Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Garden Tool Make-Over


Every woman deserves and wants pretty tools :)

I stopped at a barn sale and found these great tools for $1 each.
Well, tell me who could pass that up, right?
The handles were pretty rough, and the metal a bit rusty, 
but after a good sanding and painting . . . 
they are good to go for a few more years :)

 
You all know me well enough to know that just painting them was not good enough.
So after painting them, I taped off stripes,
that were inspired our croquet set. 


It's more fun to work with whimsical tools :)
I think they look so summery, don't you?


When I was done I decided on four coats of polycrylic 
to make them hold up better to the weather.
It made the handles a lot smoother, too.

Okay girl-friends, 
you've got all winter to make your tools pretty for spring :)
I would love to see what you come up with.




On another note . . .
I love this shot of Butchy, but do any of you know
how to get rid of green-eye.
My software gets rid of red-eye with the click of a button,
but dogs eyes come out green when the flash hits them.

I would love to hear what you do.

Have a great day.
Your blogging sister, 






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67 comments:

  1. Too, too cute. I might just paint my shovel.

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  2. Love the handles, wonderful idea!
    Try making Butchy look slightly to one side of the camera, then the backs of his eyes shouldn't reflect the flash back as green.

    Hope this helps :)

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    1. Hi Lesley and welcome to my blog. I am always so excited when I get a new follwer. That's a great tip, but you might have to tell it to Butchy, :)
      He's my special little boy and he pretty much keeps his eyes tuned in to his "Mommy", LOL. I am delighted that you like my garden tool make-over.

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  3. What a great idea to paint your garden tools. It would be especially useful for the little fork whose main aim in life is to hide in the earth.

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    1. Hi Sheila, You have a great point there. I may have to paint my hand tools, too. I am always setting them down and forgetting where they are.

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  4. Oh, this is so cute! You can clean the metal up with some mineral oil, too!

    XO,
    Jane

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    1. I was thinking about that. I saw on a Martha Stewart where she wraps her's in rags wet with mineral or vegetable oil, when she stores them for winter. Then in the Spring they are rust free and ready to go :)

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  5. Cute indeed, Connie! Great idea for sprucing up old tools. A few swipes with steel wool would help with the rust too.

    Green eye....hmmm...wonder if your software would work the same to remove it as it does red eye.

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    1. Hi Sally, I am happy that you like my garden tools, you are so right about the steel wool on the rust. As for the red eye button working, it doesn't, apparently it is sensitive to the color red only :)

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  6. Creativity just flows through your fingers, doesn't it....love it!!! Painting gardens tools is something I will have to think about for next year :) I am still working on putting flowers on my garden shed, an idea I got from Patty at Attic Clutter.

    Cute picture of Butchy....no, don't know how to get rid of green eye. Maybe just erase it with the erasing tool? Then color in with brown??? I don't know I am just guessing....have a great day and I look forward to seeing another creation of yours.

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    1. Good Morning Louise. Hey, it was fun painting these and I am delighted that you like them. I tried erasing them and filling them back in, but I didn't do a very good job . . . maybe with a little more practice :)

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  7. What a nice idea. They make me smile.

    Hugs

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    1. Good Morning Elna, Me too! I think they are going to make gardening even more fun than it already is . . . is that possible?

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  8. Connie I love you work tool handles and your lovely puppy is so like mine.Love our blog I have been very slack and must do another soon.Blessings from me.

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    1. Hi Carole, it has been a while and you are missed. I've often thought about how our dogs look very much a like. They are so much company. I love my little Butchy :)

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  9. What a great idea, Connie - I love the bright colors and stripes! Now that's a good way to coax a girl to do some yard work! Now I have to search the tool shed for some inspiration...... Love to see Butchy so bright eyed after his ordeal. Don't know how to deal with the green-eye, though. xo I'll be interested to see if anyone knows. Hope you are having a lovely week and enjoying this beautiful weather. Hugs xoxo Karen

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    1. Hi Karen, Our weather is beuitful, too. Butchy and I went into town Tuesday to visit my sister and run errands. It is nice to be able to take him with me again. The weather was so hot this summer that I couldn't leave him in the car, even to run in and out of a store. We took a long walk through the park and just enjoyed our outing so much :)

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  10. Love those handles, Connie! Though next time ....perhaps dots or stripes????? Just kidding. A great job done. Lx

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    1. Hi Lynne, I thought about making some of them polka dot, maybe I'll save that for the hand tools :) I am delighted that you like them.

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  11. I don't have any outdoor tools anymore except for a snow shovel I keep in the trunk of my car. That is a really cute idea though.

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    1. Hi Beth, I think that you are past the shovel years in life . . . you just need to call one of your handsome grandsons over to shovel for you :)

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  12. well now I want to find my own set of garden tools. Those look great.
    I've never used it but pic monkey supposedly has a feature to get rid of green eye

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    1. Good Morning Ann, I am delighted that you want to follow suit and paint some garden tools. Thanks for the tip . . .I will be checking it out :)

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  13. How cool are these tools! I love the way you painted them and the stripes are just a neat way to really set them off.
    You are really a very creative lady. Glad I got to come by tonight and catch up with you.
    I loved the post before this one too. What a neat town to visit. Your pictures are awesome.
    Hope your having a gorgeous week.
    Love
    Maggie

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    1. Good Morning Maggie, it is great to see you, thanks for stopping by and for your lovely compliment. It will make gardening more fun, working with my new whimsical garden tools :) Just got to add a little more fun and smiles to summer :)

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  14. Aaaahhh....your tools are so colorful and happy! Very CUTE idea! One can be so creative with an old handle! Blessings~~~Roxie

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    1. Hi Roxie, this was a fun project, that will keep me smiling all spring and summer. Thanks for your sweet words:)

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    2. Hi Roxie, thanks for your sweet words, this project should keep me smiling all spring and summer :)

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  15. Those are really cute, Connie. They make me think of croquet handles. Great idea and they turned out great! xo Diana

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    1. Hi Diana, The croquet set was my inspiration. Who says gardening can't be every bit as must fun as croquet, right :)

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  16. Hey Connie,,,
    luv the garden tool idea... I just bought some crazy printed pink duct tape,,, just might have to experiment! lol!
    Winthrup looks so Kool!
    And Happy Glamping! Having a mini home on wheels is just the best!
    Wagons HO!

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    1. Good Morning, Duct tape would be a great way to cover garden tool handles. I can not believe all the colors and patterns that it comes in, these days. I'll be visiting your blog today, to see what you're up to on the Glamping trail :)

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  17. Such a wonderful idea--not sure my husband would be too keen though lol

    Chrissie x

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    1. Hi Chrissie, if he is the one who hoes and pulls the weeds, then better not paint your tools :)

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  18. What a wonderful way to paint the tools. Ours really look horrible. Now to find some paint and get to work.

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    1. Hi Betty, I am delighted that I could be an inspiration . . . it is a fun project :)

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  19. My wheelbarrow is lilac, I think I might paint my hoe to match. Great idea thank you. I am sorry you have not heard from me recently. We had to move the boat and our new berth, although idyllic, does not let me get the internet. When I have worked out a way to get connected, things will be back to normal xxx

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    1. Wow Fran, seems that you are always moving the boat . . . is it because of tides, harbor management, or the work that they are doing?
      I do hope you get back on line soon . . . you are and will be missed.

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  20. Those are some blinged out garden tools......love them!!!
    Where do you find the time to come up with such cute projects??

    Maybe if it warms up a bit, I'll get some of my garden tools out, and give them a make-over.

    Enjoy this day.

    Kerin

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    1. Hi Kerin, as for time, Steve still works and our daughter and granddaughters live 175 miles away . . . if it were not for that my life would be filled with enough activity that I wouldn't have as much time for crafts, but more time for playing, hugging, and staying busy in other ways :) I am delighted that I could inspire you to try this fun project :)

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  21. I love the way you decorated your garden tools! I wish I would do it but I know I won't. I already have a ton of unfinished projects, many projects in mind, and several in process. I always want to try everything I see but I can't. I'm glad I've come to that realization because sometimes I feel the need to stick my fingers in my ears and go la-la-la-la so I don't get sidetracked every time color and bling pass before my eyes! LOL!

    I don't know how to get rid of green eye but I have got to say that Butchy is so darn cute! I just want to pick him up and cuddle with him. So precious!

    Have a fabulous day Connie!
    D~~~~

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    1. Hi Donna, I know exactly what you are talking about . . . we blogging sisters are exposed to so much talent and creativity that you just want to give it all a try. That might work if we had 36 hour days. I do love visiting and seeing what all of my blogging sisters are up to . . . we are blessed with this great community of talent. Butchy would love to me cuddled . . . he lives for that :) You might say, that he is a bit spoiled.
      Thanks so much for stopping by; ism very happy that you love my garden tools :)

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  22. He looks like his nose is sparkling!!! I think the picture is fine! But then again, I am half blind until my surgery! LOVE the tools!!! They should be hung up in the garage as decoration because they are too pretty to use!

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    1. Hi Ginny, thank you for your sweet words. When is your surgery scheduled?

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  23. Your puppy is soooo adorable, I have no idea how to get rid of green eye......Looks fine for Halloween! Your tools are adorable, what a great find for $1! They will last forever now!

    Carol

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    1. Good Morning Carol, thanks for stopping by . . . yup, Butchy doesn't need a Halloween costume with those green eyes, LOL.
      Halloween and The 4th of July drive him a little bit crazy, what with the door bell and the firecrackers.
      Gardening will be even more fun next spring with my fancy tools :)

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  24. Those tools are just too cute. I love your style. I don't know how to get rid of green eyes, but the pup is adorable with green eyes or not. Have a great weekend.

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    1. Hi Nancy, you are so sweet . . . he is a special little friend :)

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  25. Connie, you now have the cutest garden tools ever! Enjoy them in good health. xo

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    1. Hi Debbie, thank you, they are going to be fun to use, right :)

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  26. Connie! How cute! Your garden tools are now "Kate Spade"... (hmmm...no pun intended?)...meets "Seuss"!
    I'm going with "Kate Spade" because I DO love the pun!'
    Thanks for popping in to 34th Street with your sweet comments!
    I think that we are from the same corner of the world. Your wonderful post about Winthrup reminded me that it has been far to long since we have visited!
    Enjoy your weekend, dear Sister!
    w/L

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    1. Good Morning, I'm sitting here with my morning coffee . . . just a little trip to blog-land before my day begins to get busy. I had to Google, Kate Spade and when I did, I fell head over heels in love with her Keds line. Winthrop is a lovely little cowboy town and I'm looking forward to their music festival. I'll be there less life gets in my way, LOL.
      I do hope that you are having a wonderful day, the sun is shining here, happy, happy, I do love that sunshine :)

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  27. You never cease to amaze me Connie you are without doubt one of the most productive ladies on the planet...keep on keeping on my friend.
    P.S. I kinda like Butchie with green highlights.

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    1. Good Morning Deann, Yup, Bucthy looks like he's really for Halloween with those eyes, right:) thank you for the sweet words, I truly appreciate the encouragement :)

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  28. Connie, this is brilliant!! i may even be tempted to WORK if i had these beautiful tools!! (tee hee hee)
    How creative... i love the colors you used. Hope you've been well. thanks for visiting! xox

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    1. Hello Pauline, and thank you for returning my visit. It is great to see you.
      I'm happy that you like my garden tools, they will make gardening more fun :)

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  29. Sorry don't know what to do about green eye on doggies. Butchie is so cute and looks so sweet. Love your tools, I would of never thought of it, Now you have a great set of tools for just a little bit of money and some paint, wow! good for you. Thanks for the idea, wish I had not thrown out all of our old ones. Hugs...Lu

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    1. Hi there Lu, it is great to see you, and I am delighted that you like my tool re-do. Gardening is going to be extra fun next spring :)

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  30. I am in love with sweet Butchie. Try taking without a flash. Love the tool idea. That would solve my lost tool problem. Have a great week.

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    1. Hi Sharon, yes they will be easier to find when you forget where you used them last:) Thanks for stopping by, I adore company.

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  31. Hi Connie! Thanks for coming by my place!

    I have wanted to do this with my garden tools for years! Yours look so cute now!

    Your puppy is so cute! Once upon a time I had a photo editor that took out animal/green eye but I can't remember which one it was.

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    1. Hi Holly, it's good to know that there is a program out there for green puppy dog eyes . . . I'll be watching for it :) I am happy that you like my garden tools . . . it's good to be more fun next spring when I start planting, Thanks for the sweet visit.

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