Make A Decorative Storage Rack With Repurposed Items

On my recent visit to the thrift store I looked around to see if there were any interesting items that I could make something with.  I found a pine wooden crate for 99 cents, a 6" brass pillar candle ring for 99 cents, and a package of swag/scarf rings for 99 cents.  I then headed to Kmart in hopes of finding round adhesive mirror stick-ons.  I didn't find what I was looking for but came away with a 5" diameter round mirrored candle plate and two blind spot mirrors I found in the auto parts department.

Since the mirrored plate was 5" diameter and the candle ring opening was 6" diameter I cut a piece of cardboard box in a 6" round and glued the mirror onto it using my hot glue gun.   I then glued the cardboard to the ring and the two spot mirrors onto the scarf rings. 

After staining the wooden crate with some leftover walnut stain I glued the three mirrors onto the crate.  The crate can now be hung on the wall or you can sit it on a shelf.  I found it worked perfectly to hold my CDs.  Thinking outside the box (no pun intended) I was able to make a one-of-a-kind decorative CD rack for about $10.

I would love to see what other creative types have made by repurposing found items.   Please feel free to share your projects.

How to Spice Up Bland Curtains

With the dreariness of winter upon us I decided to spice up my bland curtains.  I took the plain black curtain panel in my guest bath/laundry room and added black and white ribbon adorned with yellow buttons to the center of the curtain.  I attached the ribbon with velcro and the ribbon now serves to shorten the too long curtains as well.

A while back I made valances for my kitchen windows out of old sheets and fusible web since sewing isn't my thing.  To give them an update and tie in the color of my new antique kitchen cupboard I used a stencil and some green acrylic paint to create a vertical striped design along each valance.

Just these minor changes made such a difference.  Now my curtains are bright and cheery.

High End Look for Less

I felt the need to work my creative side today.  A couple of months ago I purchased a video rocker at my Salvation Army Thrift Store for $10 or $15.

My plan was to recreate the look of a mid century modern lounge chair.  Below is an example of a 1960's lounge chair I found on One Kings Lane.  A pair of these were going for $3,999.

With the holidays and all I didn't get around to my planned project until now.  This morning I headed out to Lowes for four Round Tapered Legs and four Angled Top Plates.  They only carried 6" or 24" legs in this modern style.  I was really looking for more of a 10-12" leg but decided I could work with the shorter leg for now.  Each one cost $2.50 and the plates were $1.68 each.
 

In order to provide a sturdier base to adhere the legs to I decided to use a 1 x 4 board I had in my garage.  I cut two lengths the width of the base of the chair (16") and screwed two plates to each board.  I then screwed the legs into the plates and screwed the boards to the bottom of the chair.

 
Below is what I ended up with.  I think it looks pretty close to the expensive chair above.  What do you think?