New Life as Bench for Salvaged Coffee Table

I have been keeping my eyes glued to the curb and garage sales in search of a coffee table I could transform into a bench for the tent for a long time. I want something that will mainly operate as a bench with a custom cushion (to be sewn later), but could easily do double duty as an art table or Japanese style seating table for casual eating for kids and game adults. Something sturdy and decent looking, but not too nice, so it still makes sense for the kids to paint on it & use it roughly as necessary.

Driving to school one day, I saw this inlayed wood table along the side of the road and felt it would do. I pulled over & popped her into the wagon. I quickly sanded it and not so quickly finished it. I used a couple of coats of Watco teak oil. I have yet to sew a cushion for it, although I acquired a piece of salvaged foam from the local upholstery shop. I've never sewn a big cushion with a zipper before & I'm a bit intimidated. But I know I will. Often the urge will whip down like a tidal wave of ambition dwarfing the fear and I find myself just pushing through the project and learning as I go.

Refashioned Purse

When I scored my silk tri-tie thrifting about a month ago, I also picked up a dollar purse. I hemmed & hawed before purchasing. I don't like having a lot of stuff even when the price is enticing, so I tend to ponder my acquisitions. I finally went with it because the leather was quite lovely. Very soft and made in Italy. I figured if I didn't use the purse, I could reuse the leather for other projects.

Although the leather was nice, the lining in the bag was uninspired: a ripstop nylon with one small zippered pocket. I took that out, used it as a pattern for a cotton print lining and added multiple pockets for a pen and pencil, billfold, bamboo utensils and other mobile gadgetry.

Some projects come together easily. Some don't. This project was a surprising snap. I surprised myself with how easily it reassembled. I even did some no-pin-punk rock sewing which often ends in regret and a seam ripper. The sewing angels smiled kindly on this project...and I minded my language.

One Dollar Wardrobe Enhancement

Introducing the "100% pure silk Tri-Tie made in Japan" scarf. I picked it up at the Sierra Madre Woman's Wistaria Thrift Shop.

Saving Pants from the Flood

I picked up a pair of pants from Out of the Closet thrift store last week. For six dollars, they seemed good enough for the sartorial demands of my casual life. However, they were a bit short. Not drastically, but short enough to have a vaguely Pee Wee Hermanesque flood quality to them.

I ripped the hem out. There wasn't enough material to lengthen the pant leg and keep a proper hem.

To address the issue, I used some bias tape I scored at a local yard sale a few years ago. I machine stitched the bias tape on the raw edge, created a half inch hem & hand sewed the hem. The hem looks neat and keeps the length. Now I have a new pair of pants for a fraction of the cost.

Oil Lantern Fix

Step aside slothfulness, there is work to be done. We just returned from a trip to Portland OR. Details to follow. I love trips out of town. A new town offers a new perspective. As much as I love departures, I equally love the return. A few days away always makes me see my home in a new light. Projects seem less like an endless list & more like something that just needs a bit of dedicated attention.

The weekend before Portland, I picked up four oil lanterns at a garage sale for $1.50 to add to our collection if three. We use them for patio lights. All were in need of some TLC. Upon returning home, I took to cleaning, replacing wicks as necessary and refilling them with citronella oil.

Four are now back in action. One, a Paull lantern (from the 1920s, I discovered), is awaiting a new globe. The Czech-made Meva 864 & one Dietz Comet #50 need new burners. From my research, the Dietz #50 may be a lost cause. According to www.oillampman.com (where I bought the new globe for the Paull), Dietz does not make a replacement burner for the #50. I did, however, locate a replacement burner for the Meva 864 from the manufacturer in the Czech Republic. I sent an email of inquiry & hope for the best.

I have not given up on the Dietz. The burner is manufactured without the intention of letting it be opened (unlike the other lamps). But perhaps I might be able to figure something out. Until then, I have four in action with a fifth to join the working lantern posse soon.

Redwood Hot Tub/Planter...or What Were We Thinking?

I typically use Freecycle to get rid of items that are no longer of use around our home. Rarely do I answer an offer for an item, unless it is for picking figs.

But every last vestige of reason left me when I saw an offer for an old redwood hot tub. The gentleman who posted it was clear that the tub was no longer fit to be a hot tub, but it might make for a good rain barrel or pond. He said it was still holding water.

I clung to that fact that it still held water. I was hoping with every aching muscle in my body that the tub might be able to be restored to its former glory.

And I held to that hope even as we cut down the tub to remove the dry-rotted wood at the top.

Eric and crew trundled it up into his truck, the tub (and my restoration aspirations) crumbling a bit with each turn. We made the sixteen mile drive home.

As we unloaded it from the truck, a stave completely crumbled into dust dashing all hopes of the tub ever holding water again. We moved to one of our contingency plans and rolled it to the lower yard where it now is a decaying planter bed.

We replaced the broken stave with some of the scraps that were cut off earlier. Eric and I think it has about a two year life as a planter bed...then back to dust. The entire drill now has me obsessed with creating a soaker tub at Camp Ramshackle. Although the red cedar tubs are beautiful, I think the stock tank is more within our price range.

Thrifted Glasses

I found these glasses this afternoon at the Sierra Madre Woman's Club Wistaria Thrift Shop. At two bucks each, I may have made my most expensive purchase there. I thought these were so pretty and figured I could use them as a candle votive or as a glamorous nightcap glass.

Curbside Salvage Score

I found a few items on the street in my neighborhood. I often hem & haw about bringing a new item into our house. Despite my inner dialogue, the green table made it into my car. I figured if it didn't work out for our house, it certainly could be re-curbsided for the next lucky scavenger. I cleaned it up today and tightened loose screws. It may make it into the kitchen or remain an outdoor table.


I picked up these pots and saucers at the same place. I've been thinking about doing some small succulent plantings like the ones pictured below. These pots were perfect. Also on my shopping list were more light bulbs. Found curbside! What a score. I felt like it was the power of positive thinking in action.

On the Mend

I scored these hooks, eyes and loops for a pittance at a garage sale a few months ago.  The hooks were enlisted to fix a much loved skirt in need of repair.

While I was at it, I secured the loose loops.  I used regular thread for the loops, then remembered my stash of button hole thread and used that for the hooks.  The button thread is better for this purpose.  I may reinforce the loops.

Such a small project but oddly rewarding.

The oil cloth tablecloth in the background was bought  from Coco's Variety.  

Thrifted Canboy Bag

I picked up this canvas bag at the Sierra Madre Woman's Club Wistaria Thrift Shop for three dollars. The Wistaria Thrift Shop is quite a gem. Although the store is small, the inventory seems to cycle through regularly. And the volunteer staff (from the Woman's Club, of course) is a hoot. They are an old school bunch where volunteerism, resourcefulness, and creative frugality are the norm. They embody so much of what I try to bring to our home now.

When I picked up this bag, I could feel summer just around the corner. I had visions of day trips to the beach, overnighters with the boys and those leisurely long summer days full of exploration and opportunity. This bag will hold the spare clothes, the sunscreen, the light jacket that feels so good on sun kissed sea-salted skin.

Thrifted Viking Range

The coveted Viking range. I have been obsessing over the Viking range for a very long time. I pour over the specs and dream of the range that would work best for Camp Ramshackle. However, the hefty price tag of the quality Viking products creates a high bar for ownership.

Imagine my surprise when Eric and I stumbled upon this beauty at the consummate thrift shop, St. Vincent de Paul. Viking lust answered! Sadly, some early riser beat us to it. The range had a big "sold" sign on top. All I have to say is, you lucky duck.

Note to self: research Viking repair for future acquisition. Who knows with this kind of luck maybe I'll find mine on the side of the road.