I think we can all agree that my mind works in mysterious ways- sometimes it’s a great thing (when a project works out!) and sometimes it’s bothersome (when a project fails). But once again, there I was in a thrift store, looking at everything through Sadie-colored glasses. And one of the things I spotted was this countertop wine rack that was unexciting but full of potential. As I studied the small wine rack, my mind started to see it as a DIY ribbon holder. Read more ›
Dutch Wooden Clogs as Upcycled Planters
April 3, 2016 · By · 70 Comments
I’ve had a quiet fascination with all things Dutch for most of my life. Between the tulips and the windmills and summering near Holland, Michigan, I suppose it couldn’t be avoided. I also had my own pair of Dutch wooden clogs, and while I no longer have them, I still wanted to turn some into upcycled planters for our front porch.Read more ›
Spring Door Decor from a Straw Purse
March 31, 2016 · By · 147 Comments
To me, Spring is all about flowers. The fresh start after winter, the gorgeous colors hanging from branches and sprouting from the ground, and the fragrance that perfumes the air. And to celebrate the arrival of this season, I decided I needed some Spring door decor by upcycling a straw purse from the thrift store.
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Garden Decor Ideas and Projects
March 20, 2016 · By · 57 Comments
Upcycling projects and garden decor really do go hand in hand. Whether you like DIY planters or junk gardens or quirky garden ideas in general, there is a repurposing project out there for you. Read more ›
Cloth Flowers from Flour Sack Fabric
March 17, 2016 · By · 78 Comments
After taking a lengthy break from upcycled jewelry making projects, I decided it was time for me to delve back into it. I’ve made plenty of bracelets and necklaces, but never a brooch or a pin! And I decided to make some cloth flowers with the same flour sack fabric that I used for this project with vintage wooden spools.Read more ›
DIY Cat Scratcher from an Antique Cheese Grater
March 11, 2016 · By · 51 Comments
I have to admit- scratching posts for the cats are hit-or-miss in this house. But I had an antique cheese grater that I didn’t know what else to do with. It was COMPLETELY dull to the touch so I knew it would be safe for upcycling into a DIY cat toy of some sort. And the more I looked at it, the more I saw a DIY cat scratcher that I could hang from a doorknob.
Fashion Wall Art with Vintage Sewing Patterns
March 3, 2016 · By · 96 Comments
Whenever I’m in a thrift store and I see a box or bin full of vintage sewing patterns, I can’t help but paw through them. Usually, I find regrettable patterns for 1980s-era garb. But every now and again, I find wonderful vintage dress patterns that would be perfect for upcycling into fashion wall art. Read more ›
Silver Candelabra as a Jewelry Tree Stand
February 25, 2016 · By · 69 Comments
I’ve upcycled a LOT of thrift store finds into jewelry storage and organization projects over the years. Probably because I have such an affinity for vintage costume jewelry. Give me flashy rhinestones over diamonds any day of the week! And while most of my jewelry organizers have been “quirky”, none of them would be considered “elegant”. That is, until I found a silver candelabra at the thrift store and decided to repurpose it into a jewelry tree stand.
Ribbon Organizer from a Wooden Candelabra
February 8, 2016 · By · 52 Comments
How many times have I found something interesting at a thrift store…brought it home…repurposed it for my blog…and then realized I didn’t know what to call it? I’ll answer that for you- LOTS AND LOTS OF TIMES. And so we have this thrift store find: a wooden candle stand or perhaps a wooden candelabra. Regardless of proper name, though, I knew right away I wanted it to become a ribbon organizer.Read more ›
Shotgun!: Brevard, North Carolina (A Junkin’ Journey)
February 4, 2016 · By · 22 Comments
*** Please note that this post on Brevard, NC has not been updated since early 2016. I had planned on updating it in 2020-2021, but as we all know, those years changed on a dime! So, please check back later for a freshly updated post. ***
I love to sit down, study the map, and figure out where I want to head to next for my latest junkin’ journey. For obvious reasons (money, time…), I tend to stick relatively close to home- with the occasional longer sojourn to further-away stops. But for right now, I decided to head back into western North Carolina.
What can I say? I’m a sucker for a mountain town.
So we headed up the mountain- literally- to Brevard, North Carolina. Home of the White Squirrel Festival, Brevard is a charming little town with an equally charming Main Street. And I’m happy to report, several charming little shops to explore…shall we?Read more ›
