Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Vintage Inspired Wooden Tool Box

Bonjour Mes Amis!
Hope you are enjoying a nice weekend.
Today I wanted to share with you one of my latest creations, or rather, a joint creation between hubby and myself.
Awhile back, I shared with you a cute vintage wooden tool box that I put in my shop (and have since sold).  Well, that was the inspiration for this project.
Good thing I have a handy hubby around!  After giving him my specks, he went and bought the materials, and in no time had built this beautiful tool box/caddy for me!
 It is even larger than it looks in my photos, at 2 feet long, and quite heavy, too!
I love green, and thought it would be the perfect shade to paint this box.  Unfortunately, I didn't have just the right color on hand, and I didn't want to go out and buy more paint.  So, what is a girl to do?
Well, mix up her own custom color using what she already has on hand, that's what!
 So, I pulled out my DecoArt chalk paints, and set to work playing with colors.  I think I have just as much fun creating new shades as I do the actual painting process!
I'm so happy with the way it turned out, and can think of so many uses for this piece.
Filled with potted flowering plants, used to carry garden tools around, or even enjoyed indoors to hold books, magazines, and more.  I had hubby build this for my Etsy shop, and it sold just a few days after I listed it!  I was super excited, so now I've put in a request that he build me some more:)
 I had fun during our little photo shoot, placing the tool box/caddy (or whatever you feel like calling it!) on my picket fence plant stand.  I plopped my pretty African violet inside (which always lives indoors, by the way), and added to the vignette my Grandma's vintage watering can and a cute little soapstone bunny, a gift many years ago from my mom.
Oh, a little side note about my Afrian violet.  My mom started this plant for me many years ago, from a plant of her own.  During the course of several cross country moves in the past few years, we had to get rid of nearly all of our houseplants (we had alot of plants!!).  But, this was one that I just wasn't willing to part with!  It traveled with us all the way to Washington State and then back here to Michigan in the shower of our motor home!  And for the past two winters, I took it with us when we headed south to Savannah, also toting it along in the motor home's shower!
So this puppy has put on alot of miles, and she still is blooming her heart out!
Thanks so much for popping by, hope things are blooming at your home!

10 comments:

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Very pretty, Donna! I love the color and it looks so pretty with the purple tones of the violet. I love that it's a special plant for you...

Susie said...

Donna, I love the violet from your mom...so sweet of you to care for it so nicely. I could see those tool tote s in many colors with little French saying on them. We women do love them. It's so nice having a handy husband isn't it? Blessings, xoxo,Susie

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Oh how special that you still have that violet from your mother. It is a very pretty one too.
Love the tool caddy and I like the color that you came up with. I can see why it sold right away. They are so versatile and you can so alot with them.
Thanks for sharing - it looks great!
Hugs to sweet Katie. Bet she is glad that Spring is here and she can run around the yard and play.
ave a great Sunday.
Hugs,
Mary

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Very sweet Donna I can see why it sold quickly in your etsy shop. Handy hubby will be busy building these sweeties for I see a high demand for them,
xoxo,
Vera

NanaDiana said...

Love the blooming and traveling African violet story. My mother was partial to them, too, but I don't have any left.
That tote is wonderful! I love the size and shape of it AND the color is perfect! You should trademark the color! xo Diana

Celestina Marie said...

Good Morning Donna. LOVE your tote. Your hubby did a wonderful job of creating the perfect design. He is a perfectionist!! The color is gorgeous. What color paints did you mix?
Love your African Violet and the story of her travels. What a treasure.
Hugs, CM

Trisha said...

Love the color you painted this of course and now I want my hubby to build me one! The African Violets are beautiful and I love the story behind them!

~Trisha

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Hi Donna! How are you? I'm sorry I've been a bad blogger (and visitor), but I wanted to catch up to see what you've been up to. Your hubby is so handy! The tool box is amazing and I'm not surprised it sold quickly. Your paint job was a perfect mix, too, and I love that your African Violet has survived so long with all your TLC. I'm not surprised by that, either. xoxo

Okio B Designs said...

Beautiful! I have one that I did a similar color but it's gotten a bit dirty. I need to freshen it up. One of my favorite hues. =)

Jeanine

john said...

I just love these tool boxes and yours looks so pretty ! far too nice to put tools in haha ! my husband always worries when I go in his garage in case I find something in there to pretty up !!
Gail x