Making something out of (almost) nothing

This weekend, we ended up doing some projects for the house.
On Saturday we went to a garage sale and I saw a coffee table I liked the look of - well, I liked the look of what I knew it might be!

This photo was taken part way through the sanding back. The top of the table was originally darker than the legs!

Only cost $10. I decided to do a two-tone look, with the top stripped back and the frame painted white. My loving (and very tolerant) husband stripped it all back. We deliberately left the edges a bit rustic/shabby chic.

We bought some clear Estapol and some paint (shade of white opal) which cost $60 but we have enough left over that when we find a similarly restoration ready dining table, we will have enough for that project too.

2 coats and a couple of hours and here's the result. I love it and now I just need to work out how to get rid of my old coffee table!

Project #2 - Work in progress! I am trying to make basket to collect our eggs every morning (I live in hope of huge hauls of eggs!). This basket uses stuff I already have around the house - some thin cord/rope and strips of left over material from previous quilts/projects I have made. I still have a long way to go (this much has taken me about four hours!) but I love how it is using up things I have stored away and getting rid of my material clutter!

Kids go back to school tomorrow and I go back to work and I'm anxious to see if I can still fit everything in once over 8 hours of my day is spent in the office. However, these holidays have taught me how precious time is and I'm making a concerted effort not to waste so much time. I have to set a time limit as to how long I spend on the Internet (otherwise 30 mins can turn into over an hour!) and I am limiting my TV time by only watching shows I passionately love - it's amazing how I can sit and watch what my kids are watching (which is usually crap!) just because the TV's on.

I hope you all have had great time with your kids over this school holidays but I must say - I am really looking forward to school going back and routine coming back in!