Re-Arranging the Junk Garden Planters

As I said in a previous blog post, I don't get all new, old junk every garden season so I add a few new pieces and re-locate the old stuff.  Above is a super cool rusty junky spring wreath made for me by my sister in law, Kris, and a half barrel on my deck with coffee pot planters on stakes.  These past junk garden plantings were changed up for 2017.

Rustic Boho Mandala Sign with Rough Sawn Fence Boards

I just love the Mandala stencil from DecoArt.   I have the 10" x 10" size from Home Depot.  You can also get a DecoArt Mandala stencil in 12" x 12"  and 18" x 18".  I think of the Mandala as a doily, but it is a very trendy design in the Boho decorating.

Decor Ideas for Flower Lovers

 I got this package of floral napkins from my mom a couple nights ago.  I have been wanting to try napkin decoupage on rough sawn boards ever since seeing a post from Sweet Pickins blog.

Thrift Shop Fish Cutting Board Repurpose

 I think this is my very first fish cutting board thrift shop find.  I usually clean my cutting boards with Krud Kutter to remove any residue from cooking oil.  Krud Kutter is also great for cleaning crud around the house.

Up-Cycled Thrift Shop Towel Bar & Sign

I picked up this antique brass towel bar at the thrift shop the other day.

"GATHER" Up Some Thrift Shop Finds & Get Stenciling

I picked up this plain wooden tray at the thrift shop recently. 

Three Easy Projects For Your Home

Dark pine stained mirrors, shelves and wood decor from the "cutesy" country decorating days are common finds at thrift shops in my area.  With just a little paint, stenciling, and  hooks, these finds transform easily.

Potato Masher Re-purpose for a Farmhouse Style Kitchen

I'm still working on upcycling/repurposing and selling my purchases from a midwinter rummage sale.

This over-sized potato masher is my project for today.  It cost me 75 cents.  I washed up the potato masher and then treated the handle with Miss Mustard Seed's Hemp Oil.  It darkens and protects the wood.

A Stenciled Window Screen with Old Sign Stencils

Last summer I picked up some window screens at a garage sale in two sizes.  

A Rustic Ski Themed Winter/Christmas Outdoor Vignette

Who would have thought that it would be a balmy 70 degrees here today in northern Minnesota?  I usually work on my covered patio outdoor Christmas vignette during Minnesota deer hunting season, but normally the weather is much cooler and there may even be some snowflakes.  

A New Ski Lodge Sign with Old Sign Stencils

A chippy scrap of barn wood siding and a pair of $10 vintage, garage sale skis come together in my latest project.  

A Clearance Sign Makeover with Old Sign Stencils New LAUNDRY Design

I purchased this Americana primitive style flag sign about 6 years ago at a local craft shop.  It had been placed on clearance for $8.  I incorporated it for several years in my outdoor 4th of July decorating and I also used it indoors for Americana/patriotic vignettes.  

Flowers EVERYWHERE Directional Garden Sign

I just finished stenciling the second directional sign I purchased last weekend at the local occasional shop sale.

ORGANIZED CLUTTER'S Junk Garden Tour 2016

Welcome to my 2016 junk garden tour!

Since my house faces north, I have shade lovers like hosta, Solomon's Seal and impatiens planted under my bay window.

LAKE Directional Sign with Old Sign Stencils

When you are out and about garage sale-ing, thrifting, and browsing consignment and occasional shops too, you just never know what you will find.  I am the queen of cheater building, but this was the start to a couple of really easy projects, even for me.  I ran across these two directional signs at Morgan's Mercantile & General Store, a local occasional shop and Etsy store too.  The owner confessed  that she can't stencil and the signs weren't selling as is.  I used to feel that way too about stenciling, but with practice and a really dry stencil brush, I think everybody can get the hang of it.

Garden Inspiration from the Homeroad Blog!

Recently, Susan from the Homeroad blog, had a fun garden sign made with spindle legs.  When I found spindles at a garage sale for $1 last weekend, I quickly stenciled a sign on a weathered red piece of barn wood siding using a stencil from the Old Sign Stencil Extension package.

Two New Additions to my Junk Garden

The first new addition was this little wooden wheelbarrow that I purchased garage sale-ing for $1.  

Junk Garden Coffee Pot Planters

 I have planted annuals in old coffee pots for years now.  But, last week, I got the crazy idea to add wood stakes to the bottom of three old coffee pots.  

Milk & Cream Company Framed Stenciled Sign

I purchased this square frame at a thrift shop last year.  It and unfinished frame that I stained with the vinegar and steel wool grayish stain.  Then I never did anything else with it, until now, when I found a square of Russian birch plywood (for crafts) at my local Menards.  I think it was $1.99.

First I painted part of the plywood square with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White.

Easy & Fun Special Date Signs

I put away most of my craft supplies last week to straighten up the house for the Easter holiday weekend, but I did manage to make some easy birth date signs for my family.