I enjoy upcycling old “junk” into something usable and fun. This week, I finished an organization project in my kitchen; it turned this mismatched pile of baskets gathered from various corners of my house into a clutter busting shelf for all the nonsense that gets tossed on the bar.
This is the “before” shot of the baskets. Apparently, I have no pictures of the cluttered bar (whew!)
To make these baskets more uniform, I painted and covered them. The project took about 2 -1/2 yards of fabric, a can of spray paint, some ribbon and buttons for the oddly shaped baskets and newspaper to make simple patterns for the liners. I’m not a great seamstress, but I have a sewing machine and I’m not afraid to use it. 
This is after they’ve been unified . . . the paint was a little light, so I went over it with Minwax staining sealer. It gave them a fun anique-ish color, but required an extended airing for the paint fumes. 
To finish my project, I arranged the baskets on a narrow bookshelf I bought for less than $20 when a local bookstore went out of business. It takes just a sliver of space, but holds all the baskets nicely when placed near the phone and chalkboard. That chalkboard was a project several years ago – made from a framed painting that was just sitting around in the garage. I reworked it with a thin piece of wood and blackboard paint. The artwork in the bottom right corner is a beloved piece done by my grandson when he was 3. It will live in the corner forever and ever. Amen.
This is a little hard to read, but I zoomed in to show you what a workhorse this new little unit will be . . .
Happy Easter, everybody!
Wow. You have way more energy and ingenuity than I can muster these days!
Maybe I just have way more junk laying around . . .
Very clever Vickie, now come down and stay with us for a month or six and we’ll put you into organizing heaven or the other direction
I would love that – I’m all about figuring out a system. Just ask my daughter. I always got enlisted for apartment changes when she was in school.
You come to my house and make deeze for my grilling toolz now? (sorry….LOL’Cats mode locked on)
I luvz me sum kittehs!
(I love the idea of a LOL Cats lock!)
Very nice. I love the idea of painting the baskets to match. And the chalkboard??? There’s chalkboard paint? Didn’t know that. And speaking of upcycling old junk…you’d have a hey day in my basement. :/ Great post Vickcie.
I would love to go through your basement . . . if you could see the rescued goodies around my house, you’d laugh your ass off. Seriously in need of an an intervention, I’m sure.
Vickcie???? I think I just typo-d you a great new name.
Vickcie
This is cool.
Now come over and organize my garage.
N
You’ll have to call my husband for that one.
I am certain that this alone makes you qualified to host a cable Martha Stewart rip-off show. Except you actually seem likeable. ~Mary
I’m thinking that my blog is about it, as far as promotion of my “talents” . . . but I try to be likeable anyway.
Nice job Vickie! Good to know you’re one of those
. I’m not so if you ever get here be prepared to work! Lol!
I’ll do no such thing . . . if I make it to your house, I’m going to be prepared to drink lots of wine and watch birds.
Great job!! I just hate all the stuff that accumulates on the counter. This is a perfect way to handle all that stuff. I came here to look up your spaghetti carbonara recipe… I’m going to make it tonite with leftover ham
I’m crossing my fingers, but the bar has been tidy for days!! That carbonara recipe is a good find . . . let me know what you think. I’ll bet it will taste good with ham. You might even add peas. Hmm….
Love this! I too like to “recycle” second hand treasures, in fact I am now big into an re-upholstery phase. So satisfying.
I haven’t gone that far yet because I’m a little afraid of it. (but I’ve been tempted.) And you’re right . . . it is very satisfying. Thanks for stopping by, Karen!
How gorgeous! You did such a beautiful job with the baskets and I love your little bookcase too – and your chalkboard, and your most precious craft too
Hope your Easter was wonderful!
Thanks, Martha! We had a fabulous Easter weekend – hope it was nice down there as well. The weather here is chilly and foggy today so I’m going to be busy today catching up on my blog reading.
So lovely! I admire your creativity, and love that you keep ‘sacred’ your grandson’s artwork.
Thanks Lisetta, I love doing projects like this one. And that little rainbow is one of my treasures.