Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Junkin' Jewels Series - Donna from Distressed Donna Down Home!

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  When Danni Baird of Silo Hill Farm sends out a call for all junkers to sort through their stashes and create something, you say, "Yes, Craft Mistress!" and go to work.

Well, that being said, I am an overachiever so not only did I have to create ONE item, I had to create SIX items!

All supplies came from Horror Monster, my beloved craft stash.  Nothing was purchased.

I started with this bundle of lathing and mismatched molding which has been hanging out in the breakfast room for awhile.  My husband Chucks volunteered to cut the pieces if I had a project or he was throwing it out.

What!?! Throwing it out!?!

I know - we will make stars.  Not our usual small stars, but three-foot tall stars!

WARNING:  Major photo overload coming at you!






Chucks cut two pieces of lathing 36", two pieces of lathing 30", and one piece of molding 19".  He wants you to know he did this six times. 

I used E6000 to glue the joints and rubber banded each joint until it dried.

For six stars.

Which will be approximately three feet tall!





 Since the molding cross piece would be carrying some weight, I screwed it to the two long braces.

For six stars.

I am thinking at this point Danni is going to kill me!

But I still am going to make six stars!







Six completed stars in the only clean spot in the living room.  

They make a cute fireplace screen.

Notice some pieces had been previously painted and used.









 Next I collected small bottles of craft paint with dibs and dabs left in them and went to work painting the six stars.

Then I promptly took them outside with my handy sander and distressed them.

All six stars.

Got to have them looking worn!





 I burrowed deep into Horror Monster and came up with old bottles, bed springs, tattered tags, rusty wire, twine, and rusty star garland bought at Hobby Lobby a couple of years ago.

I had a hard time finding that garland until I realized it was neatly placed in a box labeled "rusty star garland"!

Well, I never!





The Six Junk Stash Stars



 I will not bore you absolutely to death with a long story about each star.  Just a brief note.

About each one.

Brown umber paint glaze.

All six stars were given two coats of a satin craft varnish.

Bed spring threaded through a tiny eye hook with a scrap paper cone and turquoise tissue paper.

Torn cotton ribbon tassel.

Tattered tag with a rusty star.












A close up of the embellishment.

Yes, I am going to show you all six stars!

Keep your seat.

I do want to add right here I had to go deep into the hedge in the side yard to take photos because the one afternoon when I had to take pictures, it was sunny!

The swarms of mosquitoes ate me alive!

Therefore, I am going to show you all six stars!






 I was really creative on two stars and painted them with different colors.

Rusty star garland.

Green Rolling Rock  bottle.

Tattered tag.

By the way, the left over rusty star garland is back in its box marked "rusty star garland".

Maybe next time I will remember that.

It ain't easy being organized.

Bet you thought I was going to say "green"!








I think I am in love with this one and may just keep it.

I wished I had put some flowers in the bottles!

I never think about styling my projects until I am already writing the post.












The black star distressed nicely with the old white paint peeking through.

Small old bottle.

Pink roses braided into a garland.

Pink tattered tag.




















 A bright blue bead.

Everything wrapped with the rusty craft wire.

















 Pink!  

Poodle Skirt Pink to be exact.  

Small glass bottle.

Roses braided into a garland.

Tattered tag.

Yada, yada.












 

When I wrapped the wire around, I added some funky beaded beads in pinks and greens.

Also there is a butterfly.

No mosquitoes though.

I do wish there was some way to use mosquitoes in craft projects.

I have several million of them.













Another colorful star with a bed spring paper cone adorning it.

Have you ever seen such a collection of odds and ends of just plain junk?

Don't lie, folks.  Most of you have it hidden away in a cabinet somewhere.

I own up to my mess and proudly display it.

I just don't open the front door!














The paper cone was fake ledger paper.

I would never use my genuinely old ledger paper.

I scan it and then print it out.

Or buy it at Hobby Lobby!

OOPS!  No, I did not go to Hobby Lobby, Danni.  Everything came from the stash!

I promise!









 This may be my favorite instead of the multi-colored one.

You know how I love turquoise.

The bed spring holds a paper cone with bright pink tissue.

How bright and cheerful

To think all this stuff was just stuck into nooks and crannies around the house.














Sakes alive!  I will have to clean more often if there is this much treasure!

How pretty!

Yes, I am congratulating myself.

If you have made it all the way to this point in this post, you should congratulate yourself.

Maybe you should go directly to your craft stash and see what creative project you can assemble from what is lurking about.











The all-star junk stash stars gather around the boxwood to show off.

I think I deserve not five stars, but SIX stars for my junk creation.

While they were kicking up their heels, my neighbor came over to ask if I would make her one in red.

Hey, Chucks!  Time to cut some more wood!

Naw, let's go junkin'!

See y'all!

Thanks Donna!!  Those were awesome!  Come back next month on the 8th to see what Revi @ Revisionary Life has to share!  
 



55 comments:

  1. OH MY WORD!! I love them all! How charming! Excuse me! I have to go make some stars! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Making stars is a secret passion of mine, but I have never created the giant ones. They were fun to do and there will be more in the works. I just need to get Chuck back to work sawing that wood!

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  2. Those are all so cute! What a great idea, and I love the personality that you added to them.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, each star (as with all stars) demanded a separate personality. They each wanted to stand on their own. Thank you for the lovely comment.

      Donna

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  3. Great idea, I love the rusty wire and garland.
    Cheers!
    Lori in Atlanta

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    Replies
    1. Lori,
      Thank you for coming to visit the stars. I do love me some rusty bits and pieces. I thought stars for the stars was a perfect combo.

      Donna

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  4. Oh Donna...I'd lost track of you after the Totally Couture Tuesday...glad I saw this post and figured out who you were again! Holy stars Batman...those are awesome! You definitely have the junk touch!

    -andi

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    Replies
    1. Andi,

      It's like the Midas touch - only messier! Glad to catch up with you again. And yes, I was wearing my junk couture outfit when constructing these!

      Donna

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  5. Replies
    1. Thank you for the six star review. The Junk Stash Stars are overjoyed with the response they are getting.

      Donna

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  6. Have Mercy, you two did good. I think I need/want one of these stars. xo, Olive

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    Replies
    1. You know where to find them, Olive. They were fun to do.

      Donna

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  7. Thanks, Ladies, for letting me show off my stars with you. Plus I managed to use up some on my junk!

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  8. Love them all {especially the pink one!} Great job :-)

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    Replies
    1. The poodle skirt pink one is a definite stand-out! Thank you for visiting.
      Donna

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  9. Wow!! Six huge stars! You are a star repurposer of lovely junk Donna. Love them all, but I'll take the pink one please. The bed springs used as holders are awesome!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am picky about what deserves one of my rusty bed springs, but I think the stars were worthy enough!

      Donna

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  10. I love these! I think I might need to make some.

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    Replies
    1. I have been making smaller ones for years, but have fallen for the larger ones. They look great on a mantel.

      Donna

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  11. The multi-color stars are my faves!!! I'm not sure my husband would help me this much. I'd have to make him lots of cookies!

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    Replies
    1. Chucks, my husband, said he will help cut strips, but next time not one star at a time. I was not sure how much wood I had., but it was just enough for six stars. The multi-colored stars were my favorites until I saw the turquoise one outside. Sometimes I am fickled.

      Donna

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  12. These are just fabulous Donna - I think you may have started a new craze in Blogland - wouldn't these be gorgeous for Christmas also???
    Pinning for sure!
    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was thinking of using some vintage elves on some red and green stars to make the season bright!

      Donna

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  13. Love your stars, Donna! I really LOVE the black one and the multi-colored one and, well, I love them all! Thanks for a great kick off to the new series!

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    Replies
    1. Mary,

      Thanks so much for the support. I was happy to kick off the Junkin' Jewels series for all the ladies. The black star is quite the handsome guy!

      Donna

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  14. These are awesome Donna! I love the pink one....and the turquoise one....and the multi-colored one....and...you get the picture! I love them all....but I especially love the pink one! I just may have to make some smaller ones for Christmas ornaments..:)

    Blessings, Vicky

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    Replies
    1. For the small ones, old shutter slats are great. You can add whatever you can possibly think of to adorn them. They are great for Christmas ornaments.

      Donna

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  15. Awesome, awesome, each and everyone. Just amazing how you pulled these together with a stack of used wood! I can see why you are such a jewel:)

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    Replies
    1. Well, it was either come up with a project or Chucks was going to chuck the wood out! Thanks for the "awesome" - it made my day.

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  16. Hey Miss Donna;
    Your Stars are Stunning!!!! I am in Love with the one with the old green bottle!!! It would look Beautiful in my front entryway next to my Antique Hall Tree.....Sigh.
    Ask Chucks, if he Delivers. That will get him going for sure!!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sunny, I always appreciate the comments you leave me. I wish I could email you back. You leave such kind and thoughtful comments on my posts. I have my giant star on the mantel.

      Donna

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  17. I love stars!! These are great. I can't even pick which one I like the best as they are all great! I love how you even used old bed springs!! Good job Donna!

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    Replies
    1. It takes a special project like these stars to earn a bed spring. I was able to use up a lot a miscellaneous craft supplies! (Of course I know I will just replace all of it!)

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  18. A star is just a star until you add some rusty junk. Then it really shines.

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    Replies
    1. Instead of stars, I have often have rust in my eyes! I always trust in the rust.

      Donna

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  19. Awesome Donna! I love the rusty star garland!I think I am in love with the one you are in love with! lol

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    Replies
    1. Who would have guessed you would love that turquoise star? I am hoping to find some more of the rusty star garland at Hobby Lobby. It is usually in the Christmas section.

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  20. Donna ...and Chuck ... great work. I like the size and the rustic decorations.

    I have lots of lumber so I need to get busy making some of these. Maybe I can talk Mr. Z. into making them and I can decorate them.

    Hugs,
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All it took for me to get moving was for Chuck to say he was throwing out the strips! He does deserve credit for cutting out the strips one at a time so I could make them come out even.

      Thank you, Audrey!

      Donna

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  21. I'm seeing three of these beauties on my porch for Christmas! Tons of inspiration and I'm pinning. Thanks, oh Goddess of Junk.

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    Replies
    1. I am seeing one in my front window for Christmas! And maybe some smaller ones around the Christmas tree. I'm just seeing stars everywhere.

      Thank you, Maureen!

      Donna

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  22. What a cool idea! I love how simple, but beautiful, these stars are!

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    Replies
    1. Tara,
      Thank you! They are very simple to make as long as you are patient enough for glue to dry!

      Donna

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  23. What a glorious post and an awesome way to kick off the series! Love those stars girl!

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    Replies
    1. Why thank you, Great Craft Mistress, I do appreciate the chance to show off as you well know! I can't wait to see what the other ladies have transformed.

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  24. I'm going to do one of these for Christmas, perfect Donna. If you find a way to incorporate the mozzies let me know they'll be here soon :(

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    Replies
    1. I thought of a verse about the Christmas star would look nice written on one. I have several smashed in a jar in the craft stash waiting for inspiration of just how to effectively to use mosquitoes in art pieces!

      Donna

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  25. Okay! I love these! I will definitely have to make me one or 2 or more! Very inspired!

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    Replies
    1. I can only imagine how creatively you could decorate one of these stars. Thank you for the nice comment.

      Donna

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  26. Oooh Donna - I love these...I'm gonna need to make one for Christmas too! Love LOVE!!!!

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    Replies
    1. We will have to get together and show off our Christmas stars!

      Donna

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  27. These are fab, loving all the adornments - it's got me thinking about Christmas and all the old veg crates I've been collecting from work. Thanks for the inspiration.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, gosh, taking those crates apart would make great stars. I have used old wooden shutter slats, too. Adornment Donna - that may be my name for awhile :>)

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  28. I'm sitting here laughing so much, it's hard to type! Six stars...and mosquitoes...crafty mosquitoes, or ones that want to be used in crafts...or you want to use. And yes, I read every word of the whole post. So do I get six stars, more specifically, your six stars? ;)
    What a great post, Donna! And what fabulous stars!! The decorations you used are perfect, I love them!
    Debbie :)

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    Replies
    1. Debbie,
      Thank you so much for having the endurance to soldier through and finish the post. You deserve six stars and a few mosquitoes thrown in for good measure.

      Donna

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