FURNITURE RECYCLING 101 WITH A TEST - hall tree parts

As promised 

Here are some of the bits and pieces

used to build this fabulous hall tree.

1 OLD MIRROR

1 HOMEMADE RECORD CABINET

4 DRAWER FACES

2 STAIR SPINDLES

Can you figure out
the 4 parts that make up this section of the hall tree?
Take a guess then scroll to the bottom for the answers.

(INSERT JEOPARDY MUSIC)

How about these fancy hooks, any ideas what they use to be?

If you have a guess leave it in the comments below
and I'll reveal the answer tomorrow.

I bet some of the answers will be thought provoking
and maybe inspire other great ideas.

More pics can be found here.

Now for the answers to the first question ...

How did you do?

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CABINET REDO - second time around

This is a newer updated look for a cabinet I had already made over once. She has been given a softer younger look rather than showing her age.

Check out the before and after photos below ...

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THIS LITTLE PINKY - pink chandelier

I've been able to get a few projects underway around here just for us.

70% of our Christmas decorations put away, only because I'm doing a full re-organizing of them all.

We've had our first big snow fall Saturday, more on Monday and still more forecasted this week.

Not typical for a Vancouver winter.

I did take advantage of the pristine white snow when photographing this daring

chandelier I just finished.

Just last week it was warm enough to spray paint outside and have it dry in 10 minutes.

I only do chandeliers every now and then because they

 can take countless hours of painting and embellishing.

Someone did try to DIY this one before I got it but they must have lost steam.

I used a soft pretty pink spray paint from Krylon.

The 5 light arms are lined with several meters of garland beads secured with nylon line.

I added the metal crown feature at the top stolen from my electrical parts department.

** Parts Department = Rubbermaid bin sitting on the shelf **

The hanging beads and flower embellishments I used on this chandelier

were all purchased at Michaels for a pretty penny.

But I had a goal and I'm extremely pleased with the finished look.

The flowers are a translucent acrylic material.

Hand made in Thailand, each petal is stitched around a center crystal.

They are extremely cool.

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VANCOUVER SNOW FALL - winter photographs

 Yesterday I mentioned our big snow fall, well I made sure I got the evidence to show you.

All these photos were taken in our yard.

I was playing with some editing features on the pictures when the big oil truck

arrived to deliver our furnace fuel. Earlier that day I had shoveled the regular pathway to the tank

through the thick snow. Little did I know the only one to benefit from this would be me.

In the form of a good workout.

We ordered the fuel long before the snow was forecast and now I was

worried there would be some trouble getting the truck up the driveway.

George told me not to worry but he was also not going to be home

to deal with the delivery if anything went wrong.

The beginning of our driveway has a quick incline but the driver made it up first try.

(YAHOO!)

Unfortunately he needed to be turned around to access the filler hose.

So he backed down the driveway and turned around on the road to make a second attempt.

He informed me we had to use the shortest route to the tank

due to a shorter filler hose then they normal carry.

This meant stopping the truck in the middle of the incline

and then hoisting the hose up a bank and dragging it through the heavy snow.

(THIS DIDN'T SOUND GOOD)

The driver stopped the truck and had to set some things up from inside the cab leaving me to freeze on the bank for almost 10 minutes. When he finally got out to open the side to access the hose

the truck started to slide on its own down the driveway as he stood in shock watching.

I was looking down watching this whole process kinda like a movie going wrong.

Now don't worry ...

just then he found his wits and managed to hop back in the cab and get control of the situation.

But now with all the tire treads on the snow it was pretty packed down and slick.

(THIRD TIMES A CHARM?)

He started from the bottom again.

He finally managed to position the truck tires in the heavier part of the snow.

Working together we dragged the hose up the bank, through the deep snow all the way to the tank

and we got the tank filled. All the while hoping the truck wasn't going to move on it's again.

(WE DID IT!)

Guess who arrived home just as we finished getting the hose

back through the snow down the hill to the truck.

(WELCOME HOME GEORGE)

"No you didn't miss anything honey"

I INSPIRED AND THEY SHARED - followers projects

Two of my followers have sent me their

BEFORE and AFTER pics

of painted furniture they were brave enough to take on.

*J* you did a fabulous job redoing this sideboard.

This is why I do what I do. This piece has a new life and is newly loved.

Thank You so much for sharing this save with me and my readers.

I gave *T* some pointers before she started this beauty.

I think they worked, it's stunning.

Tomorrow I'll show you what I did to this chandelier:

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ITALIAN RENAISSANCE - gramophone cabinet makeover

This is a unique piece compared to today's style of furniture, and I'm sure most didn't see potential in it the way it was found at the auction. It did have a makers mark though so we could do some research on it.

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LISA'S NEW BATHROOM - old dresser to new vanity

We took an old vintage bedroom dresser and the matching mirror, up-cycled them and turned them into the perfect bathroom vanity.

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ARTICLES DE PARIS GRAPHIC ON A DRESSER - french furniture makeover

During an online craft competition was running I would stop in to see all the project each week to cast a vote. The first week brought many diy projects using graphics from The Graphics Fairy. This inspired me to create the ARTICLES DE PARIS DRESSER.

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MAGICAL TOUR - the urban gypsy

I'll give some insight into the photos you are looking at shortly.

Yesterday was quite the day.

We had a deliver to make to North Van,

(those who don't know that's a good hour away from home)

then to pick up several pieces of my finished work on Kingsway to bring back home.

I did some pedaling of my wares on the street corner.

Okay it wasn't totally like that but we did have 2 customers pick up pieces

as we were loading the van. 

And I want to thank those customers for saving us a bit of time, energy, and space.

But my favorite part of yesterday was dropping the Jack Dining Set off

at another store on our way back. (all these photos were taken there)

Jason, the store's proprietor and I have conversed via email for some time

and just before we left the house for the days adventures

He emailed asking if I wanted to bring the dining set in to display at his store.

Truth be told I didn't have to think on it too long,

the set was never going to get top billing in our small space,

and I welcomed the prospect of finally meeting Jason.

I didn't realize what I was getting myself into! (in a good way)

I was overwhelmed at how wonderfully welcoming he was to us

and complementary of my work.

After pulling me behind the counter to show me photos of a painting project he had done,

(in ASCP) he took us on the tour.
And what a tour it was!

He's incredibly knowledgeable about his inventory,

all of which is beautiful solid wood furniture hand carved and imported from India and Asia.

The first time around I didn't even think to take my camera out, I had to go back around a second

time to do that. No skin off my back I was thoughly enjoying the view everywhere I looked.

Admittedly I'm not a huge fan of Indian decor but the WOOD is so beautiful.

Jason also showed us a Tibetan Singing Bowl

(i think that's what it was called, he'll correct me if I'm wrong)

And it really does sing in a matter of speaking.

Unfortunately I did not get a photo of it because I was so memorized.

I think I might want one!

Needless to say the Union Jack Dining Set is available and on display at:

The Urban Gypsy

614 Columbia St

New West

604-520-7725

www.theurbangypsy.com

There are more detailed photos to look at on the URBAN GYPSY web site
but if you are in the area plz stop in to see Jason and everything he has to offer.
It really is magical!

Make sure to ask to see the singing bowls.