Monday, April 12, 2010

Gratitude, Flea Market Finds, & a Winner

Blogging began for me as a way to promote the business.  But, it's become something different, it's so much more to me now.  The joy I get from writing and seeing all the talent on the pages of other bloggers is wonderful!  I can quickly loose an afternoon to blog-hopping, reading one inspirational post after another, finding mounds of support and creativity.  All of it being shared by some of the most amazing women I've ever had the privilege to meet.   Amazing women, many with whom, I have become friends with beyond blogging.  I meet the nicest people here!

On Friday morning, I was honored with the sweetest visitors arriving by way of Tricia at Morning T.  It seems she had written a lovely post about the Bedroom Makeover and my blog, and wow does she have a large number of readers!  And then on Saturday night lots more new visitors dropped by to say hi because Donna of Funky Junk Interiors had featured the bedroom makeover on her sidebar for the weekend as part of her Saturday Night Special Series.  Her site seriously rocks by the way!

Thank you ladies for the shout out, and thanks to everyone that has helped us celebrate our 5 year Anniversary by posting the giveaway button on your blogs!  And the biggest thank you of all for all the sweet encouraging comments....I love to read your comments!  Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts with me.  You make my heart so happy!

Now, indulge me and let me share something else that made me happy.  I threw this together yesterday, and I do mean literally "threw this together"....this one should make Donna's Funky Junk spirit smile!  It began with two pieces that I found at First Monday Trade Days. 


Check it out, it’s an old bread pan from a commercial bakery with its' wonderful aged metal and patina ( I bought a dozen of these).  And a vintage, iron sewing machine base with this great chippy paint.  These two pieces fell madly in love during their haul in the bed of the truck so I married them.  

I had intended to put a top on the iron base, but when I saw these two vintage cuties sitting beside each other during the truck unload, a light bulb went off and I thought….I wonder..??
As luck would have it, the spaces between the pans lined up perfectly with the brackets on top of the sewing machine base.

How sweet is that?  So I just plopped the bread pan on top of the base, didn’t even have to screw it in because it fits so snuggly between the pans that it doesn't budge.  I told you they loved each other!  Could it be any easier?  Well, as a matter of fact, yes!

Making it even simpler (as if this project needed that) was the fact that the each individual pan already had two little holes in the bottom (probably from being attached to some sort of factory apparatus) it was positively begging for plants!
How could I resist?  A quick trip to Lowes for a few 6 packs of annuals and voila!  It’s a flea market flower garden!
I’m “diggin” it!  How about you?

It would be perfect for an herb garden too….hmmm….  Another project…another day!

I have to tell ya, I get so much pleasure from repurposing and using vintage things in new ways.  Not only for the recycling benefits, but also as an outlet for creative energy.  It makes me smile to see what was once a sewing machine and baking pan filled with pretty flowers sitting on the patio.  The ultimate "go green"!

Okay, I know some of you are saying "get to the good stuff", so let me share the name of the winner for Giveaway #2.

Congrats to Sherry of No Minimalist Here!!

Shoot me an email (sales@laurieannas.com) with your address and I’ll get it right out to you! Thanks to all that participated and remember there are still 3 more chances to win.

We were busy bees over the weekend, so plan to join me later this week when I will share an outside patio area that we’ve been working on at 5th Place Cottage!  And, I’ll announce the 3rd Giveaway celebrating our 5 Year Anniversary!

Be blessed and have a wonderful week!

35 comments:

iheartsunnydays said...

Love Love Love what you've done with the sewing machine base!

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

I learned to sew on a sewing machine that had a base like that. What an adorable planter. Love it. Love & blessings from NC!

Unknown said...

I have one of those treadle bases in my guest room. It has a glass top and is used for a night table, but, hmmmm...I like it as a planter table!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

First of all, congrats to Sherry! Secondly, I love how this just came together for you like this. I love the flowers in it! How perfect that it seemed meant to be! Don't you love those lightbulb moments.

Kim from The Sheep's Nest said...

I love it!!! Hmmm, I have one of those bases around! Now I want to go out junking to see what I can find to put on top!! Kim

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

L, you are definately the cleaver one! Love it...

Anonymous said...

I was talking about you on Saturday morning. I told my friend to get up,off the couch,( she had 5ive dogs holding her hostage) and come look at this bedroom makeover. I was drooling. I just found your page the other day. I will be dropping by often. I feel like I need to pay you for my visual therapy.

You are blessed~

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

How perfect is that and so pretty filled with the flowers!!!

xxoo

Cathy Cobblestone said...

Laurie Anna - I have to admit - this is so right up my alley. We have a greenhouse and I'm constantly looking for fun, whimsical items to plant in. I don't think you could have come up with a better idea for these two pieces - great idea! Hope you enjoy all your beautiful flowers - speaking of flowers - I'd better go water the greenhouses now. The sun is shining here and it is gonna be a beautiful day!

Unknown said...

I love your planter project. It's really beautiful.

Unknown said...

G'morn, LaurieAnna ~ WOW! I love LOVE what you have done with this ... now to find something like this for my terraces ... AWESOME!!!

TY for popping by for a visit ... you may enjoy my re-creations that I wrote of today ...

I am not a 'lightbulb' person nor creative in the sense of making something but the other day I had a lightbulb day & am so excited ... one person I shared my idea with LOVES it so maybe I can do something besides write checks for creativity of another.

Have a beautiful week.
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Hi! Thanks for the visit to my blog and becoming a follower! I love your blog too! I seen your transformation of the sewing machine base and I could just kick myself for getting rid of mine in a garage sale last summer because I love what you did with yours! I am one of those who has to see something someone else has done because I guess I am just not imaginative enough! I live in Ohio but many years ago we lived in Laredo, Tx...we have many fond memories of our time there! Great to meet you! ~Patti

Debby said...

Quite clever, I would say. I love it. I'm glad they are married, hah.

brandi said...

~congrats to sherry! this is a beautiful stand you have transformed...i l♥ve finding something old and rediscovering its purpose in a new light...brightest blessings~

Jenn said...

Love it! I had no idea the people I would meet from blogging...its so much fun!

Destiny said...

What a great idea! I just bought some of those old bread pans myself...mine have 5 sections...Now I just need to find an old sewing table base (the one I have currently has a glass top on it and was handed down by my mother-in-law). Thanks for sharing your wonderful idea!

Rochelle said...

Laurie Anna - that is such a clever idea and boy did it turn out wonderful. It will look great at your cottage! Can't wait to see the next giveaway!!
xoxo
Rochelle

Ashley Schott said...

You're a genius. Absolutely how would anyone ever come up with something so clever?!!!! So darling. Oh, and congrats to the winner!!

Sueann said...

Love the bread pan table...that is super cool!! And using the base with it...I would have never thunk it!! LOL! Adding the plants and you have gorgeous in the making!
Hugs
SueAnn

Anne Lorys said...

What a wonderful marriage of those two pieces!

Thank you so much for your comments on my last post, I really do value your feedback!

Have a wonderful week!
Anne

Elsie said...

LauieAnna I love it,and I can't believe that they matched up so
perfect,not my luck. I have two
of those sewing machine bottoms
on my back porch,one have my conservatory on it and one has
my personal washing machine bottom
with a flower in it. Love all the
old sewing machine parts. I will
have to look for me one of those
bread pans,that is really neat.:O)

RobinBirdsNest said...

What an awesome find! they were meant for each other! But it took a creative mind and eye to put it together. Beautiful!!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Oh my, I am so doing the happy dance! I love these hour glasses...I am so excited! Thank you so much.

Elder Esplin said...

Hey Laurie,

Thanks so much for stopping by and following my blog! I decided to stop by and check yours out....I am drooling as we speak. What fun! I'm excited to see it all. I LOVE IT!

Jennie @ Cinnaberry Suite

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I am totally diggin' it!!! It's fabulous!!! I just love seeing such creativity. I have an old sewing machine base (mine is still black). Hubby made it into a table years ago. I'm liking your idea better.

Joanne Kennedy said...

I love that look! Very clever, pretty and different. This is something I would buy for sure.

Congrats to your winner.

Hugs,
Joanne

trash talk said...

L.A.,
Doncha just love it when a plan comes together!
Debbie

Stephenie from Decorating Addiction said...

I just love when I get an idea like that . . . and I love it even more when it works. Awesome planter. Very, very cool!

Mindy said...

I am loving the marriage. Nice! You know I've been a touch busy. Glad to catch up a bit with you today. ~Mindy

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh I am loving this!! What a fantastic idea and such great finds!

bee blessed
mary

Denise Marie said...

what a terrific way to use the sewing bottom and a found piece for a planter!!

Susan Freeman said...

I'm "diggin" your flea market flower garden too!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Debbie said...

I am crazy about this! I love how you had the eureka moment quite by accident. How perfect that it had drainage provided and everything.

Porva Inn - Greenvalley Estate said...

I visit your blog to day.
You have great idea's. I loved your livingroom make over.That extra window is such original way to disaper the doors.
Nice greatings Trudy

Itaya Art said...

Oh my goodness but I love this plant stand! You do know how to give new life to old things lady. :) In another life...or on another creative tangent...I'm going to create so many awesome things such as your lovely repurposed projects. You give me such great inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting again and for your lovely comments on my artwork. :)