Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Before & After

Springtime always arrives with projects . . .
getting outside and getting things ready for 
the warm weather ahead is a wonderful thing.
This is one of two chairs,
that I almost added to my big yard sale,
when we moved from our previous home. 
 And this is a table that I picked up at
the Goodwill last week for $3.99.
 Friday afternoon Steve and I visited a couple
thrift stores in search of this 
headboard for $20.
Next came the fun!  
We added front legs and a seat to the headboard.
 I painted it green.
Then I stenciled the seat to match this . . .

The cushion on my spray painted chair makeover.
 Here's the little table after spray painting it :)
 This is a photo of the Art Barn last August.
This is the side that faces the road.
That flower bed didn't do well 
because it gets to much shade so . . . 
 This year I added picket fence,
moved the bike over here, moved the wheel barrow and
moved the garden box  . . .
 Here!
I am thinking about planting Zinnias
in the box and a couple Morning Glories 
to climb that trellis. 

My little deck is finished and all decked out :)
 That is Steve's Dad's old wheel barrow.
I had Petunias planted in it last year.
Look at these.
I have a neighbor that I have to be careful
around, 
because I mentioned these to her and how cute
 I thought they were and the next thing that I know, 
she is calling me up saying meet me at the gate. 
She headed right down to Walmart 
and bought me two packages.
Little Mason Jar lights, aren't they adorable.
 She is unbelievable; my personal angel :)


I guess that if Spring is starting for us,
then Autumn is starting for all 
my sweet blogging sisters in the 
Southern Hemisphere.
Both are wonderful times to be outside.
I do hope that you are all enjoying your week.
I am linking up this week with 
Share You Cup 
Check this party out at:
http://artandsand.blogspot.com/2016/03/welcome-to-share-your-cup-187.html

Keep Smiling!

Your blogging sister,
Connie :) 

 

58 comments:

  1. I love your new Art Barn deck all decked out! The bench, chair & table look so great. Wonderful ideas! Wish I lived enough to come sit and drink a cup of coffee or tea with you but I can't so enjoy it for me! I was wondering how you accumulated all your lace??!! I bought a little lace yesterday and it was expensive but I do so love lace! We are getting snow again today so enjoy your nicer weather! Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy, lace, well . . . bargain bins, and mark downs . . . that is when most of mine came from. I would put on a pot of coffee and bake a cake if you lived close enough to come visit :)

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  2. Connie, I love to see what projects you're up to next. Your bench and chair and table makeover is darling. Just wondering, have you tried growing hosta in the shaded area of your art barn?

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    1. Hi Laurie, no I haven't, in fact I bought my first hosta last year and planted it in the shaded area by our front porch. We'll see how that goes. I'm excited to see what perennials weather the winter and will come back this year. Those will be the ones that I know will make it in your climate. We have very hot and dry summers.

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  3. You sure are a go-getter! The bench, chair and table came out amazing! I can imagine how it will look when you have flowers growing. Enjoy the nice weather. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Hi Teresa, it's a lot of work, but at our age we need to get this place whipped into shape so we can enjoy our retirement. That is the problem we knew we would have buying and old place this late in life. We don't have the energy that we did when we were young, but we keep plugging along. Today I was staining the fence, when I went to sit down on the turned over bucket that I was using for a movable seat and fell over kicking half a gallon of stain onto the ground. Not my best of moments, LOL, but at least I wasn't hurt.

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  4. Very impressive, I love the bench a real work of art. It looks stunning! You have a wonderful neighbour, you are truly blessed.

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    1. Oh, you have know idea . . . today she came over with all kinds of goodies for us to come collect. They are thinning out and simplifying, while we are trying to whip our place into shape and make it home :) The Lord blessed us in so many ways when we moved here and having unbelievably wonderful neighbors is one of them :)

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  5. You are so talented. I'm just amazed at the way you can turn things into shabby treasures!

    I love zinnias, too. Sturdy flowers! I love how they have made all kinds of new zinnias, some with really interesting colors and petal shapes!

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    1. Zinnias are wonderful! So cheerful and they hold up so nicely when cut and put into vases. I also love how they start blooming around the first of July and then bloom until frost. You get a lot of pleasure from a packet or two of seeds :)

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  6. I love what you are doing with your deck Connie.The chairs and little flower box are the perfect small touch.
    It is hopefully getting cooler soon here in Southern Australia. Last gasp of Summer..next few days HOT!! What a sweet neighbour!

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    1. I remember the end of last summer when we were looking forward to cooler days and nights, too. Now we are longing of warm days and working in the garden. It is nice to have the different seasons to enjoy. I think it might get boring living in an area of one average climate.

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  7. Everything is looking good. I love the chair makeover and the bench is awesome. I bought a headboard a year or so ago to make in to a bench and never got around to doing it.

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    1. Hi Ann, well I hope that this post will inspire you to get your tools out and turn that headboard into the bench that it was meant to me. Thank you for your kind words . . . it is always amazing to me what just a can of spray paint can do :)

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  8. Hi Connie. I love your barn. and you did a terrific job on the beach, chair and table. The fence looks nice with the bike also. You have a lot of talent. I do gardening also. I have a lot of flowers which keep me busy all summer. I'm happy to have met you and I'm your newest member. Thelma xx

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    1. Hi Thelma, welcome . . . thanks so much for stopping by to visit, I'm delighted that you like my make-overs :)

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  9. What a wonderful makeover.

    I love the lights...drooled over them today but did not take them home.

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  10. You are going to be ready to enjoy the outdoors when they weather is nice. You are always busy and making things even nicer! Enjoy your week! Hugs, Diane

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    1. Hi Diane, that is my plan, but when you buy and old neglected fixer-upper there is always a job, right around the corner wanting your attention, LOL. I have been really enjoying being outside, it still isn't even close to being warm enough to start gardening, but after the cold winter we had, this spring weather feels wonderful and I love being outside :) Thanks so much for stopping by to visit and for being such a sweet blogging friend.

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  11. I love all your projects!! My DH made a bench somewhat like yours also using an old headboard. He often gets free furniture which he either refashions into other things or just takes apart for the wood. Too bad about the spilled stain though. Just recently my dog dumped over a can of paint ( luckily outside!!). These things happen.

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    1. Yes they do, I was fortunate and didn't get hurt, so I can't be crying over spilled paint :)

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  12. Connie, I love what you did! I am inspired!!
    xo
    Lynn

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    1. Thank you . . . I love it when one of my projects inspires another :)

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  13. Hi Connie, I LOVE what you have done with your make-overs! You really have a good eye! I particularly like the juxtaposition of that lime green side table with the bench and metal chair - whether you intend to have them as a group or not! What a great project you Art Barn is - a bit like my Summer House really though a totally different vibe. I might pinch the idea of the picket fence though…. have a lovely weekend, dear Connie! Lxxx

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    1. Lynne, I can just visualize your Summer House surrounded by beautiful vines and flowers. You have the best weather for flowers. No irrigation in your neck of the woods, LOL. We could not grow anything without it :)

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  14. I love it all! You have such an artsy spirit. What can't you do? Oh, and my first thought was every time I get rid of something I always end up wishing I hadn't. Aren't you glad you kept that table and chair? But I have to admit, I was wondering, what does a headboard have to do with a table and chair!

    Cindy Bee

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    1. Well, I guess you found out . . . table, chair and headboard bench :) Happy weekend!

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  15. Connie, I know I've said it before but you are amazing! Wish I could picture things in my mind like you and put colors together like you do! Your outside furniture turned out perfect. A late happy birthday to your husband. You aren't the only one who robbed the cradle...I am eleven years older than Poppy. Sorry, sometimes I just get behind and can't seem to catch up! I do so enjoy you posts!!

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    1. I'm sure that you have the same thing happen . . . people will find out that there is almost 7 years between us and they say, "I didn't realize that Steve was that much older than you." I just smile and let them keep believing it, LOL.

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  16. Connie I love it. We have a little barn building like that too that we put the animals in when it gets too color or hot at night. I've been wanting to dress it up forever.

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  17. Oh my goodness, how pretty your deck came out Connie! Don't you just love fished projects? I know you're so happy and will enjoy it for a long time come, specially with the wonderful outside furniture you made over.
    Enjoy your weekend.
    FABBY

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    1. Hello and welcome to my blog. I pinned your dish-rack shelf and will be showing it to my husband when he gets ready to build my new kitchen cupboard. Yours turned out beautiful, I love it :) Thanks again for stopping in to visit.

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  18. Connie- What a wonderful, wonderful job you did on everything. It all looks just darling...gorgeous!!!! What a GREAT neighbor. Can't wait to see those hung and lit. Blessings to you- I hope you have a great weekend- xo Diana

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    1. Hello Sweet Diana, you and your family have been in my thoughts and prays. It is very nice seeing you back in the blogging world. You are missed and loved.

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  19. Connie, just catching up. I love the bench and Walmart hanging lights, I am going to look for those! I love your hubbys canoe and your dishtowels are great, I may copy this! You are always so busy and having so much fun!

    Carol

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    1. Oh Carol, look who's talking . . . you are the busiest gal I know. I'm looking forward to visiting your Polka Dot Flea (over the internet . . . BooHoo) Maybe someday I will be able to visit in person, that would be marvelous. Aren't those lights adorable . . . I am truly blessed. If I could adopt my neighbor as a sister, I would do it in a minute and bring her home with me, but her husband would stop me at the gate. I can just see us both playing "tug of war" with her poor arms, LOL. She has got a heart of gold. Her and her husband are the best neighbors we have ever had.

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  20. What a lovely place to sit in the sun. You get some really great bargains and then when you transform them with your magic, wow! Xxx

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    1. Hi Fran. thank you . . . I was looking at benches on line and decided to do this instead, for about a third the cost of buying a new bench I was able to buy this headboard, wood for the legs of the bench, a cushion for the chair and 3 colors of spray paint. I love stretching a dollar for as far as I can, LOL.

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  21. Connie it just looks so good - love how you've done your decking and like the colours on the bench.
    I think Spring is always so lovely planning what plants to use ... but as you say in the Southern Hemisphere it will be Autumn.
    Spring and Autumn are two wonderful season.

    All the best Jan

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    1. They are the two season we love most around here. Summer used to be my favorite, but the older I get the harder the very hot weather is to me. Last year we had at least three months with three digit temperatures almost every day. It was brutal. That is not our normal, but we do have hot summers :)

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  22. Your deck looks fantastic and I love your new bench and how you stenciled it to go with the cushion, great match. Those mason jar lights are too cute, I hadn't seen those yet, how fun!

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    1. Hi Connie, I am sure that those little jar lights are going to disappear quickly from the store shelves. My friend Shirley is so sweet, but I do have to be careful . . . she loves buying gifts and I sometimes feel like it is Christmas everyday around here. She's an angel.

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  23. Are you for hire to help me get things done around here?! Though it is still cold and snow is even still on the ground here, so nothing is getting done outside right now. Next week is supposed to be in the 50's, but rain all week. Doesn't that figure? March is such a fickle month here; we don't get going more until like April.

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    1. Hi Melanie, I remember it well, you live very near to where I was raised, but now I live about 2,000 miles away. If I lived closer I would love to come over and help you this spring . . . I would work for lunch and coffee, LOL.

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  24. Oh my goodness! How adorable is your little shed and the lovely bench and table you have done up! So very clever and inspiring - love it! You have the sweetest neighbor :) How fun it's going to be to share a little lemonade or iced tea together on your sweet little porch some summer evening under the lights. xx Karen

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    1. Hi Karen, you painted a very pretty picture here . . . Come on Summer!, LOL

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  25. Your deck is definitely "all decked out". I love the bench you made and you chair redo. You are always so busy. I need to get busy and do something!

    Thanks so much for linking up this week. I hope it becomes a regular thing.

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    1. Hi Carol, Thanks for your sweet words and for your invitation to link up again. It was fun . . . and joining a party was having this old dog learn a new trick. I love learning to do new things :)

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  26. Cute, cute, cute! I love the bench and the stenciling is so pretty. I like your plan to plant zinnias and morning glories. Two of my favorite annuals. Your art barn is adorable. How nice to have your own deck! Hugs, Nancy

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  27. What fabulous garden furniture makeovers, Connie - you are so creative and clever! Your art barn is looking so great these days isn't it. With all that you do to make such a beautiful and ceative home, I am not surprised you don't have much time for your guitar these days - I do love your picture, by the way, of you with your guitar! I am happy to report that the calluses are coming on nicely and I should be ready to sing at church in a couple of weeks, I think. Thank you for your lovely comment, and you express it so well about the walls coming up. I feel exactly like that over my cutting machine, and this year I simply must get it up and running again - I haven't used it for several years, with all the things that have gone on, dealing with elderly parents, the house move, my cancer... I'm busier now than I've been for a long time and enjoying feeling a lot better. It's so nice that your friends miss you and I am sure you will have a lot of fun getting back together and making music again! I know what you mean about all the stuff you have to carry, and I love the idea of the fold-away canvas cart! What a great idea. Can you show me what it looks like? I have a big box which is far too heavy and cumbersome.

    Have a great week, Connie.
    Shoshi

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  28. Connie, love how it all came together! The bench is wonderful and I love the accent pieces! Thanks so much for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Good Morning Jan, thanks for stopping by, it is always a pleasure. I do enjoy your SYC . . . that's one lovely idea that the three of you came up with :)

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  29. Hi Connie, what a great job you did on your bench. I have been thinking about making one of those but at this point it's just a dream. It's a good think you didn't sell the chair, it looks beautiful and refreshed, the table is quite cute also. I love what you did what the picket fence, bike, etc. Very nice.

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    1. Hi Kelly, thank you for all of these sweet comments. I have more fun restoring something old than I do buying something new :) I think you should stop dreaming and find an old bed and start your project . . . you will have a ball doing it and the finished one of a kind piece, is a great feeling :)

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  30. What wonderful makeovers Connie! I especially love the bench. Good luck with your hosta!

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  31. Great makeovers and love the bench! What a great neighbor you have!!! Your art barn is perfect, inside and out :)

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