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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

My Challenge.Numbered Upcycled Stair Step Display

  2805 Potpourri Friday     So happy that this post was featured ... 
Thanks Honey at 2805.

A real Challenge …

 Challenges met with courage build endurance and strengthen faith.

Be strong and of a good courage … for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9


Don’t know what this challenge taught me … maybe more confidence in myself.

 
My inspiration came from this shelf unit I saw on eBay and it sold for over $200.00. It was blue, very shabby and weathered. 

I said … that is a piece of cake, I can make one of those. Don’t know why I wanted one, but just wanted the challenge, and I had the courage … (and the help from Mr. Z.)

Well, when I was getting ready for our annual Subdivision Garage Sale, I decided a stair-step shelf would be nice to have for display and offer for sale.

I took these seven wonderful pieces of knotty pine boards that I bought at a thrift for $3.00, thinking I would someday paint some signs and built this stair-step display instead.

 I am sorry, but I had to get rid of Dancer, Donder, Dasher and Comet and the other Reindeer.  I sanded but tried to leave traces of the red and white paint along with the green.  This is how it ended up.


 
Shelves are about 24" across ... 
about 5½" deep and the shelf unit is about 24" tall and 22" deep. 
Open in the back.

 

 
We used new board for the sides, so those were intentionally banged up a bit to age. Paint and stain was added to hopefully match up with the old boards. Before painting the steps with my DIY white chalk paint, I smeared Vaseline in several areas, especially on the knots so the paint would not adhere there. Do that and the paint will wipe right off and give you a natural peeling look.
 
Heavy sanding continued the aging process.


I set up a display on my front porch until I could find time to number the shelves.
You can click on the picture for a better view.
   

The lighting in the next pictures is a little different so the shelf looks much lighter.

The numbers were printed on my Laser printer in a mirror image and then transferred with a hot iron. This is effective to achieve the time-worn look, but it will also remove some of the paint in the process. Keep the paper hot while peeling it off and that helps with less loss of paint. 

Love the  knots !!!  
This was a challenge, but I was very happy with the way it turned out. It sold very quickly in my garage sale …(under priced, I am sure) … to a dealer opening a new booth in a shop. She was most happy and bought most of things that we had up-cycled for this sale.

 
I love to re-purpose and up-cycle and will continue to do that with my collection of junk around here as long as I am able to do so. 

Looks great with just a few plants on it. 

Hope you enjoyed seeing my challenge.
Don't think I want to build another one though.

What are you re-purposing/re-cycling and saving from the dump?

Blessings,

15 comments:

  1. Audrey, that is just wonderful! I love the plants on it. I wish I had a Mr. Z or Mr. K to help me with things like that.

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  2. Very Very Lucky Dealer indeed. She/he must have thought they had arrived in dealer heaven when they arrived at your garage sale.

    Great step idea for display. Best regards.

    Joy

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  3. FABULOUS makeover on the steps Audrey! The vignette with the green accents was perfect for the number steps! Love it!

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  4. That turned out great! Looks like you covered all the details in your tutorial too!

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  5. Another hit, Audrey! I haven't tried the iron transfer method but will give it a go. I'm pretty sure I don't have the skills to make the stair step, but I'm pinning it anyway! ~ Maureen

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  6. This is fabulous, Audrey! I love the display on the steps too. The plants really bring the steps to life. And the numbers are a great touch! That dealer sure got a real treasure. I wonder if she is going to use it for displaying things in her shop or if she is going to sale it. Either way, I'm envious that she got an Audrey original. ;)
    I'm going to share this project on facebook and such.
    Sharon @ mrs. hines class

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  7. Audrey, this is beautiful ! I agree that the poor reindeer had to go, lol, but with great reason ! The end product looks amazing ! Thanks for following me and for the kind words about my mantel. I'm following you and look forward to reading more about your thrifty decorating adventures :D

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  8. So stinking cute!!!
    I think I may need one for my plants in our garden room.
    Katie

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  9. FANTASTIC job, sister friend. I LOVE this and can see why it sold so quickly. You are such the artist....so much talent.
    xo bj

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  10. Audrey, you never cease to amaze me with the fabulous project you create!
    You did an amazing job. It's always a delight to see what's going on with you!

    Thank you for sharing your creativity at Potpourri Friday!

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  11. Goodness!!
    This is so delightful!!

    I LOVE it!
    You did a great job!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  12. Hi Audrey! Your delightful post is featured today on Potpourri Friday!

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  13. I also am new to blogging and saw your blog at 2805 today. Your step project is just wonderful! I want to see more, so I am now a follower! Hugs, Penny

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  14. This is fantastic! Love it.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  15. This is so nice! I can see it going up to my Pallet herb garden! My husband and I were just talking about doing some steps..Thanks for sharing!
    Following you!

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