A Plethora of Projects

Remember last Wednesday's post about laundry, and I mentioned that next I needed to get a cute laundry hamper? Well, the very next day I stopped into one of my favorite thrift stores and found this large wicker chest for only $19.90.


I thought it would work well as a hamper, and at that price it was a bargain. Have you priced nice wicker hampers? They can be upwards of $60 and higher! I took the fabric cover off and spray-painted the chest black, and got some batting and fabric at Walmart. After I took out the screws and took the lid off, I folded and cut the batting to fit on top of it. Then I tacked the batting to the lid at each corner with a staple gun.

Next, I put it face down on top of the fabric. There's Daisy the cat checking it out; realistically, she'll be the only one that sits on it, so I guess that's okay.

Then I folded the edge of the fabric up and over and stapled it to the wood frame.

I trimmed away the extra fabric to make it easier to work with. Look ma, no hands!

Then I folded up and stapled the other side. For heaven's sake, here's the dog, Lila, getting in my way too! Note to self: next time, lock the animals up.

The corners were a wee bit tricky because of all the extra fabric, but I just tucked and folded and pulled it over and stapled it. It doesn't have to be pretty on the inside.

Here it is all finished, and after screwing the hinges back on, it's in its new spot at the top of the stairs, right across from the laundry. See, I knew it wouldn't take long for Daisy to stake her claim. Now the trick will be getting the family to actually put their laundry in it!



Okay, next, Firstborn wanted me to feature the Lego town he's working on. There's Steak n Shake, a meat store (notice the chicken drumstick over the door), and the YMCA. You can probably see it better if you click on the photo to enlarge it. He's been a Lego maniac lately, and wants to be a Lego minifig for Halloween. He'd better get working on his costume.

Lastly, for the mac-daddy of projects, check out my cousin Heidi's kitchen remodel, which is featured in the current issue of BHG Special Interests Kitchen and Bath Ideas. Oddly, their website does not appear to be up-to-date, so there are no photos for me to link to. If you pick up an issue, her kitchen starts on pages 82-83. In one photo, on her bulletin board, if you know what you're looking at there's last year's Christmas photo of my kids. Skippy said "We're famous!".