Thursday, August 23, 2012

Finders Keepers

After dropping my daughter off at her Nana's, I saw the most amazing thing at the end of a neighbor's driveway.  A milk can.  A "free" sign.  What a beautiful sight.  I slam on the breaks and toss it in the back like I'm stealing it for fear that some other person may have set eyes on the glorious thing and fight me for it.  I can land a good punch, be warned.  I never ever see things like this for free, I usually see them in some antique shop with a price tag on it that would make you think it was gilded with gold.   I got the hell out of there as fast as I could before the neighbor perhaps realized how utterly insane they were for getting rid of such a beautiful and wondrous treasure that is an antique milk can.  However, I think it's more likely that the neighbor thinks I'm the nut, but we won't go there. 
I took my treasure home and hid it from any curious onlookers and headed to the hardware store in search for a nifty color to spray it.  Most of my planters (by the way that's what I'm turning it into) on my porch are orange, green, cream, and various shades of coppery brown.  Purple seemed like a lovely pop of color, although I would have preferred an eggplant color which would have required a trip to the specialty paint store and my husband says I'm no longer allowed in there.


After much scraping with a wire brush to remove the old peeling paint, I sprayed a coat of rust colored primer and then two coats of high gloss purple enamel.  It was a little breezy and I'm pretty sure I got about as much on me as I did on the can.  Oh well, purple is fashionable.

It's coming up on fall soon, so while at the hardware store I also picked up a pretty orange mum to match even though I'm sure my hubby is tired of me buying more plants.  Too bad.

I think it turned out pretty darn snazzy!  I'm sure the other plants are jealous of the mum for having such a cool planter but I'm sure they'll get over it.  And no, you cannot have my milk can, I found it first :)




16 comments:

  1. I get so excited when I come across a great deal and you can't get any better than "FREE"! Love the purple, it adds a nice pop.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. Have a blessed day.

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    1. Free is always the best! And thanks for stopping by to say hello :)

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  2. LOL! Great story with a beautiful ending! It is a wonderful feeling when you happen to be in the right spot at the right time.

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    1. It's especially wonderful since I don't usually have the best luck in the "right spot right time" department!

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  3. What a find! I love how you painted the can to match your palette. Glad to have found your blog through Blogging Buddies.

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    1. I originally was going to paint it bronze, but I felt I needed a new and fun color that still "goes with the flow" :)

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  4. It turned out great -- I'm sure the mum is enjoying it's new home! I've found a few neat things marked "free" on the side of the road, but still feel like a thief and wonder if someone's watching from behind the curtains!

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    1. Sometimes I wonder why people get rid of such wonderful things! When I put a "free" sign on anything it's usually because it is actually junk, lol!

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  5. ohhh I would have been all over that just like you!! LOL score! turned out so cute

    www.yourcharmedlifeblog.com

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  6. hahaha, LOVE IT! I have been on the search for a milk jug, but like you, I can't afford one from an antique shop. lol
    Debbi
    -yankeeburrowcreations

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  7. What a great idea! We have one in our kitchen (my son uses it as a mini-seat/occasional drum) and I've never figured out what to do with it.

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    1. Most I've seen are used for mail box stands with plants around them but most of my porch decor is repurposed and reclaimed stuff snagged at rummage sales so it fit right in :) Giving new life to old "junk" is so rewarding!

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  8. What a great find! You made it look completely different. I'm going to start looking at driveways a whole new way from now on. One man's trash is another man's treasure! You definitely made that into a treasure!

    You ought to put these pictures together and make it into a little thank you card and hang it from their door!

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