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La joie c'est le partage
{ the joy is in the sharing }

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Fun For the Kids

I love little, child sized chairs. I always seem to find them at flea markets or yard sales. I even got an adorable ladder back style rocker off of freecycle a couple of years ago. Then, my sister in law found an exact match to that one at a yard sale last spring and picked it up for me. Well, they sat in our basement all this time just waiting for the perfect project. My husband saw them recently and said, "why do we have all of these little chairs? Do we really need this many?" "Of course we do" I replied. "I'm going to do something with them, just wait and see." Okay, now I have to come up with something. So, a couple days later, he sees them again and threatens to get rid of them if I don't find some use for them politely asks me to find a good use for them because they've been sitting in the same spot for 2 years now! Okay, now I've really got to come up with something!
Well, as luck would have it, while digging out the chairs to paint them, I also found an old tool caddy I had forgotten about. An idea was born. Thank you Mr. French Cottage, for the little push I needed!

Here is the old tool caddy. I wish I had remembered to take a picture of it before I prettied it up - but alas, I forgot. Again!

Anyway, I painted it white and added this pretty little fleur de lis. Then I distressed it all over. Now I'm on a roll, so out to the shed I go in search of some clay flower pots and red spray paint.

I painted the pots and then added crayons, stickers, paintbrushes, etc...



The kiddos added the airplanes, trucks, etc

A portable art caddy suddenly appears out of lots of miscellaneous things lying around and it didn't cost me a thing because everything was free or just found around the house!
Yeah me! Yeah kids! Yeah Mr. French Cottage!
Everybody's happy now
and the kids can pull up a chair to the coffee table and do fabulous artwork while I cook dinner!
How great is that?

Have a wonderful day!
xo and God Bless,
Kathleen

13 comments:

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

I love your little chairs and your artists caddy perfect for little hands. I also love your button on your sidebar. I've been reading your blog for a while and just noticed your button. I'm going to put it on my sidebar as soon as I'm finished catching up on your older posts. Have a great week!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

This is an adorable idea, Kathleen! Functional and pretty...and I love the little chairs, too!

COTTAG3 said...

Oh, that is great. What a cool idea with the caddy. I have a couple of little child's rockers that I just love even though I don't have any little children anymore. Maybe someday (way in the future) grandchildren will sit in them.

savvycityfarmer said...

... you have a cozy little family

Parisienne Farmgirl said...

Thanks for your comment on "Sanity Keepers" - Your family is looking lovely as always! My kids LOVE to color while I cook dinner... talk about a sanity keeper during the witching hours (4-6pm). Happy late Mothers Day!

Melissa Miller said...

Kathleen how PRECIOUS! I just adore the little black chairs and caddy with the special touch of a fleur de lis. You really did great! *Smiles*

Stop by! I think you may like my new blog design. ~Melissa :)

Anonymous said...

Love that little crate and all the neat ways you used it. I could use one or two of those around here. have a great weekend my friend~ xoxox Susie

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Hi Kathleen....how are you and your gang!?Love this idea,the chairs are so sweet!Talk soon,x0x0x0

Decor To Adore said...

How truly lovely.

I hope you'll stop by my blog. I am hosting a giveaway for a darling French tote.

Gracefully Vintage said...

How cute is that- i just bought the same little wooden box- i painted white and havnt finished it yet- Great Idea- and love your blog- i will follow you, and cute kiddies- im liking your style my friend
Karryann

Cindy said...

Your little rockers look just great and so does your craft holder. I think I will make one of those.
I love your blog, you have some great ideas and thanks so much for showing how they are done.
Hugs, Cindy S

Siddis back home said...

Hi, I love your blog, I found it when I was looking for "how to make a french chair cover". How do you make your grain sacks?
Congrats with your daughter, we are also lucky, got twhins 18 months ago. Happy 4th July!

June said...

Surely this cannot be my first visit to your beautiful blog can it? I love child chairs too and have them around my coffee table as well in my family room. I love finding little chairs and I have them everywhere. I have some on the front porch too.
You have such a lovely style and I have enjoyed so much my visit here.
hugs