Fruit Stand Rescue

When I pulled into the drive thru of my local Swiss Farms store, I saw him standing there by the dumpster.  My heart began to flutter at his sturdy rawness...Oh, the pure potential I saw in him.  I had to have him!

With nervous anticipation, I asked the workers if the were throwing him away.  I'm almost positive that my face was fire engine red as they explained that he was indeed headed for the trash; flushed because of the embarrassment I probably should have felt at the glaring 'crazy lady' looks I received.  I didn't care... he had to be mine. So begins the tale of the banana hammock rescue.

Yes, ladies... he is a banana hammock!  I know, I know.  I too can hardly contain the giggles that bubble up when I refer to him as 'The Banana Hammock"!  So for the sake of pretending we are all adults and not giddy school girls, I will from here on out refer to him as the "fruit stand".

When I first laid eyes on him, I envisioned an antiqued and distressed white coat of paint with a  beautiful graphic or some fancy scroll work on the front of each bucket shelf.  After getting him home and removing the top broken bucket shelf, I questioned whether he would look better in all his raw woodiness with a darker chocolaty stain.  I've been working on not second guessing my every decision (which leaves me frustrated and frozen and without alot of finished projects) so I went with my first vision.  After 2 coats of Sherwin William's White Dove paint I headed over to the Graphics Fairy for a lookie loo at her free graphics.  Been a fan of her site like 4-eva.  This is my first shot at using her graphics cause I'm kinda like a toddler who gets too many choices as to what to have for lunch;  I have a hard time making my decision and usually fall asleep with my face in the peas...

I did settle on 3 images.  It only took me 3 days to decide, but I did.  One for each bucket shelf.

This French typography was transferred with some transfer paper and a pencil to the middle bucket and hand painted in black paint.

The other 2 shelves were hand painted with 2 beautiful scroll options found at the Graphics Fairy also.

With a black Sharpie, I went in and drew in the more fancy line work on the Fabrique De Serrrurerie type.

My boy was antiqued with a glaze I whipped up with a dark chocolate acrylic and some water.  The glaze was applied sparingly with a brush and worked into the crevices and corners.

All in all, I am extremely pleased with how well he cleaned up.  Many thanks go to the graphics fairy for allowing us to use her beautiful images.  Now the hard part is figuring out exactly what I am going to use him for!  The ideas are overwhelming, bookshelf, towel holder, craft storage, plant holder.... too many choices to decide!  Guess you'll just have to come back over to see how I finally put this big guy to work!

I will be linking to these lovely parties listed here :

(list is fully updated at this time)

My Repurposed Life