... with a bit of paint?

First you take a look around and see what 'old' thing could use a sprucing up. What about this red bench?

A little pretty blue paint and some lively coloured cushions and oh my gosh ... isn't this like a breath of fresh air? 

Suzanne of S.HOP Talk gave this bench new life with just a bit of paint and as you can see below, she roughed it up a bit to let the old red show through. I found this delightful DYI project at Knack Studios where Suzanne has been guest blogging. 

Isn't it amazing what paint can do?  From where I am standing in my shop, I can see a few fine pieces of furnishings that would look wonderful with a coat of colour ...

... with cast away spindles & feed sacks?

... a handy flower trug!  Isn't this brilliant? Only Ki at Junk Camp could come up with such a great idea ... and she gives you all the step by step directions at her blog as well.  A little project to whip up while we wait for the winter to pass. 

A nice way to give new purpose to cast away chair spindles.

Ki has used an old feed sack and attached the tabs, but I was thinking you could use burlap sacking or heavy linen tea towels. It won't matter if your flower cuttings are dripping with dew, you can simply hang your trug up to dry ... and this method will be a gentle way to transport the most delicate of posies. 

Excuse me while I scratch ~ I've got a terrible itch for spring!!

... with an old kitchen strainer?

Make it into a planter of course! 

Ki's idea from Junk Camp has us all itching for spring and a chance to get digging in the dirt. 

I have strainers of all varieties in my shop ... and many well-loved red handle kitchen utensils begging to be made useful again ... maybe in the garden?

... with old shutters and a window casing?

I thought I would put a post in about garden art ... to lift your spirits that spring is on the way!

Melissa at Empress of Dirt has a multitude of ideas ... including putting an old window casing with shutters on a wall or fence in the garden. Nice. I particularly like the way she used mirrors in the garden to add dimension. The sky's the limit my friends ... and yes, I do have loads of old windows in my shop. 

To quote Melissa ... "Garden art. Garden junk. Trash to treasure. Garden accoutrements. Found treasure. Curbside finds. Garbage art. Garden crafts. Garden architecture ...  There's lots of names for it but it's all the same stuff: cool things to put in the garden beside plants." Well put, Melissa!

... with an old staircase baluster?

I've been wondering for a while what someone might do with the bundle of balusters I have in my shop. Well ... how about making the baluster into a whimsical bird house ~ perfect for garden or home!  This sweet idea came from the clever folks at Junk Warehouse. 

1.   old baluster posts can be used as is, or stripped, or painted ... or?

2.   be careful to remove any nails

3.   draw lines for cutting the peaks

4.   use old key holes, or I have these craft ones on hand ~ glue onto baluster

5.   salvaged cedar shakes, or ashaplt shingles cut down to size~ glue and nail onto baluster

6.   voila ~ ready to accent your garden or home

Note: 

•    To stake your bird house baluster in the garden, you will want to drill a hole in the bottom and insert a sturdy rod.

•   Make a few and group, or line your garden path ...