You’ve probably heard the saying, “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.” And then there’s, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
Both of those sayings seem to describe our family.
Take Erica, for example. Erica and Kendall have been married about 8 months and they live in Augusta, Georgia, where Kendall is currently stationed in the Army.
Erica grew up in our “living with less” family where we often found “trash” or “something old” and turned it into something new.
I was so proud of my girl when I saw her transformed dining room chairs on her blog. Just days before they moved, some friends gave her the functional, but not-very-pretty dining set. Here’s her transformation in pictures. She covered the seats and hand-painted the back rest to match.
Isn’t that inspiring?
What about you? What have you refinished or repurposed in some way that was far less expensive than new?
Wow! She is really talented!
Oh my word – now THAT is a transformation!!!! Doesn't that remind you so much of what Christ does for us? He meets us battered and bruised, broken and scared and turns us into a work of art. No, life certainly does not get easier when we follow Him – the darts are still thrown in our direction. However, the strength He gives me makes me feel less like that dirty chair and more like the pretty green and white one! 🙂
Great post – good work, Erica!
OOOOoooo Natalie, that is a beautiful analogy!
I love spray paint. I have a $2 table between 2 sitting chairs that I painted black. Another $3 table painted black and an old cabinet that was in my Great Aunt's basement. It started out yellow and I have painted it blue, green and now it is black. I even found a spraypaint for the hardware that made it a brushed nickel. I just got a cabinet from a friend for $5 that I need to paint and then my microwave will go on. I love getting a deal and giving something new life. The table and chairs look great! Darla
That is awesome, very talented young lady.
I would rather work on my business and let my children see me build my business than go without. I am not saying I am a materialistic person because I am not that way, but with the company I am working with we teach Middle Class Americans how to get out of debt and stay that way, and possibly earn money while helping others like themselves.
I love these chairs. Now I need to find a yardsale so I can redo some pieces for our house. What a talented daughter you have Jill!!
Jill,
I just found your blog and I love it. I am the mom of five too, here in NY. Come visit my bloggy world sometime!
http://housemefromthewind1.blogspot.com/
Oh my gosh! I thought you were talking about my husband and I. I grew up in a home where I was either told no, not this paycheck, or we will see later. I believed we lived paycheck to paycheck. Now that my dad has shown me his finances so I know what I need to do when my parents pass away; I see my parents were actually putting a huge amount of money each paycheck into savings. My husband grew up as an Army officer child and whatever his dad wanted he bought whether he could afford it or not. My husband is in the Air Force, he is not an officer, and we live just on his income. We have four children who we are homeschooling. It was extremely difficult for him when we were first married to not be able to buy anything he wanted. It is still difficult at times for him but it has gotten better each year. We have been married for almost seventeen years. Thank you for all your helpful advice! I greatly appreciate it!