Coffee Can Straw Dispenser

Coffee Can Straw Dispenser

Don't throw away those tin coffee cans especially if they have nice designs on them; use as planters or as a straw dispenser/holder. Use them to hold and organize cooking utensils. There are many uses for these aluminum cans besides recycling them.

 

Old Vintage WOOD shelf as Towel Rack

This old wood shelf was found in the house that my parents purchased in 2001.  It was rotted on the sides of the shelf.  The wood was oak color, faded and dusty.  The nails were hanging out of it, so I went to work on it immediately. I sanded and stained the wood with a dark stain.  I took some wood glue and long nails, and reattached the shelves and the two sides of the shelf together.  I  clamped the entire shelf. 



The next day I attached two hanging hooks on the back of the shelf, and then I used wood filler to fill in the rotted wood.  I restored the edges by using wood filler to rebuild bottom edges of shelf.  I stained the shelf with a dark mahogany finish. It has this unique character to it; a very restored look to it, I guess. It looks good enough to add to a small bathroom wall.



For a few years, I used it as a plant shelf and then a laundry room shelf. I decided to hang it on the wall in the bathroom as a towel rack over a towel bar hook.  It was very heavy to hang on the all, but worth having the extra towel storage in small bath room.

Old Microwave plate used as trivet lazy suzan

Old Microwave plate used as trivet lazy suzan

This microwave plate and its rolling plate holder have been recycled as a lazy suzan trivet plate. I placed it on the counter top next to the stove and I place my hot pots on it to protect the counter top. 
Since it spins its easy to move the pot or add other plates. I don't throw it out since the microwave stopped working and had to purchase a smaller one. The plate was too big so I had to reuse in another way. 

 

Styrofoam as a Painting aid

My recent purchase of a small microwave included two large Styrofoams.  Instead, of throwing it out; I used them to hold some lawn stakes that I painted. It's great for painting items up right, instead of flat on a horizontal surface.  I used it to add and mix paints sort of like a D.I.Y artists palette. It's great for reuse a few times more; afterwards reuse Styrofoam to hold and stabilize large planters or to hold dry painted twigs in vases.

Vintage Rocker Rocks

Vintage Wood Turn of Century Rocker found at Divine Providence

On my last trip to Divine Providence, I found an amazing vintage tiger wood rocker, very old rocker dates to the turn of the century based on its design.   I fell in love with it when I saw it at the store.  It's an amazing find at only 20.00; great solid design needs to be stripped to original finish.  

The rocker had been painted a dark stain finish, original paint shows light color underneath dark stain.  A new project to take on but happy to start and restore to its old glory.

Somebody send me a photographer!

How to reuse broken Christmas Lawn Stakes

I learned the hard way how to reuse broken Christmas lawn stakes when a destructive squirrel ate through the light cords around these decorations. I had these lighted snowflake lawn stakes which had a  nice hologram style.  The lights were attached by a thin light cord that allowed the electricity to travel to the other stake.  This squirrel digs up my yard and has chewed on electrical outlet cords, and now these Christmas light decorations; not to mention damaged the porch screens. Besides investing in good pest control; I did not want to throw out these Christmas decorations that were damaged so I decided to re purpose them into lawn art. I cut off the remaining cords and decorated the snowflakes with three glow in the dark stars (plastic star shaped discs).  I wanted to find a way to add more to the snowflakes so I want to add some wind chimes to them; then will stake it to the ground.  Another idea, would be to use them as a container plant trellises by adding plant ties around the stake. 

The second set of solar lights that were damaged were the type of lights that were attached by a thin wire; then were attached to small solar panel grid.  The squirrel ate the cord and severed one of the globe lights.  I cut the cords on the stakes and painted each individual globe stake with a pinkish metallic paint. I decided to use these globes as hose guides, instead of throwing them out. 

The solar panel grid I plan to reuse on another project.  Don't throw out these broken items reuse and re purpose them .  There are many craft blogs that can inspire the imagination; keep it out of the landfills.

Driving around Ocala FL

Taking photos in and around Ocala trying out my photo shop skills .