,
    Your porch area is so cozy and inviting! I love what you did with just left over lumber for the bench. Oh, a cricket~now I'm jealous since I don't have one. I keep trying to decide if I would use one enough to justify getting it. And you little table with the circle wood on top...love it! When I seen what you did, I was thinking of the perfect table that I have that that would work on. I might just borrow your idea on that.
    Have a great weekend!
    Jana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jana, You take my idea, use it, and then show me what you came up with. Sharing ideas is so much fun. In fact I was at a barn sale today and I saw these charming french aprons and market bags, that a lady had made. I didn't purchase them (I don't have the money to purchase everything I think is wonderful) but I did look them over, because I know that I can take her idea and get out my sewing machine, put a little Connie twist on it, and make my own. People like us, that like to create are always looking for ideas to copy. It's in our blood. Have fun with it. If fact I was even thinking of using the same idea and making signs. Hope your weekend is a happy one, Connie :)

      Delete
  3. I love your back porch, it is not something that we have in the UK, but it looks so inviting. I love all the projects but especially the table, I hope you don't mind if I cheekily copy that idea :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fran, I would be honored if I had and idea that you liked enough to copy. Have fun with it. If you are talking about the table with the stencil top, you could even make one with the name of your barge and the year it was built (just an idea). I'd love to see what you make. Hope your weekend is a joyful one. Connie :)

      Delete
  4. Hi Connie, love love love everything you've done. Just gorgeous it looks so cosy and inviting... I especially love the bench. Love breathing new life into old bits of furniture... have a great weekend enjoying your porch.. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Catherine, , I am so happy that you like what I've done on my porch. We get a lot of pleasure from that outdoor room. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend, Connie :)

      Delete
  5. Great projects...my favourite is the Thyme for courage table....Your whole room looks lovely and cosy. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Bron, Thank you for the very lovely comment. We really do use this outdoor room a lot. We love eating breakfast out there and one of our favorite things to do, is sit out there during a rain storm. I'm glad you like it. Hope your weekend is wonderful, Connie :)

      Delete
  6. I love, love, love your work! You make me want to find something to update! Great photos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Linda. Go find something and make it new again, it's great fun. Connie :)

      Delete
  7. Hi connie! I love your blog! It's so much fun to make things better! That is why my new nail polish color is Ace Hardware white! LOL Thanks for visiting me and Following! I am your newest follower as well! I tried to respond while logged in but just when you get the hang of blogspot THEY CHANGE THE FORMAT! Now I am having a little trouble with learning it! I just need more time! yeah rite! :) I will be visiting often! Hugs Kat =^.^= PS LOVE LOVE LOVE your porch! I sit in mine and listen to the birds with my coffee too! Nice beginning to a very busy and fun day huh! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kat, I love what you said about your new nail polish color and the unique way you draw that little cat after your name. What a clever gal you are! Our back porch is my favorite room 8 months out of the year, so it's lots of fun to play around with it and decorate with garage sale and thrift store finds. Okay, that was an odd thing for me to say, because I actually have thrift store items all over my home. It's just so much fun, finding a treasure that someone discarded. Hope your weekend is wonderful, Connie :)

      Delete
  8. I just love what you do with your finds! Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kerrie, I had so much fun doing these projects and I know I'll get lots of use from them. Thanks for the sweet visit and do come again. Have a great day, Connie :)

      Delete
  9. Hi Connie ~~ Fabulous job! I agree with you, no one you has to spend a fortune.
    Your screen room is very charming and I just love the quote you stenciled on your table...
    Have a wonderful evening,
    Hugs Rosemary...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rosemary, I'm so glad that you came by for a visit. I'm happy that you like my table and my porch. It's the time of year that I long for all winter long. My husband loves winter and I just live through it and make the very best of it, but warm weather is where my heart is. By the name of your blog I have a feeling that you probably feel the same. If I'd known you were coming I'd a baked a cake. Do visit again, I love making new friends, Connie :)

      Delete
  10. I love your cozy back porch full of whimsical furniture! The headboard bench is wonderful as are all of the things you've made. I'd like a closer look at the round dining table with writing on the top! Interesting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lisa, I tried to take a better photo of that table, but I put a high gloss tongue-oil finish on it and if the light isn't just right, or it's dark enough to need the flash, it's hard to get a good photo. It is a small oak table base and I had my husband cut a 4 foot circle top. I painted it like an old clock, and then adding some copper leaves here and there that I rubbler stamped with copper paint. I also added a few quotes and bible verses having to do with time. The oil was applied in about eight coats after the design was painted on. We did it about 6 years ago and it even gets snow blown in on it in the winter and that finish has held up beautifully. It's one of my favorite pieces. Thanks for noticing, thanks for your sweet comments and thanks for the visit; I love company. Connie :)

      Delete
  11. You are an inspiration! I love all of your projects, I think the watermelon table was my favorite. AWESOME job!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much. It was by far the easiest of the projects. Took maybe 30 minutes, if that. I enjoy unique pieces. I'm so happy that you dropped in, please come again. Connie :)

      Delete
  12. How glorious when life moves outside to the porch! Yours is so cozy, cheerful, and inviting - adore. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How sweet of you . . . yes I love life on the porch. Have a great day and thanks so much for dropping in. Connie :)

      Delete
  13. Hi, Connie!
    LOVED your porch!!!
    And THAT'S what the cricut machine is used for???!!!!
    Oh my God!! So we just program it and the stencil comes ready???
    Have a nice Sunday, my Dear!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cluadine, Yep, the cricut works great. I used card stock so my stencil would be a bit sturdy. I'm certainly going to do this again, on other projects. We are having a beautiful Sunday, so after this little break I'm heading outside again. Have a great day, Connie :)

      Delete
  14. Just found your blog! I'm your newest follower! I love the wicker table and your make over!!

    I'll be back for another visit!!

    chris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Chris, This is our first warm and sunny spring week, so this is going to be short and sweet, because I want to get back outside and soak it all in . . isn’t life good. Thank you for becoming a follower, I greatly appreciate you. Have an incredibly wonderful day and keep blogging, Connie

      Delete
  15. Hello! Love your blog and thanks for visiting me and joining up--I'm following you too. You're right up my alley with those lovely projects--little tables are my weakness. I'm off to see more of your charming ideas. Have a great and blessed week. Patty (A Few Pennies)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Patty, I'm very excited that you are following me. Tables are a lot of fun to redo, but then again so are chairs, dressers, oh my . . . it's just fun to get all messy and put new life into an old object. I find that it works both ways, because when I'm having fun on a project, it kind of put a little bit of new life in this old gal, too. Never stop playing and having fun . . . that's my motto. Have a great day, and thank you for following, Connie :)

      Delete
  16. Hi, Connie! So Happy to Meet You! You are one talented and crafty gal:D I love your porch and all your furniture re-purposing stlye...I am working on my re-finishing/painting skills, and love stealing,"D I mine Learning new techniques from talented gals like you. I will be back to see what else you are up to and look forward to following your blog too :D
    Smiles,
    Christine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christine, I'm so happy you came to visit . . . well, I finally got your blog to accept me as a follower. Every once in a while I have a problem . . . I'm just not technical enough. I'm glad you like my porch and my projects. Your blog is so lovely and of course your little travel trailer is adorable. I'm looking forward to more visits to your blog, too. Keep smiling, Connie :)

      Delete
  17. How creative you are with all your projects. They turned out great! I'm a new follower too...

    Jody

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there Jody and Stan, Thanks for following my little humble blog. I have so much fun here and I'm making so many new friends. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better through this new blogging adventure. Have a wonderful day! Connie :)

      Delete
  18. Hi Connie, thanks for popping over to my blog and following me. Its an honour to have you join me. Ive been having a quick look at your furniture....how amazing the pieces look. Its late at night and I need some sleep but thought I would answer the lovely message you left for me. Thank you. I shall return really soon to investigate further! Take care Jax :0

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jackie it is so nice to have you visit. I am happy that you like my furniture re-do. I had a lot of fun doing it. Looking forward to becoming blogging friends. :)

      Delete
  19. hi Connie,
    you have a lovely blog. Thanks for stopping by mine recently too. www.createforevermore.blogspot.com
    i read your profile and theres a comment there that you must have written when you just started blogging - about not having any followers! Now i visit you, and there are over 200 follwers. Thats pretty good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Debbi, I guess I need to read my profile and do some editing. Yes, I started my blog in January after reading Blogging for Dummies. It said to not get discouraged if you go for a few months before getting a follower . . . so I had no expectations of growing like I have. Just one of those sweet blessing from above. I have made some very heartfelt connections with other like minded women and had the opportunity to see that even in all the world news (mostly bad) that you hear everyday . . this world we live in, is populated with so many kind and loving people. Why is it that the media only speaks of all the bad and dangerous in the world. I have found blogging to be a wonderful circle of kindness. Have a great week, and what ever to do keeping blogging. :) Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  20. Connie, what a cute job you did on that porch....so fun. I like to repurpose too, but don't get much chance to with mission obligations. I teach arts & crafts to all ages here in Ukraine.

    Blessings,

    Coleen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Coleen, Steve and I have a day coming up this month where we will be doing crafts for a group of orphans that are waiting adoption. Hopefully he will get the ages and other information tomorrow. I like to get ready early and have plenty of planning time. Tomorrow will give me two weeks to plan . . . I have not crafted with children (except for my granddaughter) for quite a while. I'm really looking forward to it. Children are so much fun! Have a great week, Connie :)

      Delete
  21. Hi Connie,

    I spotted your blog just by accident. Looking at the pictures made my jaw drop. WOW, you do have amazing ideas. From now on I will 'visit' you on a regular basis :))That's for sure!!

    Greetings from Germany
    Manuela

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so happy to see you! I feel very blessed to have this outlet to share ideas with other like-minded people and I have so much fun going through the blogs of my followers and getting ideas from them. Blogging is a cornucopia of arts and craft ideas. I'm so happy to have you following and looking forward to becoming blogging friends, Connie :)

      Delete
  22. ME ENCANTAN LOS RECICLADOS....QUEDARON PRECIOSOS.
    SALUDITOS

    ReplyDelete
  23. Connie, Thanks for following my blog! Your Photos are amazing, especially the beautiful tulips. I adore the creative touches you've added to your home, and your journals are so cool. I remember those days...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greetings! Linda, it is so nice to see you and thank you for following my blog. I too am a volunteer. I find volunteering to be the grease that keeps my soul working properly. The smiles you bring to others come back in a multitude of happiness. Have a marvelous day. Toodle-loo, Connie :)

      Delete