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I have a hard time throwing things out…especially old rusty items. Ask the other half, he believes he’s in love with a hoarder. Now I will admit I have a rather “large” stash of items to keep me creative but one thing he has learned is that if I set my mind to make something it gets made. Most times he is quite surprised at what is recreated out of what HE would have tossed away, recycled or burned. "Junk" he calls it, "just Junk". Well what is another Man's junk is another Woman's Treasure! I keep reminding him of that ;)
This week's project started out as a metal table which probably held a large sized tool in its early useful life. Years ago after purchasing my house I saw it sitting sadly in the far back corner of my yard just rusting away. I moved in late August and was far too busy getting my new house up and running to worry about a rusty table. The next summer this metal table was resurrected from the leaves and debris and used as a rain barrel stand. I needed something in a pinch and it worked. A few years later the rain barrel was moved and no longer needed so the rusty table was brought to the back of the property to sit yet again for another year. This spring however it was all about cleaning up the property and as old railway ties were pulled out of their leafy graves I spotted the forgotten rusty metal table. Hubby was ready to burn the wooden part of the table and recycle the metal. Luckily I was there and rescued that table. I instantly had an idea and proceeded to create what I envisioned.
My first task was to lightly sand down the rust, but only just enough. The rust patina was beautiful and if you are a Rustaholic like I am, you just don’t clean something up like that - you preserve it, a history of neglect and just the right amount to give it charm. I clear-coated the rust with several outdoor coats to keep the rust from forming and rubbing off. Cutting apart pallets which I gathered from the side of the road and sanding them down I made a rectangular table top. The table frame is 33 inches high and I envisioned it to be used as an outdoor patio table if one could find the right stools. I painted the boards, sanded and distressed them and then stained a nice grey stain over the whole table top. Next I painted on my favourite animal…a black bear and added a few bear paw prints. Another sanding and then several clear coats later it is ready for the back yard deck.
The other half has learned not to question me when I see something at a yard sale or on the road. He knows eventually it will be made into something and he seems to be some what amazed at the outcome. One thing he has also learned…you can’t keep a creative person down…you have to let her do what she does best……like a caged animal she will get restless and although I don’t bite…I could get quite cranky ;) Have a great day everyone…and till my next project…keep on smiling!
This week's project started out as a metal table which probably held a large sized tool in its early useful life. Years ago after purchasing my house I saw it sitting sadly in the far back corner of my yard just rusting away. I moved in late August and was far too busy getting my new house up and running to worry about a rusty table. The next summer this metal table was resurrected from the leaves and debris and used as a rain barrel stand. I needed something in a pinch and it worked. A few years later the rain barrel was moved and no longer needed so the rusty table was brought to the back of the property to sit yet again for another year. This spring however it was all about cleaning up the property and as old railway ties were pulled out of their leafy graves I spotted the forgotten rusty metal table. Hubby was ready to burn the wooden part of the table and recycle the metal. Luckily I was there and rescued that table. I instantly had an idea and proceeded to create what I envisioned.
My first task was to lightly sand down the rust, but only just enough. The rust patina was beautiful and if you are a Rustaholic like I am, you just don’t clean something up like that - you preserve it, a history of neglect and just the right amount to give it charm. I clear-coated the rust with several outdoor coats to keep the rust from forming and rubbing off. Cutting apart pallets which I gathered from the side of the road and sanding them down I made a rectangular table top. The table frame is 33 inches high and I envisioned it to be used as an outdoor patio table if one could find the right stools. I painted the boards, sanded and distressed them and then stained a nice grey stain over the whole table top. Next I painted on my favourite animal…a black bear and added a few bear paw prints. Another sanding and then several clear coats later it is ready for the back yard deck.
The other half has learned not to question me when I see something at a yard sale or on the road. He knows eventually it will be made into something and he seems to be some what amazed at the outcome. One thing he has also learned…you can’t keep a creative person down…you have to let her do what she does best……like a caged animal she will get restless and although I don’t bite…I could get quite cranky ;) Have a great day everyone…and till my next project…keep on smiling!
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