Buried Treasure is Everywhere

So a quick reasoning behind the name The D.I.Y Pirate. One thing I've learned as a do it yourself-er who doesn't have the funds to be out buying supplies every other day is- who have to be resourceful. Sometimes projects turn out better if you just start with an idea, see what you scavenge up, and then from there decide what it is you can create. Every crafter has that box of stuff of things couldn't bear to part with because the potential was there. That saying one mans trash is another mans treasure is becoming the latest fad. They have shows on HGTV dedicated to people who pick threw garbage and build a bedframe with what they find. I don't recommend picking through your neighbors trash can, but the idea is there. Scavenging. Pillaging. Looking for treasure. Its become a way of life :D  Arrrrrrggghhhh

I'm lucky enough to live in an older home in the country, and when we moved in three years ago the garage was full of the prior owners stuff. There was old windows and tons of wood, crazy furniture from the 70s and crates and planters galore. 

So think back to my first post I mentioned  the call to my MIL that led to a bench in my yard. Well, this was my first big building project at my new house, and the idea was in the area just outside my screened in deck was a gravel area, with no use, no purpose and an ugly L-shaped retaining wall. Behind the wall was the beginning of my pretty yard, but I couldn't get past the cement wall and the empty boring space to enjoy the yard itself. So things needed to change. FAST. With a garage full of wood. $30. And a quicky call to my mother in law, the adventure began. 

I don't have any picture of the before because the space was so yucky I didn't want to ever remember it. SOoooo using trusty paint I made a concept drawing of what I wanted it to look like.

I know impressive right! Well using my sweet paint skills I was able to get the concept of how big I wanted everything to be. Mind you the plants where and still are terribly unruly. The prior owner was a friend of the family and when she passed away the house was put up for sale. Before she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer she was an amazing gardener. She has things planted EVERYWHERE and my limited knowledge of what is a weed an what is a flower has prevented me from doing more than mild pruning and pulling up dandelions. The big planting year will be this upcoming summer ( stay tuned ). Okay back to the bench.  So I knew I wanted an L bench, so that I could build a fire pit and have a great hang out spot. 

Here's where the treasure hunting begins. My MIL opened up my garage, and let me add it is a 2 car wide 2 deep pole barn type garage. So its big. Way in the back is the 2x4s that were left behind so we went back to collect. In order to get to them we had to move these giant pane less windows like things, that looked a little worst for wear and they didn't match. Instead of moving them aside the idea hit us.  These could be backs to the benches. TADA! We struck gold. They were the epitome of shabby chic. Lovely and old world, and even better- free!!!!  Since we've built the bench I've seen similar things at garage sales, and flea markets all the time. People usually pass them up because they no longer serve the purpose they were built for. But in the crafter's world the uses are endless.

So here is the final product. It was the perfect mix of old country and shabby chic. We edited the design because my husband's uncle came and between him and my MIL they were able to make it even more detailed allowing for a corner planter to stay where it was. So with some scrap wood, three old wooden window like things, and $20ish to buy some extra wood I had a brand new space to relax and make memories in. 

Inspiration is everywhere 

My first post!

With this being my first blog, my first post, and my first real attempt at creative writing, I'm going to start off by saying... take it easy on me :D I will not promise that there will be no spelling or grammar errors, and that it may take me a while to figure out how to make things more aesthetically pleasing. However, I can promise that I will be a dedicated poster, even if I don't have a single follower.

As much as I'd like to say I am a 50s sitcom mother, with designated craft time, a spotless kitchen, cookies in the oven and a smile on my face... it would be a flat out lie. My house is crazy. All the time. It will never be spotless. I've come to terms with this. Also I commend all you healthy/ organic eaters out there, but with an Italian grandmother in law who puts Food Network to shame, we tend to cook everything covered in garlic and butter. Okay recap... dirty house, unhealthy eater. Have I lost you yet? Okay well let me tell you about my family.

Let's start with the smallest... First there is my teacup chihuahua, with a bigger personality than most children, who has been with me since my freshman year of college. Next a new puppy who is determined to eat my entire living room one throw pillow at a time. Then we come to the pride of my life, ( lets call him LM/ Little Man )  my two year old who shocks me everyday with his cleverness ( used for both good and evil ). Last but not least my DH ( Darling Husband just in case you didn't know :) recently finished his five year term in the Marines, XBox enthusiast, and hater of all things DIY. Not saying he isn't supportive, but if he had to pick between building a bench and being water bordered... well lets just say he'd be weighing his options.

But I have the most amazing support system. My brother and best friend in the whole world, and active duty Marine, my dad who will always be my partner in crime when I have a DIY idea ( crazy or not ), my mom aka my cheering section, and my mother in law, who I'm so lucky to have. She is the one I call when I have an idea but I just can't figure out how to make it happen. I call her and say  "Hey my backyard is boring I want to build a bench" and she comes over with her truck full of saws and tools, and we build a bench. But we can also sit up online till the wee hours of the morning looking up craft ideas, and party planning tips.

So when it all comes down to it, the reason for this blog is document crafty happening in the world of Amanda,  to promote women using power tools, how tos, highlighting inspirational woman who share similar interests, and finally following my step buy step attempt to start my own business ( A Little Bee Apothecary Bath Products )  .