Easy Peasy Repurposing

If you don't already know, and I know I 've mentioned it about a hundred times lately, I just moved 1300 miles about 2 weeks ago. Why does this matter, you ask. Well, because it's my excuse for using whatever I find in the next box I open to fill whatever need I have at the moment, since it appears that I still can't find all of the things I usually use for those said purposes.

So I thought I'd share a couple of little, easy peasy things I repurposed for new uses.

The reason I say easy peasy is because all that was required on my part was to clean the item up, put it in place, and fill it up.

Here's my first one.

This is an old baker's bread pan. I forgot I had it actually until I found it in a box labeled "kitchen" that was full of spray paint. Go figure. If you've read about my move, you undastan where I'm coming from.

A while back I used to set up at a flea market on a regular basis and I used this pan to display flavored coffees with my company logo that I gave away.

I always loved it, just never really knew how to use it.

Now I do. It's my breakfast station.

Found it like this:

Cleaned it up, took off the ribbon and berries and added a great drawer knob I found at a flea market shop.

And here it is now, in it's new home, filled with everything I require to get me going in the mornings: coffee, oatmeal, bread and cinnamon. Works perfect.

(Wallpaper in background should be ignored. I inherited it and it will soon be going away.)

I love those little key handles, so if you know where I can find them in stock, please let me know. I need about 12 of them.

See? Easy Peasy.

I'd say it doesn't get much easier than that, but it does. Read on.

One time I was in the parking lot of an antique mall getting ready to go inside when I spotted a woman trying her best to take some windows out of her trunk. I walked over to help her and discovered that she was a vendor there and was bringing in the windows from her 1908 house that had recently been replaced with newer versions.

Uhh, excuse me ma'am, but I'll just take those off your hands right now.

So I made a deal with her in the parking lot and I took everyone she had.

For 5 bucks a piece. Yes I did.

There were 14 of them.

In the mix were a few screens that were original to the house. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with those.

I knew I could resale all the windows, so I just agreed to take everything.

Here's my crown jewel.

Those of you who DIY understand the little pitter patter of my heart upon securing such a fabulous find, don't ya?

Perfect as is.

And here it is in it's new home.

I clip all of my special notes and goodies I've recevied from family and friends.

One day I'll read you the notes on here. They are indeed special.

I used the little clips you find on drapery rings to hang things. I just give them a little twist with my pliers so they won't turn.

And even easier still.................

What do you do with your pot lids? It drives me bonky to have them scattered in the cabinet. They just will not stay in place.

I usually have a lid holder attached to the inside of my pots and pan drawer, but again, I haven't found it yet, so I needed another solution.

Something easy.

I discovered that they worked perfectly in this basket when I tossed them in there to get them out of the way for a minute. Glad I did that. It works and I like it, and it doesn't look messy sitting out on the counter.

I've also discovered that I can hide our cell phone chargers in this basket and you can't see them. They're accessible and out of the way. See, you can't see them, can you? They're in there.

So there you have it, 'no effort decorating' at The Blair House.

What easy peasy projects can you share with me?

Keiko Kitagawa

Keiko Kitagawa (born August 22, 1986) is a Japanese actress and former model. She was an exclusive model for the Japanese Seventeen magazine from late 2003 to mid 2006, and left modeling when she left the magazine. Her first acting role was Sailor Mars in the Sailor Moon live action show Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (2003-4), and after her role in the film Mamiya Kyōdai, she left modeling to concentrate on acting. She has appeared in several films, including The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) and Handsome Suit (2008), and has played leading roles in the TV Dramas Mop Girl (2007), Homeroom on the Beachside (2008), and "Buzzer Beat" (2009).

Progress in the Workroom

       

I need to announce a little change to Make Mine Beautiful's Home Decor Series. Originally I had the NEW Home Decor Series scheduled to begin the first Monday in February.

However, starting something like that would require me to actually be able to find all of the supplies I need to get this off the ground, and due to my recent move across the country, I'm still filtering through the boxes trying to find those things.

So, the 2nd Wednesday of the month is Wednesday in the Workroom day, where I show you the how-to behind the project I'm currently sewing.

We will start the series off on that day, which is  the 10th.

Our first project will be decorator pillows done the professional way.

You'll learn how to 'build' a layered fabric pillow, apply various trims, sew a fringe into the seam, and insert a zipper in the seam.

I am busy trying to finish setting up the workroom, so I'll give you a peek at where I am as of today. The final reveal will be on Wednesday the 10th. I'll be giving you lots of little tips for storage solutions that keep everything in order but leave them right at your fingertips.

The other side of the workroom, which I'll refrain from showing you today, is my office portion, tool storage, and supply storage. I'm downgrading from an actual office/design studio to a spot in a large room. It'll be quite the challenge, but I need to downsize anyway and this will force me to do it.

If you're wanting to set up your own workroom/shop, be sure to keep checking back in the next few days to see how I'll teach you to turn this:

and this:

into this:

That's right, it's electrified!

Saki Fukuda

Saki Fukuda (born on September 19, 1990 in Kumamoto, Kumamoto) is a Japanese actress and singer.

She appeared in the 2009 live action film Yatterman as Yatterman 2 "Ai-chan".

Yuki Maomi

Winner of a Make Mine Beautiful Work Apron

Thank you so much for everyone who participated in the Funky Junk 1000 Follower Giveaway Week.

The winners have been announced, and...

Drumroll Please................................

The winner of the Make Mine Beautiful apron is Barbara Jean from Treasures From the Heart.

Congratulations Barbara Jean!

Barbara Jean chose the Farmer's Market Apron in Pattern Combination #3

Here's what she'll be getting.

                                    This Apron -                                           

In This Fabric Combination

BJ, Please send me your address and I'll get that right out to ya!

To see who won the other gifts in the giveaway, head over to Funky Junk.

If you didn't win an apron, and you'd still like to have one of your own, I encourage you to peruse my etsy site and get one for yourself. There are several styles and fabrics to chose from, and each apron has been carfeully designed to provide craffters the space you need to carry around all of your supplies.

All aprons are made sturdy enough for everyday use.

AND, I'm offering free shipping to the US on anything you purchase.

Funky Junk herself recently received this one, which you'll be hearing about soon.

This apron has 3 optional accessory pockets which slide onto the waistband, and one extra washcloth that snaps on and off for ease of use and cleaning.

As you can see, her drill holster has the initials of her business on it.

If you'd like to have something with your name just let me know in the checkout notes.

What a great gift for the Do it Yourselfer!

Mona Yamamoto

Mona Yamamoto (born February 11, 1976 Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan) is a Norwegian-Japanese TV announcer and presenter. Her father is Norwegian and she became a naturalized Japanese citizen at the age of 6.

After graduating from Gakushuin University, Mona joined the Asahi Broadcasting Corporation as an announcer. She introduces Jackass in Japan.

She shied away from the public spotlight for a period of time and was let go from her position as an anchor after her scandalous affair with Yomiuri Giants player Tomohiro Nioka. However, she has recently apologized and announced her intention to return to the entertainment world.