Elegant T.P. Holder

We have been working on our bathroom for quite some time, now. So, while I'm patiently waiting for everybody to do their thing, I am doing my thing....and my thing is to make lovely bathroom accessories.

This is how I made my simple but elegant T.P. holder. I have seen some things on the Internet similar to this.

DIY T.P. Holder

Here are two candle sticks which cost a total of $1.34 at my Salvation Army Thrift Store in Owensboro, Ky.

Centering Glass Candlestick

I am measuring all around the small candlestick on the top of the large candlestick for accurate placement.

Mark Placement With Pencil

I am using a glue which is supposed to hold glass and metal together even when wet or outside (time will tell). The glue is to be applied on both surfaces and let to cure for 5 minutes.

I Read Directions

I like to use my vintage timer for this.

I like the Rocket Design

I place the small candlestick on the large candlestick, weight it and wait for two hours.

Anything That Works is a Weight

Here is the finished T.P. holder with T.P. in its place.

Elegant TP Holder

 My family likes it.

Corbels and Shoe forms as Sculpture

My Scot took me to my favorite flea market, Trader Bakers in Owensboro, Ky. yesterday to get me out of the house. It was a good day, man, did I score big!

Lately, I've been perusing (drooling over) my Restoration Hardware Catalog for inspiration for my living/dining room. Architectural salvage pieces are so interesting.....and can be so pricey in the hands of dealers and shops that know what they have.....

A Great Sign for the Thrifter

I had seen these corbels and facade pieces on the floor in the corner of a booth for about 4 months. The problem was...there was no price. So, I kept waiting for a price. Yesterday, I moved the things around in the box and found the price underneath written on the box...$6.99 for "4 pieces off old house"! Yay!

Architectural Salvage as Sculpture 

This is a photo of the corbels as sculpture on my dining room table. The two candlesticks were purchased 13 years ago for my outside (poolside) wedding. I found the little wooden bird when I was visiting my mom and sister in Naples, Fla. this summer.(uh, oh! this could be a warning! Tangent Alert!) Naples, Fla. has the best thrift stores!  (no,no, false alarm!)

Iron Shoe Forms

I also decided it was time to buy this group of shoe forms which I had been wanting for a long time.....they were also at floor level...pricier, but, really? $18.00 for the group! Yay! The shoe forms are also very sculptural. I have no place for them at the moment....but I have an idea....

Shoe Forms are so Sculptural

Then, there is this very well made server's apron with pockets on both sides (reversible) priced at $1.25! Yay!

Chic Server's Apron

Then, there is this Pyrex loaf pan for $2.00! Now, I have five loaf pans for my bread baking days! Yay!

Pyrex  Bread Pan

Oh, yes, here are the two facade pieces...maybe they will work with the shoe forms.....I'll think about it and play with the pieces....and think about it.

Architectural Salvage

I say,"Yay!" a lot at this flea market. The rented booths are mostly unmanned. You can usually meet the vendors on a Saturday when they are stocking up.We have some favorites.....good people, good times, good scores.....Yay!

Shabby Chic Notion Chest

Years ago, my little sewing box could hold all my notions. Until recently, my notions were located in a shelf in my Stitch Studio....in plastic boxes. That was all fine and good until I spotted this remarkable little chest at My Salvation Army Thrift Store. That was when I realized that what  I needed was a Notion Chest! This little overpainted beauty was $5! Score! Do I think about the work involved to make it lovely? Of course not!...it was $5!

Pine Chest Before

The size is perfect and I could envision my collection of cigar boxes fitting in the little shelves with handmade labels for each type of notion. It is well built and fits in the spot in my Studio......

Pine Underneath Paint...lots of paint!

I took some mineral spirits to see what I was up against...How many layers of paint is that? So, after lots of stripper, elbow grease, heat gun and determination...I was happy with the chest when it was mostly stripped. (I have a problem with my hands and my patience.) So, shabby chic is good enough for me. This is not a rare antique, just a darling piece for my studio.

Shabby Chic Notion Chest

 I left some of the paint on the shelves, so I painted the inside shelves a soft white. Where I couldn't (or wouldn't) get the remaining paint off nooks and crannies, I added some soft coral paint. I finished the surface with Formby's Tung Oil.

The Bark Cloth was a thrift find

I lined the shelves with this great old bark cloth. It is a print of food with the calory count next to each item. I believe that this bark cloth was kitchen curtains at some point...who would do that to themselves????

Labels were added with double stick mounting tape that comes off with no damage to the box

I love cigar boxes, and I never pay more than $3 for one. The cigar boxes fit perfectly in the shelves.I made a label for each box.

Vintage cigar boxes hold sewing notions

These spools came with the threads on them

I used vintage American Thread Co. thread spools for the door handles.

The important thing in my studio is that there is a cute place for everything and everything is in its cute place. I work with so much stuff that the more organized I can be, the smoother my work goes. Fixing up old things is also good for me....I can take a break from work and still be productive.