Old Chest Restored

I started this project some time ago (see previous post, July 14, 2013) and finished restoring September 2013.

What Worked For Me

The hardware on my antique chest was in bad need of cleaning. After going online and trying three different solutions, this is what worked for me:

A mixture of baking soda and lemon juice.  I used about one half box of baking soda and added lemon juice until the mix was about the texture of honey. I made enough to cover all my hardware and soaked overnight. The next day I just rinsed, washed in soapy water, using a sponge, and rinsed again. Easy--no toothbrush, no scrubbing .

What didn't work as well:

1. Soaking in coke overnight.

2. Soaking in a mixture of flour, white cider, and salt overnight. I made more of the above-mentioned lemon juice/baking soda mixture (enough to completely cover all the handles).

This as a picture of mixture #2 above:

They came out pretty good!

Sanding done:

Now I am off to Google for some advice on choice of stain...

Behind Schedule!

Oh golly! I do love the Internet. BUT...in seeing a link on "How To Convert VHS Tapes to DVD", I had to purchase a screen capture device. Spent a couple of months converting my tapes to my computer. I am in process of restoring this old chest and catching up with our gardening. I know--excuses, excuses!

Another Garage Sale Goodie

One just can't pass up a chair priced at only one dollar. I sanded and painted this rusty metal chair for our grand girls (in case Mom ever has a need for them to sit for a bit). How silly, right???

There Ought To Be Diplomas for Bloggers

I feel like a senior just starting third grade--blogger has upgraded once again. I am already liking what I see, but now I must try and advance to the next level! Will I ever graduate? What I really want to do is show off my latest project. I, for one, can never have enough cupboards. I didn't like my canned goods being above my kitchen counter; I needed the space for my glassware and such. I dragged out an old metal cabinet from our furnace room and gave it a face lift. Today I spent my morning organizing and reorganizing every cupboard in the house!

Little Silly Dolls

My first time making Silly Dolls.

I found the pattern on Flicker (JacqueLynn's photostream), along with lots of other stuff she shares. I tried to add a Click Thru to link you to it, but it is not working--YET!

What Works For Me

I am relatively new to needle punch; keeping fabric tight was a major problem for me. My solution:

Another problem is buying balls of 3-strand pearl cotton floss in store, rather than online, and single quantities. I will have to think on this a bit, I am working my brain to the bone as I type!

OK, So Now I Love Mailboxes

Rather than purchase yet another mailbox, I found this one while dismantling our barn and gave it a once over...

Two more barn finds...This one holds my table paper napkins:

This one for garden gloves:

And a work in progress--my one dollar garage sale find. It is gigantic. I sanded it to the bare metal and have since given it a primer coat. I am trying to figure out what to use it for before I give it the final paint job. Maybe a table doubling as a storage container? Umm, what would I store in it? It is 24" high, 15 inches in depth, 10 inches wide. Any suggestlons would be really, really, appreciated:

One cannot have too many mailboxes (lol).

For the Hats and Mittens

I picked up what looked like a bin for potatoes at a yard sale for one dollar. I painted it and use it for storing our hats and mittens. This summer it will hold our work/garden gloves.

Front View

Inside Cover

Outside Cover

Left Side

Right Side

Found a Use for Cardboard Barrel

First, I drink way too much pop. But, having said that, I finally came across a solution for storing my empties. What was an old cardboard barrel is now my "Bottle Drop".

Jelly Cupboard Makeover

This is one of my favorite kitchen pieces, but I had to give it a facelift--the paint was constantly peeling off (probably lead paint).

Our LaPotta Chair

It's been so long since my last post I wasn't even sure what my sign in name was. Thankfully, it came up automatically. My DH had to have his kidney removed December 2011--he had a tumor and there was a 90% chance it was cancer. He decided he had to go straight ahead and was prepared for whatever. Since we have no bathroom downstairs, it was my desire to get in touch with the Lions Club for a thunder mug. Nope! The old guy didn't want a used one (nor to purchase a new one). "wouldn't need it, he could stay upstairs and convalesce if need be".


Now, to make a short story long--there is more. In an earlier post I think I wrote about my garage sale chairs, both before and after. Didn't I find another of the exact same chairs in November. I had the seat ready to reupholster to match the other four chairs, but decided it would make a great diy temporary LaPotta chair. You know who said he would never sit on it, but had to be involved in it's creation.

It turned out the tumor was benign, he was only in the hospital four days. Doesn't have to go for a check up for one year, with no further treatments. And, was up and down stairs same day he came home. He says maybe we should keep the LaPotta and rent it out--that's not going to happen (lol). Thank you God and Dr. Rashid!

This makes for a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year.

Garage Sale Find

I was tired of using fold up card table chairs around my kitchen table--I reupholstered the cushions.

BEFORE (Scroll your mouse over image for update)