Sunday, November 11, 2007

Trash to Treasure - the Joy of Restoration


The Joy of Restoration

Of all the creative endeavors I pursue, I don't think any of them is quite as satisfying as taking something that is broken, old, rusty, forgotten...and transforming it into something new and fresh and vibrant and useful again. It is wonderful when you have the vision to look at something that is in a sad state of affairs and to be able to see beyond the brokenness to what it CAN be. And isn't that exactly what Jesus did for us? With LOVE, He looked passed our brokenness, saw what we could be, rescued us, and restored us to something brand new!! I am so very grateful to Him that He did!!

My sweet Hubby and I have been garage sale, flea market and junk store shopping every weekend for the last couple of months and we have found some glorious treasures-in-waiting. Well, we spent this weekend organizing (to the extent we can) all our goodies and we began in earnest to the restoration process on several items - and I have some photos to share, finally! These are all "befores" - and I hope to have lots and lots of "afters" to share soon!! Grab your fanny pack, bottled water and hand sanitizer and enjoy this virtual junk store tour!

I have such plans for those CUTE posts ($4 for all 5)



Free from the side of the road!



Part of the big haul from last weekend ($3.50 each for the end tables!!)


$25 for the complete set of British china - pretty much the most we've paid for anything with a few exceptions


My parents were cleaning out their garage too - got these for free!

We got two of these corner cabinets (only $10 each!)



Here are the doors to the above cabinets



Love shabby old windows ($1 each)




More of the goodies from the "big haul" - most things you see were from $.50 - $2 - the shabby rose painting was $14 though - can't wait to paint the frame!


Detailed view...

This was a great score - there are 11 of these cabinet doors in various sizes and they are like perfect little shabby frames with blank canvases just waiting to be painted with something adorable! ($30 for all)


Cleaning and getting everything up on shelves occupied most of the day Saturday




Can't wait to do something wonderful with this $2 find



All the cool knobs total - $2.75


Various goodies in the midst of being transformed

Loads of frames waiting to be painted so they can hold new "masterpieces"


SO, what is a full time corporate trainer/part time illustrator and an electrician doing with all of these paint, craft, restoration projects? Well, we are planning to spend our spare time working through these projects, making them into beautiful utilitarian items and ultimately either using them in our home, giving them as gifts, and hopefully selling them online and in home shows that we are planning for 2008. This is something that we both love to do and we can do it together - that's the best part of all!

I'll share our progress each week on Makeover Mondays, so please stay tuned!!

12 comments:

  1. Wow !!!! What amazing finds !!! Don't you just love to find fun stuff like that and for such great prices ~ That is great that your husband likes it too !

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  2. Unbelieveable- our eyes are still popping at such great finds! we can't wait to check out the progress on Mondays!

    blesisngs,
    kari & kijsa

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  3. Oh my goodness. That was an endless treasure trove of finds!!! Even out of your parent's garage! I saw so many things I liked. I can't wait to see what you do with some of these items.

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  4. Hi Becky, so very nice to meet you and thank you for your visit to my blog. I have so enjoyed my visit here to view your wonderful treasures and past posts. WOW!! I love your work! Your newest finds are outstanding and I can't wait to see how you give them a new life! Can't wait to visit again. Have a blessed day,
    Celestina

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  5. Thank you for visiting my Blog and for your very encouraging comments.
    I love your work and I have been visitng your Blog a lot. I have put a link to your Blog on my Blog too.
    I am delighted that you will link me on your Blog, my e-mail is trudette@trudette.nl
    wishing you all the best.

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  6. OMGoodness!!! Look at all those fabulous finds! I am drooling over the white cabinet doors (I have just the project!!) and all the hardware and ...well. ..EVERYTHING! :-) ha ha! Great to meet you....soooo glad you stopped by! My email address is thepinkbarn@sbcglobal.net. email me anytime! We'll talk soon!

    blessings!
    shelly

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  7. Hello Becky! Nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping in to see me at Esther Sunday! Good luck with the drawing! Your finds are fab - are you going to paint the corner cabinet? $10 for them, are you jokin' here? Wow! Adding ya to my links so I check back on your progress! Love, Esther

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  8. Hi Becky it is so nice to meet you!

    Thank you for visiting my blog and Cherry Heart Boutique Grand Opening!
    I have put your name in the hat for my bloggy give away!
    Keep your fingers crossed!

    Yes I would love to be included in your Christmas Gift Guide! That is so sweet of you to offer!
    I will email you for more info!

    Enjoy your day!
    Hugz, Dolly

    P.S. I want to come shopping at your house! I love recycling! :-)

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  9. Anonymous12:10 PM

    Wow...And I thought I was a big garage saler, junker, etc.! I love how you guys are going to fix up, reinvent, rejuvinate--and so on--all these things you got/get! And, yes, WONDERFUL that you and Hubby are on the same page! My husband dislikes garage saleing and junk so I've had to curtail my hobby somewhat, but it's probably for the better. Looking forward to living vicariously through you guys! Keep posting on this!

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  10. Wow you have some fabulous finds!!! Can't wait to see what you turn them into!!!

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  11. I love the windows!! I have seen some incredible artwork done with old farmhouse windows :D

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  12. Hi, Just found your blog and I'm your newest follower. Probably not for long with a blog this interesting. It's Friday and I plan on hitting a thrift store or two after I take my Butchy (poodle mix) to the vet for his yearly check-up. It's a little early for garage sales in our area, but another month or so they will start. Can't wait to have more time to check out your archives for more ideas. Come visit my blog, I'm new at this, but having a ball. Have a great Day! Oh, how could you not have a great day with an address like "Magnolia" I can smell the spring blossoms from here, just reading the name. Your newest follower, Connie

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