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Headboard Message Center-by Ted of The Cottage House, Minneapolis MN

Last year on my trip to the Junk Bonanza in Minnesota, we visited The Cottage House. Ted was happy to show us his many junk creations.

He even wrote how he made this on the chalk board in the center.

Thanks Ted for letting me share your fun creations.



This project was inspired by one I saw at The Painted Porch's space at the Junk Bonanza

After getting home I began to think what could I use to make one of my own. I remembered this old plastic powder container, with my name on it, that I had been given by my SIL, and the gears began to turn. But what could I use for a head/face? The idea of using old printers type hit me when I was trying to get to sleep one night, and I just had to get up and start working on it.

Can you see the face? My Dh things the 8 is the eyes, but it's actually the mouth. The I is the nose and the commas are the eyes.

I began to see that lots of combinations were possible.

I really like the IOU one on the left. I may switch out the one I made for this one.
I call the one on the bottom right, my Picaso face :)

Well the idea for the ROBOLADY wasn't mine, but the face definitely was. I love it when I have an original idea. It happens so seldom.
I think she looks great hanging out with other bits and pieces in my creative room.

To make this cute doll. First I drilled 5 holes in the plastic container. The inspiration piece used tin containers either would work well. One hole center top for the head, 2 for the arms and 2 for the legs. Then I threaded wire through the holes and began to attach the different bits of junk for the arms, hands, and legs. For the head, I glued the pieces of letterpress together, then drilled through them and threaded the wire through and bent it into a hanging hook. A little glue here and there keeps things from sliding around, and that was it.


Hanging Book Holder-Margo


To make this book holder I basically screwed 2 old gate hinges to a block of wood, about 1" thick and the size of the book. Used some glue to freeze the hinges in an L shape, and slipped the book inside. Then put a hanger on the back wood. I hung the whole thing inside a double frame that I made by screwing one wooden fram on top of another. The wooden block is not visible because of the thickness of the frames that I put it all inside.


Fun with hands-By Margo

These are old glove forms that I picked up recently. My goal was to figure out several projects for them. Of course they are good for jewelry display etc, but I wanted to come up with something different. I offer you these 3 projects. And be sure to check out the Quick project below for a 4th project with these hands, submitted by a reader.

For the shelf: What I did was to take 2 of the forms, and I mounted them to a piece of scrap wood, screwing them in from the back. Then I placed 2 glass shelves on them, use a clear glue to set the shelves in place, and that's it.

For the Lazy Susan: I've taken an existing Lazy Susan I had and added the forms to it. These could be glued down, or even screwed in. If you did not want to damage your Lazy Susan, you could mount the forms to wood pieces and then attach the pieces together in the center to make it strong, and then simply lay it on top of your Lazy Susan. Then I just added some bowls and a plate to the center (to cover the uglies) and that is it. What fun this would be for chips and dip.

For the File Holder: This one is done the same way as the shelf project. Just add another hand in the middle. Be sure to countersink the screws so it will set level on your desk or table.

And the other neat thing about these, is that you can write on them with chalk.

See the IN and OUT on the fingers.


A different kind of chair shelf, by Ted of The Cottage House


This is Ted of The Cottage House near Minneapolis. I love this Chair shelf he made.

He used old croquet mallots as the dowels. What a great and fresh Old Chair Project


Tina 56 re-purposed this old dresser into a bathroom vanity