The Painted Ladder

This morning the birdbaths were frozen and there was frost on the ground. According to the extended forecast, there are warmer days and nights ahead, so hopefully that will be the last frost.



I saw a painted step-ladder on a blog recently and it was just the inspiration I needed! (I wish I could remember where I saw it, I'd love to give credit for the idea.) I bought this weather worn, paint chipped ladder at a garage sale for $1.00 last year. I loved it but didn't know what to do with it. I thought about using it for a trellis, but that is as far as I got with my plans. This past weekend I found the smaller galvanized container at a garage sale. I have had the larger one for several years, using it for herbs. I plan to use the ladder for a trellis and plant a climbing rose or clematis.




The stump in the middle was a diseased maple tree that we cut down. I had been using it for a birdbath base. It is so windy here that I decided to place the ladder over the stump to keep it from blowing over. Once a climbing plant is established hopefully it will be less noticeable. Any ideas on what climber to plant? What color will go with this crazy bright aqua?

Speaking of climbers, the clematis around our front yard light post is full of blooms and gorgeous.

My one lone azalea is in bloom. I was hesitant to try more until I knew they would survive here. So far this is the third year for this one. Azaleas remind me of spring in Alabama.

I wanted to show you more of my garage sale finds. I love this table! I got it at a sale on Saturday for $10.00. Right now I am loving it inside, but I can also see using this as a serving tray on the front porch, maybe. The cloche was a steal for .10, yep, ten cents! The candle sticks were $2.00. The candles were .50 each. The large white pitcher was .50, even the little magnolia egg and the moss were purchased this past weekend.

I got this picture a few years ago at a garage sale too. The lady I bought it from said that it had hung in a museum in Texas. My daughter saw the same picture in the old movie, Father of the Bride, with Spencer Tracy. The painting isn't visibly signed so I don't know anything about it. I'd love to know the history behind the painting.

I love decorating and sprucing up, both inside and out, for so little money!

Metamorphosis Monday- Mirror

During the summer I came across this dresser mirror at a garage sale. I didn't need a mirror like this but she was only asking a couple of dollars for it so I bought it anyway. I promptly stuck it under a bed and forgot about it.

I had a bare wall in the dining room and all summer long I kept looking at garage sales for a picture or mirror to go in that particular spot. I never found what I wanted and just gave up, knowing that eventually, I will come across something that will be perfect or close enough to satisfy me. I'm patient, (I'm very frugal too), so I can wait.

A few weeks ago I was in a painting mood and remembered the mirror that was under the bed. I spray painted it and propped it on the buffet in the dining room. I didn't want to hang it centered on the wall because I don't want it to look like a dresser with a mirror, (which is exactly what it is).

The beautiful Drexel dresser was another garage sale find. I bought it earlier in the spring for $100.00, and was perfect for this spot in the dining room.




Here is the mirror all decorated. I already had the evergreen wreath and the stash of florals to put on the wreath. So, this was a thrifty way to decorate the buffet for Christmas. Everything here was either purchased at a garage sale or it was something I already had. I'm not completely satisfied with the way the buffet looks, I need a runner and a few more things to finish it off.

The mirror isn't exactly what I wanted for the wall, but at least it isn't bare anymore!

I'm linking this post to Between Naps on the Porch for Met monday!

First Metamorphosis Monday Post- Foot Stool

I'm linking up today for the very first time with Susan, from Between Naps on the Porch, for her Metamorphosis Monday. I've been reading her blog for several months and checking out almost all of the links to the Met Monday posts. So much inspiration here! As the gardening season comes to a close my thoughts have been on sprucing up the interior of my home to make my winter hibernation a more pleasurable experience.



I spend a lot of time on the computer and sometimes I like to prop my feet up while I'm at my desk. This summer I found this tacky foot stool at a garage sale. I think I may have paid a dollar for it. A few weeks ago I took it apart. Oh, was it ever nasty! I had to wear a mask because so much of the padding had deteriorated and there was so much dust. I threw away the old fabric and the foam padding. I cleaned the wood and sprayed it good with Lysol.


Then I spray painted the oak and replaced the foam padding and fabric. I already had the fabric, that I had bought at a garage sale probably three or four years ago.

I say the foot stool is for propping my feet, but truth be known, it is really a kitty cat bed. It seems that the cat likes to sleep beside me here while I'm at the computer.

Anyway, I have been thoroughly inspired by Met Monday with all kinds of great ideas. I hope to include a few more projects over the next few weeks. Stop by Susan's and see the great projects!