Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Stairs In The Art Barn



  Hello Dear Blogging Sisters!


Well, last Friday I went down to Home Depot
 and bought some lumber and added a staircase
 to one of my two storage lofts in the Art Barn. 
Yes, I did it myself . . . 
I'm becoming quite handy these days.

The stairs and the railing, 
using only scrap lumber for the posts in the railing, 
came to under $45.  
 Not bad for being able to use this 
space much more creatively. 
On the far left where the curtains are,
I didn't add railing.
I want to be able to get larger items 
up there if I need to.
This is the space before painting,
that's another project on my plate :)
I will be using the other loft now
for most of my storage.
I’ll still need a ladder to get up there 
(at least for now).  


 I also found these two items to re-purpose. 
  The little metal candle holder was 99 cents at Goodwill 
and the pie pan was 25 cents at a yard sale. 
  After dry brushing with white paint and...
 gluing them together
 I now have a cute little stand 
for sewing or art supplies.  

Just keeping it cute :)


I hope that you are all having a lovely week.


Keep Smiling!

Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

48 comments:

  1. Love your new header!! You are a go-to, get it done, lady! Good for you to make your own stairs! I am impressed. Your little crafting cottage is darling.
    warmly,
    deb

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    1. Hi Deb, you are the first person to mention my new header. I did it on my last post. I think that it is fun to change things up every now and then. Thanks so much for stopping by and for leaving such a thoughtful comment. You are always so sweet :)

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  2. Hi Connie, Your blog is a happy one!! I just love your art barn. And I am awed by your ability to make that ladder. Love the little holder you made to hold your buttons and things! Your work space is so cheery. I would probably just go out there and sit and look around and enjoy instead of creating! Have a fun time! Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy, My Steve was so proud of me for figuring out the ladder angles and building it. I love it when he thinks I do well on a wood project, because I've learned everything I know from watching and helping him :) Today I've been painting and starting to decorate the loft. I'll have more photos as I get it done.

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  3. you are so multi talented. Is there anything you can't do? The steps look great and I love your new stand.

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    1. Hi Ann, thank you so much, you always say the sweetest things.

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  4. Connie, that little art barn is adorable! I could just stay in there. The ladder just makes it even more special. You're amazing!

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    1. Thank you so much. If you lived closer we could go in there and create together. It's my happy little place to be :)

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  5. Hi Connie. A space like that would really come in handy for me because I never seem to have enough storage space. It's great that you found a great way to make use of that area, though and I love the ladder. That's a pretty cool stand for your art supplies, too... :)

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    1. Hello Dee, and welcome to my little corner of blog-land. I spent today up in the loft painting and starting to decorate it. I want it to be used for some storage, but also I want it to be a cool hangout for our granddaughters when they come to visit. I can just see them up there curled up reading a book. They both love to read.

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  6. Now that is a handy stand ... well done.

    Hope your week is going well.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thanks . . . I say if your going to store something, find a cute way to do it :)

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  7. You are so creative, Connie, making lovely things out of bits and pieces you pick up along the way! I am well impressed with your new stairs in your art barn. You've done really well with that, and I love the pie dish stand! Really cool. Thanks for your visit and I'm glad you like my latest cards. It's good to use up these bits and pieces that have been hanging around for a while.

    Only 3 days to go till my chemo is all finished!! I can't wait.

    Shoshi

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    1. Congratulations! Three more days . . . I'm very happy for you. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments, they are very encouraging :)

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  8. I just love your art barn Connie and you certainly have lots of storage! The ladder turned out great! Will you be giving it a paint treatment? Perhaps some vines and flowers traling up it? The pie plate stand is too cute! I love marrying objects like that and creating something totally different! Hope your week is going great my friend! Blessings, Vicky

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    1. Hello Vicky, Thank you for your great idea . . . In fact I went out there today and painted the ladder white, and hated it. This is my creative space and what is creative about white . . . I want it to be cheerful and make me smile, so I'll be painting over that white . . . who knows where my paint pots will take me, LOL.

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  9. You are so handy and creative! Love your art barn! I need to pretty up my craft studio. I was thinking of hanging my basket collection across the top of my 3 windows in there. Enjoy the week! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Hi Teresa, have fun with it . . . I feel like a creative space should be a place that slaps a smile on your face each and every-time you walk in the door.

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  10. That ladder will really come in handy! And I like small projects best....I like to start and finish things quickly and even get things cleaned back up. You are so smart and always coming up with good ideas! Sweet hug my friend, Diane

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    1. Hi Diane, thanks for the sweet visit. Small projects are fun . . . as for cleaning up, I seem to always have two, three and four pots on the stove at once. I'm sewing in one corner, painting in another and so on, but
      I love it. Then about once a week I tidy everything back up, but it doesn't last long before I have projects scattered across the room. It is so nice to have a place when I can leave them until they are done and just shut the door. I know that I am blessed :)

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  11. You have so much energy....you're amazing. Love your storage area, I am sure you will fill that up with lots of stuff.

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    1. Hi Louise, now that the stairs are finished, I have been up there painting and making that loft more special than the other. I can do more storage on the other side and have this side for storage, reading and a sleeping nook for granddaughters and flow over company :)

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  12. What a great Art Barn...looks like you could live in there. I love your winged-back chair, too. Looks cozy and comfortable.

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    1. Hi Laurie, thanks for stopping by . . . it is a wonderful place and sometimes when I have the time, I spend most of my day out there :)

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  13. Yes, beautiful new header. I have to say I could probably live quite happily in your art barn! Great carpentry work there and super cute stand.

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    1. Hi Melanie, I'm glad you feel that way. I am wanting to add a sleeping area in that loft for extra company . . . it's nice to know that it would be a welcoming spot. I wouldn't want anyone to feel pushed to a corner, but it is nice knowing you always have an extra bed sometimes.

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  14. Well, aren't you the clever girl? You did a great job and what wonderful storage you have there now. Whoo Hooo! That little stand you put together is just darling, Connie. You are really cooking now, sistah! xo Diana

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    1. Hi Diana, cooking or burning my candle at both ends . . . there is a very sight line between those two things, LOL.

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  15. You have such a rare talent and can turn your hand to anything. Good for you making the stairs and the stand is a real delight, in keeping with your beautiful art barn. Have a great week.

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    1. You are so sweet, and thank you for stopping in to visit, it is always a pleasure :)

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  16. That's a great space in your craft barn, you'll be able to make full use of it now. Love the little craft supply stand, so cute.

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    1. I know, it was almost wasted space before. Those stairs are going to really open up more possibilities with the loft :) Thanks so much for popping in to visit. I adore company and appreciate the friendships that have grown from blogging.

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  17. Great job on the ladder and railing! It's awesome that you have created more space in your art barn!
    Cute pie plate stand, too. Love e6000 glue!

    Smiles :)
    ~K.

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    1. Hello Kerin, oh, I love that glue, too. I discovered it a few years ago when I needed something to attach fabric embellishments to fabric shopping bags. It works so well and on so many materials that it has become a staple in my art barn. Having stairs to get up in that loft is going to make it so much nicer. I have been painting up there this week and fixing it up a little bit.

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    2. Wow! You are getting handy. Well done!

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  18. SO impressed that you built your own ladder and railing!!!! Love your Art Barn! Neat, neat place. Thanks so much for visiting and following me. I replied to your comment on my blog with some places you might consider visiting that I have been to before. Have a great Thursday:)
    Blessings, Aimee

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    1. Hello Aimee and welcome to my little corner of blog-land. I spent the last two days painting that ladder and I've been decorating the loft. I think it will be a pleasant surprise for my granddaughters. I can see them wanting to go up there and read their library books and doodle in their art journals. When they visit, their favorite place to go is my art barn, so this should be a special treat for them. It will sure help me be able to get to some of my storage better, too :)

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  19. Wow you amaze me and your skills, that looks like a nice big space for storage! Your stand is so cute, great way to repurpose, I thought for sure that was going to be a candle holder when you were first showing to put it together, it can be a multi use item :)

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    1. Hi Connie, I know I was even thinking that it would be pretty piled with Christmas cookies, too :) Thanks for stopping by, I love seeing your smiling face in my comments . . . you have become a very special blogging friend. Have a great day :)

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  20. Love your blog and all the wonderful ideas that you have. Great little stand and I agree it would look terrific with cookies on it.
    Have a great weekend.
    Mary

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    1. Hello Mary, thanks for stopping by to visit . . . do come again, my welcome mat is always out :)

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  21. Love your creative space being in the small barn building and I love the railing too. It opens up a lot more space for you to store stuff.
    hugs,
    Cindy

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    1. Hi Cindy, it sure makes it easier to get up there. I'm not very fond of wobbly ladders and promised to never use one unless I had someone with me to hold it still. These are so strong that there is no worry . . . they are not going anywhere. :) Thanks so much for your blogging friendship and your support and encouragement. I true appreciate you. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  22. I am soaking up your brilliant ideas. Very creative and thrifty too !

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  23. Your Art Barn is fabulous, Connie. I just love all of it. Magazine worthy, for sure. Love the craft stand you made from repurposed items. You're so clever. Do you just get a thrill every time you walk into your barn? I bet you do. xo ~ Nancy

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  24. Oh Connie, you are amazing! Wow to do this yourself...Your craft space is amazing...I think it would be a great place for an afternoon nap, you know.....tell your sweetie you are going out to do a little work ZZZZZZ lol

    Carol

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