A custom dresser, a hutch, and a business update.

It has been over 2 months since my last post.  I have received a few e-maila from my regular readers, wondering if I am still alive.  The answer is Yes, I am, and I will give an update as to why I have not blogged in some time.

 
But first, a furniture update, as is the sole purpose of my blog.

Spring time is the best time for scrapping.  (Scrapping definition: picking up free scrap metal off the side of the road - appliances, patio furniture, anything metal - and bringing it to the scrap yard for cash).  We actually make really good money doing scrap.  But that is a whole blog post for another time!  Sometimes, we find furniture when we are out scrapping.  This was the case for this old dresser:

I almost passed it by.  It needed a whole new top, side panels, and none of the drawers worked.  I decided to give it a chance, and boy am I glad I did.  We learned it is not actually that hard to replace the side panels, or the top piece.  For under $50 in material, this dresser will last another 100 years.  And the drawers were simply in the wrong place - as soon as we switched them around, they slid perfectly.

I had a customer for this piece before I had even started, so it was an easy sale - I did not bother to stage it.  Here it is, in it's new garment.

What a cutie!

Here is another piece I recently completed:

This hutch is done in Gatineau.  What a doll of a piece.  Speaking of dolls, there is an even cuter little doll in the bottom right corner of that photo!

A common question I've been getting lately is, "Can I milk paint outdoor furniture?"  The answer is, YES!  Here is a little project I did.

I found this adorable kids-sized picnic table, on the side of the road of course.  

To be honest, I quite liked it in its' weathered, rustic state.  But I had some leftover Gatineau paint from that hutch, so I decided to give it a whirl.  Here it is, all green and spring-like.

The finish I used on top of the milk paint is Tung Oil.  It's the same finish you would use on a butcher block counter or a wood cutting board.  Still natural and food-safe, but completely water resistant.  On a piece this weathered, it took a few coats.
 

So why haven't I blogged in a while?  Well, I decided to take a bit of a break this summer.  And because I didn't think I was busy enough, (sarcasm) I started a new business.  Just for the fun of it.  This business is called "Icycles".  The concept is a healthy frozen treats ice cream bike.

I took a cargo bike that Wike makes, took the cargo box off the front, built up a new box, in which I put a freezer.  The freezer runs off a car battery, which is charged by a small solar panel that is mounted on the back of the bike (directly behind the seat).  

These photos were taking by our friend, John, who is doing all the vending for us.  (No, I'm not biking around with my girls hanging off the back, selling ice cream.)

I sell the Yasso greek frozen yogurt bars, the Outshine fruit and veggie puree popsicles, and a friend of mine, who owns a catering company, has been making all natural, sugar-free freezies.  The best part is, I have a full stock of healthy frozen treats in my garage, that I feel great about giving to my kids.  What a fun treat!

So finally, an update about my little monkey's.  They are going to be 2 years old in a few weeks, and they are as busy as ever.  Anyone who has ever had a toddler would know - just times it by 2!  It is tricky to go to the park with them, because they run opposite ways.

Oh, but they are so much fun.  This is definitely my favourite stage.  They say words, they walk by themselves, they understand what I'm saying to them, they copy absolutely everything I do (who knew I slurped my coffee in the morning!) and they delight everyone wherever we go.  I have to admit - they are really great kids to take out.

And we are learning that flowers we don't pick.  I try my best to involve them in whatever I'm doing, as they love to help.  But it sure is hard when those grimy little hands love to be on everything!

Well, it may be a while until I'm blogging again about furniture, as long as the popsicle business goes well.  I'll be back though; I already miss painting!