The $15 Sofa and No-Sew Slip Covers

Ever since I saw this image of a cane-backed sofa

in Country Living magazine last year,

I have wanted one.

No, I have NOT found one.

BUT,

I DID find THIS:

For $15 at the local thrift store that I frequent.

I hemmed and hawded for a few...

and paid the cashier.

I came home and told Dan he would have to go pick it up with the van.

He arrived and was less than thrilled.

THIS?

THAT.

She sat in the garage a few weeks,

and began to grow on Dan as a garage couch.

Great bones, right?

He could not see what I was seeing.

I thought it might fill the void of the absent cane sofa in my mind.

It seemed to have a similar structure.

I cleaned her up;

I primed, 

I painted.

I DO NOT SEW,

so I hot-glued

sections I cut from a drop cloth 

to cover the cushions.
I just wrapped it like a present.

She was shaping up.

She took up a new station in my front room.

She's not a cane sofa, 

but she will do until I find the right piece.

For $15, presto, change-o!

BTW, Dan is still working on the vintage camper.
It's slow going, you know.
Big MAT-zah ball.  BIG.

Sharing with :
Coastal Charm
Share Your Cup
Common Ground
French Country Cottage

Christmas In July

Whenever I go into an antique store,

I always get a little sad when I see a box of old discarded family photos.

Why?

Who didn't want them?

I decided to rescue a few last week 
and include them in my vintage Christmas holiday decor
through a fun craft.

 I will appreciate them
and at least they can be seen by someone!

The two beautiful photos I'm using in this post were
$1 each!!!

Take this girl, a vintage skater--- just look at her!  

Couldn't be a more perfect photo of a girl at Christmas.
Look at those skates!

I added a bit of glitzy text,

and some colorful Christmas papers,

and now she's a tag for my galvanized bucket.

This dreamy girl was all dolled up in fur.

I decided to emphasize the collar and muff with some glitter glue.
I also glued her onto a piece of colored card stock.

I hot glued on a wire ribbon that I bent into a ladder form,

added some left-over glittered letters from last Christmas 
and a do-dad,

and now she's elegant again! 

No more hiding in the bottom of a dusty box!







I'll be sharing these with the 
Christmas in July 
blog hop linky-party

at My Salvaged Treasures
Bliss Ranch
Knick of Time

Ridiculous Endeavor- Full Demo: Before Photos Part 2

The decision was immediately made to gut the full interior.

The water damage was significant and not worth patching over.
You can't cover crap that's deteriorating with something nice and expect it to last.

And now the REALLY hard work begins.

FIX IT.

It took Dan 14 hours to remove:
all cabinets,
paneling,
insulation,
furnace,
sink/counter/stove,
water tank,
bed and seating arrangements,
debris,
etc.

GARBAGE!

Resident evidence:

wasp nests

mouse poo

spiders

spider eggs

carpenter ants

carpenter ant egg and larvae (gaaaaaaaaaaaag)

moths

He is working SUPER HARD on this.

Dan is stripping it down to the frame.

Some wood will have to be replaced as well.
In some places, it is rotten.
In some places, it is eaten.

His intermediate carpentry skills will be tested.
His research abilities will be tried.




Yes, that is a GAP that you see in the corner of the aluminum sheeting!  
Great eyes!

Always an adventure!

I guess the furniture pieces in the garage are on hold for now Dan?  Dan?

Trailer Trash: Interior- Before Photos Part 1

Welcome, let me give you the grand tour

of the Flop House, a fine vacation home!

Please come in, and watch your step.

Feel welcome to stay awhile and put your feet up!

Here we have a seating area.
We're going for the vintage decor look.

And here we have a counter

with a sink and cooktop. So modern!

We are finally keeping up
with the Joneses.

This couch area pulls out to a bed...

This furnace will probably go because

I think we will blow up if we fire her up.

Ah, skylight!

You're charmed, I'm sure!