Sunday, April 19, 2009

Where did the sunshine go?!!

Boo Hoo! It's raining here again! I sure enjoyed the warmth and sunshine we had the last couple of days. I got so much done. I've made a lot of projects that I'll share over the next few days.

The first half of the week was cold and rainy, so I went to a couple of thrift stores. I found cutting board for $1.91 (odd price!), a wall candle sconce for $.90 and some molds for $1.35 each at one place.

At another TS I found a black mesh container and rusty metal bird for $2.00 each and candlesticks and another mold for $1.00 each. I'll show the makeovers at a later time.

My most exciting find was an old porch post. I've been searching for one for awhile without any luck. My hubby gave me a coach lantern that I've had my eye one for a while for Christmas.


There's an amazing website (http://www.handcrafted-artifacts.com/) that sells lighting fixtures and other things made from tin, brass and copper at very reasonable prices. My lantern was only $90! A couple of years ago, I bought a Paul Revere lantern for only $23. I've seen them elsewhere for as much as $40-$50. He has three different sizes, mine is 15", the largest size.




So my idea was to find an old porch post to mount my lantern on to replace my old post light going up my walkway.

All the posts I've seen in the past (long before I had this plan) were solid in the center. We had to figure out how we were going to run electrical wire down through the middle. We found drill bit extensions at Home Depot that were 18" long for $12. We would need at least three of them (we'd drill from both ends and hopefully meet in the middle) so there's $36.00 we'd be spending on something we'd probably never use again; plus, the cost of the post if we'd ever find one. Luckily, my brother had several extensions pieces we could use, so that problem was solved. Now we only needed to find a post.

I noticed some posts leaning up against the building of a nearby antique store. I stopped to check them out and was bummed because they were too rotted for my liking. On top of that, they were sold as a whole porch package. Darn! I went inside and looked around, but didn't see any, so I asked a woman if she knew of anyone that had one. A man that worked there said that there was one in the next room. Sure enough, leaning against the wall with stuff hanging all over it, was a post. It was only $48, which was only a couple of dollars more than I would have paid for a metal post at Home Depot if that was the route I would have had to take. I was so excited!!

After the man loaded the post into my Explorer, I headed for home, thinking, "This is great! It's going to be a nice weekend, I'll get my brother's drill bit extensions, and we can get my new light post up!". As I unloaded the post, I noticed a hole in the center at the bottom. I looked to see how deep the hole was and guess what ?!! The whole went all the way through!!! The hard part was taken care of! YEAHH!!

So here's my new post light.

I didn't think it was prim enough, so I antiqued it alittle.

I'M SO EXCITED!!

Well, I need to be going for now. As I mentioned before, I have a lot of projects to share with you in the next few days. I made a bee skep today using mortar mix, peat moss and straw. So far it looks great, but we'll see how it looks dry and if it comes off the mold!!

7 comments:

  1. OMGosh, your home looks absolutely beautiful and so prim. I am loving the outside of it from what I can see. Ok, let's start from the beginning because I am loving everything you had to say and I am loving your blog : )

    Your TS finds are great!! I love your cutting board and the wall sconce. I am currently working on re-doing one, but not sure if I will keep it or give it away...hmmm, time will tell (lol). I love your lantern that you found and the post looks primtastic with it and what a wonderful job you did with primming it up (you go girl)!! OH - I can't wait to see your bee skep too. I have been wanting to make one myself, but had NO IDEA how to even start so if you like the way it turns out then you gotta share the secrets - ok?

    Didn't we have some beautiful weather on Saturday? Perfect in every way and then we have run (ugh). Hope you have a great week my friend.

    Hugs,
    Lisa

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  2. Hi Kris,
    Great thrift shop finds! Love the cutting board and the candle sticks with the stars. Oh my...your home looks beautiful on the outside. And your lantern and post are so prim perfect!! What a great find that post was.
    Have a great week.
    Cindy

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  3. Hi Kris! I love your your new lantern and post. That is a terrifice place to buy lighting. I bought lights for my kitchen from him and I'm wanting to order some more lighting. His prices are very reasonable and the service is great. Your home looks wonderful and I'm looking forward to seeing more of it in your posts.

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  4. Hi Kris...your post light is just awesome...great job...love your house hope we see more of it...
    you got some great TS finds...
    Have a great week...
    Prim Blessings...
    Tonja

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  5. Great job on the light post...looks good.

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  6. Great thrift store finds and your lamp post looks great. You have a beautiful yard.
    Have a great day.
    Betsy

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  7. Great job on starting your blog.I hoping to start one soon myself,but for now i'm having a blast reading everyone else's.And man the ideas i'm getting,this is awesome! I love your lantern post and excited to see what you have in store for you TS makeovers.Especially the copper mold that looks like a watermelon b/c my TS had the same exact one on Sat.lol I was going to get it but my cart was overflowing as it was!! lol lol
    Have a "BLESSED" day and keep up the great work!
    mommynoodles27@yahoo.com

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