Salvaged Shabby Wood Shelf

I wanted a shelf over my bed headboard; but nothing was inspiring me. Nothing! I was experiencing that dreaded, time consuming “I’ll know it when you see it” syndrome. I couldn’t find the right design, or wood or stain.

Well, it had been staring me in the eyes all summer. I had a “Duh” moment. Use some of the salvaged wood I had on hand! And . . . leave the wood as is: shabby, no added paint or stain.

It is a sickness, but I love to collect salvaged woods from furniture or building construction. I have quite a collection. I used two vintage window crowns and a buffet backboard piece left from our half bath remodel.

I planned to place the shelf high on the wall, so I used the most damaged piece – the light green window crown, minus the trim molding – as the shelf. One side has a few rough spots which look worse in the image than actually is. Only a 6’5″ person would be able see the damage. 😉

Five screws secure the green wood to the white window crown. The stained backboard piece was secured with flat braces.

The only thing I had to purchase were the flat brackets. I love the combined woods and colors.

Don’t you just love it when it all comes together and it costs almost nothing? .🙂
Have a good week! – – Joanne

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Grandma’s Treasures – Green Onions – Cleaning the Garage

As we reminisced (often hilarious) memories while closing Grandma’s turn-of-the-century home, we found many priceless treasures. The grandchildren were jubilant when upon finding a coffee can full of quarters on a closet floor their Great Grandmother told them to divide the booty amongst themselves (greedy buggers that they were). One sister lugged home a massive, broken concrete bird bath. The other, carefully wrapped a small child’s rope chair that my Grandmother and her siblings had sat in as children. I wanted the windows from the top of the carriage garage.

Yard overgrown, we found the shallow indent where the pool had once stood. I like to think of “Green Onions” playing in the background as we rode our “banana seat” bikes to swim at Grandma’s during those 1970s summers.

Splashing Dad and his “Bud”

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Myself, sister Glenn & cousin Gail. Could those diving pads be any more dangerous? LOL. Good times!

Lazing about on the hammock, eating brown paper bag lunches. Grandma’s constant directive to “Hang that beach towel on the line.” Sunburned noses. Barbie’s(r), and cardboard box homes. The tire swing under the massive oak. What a blast!

Barbie’s(R), cardboard homes & lemonade. Check out those peonies!

The other day, as I was valiantly (yet not succeeding) to clean out the garage, I came upon a ratty old cloth sack. At that “just toss it all out” stage; something held me back. Instead, I carefully peeled it open – – hoping nothing live was inside. What a smile I had. A worn, handmade sack full of rocks and a note  written  in my Grandmother’s hand:

“Rocks from Alaska gold mine – ??? – 1945-46-47

given to me by the owner I forgot the name

LSW”

I carefully washed the sack. Dusted off the “gold.” Shared with my mom.

More treasure from Grandma.

Have a good week! – – Joanne

Vintage Window Memento & Photo Display

There are so many great uses for vintage windows on Pinterest. I was looking online for photo and memento display ideas and a way to use my old three-pane window. DIY-ers have used twine, clothespins, cup hooks or wire to display their treasures.

Sources: (clock-wise, top left)

Indulgy, Pinterest, Rusty Rooster Vintage, The Painted Home

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I cleaned and oiled my window. I sewed muslin “sleeves” to cover the picture frame hanging wire. I knew just the right spot to hang this window display: my Dream Art Workspace! The window hangs on a clover hook that I’ve had lying about for years in my toolbox.

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I attached my old family photos and treasures to the back of the window glass with acid-free photo-safe tape.

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I like that I can re-arrange the display easily. This go-around, I used Lillian Mae’s  and John Glenn’s (my grandparents), Joan and Marguerite (my mom and aunt), Bobby (my brother), Brianne and Dylann (my girls), Phoebe Darling (pup) and Saw Man and myself images.

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A 1947 London jacket patch, Joan & Marguerite (my mom & aunt), Bobby (my deceased brother), Phoebe Darling (pup), Brianne & Dylann (my girls) and myself

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 I am very happy with my quick project.

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Lillian Mae (my grandmother), a 1910 birthday card, my siblings and a family shot

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I have a collection of vintage windows – think I’ll make my sisters a display of their own 🙂

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Have a good week! – – Joanne

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Vintage Stained Glass Window Obsession

Hello. I did not fall off the face of the Earth – I’ve been kept hopping these past few weeks since school started back. As the ITRT/Tech Coordinator, I’ve been kept busy ironing out glitches with our new online grading, website and email system . . .

But, enough of my whining . . .

Old Pearly Jenkins pillow photo bomb 🙂

I started collecting vintage stained glass windows in the 1990s. They weren’t too much on the radar and reasonably inexpensive. I’m embarrassed to say it became an obsession.

I’ve tried to capture the hues of the glass, but with sunlight shining through, the photos are not the best quality (sorry).

Originally from Victorian England, I like to use these windows as repurposed (or is it reused?) blinds or curtains. They add privacy, don’t block the light and are visually pretty.

My favorite is a large 28″ X 46″ (72 cm X 117 cm) stained glass window that was hung in the living room. I remember paying $45. I purchased this set from a stuffy warehouse about 20 years ago.

I love how the sun shines through the colorful pebbled glass.

In the kitchen I use two different styles. One set was refitted to metal framing (makes them much lighter in weight).

But, I really like the jewel tones in the window over the sink.

But, of course there is a set in the dining room. They really sparkle when the chandelier is lit. (This light fixture is original to our home and I can’t bear to remove it).

Last, the guest room windows are set in their original (sanded) wooden frames. This room needs a MAJOR re-do. But, I’ll keep the windows for another room. 🙂

So what do you think? A sickness? It really isn’t too bad. Afterall, there are over 25 windows in our home; it could be a LOT worse. LOL.

Have a good week! – – Joanne

Vintage Windows as Signs

When my sister started to restore our grandmother’s 100 year-old home, she kept a few of the vintage windows. My daughter was able to include a little piece of her Great Grandmother Lillian’s memory by using two of these windows as “signs” at her wedding reception. Love upcycling! They were a big hit.