Each year my city has a spring clean-up (aka. #trashure hunting supreme) Basically, the city divides up into four quadrants for four weeks and this is the time to get rid of anything you want. Fun part is that people know there are going to be pickers, and they set out good stuff too. Let me show you what I mean and how I came about turning this ugly duckling into a feed sack footstool.

My kids and I headed out to run some errands and while out I needed to stop at the thrift store because I have a desk to refinish that needs a chair. While pulling out of the driveway, I announced that this is the start to our quadrant clean-up, and I only allow myself to go junkin’ during that time. Fair is fair, right? However, I wasn’t planning on doing any picking until later in the weekend.

Two seconds after those words came out of my mouth, I spied a pile of art prints and an embroidered print of a “Tin Lizzie”. Say WHAAATT? So, of course I hopped out and grabbed them all. This is when the adrenaline kicks in. I’m giggling outloud and say, “Well, that was fun and I wasn’t even looking for it…hahaha…”

MY LOOT

Let’s pause for a minute to reflect why I do these things. First, let’s talk about my first trashure post 4 years ago, or my French vanity, or how about last year’s console save and cedar chest reveal? Those reasons alone are why I do what I do. (and BTW, you really should check them all out – good reads!)

No joke. I turn the corner and the next street parallel to ours I see something making a huge shadow. This is when I said, “Okay guys, this is not funny. There is something huge down that street and I just can’t drive by.” They agreed (thank you Lord) and we turned around. It is plain to see that at this point we are not going to make it to the store anytime soon.

Here is what I saw through my windshield…

WHOA

I pulled over to examine it before I let my blood pressure rise, and here is what I found: solid metal top, solid beadboard sides and planked back, rotted out inside. Hmm…I tried to pick a corner up and unless I wanted to spend a week in traction there is no way I could get that puppy home. My kids know the drill that when we find something like this we grab it take it home and then continue on our merry way. OR if possible we remove parts to make it undesirable to others to take home until we can get it later. Neither would work, so I decided to continue on and if it was meant to be mine it would still be there when we returned.

You see, JC, was waiting at home to be able to use our truck and if I turned around to drag him to go get it, he wouldn’t be too happy. I don’t blame him. tsk. Now my heart is truly beating and I’m now like a rocket off a launching pad on my way to get my errands done NOW.

MORE FUN

First stop, thrift store.  But…the curbside offerings were too tempting. Our first street we drove down had so much set out that I couldn’t just leave there! Now the back end of my suburban is full and I tell the kids that we need to stay focused. Back to said goal: thrift store. Remember, all I needed was a chair. ahem. Well, I ended up scoring all sorts of brand new shoes, clothes and oodles of goodies for my shop and family – all for 35% off with my coupon!! I’ll share the loot in a bit because my truck is getting a tad full.

After that I headed to the local Tractor Supply because I needed t-posts and a tree. Yup, I am supposed to now fit a tree and t-posts in my suburban. This is why I will never drive another kind of vehicle. THIS THING ROCKS!

Okay, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…here is my loot while still in truck, minus the tree and stakes hanging out the back. Nevermind that the front is full too AND don’t forget I had four of my six kids with me. Yeah, baby!

MORE LOOT

For fun, I wanted to show you what I found curbside and thrifting. Here is my trashure haul and I wasn’t even out picking.

My favorite find is the grass seed spreader. God knew we need that because I have a 100lb bag of seed waiting and intent on renting or borrowing one. The little mower was like new and delighted my little nephew as his friend had one and he didn’t. To see his face light up was worth the stop.

Now from the thrift store…and this doesn’t include the clothes and shoes.

EEP!

Okay, let’s not forget that blue beast waiting for me around the corner. It was still there. eep! I unload and told JC with a big ol’ grin, “I need you to come with me.” He replies hesitantly, “Okay…” We hop in the truck, and I explain the deal on the way making it sound juicy to him that this has a two-fold bonus deal. First, that the top is metal, and we could use that in our workshop for much needed workspace. Second, that the cabinet just needs some TLC and a cool reclaimed top to make it sing.

Upon arrival he takes a look and says, “This thing is a mess.” I quickly devert the mess thought with words of promise. Let me just say I am ever so thankful to have this guy to put up with me and my shenanigans. He agrees to take it home even though we have NO ROOM in our workshop for it. We tried to load it couldn’t budge it. ummmm….now what?

WHAT A LOAD

We went home and grabbed our oldest son and some plywood and planks to make the job easier. With a whole lotta, “I’m going to die!” lifting, we got it in and home. Unloading it is just as fun and I’m sure our neighbors have a giggle or two.

My oldest teen went to inspect the inside of it because he has learned that is where cool stuff is hidden. Here is what he pulled out…

I instantly started to laugh because I called this workbench da bomb, but it didn’t have to take me literally!! bwahahahahaha!!

Before you freak out, this is a super-huge flare. No worries about the bomb squad storming in. tee hee hee.

After stepping back and viewing my loot, there’s the question that always hits me, “What did you just do??” After just spending a month of purging knowing that I would be faced with city clean-up soon after. Ah well, I’m thankful summer is just around the corner. I can work through it when we’re on our summer homeschooling schedule. Plus, this is my job.

BACK TO TODAY

So, back to the somewhat ugly footstool. I thought it would be cute to do that one first. Footstools are fairly simple to do. If you have a mind to try your hand at upholstery, they are a great place to start. It’s how I start my kids too. See my 30-minute makeover HERE.

First order of business is to take it apart with, and remove the old upholstery and batting.

I didn’t care for the shape of the top of the stool, so I cut the boards square with my jig saw. After that I used my thrifted electric carving knife to cut the foam. It’s in good shape so I decide to reuse it.

The base was a super dark paint, and I just wanted a bit of an aged appeal. I gave it a quick whitewash with thinned flat paint to make the grain pop.

All that needs done after that is to put it back together. With some fresh batting and a goodies from my feed sack stash, I attach it with my nailer/staple gun.

THE REVEAL

And there you have it, my feed sack footstool.

Nothing like feed sack to make it all the more fun, eh?

I have creating and being creative with the things I find. For me, it’s making use of what is available rather than buying new.

This feed sack footstool is available in my online store, along with my pillows seen in chair, as well as some of that loot made new. Stop by and see!

Inspiring you to give DIY a try is my goal. What is more, I hope you’ve enjoyed my adventures and my little feed sack footstool. Do pin and share!

Next week I have a brand-new project for you, so be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!

PINTEREST

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