The Cabinet II

The newly painted cabinet fits right into the space beside my laundry closet. Because the cabinet isn't very deep, the louvered doors have room to open. The burgundy red paint works well with the muted burgundy squares in the vinyl flooring and with the red in the wallpaper.

Olivia (mother of kitties Jim-Bob and Chloe) is breakfasting in front of the cabinet. Although Olivia coordinates well with the colors, I really need to find another place for the cat buffet. 

Above the cabinet are some peg hangers that I bought cheap when Salem Creek (a decorative accessory store in Roanoke) was having a sale about 20 years ago. 

From the pegs hang some cutting boards that my husband made from walnut lumber that came from our Smith Farm in the 60s.  On the right is a stockyard cane that we've had for years, and beside it is a wooden thingie that measures dry spaghetti.

Let's take a closer look at my folk-art decorative items. 

All were Goodwill finds; the cat, rabbit, and pie lady were a dollar each. The chalkboard was 75 cents. The bowl was 25 cents, and the pie candle that fits nicely in the bowl was $1.25. That little horse was my splurge at $2.75.

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The Cabinet

One person's trash is another's treasure, the saying goes. Last week, I found this little treasure leaning against a dumpster. Apparently, its last owner considered it trash.

It wasn't in the best of shape, but I didn't think it should take up space at the landfill. I decided it might be worth recycling.  If I couldn't use it, I'd at least take it to Goodwill.  

At home, a "cat scan" showed it had potential. I thought maybe if I fixed it up, I could use it in the kitchen.

Those shelves would hold a lot.

But the cabinet had plenty of scuff marks, both on top . . .

. . . and on the sides. The hinges were kind of cute, though.

I decided to paint it red, so I bought some spray paint at Lowe's. I let a bit of the woodgrain show through the paint to give it an antique-y look.

I think it'll look cute in my country kitchen. What do you think?

Total cost: $3.78.

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Favorite New Things

Here are some things I've acquired during the last two months.

This kitty tote was at Clay's Consignment Shop on Brooks Mill Road. It was new and still had the tag on it. I paid $6.00. My iPad fits nicely in the side compartment.

This little folk art horse with its load of wooden watermelons was at the Westlake Goodwill. I paid $2.75, more than I usually pay for knick-knacks, but it was so cute.

When I bought the horse, I also found a couple of pillar candles for 69 cents each. 

Last month I also acquired a couple of freebies. I won this little book in a contest that Facebook friend Janice Lee was running. It's a delightful little book of inspirational poems and quotations.

I won this really neat bat-hat in a contest that blogger buddy Diane Cayton-Hakey was running on her Blue Ridge Gal blog.

I already owned the cat and the basket.

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Cat Scratchscroll

A while back, I bought this cat scratching thingie at the Discovery Shop.

I paid $10 for it, more than I usually pay for used merchandise. However, this didn't look used and was still in the original box. But would the cats use it?

They did.

I checked online to find the original price.

I guess I got a good deal.

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